Chapter 14 A Different View
~ brEN ~
It was almost the dinner hour. I’d already flown patrol that morning, then immediately come to the Academy building for a Shadowfang class.
This one was quiet, mostly thinking and talking, so I practiced pulling my blade from the sheath strapped to my belt, and re-sheathing it quickly as I sat there, but my arm was already weary.
And I still had ambush training after the meal.
I dreaded it, because I was exhausted. That training was in the fight hall, which meant it would be physical.
My stomach rumbled audibly in the quiet room, audible over the murmuring of other pairs of Shadowfang. Two of the nearby brothers snorted. I ignored them. Given their size, they were probably even hungrier than me.
Sitting across the table, Gil cleared his throat and raised a brow. I muttered an apology, re-sheathed the knife, and made myself focus.
We were working through scenarios in which I had to problem solve on my feet. The faster we got through this, the sooner I could eat.
“I’m ready for the next one,” I said quietly, under the low murmur of conversation around the room.
Gil nodded. “Remember: There are no correct answers, only survivable ones. Do you understand what that means?”
“It means that the questions aren’t intended to test my knowledge, but my ability to solve problems,” I said, repeating what Voski had told us at the beginning of the session.
“That’s right. Take as much time to think this through as you need. This isn’t quick-fire.”
I listened as he read out the challenge, turning it over in my mind as I envisioned the scenario.
While operating under deep cover, a mercenary agent discovers that you’re a Furyknight. They threaten exposure unless you pay a hefty sum to keep them quiet. Extraction would mean abandoning your post when you have almost achieved your goal. What do you do?
Gil put the paper down. “Break it down for me—what risks can you identify, and how would you address each of them?”
I frowned and turned it back over in my mind. “Is the mercenary male or female?”
“Male.”
“Do they have any known alliances?”
“You don’t know. You only became aware of him because he confronted you with this.”
“How did he find out?”
Gil’s lips pulled up on one side like I’d pleased him with the question. “He claims he saw you interacting with Akhane, and his dragon recognized the bond.”
I was surprised. “Dragons can do that?”
“Some of them, yes.”
I gave it some thought. “Did I interact with Akhane? Is that story true?”
“You tell me, Bren. Let’s say it’s possible. He’s telling you that he saw you with your dragon, and his dragon could sense the bond between you. What do you do?”
“Well, the first thing that stands out is that he’s a mercenary. That means he’s loyal to whomever will pay. And extorting me doesn’t stop him seeking another, higher bidder for this information.”
Gil nodded as he scratched notes on his paper.
I grimaced. “It’s also possible he’s lying.
That he has a hunch, and is just seeing if I’ll bite.
I’d consider whether it’s even possible that’s true.
If I have a safe place to visit Akhane, or haven’t seen her recently, and he’s just fishing, I’d laugh off the accusation and only act concerned that he doesn’t gossip with nobles. ”
Gil tipped his head. “Why?”
“Because in his world, I’m an ambitious, low-born female who’s trying to catch the eye of a Lord. I don’t want him thinking that I’m powerful when I need him to believe I’m helpless.”
“But, how do you convince this man not to reveal you?”
I chewed my lip. “Either, I work to be underestimated, showing concern for all the wrong kinds of problems so he’s confused, or—”
“Hold,” Gil said, frowning. “Explain that, please.”
I sat back in my chair. “It’s diversion.
I get frantic about the wrong things. He’s expecting me to be worried about being revealed as a Furyknight.
But if I’m frantic that some wealthy noble might stop pursuing me if he thinks I’m not in need, or beg him not to make me a target of the gossiping Ladies because they’ll be cruel and humiliate me in front of the men, then he might still be suspicious.
But he’ll question himself. Basically, if I express all the wrong priorities, he questions whether he’s got the right person.
He’s expecting shrewd cunning, or negotiation. I play the mindless victim.”
Gil’s eyes narrowed. “He’s a trader in secrets and power. He believes you’re a spy. A Furyknight. You believe he’ll fall for fluttering?”
“Possibly. If he wasn’t sure, and I play it right. Men often lose patience with a woman’s fear, thinking it’s frivolous. If he was testing the waters, he’ll roll his eyes and realize I have no resources with which to buy him off. He’ll look for a different target.”
“And if he doesn’t? If he believes you are that strong and resourceful?”
“Then it depends how deeply I’m entrenched with anyone of power. If I do actually have a Lord pursuing me, he might fall for the fluttering. Particularly because I’m a woman and the claim of Furyknight is preposterous without proof.”
Gil made more notes. “Tell me what other possible risks and outcomes you see in this scenario.”
“If there’s a chance he followed me and genuinely knows I’m a Furyknight—let’s say, I’d gone out the night before to see Akhane out of the city, and I heard something suspicious that could have been a watcher.
Then I play cold and shrewd. He’ll get his reward if he doesn’t reveal me, but he’ll have to accept that I don’t carry that kind of coin.
It’ll take some time to obtain it. I delay him as long as reasonably possible to give myself time.
Then use it to form a new plan, or if things are truly dire, I flee. ”
Gil scratched on the parchment again. “And if he doesn’t give you that freedom? If he tells you that either you conjure that coin for him immediately, or he’ll unmask you there and then?”
“He’s mercenary, as I said. He won’t be swayed by anything but money. I can pay a small portion to buy time to get out, or if that doesn’t work, my only remaining choices are to flee, or kill him.”
Gil’s gaze grew dark. “Have you ever killed a man before, Bren?”
“No. Have you?”
Gil gave me a dark look, then continued as if I hadn’t asked.
“One thing that’s important in the Fang is that we’re honest with ourselves about our weaknesses and limitations.
If you’ve never killed a man before, it’s likely you’ll hesitate at the very least—and a hesitation in a situation like this can mean anything from being overpowered, to dying yourself.
Your assessment is correct, but you must have an alternative plan in the event—”
“Furyknights! Attention!”
The barked order came from Voski, at the front of the room.
The Squad leaders rotated duties for training sessions.
I was glad he’d been assigned today, because it meant when I left shift and my brothers were there, I walked away with him and no one thought to question me heading to the Academy buildings after a shift.
We all jumped to our feet and snapped to face front, saluting, as an Officer entered the room, nodded to Voski, then turned to face the rest of us.
“Furyknights, at ease,” he said quietly.
We all relaxed, but kept our hands at our backs.
“I am Sergeant Holf and I hold orders for you. If you do not receive orders, you may go about your day. If you do receive orders, do not forget: Your daily orders in your usual squads take priority until these orders are underway. If you need to be excused from other duties, speak to the Wing Leader who is aware of this mission. Where is Furyknight Nethan?”
“Here, sir!” One of the men near the front raised a hand. I watched, curious and thrilled, as Holf marched to him, slapped a sealed envelope down on the table at his side, then called another name, turned and moved on to the next.
“Jopra?” Slap.
“Sheeran and Practur?” Slap, slap.
“Grode?” Slap.
“Kearney?”
My heart spun in my chest. “Here, sir!”
His movements were sharp, efficient, and without commentary as he moved through the classroom space. When he reached the table where Gil and I stood, he looked down at the envelopes in his hand, flipped through them, selected one, and slapped it on the table.
The following minute passed in a blur as I stared at that envelope, heart pattering in my chest. The seal was pressed into red wax and depicted the same dragon head, flame, and wings as our pins.
We were all forced to wait until the man strode to the front and turned to face us again. “God’s peace and protection go with you and your dragons,” he said solemnly, then he turned on his heel and left.
The moment the door closed behind him, the men who’d received papers swept them up from the tables to read.
My hands shook as I picked up mine and examined it for a moment before sliding a nail under the wax and breaking it.
By command of the King’s pleasure,
Furyknight Kearney is placed under Readiness Mandate.
Prepare your riding kit, arms, and necessities for immediate departure. A Fly-bag is to be kept packed, sealed, and within reach at all hours. Your dragon and gear are to remain fit for flight.
Hold yourself in readiness to ride at an hour not named, upon signal or summons. No forewarning may be given. Delay will not be tolerated.
These orders remain effective until superseded by your Commanding Officer, or sealed, written command. You will speak of this mandate to no one not sworn to the Order.
Stand ready.
Our enemies do not wait.
God watch over you.