Chapter 62 Kailin
KAILIN
"The faintest ripple can alter the course of history."
—Shaman Saphir Fatewever
Why had the shaman called for Alar?
I was the one who should have gotten a summons. I'd been expecting it, and then it came, but not for me.
As we took the stairs to the lower level where the weapons training class was held, I turned to Shovia. "What do you think Saphir wants with Alar?"
She shrugged. "Maybe it's because he's an Elurian? But then Codric would have been called too."
"My thoughts exactly." I chewed on my lower lip. "Besides, both Codric and Alar have proven themselves before and during the pilgrimage. They helped with the injured after the bombing of the square, and Codric almost died when the path collapsed under him and you."
She shivered. "Don't remind me. I managed to suppress this near-death experience. Maybe the shaman just wants to know more about that fancy school they went to. Did Alar tell you about his time in the Vedona Elite Academy?"
"I know what you know. He and Codric had basic training and then stayed on for a more advanced course."
Come to think of it, Alar hadn't told me much about his home at all.
I knew that he had four older brothers, but I didn't know if he had any sisters, and whether his parents were still around or what they did for a living.
They were part of the merchant class, but I wasn't sure what that implied other than a certain level of wealth and the socioeconomic status that was invariably associated with it.
They were wealthy but not noble, although I was quite sure that people of that class engaged in more than just commerce.
I should really make a point of spending more time with Alar and get to know him and what had shaped the person he'd become.
Although with the intense schedule of the flight academy, there wasn't much time left, and during those stolen moments, I preferred to do other things.
Warmth spread through me as I recalled the events of last night and what could have happened if Shovia had spent the night with Codric.
Then again, I was glad that she'd interrupted us because it would have been terribly irresponsible of me to engage in such an act without taking precautions.
I needed to start drinking the contraceptive tea, and I hoped it was available for purchase in the Citadel's apothecary.
If not, I would have to send a letter to Gran and ask her to send me some.
Dear Elu, how I missed my grandmother, my parents, and Chicha. I hadn't been gone long enough to justify the tightness in my chest, but knowing that I wouldn't get to see them anytime soon made this short separation seem so much longer.
"Did Alar share with you what the shaman told him at the Circle of Fate?" Shovia asked.
"No, and you didn't tell me either. We are not supposed to talk about it."
It wasn't a rule, but it was considered impolite to ask people about it in case they didn't want to share.
"I can barely remember what the shaman told me. I was so drugged that everything was blurred."
For some reason, I didn't believe Shovia was being entirely truthful, but she was just as entitled to her secrets as I was, and I didn't want to confront her. "Alar remembers what Saphir told him, but he can't tell me."
She lifted a brow. "Now that you and Alar are a couple, I assumed you confided in each other."
Yeah, except I couldn't, and evidently Alar couldn't either.
When Alar had refused to tell me what Saphir had told him during the ceremony, I'd assumed it was personal, but what if there was more to it? What if the shaman had seen something in him, some hidden gift or ability that even Alar didn't know about?
I was probably projecting my own situation onto him, but it could be the reason.
"Maybe it's about Alar's observations on the attacks," I said instead.
Codric, who had been walking a few paces ahead of us, dropped back to join our conversation. "Don't worry about Alar. He can handle himself even with your famous shaman."
There was something in his tone that struck me as odd—a forced casualness that suggested he knew more than he was letting on.
I filed the observation away as we entered the weapons training hall, still feeling uneasy and anxious despite Codric's reassurance. I needed to know what was going on with Alar.
Was that how he'd felt about my involvement with Commander Ravel?
At least Saphir wasn't a beautiful woman who might have romantic designs on my guy, so jealousy wasn't part of the equation, but I could understand how it could be for Alar in regard to Ravel.
The weapons training hall was a vast utilitarian space with high ceilings and a row of long tables at one end, laden with various types of firearms. The far wall was lined with targets at different distances, and the smell of gunpowder hung in the air.
A lean, hawk-faced man stood at the center of the room, hands clasped behind his back, watching us file in with sharp, assessing eyes. His uniform bore the insignia of the Sentinel Wing.
"Form a line, cadets," he barked without preamble. "I am Captain Kaveek, and I will be your weapons training instructor."
We hastily arranged ourselves in a straight line facing him, and I ended up standing between Shovia and a cadet from one of the earlier pilgrimages whose name I couldn't recall.
"We will begin with standard-issue firearms," Captain Kaveek said, pacing slowly before us. "While your primary weapons will always be your dragon's fire and sometimes claws, you will always carry a weapon for situations where you must proceed without their assistance."
He gestured for us to pick up the rifles from the tables.
They were the standard Elucian military issue with a telescopic sight and an adjustable stock. I'd trained with similar weapons during the youth defense program that all Elucians were required to attend from a young age.
"The Elucians present have received basic firearms training," Kaveek said, his gaze sweeping over us. "For those from Eluria, we'll provide additional instruction if needed." His eyes lingered on Codric, who stood several positions down from me.
"No need, sir," Codric said with a cocky confidence. "I'm quite proficient."
Captain Kaveek raised an eyebrow. "We'll see about that." He moved down the line. "Let's begin with a review of safety protocols and basic handling, followed by a preliminary accuracy assessment."
As the captain launched into his safety briefing, I found my thoughts drifting back to Alar, the passion of last night, and my worry about what was going on in Saphir's office.
"Cadet Strom," Captain Kaveek's sharp voice cut through my thoughts. "Perhaps you'd care to demonstrate proper trigger discipline for the class, since you seem to think that you don't need to pay attention."
Heat rushed to my face as all eyes turned to me. "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."
I stepped forward, taking my rifle and demonstrating the correct finger positioning—index finger extended along the frame, not touching the trigger until ready to fire.
I showed the proper way to check if the chamber was clear, how to engage and disengage the safety, and the correct stance for optimal stability.
Kaveek nodded curtly. "Adequate. Return to your position."
I let out a quiet breath of relief as I stepped back into line. Shovia nudged me with her elbow, shooting me a reproachful look.
After completing the safety review, Captain Kaveek had us move to the firing line.
The targets were set at thirty feet, a standard distance for basic proficiency testing.
As I took my position, I cleared my mind of distractions, focusing solely on the target before me.
I checked my rifle, making sure it was properly loaded and the safety was engaged.
"Listen up," Kaveek called out. "On my command, you will fire five rounds. Accuracy matters, not speed. Ready your weapons."
I disengaged the safety, settling into a stable stance with the rifle braced against my shoulder.
"Fire at will."
Even though we were all using ear protection, the sound of gunfire filled the hall as twenty-four cadets began shooting.
I took my time, controlling my breathing as I'd been taught.
Inhale, aim, exhale halfway, hold, squeeze the trigger gently.
The rifle kicked against my shoulder, but I maintained my position, adjusting slightly between shots.
Five rounds, five hits, all within the central ring of the target. Not perfect, but better than respectable. I engaged the safety and lowered my weapon, glancing around to see how the others had fared.
Codric was the only one who had outdone me, clustering his shots tightly in the dead center of his target.
Shovia had done well, though her shots were spread wider than mine. Morek hadn't done so well, but some of the other cadets had fared worse, with shots scattered across their targets or missing entirely.
"Clear your weapons and step back from the line," Kaveek ordered.
As we moved away from the firing positions, the captain walked down the line, examining each target with a critical eye. When he reached mine, he paused.
"Not bad, Cadet Strom," he said. "Consistent grouping, good control." He moved on to Codric's target and raised an eyebrow. "Impressive, Cadet Teress. I assume you've had military training." A statement, not a question.
Codric smiled that charming smile of his. "I have, but it's also a sport I enjoy."
"Sport?" The captain looked perplexed. "Are there shooting competitions in Eluria?"
"No, sir. I meant hunting."
Kaveek humphed. "Pampered Elurians. When Elucians hunt, it's not for sport but to put food on the table."
"We eat what we kill," Codric said defensively. "We don't let it go to waste."
Kaveek seemed only partially mollified. "Well, that makes it a little better, but I still have a problem with you calling it a sport."
"Yes, sir. I won't from now on."
I stifled a smile. For a change, Codric had wisely chosen to acquiesce and shut up.