I opened the book, curious about what constituted an inviolable rule in the Dragon Force. The pages were filled with neat, small text, interspersed with quotes from former commanders and advice on various scenarios.
The markings were self-explanatory, giving an immediate visual indicator of what kind of rule it was. Inviolable rules that must be obeyed at all times were marked with crossed swords and pertained to the chain of command, battle conduct, safety protocols, etc. Flexible, situationally enforced guidelines, which allowed for discretion based on context, were marked by balanced scales. And advisory rules, which were merely suggestions for unit cohesion, morale, or best practices, were marked by a star.
"Take a few minutes to familiarize yourselves with the content," Commander Langston instructed. "We'll discuss some of the most important sections when you are done."
The rustle of turning pages filled the classroom as everyone began exploring the rulebook. I flipped through my copy, noting sections on flight protocols, combat formations, and maintenance of equipment.
"Oh, interesting," Codric murmured from behind me. I turned to see him grinning at a page.
"What is it?" I asked.
He tilted his book so I could see. "'Intimate relationships between cadets of the same year are permitted as long as they are fully consensual, done discreetly, and don't interfere with other cadets' studies or rest times,'" he read in an amused voice.
Shovia rolled her eyes. "Of course that would be the thing to grab your attention."
"It's the most relevant information." Codric tapped the book. "Although I don't understand why we are restricted to cadets of the same year."
"Be grateful that it is allowed at all." Morek sighed. "I wish Erona had been found gifted and joined the academy."
Shovia leaned over and patted his arm. "Of course, you do."
A guy whose name I'd already forgotten turned around. "We are all adults here. It would have been illegal for them to forbid us from finding release with each other."
I could have told him that civilians and soldiers did not enjoy the same rights, but I kept it to myself.
Returning to the rulebook, I noted with interest a section about the chain of command and protocols for reporting misconduct. There was a specific prohibition against instructors or officers engaging in relationships with cadets, exactly as I had suspected.
"See here," I murmured to Kailin, pointing to the passage. "Relations between instructors or commanders and cadets are strictly prohibited, regardless of consent. It's clear-cut."
She didn't even look at the page. "I told you that it's not like that. Would you drop it already?"
"I did," I said quickly, not wanting to reignite our argument. "I just wanted to show you that the concern wasn't entirely unfounded. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a strict rule against it. It's actually marked with the crossed swords even though it is not battle-related."
She nodded in a concession of sorts and returned to her reading.
At some point, the door to the classroom opened, and Captain Odinah walked in. I tensed up, expecting her to call Kailin out again.
"Carry on, cadets. I'm not here for you." She continued directly to Commander Langston, and the two started a hushed conversation.
From their body language and facial expressions, I deduced that the topic wasn't trivial. Pretending to be engrossed in my rulebook, I strained to hear what they were talking about.
"The investigation into the bombing uncovered some interesting new information," Captain Odinah said. "They used the same explosive materials to create the avalanche that they used in the square. Although it makes little sense to me. If they'd succeeded in killing Saphir with the bomb at the square, the pilgrimage would have been canceled. So why plant more explosives on the way to the temple? Killing a few pilgrims didn't achieve much. Some fatalities are always expected. It's painful, and we all grieve for the loss, but it's not like they could crush our spirits by killing a few kids."
"Maybe they didn't expect to succeed in eliminating Saphir?" Langston suggested. "Maybe all three events were just their usual thirst for Elucian blood. It's all about how many of us they manage to kill by any means. Each death is a tribute to their vile god."
"It might be that the event at the square was just meant to kill as many Elucians as possible, and it didn't even occur to the Shedun that they might get Saphir." Commander Langston leaned against the desk. "After all, they are dumb, and they are not great at long-term planning. They are rotting their brains with all the performance-enhancing drugs that they consume."
"The inbreeding doesn't help their average intelligence either." Odinah leaned against the desk next to her friend and folded her arms over her chest, mimicking her pose. "We are lucky that they are so incompetent, but even so, they still nearly managed to deal us a fatal blow."
They weren't keeping their voices as low now, and I wondered whether their conversation was meant for us to hear.
Did they still suspect Codric and me, and were watching our reaction?
"Anyway, I came to tell you that security is being upped a notch for the shaman's arrival tomorrow," Odinah continued. "You should go over the protocols with the new cadets."
Saphir Fatewever was arriving at the Citadel tomorrow? That was valuable information. I needed to talk to him.
Would I even have access to the shaman?
