Rulebook Appendix
Isat cross-legged on my bed with the combat tactics manual propped against my knee, trying to focus on the chapter about aerial assault formations and push through the fatigue that was dulling my mind, but the words kept blurring together anyway.
Across the room, Codric had his own book open, but his head was slumped, his eyes were closed, and he was snoring lightly.
If I had a pillow to spare, I would have chucked it at his head to wake him up, but I was using mine to cushion my back against the wall.
"Codric, wake up!" I called.
The only response I got was an even louder snore.
"Codric! The book is not going to get into your head by osmosis."
He startled awake, wiping drool from his chin. "How long was I asleep?"
I shrugged. "I noticed the snoring only a minute ago, but given how hard it was to wake you up, you've been out for a while."
Codric flipped one more page, sighed in resignation, and closed the book. "My brain is fried. Nothing is getting in." He set it on his desk chair, which he was using as a nightstand.
I knew the feeling.
We were all exhausted after the intense day we'd had, so even though curfew was almost two hours away, most of us had retreated to our rooms right after dinner to study and rest.
A soft knock on our door had Codric perking up. "I wonder who that is?"
He bolted out of bed as if he hadn't been pretending to be half-dead only a moment ago.
"Well, hello there," he said as he opened the door, his voice dropping to that smooth, flirtatious tone he reserved for special company. "This is an unexpected pleasure."
I glanced up to see Shovia leaning against the doorframe, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She wore casual clothes rather than her uniform—a simple long shirt and leggings that somehow managed to look distinctly feminine on her tall, athletic frame.
"Is it?" she asked, glancing at me with a raised brow.
I had a distinct feeling that Shovia's visit wasn't spontaneous, and that Codric had been supposed to arrange for me not to be there and forgot or simply hadn't had the guts to ask.
"I didn't expect you to have the energy after the day we had," he admitted.
She snorted, sauntering into our room and sitting on his bed. "I'm antsy." She gave me a pointed look.
The girl wasn't subtle or bashful about what she wanted, and I appreciated it.
"Okay, I get the dragon-sized hint." I closed my book, pushed my feet into my boots, and grabbed my jacket on my way out.
I probably should grab the sleeping bag as well, but that would have meant opening the wardrobe and further delaying my departure.
"Have fun," I said as I closed the door behind me.
"Thanks, Alar," Shovia called after me. "You should check on Kailin. She might be a little lonely without me."
That was another dragon-sized hint, but I wasn't going to knock on Kailin's door and invite myself. It might be unfair, but females were allowed more leeway than males and could do things that would get males in trouble.
Not that I had a problem with that.
My mother had raised me to always wait for an explicit invitation and double-check before assuming that it had been given.
I headed to the lounge, which was located near the end of the corridor, next to the staircase that led to the upper floors. I hadn't paid much attention to what was inside when we'd been given the tour, and now that I was here, I was pleasantly surprised. The modestly appointed common area had several worn couches and armchairs that looked comfortable, a few bookcases full of books, and a dated television. I didn't expect anyone there, but the soft rustle of turning pages betrayed thesole occupant who was hiding behind the tall back of one of the swiveling armchairs that were facing the windows.
"Hello," I said as I walked inside.
