Calli was one of the Novices they’d all come up with over the last eight years, and Elara’s best friend since early childhood. She was on a different Unit, one that often rivaled Fang Unit in its missions and exploits, but Rynna genuinely liked her. Sure, the Taren obsession had been exhausting that first year, but what else could you expect from teenage girls when a cute, brooding guy with a tragic backstory was involved? Thank goodness it hadn’t lasted long.
As if you weren’t just as obsessed with Fenn, that annoying voice in her head chimed in.And you weren’t even technically a teenage girl at the time. What was your excuse?
“Sorry, friend,” Calli continued, completely unfazed by Rynna’s inner monologue. “I just don’t get it.”
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that,” Rynna said again. “Look, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I guess we’ll find out soon enough if I made the right call. Either way, we’ve got more pressing things to focus on.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Calli frowned as they approached the large medical tent that Elara ran for Ember Reach. “We’re all moving out soon, huh?”
“Yep, looks that way.” She hadn’t yet found the courage to tell her friend she was being forced to stay behind.
“As if Commander Fenn doesn’t tell you everything.” Calli shivered for dramatic effect. “Still weird, by the way.”
“Calli!” Rynna laughed. The teasing about her relationship with the Fenn had evolved from initial shock at its revelation into something of a running joke between them.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s gorgeous and all,” Calli continued, undeterred. “But so old! You’ll be pushing him around in a wheelchair soon!”
“He’s not that old!” Rynna protested, giving the girl a light shove.
“He is, too! Besides, blonde hair is way hotter. The dark and red tips just make him look strange.”
“I happen to love his hair.”
“I’ll bet you do,” Calli whispered, her voice dropping conspiratorially as she leaned closer. “But, you know...is it all red like that? Like...everywhere?”
“CALLI!” Rynna shrieked, shoving her friend harder this time, causing her to stumble directly into Elara, who had just stepped out of the tent.
“Hey! Watch it!” Elara laughed, catching her before she could fall.
“You watch it!” Calli shot back, steadying herself. “I was just asking Rynna about the...uh...extent of Guide Fenn’s Source-tainted hair.”
“Extent?” Elara blinked, her face scrunching in confusion before the realization hit. Her cheeks flushed bright pink as the meaning sank in. “Oh—OH! Calli, really?!”
“What!?” She pushed Elara away. “As if you haven’t thought about it!”
“Thought about Guide Fenn’s…uh… red hair?! NO! I have not!”
“Ahem.” A loud cough broke through their chatter. The three young women froze as a wrinkled elder from Ember Reach stepped up behind them. “I’d suggest if you wish to continue discussing the Commander of the Third Regiment, you take it somewhere private. Perhaps another planet entirely.”
“So sorry, Granny!” Elara stammered, immediately bowing and shoving Calli and Rynna out of the woman’s path as she hurried to usher her toward the tent. “Your daily tea is ready. Please see Rafael when you get inside.”
“Mongrel. We should have never let her in the village,” the elder muttered as she passed. “And that Vessel carrying on with her like that out in the open. Unthinkable.”
And I should have let Taren kill you, you old bitch. Rynna’s fists clenched as she resisted the overwhelming urge to wipe the decrepit old bag from existence. Even though the elders of Ember Reach demanded the utmost respect, she knew many of them had done little to deserve it.
Calli gave Rynna a worried glance, her brow creasing as she hesitated before speaking.
“It’s fine.” Rynna crossed her arms and lifted her chin once the old woman was out of sight. “Are we getting lunch, or what?”
“Yes, let’s go.” Calli and Elara spoke almost in unison, quickly stepping to either side of Rynna to loop their arms through hers.
Walking in silence, the noise of the camp swelled around them in a cacophony of shouts, clanging metal, and hurried footsteps as Hollow-born prepared for war. They loaded their belts with small pouches and scrolls, and stashed weapons in accessible places as the faint jingle of chainmail and knives blended into the noise. Tents were being collapsed and swords handed out while the air buzzed with a sense of impending battle.
As they neared the stew stall, the rich aroma of simmering broth and grilled meat filled the air, momentarily masking the stress of the camp. Steam rose from large pots, the sound of potatoes and sizzling vegetables offering a brief distraction.
“I guess everyone wants a good meal before we leave,” Elara remarked, taking her place in the long line next to Rynna and Calli behind three Hollow-born from Gale Reach.
As they waited, Rynna’s ears picked up the low murmur of voices around her, the anxious chatter of an untested army on the eve of battle. This wasn’t new to her. She had seen it, lived it, hundreds, maybe even thousands of times. And she knew the grim truth that many, perhaps most, of these men and women would not survive the coming days, no matter what she did.
