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 youmusthave 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 buildingsaftera 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 priorityuntilthese 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.
