I made a polite noise of affirmation.
Zevrial had left sometime during the Restoration process.
And for some bizarre reason, that made me feel bereft.
Chapter 21
Falling Behind
As we stood in the courtyard, waiting to hear the midterm results, I ruminated.
This place was just another cage. Sure, it smelled better than the Reformatory and there were more luxuries, but we weren't any freer here than Henrik, Yeshar, and I had been there. The leash was so tight around my neck it was strangling.
Being here was more palatable, but that didn't make the truth any less likely to throttle me.
Or maybe I was just panicking because my singular King Protea blossom couldn't have been good enough to pass the midterm.
Yeshar looked confident, chatting amicably with half a dozen other trainees and Instructor Penbrook. Henrik had positioned himself at the opposite end of the courtyard. His plum discoloration was fading.
Maybe the mysterious glyph on my chest also gave me the ability to paralyze myself with anxiety.
Nah, that’s innate.
My life was starting to resemble a wild dream, violent and merciless as it twisted and deformed. I didn’t care for the new shape it was taking.
Instructor Garcien stepped forward. “We have completed our evaluation from the results of the midterm. Before we reveal the results, would Orin Miller please step forward.”
A murmur rose up over the courtyard as everyone began whispering at once. Orin looked bewildered but proud as he moved toward the podium.
“For dishonorable, disreputable, and unacceptable conduct toward a fellow trainee and teammate, you are hereby expelled from Voyager training.” My sore jaw unhinged itself, hanging wide open. I had presumed they'd give him a lower score since he didn't bring back any of his own flowers, maybe minor disciplinary action. But Instructor Garcien wasn't done yet.
“You have been sentenced to four months in the Reformatory for assault and petty theft, and you have one hour to pack your things and vacate the premises. You will do so under the supervision of two Sentinels.”
Orin's face was stricken, the whites of his eyes too wild as he looked around the courtyard. Seeing him like that, I pulled my mouth shut, smoothing out my expression.
His gaze caught mine, and his fear transformed to anger.
“She's lying!” he yelled, pointing directly at me. “I didn't do it, she was injured before the midterm started! I didn't do anything to her!”
Before he could get out another word, Zevrial hauled him up by his upper arms, dropping him off the podium where he fell onto his knees on the ground. “She didn't report you. We have witness testimony from a third party who came across thescene.” He picked up a sheet of bark with Orin’s midterm scores on it, crumpling it into a ball and dropping it onto Orin’s back.
Orin stuttered as he floundered back to his feet. He looked like a water strider stranded on dry land. “B-But I'm innocent!”
Instructor Garcien moved forward now, her face terrible. “You are anything but innocent, and because of this additional disorderly and disruptive conduct, you'll be escorted directly to the Reformatory to await sentencing. Your belongings will be available for you upon your release.”
Two Sentinels moved away from the wall where I hadn’t noticed them hovering, taking a hold of Orin’s shoulders as he began to yell In panic. They must have come in before the gate closed, either from perimeter patrol duty or guard duty at the Reformatory.
“I didn't do anything! I swear! I didn't! I have to stay here!” I tuned his cries out, staring blankly ahead.
Fighting won’t be tolerated. With anyone.
The people I'd tripped and shoved during the Mistrun rose to my mind. The twin whose wrist I’d broken when he tried to skewer me. Was I any better than Orin, doing whatever it took to get ahead?
It wasn't the same, but it was too close for my comfort. I hadn't attacked or seriously injured anyone at the outpost, or stolen from them, and the Mistrun had been a competition of individual ability. The midterm had been a team based challenge, and Orin had intentionally assaulted and stolen from his own teammate just to get ahead.
You’ve only done what you had to.
I gulped down a salty taste filling my throat. I hadn't intended to harm any of my Mistrun competitors except when I was endangered, but I hadn't slowed down to check on anyone either. Did I know for certain I hadn't injured those I’d tripped?Had Orin intended to seriously harm me? Recalling his words, hadn't he tried to coerce me into giving up the flowers willingly first?
