Chapter 37: Assessment Results (2)

Chapter 37: Assessment Results (2)

Xerxes spent the rest of the evening with the Swordmasters crew, never running into either Katayoun or Gandash.

In fact, it wasnt until he was snug under the covers that he saw his friend. Gandash slipped into the dorm room shortly before lights-out, with a pile of books in his arms.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Hey, Xerk.

Hey, Gandy. Have a nice day studying?

Yep. Gandash set about organizing his belongings, folding clothing items and stacking the books neatly on the desk before wrapping them together with twine.

Xerxes eyed him. Uh, whats going on? You going somewhere?

The assessment results come in tomorrow. Remember, they said these were temporary quarters. Might as well be ready to leave.

Oh, good point. Xerxes didnt move.

A few minutes later, Gandash finished his work, turned the lamp off just as the bell rang, and lay down. Xerk?

Yeah?

Do you ever think about? He stopped. You know. Gem. Rihan. Ap. He hesitated. And Bel.

Xerxes eyes opened wide. Of course I do. All the time.

Okay. It just seems like, sometimes, youre so happy. Like you forgot about all that.

Gandy, I havent forgotten. But at the same time, I dont want it to you know, define me.

Gandash nodded but didnt say anything.

Xerxes slowly sat up in bed. Gandy, I miss Bel a lot. I know you miss her more than me, but. he trailed off, not sure which direction to take the conversation. Anyway, I miss her. And us. The three of us at the Mage Academy, even on the road. Causing trouble. Having fun.

The truth was that he hadnt been thinking about Gem and Bel much. Or about how Seer Fale had talked about going back to get Bels body. Or how Captain Ishki had promised to personally hunt down the men whod killed Gem.

Fale and Ishki can handle all that, he told himself. Ill visit Bels grave next time Im back on Mannemid. Every day.

Except now, thoughts of blood and white tentacles occupied his mind. He closed his eyes and shook his head. Inhaled. Exhaled. But for some reason, the memories of the horrors on Mannemid made it difficult to say anything further.

An anxious rustle went through the crowd, until the High Archon said, Thankfully no one failed.

Sighs of relief could be heard everywhere.

The purpose of the assessments was to identify which Seers have the most potential to serve as officers, and command other mages on the battlefield. They also served to inform us of your skillset and place you into the proper class groups. Of the two hundred and eight of you who came up from the starisles subsidiary to Ira, weve selected thirteen to receive immediate commissions and receive special training.

If you hear your name called, please step up to the podium.

Janoah of Dumusi.

Danila of Al-Ga.

Xerxes didn't recognize the names. It didnt take long before he realized that only one person per starisle was being called. No, the High Archon named two mages from Ashlultum. Still, that fact made something else clear: the odds of both him and Gandash receiving officer commissions were slim.

I definitely outdid him in combat, Xerxes thought. They want warriors here, not scholars. Theres a good chance Ill be the one

Gandash of Humusi.

Shacharia of Ga.

And finally Candraketu of Harmu. Now, will all the other Seers please give a warm round of applause for the newly appointed officers.

Xerxes found himself clapping as Gandash threaded his way to the front of the crowd, and then climbed onto the podium with the other twelve new officers. In terms of the other eleven, a couple seemed familiar to Xerxes, but he hadnt met any of them. That said, he wasnt paying close attention. He was just looking at his friend, who was trying hard to not grin like a fool, yet failing.

Damn, Xerxes thought. His heart felt oddly empty. I was sure my fighting skills would push me to the top.

The applause faded.

Now, High Archon Kingallu said, the newly appointed officers will come with me. The rest of you can return to your rooms and pack your belongings. Youll be moving to the dorms in the west wing of the main building. Youll find an envelope in your current rooms with your name on it. In the envelope are details of your new accommodations, your primary teacher, and the classroom to report to.

Class schedule will be the same as before. Lectures in the morning. Practical training in the afternoon.

And theres one more thing. Before the first lecture with your new teacher, theres an extremely important bit of confidential information to be revealed. In order to keep this information confidential, you must take a blood oath of loyalty to the Sin-Amuhhu military, including a vow of silence regarding the new information. And what that means is dont be late to class!

You have one hour to pack, move dorms, and get to your assigned classroom.

Good luck, Seers!