The next day, the morning war games were brutal. The free-for-all that the leaders assigned Pax’s group to tested the limits of the specialized protective equipment. More than a few students required potions, and one had to be sent off to the healer hall. At least Kurt and his two friends, who’d filled out their team, were becoming more useful. This time, they’d dug up critical information on the other teams’ planned tactics.

The win felt bittersweet because Pax kept imagining how his future battles on the rebellion’s side would be. He knew it would be hard to face people he’d trained beside across a battlefield.

Pax felt edgy, too, because they hadn’t made it to their training cave last night for his friends to discuss his list of evolution choices. They’d promised to make time tonight. Then, he needed to carve some time to discuss the topic with Incedis, too.

He wasn’t the same kid who just picked what sounded good and hoped things worked out. He could be patient. It was just painful to have so many amazing evolutions waiting for a simple agreement from him to go into effect.

He pushed the topic aside and did his best to enjoy his lunch. He just needed to get through the rest of the day, and then he’d make progress on his build.

After finishing lunch in the dining hall, Pax’s crew veered into the side hall to the announcement boards. Pax almost ran into the back of Rin when she stopped suddenly, staring at the notices.

“What is it?” Amil asked, sounding both suspicious and worried at the same time.

She turned to them with a shaky smile. “It looks like our team is planning a party. Doesn't that sound wonderful?”

Pax pushed past her, eyes searching for the specific card. When he found it, his heart sank. It was really happening.

The card read, “Last-minute party for the entire team. Arrive no later than dinner time. Come early if you'd like to help set up.”

Pax turned on his heel, knowing that standing there as an entire crew with their pets staring at the board would quickly draw attention. “Well, let's pick up some party supplies on our way to our assignment. And then we can see if Mage Lyndara will let us off early so we can help set up. Sound good?”

The others quickly broke themselves out of their thoughts and gave him credible smiles and nods, following his lead. As they left the dining hall behind, a young messenger noticed them and veered in their direction.

Pax and the others slowed and exchanged worried glances. Was this more bad news? Had Incedis or Turgan moved up the evacuation? When the boy pulled out a handful of messages and began listing off their names, they all did their best not to look concerned.

These are just in case we didn’t check the board, right? Dahni looked at the others in question as he accepted his note.

“Hey, let’s sit down for a minute and read through these,” Amil said with a forced grin as he stepped off the path toward a patch of lawn. “We still have some time before our assignment, and I wouldn't mind letting that big lunch settle.”

The others agreed, following his example and sitting down as they opened their messages.

Pax wasn't sure if he should feel relieved or worried when he found his message to be a duplicate of the one on the board, only addressed specifically to him.

They just wanted to make sure we got the message. Rin’s grim tone sent what they were all thinking as they put the notes away.

Then we need to decide exactly what we're going to do, Pax sent, keeping an amiable smile on his face in case anyone was watching. There's no time to waste. Everyone should already have what they need out of their dorms, right?

He got murmurs of agreement and moved on quickly.

That means we have two things to do before making the rendezvous at the Silent Stein. We definitely need to get our last supplies from the cave. But the question is, do we head to the Steelshade Vanguard for our assignment and steal as many messages as possible? And if we're going to do that, we have to let Incedis know so he can execute his plan to have rebels target other messengers today so we don't stand out. If we decide to do that, do we do it before or after heading down to the cave?

The others looked at him, digesting the choices as they considered.

Critical military information is extremely important.

Pax was surprised that Tasar was the first one to speak up.

We should gather as much as possible. Tasar met the gazes of the others, his eyes steely and determined.

Pax looked around the group. Does everyone else agree? It's obviously safer for us to just grab our stuff and meet at the rendezvous. But Tasar is right. We took that assignment to get critical information to help the rebel troops. This is our last chance to do it.

We want to do it, and all of us can help you. Whisk’s words startled Pax.

When the others looked curious about his reaction, he explained, Whisk said that our companions can also help us out. Apparently, they are working together now.

His friends’ eyes lost focus as they checked in with their companions.

Amil grinned a moment later. Horrid has some great ideas to distract people while we steal the messages. I say we do it.

The others joined in, offering their agreement. Pride swelled in Pax at the amazing group of friends he had.

Rin spoke next. Then I vote we get our stuff from the cave first, get word to Incedis, and then head to our assignment. If this evacuation was triggered by one of our team being caught and heading to Interrogation, they'll look for us first on campus. We need to leave as quickly as possible and not come back. Rin’s mental tone was calm and matter-of-fact, as if they hadn't finally received the orders to run for their lives and leave the only home they’d known for months.

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I agree, Bryn sent immediately afterward. But all of us don't need to go to the cave. We should split up. Pax and one of us should head to Incedis’ office, leaving him a coded note if he's not there.

That's a good plan. Pax looked around and, seeing agreement in the expressions of his friends, moved on. He spoke out loud so their silent conversation wouldn’t stand out. “Hey, Amil, do you mind coming with me really quickly to my mentor? I forgot I needed to leave him a note before we head to our assignment.”

Amil stood with a nod and an affable grin. “Sure, as long as we're not late.”

Rin stood, too. “In that case, guys, give us a couple of your inventory boxes so we can pick up more supplies for the party. We'll go fast and then meet you at work.”

Pax and Amil passed off three boxes each, which the others split between them before hurrying off in the opposite direction. Pax and Amil walked as quickly as they could without running. Thankfully, with the general tension everywhere, they weren't the only ones in a hurry and shouldn’t stand out.

As they walked, the full implications of what was happening hit Pax like a brick to the chest. He couldn't believe they were leaving the capital today. Today! His early urgency to choose his evolutions took a back seat to getting out of Salman alive. If they succeeded, he’d have plenty of time to strategize his choices with his crew once they were safe.

It seemed as if they've been working toward this point for so long that it would never happen. To his surprise, he felt a pang of sadness as he passed familiar buildings and paths they’d crisscrossed many times. Regardless of the corruption running rampant at the academy, this is where he’d studied to become a mage and met his crew. Talpa had learned to move through the ground under these lawns.

Pax suddenly realized that he might never see their training cave again. The others would clean it out and leave it looking deserted. They’d decided not to demolish it, just in case things worked out in the future, and they could come back to the academy. At least he had Fenix’s and Solani’s crystals in his inventory. And Bryn had already gathered the chests from the workshop below.

Pax blew out a long breath as he and Amil stepped into Incedis' building.

"Yeah," Amil kept his voice quiet as they quickly climbed the deserted stairs. “I can't believe it's finally happening, either. I'm going to miss this place. Well, not some people, or even some instructors and classes. But this kind of became our home, didn’t it?”

Pax nodded as they arrived at Incedis' floor. “It sure did.”

The door opened before Pax could even knock. He stared at Incedis with his fist still raised, ready to knock.

“Well, get in here already.” Incedis stepped back and gave them an urgent wave.

When they shut the door behind them, Incedis activated his ring a moment before scowling at them. “Was the message not clear? You shouldn't be here. You should be following your evacuation plan as quickly as possible. But you obviously have a reason for coming, so spit it out and then leave.”

Pax suppressed the desire to snap back at Incedis, knowing that the tense situation was making it difficult for everyone to stay calm. Besides, they didn't have time to waste on an argument. “The rest of our crew is dumping our unnecessary items and gathering the things we need to leave right now. We're here to confirm our plan to head to the Steelshade headquarters and do our best to steal as many critical messages as possible. We wanted to make sure you knew, so you could have your people target other messengers, so our actions don't stand out so much.”

Incedis looked at them for a single moment before sighing and nodding his head. “Fine. That is an important thing to confirm. Sorry about snapping at you. We just have a ton going on. And yes, we have already planned to hit other messengers. We need to grab as much intel as we can on our way out, whether or not your crew joined in. And don't worry, there’ll be plenty of chaos to cover our actions today.”

“What happened? Why are we evacuating now? Did they arrest one of our team? Who was it?” Amil shot the questions out in rapid fire, before clamping his jaw shut and looking both hopeful for an answer and embarrassed.

For a moment, it seemed as if Incedis was going to send them back out the door without answering. Then he blew out an exasperated breath. “I guess the rest of your crew needs to know, too. Don't interrupt. Just listen. And when I'm done, get moving as quickly as you can without drawing undue attention. Got it?”

Both boys nodded somberly and didn’t make a peep.

“They haven't arrested any of Team Tribal.” Seeing the relief on their faces, he held up a stern finger. “Yet.”

Despite the warning, the news made Pax relax a bit, though it was obvious they were all still in immediate danger.

“My contacts in the military logistics department overheard a conversation between senior officers specifically about our Taming efforts. Apparently, they've decided that not only is Taming an important addition to their troops, but they plan to designate it as a critical resource.”

Pax frowned, not understanding why that would prompt an urgent evacuation.

Incedis noticed his confusion. “Yes, it doesn't sound terrible, unless you know the military snatches up critical resources and puts them under absolute control. If it's some kind of equipment, that would entail placing it in a highly secure storage facility. If it's people, that means they will pick you up and not let you go until your contribution is no longer considered critical to the empire. Orders should go out today to pick up all of Team Tribal. As the mentor involved, that will take me too, despite my seniority at the academy and multiple contacts with powerful people. A critical resource order takes precedence over almost anything else.”

Both Pax and Amil exchanged a worried glance, and Pax felt his pulse speed up.

Incedis nodded at the two boys, an urgent expression on his face. “Now you understand. You're racing against those orders. If you see guards coming your way, run.”

Amil had already turned toward the door.

But Pax hesitated and asked, “And if they catch us?”

Incedis shook his head. “We'll do our best to get you out. But honestly, we should have a good chance. It takes a while for orders to make it out. Even then, the guards will assume they can find us easily on campus. We’ve tasked another rebel cell with causing a large disruption to provide a distraction this afternoon. At some point, guards will requisition a tracking map from the academy altar, but we’re hoping our diversions delay things. Speed is essential for us to escape. Sadly, the same chaos that is helping us will make it almost impossible for us to rescue anyone that gets captured. So, don’t get caught.”

As Pax nodded, a sudden inspiration made him pull out his small box of treasures. Without explaining, he flipped open the lid and pulled out their last remaining Echo. He’d been considering giving it to Kurt once he trusted him more. But now he was glad he hadn’t. “Please equip this. Its communication limit is only 800 yards, but it's connected to our entire crew as well as Turgan and another first-year, Tansa Brookcrest, so it might be helpful today.”

Incedis just looked both surprised and taken aback as he took the small device from Pax. “This was the gift from the Windhelm family for saving their master's daughter, right? And you not only have one left, but you're giving it to me?”

“Loaning.” Pax shrugged. “It's obviously best used for crew maneuvers when everyone is close to each other. But if the worst happens to any of my friends, I hope one of us is near enough to contact you.”

Incedis nodded and immediately inserted the small device into his ear. “I appreciate the valuable loan. I’ll return it to you when we make it safely to our destination.”

“That's the light headquarters ruin, right? Not some other rebel base?” Pax tossed another two questions at Incedis, hoping he’d answer them.

“Of course. Our latest information confirms the empire hasn’t found out about it yet. Now, go!” Incedis disabled his sound suppression ring and made a pushing motion at them before he turned back to his desk with urgent movements.

Pax, Amil, and their pets slipped out and made their way across campus as quickly as they could without drawing attention. The brief conversation with Incedis had completely changed how Pax looked at the campus. Suspicion and worry had replaced the happy home-like feeling. Now, he scanned for guards or anyone official that might spot them. Rin had been right. They needed to get off campus right now. At least in the city, they had a better chance to evade pursuers.