The rest of the sermon proceeded as normal, or at least I think it did. I was finding it hard to focus after the execution. It's not like it was the first time I had seen one, but I hadn't gone to see one in years. I felt...strange...but I forced the feeling away. This wasn't the time or the place to unpack it.

Once the sermon ended, the crowd began to disperse slowly. Many took the time to hang around and talk, while others sought to return home to sleep for the day. A few had just woken up and were now heading off to work. Everything seemed completely normal; as if a man hadn't just been killed.

I saw a few of my friends from the academy, but aside from saying hello I didn't bother speaking to them. More than anything else I just wanted to get home so I could eat and get ready for bed.

Mother was, of course, speaking with a group of other parents from our neighborhood while Father and I stood nearby.

"I was worried when I didn't see you three before us!" one of them told Mother. "I was convinced that your husband must have had an accident in the forge."

"Better not let him hear you say that. But no, we were just...a little held up."

I did my best to pay attention to the idle conversation, but the strange feeling from earlier kept distracting me.

"You can go."

I almost jumped as Father spoke under his breath. He wasn't looking at me, I don't think anyone besides me even noticed him speak.

"It would be impolite," I whispered back.

"Perhaps, but you are tired and...distracted."

I glanced at Father, thinking that he had noticed how unsettled the execution had made me, but I quickly realized that he was just referring to how hungry I was. "Are you sure?" I asked.

He glanced at me, "G-"

"Gammiz!" A loud voice called out, silencing the conversation Mother was having and making Father stiffen. I followed the sound of the voice and was shocked to see the paladin commander walking over to us. "I didn't expect to see you here!"

"Commander Laqbeka." Father said, bowing deeply.

"Stand! It's been too long old friend," the paladin said, smiling warmly as he roughly put his hand on Father's shoulder. His hood was still up, but now that he was closer I could see a bit of silvery hair framing his face.

"Father, you know a paladin commander!?" I asked with starry eyes.

"Yes, me and your father fought together during the siege of Wisfe Svep. He was a splendid soldier." his smile fell for a moment. "And he could have been a splendid paladin as well."

My eyes widened. While I have never considered Father an ordinary man, the idea that he could have been a paladin was unbelievable. They held some of the empire's highest authority and were responsible for facing even the deadliest threats. The stories told about the paladin orders were the stuff of legends.

"You have your way to serve Z'kyd'qa, and I have mine," Father said brusquely.

"I know," Commander Osgoqu said, his smile returning. "And I do not mean to downplay the work you do. I just wonder about what could have been." He took his hand off Father's shoulder and turned to me and Mother. "But enough about the past, introduce me to these two!"

"Hello commander, I'm Akay, Gammiz's wife. And this is our daughter, Xara."

"Hello, sir!" I said a little too forcefully.

The commander chuckled. "A pleasure to meet you both. Especially you ma'am." He gestured toward Father. "I always wondered who would be able to get through to this awkward newt."

"Could you please stop?" Father asked. He was scowling, but there was a faint blush around the edges of his facial scales.

"Alright alright. Perhaps you could tell me what he's been like after leaving the army later?"

"Of course!" Mother said cheerfully. "It would be wonderful to have you over for a meal sometime commander. My husband doesn't speak much of his military days."

"Is that so?" the commander said softly. "I suppose I can understand why. He never did enjoy the adventure of military service, and please, call me Osgoqu."

"Some things are...better left in the past," Father said slowly.

"True, but all the same I would like to hear them," Mother said warmly, getting a small smile from Father.

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The commander nodded before looking at me. "So, Xara was it?"

"Y-yes sir."

He chuckled again. "At ease soldier. You're more tense than a fresh recruit."

"S-sorry," I said with a slight blush.

"She's been preparing for the trials for a while now," Mother said. I could feel myself relax as she put her hand on my shoulder.

"Is that so? Well, I'll make sure to pay attention to you."

"You will be an overseer this year?" asked Father, surprised. "I thought that was a task left up to the high commanders?"

"Ordinarily yes, but I'm being considered for promotion!" He said, smiling widely. "Also I was on a mission that brought me nearby, so the grand master decided to let me handle it."

"I'll make sure to impress you, sir!"

The commander waved his hand dismissively. "I'm sure you will young lady. Frankly, I find it hard to believe a daughter of Gammiz could be anything less than outstanding."

My expression hardened. "Sir, I'm not asking for preferential treatment."

He seemed surprised by my comment, but smiled again, perhaps a bit less widely than before. "How honest of you. Still, I doubt you'll need my help," he said, gesturing to my crimson cloak. "I'd bet that you have the skills necessary. Although, it does take more than just combat skill to be a paladin." His smile shifted into a more confident smirk. "Think you have what it takes?"

I glance over his shoulder at the altar. I take a deep breath and grin. "Just watch me."

~~~

The streets were quiet as I waited at the academy's main gates. I had woken up a little earlier than usual, so the sun was only just starting to rise over the city, finally bringing warmth after the night's chill.

I sat down and leaned back against the cold stone wall and looked up at the sky. The clouds moved quickly as if running from the sun's light.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!"

I smiled and turned toward the complaining voice. "Kiuyk!"

My friend walked up to me, the sunlight reflecting off her short blonde hair. She was gripping her sapphire blue cloak tight to keep out the morning chill.

"I specifically woke up early this time, how in the abyss are you still here first?!"

I chuckled. "Just bad luck I guess." I pushed myself off the wall. "Anyway come on, you're not going to believe what happened last cycle."

After showing the guards our IDs and waiting for them to open the main gates, we crossed into the grand courtyard and made our way to the dining hall. The moment we were past the main gates I could feel myself relax unconsciously. Now that we were within the academy's walls I didn't have to worry about getting into trouble for any accidental aura usage. The energy welled up from every inch of my body, churning and bubbling like a pot of boiling water.

"Wow..." Kiuyk said as we neared the dining hall. "I know your dad is a pretty big deal, but I never expected him to know a paladin commander."

"I know right? I get not wanting to talk about the war but never even mentioning this?" I shook my head.

"So wait, why was a paladin at the sermon?" Kiuyk asked.

"Uh, there was an execution."

"Oh yeah, I heard some people talking about it on the way here." She glanced at me. "But something about it bothered you?"

"Wh-what? What makes you say that?"

Kiuyk gave me a knowing look. "Xara, how long have we known each other?"

"Um...about-"

"Long enough to know when something is bugging you." she gave me a wry grin. "You're too honest for keeping secrets."

I rolled my eyes at her. "I just...don't you think the punishment for mages is a little," I glance around before whispering. "Intense?"

"Intense? Xara, you know it's an honor for one's body to be offered to the gods. Only paladins and the most devout members of the Temple are allowed to do it."

"I'm not talking about that. I mean...Why execute them at all? Why not reeducate them? It would probably make them a lot less violent about resisting the paladins."

Kiuyk paused to think for a moment. "I guess, but that would still mean asking a mage to think straight. Remember, they chose to learn it."

"Yeah, I guess that's true." That was one of the things drilled into you by the speakers. Magic was a choice. Anyone from a common peasant to the most respected paladin could sell their soul for fantastical powers. It was the individual's responsibility to resist the temptation that magic offered.

Then my brow furrowed as I remembered the behavior of the mage during the sermon. 'He faced death so easily. Was that the face of someone with a weak will?'

"It just...I don't know..." I sighed.

Kiuyk nudged me with her shoulder. "Come on, clear that horny head of yours, and let's get something to eat."

My face flushed immediately. "Horned. Could you please just say horned instead?!"

Kiuyk pretended to look contemplative for a moment before smiling. "No." She then took my hand and pulled me toward the dining hall, even using aura to make us go faster.

We entered the dining hall just as the kitchen staff were putting out the food. A veritable buffet of toasted bread, biscuits, cheeses, sliced fruits, jams, and even a platter of spiced ham was laid out with pitchers of various drinks along the side of the large room. In the center of the room were three massive tables for most students, while over a dozen smaller tables surrounded them for those looking to sit in smaller groups or alone.

I wasn't that hungry, taking only a few biscuits and some fruit, but Kiuyk was ravenous, stacking her plate with nearly half a loaf worth of toast and as much ham as the staff let her take. We then grabbed some mugs of sage water and sat at one of the smaller tables.

"So do you want to head over to the library after this?"

Kiuyk paused mid-bite, apparently confused by my question. "You...do know that we have nothing but self-study leading up to the trials, right?"

"Yeah? That's why I'm going to the library."

"Oh come on. Everyone just treats this time like a vacation. We did the same last year!"

"Yes, but we're graduating this year. The Temples are going to be watching."

The Temples were the five organizations that ruled over not only Deqana but the entire Viq-Dajes Empire. Those allowed to join them held tremendous power and influence. Their selection methods were mysterious, but it was commonly believed that the only way to advance through their ranks was to be selected during the Academy's graduation trial. Joining any other way would mean being a common acolyte until a ranking member of the clergy gave you a chance to prove yourself.

'Father managed to become a mythsmith after his service in the army, but I don't want to waste this chance.'

"You are literally the top student. If they're going to accept anyone why wouldn't they accept you?"

"Yeah well, I didn't become the top student by taking it easy."

Kiuyk groaned. "You're really not going to give up on this are you."

"Nope!" I said, smiling.

"Then how about a compromise?"

"Such as?"

Kiuyk smirked. "Training grounds?"

I quirked an eyebrow at her. "You would rather get your butt kicked than spend a day studying?"

"Just answer the question."

"...Deal."