The trainees had gathered at the practice fields, a series of earthen rectangles that stretched through the outer grounds. With their hair still damp from the bathhouse, Yatze and Dellan arrived, the other trainees mostly present and assembled in a line across the field.
The group of young men and women were rather sullen, standing silently in the morning heat with blank faces. They all wore the same clothing,: a variation on the SPU’s enlisted soldier uniform, dark blue and nondescript except for a small insignia at the level of a breast pocket.
The overall unremarkable impression of the trainees relaxed Yatze. He knew that most of the others were the sons and daughters of nobles and military officers, or at least from wealthy and well-connected families such as the Murstas. But standing there, squinting in the humidity, Yatze felt effectively disguised among the trainees, with no need to self-consciously weigh the manner in which he carried himself.
From the far corner of the fields, a figure approached. In the distance they appeared as little more than a shadow of grey, speed walking such that a small cloud of dust followed in their wake. As the figure came closer, Yatze could tell it was a woman, dressed in what appeared to be a uniform of high rank—as evidenced by the glint of medals and the golden tassels of her shoulderpads—clinging to her slender and rigid form. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight braid that ran down her back, and her dusky eyes and olive skin betrayed her Ho’ostarian heritage. Her hands were empty, though the fingers of her left hand curled awkwardly, like the limbs of a dead spider. Several wires were attached to the hand at circular nodes at the palm and knuckles, which traveled up her arm and disappeared into the sleeve of her coat.
As she finally reached them, her eyes darted across their faces, taking in their sweaty and sulking forms. Suddenly, she brought her boots together at the heel and clasped her hands behind her back.
“Officers!” she said, not exactly shouting but nonetheless jolting the youths awake with her sharp tone.
Yatze felt his body straighten its posture and his hand raise in salute, the action happening almost automatically, the rush of air around him suggesting the others had reacted similarly.
“At ease, officers.”
Even as he relaxed, Yatze noticed a transformation had taken place among the trainees. Their sullen expressions had been replaced with a silent determination, their eyes squinting into the glare of the sun. They were no longer aimless young men and women, but young soldiers, facing their superior.
As Yatze noticed these things, the woman began to speak. Her voice was as rigid as the arch of her back, and she spoke formally, with no hint of tonal melody, as if reciting a speech.
“Good morning officers, I am happy to see we’ve all assembled for day-one of training. Note that I call you officers, because that is what I, the rest of the Guard, as well as your instructors will regard you as. The months of training we are about to embark on are an opportunity for you to hone your skills and raise your affinities such that you are better prepared to accept the rank which you have been considered worthy of receiving.
“I think some introductions are in order. My name is Guardian Nixia, sixth of the Prime’s Guard, peak practitioner of Remorse affinity, as well as Light affinity. I have been placed in charge of this year’s program, though other members of the Guard will also be assisting in affinity-specific instruction.”
As she spoke, Guardian Nixia slowly paced past the officers, beads of sweat forming on her brow.
“Next week, we will begin with a series of spars to test your physical combat as well as your resourcefulness and creativity. From these initial exercises we will organize you into squadrons and engage in more elaborate exercises, pitting you against each other and through other challenges, where your abilities of cooperation across affinities will be tested. Throughout it all we will be watching, and as I am sure you know, the Union rewards those of exceptional ability and character. Do well in the coming months and you may find yourself ranked much higher than a mere officer.”
Yatze felt his heart race as Nixia regarded them with a proud smile.
“These exercises are intended as combat scenarios, and as thus we expect you to not hold back. The required personnel will be available to address any minor injuries sustained, and as long as all involved treat the scenarios seriously, more grievous wounds should be avoided.”
Her countenance darkened, eyebrows creasing inwards. “Some of you may regard all of this as some sort of game, but I advise that you change your thinking. This is not some frivolous duel, and anyone who is caught using their abilities in such a situation will face serious consequences, as it is a sign of disrespect to the Union’s fallen and to the very honors the Princes’ have bestowed upon you. These are simulations of combat, the only real difference that failure will not result in death or capture. I hope you take this to heart.”
Looking up into the sun, which was now well above the tips of the tallest trees of the outer grounds, Nixia stopped her pacing, sighed, and said: “That is quite enough for now, and I admit the heat is getting to even me. Follow me inside.”
As the officers assembled behind the Guardian, Yatze still had one question on his mind.
“Guardian Nixia?” the young man asks.
Her face flashes briefly with annoyance, but only for a moment. “What?”
“What is on your hand?”
“Oh, this?” she says, raising her left hand. There is a node at the center of her palm, as well as at the ridge of the knuckles and the third finger. “It’s a kind of focus. It centers and amplifies my energy, like so.”
Her hand erupts, with brilliant white light, cold but still somehow searing in its intensity. Several others stumble backwards in surprise.
Nixia looks at him and Yatze feels like she is staring into his soul.
“Next time, Officer Congyi, just ask me in the real world; no need for mind games.”
She extinguishes the light.
As he returned from his vision, Yatze shivered. Nothing of this sort had ever happened before—how was it even possible? Future-Nixia had read him like a book, catching him in the act of foresight.
He snuck a glance at the Guardian, who was already leading the officers into the outer palace, seemingly none the wiser. Yet the incident had shaken him: It was a violation of a sacred space he had always regarded as inviolate. Nixia was of course a potent Remorse practitioner—a peak rank indicating her affinity exceeded 90%—so perhaps it was not surprising that a master of mind manipulation could comb his thoughts for telltale signs of a Regret scenario.
Stepping through the palace threshold and into a small atrium, Yatze sighed and tried to reassure himself. He was in Ichormai, after all: It should be no surprise that he would find people far more powerful than himself, practitioners who would have made every possible preparation for an encounter with a Regret user. It was not a sign of his own incompetence, but indicated that he would need to double down on his own efforts and learn to outwit his opponents at every step. Yatze was good at thinking on his feet—he had learned that while sparring with his unit in Yuruv’a—but it was now clearer than ever that sparring had only been the beginning of his journey.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
—
“There’s not a lot of space left,” Yatze said, frowning. “Let’s just sit over there, I see a few empty tables.”
Yatze and Dellan had just entered the mess hall, a simple canteen in the outer palace not located far from their room. It was a simple space, used mostly by the lower-ranked soldiers and servants of the palace, many who were sitting along wide benches with trays of hearty bread and stew.
“Sure.” Dellan nodded and began to move towards the corner Yatze had indicated, before something stopped him in his tracks. Or rather, someone. “Wait a minute, Je’ri is here!”
“Who?”
“Je’ri! We went to the same Summer Academy, in Illuet.”
Yatze sighed as he followed his friend to the new, half-occupied table. Seated on one side was a young man with short, golden brown hair, his eyes and face lit with excitement as he aggressively beckoned at Dellan. Next to him were two others: a man with bright blond hair that fell past his shoulders, and a woman with dark eyes and hair.
“Je’ri!” Dellan exclaimed. “Y’jeni, man, I haven’t seen you in ages. I can’t believe I didn’t notice you at the assembly with Guardian Nixia.”
“That’s because you were still half asleep,” Yatze said, nudging Dellan as he slid onto the bench. He turned towards the others. “I’m Yatze Congyi, by the way. We both just came in from Yuruv’a yesterday.”
“Je’ri Druni, it’s a pleasure.” Je’ri had deep chocolate eyes and a face that was surprisingly round despite his sturdy physique. He bowed slightly towards Yatze.
“Je’ri and I both studied with Sunran Bai a couple years ago,” Dellan chattered on. “He’s a great moon practitioner and water elementalist.”
“Oh please,” Je’ri said, “Dellan is the real genius. Y’jeni, I swear Master Bai refused to shut up about you.”
Dellan soaked up the compliment with pride. “Who else is here?” he asked, turning to the two others at the table.
The dark-haired woman spoke first. Her eyes were large and expressive, and she wore a thin band of cloth that ran across her forehead.
“Ajun’ra Iffis, the pleasure is mine.”
“Jairinka Selejo, likewise,” the man said.
“I’m Dellan Mursta by the way. It’s great to finally talk to some other officers—”
“Selejo? Like the princes?” Yatze blurted out, before instantly regretting his clumsy question. He felt his face grow red in the momentary silence.
“It’s no big deal,” Jairinka said, scratching his neck awkwardly. “Though my father is one of the minor seven. The eleventh, to be precise.”
“So I take it you’re no stranger to the palace?” Dellan said without batting an eye. “Yatze and I just spent a good half of the morning at the optional orientation.”
“Actually, I kind of am,” Jairinka said, chuckling a little. “My father sent me to the East for most of my schooling, and after graduation I’ve been working with Ajun’ra under House Iffis.” He glanced at his companion, Ajun’ra, who had returned to her meal but was still listening with her eyes.
“What kind of work?” Yatze asked.
“Espionage, sabotage, that kind of stuff, y’know,” Jairinka said boastfully. “All along the Godoran border—”
“Jairinka!” Ajun’ra hissed at the young prince. “We’re not supposed to talk about that! Besides, Yatze and Dellan were Union soldiers, I’m sure they’ve seen all kinds of things, no need to bore them with stories.”
“Did you serve in the field?” Je’ri asked, his brown eyes wide. “See any action?”
“Not exactly,” Dellan conceded. “Our unit patrolled the southern badlands, along the Brinnish border, so it was hardly eventful. Though there was an agent exchange, that was pretty tense. Do you remember that Yatze?”
Yatze shook his head. “I didn’t see anything, remember? I was a mile away in a bunker, hooked up via quantum channel to our commander, Colonel Koff. I was only to notify him if future-Koff relayed information to me.”
Jairinka was leaning forward in his seat, listening intently. “So what happened? Did the Colonel warn you of something?”
“No. I never received a warning and the hostages were exchanged without incident.”
“Huh.” The prince slumped back, slightly disappointed.
“You’re a Regret practitioner!” Ajun’ra’s eyes had lit up. “Anything else?”
“Nope. Just Regret.” Yatze tried his best not to sound disappointed.
“That’s so cool.” She smiled as if entertaining some pleasant dream. “I wish I could see the future. I would be able to predict and learn all kinds of things.”
“It’s...a little more complicated than that,” Yatze said.
“If I could see the future I would call Nixia a hard-ass just to see the look on her face,” Jairinka muttered.
“Oh please,” Je’ri said, pushing Jairinka’s shoulder. “Nixia has a heart of gold, she just knows you have potential and wants to push you.”
“Doesn’t feel that way.” Jairinka crossed his arms in displeasure. “Nixia admitted we are already officers, I don’t see why the Guard wants to make us jump through all these hoops first. It just seems totally pointless.”
Ajun’ra glared at him, but didn’t say anything. She turned to Dellan. “So Yatze has Regret, but what do you have? I’m guessing you are a water elementalist like Je’ri?”
“Sort of.” Dellan smiled at Je’ri, who grinned back at him. “Can I show them? In the mess hall?”
Je’ri leaned in. “Practice isn’t allowed, but no one will care so long as it’s subtle.” He looked at the others, eyes beckoning. “Everyone, gather around.”
The five officers crowded around the center of the table, where Dellan had placed a mug of water. Shielded from view, Dellan raised his hand and with a twist of his wrist, a sphere of water floated out from the cup. Once suspended in the air, the muscles in the young practitioner’s forearm tensed, and with that small ounce of effort the sphere instantly became encased in ice. Another manipulation in energy and it shattered into a shower of icy crystals which slowly floated to the floor.
“Water elementalism crossed with a Sun affinity,” Dellan explained, clearly satisfied with his demonstration. “My secondary affinity allows me to manipulate heat, though I find water the easiest to work with, for obvious reasons.”
“Very impressive,” Jairinka murmured. “I could see dual Sun and Moon affinities as being very useful in all kinds of situations.”
“It certainly is,” Je’ri said, looking at Dellan with admiration, though Yatze could hear something else in the man’s tone. Was it jealousy? Or maybe resignation?
They continued their meal in a similar manner, fast banter of questions and answers bouncing back and forth, concerned with personal minutiae and matters of superficial importance. Yatze certainly enjoyed the conversation, but felt little need to do much talking, letting Dellan speak for them both while he nodded along.
He did learn a couple of things of interest though: Jairinka, the prickly prince, was apparently an illusionist of much promise, using his Light affinity and fine wind elementalism to great effect. His cool and dark-eyed companion, Ajun’ra, had a similarly potent combination of affinities, Dark and Remorse. Whatever the nature of the covert mission that Jairinka had divulged, Yatze figured their abilities must have been well-suited for the task.
“I’m afraid I have to take my leave,” Jairinka said, abruptly standing up from the table. “I have a meeting with my father to attend. Apparently the Crowned Prime has caused a bit of a stir with the appointment of a peak retainer, a decemancer or something of that sort, and he needs my help since I am quite close to the young Prime.”
Yatze rolled his eyes at this remark but said nothing.
“I should also leave,” Ajun’ra said hastily.
Dellan bowed his head. “It was a pleasure to meet both of you.”
They exchanged brief good-byes. After the two nobles had left, Je’ri looked up from his meal.
“Why don’t we meet tomorrow for breakfast,” he suggested. “I’d love to catch up more Dellan...and learn more about you too, of course.” Je’ri looked at Yatze with earnest.
“We’d love that,” Dellan said.
“Great! I live in the inner palace with my family. I’m headed there now in fact, if you have time to stop by, so you know where it is?”
“Sure,” Yatze said. “I don’t think we had any concrete plans other than to continue exploring the palace. We wanted to check out the inner practice rooms and the elemental chambers.”
“Why don’t I show you the way? Better than you two newbies wandering around totally lost,” Je’ri jibed, grinning at the two of them.
“Hey, Yatze and I already know the palace better than you think,” Dellan shot back.
“I’d like to see you try to make it from here to the inner palace with no wrong turns,” Je’ri teased.
“I bet you we can do it,” Yatze said, suddenly full of friendly competition.
Je’ri raised an eyebrow. “Then it’s on...but no peeking around corners in a Regret scenario!”
“Sure,” Dellan said, grinning at Yatze. “No peeking.”