Dahlia’s compound, somewhere in the Tatra Mountains
Eva found Vedrana atop one of the peaks overlooking the camp. She appeared to be practicing her stances with a katana. Eva watched as her sparring partner and friend performed a series of complex movements with the sword.
I can see why this is her weapon of choice.
Eva crossed her arms as she watched her friend practice the movements with the grace of a ballerina.
How can she practice in the cold like that? I’m cold, and I’m fully dressed. Her training outfit is showing a lot of skin.
Eva waited until Vedrana was at a stopping point before speaking.
“You practice like you were born with the katana. You look so . . . comfortable with it,” Eva said.
“I was a clumsy girl when I started all those years ago. I have many cuts to prove how bad I was, but practice does make perfect. Is it time for breakfast already? I didn’t hear the bell.”
“No, I wanted a word with you.”
Vedrana put the katana away, then sat on her training mat and gazed out over the training area. Clusters of female fighters were visible from atop the ridge. From this vantage point, the girls were treated to a spectacular view of the various training zones. Some were fighting on a variety of terrain, designed to keep trainees engaged. Others were climbing obstacles that included trees, gigantic boulders, and walls. Eva sat next to her.
“I know it’s an honor to be handpicked by the madam, but I’m a little nervous about leaving this place,” Eva said.
“I’ve never known you to be affected by anything—you’re one of the best fighters I’ve known. And I’ve fought almost everyone here,” Vedrana said.
“I . . . just don’t think I’m ready.”
“I saw how you handled the magister. Even if it was fake, you’re ready.”
“How do you feel about going to America?”
Vedrana considered this for a long moment. She looked over the training area like she was taking inventory of everything below.
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“My desires have nothing to do with it. We need to be ready for anything. According to Blanka, the meeting is of utmost importance to the madam, so it is for us as well.”
“It’s just . . .” Eva trailed off.
Vedrana gave Eva an unwavering look.
“Just what?”
“I’ve never been on an airplane, and I’m not familiar with American customs, and my English is terrible.”
“Your English is fine. You speak it every day around Madam and Blanka. Look, we are weapons. Stop that line of thinking, or it will get us both killed. You cannot afford to indulge those feelings.”
A gong sounded three times, which meant it was time for the morning assembly. Vedrana was on her feet and packing her training supplies before Eva even realized.
“Let’s go, I don’t want to be late,” Vedrana told her.
Eva followed her friend at a pace that seemed fast for the terrain, but she kept pace. It took more than five minutes to descend the peak: less than half the average time.
Most of their classmates were already assembled in front of a makeshift stage near the main building. Vedrana took a position behind everyone, but Blanka signaled them to join her atop the stage. Vedrana spotted her.
“I think Blanka wants us close by,” Vedrana said, then quickly navigated the throng of recruits before taking a seat next to her. Eva followed.
“I want you two to stand when your name is called,” Blanka told them.
The girls gave her a nod of acknowledgement.
Dahlia jumped onto the training platform overlooking the crowd of trainees below.
“I’m not much of a speaker, so I’ll be brief,” Dahlia said. “I know all of you have been working tirelessly for our cause, and I wanted to inform you that I have picked two candidates to accompany me on a mission. The assignment will be the ultimate test of readiness.”
She let the words hang in the air for a moment before continuing.
“Vedrana and Eva, please take your places at my side,” Dahlia commanded.
Vedrana and Eva went and stood on either side of Dahlia.
“I’ve had the pleasure of training both of these candidates since they were children. Like many of you, they grew up without a family. Vedrana defended her mother against five men intent on raping her. She slit the throats of three before she was thrown out a window. A traveling minister just happened to be driving by when he saw her lying motionless on the road. The impact broke both of her legs, but she dragged herself to the road before losing consciousness.”
Gasps could be heard from the recruits. Dahlia let that realization kick in. Dahlia didn’t approve of idle gossip and discouraged speaking about their past; she wanted the trainees to think of the compound as their origin. In her mind, each of these girls had been reborn the day she’d accepted them as recruits.
“Eva is an expert at hand-to-hand combat,” Dahlia continued. “The only weapons she needs are her hands. She witnessed the brutal murder of her parents at the age of seven. I almost refused admittance to our group because of her age, but after learning she’d killed five men with her bare hands before getting knocked out by a sixth was most impressive. I have no doubt if that cowardly man hadn’t snuck up on her, she would have remained pure.”
Dahlia surveyed the crowd of trainees before her—who ranged from six to sixteen—and the looks on their faces told her everything she needed to know: she had just created two legends.
“Please take the time to congratulate your sisters on their well-earned status.”
The training area roared with applause.