Page 12 of Feathers of Ash and Hope
I swallow, suddenly not so sure going in there pretending to be someone else is a good idea.
I hug Sloan, pull my shoulders back, and step through the gates before I change my mind.
The square in front of me is orderly. Not even a single weed dares to peek out between the nearly white gravel at my feet.
My eyes fly to the buildings again. Decorating stones on their facade, drain spouts, and windowsills create climbable paths up and down. Maybe I can use that to my advantage when I meet Sloan next month.
You have to get in first,I remind myself, heading to the long line of candidates snaking across the area in front of me. It starts at the massive gate of one of the buildings, which is its only visible entrance, the building acting as a massive wall for whatever lies behind it.
At least I can’t get lost.
Nerves swamp my body, and I regret eating the breakfast Sloan heaped on my plate this morning.
Great timing for developing nerves, Ara.I grimace.
With my sweater and dark pants, I fit right in with the crowd. Nearly half the applicants are dressed like me, and I’m not the only one with a hat, either.
My clothes are loose, and my fortunately rather average breasts are bound tightly to hide my form. Touching my wool hat to make sure my hair is still covered, I step behind the last in line, settling in for a long wait.
Maybe I shouldn’t have let Sloan talk me out of cutting my hair. The long golden strands are braided in a tight crown above my head. Thankfully, it’s already cool enough to justify the hat, and the uniform comes with a cap as well.
I size up the others in line, and many of them look very ... built. They have broad shoulders and strong arms, and most are taller than me. I release a nervous breath. There is a real chance I will have to fight some of them during the sparring part of the Assessment.
The applicant in front of me looks as nervous as I feel and regrets breakfast too, if the slightly greenish tinge of his face is any indicator.
Gods, I hope he doesn’t throw up, or I’ll probably join in.
I turn. The candidate behind me looks more red than green while his mother bids him a tearful goodbye. Our gazes collide, and he rolls his blue eyes. Dark brown curls stick out in everydirection on his head as if his mom just ruffled through them. I grin.
As soon as his parents leave, he steps closer. He’s broad and tall and easily dwarfs me even though I’m not small for a woman.
“I thought I would have to do Assessment with her hanging on my neck,” he says and clasps my hand in his. “I’m Calix, by the way.”
I chuckle at the image of his petite, perfectly coiffed mother dangling from his shoulders while facing an opponent in a sword fight.
“You’d think she’s used to her kids moving out by now, with me being the last one to leave the house and all.” He still looks slightly embarrassed.
“You’re the youngest? Me too.” I smile at him. “How many siblings do you have?”
“Four, all older. Let me tell you, they are…” He shakes his head.
“Insufferable?” I suggest, making him grin.
By the time Calix and I make it to the front of the line, my nerves are gone, and we are fast friends. Both of us having four older brothers, even though Ben only by half an hour, sped up the bonding process and made for a whole lot of good stories to share.
“I think we’ll have a lot of fun if we manage to stay alive,” I tell Calix.
Like Sloan earlier, he looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“What?” I grin. “Don't you have the feeling this is going to be our lucky day?” I tease him. “Don’t worry, most of us will survive today.”
“Are you always that optimistic?” He sounds like that isn’t necessarily a good thing.
“Would it help to be pessimistic?” I grin. “Besides, worrying is not my thing,” I say, making him laugh.
The applicant in front of me is still pale as he approaches the two men guarding the entrance. The dark gray uniforms and the insignia on their chests match those of the skyriders three months ago.
The blond skyrider on the right is writing down names and handing out numbers while his dark-haired counterpart seems to be guarding the entrance.
