“Now you’re being dramatic.”
“Says the woman who’s playing a noble, infiltrating the Dragon Academy, and plotting to assassinate the Emperor.” Tavi rolled her eyes. “Nothing dramatic about that at all.”
I snorted, relieved at the shift to lighter territory. “When you put it that way…”
“Just promise me you’ll be careful. With the trials and with Septimus.”
“I promise.” The lie came easily, though we both knew I’d do whatever was necessary. Careful had never been part of the plan.
“Good. Now let’s get you to these water trials before someone notices you’re late.” She handed me a light cloak to wear over my swimming attire. “Try not to drown today. It would be most inconvenient for our schedules.”
“I’ll do my best to accommodate your timetable,” I replied dryly, grateful for her friendship more than I could express.
As we left my chambers, I pushed thoughts of Septimus aside. Whatever was happening between us would have to wait. Today, I needed to focus solely on survival — a skill at which I’d become quite adept.
The trial grounds were impossible to miss — a massive artificial lake that dominated the eastern section of the academy grounds. I’d passed it during my initial tour but hadn’t appreciated its scale until now, standing at its edge among dozens of other candidates.
Wooden platforms of varying heights dotted the surface, connected by ropes, narrow bridges, and what appeared to be submerged walkways. At the centre, several tall poles rose from the water, supporting a complex arrangement of nets and suspended obstacles. The morning sun glinted off the water’s surface, almost beautiful if not for the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.
“Candidates, gather!” The instructor’s voice carried across the water. He was a weathered man with sun-darkened skin and the distinctive arm tattoos of the naval legions. “Today’s trial will test your ability to operate in water-heavy terrain. In combat, especially near Talfen borders, you may find yourself separatedfrom your dragon. Your survival will depend on navigating difficult conditions while maintaining your wits.”
I surveyed my competition. Most appeared confident, a few even eager. The water held no fear for them — another privilege of noble birth I hadn’t considered.
“You will complete the course in teams of four,” the instructor continued. “This is not a race against each other, but against the elements. You will be scored on completion time, obstacle navigation, and — most importantly — teamwork.”
Servants moved through the crowd, distributing small scrolls. I unrolled mine to find my team assignment and felt my heart sink.
Team Seven: Livia Cantius, Valeria Proxima, Cassia Murena, Drusilla Vibius, Jalend Northreach.
Five names, not four. I glanced up to see Valeria already staring at me, her lips curled in a smile that held no warmth. Beside her, Cassia and Drusilla exchanged whispers, their eyes flicking toward me with undisguised amusement.
“That can’t be right,” I muttered, scanning the list again. “Five people?”
“Ah, yes.” The instructor’s voice rose again. “Team Seven will have five members due to our odd number of candidates. Adjust your strategy accordingly.”
Valeria approached, her swimming attire somehow managing to appear both regulation and custom-tailored. Unlike my modest tunic, she wore only the standard bindings and loincloth, her body free of any marks or imperfections.
“How... fortunate that we’ll be working together,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Though I must ask — do provincials learn to swim? There are so few proper facilities in the outlying regions.”
“We manage,” I replied, keeping my expression neutral despite the heat rising in my face.
Cassia appeared at Valeria’s shoulder. “Your outfit is... interesting. Is that a tunic? How creative to adapt the regulation attire.”
“Some of us prefer modesty,” I said.
“Or perhaps some have something to hide,” Drusilla suggested, her eyes traveling over my covered body with poorly concealed suspicion.
Before I could respond, Jalend joined our circle, his presence immediately shifting the dynamics. The women’s postures straightened, their expressions becoming more guarded, more calculated.
“Lord Jalend,” Valeria greeted him with a slight bow of her head. “How fortunate that we’ve been placed together.”
He barely acknowledged her, his gaze briefly meeting mine before scanning the obstacle course. “I see no fortune in randomized assignments.”
“Hardly random,” Cassia said with a light laugh. “The academy always ensures teams are... appropriately balanced.”
The implication was clear — I was the weak link they would need to compensate for. The burden they would carry through the trial.
“Teams, prepare yourselves!” the instructor called. “You will begin at the north shore and proceed through the obstacles in sequence. You must remain together — if any team member falls behind, the entire team fails.”
