Page 62 of Forcing Fate

What had I done?

We hurried through the barracks to the large recruitment tent. On the way, soldiers called to their friends, informing them of what was going on. They all joined the parade, waiting to see what would happen. I resisted the urge to press closer to Willhelm, knowing he was there for my protection, but also not wanting to show the men that I relied on him too much.

We arrived at the recruitment tent, the biggest tent I’d ever seen, and approached the open entrance. Every single set of eyes inside turned, staring as we approached. All conversation abruptly ceased.

Rows of desks filled the area with grim-faced men seated behind them. Long lines of younger men stood before each one. They paused in the middle of taking names of the recruits before them, their attention on the girl in their midst.

My hands shook as every gaze settled on me. Someone behind me snickered, and I straightened, not allowing myself to appear any smaller than I felt. Movement at the back of the tent caught my eye. Huge and foreboding, I knew him anywhere—General Rafe crossed the room. Eyes shot between me, Willhelm, and General Rafe. He did not come to us but rather folded his arms and leaned his hip against a desk, eyeing me darkly.

I bit the inside of my cheek as Willhelm grunted and led me to the closest line. One would think I had the plague by the way the recruits scattered to find another line to join.

I found myself in front of a desk, facing down an aging man. He managed to look down his nose at me from his seated position as he replaced his quill in a pot of ink. He folded his fingers with the patience of a saint, never taking his eyes off me.

“May I help you?” he drawled.

All my life, I prepared myself to be a Dragon Rider. I had to find that strength inside myself somewhere.

“I’m here for recruitment.”

Snickers and scoffs answered my statement, and my resolve crumbled a bit more. I had to do this. I refused to stop now. Determination flooded my veins. I couldn’t let people think me weak. I was stronger than this, better than this.

“You can’t join,” the man stated.

I blinked, staring at him in surprise. “Why not?”

Open laughter greeted my question. Willhelm shifted beside me, and I took comfort in the fact that I wasn’t alone. He was with me. I would be fine.

The older man smirked and rested his chin on his hands as if explaining something to a young child. “You are clearly a girl,” he said in the most condescending tone I ever heard.

“Woman,” I corrected. “However, I fail to see how my gender plays a role in recruitment.”

“Girls and—women—aren’t welcome in the ranks.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Whether you welcome me or not is irrelevant. I’m here to join.” Teeth clenched, I forced my brightest smile. “I don’t require a welcoming committee.”

He looked around the tent, as if seeking backup. “Women aren’t allowed to join the ranks.” His tone grew more clipped with each word.

“Says who?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“The law.”

“Where?”

Oh, I knew the laws, and I knew the rules. They omitted women from a great many things, though they did not forbid them. Women just never had the desire or courage to pursue tasks that were deemed for men.

“It—Well–”

That’s twice today I stumped a man. I smiled, feeling victory within my grasp.

“Article seventeen.”

The smile fell from my cheeks, and dread filled me as I turned to face General Rafe. “Article seventeen?” I asked, cringing at the squeak in my voice.

The men gathered wore confident grins now that they had their big bad champion to hide behind.

“You seem to know the laws well enough. Tell us what article seventeen is.” His low growl ran over me, chilling me to the bone.

“Article seventeen reviews the handicaps that would prevent a recruit from joining.” I lifted my chin, unwilling to go down without a fight. “I have no such handicap.”

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