Page 156 of Forcing Fate

I blinked in confusion. “Get my things, sir?”

His features melted into a bored look, as if I knew exactly what he wanted. He would not deign me with a repeated order.

“Eh, all of them? Enough for a night?” I asked for clarification.

“Only what you can carry. Anything you leave behind—is left behind,” he said, lifting his chin and peering down at me. He was testing me, seeing if I would obey.

“Yes, sir.”

I wouldn’t give up just moments into my new role. I turned and marched to the bunkhouse. Inside my storage closet, glancing around, I realized I didn’t have that many things. My eyes landed on the small chest tucked under the tiny table in the corner. It held my dresses and night shifts, my sandals, comb, and hairpins, along with my collection of ribbons for my braids.

Running my hand through my short hair, I looked down at my trousers. None of those things would be useful on the front. I bit my lip and snatched my extra uniform off the table. Opening the tunic, I shoved the trousers inside. Then I grabbed my spare socks, bindings for my chest, clean menstrual rags, sewing kit, and my mirror, placing them inside as well. After securing a few other necessities, I tied up the shirt and hefted it over my shoulder. My thin blanket lay folded on my cot. I wondered if I should take that, too. If wherever I stayed had a cot, it would probably have one I could use.

I gazed about the room once more. This might be the last time I was in the bunkhouse. I heard that once General Rafe took a soldier, they no longer slept or ate with the others. Where he hid his Tennan, I had no idea, but it was safe to assume I would stay with them.

As I left, the secretary noted my belongings and frowned. I shrugged in reply and headed out the doors. A few curious looks and murmurs were aimed at me as I pushed against the flow of soldiers and made my way to the training hall.

General Rafe talked to an older man in the building’s shadow. I say older only because he had silver streaked through his long black hair. I tried to keep my jealousy in check—this man was allowed long hair when I was not.

As I approached, General Rafe turned to me.

“Vy, follow Xzanth,” he said, jerking his head toward the stranger.

I pursed my lips, taking in his fur vest and brilliant eyes. They were the brightest brown I’d ever seen, almost amber. Their brilliance did not dull his boredom, however, as if he didn’t want to play nursemaid.

General Rafe slipped into the crowd, and I watched him go. Normally, he would train with me until the sixth chime. I wondered where he was going.

“Come, little one.”

I turned back to the man and frowned with disapproval. “My name is Avyanna.”

He ignored my reply, walking through the training hall and out the opposite door. I rushed after him. His long strides were a struggle to keep up with. I kept my head down and focused on making good speed with my belongings, not paying attention to where we were headed.

When he slowed, I braved a glance up. My breath caught in my throat as I admired the scene before me—ruins of a small fortress. We must be far on the barracks’ side for me not to have stumbled upon it before. Regardless, I recognized my abductor from the other night, Jamlin. He split wood while the giant, Korzak, stacked it in neat piles.

The fortress was in a small clearing, and beyond that, the King’s Lake sparkled in the distance. Collins ran around the building and jumped, scaling the walls with ease. He threw himself to land on a balcony at least fifteen paces in the air. He spun to face Jamlin and shouted with his hands on his hips. Korzak bellowed a laugh and Jamlin shook his head.

Collins spotted us and shaded his eyes against the glare of the autumn sun. He called something to his friends, and they turned, finding us at the edge of the woods. Xzanth started for the men and I followed suit, keeping my chin up and focusing on my surroundings.

“Hail! It’s the girl!” Jamlin called as we neared. He wore his uniform tunic loose and unlaced, revealing strong muscles beneath.

I glared and trailed behind Xzanth as he approached the fortress.

“Oi, are we keeping her, then?” Korzak asked, coming to walk beside me. My two steps matched his one, and he reached out to pat my head.

Xzanth slapped his hand away. “General said we are.” His voice was raspy and deep.

“Oooh!” Korzak cooed, following us.

Collins slid down the wall, then flashed me a shy smile, and I gave him a nervous one in return. He was probably closer to my age than any of the men. At this moment, I felt all of my eighteen-winters, as a child being led along.

Xzanth pulled the door open, and it creaked in complaint. I blinked, surveying the space—cold and barren of decorations. The wood lining the walls had rotted in places, leaving a musty stench. It might have been a grand room once, but now, it was simply a large, makeshift bunkhouse. Piles of belongings laid by each cot, of which I counted eleven. There were two doors leading out of the room, beside the main doors we had walked into. A staircase led to a loft of sorts along the far wall.

“Pick an empty one,” Xzanth muttered, heading to his bunk.

I hefted my makeshift bag and surveyed the cots. Eight were taken, though two were pushed together to make one long bed. I assumed that was Korzak’s attempt to make a space large enough for his tall frame.

The remaining three were near a pair of windows. Though the windows were high on the wall, meaning snow or rain could easily blow in. It made sense why they were unclaimed. I chose the cot beneath the southernmost window. It was pushed against the wall. A simple sheet lined the thin mattress, but no blanket. I frowned and set my belongings down. The space to my left had books piled beside it, and I stared in wonder. Who could afford their own book? And who chose books to take to the front, of all things?

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