Page 8 of Phixmery

A bell rings out in the distance, sounding twice before nothing but its echo surrounds us and floats off into the mountains. That must mean the end of dinner. When I’m halfway to the doors, bodies file out into the space that I’m now thinking to be the training yard and begin forming lines on either side of the walkway of torches. My steps hurry to catch up, glancing around for any of the familiar faces that were in the wagon with me on the way here.

With nothing but the flickering light of fire I manage to make out a few I recognize and line up beside them, huffing as I calm my racing heart. I did it, I got here on time. After what seems like forever of standing out in the cold, I peer around and notice that only a third of us are still here.

“Cadets,” A voice sounds out, sounding like commander Ashbluff. “Congratulations on making it here in one piece. Now the real test begins: Phixmery Academy. Tonight you will be assigned your lodging and schedules, and tomorrow you will rise and begin your training to become one with the Damorleia Army. You should be proud to serve your kingdom in the fight against the Skuggi. This will not be easy, and you’re not allowed to leave unless you’re in a coffin.”

A pregnant pause fills the air as we all take in his words.

Conscription until death? Fear threatens to consume me as I take in the implications of my being here. I thought the other cadets were kidding when I heard them mention that on the way here. No, Nero and I will find a way to get out. It’s the only way I can still keep my promise, because it’s only a matter of time before someone finds out even more about me and I can’t have that. But the scent of fear and excitement laces the air like a toxic tonic.

“Let me remind you that deserting the Academy or the Damorleia Military is considered treason, and punishment is death. By completing the first trial, you have agreed to stay and train, and leaving the grounds without clearance is a punishable offense. Now the first row on the right: form a line in front of Captain Darnell to get your room numbers. Everything else will be awaiting you in your chambers,” Ashbluff commands and the shuffling of feet sounds.

Dread forms in my stomach—it could also be hunger—as I realize that there’s only one row behind me and I’m on the opposite side to those now moving. Damn me and my little legs making me so much slower than the others, and now one of the last to get to bed.

Standing completely still is making my muscles seize up, and the chill of the winter night seep into my bones like a worm burrowing into the dirt. My fingers and toes are stiff and numb, but I don’t dare risk the use of my magick to warm them. Not here—not with so many around.

Finally, my line is called and I follow the line of cadets, my aching bones struggling to keep up with the others. We halt just next to the looming grand entrance and one by one we are granted our chamber number.

“Name?” the captain drawls without glancing up from his parchment.

I clear my throat softly. “Ravina Solace,” I state softly, exhaustion overcoming me.

“Chamber two-oh-six in the South Tower,” he states like I know where that is. “Move along.”

Nero stays quietly perched on my shoulder as I climb up the cobbled steps and through the towering doors that dwarf my size, making me feel like a mere ant amongst trees. “You should probably find somewhere to nest tonight. I don’t know where you’re supposed to sleep inside,” I murmur to my Familiar.

“Okay, just call to me if you need me. I’ll be there as fast as I can.” With a quick gentle nip to the ear, he takes off soaring up and over the curtain walls, probably to look for the nearest tree to sleep in.

Stepping into the dimly lit hall, I notice paintings of various males and females throughout history. Some are dressed in military fatigues, or dress uniforms plastered to the brim with medals and ribbons. There are even a couple who are dressed in riding leathers. It’s awe-inspiring to see some of the history here, even if the reasoning behind it is dark. Dark halls and tall intricate arches are spaced equally along the ceiling and a massive grand staircase sits at the end of the hall.

Fuck, I really have no idea where the South Tower is. I glance around to see if there are any signs or directions posted and much to my dismay, there isn’t.

A fae female strides past me with short tresses cut to just below her chin. “Excuse me,” I all but shout but push past the embarrassment of my voice echoing in the hall.

She turns to face me, and her yellow eyes appraise me before she levels me with a glare. “Yes?”

“Do you know how to get to the South Tower?” I inquire firmly, hoping that she knows.

Her face becomes impassive before she sighs and gestures with her head for me to follow. “What chamber?” she asks after a moment of walking in silence.

I peer at her out of the corner of my eye. She’s taller than me and much more lithe. Her looks are elegant yet harsh with her sharp feminine jawline and narrowed yellow eyes. “Two-oh-six,” I state succinctly.

She murmurs something under her breath before saying, “Follow me, you’re in my chamber.” She sighs and picks up the pace and I jog to keep up with her. At least I’m going to get my cardio in.

Turns out the South Tower is the furthest away from the training yard, taking us nearly thirty minutes to get to—even at the female’s brutal pace. Tomorrow I will make sure that I find a way to get around without the help of anyone else. We climb up the wide spiraling stone staircase to a floor near the top of the spire. As she opens the door, I’m greeted by eight sets of eyes of both male and female. We stare at each other for a moment before I quickly thank the female for getting me here then stride past, looking for an empty bed, shocked when I recognize Bracken on the way past.

Do they seriously let males and females dorm together? Why and how in the Fates, out of all the fae recruits, is Bracken one of my chamber mates? I find a bed near the back of the room—the fourth on the left side. Next to my bed is a small table, while on the other side is a tall, dark wooden storage cabinet. The other beds are set up the same way, a row of five on my side and the same across from me as well.

“Ravina, I’m glad you made it. I’m sorry about—”

I hold my hand up. “Bracken, I don’t want to hear it. I’m exhausted. I just want to look over my packet and go to bed.”

He nods sheepishly and ambles back over to his bed which is three down from mine. An exasperated sigh leaves me as I place my meager belongings in the cupboard, noticing multiple uniforms, military leathers, new boots and a fur-lined cloak inside. At least I won’t have to worry about drying my clothing for tomorrow. With a quick peek at my schedule I groan, knowing that I’m going to need to be up before the sun rises, so I shrug off my tattered, wet cloak and boots before climbing into the blissful warmth of the bed, curling up on my side.

I may not get much sleep with all the strangers around me, but I’m banking on the fact that they’re just as exhausted as I am and won’t cause me any harm.

CHAPTER FIVE

PAIN LANCES DOWN MY BACK and thighs. My wrists blister in a searing white hot pain as the iron cuffs suffocate my flesh. The strain of my muscles as I’m strung up on the wooden pole in the middle of our village is nothing compared to the iron-tipped whip they enjoy punishing me with. Null. This is what happens to nulls. We are nothing but dispensable and useless.

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