Page 161 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

"Sir?" Imogene said, hoping she sounded enthusiastic rather than entirely unsure what the colonel was talking about.

"Our next round of preparatory training for those wishing to attempt a bond starts next week. As you know, we consider and select our candidates with great care. The decisions are made well in advance. But, as it happens, one of our candidates has changed his mind and does not wish to undertake the training."

Imogene racked her brain, trying to think who it might be. The process by which the army chose mages for this was secretive, as was the training that followed. The candidates held things close to their chest until they either succeeded or failed in their attempts. And those who failed sometimes pretended they hadn't even tried. Failure wasn't seen as a black mark on your career—bonding a sanctii was difficult and required a great deal of power—but Imogene imagined it could only feel like a catastrophe to try but fail. There were often whispers of speculation about who might be chosen, but she'd been out of the country for months now. She'd lost track of who could be in the running. But equally, she'd heard nothing of any junior officers being injured or ill. She couldn't imagine what else would make someone give up the chance.

"So, we have a slot to fill, Lieutenant." Colonel Ferritine nodded at her and then at Major Fontaine. "The major tells me Cesarus speaks favorably of you."

He did? That startled her enough that she turned her head to look at Major Fontaine. Who merely smoothed his neatly trimmed red beard and gestured her back to the colonel.

"All other reports are favorable, too. You have been an exemplary young officer since your first mission. And, on short notice, we don't have another candidate more suitable to put forward."

"You want me to bond a sanctii now?" It came out squeakier than she'd intended.

The colonel grinned. "Not right this minute. But soon. I understand, Lieutenant, that this requires some consideration on your part. But we need to know by the end of the week. If you accept this offer, you would commence training next week. If you say no now, it will not reflect badly on you, but I cannot promise you a place in the next round or even tell you when the next training might occur. You know how long the training lasts? And that you are confined to the training barracks while undertaking your studies?"

She nodded. Ten days for the initial training, she knew. Which covered more on sanctii lore and the learning of the very precise details of the bonding itself. After that, individual mages could take longer to study and prepare themselves. Mages outside the army sometimes took months. But she wouldn't have months. A mage who didn't have the courage to make an attempt as soon as possible would be quietly discouraged from trying at all. And that would be a bigger failure than failing to form the bond at first attempt.

A shiver ran down her spine. There was a healthy dose of apprehension now mingled with excitement. This was serious business. A decision that would change her life. Very few mages released a sanctii from its bond once they had one. If she chose to do this, she would have a sanctii watching her, helping her, linked to her until she died. A bond more intimate than marriage in a way. But the fact that there was still excitement mingled with the fear told her that she still wanted to try.

"You need my decision by the end of the week?" she asked, pleased that she sounded calm and direct.

"Yes. You have until then. Sooner would be better. It would give you more time to prepare yourself. I know you are on leave after your mission and were probably minded to pursue some frivolity, but this choice requires care. I trust your judgment, Lieutenant. I know you will take time to consider before you make it. But you should consider quickly. A good officer knows when to be bold, after all."

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