Page 46 of Frostforge: Passage Four
"This is the final trial of the Command Challenge," Calloway announced, her pale hands clasped behind her back."Fourth-years, your performance today will determine your final rankings, which, as you know, will significantly impact your military placement upon graduation."
A murmur rippled through the assembled students.Thalia’s hands tightened into fists.This was her chance to make up for her prior failures, for the sabotage Einar and his friends had inflicted.This was her chance to prove herself.
"The objective is simple," Calloway continued."You will ascend to the summit."She gestured toward the mountain that rose behind her, its peak obscured by the gathering clouds."Instructor Marr will await you there and will be recording the order of finish.The first team to reach the marker at the top gains maximum points.Each subsequent arrival receives progressively fewer."
Thalia studied the terrain.The climb looked brutal — steep in places, with dense forest giving way to rockier terrain near the top.Nothing they hadn't trained for, but challenging nonetheless.
"This will be a free-for-all exercise," Calloway added, a hint of satisfaction in her tone."You may engage rival teams.Disable, delay, distract — all fair tactics.The usual safety protocols apply.No permanent injury, no deliberate damage to essential gear."
Beside Thalia, Daniel shifted his weight nervously.She placed a steadying hand on his shoulder.
"Weather conditions may prove...interesting," Calloway noted, glancing at the darkening sky."Consider it an additional variable in your tactical planning."
The instructor's gaze swept across the students."You have ten minutes to prepare.Begin."
The semicircle dissolved as teams huddled together, checking gear and strategizing.Thalia led her first-years to a spot near their beached canoe, out of earshot from the nearest competitors.
"Inventory check," she ordered quietly."Weapons, water, emergency supplies."
Her squad began methodically reviewing their equipment.Thalia watched their movements, noting with approval how much more efficient they'd become since their first training exercise months ago.
"What's our approach?"Rasmus asked, tightening the straps on his pack."Direct assault or flanking route?"
Thalia considered the question, studying the mountainside."Most teams will take the obvious central path," she said."It's steeper but more direct.We'll skirt northeast, using the tree line for cover.It's longer but less trafficked."
Sigrid frowned."Brynn will have the same idea.Her team's already eyeing that route."
"Then we stay flexible," Thalia decided."Start northeast, but be prepared to adapt.Our advantage is our cohesion."She looked each of them in the eye."We move as one unit, cover each other's weaknesses.Daniel, you're our best climber — you'll scout short distances ahead when needed.Felah, your detection skills are crucial — watch for traps or ambushes.Rasmus, Sigrid — your combat skills will be our defense."
The Northern pair nodded, grudging respect in their expressions.
"And you?"Daniel asked.
"I'll coordinate and adapt our strategy as needed."Thalia glanced at the sky."That storm's moving faster than I expected.Be prepared for rain, limited visibility, and slippery terrain."
As her team checked their ice-metal weapons and adjusted their packs, Thalia studied the other squads.Brynn's team moved with practiced precision, their gear minimal, optimized for speed.Einar's team was well-outfitted, all equipped with full armor and two-handed swords.
"Time!"Calloway's voice rang out."Take your positions at the starting line."
Teams assembled along an invisible line at the edge of the forest.Thalia led her squad to a spot that aligned with their planned northeastern route, deliberately positioning them away from Einar's team.
Kaine stood beside Calloway now, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the students.When his gaze passed over Thalia, she thought she saw a flicker of something — concern, perhaps, or a warning.Before she could interpret it, Calloway raised her arm.
"The Command Challenge final trial begins..."The instructor paused, building tension."Now!"
Teams surged forward into the treeline, immediately diverging as they chose different routes up the mountain.Thalia led her squad at a controlled run, navigating between the dense pines.
"Stay tight," she called over her shoulder.The ground already sloped steeply upward, demanding powerful strides and careful footing.Pine needles created a treacherous carpet underfoot, simultaneously soft and slippery.
The scent of resin filled the air, sharp and clean, mingling with the earthy dampness of soil and the metallic tang that preceded rain.Above, through gaps in the canopy, the sky had darkened further, clouds rolling and churning like a pot about to boil over.
They maintained their pace for several minutes, the sounds of other teams fading as groups dispersed across the mountainside.Thalia's breathing remained measured, but she could hear Felah struggling behind her.
"Pace yourself," she advised without looking back."This is a marathon, not a sprint."
A distant shout echoed through the trees — someone had engaged an opposing team.The clash of metal on metal followed, then silence.
"Movement ahead," Daniel warned quietly from just behind Thalia's right shoulder.
