Like the previous patrol our three weeks of service went by without much ado. Caltothians remained at bay, at least for now. We didn’t come across any outlaws this time around; our patrol was conflict-free. All of the extra time led me to drills and routine, anything to keep the non-heir from taking over my thoughts. I wasn’t going to let my anxiety get the best of me, not after everything I had become. I threw myself into practice instead.
****
“I can’t—”
“Ry,” Ray said plaintively. “You have done nothing, and I repeat, nothing, but drill for the last three months on end. You can afford one night off from your routine to take a drink with the rest of us. I know you want to concentrate on the Candidacy but the others talk. They think it’s because you think you are better than them.”
I glared in response. “You know that’s not true.”
“See here.” Ian stepped between us. “We’ll even take you to a tavern in town. Not Tijan, just a round with the squad, and then you can go back to torturing yourself for hours on end.”
“Just one?”
“Just one,” Ray promised.
I shifted from one foot to the next. In truth, they were right. I had heard what the soldiers were saying—I just hadn’t wanted to think about it. I was also exhausted: mentally, physically… even my castings had started to falter. A night off was truly what I needed. During the apprenticeship we’d been given a reprieve, I could afford a couple of hours with friends now.
“Okay. You two win.”
The boys exchanged victorious grins, and I promised to catch up the moment I finished putting away my things. In truth I wanted to pay a visit to the bathhouse—the stench following me was anything but pleasant. I doubted they would enjoy my company without it.
By the time I had finished washing up, Paige and I were ready for a reprieve. I was in such a good mood I almost missed the person standing next to the exit of the dining commons.
“Derrick!”
I caught sight of those blond tufts of curl and sprinted across the corridor as fast as my legs could run. Paige scrambled after me, grumbling about impatient charges. I knocked into two soldiers and spilled a whole tray of pickled greens along the way. I shouted an apology in passing. The dancing blue eyes of my brother were all I could see.
The young man broke into a grin, dimples on each side of his cheeks. “Ry! There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you!”
I squeaked and threw myself at him. Derrick was three years younger than me, but already twice as thick—sprouting a legion of muscle on every inch of his frame. “Gods, do you ever stop growing?”
Derrick ruffled my hair, setting me down with an unapologetic grin. “I have no intention of stopping until you can fit in the palm of my hand.”
I snorted and even Paige—who had finally caught up after my mad dash across the room—almost smiled.
“And who is this? Your beautiful lady-in-waiting?”
And my knight was back to scowling. “You see the sword I’m carrying, no?”
His smile faltered under her stern expression. “Yes?”
“Say something that foolish again and I’ll gut you from head to toe.”
My brother backed away slowly. It didn’t matter that Paige was half his size; the look in her eye was formidable enough.
“He’s only teasing, Paige,” I said. “Derrick doesn’t have a death wish.”
“It wasn’t funny,” the knight muttered.
“She’s harmless,” I promised.
Derrick raised his hands in peace.
A young man with coal-black hair coughed loudly beside Derrick. I wondered who he was until Derrick put his arm around the boy’s shoulders and nodded. “Ry, and... Paige. This is my comrade-at-arms Jacob. He grew up here in Ferren—he was the one I wrote you about during the apprenticeship.”
I studied the soldier and noted him doing the same for me. I started to smile and then stopped when I realized my brother’s best friend was wearing a sour expression. Not another one. I tore my eyes away from the boy to regard my brother instead. “What are you doing here, Derrick? Not that I’m not happy to see you but I wasn’t expecting—”
“I offered him a post. Here. At the keep.”
I turned and found myself face-to-face with the elusive presence of Commander Nyx herself. She gave a small smile to the boys and then returned her gaze to me. “I had no idea Derrick was your youngest brother, Ryiah. Sir Borgan in Tijan does nothing but sing the young soldier praises, and Jacob, well, how can I say no to the son of Aldus? He is one of the best soldiers we have.”
Aldus might have been one of the best, but he was also one of the older soldiers that continued to regard me with a perpetual dislike. Much like his son was doing now. Even after my performance in the mountains. I stifled a sigh.
Derrick elbowed me in the side. “Guess whose squad we are on?”
My eyes grew huge. “Mine? Really?” It was too good to be true.
“That’s right.” Commander Nyx nodded to a knight in passing and then continued. “Sir Gavin just promoted two of his soldiers to Sir Maxon’s unit. When he informed me we had an opening I immediately contacted Borgan for recommendations.” She folded her arms. “These two are already settled in and ready to start first thing in the morning.”