I didn't get to see Derrick. We only traveled as far north as the base of the Iron Mountains and as far south as the Red Desert Gate. Every morning we drilled and trained alongside the Crown's Army mages and it was during that time we really got to learn what service would be like in Jerar's largest regiment. None of the men or women were quite as fun as Andy from Port Langli, but they were still very helpful in their opinions of which territories to serve and what commanders to stay away from.
"If you want action, it's best to take a position north," Hannah stated. She was one of the few female Combat mages traveling in the same unit as me. "It's messy, what with all the rebel activity and border disagreements, but it's the best place to be if you really want to make something of yourself. Most of the mages who enter the Candidacy have served in Ferren's Keep or one of its nearby townships at one point or another. And if you have any mind to become a candidate I'd suggest you do the same."
"It's also the territory with the highest death count," Brennan, another Combat mage, supplied. "So keep that in mind. You might be brave and you might be strong but it means nothing when you come across a lot of Caltothian mages and you are without backup. My best mate died in his second year of service because he thought he could take on five of them on his own during a routine raid. We lose a surprising number of Combat mages up north because of our faction's heroic tendencies. Now, it's not to say you won't find glory – they memorialize every one of our deaths and the Crown supports the deceased's family heavily - but every bit of fame has its price."
Ella stared at the man curiously. "So you are not one for fame?"
Brennan snorted. "Of course I am. I spent my first ten years in Ferren's Keep building up a fancy reputation."
"Why did you leave then?"
"The north is no place to start a family. If you have half a mind to fall in love, don't do it there."
****
In no time at all we had finished our final patrol and it was time to return to the palace for the fifth-year's ascension ceremony.
I swallowed as I unpacked my belongings. In one year's time it would be my turn.
Assuming I don't ruin my chances by stabbing a prince or two.
I had only seen Darren and his brother once since we arrived. I preferred to keep it that way. The little time I had spent in their company already had been far from pleasant. Blayne had gone out of his way to insult me, and all the while Darren had looked at me like I was a cockroach in need of smashing.
Yes, I was going to stay far, far away from the non-heir and his entourage, as much as humanly possible.
Well, that's what I told myself, in any case. And I really was doing well – until I ran into Priscilla on the third night. The girl made a face as soon as she spotted me.
"Why aren't you at that musty old tavern with the rest of your lowborn friends?"
I stared at her. Even for her that was unusually curt. "I don't need to explain my actions to you." To be honest, I was pretty sure Alex and Ella had wanted some time alone without me tagging along. But I wasn't about to tell her that.
"You stayed behind looking for him, didn't you?" Priscilla laughed brazenly and it was then that I realized the wine goblet in her hand.
"Are you drunk?"
"No." She hiccupped. "Because if I was, I'd be sure to throw this in that harlot's face."
For the first time it wasn't me Priscilla was referring to. I smiled to myself and then prodded her, curious by the sudden change in demeanor. "Who is bothering the great Priscilla of Langli?"
"Don't mock me, lowborn, it makes you look graceless." She covered her mouth and belched. "Like her. Why don't you take a nice long stroll to the library and see exactly why you should never fall for a man with a crown."
My pleasure instantly dissipated. There was only one reason Priscilla would send me to see Darren and that meant it would hurt me. She was upset and drinking wine at the prospect of lost status. I would be broken.
I shook my head. "I have no care to see Darren's newest conquest."
"Well Blayne sure will when I tell him how much time Darren has spent romancing that future wife of his. Why, the two of them have been inseparable since we got back!" She sneered, "It's like when we were kids, only now they spend late nights in his chambers… and no, I am not lying, Ryiah, his servants confirmed that to me just last evening. They even took me by so I could hear them myself." She dropped the goblet and let it clatter to the ground.
Taking a wobbly step forward the girl grabbed me by the shoulders and whispered loudly. "They were talking about marriage. I heard them." She laughed haughtily. "Though why a princess would choose the non-heir over a crown prince is beyond me."
"I'm sure you heard wrong." The words were thick on my tongue.