Repercussions

The next morning Xiao approaches Yuto in an attempt to pry. "Yuto, can we talk?" He raises an eyebrow, "what could we possibly have to talk about?"

"I need to know about what you said the other day." Yuto puts down the knife he was polishing and sends a daunting glare.

"I said it in a bad mood, don't ask questions, it won't end well for you"

She forcefully grabs Yuto by the wrist, "please Yuto, I need to know." She stares him in the eyes, conveying her concern. He concedes, reluctantly he says, "Zalisthia has a long and sordid history with the tribes folk. The empire sees them as a threat, and it is exactly because they are one that Zalisthia can't touch them. There is a ceasefire but every once in a while a small outbreak escalates, and tribes, even entire clans are wiped out without mercy."

"If they're at war how have I never heard of it? and how is Christopher here?"

"You didn't hear about it because the monarch didn't want you to, and Christopher? His tribe is probably dead," He says nonchalantly. Only, as he says those last words, Captain Dunder approaches from behind; a serious expression coating his scarred features.

"Yuto, we need to talk. You come too." Like a guilty dog, they both follow, faces full of regret. They ride on horseback for several minutes, until they pass over a hill and are thoroughly out of earshot from the camp. Xiao is sure Dunder might attempt to kill them, but her good instincts dismiss that thought. "Alright, stop."

They carefully dismount their horses and reluctantly face Him. When Captain Dunder is sure he has their attention, he summons a large rocky projectile and launches it at Yuto's chest. It hits him forcefully and sends him flying back in a painful crash. "If you weren't strong enough to protect yourself from even that, then you are not strong enough to protect yourself from your mouth, Yuto." Dunder stares wildly at Yuto, unrelenting in his gaze.

"-and not only that, by speaking to Xiao you have made her your accomplice. It doesn't matter if you are a traitor Yuto, it is only what you look like to them." Yuto lays stunned, on the ground. Too ashamed to get up. "It wasn't his fault, I asked," Xiao bows, on the floor so that she matches Yuto's stature.

Captain Dunder looks at her, eyes glowering. "It is both of your responsibilities to keep each other safe. Soon, missions will start and I will not be able to protect both of you. You are both sorely underestimating this!"

"I don't care what your ideals are. Frankly, this is just a job; If you want to rebel, then rebel, but it will not be underneath my watch. Are we clear?"

Yuto lifts himself to his knees and bows deeply, "I will not betray the Zelisthia Empire, sir."

Dunder put his hands to his hips, "That's not even the point," he shakes his head. "Let's ride back. Just remember, this isn't something to be playing with. You aren't kids anymore, you're soldiers," The last words windle down to barely a whisper as Dunder solemnly looks at them. Xiao and Yuto look at each other feeling relieved that Dunder was the one that overheard them.

Later in the day, every student is rounded up at the entrance of the camp. Dunder's team stands together, backs straight in military formation. One hundred soldiers look towards the Colonels expectantly. The fat official that berated Dunder, Major Heinz, steps up to the podium. In a deafening voice, he says "I will now begin listing the students who will be leaving. Julien stre-" Xiao stood anxiously, fingernails digging deep into her palms. If she had abandoned her old life only to fail after coming this far, what was her resolve even for? Glancing at her squad members they looked equally nervous. Every one of them needed this.

She didn't want her squad members to be replaced after a month of being with them. Granted, Christopher had threatened her of expulsion, but their relationship had grown since then. She hears the name "Geordie" and recognizes him as one of the commoners Dunder had been teaching. Most of the students named seemed to be commoners, and Xiao knows she isn't the only one to find this suspicious. The 15th name is said, Xiao counted, and the official is finished ending careers. "The teams will be adjusted now, Captains, please approach the podium to receive your orders." One by one, the captains accept sealed white envelope's from Major Heinz's assistant. Heinz observes apathetically. Xiao's anxiety passes with the finishing of the list and she finds time to observe the officials at the front. There were four, excluding Major Heinz, all wearing an excessive amount of metals and a heavy cotton uniform. They all wore a stuffy facade similar to Heinz, clearly thinking this was all a waste of their time. "That is all, if you have been rejected you will be escorted to a wagon that will take you to the nearest city." He hops from the wooden podium and rushes off. His assistant scurries to catch up to him, papers fly from his long and sickly arms in all directions.