Gamble

Zyra woke very early the next morning.

She had a decent night's rest because thankfully none of the girls snored.

Then hopped out of bed to take a quick shower and ate breakfast.

After breakfast, she planned to do some exploring and get familiar with her surroundings.

She tried not to make too much noise because she didn't want to disturb the sleepyheads from their rest.

Luckily, they had at least two and a half more hours before everyone had to gather in the hall to get their assignments for the day.

After she completed her assignment she and the others would join Lord Carnelian later for weapons training.

He taught them the fundamentals and she enjoyed seeing him in action with the swords.

Captain Rolf would also stop by to make sure Lord Carnelian was training them under Terranite rule.

It was clear that Lord Carnelian and Captain Rolf just couldn't get along.

When the two of them were in the same vicinity for too long sparks flew.

The tension in the air would be palpable.

She reflected on the conversation that she had with Rolf that night.

He had the other side-eyeing her. Especially, after he dismissed everyone else and made her follow him to his office.

He told her to take a seat. Then Captain Rolf rapidly interrogated her with numerous follow-up questions.

His take-charge approach had her on the edge of her seat. She wanted it to be over as quickly as it started.

"Where did you get this?"

"Like I said before I found it in the mine."

"How lucky and extremely convenient for you."

She said nothing.

"What made you decide to search the condemned mine in the first place?"

"Desperation, I guess. We were running out of time and it was a gamble I was willing to take. I'm pleased it worked out for my team and would do it again in a heartbeat."

"I see," he responded.

From the time she handed him the stone he hadn't put it down since. Just continually toying with the gem between his thumb and index finger.

He then broke the silence by saying, "It is said that the Carnelian Stone is a symbol of fertility. Fuegolian warriors prize this stone and would wear it during battle. I hope that this is not lost on you little one."

"I don't understand the point you are trying to make. My only connection tying me to the stone is that I brought it to you straight from the mine. It's as simple as that."

"Simple? Do you know the havoc that you have stirred up amongst the Fuegolians? They are saying that you are the chosen one."

"Chosen for what exactly?"

"For now, thanks to our superiors I'm not at liberty to say but let me send you off to bed with a little warning. You are being monitored and some are just waiting on any excuse to kill you. Not everyone is happy about the rumors. Keep that in mind and tread lightly. Do you understand?"

She nodded.

Zyra didn't understand much but she didn't want to prolong the conversation.

She had stifled three yawns while he had been talking. Zyra had been exhausted and just wanted to relax in the comfort of her bed. She had earned it.

"Good, you have been sufficiently warned. Dismissed."

When she went outside both Nyla and Verity were waiting outside his office for her.

"What did the captain want with you?" Nyla asked.

They started walking with more haste to their room because the cold night air was affecting them.

"He had suspicions about how I came to have a gem that was prized by the Fuegolians. It raised his suspicions which instantly set me apart from the others." She paused dramatically then continued speaking, "He stated that I have his full attention now and he was letting me off with a warning."

Nyla folded her arms. "That hardly seems fair."

"I disagree. I'm jealous of you girl, I think the captain has the hots for you and all of that nonsense is just an excuse to get some alone time with you," quipped Verity.

"It boggles my mind how you can still see everything through rose-colored glasses. Let's not forget the "good" captain you admire so much, had one of his henchmen shoot a newbie point blank for asking a simple question during the run."

"Well, he's the youngest Captain ever in the army, he has to show authority somehow unless people would just do as they please. I don't agree with his methods but I can see the logic behind it."

"Well if you think he's so great why don't you go after him."

"I've tried flirting with him but it didn't work but now I see his focus is elsewhere."

Zyra interrupted, "Uhhmm guys, how did the convo digress to this, let's not fight amongst each other and end it here, before you both say something you regret."

"Fine, I call first dibs on the first shower, I stink to the heavens," said Verity.

After that, the conversation had tapered off and they all went to bed after they showered.

Breakfast the next day was an omelet with broccoli, two slices of toast, and half a banana.

She washed it down with some orange juice.

The only good thing about being in the wolfbeast army was that they were fed three square meals a day.

She wished her sister was here with her and wondered briefly what she was doing.

Zyra was still pondering her future when the bells rang out loudly, signaling to everyone that it was time to assemble in the hall.

Zyra hurried along the corridors; the place was huge and had only a few buildings none of which were vacant.

They would train there for six months, then be deployed where needed, to different territories.

She wouldn't mind being out of harm's way by being placed on security patrol.

After the fiasco over the gem, she planned to stay low until her time at this training camp was up.

Hopefully, being well behaved and with a little luck, she could probably persuade Rolf to send her back to live and work in Terranite territory so she could be reunited with her sister Kayle.

Her breath caught in her throat when she saw who was standing beside Rolf.

It was the golden wolfbeast and he was even more impressive in broad daylight.

Except for the fact that he looked bored, noticing Zyra's stare he winked at her, she was sure of it.

She looked around to see if anyone else had noticed but stragglers were still coming in and others were gathered in small groups to chit chat.

When Rolf loudly cleared his throat a hushed silence filled the room.

"Everyone, I would like to formally introduce you to Lord Carnelian, the emissary for the Fuegolian territory."

She wasn't surprised that he was an important person in the Fuegolian wolfbeast army but what had her shook as he had the same name as the stone he gave her.

Rolf had very good reason to be suspicious of how she got her hands on the stone.

Zyra shouldn't have been surprised that she had gotten manipulated.

Everyone in the wolfbeast army had their secrets.

It was a known fact that intrigue and subterfuge went hand in hand here.

She would have an even harder time earning Rolf's favor if he thought she was in bed with the enemy.

"Thank you for that fine introduction," said Lord Carnelian while doing a cutesy bow.

Somehow he made the silliest moves seem manly.

Verity was also openly ogling him; it wasn't hard to see that he also ranked very high on her list of man candy.

He was dressed very well but what lent credence to his stature was the finely handcrafted sword at his side.

Its casing sparkled to perfection and looked like a fiery phoenix in flight.

"I don't have to remind you that you have six months to go here and you are expected to be on your best behavior and fulfill your duties as expected. I have placed you into groups for assigned tasks. You can see the list on the notice board outside. The two top teams for yesterday's mission are asked to stay behind. The rest of you are dismissed."

Eight of them remained.

The girls had the number one spot and the second runner-up was led by Leon of a five-man team.

"You may go as well, Rolf. I can handle it from here."

Rolf's face turned a mottled red, it was clear he didn't like the Fuegolian trying to usurp his authority over the fledglings.

He looked like he wanted to say something, but thought it wiser to swallow his words.

He gave Zyra one last warning look before he left the room.

"I'll assume your precious Captain Rolf hasn't told you why your presence has been requested and it's simple really. You lucky winners have been chosen to go with me on a diplomatic mission to Aguatian territory."

Everyone looked at him dumbstruck, of all the things they had expected him to say, that was the very last thing they expected to come from his mouth.

Also, it was a well-known fact that the Aguatians and Fuegolians hated each other.

It was akin to willingly choosing to walk through a minefield where a bomb could detonate at any second.

He wasn't even asking them to throw their lives away, he was ordering them.

What also made Aguatian territory unique was that half of it was said to be submerged under water like Atlantis.

Not much is known about that territory since they kept to themselves mostly and avoided conflict with other territories.

"Does anyone have a problem with this mission?"

"No sir." They all shouted.

No one wanted to find themselves beheaded by Rolf.

"That's what I like to hear. Be ready at noon. You may go."

The trio hurried quickly out of the hall eager to return to the privacy of their room so that they could discuss this upcoming mission.

No one had any clue what it was about and figured that they would be kept on a need-to-know basis by Lord Carnelian.

As they rounded the corner, Zyra bumped into Captain Rolf.

"I would like to have a word with you in private," Rolf said as he pulled her along by the elbow.

The others hastened their footsteps until they were out of sight and hearing distance.

Rolf looked to be in a foul mood and no one wanted him to take his anger out on them.

He didn't waste time or beat around the bush he stated forcefully what was on his mind.

"I want you to spy for me."