Chapter 17

With the Final Assessment over, trainees could be seen all over the campgrounds, visibly relaxed the next day. Many had smiles on their faces as they excitedly recounted the strategies they had employed. Exill was in no such mood and avoided these groups. Instead, he picked up a bowl of gruel and made way to a group of boys his age, avidly discussing the latest gossip with bright eyes.

"Did you see that girl at Camp B?"

"You mean Bella? I glimpsed down her shift while she was washing clothes last night!"

"No way!"

They were busy jostling each other as they continued to rate every mundane interaction they had with a girl. Exill was soon joined by Verill, and they squatted companionably against the wall while sipping their gruel.

"How are you holding up? I heard what happened yesterday. Couldn't find you afterwards." The Hunter, now promoted to Ranger, had his brows knitted in concern.

Exill sighed. He didn't want to talk about yesterday's assignment, "I'm alright, I just needed some time alone… I went to Ham's forge to clear my mind."

Verill understood the need to be alone, but an involuntary sneer crept up on lips, "…Is it worth working for that greedy bastard? You know he is exploiting you right?"

Exill just nodded while smiling. The urge to tell Verill he was transferring to Camp B gnawed away at him. There wasn't much time left and it got harder as their goodbyes drew near. He could handle the scorn that would undoubtedly be in his friend's eyes when informed of the cowardly transfer. It was understandable, Exill would have similarly been disappointed if they had traded places.

What Exill couldn't handle was if he saw hurt betrayal instead. Time was running short, and he had to confess soon. He sighed before finally committing to his confession, "…I am getting transferred to Camp B tomorrow."

Verill stopped sipping on his gruel and unwittingly lowered the bowl. He couldn't hide it as several emotions flashed across his face, before settling on a big smile as he clapped Exill on the shoulder. "Congratulations, that greedy bastard got you out!" There was a hint of admiration in his eyes until little by little, he grew sober, "You made the right choice. You don't belong on the battlefield. I felt that when you saved the soldier's leg and I still believe it now. You were meant to save lives, being true to yourself and honest with others is a virtue, not a crime."

Exill struggled to keep his emotions in check as his eyes grew blurry. He had spotted the unmistakeable hurt that had flitted across his friend's face.

"I'm sorry… I…"

Verill cut him off by clapping his shoulder several times, harder than before, "No, no. I'm going to be fine little brother. I'm a Ranger now. I'll be stationed miles away from the front, safely raining death on the enemy using your arrows. We would have been split up anyway. War is on three fronts you know; I would have worried about you in the battlefield… it is better this way."

Exill was at a loss for words, what could he possibly say in response to that?

"Don't make that face. I'll write to you often. Let you know I'm okay." Verill finished off the last of his gruel and stood up, stretching as he did so, "Ahh. You know what would be good right about now? Some nice cold brew…"

He knew Verill had only brought it up to distract him, but it had the intended effect. He had money, he knew ways to get out of camp unseen, this could actually happen. A small grin was permitted to appear on his face.

"Meet me behind the lavatories after dinner."

***

It was just starting to grow dark when two shapes emerged from under the palisade wall of the refugee camp. They looked around warily before sprinting off into the shadows of a nearby alleyway. Exill stopped to catch his breath and dust off his clothes, checking his coin pouch in the process, "I think the camp guards frequent the tavern around here so let's head deeper into the city, we don't want to be recognised."

Verill nodded and followed Exill in the direction of the Inner City, the scarlet sky clearly framing the Labyrinth Tower from even this distance. They soon found themselves in front a tavern, raucous laughter pouring out from within.

"Let's keep a low profile and look around before sitting down, just leave if we spot anyone we recognise." Verill warned, and with beating hearts, the two entered the bright, lively interior of the tavern. It was a small establishment by Earth standards and there were only six tables, each capable of seating four. It was half empty despite the rowdy clatter they heard outside. All that noise was coming from a single table, a family celebrating the 17th birthday of their daughter.

The two sighed in relief, a grin of apprehension painting both their faces. They recognised no-one here, and they sat at a table from which they could easily observe the door.

"Would you handsome lads like something to drink?" A lively barmaid, not much older than Exill approached the table, her strawberry blonde hair framing a pretty face with freckles. He was curious what they served for alcohol in this other world. "What do you have?" he asked.

The barmaid looked up while counting off what they had in stock in one hand, "We have your mead, dark glimmer ale, barley wine and pale ale."

Verill ordered a pint of mead, while Exill chose half a pint of dark glimmer ale. The black creamy brew cost 2 Denar, twice that of the mead. It stung his coin purse, but he simply had to try out this otherworldly alcohol. He gave Verill the first sip, who nodded in appreciation, his perpetual frown loosening up for the first time in months. "It's good, I taste of hint of earthensprout."

Exill himself had a taste and it easily slid down his throat, a hint of earthy aroma grounding a smooth yet subtle bitter flavour. It was certainly worth 2 Denar, so he swiftly motioned the barmaid to bring another half-pint for Verill.

"What happened to the bread maiden, shouldn't you be spending your last night with her?" Exill eventually asked, as he felt the alcohol loosen his tongue.

"It… didn't work out. Besides, how could I turn down a brilliant night out with my miserable brother. Don't let the assessment get you down. It is normal to fail from time to time." Verill clinked his half-empty glass.

Exill frowned. Even in his half-addled state, something didn't add up. Just a couple nights ago, he had waved at them while returning from the quarry, the two lovebirds were sitting together on the riverbank holding hands as usual.

"Did she dump you?" he pressed the stern-faced Hunter.

"No… if you have to know, she wanted me to run away with her… I've heard what they do to deserters Exill, I don't want to look over my shoulders for the rest of my life, always on the run." Verill exhaled heavily, "I told her it wasn't going to work."

The two poured their hearts out for the rest of the night, reflecting on the cruel twists of fate. Supporting each other, they staggered out the pub and made their way in the general direction of the camp. It was a wonder they weren't mugged, or worse, mauled by the shadows that lurked the Outer City. In spite of their condition, the two eventually reached the wooden wall of the refugee camp and giggled as they crawled like earthworms under the wall.

Carefully, silently, they stumbled into their bunks.