Rabya’s lips twitched, and she stood there for a moment with her arms crossed. “I’ve heard a few things. Based on my guess, most groups are going to be deployed to starisles with increased Abhorrent activity. But it seems there are a few other missions being handed out that don’t involve Abhorrent. So it’s really impossible to say. Just remain patient. You’ll know within a few hours.”

Rabya then explained a class assignment relating to combat strategies for massive Abhorrent. It wasn’t their first time discussing such a subject, but the assignment was different from anything they’d done before. Rabya had a stack of wax tablets that she passed out.

“I want you to write a description of an imaginary Abhorrent. A stage six juvenile. Include a physical description and two magical powers. Keep it all within the bounds of what seems reasonable.”

“From our imagination?” Laxu asked. “Why?”

“Yes. The reason is simple; however much we know about the Abhorrent, there’s more that we don’t know. We have no idea what kind of monsters you might face, and being able to deal with the unknown is going to be important. As you’ll probably remember from some of the text we read in earlier classes, there have been numerous instances, even in recent years, of Buhhu mages summoning new and unusual Abhorrent.”

Each student contrived a fake Abhorrent, then switched with another student and came up with combat strategies. Generally, they boiled down to three options: mages backed up by Unsighted troops. Mages fighting with other mages. And mages fighting solo. Each had their overall advantages and disadvantages.

It was an interesting exercise, but Xerxes had a hard time focusing.

It seemed unthinkable that Gandash would do something so drastic as get him kicked out of the institute. Then again, the two of them had never been involved in a physical clash. In fact, back on Mannemid, they’d rarely even disagreed with each other. Who knew how Gandash would feel after he sobered up, especially if he had marks on him? What if the school demanded he tell them what happened?

The morning dragged on. Lunch was boring.

Then they regathered for the afternoon training.

“Did I ever tell the story of the first time I cast a spell in real combat?” Rabya asked. “No? Well, it was in one of the Ku-Aya starisles, Lira to be specific. We were up against a warlord who….”

Xerxes tuned out the story and lost himself in thought.

His reflections were interrupted by a knock on the door.

Xerxes looked up.

“Here we go,” Rabya said. “Prepare to meet your commanding officer.” She raised her voice. “Come in.”

The door swung open and Gandash entered.

“Fucking ‘ell,” Enusat muttered, quietly enough that Rabya didn’t hear him.

I should have known, Xerxes thought.

Gandash was decked out in his officer’s uniform. His headgear was white and cylindrical, but unlike ordinary mage hats it had two golden horns that curved from the back and came to a point near his forehead. Higher-ranking officers would have additional horns. His outer robe was deep blue, and he had a red sash draped from shoulder to hip. Of course, the garment had golden fringe, embedded jewels, and other accouterments. He had leather boots with bronze strips that went up to his knees, and numerous bits of jewelry.

Xerxes couldn’t deny that he looked impressive.

But what drew the most attention was the swelling and redness around his left eye, and the way the skin was starting to turn dark.

It took effort for Xerxes not to flinch.

Gandash looked over the group, his eyes sliding past Xerxes without stopping.

“Good afternoon,” he said.

“Greetings, Captain Gandash,” Rabya said. “I suspected you might be chosen to lead Black Jackal, but I didn’t want to say something and get hopes up prematurely.” Her eyes flickered to Xerxes, and if she noted the complex expression on his face, she didn’t give any indication of it.

“I was surprised and delighted when I saw my commission,” Gandash said, closing the door behind him.

“Would you like the lectern?” Rabya said.

“Yes, please.” His jewelry and other accouterments clinked as he stepped over.

Meanwhile, Rabya moved to the one empty seat in the classroom and sat down. “I’ll stay for a bit, if you don’t mind. I’m curious what my students are going to be up to.”

“Of course.” Gandash stood at the lectern and clasped his hands behind his back. “I’d like to start out by letting you know we aren’t being sent to fight any Abhorrent.”

He waited as if expecting to hear either sighs of relief or mutterings of complaint. When no one said anything, he continued, “There’s some good news, specifically for High Seers Jad and Enusat. We’ll be heading to one of the Humusi starisles, Jehannemid. Congratulations on getting a quick trip home.”

“Hunh,” Jad said.

Gandash gave him a tight smile. “Yes. I can’t guarantee there’ll be time for reunions with family and friends, but it’s possible. I’ll give some more details later, but the long story short is that there’s been some major political unrest on Jehannemid. We’re being sent to escort a member of the nobility from a rather distant city back to the Gateway complex. There will be potential bandit infestations, rebel troops, possibly even rogue mages. Though this isn’t Abhorrent-related, it’s highly likely we’ll be in combat situations.”

Enusat muttered something that Xerxes couldn’t make out. Gandash ignored him.

“You’re all being given the rank of lieutenant. And you’ll be paired with a group of ten Unsighted soldiers, led by a sergeant. Later on, I’ll pick four of you to be promoted to First Lieutenants of either heavy or light infantry, or heavy or light cavalry, primarily to help coordinate with the other mage lieutenants.

“Now, I want to make something clear, and this isn’t my decision, it comes from High Archon Kingallu himself: though you technically outrank the sergeants, you will not be in charge of your units. You’ll be attached to your unit, and will fight with them, but the sergeant will be higher than you in the chain of command. At least, until I see fit to change that arrangement.

“Because our mission is more ordinary in nature than our fellows being sent to fight Abhorrent, and will involve some significant travel, the rest of this week’s afternoon training will focus on some specific tasks related to horsemanship, battlefield maneuvers, rapid building of fortifications, and the like.

“Today, we’ll do some very brief evaluations. I’ve already gone through all of your assessments from earlier in the year. Frankly speaking, book knowledge of things like geography and history won’t be important. I want to see how much progress you’ve made in spellcasting, especially on horseback, plus combat maneuvers and similar things. The Institute has provided some pills to make up for any lost melam.

“In terms of lectures, I’m hoping Mystic Rabya can help me with some mission-specific topics.” He looked at her.

“Absolutely, Captain Gandash.”

“Good. We can brainstorm about that later. Any questions?”

No one raised their hand.

“Very well. Let’s head out to the back fields. I already have a pavilion set up for the evaluation.”