Covenants Read Free Page B

to see how much water was in it. "You will launder yourself, your bedding, uniform, and anything else you've touched before we leave. Is that clear, trooper?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "I can't hear you."
    "Sir, yes, sir!"
    "The rest of you, pack!"
    We packed.
    After breakfast I went back to my locker for one last check to make sure that I hadn't forgotten anything.
    I saw the feather, red against the white of my smalls. I picked it up and, after a moment, took a pin from my kit and fastened it to my tabard. I turned and saw I had everyone's attention, so I grinned, showing all my teeth.
    "A Border custom.”
    We assembled in the horse yard prior to departure, the sun just peeking over the garrison's walls.
    Commander Ebner was there, his mustache stiff against his cheeks. All of our faces were on the haggard side, with the exceptions of Lieutenant Groskin, who was still purring, and Captain Suiden, who was his usual self. His brown eyes rested on my pinned feather for a moment, then moved on, scanning the rest of the troop.
    Satisfied, the captain told Lieutenant Groskin to relay the order to move out. He waited until we were all in motion, saluted Commander Ebner, and joined us. The commander didn't say anything as we passed. I supposed it was for drama's sake that he stood there. I could hear future bards sing of our mission: The sun shone bright that fateful morn,
    As the brave young lads rode out to war,
    O, mustache, waving us on in the gentle breeze—

    The melancholy broke and I fought not to laugh, just in case Suiden did have a third eye in the back of his head. I had grown up with Faena and I knew that one Faena does not a war make. Unless war was declared first, and Commander Ebner said we weren't going do that. I hoped not— I didn't want to fight trees either.

Chapter Four
    We reached the mountain lea as the sun hovered a handsbreadth above the horizon. I looked around, feeling as though it was a lifetime since we were last there instead of just yesterday. At the lieutenant's order, I dismounted and walked over to where Laurel and I shared honeycakes and covenants. I wasn't surprised to see no sign of him now.
    I caught a faint whiff of the stables and saw Ryson ignore me as he walked by, his tabard still damp. All his uniform changes had been dirty and he had to wear one wet after Groskin's command to clean up. I shivered in sympathy.
    "Listen up, men," Groskin called out. "The captain requires your attention." He saw me and waved me over to him. "Rabbit, the captain wants you with him." I followed the lieutenant to Captain Suiden and stood next to him, Groskin on the other side of me. The captain waited until everyone had gathered around and I frowned as I noticed how his brown eyes seemed bright green in his dark face. I then figured that they were probably reflecting the last rays of the sun.
    "We have been charged by Commander Ebner to discover the reasons behind our recent adventures,"
    Suiden said, "including the appearance of the magical. To this end, we will search for and make contact with said magical, ascertain why it's here, if it had anything to do with us being lost, and what, if any, threat it may pose." The captain nodded his head at me. 'Trooper Rabbit, due to his Border experience, is promoted to lieutenant for the duration of this mission.” I forgot the captain's eyes as my own widened.
    What the bloody hell?
    "But he's a just a farm boy from the Border," Ryson blurted out.
    "Lieutenant Rabbit's father is ibn Chause and his mother's eso Flavan." The captain waited a beat as the troop stared back, stunned. "Any other questions?” It was a rhetorical question but we all answered "No, sir!"
    "You are dismissed.”
    The breeze played with the pinned feather as I went to help set up camp, but as soon as I touched a bundle it was picked up by a trooper. I stared at him but he didn't make eye contact.
    "You're an officer now, Rabbit," Lieutenant Groskin said as he stood beside me.
    "A pox on that. Sir." I