Page 18 of Phixmery

We continue on, ignoring the looks of others as we stride through the corridor towards our next lesson.

“Why is everyone staring?” I ask Ember around a mouthful of bread.

She peers down at me before looking at the fae gawking. “Probably because of your black eye and split lip. They must have heard what happened in combat this morning,” she murmurs matter-of-factly.

I blink in shock, and as I think about it, I can subtly feel the dull pulsing ache in my eye. Great, so now everyone knows that I can’t fight to save my life. So much for keeping my head down and not attracting attention.

During my first week here, it already spread that I was a null. Even the nulls that work here in the kitchen or as messengers were looking at me with confusion and whispers. It didn’t last long though once people realized I have a fire element. It’s just sad to see that despite what Commander Ashbluff said, nulls are still treated less than—but at least they aren’t nowhere near how I was treated in Shalo. Some are even in the military as Infantry.

Rozen nudges my shoulder, jostling Nero who caws at him, and grins, which I guess is his way of showing solidarity, but it’s fine. I’ve survived worse. The gossip mill and curious eyes won’t deter me. Nothing that happens here will matter anyway because once I find a way to leave this place they won’t even remember the short fae female who can’t fight. Well, can’t fight for now, as that is definitely a skill I plan on picking up.

I suppose some of the skills I can learn here will actually help me out there. That settles it. I’ll give myself the year here. Find out as much as I can and a place I can go and make out like a thief in the night. Once I figure out how to get past the guards and the dragons that keep everyone within the mountain.

My fingers toy anxiously with the necklace hidden under my tunic. I will make sure I keep what’s left of my promise to my mother.

THE FOUR OF us make our way to where the rest of our squad is and sit in the row, taking up the last three spots. Wilderness Survival has been an interesting lesson so far. We’ve mostly talked about the different terrain of the land within Damorleia.

Every territory is fairly easy to travel and get to besides Vathia, which is why our forces are struggling so hard to make way. The land is surrounded by ocean, and the only land that passes into Vathia is through deadly mountains where some of the most wicked beasts of legend roam—mythics. The only feasible way in is over the Wraithwater Channel, the largest and wildest river in all of Damorleia. Many have perished trying to cross it. And all along Vathia’s border, which was once beautiful despite the turbulent water, is now a battlefield of mud and trenches.

Even if I was able to step foot in Vathia, if I was caught, they would kill me. They’re ruthless and power-hungry fae and, from what I’m told, are the reason for the downfall of the Gallalaus Fae—our royals. The surrounding Lords didn’t make it in time to assist with stopping the downfall. It’s a dark and tragic part of our history, one that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

Captain Reiner enters the room, his long, onyx tresses swaying behind him. He instantly addresses the class when he reaches his bare podium, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Good afternoon. Today’s lesson will be the start of the inhabitants of Damorleia. We all know the five main—well now four main fae types. Can anyone name any others?” He leans against the desk and waits.

Cresida raises her hand eagerly and I do everything I can to suppress an eye roll. He nods to her and she begins listing them off on her fingers.

“Well, there’s the lesser fae, obviously not quite as low on the list as nulls because they can still use magick,” she starts, and then lists them on her fingers. “Golems, ogres, gnomes, pixies, faeries, satyrs, trolls, brownies and banshees,” she announces proudly.

Captain Reiner gives her a disapproving glare. “You are correct, but nulls are just as important to our society as lesser fae. We are an ecosystem, and without each other, the balance of Damorleia crumbles. You would be wise to remember this, Miss Fellowes.” He takes a minute to gauge the class and let his words sink in.

A sense of pride and hope settles in my gut. I think Captain Reiner may be my favorite yet.

“There are also the darker creatures and beings that linger on Damorleian soil, such as goblins, basilisks, and various crytptoids. Now can anyone tell me how any of these beings contribute to the wilderness or our society? It’s important to understand the others we share land with, especially in this lesson where you will eventually be out there with your squads surviving, doing recon or missions. And if you want to live, these are things you need to know.”

Cadet Amos raises her hand slowly and Reiner nods to her with an encouraging smile.

“Brownies help by keeping our homes and society clean in exchange for basic goods like housing and food. They’re actually quite sweet and shy creatures and prefer to keep to themselves which is why you never see them, but you know they’re around,” she states quietly.

He claps his hands together. “Perfect! Anyone else?”

Someone from another squad raises their hand and he motions for them to continue. “Pixies and faeries are similar and often get mistaken for each other. They’re the light and dark counterparts of each other. While faeries are mostly healers and tend to their gardens, pixies are more mischievous and are often hired as thieves or spies. They look exactly like us but when they shrink, they’re able to summon wings,” she says excitedly.

He nods. “Great job. Let’s continue.”

The rest of the class continues much the same way, but my mind can’t seem to stay focused, drifting back to those three fae males from Wing One. I can’t put my finger on it but they almost seem familiar, and every instinct has me wanting to run towards them and to get as far away from them as possible at the same time.

“Maybe it’s just because you find them attractive,” Nero snarks playfully. “Oh! Does my Little Ravie have her first crush?” he teases.

I boop his beak. “I do not. Romantic relationships are not in store for me, especially here. You know this,” I murmur back. Being involved in anything romantic could lead to me being discovered, or changing my mind about leaving, and I just can’t have that.

“That’s fine, you can be in denial, but you know I can sense your feelings right?” he dryly drawls.

My eyes snap over to him and narrow, but before I can retort back, our squad is packing up.

“Can you move already, null-wannabe? Some of us high fae have places to be,” Evera snaps from the end of the row, and Bracken glances away as I peer over at him. I scoff but grab my things and move out of the way.

Ember and Rozen follow me out of the room, but before I can exit, Captain Reiner calls me back.

“I’ll meet you guys later,” I murmur before making my way through the crowd, only to get shoulder-checked into a male, Nero almost being knocked off my shoulder. He hovers and caws menacingly at Cressida and Evera who laugh as they continue past. Squaring my shoulder, I stride over to the Captain.

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