Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm
by Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 13: The First Test
The night was heavy and still, the shadows of the Scola seeming to deepen as Rae and her companions prepared for their first real test. The training room, their makeshift base, was cloaked in darkness. Rae stood in the center, looking at the others.
“Tonight, we’ll see what we’ve learned,” she said quietly, her voice barely more than a whisper. “We’re moving through the north corridor, past at least two patrols. Our goal is to return without being detected.”
The group nodded, their eyes sharp with focus. Celestine tightened the straps of her boots, Marcus tested the movements of his hands, and Tyren looked nervous, though determination glimmered in his eyes. Soren appeared uncertain, but he was ready.
“What if we’re discovered?” Tyren asked at last.
“We won’t be discovered,” Rae replied firmly. “Stay together, stay quiet, and stay in the shadows.”
The First Step into Darkness
The corridor ahead was dimly lit, the servitors’ lights casting long shadows on the rough stone walls. Rae led the group, her steps as silent as a breath. Behind her, the others followed, each focused on replicating the movements they had trained for.
The first section was empty, and the group moved fluidly through the darkness. Rae felt her muscles relax with each step, though her senses remained on high alert. She knew the real challenge was yet to come.
Suddenly, she raised her hand, and the group froze as one. Ahead, at the end of the corridor, a faint hum could be heard—the familiar sound of a servitor. Rae knelt and pointed to a niche in the wall. “In there,” she whispered.
The group squeezed into the narrow alcove, their bodies pressed against the cold stone walls. The servitor rolled past slowly, its mechanical eye scanning the area. Rae held her breath, sensing Soren trembling beside her. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and watched as the servitor disappeared into the darkness.
The First Patrol
Once the servitor was out of sight, Rae led the group forward. The next section of the corridor was longer and brighter. At the far end, heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed—a patrol.
Rae turned to the others, her movements slow and precise. She pointed to a dark area between two columns. “Hide there,” she whispered. “Move quietly.”
Celestine was the first to move, her steps fluid and silent. Marcus followed, then Tyren and Soren. Rae brought up the rear, ensuring no one was left behind. The patrol approached—two guards whose uniforms gleamed in the faint light. Their voices were low, but Rae could make out the words.
“The novices are getting bolder,” one guard said. “Last week, one tried to access the archives.”
“They’ll get what they deserve,” the other replied. “I hope they have a good reason for sneaking into restricted areas.”
The guards passed, and the group remained still until their footsteps faded. Rae exhaled slowly and motioned toward the next section. “Let’s move.”
The Second Patrol
The next section was more challenging. The group needed to cross an open space spanned by a narrow bridge. Kneeling, Rae observed the area. On the other side, the hum of another servitor echoed, and the light was brighter.
“We’ll have to split up,” Rae said. “Marcus and I will go first. If it’s clear, Celestine, Tyren, and Soren will follow.”
Marcus nodded, and the two carefully made their way across the bridge. Rae felt the light brush against her as she pressed flat against the ground, her muscles tense and her breathing shallow. The servitor paused briefly before rolling on.
She gave a quiet signal, and the others followed. Celestine moved gracefully, Tyren hesitated but managed to cross, and Soren, bringing up the rear, almost slipped. Rae grabbed his arm, pulling him into the safety of the shadows.
The Return
After passing the final patrol, Rae led the group back. Their movements through the corridors were smooth and silent, and when they finally reached their exit, Rae felt the tension lift from her shoulders.
The group gathered in their chamber, their faces tired but satisfied. Tyren flopped onto his bed, grinning. “We did it.”
“It was good,” Celestine said. “But we need to be faster and quieter.”
“We will,” Rae said. “This was just the beginning. But we proved we can do it. Now we know we’re ready.”
Soren nodded, his face full of relief. “I thought they’d catch us,” he murmured.
“We all thought that,” Marcus said calmly. “But they didn’t.”
Rae looked at her companions, her eyes sharp yet filled with pride. “This was our first test. The next one will be harder. But we’ll be ready.”
The group nodded, and for a moment, their chamber was filled with a quiet sense of unity. The shadows of the Scola still loomed, but Rae knew they had taken another step closer.
