Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm
by Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 9: The Next Morning
The silence of the night was shattered by a deafening clang as the Scola’s bell thundered through the stone halls. Rae jolted awake, her heart racing as the cold, gray morning light seeped through the narrow windows of their chamber. The dull echo of the bell seemed to settle in her bones, and the murmur of waking novices began to drift through the corridors.
“Really,” Tyren mumbled, rubbing his eyes, “it’s as if the Emperor himself wants to drag us out of bed.”
“Up,” Rae said curtly, throwing off her blanket. Her voice was calm, but with a tone that brooked no argument. “We’ve got a long day ahead of us.”
Marcus stretched, his movements deliberate and controlled. “And an even longer evening,” he added, referencing their plans for night training.
Celestine was already up, her movements precise and focused as she donned her uniform. “Let’s go. I’d rather not attract unnecessary attention before breakfast.”
Breakfast in the Hall
The communal hall was bustling and noisy, filled with the clatter of trays and dishes. Rae and her companions secured a spot at one of the side tables, where they had a bit more privacy. The plain porridge and stale bread were as unappealing as ever, but no one complained.
As Rae ate in thoughtful silence, she noticed Soren lingering at the edge of the hall, nervously scanning for an open seat. His thin frame seemed lost in the sea of novices, and his unease was almost palpable.
“Soren!” Alric called out, waving him over. The boy looked up in surprise, hesitated briefly, then slowly made his way to their table.
“Good morning,” he murmured softly as he sat down, his eyes fixed on his porridge.
“Sit up straight,” Marcus said with quiet authority. “You’re here because you earned it.”
Soren nodded slightly, seeming to gain a bit more confidence. Rae watched him for a moment before speaking. “You’re stronger than you think,” she said gently. “But strength isn’t just in the body. Sometimes it’s about facing the day, no matter how hard it gets.”
Soren glanced at her, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered.
Lessons: Theory and Reality
After breakfast, the novices gathered in the large training room. Instructor Parval, whose presence always commanded a mix of fear and respect, stood at the front with arms crossed. His voice, sharp and authoritative, filled the room.
“Today, we’ll focus on the basics of warfare,” he began, pressing a button that brought up a holographic battlefield. “You will learn how to maneuver troops, outflank a superior force, and secure territory.”
The novices were divided into groups, and Rae found herself teamed with her roommates and Soren. Their task was to defend a small area in the simulation against a numerically superior enemy force.
“We’ll take the left flank,” Rae said, her voice steady as she studied the map. “Celestine, handle the ranged units. Tyren, monitor enemy movements and identify weaknesses. Marcus, hold the line. Soren, stay close to me. You’ll learn how to issue commands.”
The simulation began, and the atmosphere in the room shifted immediately. The holographic field flickered as the enemy’s first movements appeared. Rae observed the situation with keen focus, her hands moving swiftly across the controls.
“Celestine, take out the archers. Tyren, what do you see?”
“There’s a gap in their formation on the right,” Tyren replied. “They’re trying to flank us.”
“Marcus, redirect them. Soren, relay the orders—tell them to shift focus to the right.”
Soren hesitated, then raised his voice. Though it trembled slightly, it was clear. “Right flank! Redirect movements southward!”
The plan worked, and the group held their position until the simulation ended. Instructor Parval watched them closely, his sharp eyes offering no hint of approval.
“Efficient,” he said at last. “But not perfect. Mistakes were made, and mistakes cost lives. Learn from them.”
The Rest of the Day
After the lesson, the group’s mood was mixed. Soren looked relieved but exhausted, while Celestine and Tyren discussed the errors made during the exercise. Marcus, as usual, remained calm and composed.
Rae observed her teammates, sensing the growing bond between them. She knew that every day in the Scola made them stronger—not just as individuals, but as a unit.
“Tonight, we begin training,” Rae said quietly. “If we want to be truly prepared, we have to push ourselves further. No one gets left behind.”
The others nodded, and for a moment, Rae felt more confident in her decision. The Scola’s secrets still loomed, but they wouldn’t face them unprepared.
The Evening: A Moment of Calm
As the day progressed with its usual rhythm of lessons, tasks, and brief breaks, Rae and her companions used every spare moment to refine their plans for the night’s training. While other novices chatted or practiced simple drills, their group prepared methodically.
At dinner, the hall was as lively as ever, but the group remained subdued. Soren joined them again, and though he ate in silence, Rae noticed him beginning to relax. Alric lightened the mood with a childhood story, earning even a faint smirk from Celestine.
“You’re improving,” Marcus suddenly said to Soren, who looked up in surprise. “But it’s not just about words. You need to learn to assert yourself.”
Soren nodded quickly, though uncertainty lingered in his eyes. “I’m trying,” he murmured.
“Trying isn’t enough,” Celestine added coolly. “Here, survival is a choice, not chance.”
Rae sensed the impact of her words on Soren and decided to ease the tension. “That’s why we’re training,” she said gently. “No one expects you to be perfect from the start. But we do expect you to take it seriously.”
Soren met her gaze and nodded again, this time with a glimmer of determination. “I won’t mess it up.”
The Secret Training: First Steps
After dinner, the group slipped one by one into the hidden chamber Rae had discovered in an unused section of the Scola. The small, dimly lit room offered enough space for their exercises. Its rough stone walls and cold floor were far from comfortable, but it served their purpose.
“So this is it,” Tyren muttered, setting his cogitator on a small ledge. “Not exactly luxurious, but it’ll do.”
Rae stepped into the center of the room, facing the others. “We’ll start with what we need most to navigate the depths: stealth, quick reactions, and silent combat.”
She gestured to Celestine. “You’re fast. Show us how to stay quiet.”
Celestine moved forward, her motions fluid and deliberate. “The key is reading your environment,” she explained. “Every step must be intentional—no unnecessary noise, no loss of focus.”
She demonstrated how to shift weight properly and glide silently across the room. Rae, Marcus, and Soren tried to imitate her, while Tyren looked impatient.
“I’m not exactly built for silence,” Marcus muttered after his boot made a faint crunch.
“But you’re the one who protects us if we’re discovered,” Rae replied. “Keep going.”
After stealth training, they practiced unarmed combat. Rae led the exercises, demonstrating techniques to neutralize opponents quickly and quietly. The room filled with muted instructions, controlled breaths, and the occasional grunt when someone hit the floor too hard.
Soren struggled to coordinate his movements, but Rae patiently guided him. “You need to react faster,” she said, positioning his hand for better control. “Try again.”
A Glimpse of the Future
The training lasted late into the night. When they finally stopped, they sat in a loose circle on the cold floor, their breathing heavy and their bodies tired.
“That was a good start,” Rae said. “But we’ve got a long way to go.”
“I think we have a chance,” Tyren said, tinkering with his device. “If we keep this up, we could actually… be ready.”
Celestine leaned against the wall, her eyes half-closed. “That’s the key. Being ready. We can’t afford mistakes.”
Soren looked at Rae. “Do you think we can do this?”
Rae met his gaze, her voice calm but firm. “Yes. But only if we work together. None of us can do this alone.”
The group sat in silence for a while longer, the cold eventually driving them back to their chamber. Their footsteps were quiet, but their minds were full of plans. The day had brought them closer to their goal, but the shadows of the Scola remained deep and full of secrets.
