tile floors. The bed frames were larger with thicker mattresses rolled up and tied with a cord on each bed. The room looked as if it hadn’t been inhabited for some time.
“Clean it up, Junior Lieutenant,” Astyran said. “Make yourself useful.” He threw his bag on the floor and turned to leave.
“Pick that up, soldier,” a familiar voice said, standing at the door. Vishan’s eyebrows rose as Captain Bishyar glared at the group. The common barracks had never been visited by an officer of any rank for the year Vishan had trained. “I’d like to remind all of you that your father has placed you under my command, until he chooses not to. Some of you have spent time with us before.” The captain referred to a sheaf of papers in his hand. “Parvenu, Havyr and Daryan. Vishan is still training with us and has done at least as well as the three of you, who have returned. Daryan is the oldest of those who have been at Peshakan and will be your leader while at the outpost.”
Vishan stood a little straighter at the Captain’s compliment, the first feedback he’d ever received regarding his proficiency.
“You are all here for advanced strategic training. Call it practical War College experience, but under the Outpost’s discipline. There will be no excessive drinking or carousing while under my command. Those of you who have been with us before know there are few opportunities for such. Lieutenant Vishan will escort you to the Quartermaster’s building for proper uniforms. He is not your servant and has earned his rank. The only one who can command him is Daryan, who left us as a Junior Lieutenant, as well.
“May I be perfectly clear,” Captain Bishyar paused and looked each of the brothers in the eye. “You are under the discipline of the army. It does not care who your parents are. If you deserve physical punishment, there will be no quarter. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir!” Vishan and three of the others snapped to attention.
“At ease. Daryan?”
“Here, sir,” a shorter brother took a step forward and stood at attention He looked to be in his late twenties.
“Inform your brothers of what is expected here. They are to join in all morning activities with the common soldiers. Special instruction will occur in the afternoons and evenings in the room above this one.”
Vishan couldn’t resist lifting his eyes towards the ceiling. He’d rather train outside than spend all of his afternoons with his brothers.
At mess, he learned that he was five years younger than any of the other brothers. One of them would be likely crowned Emperor. His father wouldn’t have thrown them all together like this unless he had a reason. He put his own inclusion with the group due to coincidence more than anything else since he was already serving at Peshakan. Another test? For whom? To Vishan, their presence only meant personal danger.
Daryan seemed to be the only one who would talk to him. “How long have you been here?”
“One year and one month,” Vishan said. “I thought it would be worse than it’s been. You have to take the bad along with the good.”
“What’s the good, for you?”
“I like Ballistics. I’m better with thrown weapons.”
Daryan nodded and smiled. “Do they still withhold any letters?”
“Yes, I’ve heard a bit of news from the troopers, but I don’t know what’s going on in the Compound.”
“Ah, your mother is Princess Yalla? Nothing has changed for her, but your little brothers died half a year ago. If I remember right, bad reactions to a swarm of insects in your gardens. It happens to princes. There are only sixteen of us left, you know. There probably won’t be any more.”
Sixteen heirs! A year ago there had been twenty. Had his father been winnowing out the weaker ones? He barely made it though his twelfth year despite his father’s test. Half of the remaining princes sat at this table.
“I’m shocked.” He truly was appalled to hear about his
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