Obsidian Sky by Julius St. Clair

Aidan laughed at seeing Bailey so off guard. “We had one of the villagers do it. He wasn’t a priest so I don’t know if that makes it legal – I don’t even know how one gets married in this era, to be honest…but we did.”
    “Who is the villager?” she asked with concern.
    “He died the next day in a scouting mission, so it doesn’t matter.”
    “I see.”
    “I know it happened fast, but I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”
    “I believe you , Tallawa h ,” Bailey replied. “When you make up your mind about something, it stays there until the bitter end.”
    “A trait I picked up from you.”
    “Flattery won’t get you any secrets to tomorrow’s exam,” she winked. “You are going to study, aren’t you?”
    “Maybe. Maybe not. I’m sure I’ve got it handled.”
    “Don’t let yourself be overconfident. There will be some twists. And I want you to do well. I also want you to consider going on the missions.”
    “Why?” Aidan raised his eyebrow. “I thought I was supposed to keep a low profile.”
    “I’ve been getting anxious,” Bailey admitted. “And restless. There has been word that the Elders are beginning to take a closer look at me and what exactly I’ve been doing in the classroom. I may even get a teacher evaluation soon, which as you know, is quite rare. I don’t know why they’ve taken sudden interest, but I’m worried that my senses are getting dull being inside all the time. I’m considering going on some away missions myself. I would love it – if you would come with me.”
    “You can handle yourself,” he said.
    “There is no one I trust more than you,” she said. “And though I am strong, I think we both realize that we would have been killed out there without each other. The scouting missions may be more confined to specific areas that are rarely as dangerous as the village likes to make it sound, but I would feel better knowing that you were there.”
    “I’ll have to think about it. I was just starting to get used to the idea of laying low – enjoying not having to fight. I want be able to relax with Leah, not make her worry about whether I’m coming back alive or not.”
    “Then come with me,” she said. “Part of it may be my anxiety, but it will also give us a chance to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes here. We can interview the locals, get their insight and see if there’s any shadiness. The sooner we can confirm that the board of Elders are who they say they are, the sooner we can all relax.”
    “Did you ever think that maybe the reason you suspect there’s corruption going on behind the scenes is because you’re afraid of losing control? I don’t mean to insult you – but once you lost your seat, you lost your voting power. You also lost access to a great deal of sensitive information. You’re a strong woman, but even I can’t deny that you like things a certain way. Your way.”
    “Because I want to make sure things are done right.”
    “This may be true, but that doesn’t mean you’re not wrong. The same people who are Elders now are the same ones you were on the board with in the past. Aren’t they trustworthy?”
    “To an extent,” she said. “But…Aidan, people change. Beliefs change. One minute, they could think of the world as a land of peace and opportunity. One event happens in their lives, and suddenly, they want our entire race to die. We are ever-evolving, fickle creatures that are trying to balance on the tightrope of light and darkness every day. All it takes is for one little push to knock us off onto one side or the other.”
    “But it’s not our job to babysit, or force someone to do what we believe is proper. You’re here to teach us – to prepare us for a cruel world that hands nothing to no one. You’re here to give us the tools and manuals we need to make our own decisions, and our own mistakes. Nothing more.”
    “But we must think of the flip side as well.