Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
As for the godkin from the other Phoenixian settlements—there was approximately thirteen, most of whom were males—they didn’t seem amused at my expense, but there was no sympathy or welcome in their expressions.
Whatever.
Ignoring them, I kept my gaze fixed on the back of Talon’s head as he led the way through the landscaped garden, retracing his earlier steps. Ajax again took up the rear, maybe still to ensure that we made no attempt to flee.
Once we exited the garden, Talon led us to the front gate of the garrison. The wagons were gone, along with the horses, dogs, and other officiates. He pulled open one of the wooden doors that were smaller versions of the city’s entrance.
All of us piled inside, and I heard Ajax close the door behind me. The woodland-glade look continued here, but the buildings weren’t white. Like the walls surrounding the garrison, they were a gothic black.
The place had a very no-nonsense design. There were no pretty gardens, no decorative columns, no stained-glass windows. The layout appeared to be simple. The structures I could see from where I stood were basic. And the rectangular courtyard that sat in the center of the base was a mere stretch of short grass.
A large building sat either of me, parallel to each other. One appeared to be storage—I could see a flash of wagons through an open door. The other was quite clearly a barn/stable for the animals; I could hear neighs and pup-like yips.
Ahead of each of those buildings was another—again, they were parallel to each other. They were also identical in both shape and length. The one on the left had two doors; the first was marked “Armory,” and the second was marked, “Laundry.”
The structure on the right also had two doors. On the first hung a “Apothecary” sign. The other door was labeled “Supplies.” It seemed that—
“The last of the offerings, I’m guessing,” said a new voice, drawing my attention to a cute, lean male heading in our direction. Based on his white-blond hair alone, he could only be one of the Delphiae. He sized up each of the Phoenixian godkin before sliding that assessing gaze to me. A frown slipped over his expressive face. “Well, this is new.”
“The Sovereigns want her as a candidate for the Order,” Ajax explained, moving to Talon’s side.
“But she’s human,” said the Delphiae, confused.
“Yeah, I see that. Clearly, they don’t find it relevant.”
The blond scratched at his bristly cheek. “Want me to take it from here? Give these the tour and get them settled?”
Talon grunted in affirmation but then shot him a look of warning, his gaze briefly dipping to the other officiate’s crotch.
Holding up his hands, the blond pledged, “I will keep my dick in my pants.”
“Be sure that you do, Jelani,” Ajax told him. “We don’t need more candidates having cat fights in the courtyard over you.”
After Talon spared me one last glance, he stalked off with Ajax at his side.
Facing us, Jelani pointed to the buildings on our left, sweeping his hand to indicate each one as he said, “Storage. Armory. Laundry room.” He then gestured at the structures on our right. “Stables-slash-barn. Apothecary. Supplies.” He guided us to the latter room and pushed open the door. “Form a line to the counter.”
We all did so, me falling into position at the rear. Peering past the others, I noticed a pretty woman with wide amber eyes who had to be a Lykaon. She stood behind a counter clad in a standard Black Tapestry outfit. At her back were several long shelves on which piles of clothing sat. The smile she gave Jelani made the vicious scar on her cheek curve.
“Need an overnight sack for the last collection of candidates,” he said.
She gave a curt nod, assessed the figure of the male in front, and then turned to the shelves behind her.
Jelani’s rich blue gaze danced along the line of candidates. “You’ll only have enough clothes to last you until tomorrow, because there’s no point in us giving you more. Xalbia begins in the morning, and several people drop out on the first day.”
Seneca inched up her chin. “Us three won’t,” she said, gesturing at herself, Atticus, and Bevan.
One thing I could say for the trio was that they were very athletic. Aegeas had often held games that featured races, long-jumps, and weapon-wielding. Those three Phoenixians had always performed well.
When I finally reached the counter, the female officiate took one long look at me and blinked in surprise. Rather than comment, she retrieved a particular sack. I took it from her gratefully and said, “Thank you.”
“In each sack are undergarments, breeches, a tunic, a cloak, and boots,” said Jelani. “There’s also a small pack that contains a comb, hair tie, bar of soap, and a linen cloth and powder for cleaning your teeth. If you’re still here after day one of Xalbia, you can come back for more supplies.”