Page 44 of Heart of Night and Fire

Yasen gave her one more skeptical look, then continued his march through Dharati, ignoring her pleading. That didn’t stop her from trailing after him. She had absolutely no intention of sitting this out.

“Why are they being so picky, anyway?” Zarya asked Yasen. “Shouldn’t they want all the help they can get?”

Yasen looked at her with an eyebrow raised. “Because the Khada are a bunch of snobs.”

At Ambar Fort, the fighting yards were buzzing with activity. Dozens of sweat-soaked bodies were practicing their sword techniques, sparring in friendly duels. The different stations for the trials were already set up. Targets for archery, an open ring for fighting with weapons and hand-to-hand combat, and off to the far side rose a giant contraption that seemed to function as a sort of obstacle course, with balance beams, swinging ropes, and ladders that fell on the worrisome side of stable.

There were also a handful of Aazheri and rakshasas practicing magic, ribbons of bright light in various colors emanating from their fingers. She watched them for a moment, thinking of her meeting with Kindle and Apsara, still wondering if what they’d concluded about her magic was the entire truth.

Yasen surveyed the press of bodies before his eyes settled on Zarya once more. “You still want to join them?”

She swallowed a nervous knot in her throat and nodded. “Of course I do. I want to help.”

Yasen tipped his head as though to suggest they’d see about that, then resumed his progression through the crowd.

He was stopped constantly by eager young recruits begging for advice or requesting an analysis of their form. Yasen pretended to be put out by it, but he also didn’t hesitate to help everyone who asked. She pressed her lips together, suppressing a smile as he retained his usual scowl, but it was obvious a part of him enjoyed this.

His trail of admirers followed him through the training yards like ducklings. Zarya felt a twinge of jealousy at seeing how encouraging he was with everyone else when he kept telling her to go home.

Eventually, they reached the far end, where a long table had been set up for those wishing to join the Khada’s ranks. A stern-looking man wearing the Khada’s red-and-gold uniform stood guard over piles of parchment, where each potential recruit had to sign their name. Yasen made small talk with each hopeful warrior who stopped by to add themselves to the register.

Zarya caught sight of Aarav, who was bent over the table, scratching against the parchment. They hadn’t spoken since their argument on the beach and she didn’t imagine they would do so any time soon.

As if feeling her eyes on him, he looked up and frowned, his brown eyes darkening. He dropped the pen and straightened. For a moment, she thought he might come over to say something, but he looked past her and walked away.

She watched his narrow frame disappear through the crowd and sighed.

“Ready, Swamp Girl?” Yasen asked, pulling her attention away from Aarav.

“Stop calling me that.”

“If you’re really planning to do this, get yourself in line,” he said, ignoring her comment. He pointed to where dozens of people were queuing up, one next to each other. “If you die, don’t blame me.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The day would include a series of trials that tested agility, combat with various weapons, archery, and for those who had magic, spell casting. Zarya squeezed her fist at her side, knowing she had to keep her powers hidden, though she wasn’t sure what good her insipid magic would do, anyway. It might be useful for calling the demons, but no one here would thank her for that.

Nervous energy permeated the air. Never before had the Khada done this outside of the usual schedule. Beneath the excitement rippling through the crowd was an undercurrent of fear that this drastic step was necessary at all.

A low murmur dropped over the yard as a line of Khada emerged from Ambar Fort, wearing their distinctive red-and-gold uniforms. At the center marched Vikram, resplendent in his own green commander’s sherwani. Next to him walked another rakshasa in the blue and gold of the Khada’s general.

The group came to a halt in front of Zarya and the other hopefuls.

She looked along the line, catching sight of Aarav about halfway down. He was focused intently on the Khada while he chewed the inside of his lip. Yasen stood off to the side with his arms folded, casually keeping an eye on the proceedings and, she was sure, complaining about her to whoever would listen.

Vikram raised a hand, calling for silence.

“Welcome, hopeful recruits!” he called out in a commanding voice that easily carried over their heads. “I am Commander Ravana, and I’m sure you all know General Amjal.”

He paused for everyone to nod before continuing, but there was no need for introductions. Everyone standing in this yard knew exactly who these two rakshasas were. Zarya had already heard plenty of stories from Yasen about the general and his accomplishments with the Khada.

“Today will mark the first quarter of the trials. You are at the start of what will be a difficult journey. You must prove your worth and dedication if you wish to join the ranks of the Khada. Even in a situation this dire, it’s important to remember that patrolling the wall is exceedingly dangerous, and we can only accept the very best.”

Vikram scanned the assembled crowd, then continued in a more somber tone.

“Do not underestimate your duty here today. The Khada have been protecting this region of Daragaab for years, and we do not take on new recruits without careful consideration. We need warriors with strength, courage, and discipline.”

He paused again briefly before clapping his hands together in conclusion.