FIRE AND ICE: BENEATH THE ASHES

The Recruitment II

Nessa’s eyes rolled heavenward as she recognized the speaker. “Mal, what are you doing here?” she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Mal sauntered up to her, a smug look plastered on his face. “We’re going to get supplies, of course.”

Nessa’s confusion deepened. “What supplies?”

Mal’s grin grew wider. “For the apothecary, naturally.”

Nessa’s eyes narrowed as Mal drew closer.

Mal’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “So, where are you really going?” he asked, his voice low and knowing.

Nessa shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “I’m going to see Betty. She’s really sick.” She says the first thing that comes to mind, and it was just the right thing.

Mal’s expression changed in an instant, concern etched on his face. Nessa knew she had him there – Mal had a long-standing crush on Betty, and the thought of her being ill clearly worried him.

“Let me escort you,” Mal said, his voice firm. “Why couldn’t you just tell Mother and Father that you were going to see your sick friend?”

Nessa shrugged again, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Just didn’t feel like it’s mad you can’t tag along,you know why.”

Mal’s eyes met hers, and they exchanged a knowing look. They both understood that following her to the Hughes was a bad idea.

Mal cleared his throat, breaking the tension. “So, have you heard about the recruitment of new guards today?” he asked, his tone light.

Nessa nodded, her expression leukwarm. “Yes, I’ve heard.”

Mal’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “It’s kind of exciting, don’t you think? Even Arch is joining this year.”

Her inital reaction was surprise but she quickly masked it with a neutral one. “Wonderful for him.”

Mal’s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. “You’re not even a little curious?” he asked, his tone suspicious.

Nessa’s expression remained neutral, but inside, she was seething. How did Arch forget to tell her so huge as being recruited? Forget that, he’d even managed to forget to tell her that he’d applied in the first place.

Mal seemed to sense her unease, and he quickly bid her farewell, heading off in the opposite direction. Nessa watched him go, a mix of emotions swirling inside her.

Nessa made her way to the back of the house, where she knew she'd find her friends, Archie and Betty. As she approached, she could hear their laughter and chatter carrying through the air. But Nessa wasn't feeling chatty today. Not at all.

She strode up to the pair, her eyes fixed on Archie's grinning face. Without a word, she reached over her shoulder and drew out her bow and arrow. Archie's eyes widened in surprise as Nessa swiftly notched the arrow and drew back the string.

Betty's eyes went wide with alarm. "Nessa, what are you doing?" she cried, but Nessa didn't respond.

With a swift, smooth motion, Nessa released the arrow. It soared through the air, whizzing past Archie's ear with a mere inch to spare. Archie's eyes went wide with shock as he stumbled backward, his hand flying up to his ear as if to verify that it was still attached.

Betty's face was pale with alarm. "Nessa, what's wrong with you?" she demanded, her voice shaking with concern.

Nessa's expression was grim, her eyes flashing with a fierce intensity. "Just a little target practice, Arch," she said, her voice low and even.

Archie’s face was grim as he told Nessa, “You should warn me next time.”

Nessa’s expression didn’t change, but her voice was icy. “There won’t be a next time.”

The two of them seemed to understand each other, but Betty looked clueless. “What’s going on?” she asked, her brow furrowed with concern. “Why were you two acting so strange? Staking each other?”

Nessa’s eyes flashed with anger as she turned to Archie. “How could you do this, Arch?” she demanded. “All this time, I thought you’d given up on your dreams. I’d even foolishly come here to convince you to go…that we could go together.”

Betty’s smile faltered, and she looked away, but not before Nessa saw a hint of knowledge in her eyes.

“You couldn’t possibly think of…” Betty started to say, but then she stopped, her eyes darting to Archie before returning to Nessa. “They’re no longer recruiting, Nessa. You should have applied with Arch.”

Nessa’s eyes widened in surprise as she realized that both Archie and Betty had been lying to her.

Archie held up his hands, a solemn expression on his face. “Don’t drag Betty into this, Nessa. I told her not to tell because I wanted to tell you myself.”

Nessa’s anger boiled over. “When were you planning to tell me, huh?” she spat. “When you start training? Or when you become a guard?”

Nessa’s voice cracked with emotion as she said, “I thought we were friends.” She shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. “Forget it.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Archie and Betty staring after her.

Archie took a step forward, but Betty caught his arm, holding him back.

“Let me go,” Archie said, his voice low and urgent.

But Betty shook her head. “No, I’ll talk to her, you’ve done enough.”

Betty followed Nessa, her long strides eating up the distance between them.

“Nessa, wait!” Betty called out, her voice soft and gentle.

Betty followed Nessa as she walked to a nearby tree and began to climb up, pulling her dress up to reveal the pants underneath. Betty stopped at the foot of the tree, looking up at Nessa with concern.

“Nessa, please come down,” Betty said, her voice soft and gentle.

But Nessa didn’t respond. She just sat there, her back against the trunk of the tree, her eyes staring off into space.

“Come on, I just want to talk, Ness.” But there was no response from Nessa, “Fine! You want to stay on that tree like an animal, then I’m going to join you.”

Betty decided to take matters into her own hands. She reached up and began to climb the tree, but her dress got caught on a branch and she stumbled, landing on her butt with a thud.

“Great, now my dress is ruined,” Betty said, looking up at Nessa with a mixture of frustration and amusement.

Nessa and Betty looked at each other blankly for a moment, and then they both burst out laughing.

Nessa climbed down from the tree, still chuckling, and offered Betty her hand. “That’s why everyone should wear pants,” Nessa said with a grin. “You never know when you’ll need to climb a tree or make a quick getaway.”

Betty took Nessa’s hand and pulled herself up, brushing off her dress. “I’ll keep that in mind,” Betty said, smiling.

Betty's expression turned serious as she asked, "What's wrong, Nessa? You two are always fighting, but I've never seen you this upset."

Nessa smiled wryly, acknowledging the truth in Betty's words. "I know, I know. Arch is an i***t, but...this is different."

Betty raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I have to admit, almost chopping his ear off with an arrow is a new level of upset, even for you."

Nessa's smile faltered, and she looked away, her eyes clouding over. Betty's expression softened, and she urged Nessa to talk.

Nessa took a deep breath before speaking. "I really wanted to join the Roya guards, Betty. I've always dreamed of it, protecting my people, fighting for us, for Pyrovia,but...this is probably my last chance. Mother says I'm 'ripe' for marriage now, and I know she'll start pushing me to settle down soon."

Betty's expression was sympathetic, but also slightly amused. "That sounds just about right," she said dryly. "You've always been crazy, Nessa. Women don't become guards, much less soldiers. Besides, you'd have to apply first."

Nessa's face broke out into a sly smirk, and she raised an eyebrow at Betty. That look alone,spoke volumes.