Chapter 5 HE KNEW IT TOO

The bell rang, signalling the start of another day at the Warrior Signary.

I hadn’t even spent a week yet and I already knew what I despised the most in this place. The bell.

My bunkmate and I were already up and getting dressed in our dark uniforms when my bunkmate whom I would describe as a skinny girl who was probably two inches taller than me with long black hair spoke up

“I think you have this on wrong” she says, pointing to the chest guard that I was having a hard time trying to buckle.

This was the first sentence she had said to me since I stepped into this room and we crossed each other’s paths a lot of times. Both within and without.

“Oh…” I replied, looking down at my outfit again to know where I got it wrong when she walked up to me and flips the material around. “Try buckling it again” she said.

This time, it was easier to hold in place and I passed her a smile. “Thank you” I acknowledged. I was truly grateful because it really was a struggle.

“You’re welcome” she replied and returned to lacing up her boots.

“I’m Beryl. I don’t think we’ve properly introduced ourselves” maybe, now she was in the mood to exchange pleasantries.

“Lila” the reply, curt. Simple. Demure. Snobbish.

“Nice to meet you” I tried my luck again, hoping that I could strike up a conversation with the person I would be seeing for most of my first year in here but when I received no replies and not even a reaction. I knew it was time to shut up.

You didn’t have to tell me twice.

Somehow, I would have preferred that she had not spoken to me because it felt worse than when we had not even said a word to each other.

I could assume that she had an issue that hindered her from speaking but proving that she could speak and selectively deciding to ignore me was just rude.

Another bell was rung and I groaned internally. I despised that sound.

Zipping up my bag and securing it under the bed, I released a sigh and patted down on my trousers. Ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Or not. But pretence is key.

The sun was just starting to rise, casting a golden glow over the courtyard. The air was crisp and cool, filled with the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant hint of smoke from the kitchen fires.

As we made our way to the courtyard, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anxiety.

The instructors had promised us prior that today was the day was for Angle assignments, and I had no idea what to expect. It was the first decision they made for you in here.

Angles were simply groups or platoons but in a fancier terminology. It was like being assigned a project with a supervisor where you would nurture the project and be trained on how to handle it. But in this case, the project was the powers you would receive.

And your life.

There were four angles, representing the four sides to a compass. This would also be our positioning if there be a war.

Before you ask ‘I thought you never planned to go to the Signary? How come you know about this?’

I had twenty one days to cry and prepare. I used nineteen out of that to cry and the remaining two to get myself acquainted with the place. Hence from reading, and the few days I had with my sister, I got some information.

Now, where was I?

So… the angles are namely; North, South, East and West.

From what I had known from the gossip around my dormitory, the angles were headed by the final years who were guided by a master.

The courtyard was now bustling with activity. The new recruits milling about and chatting nervously. It was obvious that I wasn’t the only one worried about where I would be assigned. Despite the fact that we may all undergo the same training, one would always hope for a compassionate leader who would be patient with training.

Or maybe it was just me. Probably everyone’s mind was set to being drilled but for me? Who lacked the experience to survive in here, I prayed for a female leader or at least a male with a softened heart.

Soon, the courtyard slowly began to drift into silence and I looked around till I noticed a stage. Something that looked like a little raise, higher than the ground we stood and some people had walked unto it. People I believed were about to begin the assignments.

I moved closer and began to recognize their faces. The instructors stood close to the edge of the floor, their faces stern and serious. "Listen up, recruits," one of them who looked to be in his thirties but was suffering from severe symptoms of balding barked. "As you’ve been told, today you will be assigned to your Angles where you'll learn to work together, fight together, and survive together. No complains tolerated.” He started in a very welcoming and cute way.

“The Warrior Signary is an honorary unit to be. The safety and future of our country depends on it. Depends on you. So, I want you all to take it all in good fate. Challenges don’t wait for you to leave the Signary, they begin from the moment you stepped in here with the dream to be a defender and an offender. Only the brave win challenges, dead or alive”

I glanced around, noticing the nervous glances and fidgeting among fellow recruits.

Good… cause it’ll be hella weird for just me to find this off.

‘Dead or alive’… the words resonated. Everyone knew that people died at the warriors Signary but no one ever knew why. It was like a secret they kept within themselves. Hearing this statement felt more like a threat than a word of encouragement.

As I kept glancing around to know if other people’s reactions rhymed with mine, I saw that Lila stood beside me. Her eyes fixed on the instructors with a determined look.

To me, Lila was the kind of person who was fit for this unit. It showed evidently in her aura.

“The people given to you are here to guide you, your protection is left to yourself or to the goodness of their hearts” the instructor continued and that dashed away my hopes of a compassionate leader. “Do good, train well and … don’t die. I would invite them up to introduce themselves now” he finalized and stepped back.

It was followed by a round of applause as the Angle leaders stepped forward. Oddly, their presence seemed commanding more than the instructor that had just left the exact spot.

They began, one by one, introducing themselves with a certain level of authority I didn’t expect to see amongst students.

There was Marcus, the leader of the Northern Angle, with his rugged good looks and icy blue eyes. Rachel, the leader of the Eastern Angle, with her sun-kissed skin and fiery spirit. Then there was Jude, the leader of the Western angle.

His presence on that stage brought a smile to my face and my hopes of being handed someone with compassion returned.

Jude was a long-time friend whom I had always known wanted to be a part of this life. We grew up in the same neighbourhood. He was there for me when her mother had been killed. My first friend and first crush. I wonder why Amethyst never mentioned he was in the Signary in the first place cause she is definitely aware.

Maybe she wanted it to be a surprise?

All these years, I was worried about him, wondering if he’d ever return especially with all the tales we heard about this place. Now I was thinking if I had ever mentioned it to my sister during one of her visit days or if it was just a thought in my head.

I didn’t really take much time revelling in my thoughts when a different voice spoke. “Ryder Onakry, Leader of the Southern Angle”

Fuck me! An Angle Leader? Do we not fucking learn in Allorna?

As Ryder spoke, his voice sent shivers down my spine.

Not because it was low and smooth or anything, but because it was laced with a hint of menace lurking beneath the surface. It was so obvious that this man had more ill intentions.

"My colleagues have said it all and I do not have much additions. Stay away from my path, and I'll stay away from yours," he said, his eyes sweeping the crowd with a bored expression.

That was a warning and everyone knew.

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The Angle assignments began. The instructors were calling out each person’s names and sending them to a queue that represented each angle.

I watched my hands tremble as I waited for my name to be called.

When it finally was, I felt a surge of worry and prayed one more time for luck to shine on my side today as it had been betraying me of late

"Western Angle," the instructor announced, and I stepped forward.

I could almost weep for joy knowing that I got just the person I wanted. As I walked to join my queue, my eyes were fixed on Ryder who stood with the other leaders. Marking the faces of those who were assigned under their wings. I also noticed Jude passing me a smile but I didn’t want to react just yet, in case the knowledge of our familiarity could ruin it.

But Ryder noticed.

Before I could settle into the cue for Western recruits, Ryder's voice cut through the air. "I want that one," he said, his eyes fixed on me with a sense of victory.

My heart sank and I wondered if he could do that. Just demand anyone.

“I think her place of assignment is okay with me” Jude stepped in to defend and I relaxed my mind. Most people of warrior knowledge knew of the Onakry and Windston toggle. It would be wise for anyone who cared about my safety to not put us together.

“Are you not acquainted with Miss Windston, Jude?” Ryder asks and Jude fell silent.

The instructor who was calling out names halted to allow the issue get settled first before he proceeded. The man who had addressed us earlier before the assignments asked “Are you acquainted with Miss Windston, Jude Stompson?”

“Yes” Jude replies to him

“You know the rules, you can’t guide with informals” he turns to me “You…” he starts, pointing a finger in my direction “Southern angle. Switch with the last person”

I couldn’t even believe it. I was assigned to the one person I was supposed to avoid.

And Ryder's smile, as he turned to me told me that he knew it too.