Daughter of Death

XII

You get a double update because I haven't uploaded in a while so yay
Enjoy
I guess

Fiona fainted.

That was that.

At least no one else noticed.

Hallez didn't know how to handle the information. She kept her emotionless mask on, but inside—well, she could come to the terms for the test easier than Fiona, but then again, she hadn't seen the fort yet, nor even their past forts.

And from Fiona's reaction, they must've been impressive.

Unfortunately, Hallez could understand Martin's way of thinking. This would be similar to what they would be doing on the mission. They had to prove that they at least had a fighting chance to retrieve the Ancile.

Tim hesitated, before announcing, "This is a...reasonable test. And if the daughter of Letum and her contubernium passes, we will provide them with some necessities, and a way of transportation to get to Livermore. Any objections?"

There were none.

"This meeting is now officially over."

Everyone stood, and started to file out of the Senate House, shuffling past one another. Other than the footsteps, it was completely silent. After a few moments of the deafening, awkward silence, it was seriously starting to get to Hallez. She sighed inwardly, her brain hurting. Then she finally stood up.

Getting Fiona out was a bit of a hassle, she'll say that.

Hal had to get some assistance from Mark, who threw the daughter of Fortuna over his shoulder, and led them out of the Senate House.

Once outside, on the walk through Rome Ultima, he remarked, "That was interesting."

Hallez crossed her arms. Interesting was an understatement. "I would say it was befuddling."

Mark snorted in laughter. "I suppose. Who's on your contubernium, anyway?"

"Fiona, Travis, Lavi."

"Ah, the lovebirds. Do you like them?"

Hal shrugged. "Sure."

Mark waited for more elaboration. When there was none, he raised an eyebrow. "Alright then. Anyways, I'll help you carry Fiona back, then I'll need to announce the changes to the MFSDO. More details about this definitely very reasonable test will be given to you by Ian, who we'll send when we work out the details. Then I'll leave you to break the news to your contubernium."

Hallez froze. "Me?"

Mark looked apologetic, and a bit guilty. "Yeah. I need to be there to work through the details about the test and the mission with June and the consuls. Sorry."

She nodded, reluctantly. She sighed inwardly. "I'll tell them."

They had reached the checkpoint. As Hallez retrieved her pocketknife, she started to worry. She didn't want to be the one to break the news. Despite what Travis had said the day before, about how he didn't care that she was a daughter of Letum, she was worried—and scared.

What would they think about this absurdly impossible test?

Doing the MFSDO with just four people sounded dangerous, and impossible, and it wasn't their fault they had to do it. It was her's. They were just unlucky enough that she had joined their contubernium, and that she was in the prophecy thingy from the gods, who had never even cared about her existence until now. If they left her on her own to do this task, she wouldn't blame them. Better yet, she didn't tell them, and just did it on her own anyway, and most likely, most definitely fail.