"There is an art to poison not often discussed, and that is timing. Only a master can properly dose and administer for effective onset. One must take into account the mass of the individual as well as the method of delivery."
—Effective Uses of Wild and Cultivated Herbs by Captain Lawrence Medina
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As I dressed in the serene women's hall, the morning sun struggled to rise above the horizon, casting a warm glow through the distant windows. Lost in thought, I was startled when a vest was suddenly presented to me. My gaze followed the outstretched hand, and my eyes met Violet's as she offered me her prized dragon scale vest.
I furrowed my brow, perplexed by her gesture. "Why would you give this to me?" I asked, my voice laced with concern. "You need it far more than I do." Violet shrugged nonchalantly, her expression enigmatic. "I know you'll need it today," she said, her words dripping with an air of foreboding.
My frown deepened as I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Instead of accepting the gift, I gently placed the vest on the bench between us. "You should keep it, Violet," I insisted. "I won't argue about it."
With a subtle smile, I revealed my own glimmering vest, its intricate scales catching the morning light. "I've acquired one of my own," I said, my tone tinged with a hint of mystery.
Violet's eyes widened in surprise as she took in this new information. "When did that happen?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
I chuckled low in my throat, a mischievous glint in my eye. "Let's just say being not entirely human has its advantages," I replied, patting Violet's shoulder reassuringly.
Violet laughed softly and reclaimed her vest, strapping it securely around her torso once more. The sound of our laughter echoed through the quiet hall, a momentary respite from the unknown challenges that lay ahead.
We finished our preparations, our footsteps echoing through the silent hall as we made our way past the empty beds of the dozen women who hadn't survived to see August. I shoved open the door, and we stepped out into the crisp morning air.
As I breathed in, my senses were assaulted by the pungent smell of sweat and metal. My gaze scanned the area, and my heart skipped a beat as I spotted Dain leaning against the wall at the opposite end of the courtyard. I stepped aside, allowing Violet to see him too. "Morning," I said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the flutter in my chest.
I couldn't help but smile as Dain's piercing gaze met mine. "You don't have to escort us to duty every morning, you know," I teased, trying to hide my pleasure at his presence.
Dain shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Maybe not," he said, his voice low and rough. "But I don't trust anyone in this fort anymore." His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, it felt like he was saying something more – something that only I could hear.
