White Quartz | Xaden Riorson | T/T

XLI

・・・　・・・　・・・

     The stone is in my jewelry box.
     The secret phrase isn't much of anything, but it's what I'm given as my code as we enter the training facility. I'd half expected it to be that false infirmary Colonel Aetos had put me in, but instead, it's a cave toward the base of the mountain the school is built into the slopes of.
     They strip us of our weapons. I have none, since I'd left them behind on my walk with Xaden, so I stand there awkwardly as Grady takes every dagger and bow from my squadmates. Even just the four of them almost fill the surface of the large desk in the main antechamber. Beyond it's high-backed, black velvet chair are two doors sealed with steel latches.

     "You've all been given your classified information to protect," Professor Grady says, leading us into the chamber on the right.
     In the center of the room sits a marred, oval wooden table and six chairs. Six wooden shelves that serve as beds sit against the domed walls and there's one more door, though this one wood, that I'm assuming and hoping leads to a bathroom.
     "Have a seat," Grady offers, gesturing to the table.

     We all do so, kicking the chairs out with our feet. Rhiannon takes one of the chairs at the oval's heads. Violet sits to her left and I to Violet's, with Sawyer cross from me and Ridoc between him and Rhi.
     "For now, we're in a classroom setting. Remember what that means?" Grady reaches behind Sawyer and a moment later, his hands come free.
     "We're not being graded, and we can ask questions," Rhiannon answers.
     "Correct."

     He moves to Ridoc, releasing him as well.
     "The purpose of this exercise is to teach you how to survive capture," he assures, moving to Rhiannon. "These next couple of days are instructional only. It's an assessment."
     "So you know which buttons to push when it's the real thing," Ridoc comments as he rubs his wrists.
     "Exactly." The Professor smiles and nods, then cuts Violet's bonds to my right. "Is it going to be fun? Absolutely not. Are we going to show you mercy?" He moves to me next. "No." He emphasizes his point by harshly cutting away the rope from between my sling and wrist with a dagger, nearly clipping the underside of my jaw in the movement. He would've if I hadn't jerked my head back.

     Two riders walk in with trays of food and five mugs, then set the table before us with accompanying small plates and a jar of what seems to be jam. There's probably two dozen biscuits, so plenty for all of us, but I won't be touching them.
     "Eat and drink," Grady tells us as he swings his arm over the table from opposite Rhiannon. Now I definitely won't. "You won't have the opportunity once we enter the scenario. Also," he flashes a grin, "there's a patch up for grabs if you manage to escape. Though from what I hear, no squad has managed it in the last decade."

     "It's as good as ours," Ridoc promises, then cracks his neck.
     "Confidence. I like that in a second-year. " Grady nods with approval. He steps away and pauses in the open doorway. "I'll let you know when we begin the scenario. Until then, you all need to share a secret about yourselves, something no one outside of you five could possibly know, not even the rest of your squad. And, of course, we are going to try and force it out of you, along with the secret phrases you've already been given.
     "Remember the coping mechanisms you've been taught in class and this will be over before you know it. Every rider who graduates has sat where you're sitting and made it through what you're about to experience. Have faith in yourselves."