Every year, hundreds die within the walls of Basgiath War College. It's no surprise that many are those who choose the Riders Quadrant. Dragons do not tolerate much, but neither do the ruthless gryphons on the outside of the wards.
At least...
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・・・ ・・・ ・・・
My head aches when I wake up, and I moan through a scrunched nose. When my eyes open, I find Nolon hovering over me, and I jolt upright when I see the cave walls of the dungeon. My back also aches from sleeping on a wooden slab. Nolon's smile is less reassuring than I think he means it. "There they are," he hums as he carefully sits back onto the chair Violet had been strapped to.
"What time is it?" I question, glancing around the room. Everyone else is also on beds, the same amount of injured as before I was knocked out. Only Violet is as uninjured as I am. It's good to know Varrish didn't pay them any visit, but Nolon didn't heal most of them, either. "It's morning," Rhi answers. "I think." Immediately, I try to reach out to Xaden, but the stars in his sky are so dim, I can't even see them. He's gone, back to Samara.
"The vice commandant called me in to heal you," Nolon tells me, leaning in and keeping his voice quiet. "So he can shatter you again, and again, until you break. I'm on orders to remain in the antechamber for the rest of your interrogation, which he's extended by another day." Dread rolls up my stomach, squeezing its acid into my throat. "Is that normal?" Sawyer asks, leaning toward us.
"No," Nolon answers, not looking away from me still. "He wants whatever it is you know, (Y/N). Is it worth holding onto?" He reaches out for my hand, but despite knowing he's a mender, I pull it back before he can touch me. "I don't 'know' anything," I reply, using my other hand to quote around the word. "I don't know what vendetta he has against me, but you can relay my message. I'm not hiding anything."
Violet levels a look at me and Ridoc looks away, obviously also not happy. "I think I've had my head buried in other matters for too long." Nolon stands suddenly and turns Violet's way. He offers her a smile, then a hand. "Why don't you walk me to the door?" Violet does so and Rhiannon follows carefully, which he doesn't protest. He leans down and whispers something in Vi's ear. After exchanging small nods, he opens the door and escapes. "I'll close it," he tells someone in the main chamber we can't see, then pushes the door closed.
Rhiannon ducks into a crouch and quickly pulls Violet with. "I've been thinking about my patient," Nolon says, his voice echoing off the walls and through the thick steel door between us and him. "What about him?" Varrish questions. "He spent the night in the infirmary again. The cadets will have to sleep off the mending for another hour or so. I thought you and I could use that time to see if your particular skills could be of use? I feel like I'm overlooking something."
"You think the sessions are failing?" Varrish asks. "I think I've done all I can for him," Nolon answers cryptically. "I'm not going to sit here all day and waste time while they're unscon—" "Fine, we'll go," Varrish interrupts. "We have to be quick. The others are fetching breakfast." After a moment, a door opens and a breeze drifts through. Then it thuds shut again.
