The Tests (Tales Off the Main Ring #2)
Bruce R. McFarling
Jesely watched the tests intently. He did not understand them, but his daddy and brothers watched the tests intently, and even his mother watched the Tests when she was relaxing from a shift.
He got so excited, he declared, “when I grow up, I am going to win the Tests!”
His brothers laughed, but his daddy didn’t. His daddy looked at mother. “First one of your brothers wins, and then the House will put you in the best squad it can produce.”
“Well, that would be one way to do it.” Mother did not sound happy, but she smiled when he looked over at her. His brother both wore the House Cadet uniforms, snice Rasely was nine and Mursely was seven. In Jesely’s eyes, they would have looked like they were already in the Navy. And they knew so much about the Tests.
“I think they’ll both win!”
“Of course not, Jess, they will have their own squads. But its been a long time since a House had first and second.”
The Tests were confusing, but exciting, at that age.
Jesely was three.
**********
Jesely was eight.
Jess heard the front door open. An edge came into the voices in the next room.
“You have had a daughter, at least.” It was Dame Teks’la, which explained the edge.
“And a grand daughter for you, Dame Teks’la.” His aunt, trying to defuse the situation.
“Not that she’ll amount to anything, with three Leader’s sons draining house credit.” His grandmother refused to be deflected.
“Stop it, mother, they will be good boys.” His mother, standing up for her family in the House.
“Sons of mine will profit the house, Dame.” His father was too well mannered to fail to support his wife. Ordinarily he was too well mannered to dispute the House Dame, but his voice betrayed no hesitation.
Jess opened the door. “Father, I’m thirsty.”
“No wonder, you drink so little at dinner, Jess. You must be a week ahead.”
“I don’t want a full ration, Fatherm only a cup.” Moth of the guests laughed, and even Dame Teks’la chuckled. It was not fair to blame the older two and excuse the younger son, but Jesely was a favorite of hers.
His father returned with the cup. “There you go, Jesely, now off to bed.”
From his bed, Dame Teks’la could be heard. “At least one is a self-possessed young man. Some House will gain, even if ours is ruined.
“M’Dame, he will not be the ruin of the House!” Uncle T’krosh dressed like a dock worker, and had the same manners, but he was a Dock Leader.
“Young man, you speak out of turn. I am here for my grand daughter.”
Jess was pinning his hopes on Uncle T’krosh. He had been on duty during the Militia Tests, but the Navy Tests were starting tomorrow. Not even the formidable Dame of the House could distract him from the tests.
His father was awake before he was, but he was out of quarters and at the docks as soon as he could get free.
“CADET! You aren’t allowed in there!”
“Are you hailing me, sir?” A youngest son learned to look innocent with his hand in the cookie jar. Especially when he had a secret weapon.
“Yes, you. This is a serious matter, interfering with dock security during Navy Trial preparations. You will have to come with me to see the Dock Leader.”
