The Ashes Wake

Chapter 12: Lana

LANA

"I am proud of the Royal Militia we have today. Our ranks are stronger than ever, and the training grounds are filled with determination and loyalty. My only fear is for the Chief who will be named after me."

Progress Entry of Royal Militia Chief Abdul Enzo
6900 Year, Frigus Season

-

For two days Lana contemplated her situation.

She wouldn't run, that much she knew. Running-while she did a lot of it in the physical sense-was not in her blood. But she also knew the wound in her side would open up again, possibly worse than before, and increase the chance of infection. On the other hand, the Officials clearly didn't expect her to live through the next battle, so what did a little slash wound matter? It was as if she was being sent to her death like some dark trader or snatcher would, like she was some kind of criminal.

"Snatchers." Lana spat the word like venom as she sat in her pen in the noisy barracks room, other fighters preparing for battles.

Those vile creatures were the reason she wasn't happily sitting at breakfast with her family, getting ready to go to Institution with her sister. Lana thought it funny they were called snatchers because they stole younglings, but in reality they stole much more than that: futures and opportunities and childhoods. The mere memory of being taken from her parents and sister was enough to make the pain in her side dull and the fire in her heart burst. She would win the battle today, and she couldn't wait to see the Officials' expressions.

As Lana pictured President Official Kazan's fat face with a look of surprise, Julian tapped on her pen's door with his pickaxe.

"Ready for the big day, princess?" His smirk showed off his black Zycanth teeth.

"How many times do I have to tell you, don't call me princess," Lana snapped, though there was a tilt to her lips. "I'm no regal girl-creature."

"Aye, but that still doesn't make it any less fun to bother you." Julian laughed for a moment, then looked down to the bandages creeping out from under her tank top. His face stilled. "Be careful out there today. We know the Officials set you up, but if anyone can beat rough odds, it's you, Valkyrie."

As Julian spoke, the movement and chatter in the barracks room slowed. The other creatures, some Lana liked and some not, nodded their heads in respect regardless. They knew the rumors of her skill; she was the longest creature to keep a pen occupied for so long. Lana had seen many friends and fighters come and go, one day their pens filled with their weapons and belongings and then the next day gone, replaced by others.

"We might not like yous, but yous got heart," a Cjisk shouted, while others started chanting her name.

Lana hid her shock as she polished her daggers, her fingers mindlessly grazing over the tips. She had never received such admiration from other fighters-not when they could very easily become her next opponent. It was a show of good character, despite whatever actions had caused them to end up at the Stadium.

As the chanting grew louder, the door of the barracks room opened with a loud creak. It was Clyde. He had dark shadows under his eyes and a pale face of worry.

"Lana, it's time."

She nodded, put her daggers in their sheaths. The chant slowed and the others went back to preparing for their own battles. Hers was the first.

Julian looked at her once more. "I'd say good luck, but you don't need it. See you in training later."

Lana smiled. His words of normalcy made things a bit easier. She lifted up her shirt and adjusted her bandages; they were yellow and red tinged, a mixture of salve and crusted blood. At the sight of it, Theodora's face appeared in her mind, and Lana's stomach tightened with guilt. Clyde had told her what the Tonist had done for her, trying to protect her: