Prologue: The Final Exam

[Adamah]

Prologue: The Final Exam




“BATTALION!”,”COMPANY!”,”PLATOON”,”SQUAD!”

“TENCH HUT!”

The parade ground was deathly silent. The generally orderly ranks of the cadets were ruler straight today. Everyone knew that today was not a day to slack off. Uniforms were spotless, eyes fixed perfectly ahead.

“SOUND OFF!”

“First Company All Present and Accounted For!”

“Second Company All Present and Accounted For!”

“Third Company All Present and Accounted For!”

“Fourth Company All Present and Accounted For!”

“PRESENT (PRESENT) HARMS!”

The cadets saluted in unison as the Andoran National Anthem played and the flag was raised. Each cadet held their hand in a perfect salute, knees slightly bent so that they didn’t inadvertently pass out. Today would not be a good day to do that.

“ORDER (ORDER) HARMS!”

The Commandant of the Academy, Colonel Anderson Graves then stepped towards the fourth year Cadet Colonel leading the ceremony. A third year student marched up from the side and the two faced each other. Some words were said, salutes were exchanged, and before too long it was over, and the next year of students had formally taken command of the academy. Turning to face his command, the new Cadet Colonel bellowed,

“PARADE HESS!”

Then moving to the side, Colonel Graves once more stepped forward, this time flanked by a number of figures dressed in distinctive uniforms. The otherwise impassive cadets visibly stirred at this.

There were Eagle Knights in their midst.

Without seeming to shout or yell, Colonel Graves’ voice carried over the entire field.

“Cadets, we have once again come to that time of year where our senior students prepare for the Final Exam. In the five years that I have been here I have given this speech five times. Without fail, more than one cadet who heard it has been dead within six months.”
He stood silent for a moment.

“In order to avoid that fate, it is important that each and every one of you strives to develop your abilities to the highest level that you can. This is a dangerous world that we live in, and the Andoran Military, as the single largest force fighting for freedom, often bears the brunt of the cost associated with it. A cost paid for in blood.”

“Many things have changed in the twenty years since I was standing in your shoes, back then if you caught an arrow to the face, there was a good chance someone could yank it out of you and you’d just have a scar to show off.”

“Now, you are just as likely to catch a musket ball, which will make a rather messy hole in the front and blow off the back of your skull. You might not even see or hear it coming unless you keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. Worse than losing your own life, your stupidity will get someone under your command killed. Notice that I didn’t say might. I guarantee, that those of you who survive the Final Exam without getting a friend or subordinate killed will certainly get one killed within the year. This is a fact. Keep your wits about you, and learn from your every mistake. Because if you don’t learn and keep getting men killed without the decency of dying yourself, I will gladly sit at your courts martial and explain how you were an awful cadet who only passed because your Daddy promised the school enough money to equip the students properly for another year. Then I will tie the noose myself."

"I hope I’ve made my point.”

“Underclassmen, look at your seniors closely. This is the last time that you will be standing in formation with them at this school, this may be the last time you see them alive. Learn from their successes and their failures. You’re next.”

“I’d now like to introduce another graduate of this fine institution, someone that I’m sure you’ve heard of unless you’ve had your head stuck up your rear end for the last few years. Captain Marcus Grainer, who has made quite a name for himself across the inner sea.”


With that the Colonel Graves stepped back, and the young captain stepped forward with a fierce grin for the cadets.

“At ease,” he said, “I’d prefer that you actually be able to hear me, and I seem to remember having a hard time concentrating when I was a cadet and desperately had to scratch my crotch.” That got a smile from some of the cadets, and a stony expression from the Colonel.

“I’ll be observing all of you for the next few days, before the Knights have me off somewhere else. I’m sure I’ll see why this school is the best Academy in the whole country.”

“Some of you are getting ready for the Final Exam. I know you must be nervous, I certainly was. Just remember to keep your eyes open and your heads down. We need all of you alive and healthy." He paused for a moment.

"There’s been a lot going on recently. Not a whole lot of it has made the newspapers yet."

"Only a month ago the silver dragon Terendelev was killed battling a new horde of demons coming out of the Worldwound. It looks like the Andoran military is going to have send more forces to fight them, and those of you who aren’t trying to keep demons from eating your bowels will be stretched thin battling the other enemies that Andoran faces. We have some dark times ahead of us, but I know that each of you will step up and do your part. Train hard cadets, I want to see each and every one of you fighting next to me in the years to come!”



Amidst the cheers of the cadets, the Eagle Knight stepped back, allowing the Commandant to step forward once more to address the students.

“Alright, Alright,” he said, attempting to restore some order, “each of the fourth years have been given their orders. From this point onwards you are simply cadets again, your time running this school is now over. Report to your assigned training elements, these will be the people you will be fighting next to in the coming months as you prove you have what it takes to become an officer in the Andoran Military.” With that, he nodded to the new third year commander and walked away.

“TENCH HUT!”

“DIS-MISSED!”

[Adamah]

Upon dismissal, the cadets eagerly dug into their jacket pockets for the orders they had been given but instructed not to open.

Onrha, Chezina, Blake, and Joe find that they have been ordered to report to the dock-house.

Gnar, Hurin, Akoragh, and Rosanna have been ordered to report to one of the alchemy labs.

Iyana, Tayrren, Alain, and Alistair have been ordered to report to a classroom in the main building.