Ephemeral and Fleeting

“I’ve ordered them to clear the former gardens for a training ground.”

“The gardens!”

“Yes. We haven’t time to beautify the palace grounds anyway. So they’ll be razed. Just this morning, I ordered some of the Oathtakers to get started on that. It shouldn’t take them long. Then training can begin.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“Eden and I will start working with them later today. We’ll organize them into companies of approximately a couple hundred each, and choose a captain for each group.”

“Have you determined who else will work with them?” Jerrett asked. “Besides you two, I mean.”

“For starters, I’m hoping you and Velia will,” Reigna said, glancing at the two of them, “and you, Marshall,” she continued, looking his way, “and Raman,” she added, acknowledging his presence. “Also . . . Kayson,” she turned his way, “we should have a healer available at all times when we train. What do you say?”

“Sure. I’ll do that.”

“Good. And you should put together your own company of any Oathtakers with the attendant magic power to heal.” She turned to Therese. “Have you any objection with Basha also assisting with the training?”

“None whatsoever.”

“Thank you. Are you up to it then, Basha?” Reigna asked, glancing her way.

“Certainly.”

“Excellent.” She glanced down at her notes again. “Finally, I thought I’d speak to Jules,” she said, turning to Lucy.

“Let’s leave him to palace security,” she suggested. “Perhaps Samuel could assist you, though.”

“Samuel the Silent?” Reigna teased with a grin, using her secret childhood moniker for him.

Eden nudged her. “I think he’s the perfect choice. He doesn’t say much, but at least that way, you can be certain he’ll waste no time with unnecessary words.”