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*****

ELRETH

Elreth stood at the side of the training ground where Gar and Aaryn had led her and Tarkyn watching the training session with the disformed—most of whom were unaware of Protector training, but were being evaluated by the leaders.

Her mother and father had joined them soon after they arrived. But Elia had been moving among the trainees, and Reth following her, correcting form, or offering advice.

At first glance this training was nearly identical to the training Tarkyn would run with those who hoped to become Guards. Elreth hadn't said much, only watched and evaluated the form of those nearby. But she and Tarkyn had caught eyes more than once when one of the leaders led an exercise that they recognized.

Elreth wasn't sure whether to be frustrated, or relieved.

There didn't seem to be anything happening here that was unfamiliar—but it begged the question why they needed to do it in secret.

Elreth could see that these trainees were skilled and being drilled effectively. Their strength and speed was good—they would make good guards.

But she also saw hints of the problems Tarkyn and Tobe had raised earlier. A lack of uniformity. A lack of discipline—or rather, the discipline was applied to their work, but not their conduct.

"No lines,

" Tarkyn murmured, standing at her shoulder, both of them watching the disformed.

"They just wander where they will go. They ask questions during instruction rather than waiting to hear everything. And they… manage themselves,

" he said. She wasn't sure if it was surprise or disdain in his tone.

El nodded. She'd noticed that too—some of the more senior trainees stepping out of formation during exercises to help some of the newer or younger recruits. At times, trainees stepping out of an exercise altogether and joining a different group, or seeking out a leader for discussion.

"They're encouraged to think for themselves,

" Gar said from her other side, his voice low and calm, but an edge of defensiveness in it.

"For what we need them to do, they can't be waiting for instruction. They have to be able to make decisions and determine the right way without instruction.

"

"You think I cannot make decisions without instruction?

" Tarkyn said dryly. All of them kept their eyes on the field in front of them, but Elreth could feel the tension in the males either side of her.

"Did I say that?

" Gar bit back, though quietly.

"You were chosen for leadership because you showed it from the beginning. Any disformed who wishes can take this training,

" Gar nodded towards the field.

"But only those who show both character and leadership—the ability to think for themselves and stand strong in the face of resistance—will be trained to be Protectors.

"

"A leader without discipline will lead others to ruin,

" Tarkyn growled.

Gar huffed.

"We don't lack discipline at all—but we require a different system. Our discipline looks different. When your soldiers are given orders and don't obey, they are punished. They learn to obey orders quickly. But if the orders they follow are wrong, you punish the leader. That's your system. Everyone is accountable to those above.

"When ours don't think on their feet, when their decisions lead to their own failure, or lack of growth, we discipline them. Individually. They are encouraged to challenge leadership if they believe the order could lead in a bad direction. But they have to answer for their choices as well.

"

Tarkyn shook his head.

"You're teaching Anima to see themselves as better than others.

"

"No,

" Gar growled.

"We're teaching them that they are solely accountable for their choices. That following authority into death doesn't absolve them of responsibility.

"

"Our system—

" Tarkyn started, but Gar cut him off. Elreth tensed as both males bristled.

"Hear me, Tarkyn, I'm not saying your system is wrong. I'm saying it's different. Your system will hone your soldiers faster, and with sharper discipline—they will follow unquestioning which is what you need in the hierarchy you have developed. Our system will create leaders sooner. It creates individuals that take responsibility for their own choices and see themselves as necessary and accountable for the protection of others. For those who do not become Protectors, they will make great mates, family leaders, merchants—whatever they choose to do. They will do so with more confidence and assurance because they have learned to think for themselves. But those that will become Protectors have the foundation to meet the challenges that come with the role.

"Those Anima know that every choice they may will ultimately land on their own shoulders. They know if they get it wrong, they have no one to blame but themselves.

"

Tarkyn opened his mouth, but Elreth jumped in.

"I see value in both,

" she said firmly.

"And I see risks in both—with the type of challenge we now face. But I'm not here right now to debate the merits or otherwise of either system. I'm here to understand what has been done, how it might benefit the Anima, and what problems it might pose for all of us, too.

"

In front of them, two fists of trainees completed a formal exercise—a choreographed set of actions designed to train the body to move from one form of attack or defense to another. They all paused in their final stance, then stood straight, bowing to the leader who had been watching, and who now stepped forward to offer insight into their form.

Her parents had stopped at the other side of the group and were watching, listening as well. Elreth bit her lip.

There was something else needed. She was here, she was seeing this training, and she even understood what Gar explained as their goal. But this wasn't it. This wasn't the key she needed to unlock how to move forward with the current risk.

She growled a curse and turned away from the group, Gar and Tarkyn following in her wake. Aaryn had been off to the side, discussing a specific move with one of the trainees. When he saw her move, he came after them.

Elreth stalked far enough away that none of the trainees would hear them over the noise of their fellows, and turned, waiting for the three males to catch up to her. When they had, she folded her arms and looked at each in turn.

"You're training them to fight, to track, and to scout. Great. We have some differences in training and expectations, fine. But none of this gets me any closer to understanding the Protectors and what they offer to the Anima. So now I want to understand that. Tell me how you turn those Anima out there,

" she nodded towards the trainees,

"into Anima that can guard the hearts and minds of another person in the traverse.. Because what you're showing me here, isn't it.

"