Read Online In the Skin of a Nunqua by R. J. Pouritt - Free Book Online Page A

alone with Gy before a dying fire.
    “Do you know why I nominated you to undergo the training to be promoted to commander?” Gy said.
    “No sir, but I’ve been wondering about it since you told me. I don’t remember meeting you before the first day of training.”
    “That’s because we had never met. Commander Edwyn told me about you. He considers you a natural leader and said your skills are above average.”
    “Really?”
    “He also called you arrogant, reckless, and antisocial.”
    Shanti nodded. That sounded more like the Commander Edwyn she knew.
    “I also reviewed the incident involving Mossgail, and although you were never officially implicated in the theft, we know you were involved. Hell, everyone knows it. You disregarded the law to expose—dare I say, humiliate—a corrupt commander and see that the medical section got the supplies they were entitled to. Although I cannot and will not publicly support your method of dealing with Mossgail, it’s one of the reasons I chose you for this mission.”
    “The mission to guard the princess?”
    “Those are your official orders. I have another mission for you—something far more important.” He got up and pumped a bellows to feed the flames. “An untested leader is no leader at all.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Before being promoted, you were tested to see how you handled pressure. I tried to get you to quit the training, made it so that every other candidate there hated you—even Commander Taran. I suspect he had great affection for you in the beginning. And you for him.”
    Was it that obvious?
    “As much as the other candidates learned to hate you, they listened to you, and they would go into battle with you.” Gy set the bellows down, then returned to his seat. “Your mission is not simply to guard Rega Bayla, but to test her as we have tested you.”
    “Test the princess?” she said.
    “You’re a commander now. You will lead a handful of soldiers, give orders, and expect those orders to be followed. One day, the princess, as queen, will be in command of the entire Willovian military, yet she doesn’t know what it means to be a soldier. It’s the duty of the Guardians of Willovia to train her. And to test her.”
    Shanti was more confused than ever. “The what ?”
    “The Guardians of Willovia. We’re a secret society made up of select citizens and soldiers. Commander Edwyn and Chief Emmins are Guardians; so is the castle artist and the undertaker in town, and others you wouldn’t expect. Our purpose is to ensure that the monarchy is capable of leading the military, and act in the best interest of the people. When winter’s over, we’ll take Rega Bayla away from her home to a camp in the Hedgelands, along with sixty other soldiers. Your orders, Shanti, are to train the princess. She must know what it’s like to be a soldier, and show concern for those she will one day lead. When her training is complete, she will face one final task. Rega Bayla needs to stand against a traitor and put the needs of Willovia before her own safety. You are to play the part of a traitor.”
    You’ll find a way, Caravey’s voice said. You always do .
    No! Her gaining access to royalty was a coincidence and not a path she had pursued. Her mission to spy for the Nunqua was irrelevant.
    “I made you a commander,” Gy said, “and now I’m making you a Guardian of Willovia. Not many know of our existence. You must swear an oath to do what’s best for the kingdom, even if it means disregarding the law and turning out those too inept or corrupt to rule.”
    A commander and a Guardian. Pride swelled in her chest. “I swear it.”
    “I’m putting my trust in you, Shanti.”
    “I won’t let you down,” she said.
    “During your time as Rega Bayla’s guard at the castle, I want you to watch her closely, find out what she’s like. It won’t be easy.”
    “All I have to do is stand still, study the princess, and keep quiet. What’s so difficult