The central hall was quieter than the courtyard had been.
The noise of the ceremony had faded behind them, replaced by the low murmur of conversations from the officers gathered around the long table at the front.
Kaelen entered with Maeve, Seralyn, Deren, and Rhess behind him.
There were other graduates already waiting.
Some stood alone.
Others had gathered in small groups, trying to guess what was about to happen.
Deren looked around.
"I don't like this."
Maeve glanced at him.
"You've said that about almost everything today."
"Because today has been full of suspiciously official people."
Rhess gave him a sideways look.
"That's because we're being assigned."
"Exactly."
Kaelen took a seat near the back.
Maeve sat beside him.
Seralyn took the other side, while Rhess and Deren remained standing for a moment before finally joining them.
An officer stepped forward.
The room slowly became silent.
"All graduates will receive their initial field assignments today."
A few people shifted uneasily.
"These assignments are based on current operational requirements, individual evaluations, and the needs of each branch. Some of you will remain close to the capital. Others will be sent farther out."
The officer paused.
"Your first assignment is not necessarily permanent."
Deren leaned toward Kaelen.
"That's good."
Kaelen whispered back.
"Why?"
"Because if they send me somewhere terrible, I can complain until they move me."
Maeve quietly said, "That's not how assignments work."
"How do you know?"
"Because I've met you."
Kaelen covered a smile.
The officer continued.
"You will be dispatched in groups. Those groups will be responsible for operating together in the field unless circumstances require otherwise."
That caught Kaelen's attention.
Groups.
So they weren't simply being sent out individually.
He glanced at the others.
Maeve was listening carefully.
Seralyn had her hands folded in her lap.
Rhess looked completely calm.
Deren, meanwhile, was staring at the ceiling.
Kaelen nudged him.
"What?"
"Pay attention."
"I am."
"You've been staring at that crack for thirty seconds."
"I was wondering if it was a map."
Maeve sighed.
The officer began calling names.
The first group was announced.
Five graduates stood and moved toward the officers.
The room became quieter as everyone realized that this was no longer theoretical.
People were actually being separated.
Kaelen felt a strange tension settle in his chest.
He hadn't expected it to bother him this much.
The next names were called.
Then another group.
Then another.
Some people smiled when they heard their assignments.
Others looked disappointed.
A few tried to hide their reactions entirely.
Deren leaned toward Seralyn.
"Do you think they're doing this alphabetically?"
"No."
"Good."
"Why?"
"I don't want to be assigned with someone whose name starts with A."
Seralyn looked at him.
"Why?"
"Too many expectations."
She stared at him for a moment.
Then quietly laughed.
Kaelen smiled.
Another group was called.
Then—
"Kaelen."
His head lifted.
The officer looked down at the document.
"Kaelen."
He stood.
"Here."
"Maeve."
Maeve stood beside him.
"Here."
"Seralyn."
She rose.
"Here."
Kaelen looked toward Deren.
Deren wasn't smiling anymore.
The officer continued.
"Your initial field group will consist of the three of you."
There was a pause.
Kaelen glanced at Maeve.
Then Seralyn.
The three of them looked toward Deren.
Deren was still sitting.
He gave them a small smile.
"Well."
Kaelen didn't like the sound of that word.
The officer looked down at his papers again.
"Deren."
Deren stood.
"Here."
"Your assignment will be with the southern patrol unit."
Deren's eyebrows lifted.
"Southern?"
The officer nodded.
"Your group departs in two days."
Deren looked at Kaelen.
Kaelen stared back.
For a second, neither spoke.
Then Deren smiled.
"Well, that's not too far."
Maeve frowned.
"How far?"
"Several days."
"That's far."
"It's not the other side of the world."
Seralyn looked toward the officer.
"How long will the assignment last?"
"Indefinite."
That word hung in the air.
Deren's smile faded slightly.
But only for a moment.
He turned toward the others.
"Looks like you're getting rid of me."
Maeve immediately shook her head.
"Don't make it sound like that."
"I'm joking."
"You always joke when something bothers you."
Deren looked at her.
For once, he didn't have an answer.
The officer cleared his throat.
"Rhess."
Rhess stepped forward.
"Here."
The officer checked the document.
"You will be assigned to the western response unit."
Rhess nodded.
"Understood."
Kaelen watched him.
Rhess returned to his seat.
Deren leaned over.
"Western?"
"Apparently."
"That's convenient."
Rhess frowned.
"What is?"
"Nothing."
Rhess stared at him.
Deren smiled innocently.
The officer continued reading assignments.
Kaelen barely heard the next few.
His attention remained on the people beside him.
Maeve was staring at the table.
Seralyn looked thoughtful.
Deren seemed to be trying to act as though nothing had changed.
Rhess looked calm.
Too calm.
Kaelen leaned toward him.
"You okay?"
Rhess glanced over.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"You're being quiet."
"I'm always quiet."
"No, you're not."
Rhess gave him a faint smile.
"We'll talk later."
Kaelen nodded.
The remaining assignments were eventually completed.
The officer gathered the papers.
"You will report to your respective unit commanders before sunset. They will provide further instructions, equipment requirements, and departure times."
Chairs scraped against the floor.
The room immediately filled with voices.
Kaelen stood.
Deren walked toward him.
"So."
Kaelen looked at him.
"So."
Deren smiled.
"I suppose this is where we pretend everything is normal."
Maeve crossed her arms.
"Nothing is wrong."
"I didn't say something was wrong."
"You were about to."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
Deren laughed.
"Fine."
He looked at Kaelen.
"We'll see each other again."
Kaelen nodded.
"Of course."
"Good."
Deren extended his hand.
Kaelen looked at it.
Then shook it.
Deren pulled him into a quick embrace instead.
Kaelen froze for half a second.
Deren stepped back.
"Don't get sentimental."
"I wasn't."
"You looked sentimental."
"I was surprised."
"Same thing."
Maeve rolled her eyes.
Deren turned to her.
"Take care of him."
Maeve frowned.
"He doesn't need taking care of."
"I know."
Deren looked at Seralyn.
"And you."
Seralyn smiled.
"I'll survive."
"Good."
Rhess approached last.
Deren looked at him.
"Don't get yourself killed."
Rhess snorted.
"You're the one being sent south."
"Exactly. I'm worried about you."
Rhess shook his head.
Then Deren looked at all four of them.
"I'll see you around."
Kaelen nodded.
"Definitely."
Deren walked away.
Kaelen watched him disappear into the crowd.
Maeve stood beside him.
"He's going to be fine."
Kaelen nodded.
"I know."
Seralyn looked at the corridor.
"His assignment isn't permanent."
"Exactly," Maeve said.
Rhess remained silent.
Kaelen turned toward him.
"What?"
Rhess looked back.
"Nothing."
But there was something different in his expression now.
Kaelen couldn't quite place it.
They left the hall together.
Outside, the afternoon sun had begun to fall across the courtyard.
The four of them walked toward the branch offices to receive their instructions.
Rhess slowed slightly.
"Kaelen."
Kaelen turned.
"Yeah?"
Rhess looked toward the opposite corridor—the one leading toward the western unit offices.
"Go ahead."
Kaelen frowned.
"You coming?"
"In a minute."
Maeve looked at him suspiciously.
"Why?"
Rhess shrugged.
"I have something to discuss."
Kaelen studied him for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Alright."
The others continued.
Rhess waited until they were out of earshot.
Then he turned toward the office responsible for his assignment.
He had been given an order.
A perfectly reasonable one.
But Rhess had already made up his mind.
He wasn't going to accept it.
Not yet.
And Kaelen had no idea what he was about to do.