Chapter 82: Dreadmarch
Dune and Mindya trailed behind the others, their footsteps soft against the dirt path. Cadogan walked ahead with steady strides, leading the group toward Rendely.
Atlas and Ned stuck close to him, occasionally pointing out distant birds or chatting quietly to pass the time.
Around them, the world stretched out wide and calm, just grasslands and soft hills rolling in every direction.
Dune kept glancing at Mindya out of the corner of his eye. She moved like a restless animal, twitchy and strange in small ways. Her hands fidgeted constantly, grabbing at her sleeves, cracking her knuckles, even bringing her fingers to her mouth now and then to bite her nails. It wasn't aggressive, just... off.
Like her body didn't quite know what to do when there wasn't a threat around.
He sighed. This is gonna be tough.
"You know what an academy is?" he asked, keeping his tone casual. "Ever been to school?"
Mindya turned to him, genuinely confused. "No? What's that?"
He blinked. "seriously?"
She nodded like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Alright," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck. "So, an academy is like... a place where people gather to learn. About all kinds of stuff, combat, Neba control, history, tactics, whatever. You stay there for a while. There are teachers, rules, training sessions—"