#Marked One | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

cassiaa · 3 months ago

Text

Fortis 1.3

Warnings apply

Disclaimers: foundation is still being set. Bria still doesn't have a pairing. I only only the OC's, Rebecca Yarros owns everything else.

Word count: 3500+

Part Two Part Three Part Four

🔥🔥🔥

The death roll lasted an insanely long time. So many fell off the parapet… Some were murdered last night.

Which had been a shock. It was a calculated attack it seems. There were bodies that had all been silently forced from bunks or maybe those just quietly caught out roaming the halls. But all the bodies had been piled in a storage room. The screams from the cadet who had found them had quite literally awoken half the barracks. Each person had been ready to fight, before whoever left to go check it out. What kind of a monster targeted thirty-two twenty-year-old's on their first day in this hellhole?

The last name was called and no one moved. That was nearly a hundred and fifty people. The debacle last night made most people skip breakfast. Not that I could blame them. The entire time I ate, I was forcing bite after bite. The empathetic part of myself wouldn’t stop reminding me of how scared those cadets probably were in their last moments. How alone they were. Murdered in the dark. Where their screams hadn’t even been heard by the barracks right down the hall. Something dark and twisted ran down the length of my spine, I rolled my neck to push it away.

Panchek briefly addressed the incident this morning. Assuring everyone that death was normal around here, but the person would be found all the same.

Scribes scurried from the front and back to their quadrant. I tried to look past my squad to see if it was anyone I had known from before, but it was too far to make it out.

“Here we go again kiddos,” Moray clapped his hands, “third-years go do your third-year shit, second years go do your second-year shit. The rest of you need to get to your first class. It’s best not to be late. And maybe consider staying close.” He gave Aoife and Deidre looks, both nodded. And the two groups of three separated and went off.

Moray had shown up almost immediately this morning. I had just been closing in on the bloody scene when he had cleared the distance and gripped my wrist. He hadn’t let me go until every member of the squad was awake and together and then still Aoife had to remind him he still had a grip on me and had been dragging me around. My wrist was bruised but I had been unable to tell him let go at the time. I hadn’t gone into the room or seen the bodies myself, but he had. And when he came out… the look in his eyes had scared me. I had managed to speak this morning. After the first two squad mates tried to address me, the rest stopped. He had made everyone sit together at breakfast and walk the halls together from barrack to breakfast to formation.

“Are you coming with us?” Brandon questions, standing tall at the back of the group.

Moray exchanged not so subtle glances with Finn Oisin, one of the other second-years in our squad who had left quickly yesterday. Finn had been quiet all morning. It was easy to forget he was there really. He just silently observed the room, the next table over, the people walking in and out. He glared at anyone who had walked too slowly next to our tables. But when he spoke, he wasn’t one to bullshit. He cut to the chase and said what he meant.

“We are.” Finn nods. I’d expect nothing less from our Squad Leader Executive Officer.

“We don’t need babysitters.” Rois objects loudly, voice taking a whining tilt as he rolls his eyes.

“We don’t know that.” Brandon shakes his head. He had been trying to play peacekeeper all day. But he even seemed to be having trouble maintaining peace with Rois.

Rois seemed to make two friends in the squad. He and the other two had done nothing but make fun of other cadets all morning. All three were snot-nosed brats.

“Perhaps you should be worried.” One of the snot-nosed brats sneered, “but we aren’t.”

“That doesn’t make you special.” Finn straight up glares at them.

Tavis snorts, rubbing a hand on his jaw. This pissed the trio off.

“Shut the fuck up!” Rois roared, lunging forward. I took a step back, so did Brandon, Eithne and Kayleigh. Moray and Finn didn’t move, just watched as Garrick fucking Tavis made quick work of all three of them.

“Damn.” Eithne’s voice was quiet, it was clear he was in awe.

Brandon let out a whistle, crossing his arms and rocking back on his heels watching with appreciation.

Kayleigh, who didn’t seem to like violence, watched quietly. But there was no worry in her eyes.

Moray and Finn both seemed to move at the same time, each shoving between the four guys with ease.

“Alright kiddos,” Moray’s lofty voice didn’t match the brutal way his body moved as he pinned on of them to the ground with a foot and out Rois in a headlock. Finn had the last one in an arm bar that was on the verge of breaking the poor boy’s arm. Tavis had disengaged and stepped away the moment our squad leader had stepped in. “We don’t need anyone going to the infirmary today. Save it for the spars this afternoon.”

Moray and Finn let the three go and all three step back and glared at Tavis. This wouldn’t end well.

“We all walk together for today at least. Wouldn’t want anyone to get lost along the way.” Moray all but sighs, aging years having to deal with us. “Everyone grab your shit and meet in the hall.”

Tavis walked off first. Almost daring someone to try something while his back was turned. He didn’t break a sweat, his breathing was normal, his clothes didn’t even look ruffled. Garrick Tavis has years of fighting experience, it would seem. I filed that for later. He didn’t seem to care about me, but maybe he was just waiting his turn. I fell in line behind Brandon and Kayleigh. Eithne half a step behind me. Maybe it was the marked ones who gathered up last night and started murdering people. I shook my head, what a crazy idea. I wouldn’t write it off. But it was an absolutely crazy thought. Tavis and Eithne were bunks away from mine. They were also the first two out. I waited for Brandon and Kayleigh to go next, before following. And to no surprise. Rois and his duo were the last to come out. All three were chipper and cracking jokes again.

“That didn’t take long.” Brandon mutters, referring to their attitudes rather than their arrival.

We all started moving.

“Bet they sucked each other off.” I murmured to no one in particular. Most of them heard though. Moray snorted, Finn shook his head, Kayleigh blushed scarlet, Eithne turned into a stuttering mess, Brandon looked at me taking it in, Tavis was analyzing me as if I was an old, complicated tome that was in a language he had never heard of. “Would explain the mood swings. I bet each of them last thirty seconds or less.”

The corner of Brandon’s mouth tipped up. “That’s inappropriate Sorrengail.” I seemed to have his approval though.

“Won’t be the worst you hear in a War College.” I shrug, moving half a step faster to not walk side by side with Tavis or Eithne. The walk was filled with quiet conversations, I didn’t engage in any of them. Had no desire. Other than the emotions from this morning, I had been gloriously numb. Still am now. I had no desire to change that or start self-analyzing either. Apart of me felt relief I hadn’t run into either of the Tauri siblings this morning. But the day was young. And plenty could still happen.

Our first class was quiet and dragged on. It seemed no one was awake enough or comfortable enough to start shit yet. Which was a plus. However, even that didn’t last long, halfway through Professor Kaori’s class, some guys from First Wing started a fight with a squad from Second Wing and ended up trashing a good portion of the class as others got involved either because they were accidently hit or because they were trying to break it up. It was messy though. I moved from my seat after a table went flying. Other professors had heard the commotion and came running, probably thinking everyone was being murdered –which wasn’t far off, someone did die. And then in entirety, all first-years got lectured by multiple professors. Professor Kaori took three turns yelling at us until he turned red each time.

“First day has been great so far.” Brandon tries to joke as we move down the hall together. He held Kayleigh’s hand, though I couldn’t tell if it was because they were a thing or because Kayleigh was still scared. She had started crying a few minutes into the mass chaos.

“Right,” Tavis sighs dramatically, though he was grinning. “Just a total dreamhouse. No place I’d rather be.”

Him and Brandon exchanged looks, both laughing. It didn’t take them long to get on together, though Brandon really did make an effort to get along with everyone. It wasn’t working with Rois but otherwise I had seen Brandon engaged in numerous light conversations, even with other cadets out of our squad. Though those conversations hadn’t lasted long because Finn had glared everyone who wasn’t us away.

History was dreadfully boring. I didn’t hear anything I hadn’t already learned from my father. Battle Brief was next. It was the one class the entire quadrant took together. And it would seem our squad leaders and other leaders in our chain of command had absolutely been notified about the… debacle in Kaori’s class.

The wall was lined with third-years, and the back however many rows were filled with second-years. Which left all the first-years to start flooding the available seats. For the most part it was left to right wing for wing, squads mostly sat together but not entirely. Some cadets chose to sit elsewhere. There were so many first-years that second-years were moved from their seats by Professor Devera to go stand with third-years and the first years quietly snuck their way in, mostly avoiding eye contact with the older cadets. But not me.

Cara was glaring at me, from where she stood in the back next to the other Fourth Wing section leaders and our wingleader and even the senior wingleader was in their vicinity. He didn’t even look my way though. Cara though... looked as if I started the fight. As if I was even involved. I flipped her off. Her jaw dropped, along with a few others close to her. There was even a theatrical gasp. But technically she wasn’t a princess here. Just a second year. In my direct chain of command, sure, but who cares?

Eithne sat to my left, being at the end of the row and Brandon to my right, Kayleigh to his and Tavis to hers. Rois and our other two squad mates sat a few rows away suspiciously close to the first-year cadets who were not only involved in the fight before but had instigated it. Great.

Professor Devera was quick to call everyone to attention. She also gave us a brief lecture. On conduct. On pride. On cooperation. On not acting like fucking children. Her words, not mine.

Everyone took out papers and quills, well the others took out pens. But all the first-years took out the basics. It would be less of a mess when everyone could just use pens. I always thought it was so cool seeing mom write with one while she filled out her reports late night at the dinner table.

“This class you’ll have daily. The entirety of the quadrant has it together. This information is for all of you. And all of you had better listen up. Riders are seldom called into active service though it could happen at any time.” Professor Devera rounded her desk looking at the map that had mark after mark on it. “This class may very well be the class that separates you, that helps you rise through the rinks. This class may very well be the reason you keep your head.”

“Harsh.” Eithne mutters, less than a breath though Brandon heard it and nodded.

“But true. I lived along the border. Not a safe place for sure.” Brandon whispers back, scooting a few inches down in his chair.

“That’s awful –"

“Shut the fuck up first years.” A second year from behind us snaps.

“You shut the fuck up dumbass.” Deidre retorts, I glance over my right shoulder to see him and the other second-years squad mates about halfway down the row behind us. “Leave my squad alone.”

Well damn Deidre, didn’t think you cared so much. I glanced between Deidre and the other cadet, now in a glare off.

“Enough.” Our wingleader commanded from behind us all. Niamh moved from her position at the back wall and came to the side. She was off to the left behind Eithne now, I felt the slightest bit better. But what would stop this prick from throwing something at us from behind, or even just crossing the desk and attacking. Nothing really.

“Is there a problem in the back?” Professor Devera eyes the exchange, as Professor Markham enters.

“No Professor.” Niamh answers for all of us. “Just resituating.”

Professor Devera nods, and gestures to the scribe at her side. “This is Colonel Markham. You all will show him the respect of any professor here at Basgiath. He will be joining us daily for this class.”

“Thank you, Professor Devera.” Markham coughs into a cloth, folding it and putting it away as he turns to the scrolls and book he brought with him. “It is the duty of the scribes…”

I zoned out. I had heard this a million times before. Blah blah, scribes record the present and master the past. Whatever. And we need to have accurate recordings from reliable people and whatnot to make sure we record our history to the fullest extent. For the good of the kingdom. The good of Navarre. The good of-

“Bria Sorrengail?”

Oh, fuck me. I tried not to flinch. Everyone was looking at me now. What had I just missed?

“Professor Markham,” Professor Devera glares. Had he asked a question? Or just realized I was here. I don’t think Markham knew which quadrant I was going to go with. If his reaction was anything to go by. “That is inappropriate.” She says it through clenched teeth.

Markham was still stunned to silence, glancing between me and Professor Devera. They settled on me. “Hadn’t you gone with your father– he had said you were going to–”

“Colonel.” Professor Devera’s voice was all warning.

“No Professor Markham, you must have me confused.” I say it diplomatically. Markham nods, then shakes his head. Still trying to clear his head. He had never truly paid much attention to me. Him and my father talked as colleagues, but not friends. He had made more than one comment about my younger sister and her intelligence. He wasn’t wrong either. My younger sister was much smarter than me. While Brennan and Mira had been close growing up, Violet and I had been side-by-side. She was the one with all the ideas, and often I was the doer. I wasn’t sure how many times one or sometimes both of my parents sat us down trying to figure who had what, or whose idea and who acted on it. It was a team effort, and we never turned on each other. We’d piss them off with nonsense responses or simply just not answer. My heart ached.

“Awkward.” Brandon whispers. “What is that about?” He side-eyes me, leaning to be slightly closer.

Eithne on my other side was not looking but I could feel the curiosity radiating off him.

“He works with my father.” I say softly, barely breathing at this point. I wasn’t really sure what to say.

“Clearly.” Brandon scoffs. “But what did he mean–”

“Bran enough!” Kayleigh’s soft, melodic voice says. She was looking at me though. I couldn’t meet her eyes.

“I’m just asking.” Brandon shrugs.

“It’s not your business. So shut up and pay attention. This isn’t a study on Sorrengails.” My voice took a hard edge of warning that thankfully made them tune back into the lesson and get their focus off me.

Professor Devera’s shoulders were still tight, and her mouth remained drawn through the entirety of the lesson. Her questions were short, and her answers were curt. And I think Markham managed to piss her off to the point where not only would she not look at him, but she wouldn’t look at me either.

We launched into a full discussion about some attack on some random outpost recently. Both professors briefed us then opened the floor for questions, making more than a few first-years uncomfortable as they were called on. Professor Devera never called on me, and Markham looked my way more than a second Devera was quick to divert attention elsewhere, even by calling on third-years who clearly had the right questions and answers, but she hadn’t wanted them in on it. I wasn’t sure what was being hidden but it made my skin crawl. Professor Devera knew something about me, about me being here. I could feel it in my bones.

Soon the class drew to a close, and we were given a time period from hundreds of years ago to write an essay on. It was a topic I had already studied though I had no intention of turning in the work for it.

My squad waited until the front had thinned out and the others had caught up to us before descending the steps and leaving Battle Brief. I was guilty of hiding between the two widest and tallest members of the group as we passed the front. I didn’t know if Markham was going to try and stop me to talk but there was truly no way I was going to be part of that conversation.

“We have lunch next.” Finn announces at the head of the group. Go drop your shit off and eat. You’ll need energy for the physical assessments later.”

“You’re not going to tell us to all sit together and hold hands–"

“Don’t give a fuck if you die.” Finn cuts him off, and it’s then that I realize Moray isn’t with us. But he had just been in Battle Brief with us. I glanced around but everyone else was here. “So, like I said, get going.”

We dispersed and I fell behind the group, walking slowly on purpose to have space and time to think. Even if it was only moments. It bothered me, Markham’s reactions. Devera’s reaction to his reaction. My squad leader is now missing. It probably meant nothing. But it all bothered me.

Apparently, it bothered me enough to not see the blade coming my way. I barely managed to throw myself back into the wall. Alone in the hall, me and another cadet… a cadet whose head and face was covered. That blade would’ve slit my throat.

“What the fuck?” I didn’t move, waiting and panicking at the same time. I had nothing on me to defend myself. Calm. Stay fucking calm! My breathing labored.

The person lunged for me, and I shot to the side, avoiding both daggers that came my way. But they pivoted as well, and with a twist of their wrist their blade scored my forearm from elbow to bicep. I shoved my fist into their throat. Gripping with strength I often forgot I had and kicked their leg out from under them, shoving with both hands and full force to make some distance between us. They rolled backwards, managing to catch themselves and shot up again.

A blur came in from the side, a familiar figure, my squad leader, who was oozing fury as he lifted a hand towards my assailant. Moray’s other arm extended in front of me, shielding me? Holding me back? I didn’t know. I didn’t move as the person fell to the ground and began writhing. Blood began seeping from their mask, dripping from their face as they eventually went limp, their body slumping down, lifeless.

I stared at my squad leader in… I didn’t even know. Horror? Disbelief?

My squad leader glanced at my face, my expression, then my bleeding arm. His movements were slow as he reached for me, ignoring the way I recoiled and tensed up as he took my arm. With his other hand he reached into one of his side pouches, again going slowly. He pulled out a roll of gauze. He didn’t say anything as he wrapped my arm tightly.

“It’s superficial.” He says in a noncommittal tone.

I nodded.

“If I wanted you dead, I would’ve let them kill you.”

I nodded again.

“Sorrengail,” he steps into my personal space, my chin tips back as I meet his gaze. “Breathe.”

I just nod. I am breathing. I know I am. I had had enough panic attacks in my life to know how to breathe through them.

“Deeper Sorrengail. In through your nose, out through your mouth.”

I followed his instructions as best I could.

“The fuck happened here?” Finn.

“Fuck.” Deidre.

“Get rid of the body and let Niamh know.” Moray orders, barely sparing them a glance. Finn left immediately and Deidre takes the body.

“Think you’re making it worse Moray.” Aoife’s voice was a whisper.

“Fuck else is there to do?’ Moray asks as she steps forward beside us.

My eyes drifted back to the blood again.

“I don’t–” I licked my lips as my breath caught. “I don’t know why I’m reacting like this. I’ve seen plenty of people die.”

Moray nods, “it’s different seeing them killed.”

“It’s a normal reaction Sorrengail.” Aoife placed a hand over mine, mine that gripped Moray’s that had held my arm as he wrapped it.

“I hadn’t realized I had grabbed you…” I cleared my throat. “Sorry.”

Moray nods, “I grabbed you first. Aoife will go with you now, go change and drop your stuff off. We need to go at least make an appearance at lunch.”

This day sucked.

#fourth wing #fourth wing x reader #garrick tavis #dragon #iron flame #violet sorrengail #mira sorrengail #lilith sorrengail #asher daxton #asher sorrengail #marked one #xaden riorson #halden tauri #aaric graycastle #cam tauri

22 notes · View notes