Chapter Text
"Vincent! Silverleaf! Hinshire! Keles! Form up to the South side of the arena to receive your assignment!”
Felina’s blond ears perked up as she heard her name called. As she made her way through the crowd, Felina managed to catch her longtime friend, Nightbird’s eye from the group of Conjurer’s guild trainees and waved. The other Miqo’te grinned and waved back. Starting tomorrow, they’d be fresh graduates working together in a more permanent group. She couldn’t see Kam or Glass Willow, but that was no surprise in this crowd. It was the last day of the joint guild and Grand Company trials, and though most people’s groups were pretty much set in stone, this past week’s trials had them working with others. The trials of the last seven days had focused on coordinating with unknown people, a skill that was still considered important and weighed heavily in the final rankings that determined mission allowances and pay.
Today’s group of unknowns consisted of two Hyur, a rather meaty looking sword and board gladiator likely hailing from Ul’dah and a sweet-faced conjurer Felina had seen around town. Felina smiled at them as she approached. “Hi, guys! I’m Silverleaf, but my friends call me Felina! You ready to do this!?”
The gladiator guy roared a cheer as the healer giggled. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits today, and Felina laughed along with them. The man put out a thick hand, “Jonwol’s the name. Jonwol Vincent.” Felina took his hand, appreciating the firm grip and returned it in kind.
She turned to the conjurer as she gave a small curtsy. “I’m Misha Hinshire. You can call me Misha.” She gave a shy smile, and Felina smiled back.
“Nice to meet you both!” She scanned the crowd looking for anyone coming their direction. “So where’s our fourth?” When she didn’t see anyone approach she cupped her hands around her mouth, yelling into the crowd. “Keles?! We’re looking for Keles!”
Out of the crowd materialized a tall, pale-skinned Elezen lancer with piercing blue eyes and a frown. “Pipe down. I’m here.” He said with a growl.
Felina was taken aback and, from the looks of her companions, so were they. “Ummm…. Hi, I’m Felina. This is Jonwol and Misha. What should we call you?”
“Keles is fine. Let’s get this over with.” With little more than a glance, he strode over to the group adjudicator, leaving the others gobsmacked and silent. Felina looked to her new companions, but they just shook their heads and shrugged. Nothing for it, I guess. She jogged forward to catch up.
Once all had assembled, the examiner, a dusky skinned Elezen woman with a bow strapped to her back, gave the mission briefing. “Good morning team. I am Lieutenant Sutiene, and I’ll be scoring your performance for today’s mission. For your final examination you will be assessing the Tam Tara Deepcroft located in the depths of the Central Shroud. There may or may not be cultist activity there, and while it is not likely we will encounter resistance, you need to be prepared to capture or dispatch any enemies we should meet. Any questions?”
At the group’s silence, she continued, glancing down at her log book. “Let’s see… Silverleaf. You’ll be team lead on this mission.”
Keles gave a soft, but indignant “hm”, rolling his eyes. The sharp-eyed Elezen woman pinned him with a glare before making a mark in her log and snapping it closed. “Let us be on our way then. With me, team.”
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Things were quiet on the road. It was a pleasant day in the Black Shroud. Dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy above as the breeze sighed and rustled the leaves. Felina had almost forgotten the awkward start to their journey when Sutiene spoke up. “So, does anyone know why I chose Ms. Silverleaf as the team lead today?”
Misha piped up. “Because she’s an archer?”
A short, sarcastic laugh escaped the pale Elezen. “Of course.”
Sutiene stopped and turned in the road. “Do you think I am playing favorites, Mr. Keles?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Well, aren’t you?” He looked from Felina’s bow over to Sutiene’s.
“As a matter of fact, I am not, though I’m sure you’ve noticed archers are often given the role. Ms. Hinshire’s answer was not a bad one, but not completely correct. Archers are often given lead because of their position and mobility on the battlefield. Not to mention, archers have particularly honed eyesight. They are both able and expected to constantly scan the battlefield for changing conditions and call out orders based on those conditions. In addition, I saw how she rallied her newly met companions before presenting herself to me. You see, I was watching you all before you ever approached me.”
She folded her arms. “I am aware of the feelings some have toward archers. That they are cowards who are too afraid to join the fray, preferring instead to plink at enemies from afar. And it is true that lancers and other close combat positions tend to sustain more injuries and fatalities due to their close contact with the enemy, but the fact of the matter is that there would be far more if it weren’t for those with a clear view of the field to guide those on the front lines. While you and Mr. Vincent are facing down the enemy, Ms. Silverleaf and Ms. Hinshire will be watching the field.”
Sutiene turned to the conjurer. “In fact, Ms. Hinshire that puts you at second in command should something befall Ms. Silverleaf.”
The girl’s eyes grew wide. “But shouldn’t Jonwol be second? I mean, gladiators and warriors always take point in dangerous places.”
The lieutenant smiled. “You do make a good point, and it is a decision that each group has to make for themselves, but today, I have chosen you. Mr. Vincent, you will be third, and Mr. Keles, you may take lead if all others are incapacitated.”
Keles crossed his arms and frowned but remained silent. Sutiene turned to continue the journey. “Try not to be too cross, Mr. Keles. I could have dressed you down while we were still in Gridania.”
Once the lieutenant’s back was turned Felina grinned and turned toward Keles. Upon catching his eye, she made a face, tugging down her lower eyelid and sticking out her tongue. The asshole got what he deserved, and his frown only deepend at her taunt.
“I saw that, Ms. Silverleaf!!”
Felina’s head whipped around, but Sutiene’s back was still turned. How?!
Beside her, Keles snorted before falling in behind the lieutenant.
