Sun's first day as a Revenant was... a bit interesting. She spent the morning training with Cage; he was way out of her league, and he pulled his strength back so as not to annihilate her in seconds. He used his shape-changing ability as well, which kept her on her toes. There wasn't enough water around for her to even attempt to use her own, and her second ability was pointless unless she was aiming to kill. Which of course she wasn't, not in a training situation.
Training with him had been fun, like when she sparred with the boys. Though he did offer far more helpful pointers than they did. But without the pressure and rigidity her brother used.
They had drawn a few onlookers while they sparred, one of which was Commander Mercer. When they finished up, Mercer gestured for them to join him, them falling into step beside him as he walked through the halls.
"Welcome to the Eighth, Sun," he smiled kindly, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat.
"Thank you for accepting me."
"I'm sure you'll fit in nicely. I see Cage is already using you to shirk his own duties."
"That's a bit strong," Cage protested. "Training is a necessary part –"
"And so is paperwork," Mercer interrupted, his tone only mildly exasperated. "Get Sun settled, show her what she needs to do, then get on with your own work."
"That was next on the agenda," Cage assured him.
"I'm sure it was. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything, Sun. Has Cage shown you where my office is?"
"Yes, sir, he's already given me a tour."
"Good. Now, we should all get back to work. Or start some."
He shot Cage a pointed look before turning down the corridor.
"I can't believe you just got me in trouble, Sun," Cage lightly elbowed her while she stared at him in mock indignation.
"I can't believe you've led me astray on my first day," she gasped out.
He chuckled but gestured for her to follow him, and he took her back to her desk. Despite it being the middle of the day, there still weren't that many people working here.
At her curious glance around all the empty desks, Cage explained that most of the Division were deployed. They only kept enough people around to rotate Revenants, receive and file the reports, and bring anything important to the Commanders attention. Which was what she would be doing – reading the reports sent in by those deployed and bringing anything important up with him or the Commander. And by important, he meant any kind of threat or potential threat mentioned by the Revenants writing the reports. She would also need to pass along any requests made by the other Revenants – supplies, funds, gear or weapons. She would also be required to run messages and reports between divisions from time to time and keep track of the expenditures and take inventory now and again. But beyond that, those stationed at the Division spent much of their time training. When they were sent out on patrol, they were on their own more often than not and needed to be able to take care of themselves against whatever threats may arise. Usually it tended to be wild animals, bandits and brigands, extreme weather events, or arseholes – it really all depended on where one was stationed. In some of the more troubled areas, Revenants were sent in pairs, but there weren't too many of those. A few extras had been sent up North when the unrest had started, just to keep an eye on things, and they were still up there helping out and reporting back. The Tenth and Twelfth had agents up there as well, so between them all, Perdition had a close eye on the situation. And now with her brother and his division going up there, it should be taken care of soon. At least Cage believed so.
He said it would probably be a while before she was deployed anywhere, and even then it would start around Kolver first with a more senior Revenant when he and the Commander felt she was ready. Once they felt she was up to a long-distance assignment, she'd be sent out with another Revenant as well, just to make sure she had it well in hand.
Cage spent a bit more time explaining what she needed to do in detail and even going through the first report with her before leaving her to it. It seemed simple enough. But he reminded her where his office was and to let him know if she needed anything.
She stumbled through the reports, not being a particularly avid reader, and really had to force herself to take in everything that had been written to make sure she didn't miss anything and screw up on her first day.
After a few hours of that, Cage came in to let her know it was lunchtime and walked with her to the mess, introducing her to a few other Revenants that were stationed here. A couple of which Sun vaguely remembered from their time in the Academy. One of them had only graduated a year ago, the other a few years before. They remembered Sun as well, since she'd been in the Academy so long and there were few instances of the Revenants forcing a child into training like that. Her story was an oft-gossiped one, reignited by the revelation she was a baseborn Illusen. Of course they had questions about her brother – what was he really like beneath the icy exterior? Was he the same at home as he was in public?
More women who fancied him... She'd caught Cage rolling his eyes at the lack of subtlety as well.
"Should probably get used to that," he told Sun. "Illusen's a fan favourite."
"Jealous, Cage?" One of them – Vikyla Hoda – smirked at the lieutenant, a bit of viciousness to it.
Sun got the feeling there was history there.
"Not for the reason you're hoping," he retorted.
The others at the table either knew the history between these two or didn't want to know it, quickly changing the subject. She probably should get used to it. She wasn't blind to the way women looked at him. He didn't seem to notice, but given how perceptive he was, there was no way he couldn't. He must just choose to ignore it.
After lunch the afternoon was spent reading and filing more reports. It was clear some of their Revenants took it very seriously while others did not. One report waxed poetic about the size of the local tavern wench's bosom with a couple of sentences at the end about how everything was fine, nothing of note to report. Another one mentioned an amusing story about cow tipping. Sun had never heard of cow tipping before.
Near the end of the working day, Cage came to her desk and had her follow him to the Commander's office. It was just a brief meeting to enquire about how her first day had gone, to which she'd assured him it had gone fine, and then he sent her off home. She bid both men goodbye and headed back to the manor. Her grandfather should be there by now.
She hurried home, slowing right down when she noticed the extra guards posted around the manor. There were always gate guards, just the pair; there was double that now, and as she passed through the gates, there was an increased presence scattered about the grounds.
When she got inside, she saw one of the maids was there to greet her, and Sun gave her a smile.
"Hello, Fen," Sun greeted. "Is Grandfather here yet?"
"He is, my lady; he's currently in Lord Illusen's study."
"Great."
"My Lady," Fen called before Sun could take off. "You have a letter."
Sun took the offered letter, a little surprised. She'd never received a letter at the manor before. In fact, the only letters she had ever received were from the Academy and Perdition, and they'd been delivered to her while she was on the grounds.
"Thank you," she said, examining the envelope.
It had her name written in a delicate script, and Sun quickly tore it open, her eyes shooting straight to the signature to see who the sender was.
"Emily," she mumbled, seeing the girl's name at the bottom.
She folded the letter up and tucked it into her jacket. She would read it later, after she had seen her grandfather. With a hurried step she made her way to Kalys's study; the door was already open, so she poked her head in.
"Hello, Grandfather," she smiled at the older man sitting at the desk.
He looked up at her greeting, a soft smile crossing his own face as he rose to his feet.
"Sun," he said, a pleasant warmth to his voice.
He rested his hands on her shoulders and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"How are you, my dear?" He asked.
"I'm fine. Yourself?"
"I'm well," he replied, ushering her to one of the seats at the desk. "Your first day as a Revenant went well, I take it. Kalys mentioned you're in the Eighth."
"It did, and I am."
"Tarrant Mercer is a good man, a good commander," he said, retaking his seat. "And how are you after the events in Solaryse?"
She felt her mood darken at the mention. It was easier to forget about it when she was busy with work and the boys.
"Fine," she replied.
He shot her a look, like he didn't believe her.
"Do you know who and why yet?" She asked, hoping to divert his attention.
"Unfortunately, no. The guards on the estate were questioned, but none of them admitted to seeing anyone or allowing anyone to enter."
"Would anyone, given what the consequences would be?"
"We have our own ways of compelling the truth," he told her.
"Torture?" She asked a little hesitantly, not sure if she truly wanted to know.
"Nothing so barbaric, my dear," he assured her.
"Is what happened in Solaryse the reason there are so many guards outside?"
"Kalys wanted to take extra precautions in his absence. Especially given we don't know who the enemy is yet."
She nodded, not sure how much help extra security would be, given her attackers had managed to circumvent it before.
"Now, are you ready to get to work?"
She had been working most of the day – all of it if she counted the training – so she wasn't particularly looking forward to it, but she nodded. Best to just get it over with.