Free Bastial Energy by B. T. Narro Page A

your question, I’m not worried because we’re first-year students, so it’s unlikely for us to be needed unless a massive army stormed into Kyrro.”
    “Does Father know about this?” Gabby asked.
    “Obviously not,” Effie answered. “You just mentioned how Father said there would be no more battles.” He would’ve stopped me from signing the contract as well.
    “Your father may still be right,” Steffen said. “If war had really started, I’m sure we’d hear of it from the King or someone on his council. We shouldn’t assume anything yet.”
    “You talk as if you knew of the possibility of war before signing the contract,” Effie observed.
    “The possibility of war has existed for as long as the peace treaty has. It’s been nearly seventy years, and I knew of nothing recent that would suddenly spark a battle, so there was no reason for me to even consider it. However, even if I did know we’d be at war, I’d still sign the contract so I could come here, wouldn’t you?”
    “I haven’t figured that out yet,” she responded sullenly. Why is everyone so confident about that except me? Steffen had never shown signs of bravery before. Of course, the first time would be in response to something that frightened her. This contract I signed is even scarier than a marriage contract.
    “Who better to protect our families than those trained to do so?” Steffen asked rhetorically, speaking of course about students of the Academy.
    “The King’s Guard,” Effie answered tight-lipped, refusing to give him the answer he wanted.
    “Most of whom graduated from the Academy. They’re required to fight as well.”
    “And if someone refuses?” Gabby asked.
    “That would be treason.” Steffen’s voice grew quiet. “Punishable by death.”
    Gabby’s mouth dropped open. She stared wide-eyed at Effie. “And this contract is for the rest of your life?”
    “Yes,” Effie grunted. Her sister’s dramatic mannerisms suddenly made her aware of the anger pumping in her heart. She tried to ask Steffen a question but it came out more like she was demanding to know. “Why hasn’t there been more talk of the possibility of war?”
    “We aren’t privy to the internal and external affairs of the King. The only reason we’re even discussing this now is because of what you heard from Alex. Did he tell you where this information came from?”
    “From his brother, the commander of the King’s Guard.”
    “So, that’s why.” Steffen rubbed his chin. “For what we know, the threat of war could have come and gone many times, and the only reason we hear of it now is because we know someone who’s connected to the information passed around the council. I don’t think we should speculate without any facts.”
    Effie heard the door to the party open behind her. She turned and brushed some hair out of her face to find Reela approaching them.
    “This is where you all went. Steffen, what do you know of Slugari?”
    “What’s going on at that party?” Steffen asked with enthusiastic curiosity. “First Effie comes out asking about war and now you with Slugari?”
    “It’s all first-years in there,” Reela said. “They like to talk of news from their hometowns, rumors and such. I met a chemist who told me that he heard the Slugari have been discovered, wondered if I heard the same. He seemed strange, though. I only spoke to him for a moment, but I am curious what the Slugari are. I figured you’d know.”
    “You and Effie should borrow some of my books,” Steffen said indifferently, clearly not meaning it as an insult.
    “The Slugari are green creatures roughly half our size,” Gabby answered, delighted with herself.
    My sister knows something that I don’t. The world is coming to an end! Under different circumstances, Effie would’ve thought of a joke. “How is it you know that?” she asked instead.
    “You haven’t heard of them?” her sister asked in return. “Steffen’s right, you should read