PART III - PRESENCE

Callie did the only thing she could do, and went full Gnome. She pulled Lhawni into the biggest congratulatory hug that she could, trying not to bounce too much in excitement for her friend. Then she handed the still dazed Goblin off to the next embrace.

"I don't understand what happened." Lhawni said simply. "What just happened?"

"Your excellence has been recognized, Little One," Vanis said, giving the Goblin a toothy smile.

"But wh…" Lhawni tried to begin just as Ambria came bounding in from out of nowhere and scooped her right up off the ground, spinning her in a circle.

The Faun squeezed her tight and squealed in excitement. "I can't believe it! This is so great! You are so amazing!" Callie realized that while Ambria may have taken the detox potion, there might be just a wee bit of residual artificial-happiness there. Still, the Faun wore it well, and images of her wearing bright clothing and glowsticks at the desert festival came into Callie's head again.

Lhawni, for her part, tried to squeak out a thank you, and finally had to slap Ambria's arm to get her to ease up enough so she could breathe. "Thanks," she managed to finally say as her breath came back. "I still don't understand …"

"Are you all ready to be served?" an Elf asked the table as she walked up, her Goblin coworkers working the cart behind her. That broke off the makeshift celebration around Lhawni as everyone raced back to their seats, Ambria prancing her way back to her own table. Pixyl even muttered an excited 'Ooooo! Yummy!'

As she had overheard, the option was skewers of meat or mushrooms. Callie chose one of each, while Pixyl stuck with the mushrooms. The Goblins were fast and efficient, everyone getting two skewers on a plate which was then handed off to the taller Elf to serve, save Tazrok who was given six. As kabobs went, they weren't very big, perhaps only three or four small bites each, but this was an appetizer, so the small size made sense. For that matter, since it was real food, not summoned, it would have required quite a bit of work to assemble the kabobs together and then cook everything for the almost three-hundred people gathered.

As they were leaving to move on to the next table, the two Goblins working the cart took a moment to congratulate Lhawni directly, adding it was so wonderful to see a Goblin get recognized for anything, since they were so often overlooked. That completed, they moved on, leaving Lhawni still just as confused as before.

"Oh the stars!" Pixyl moaned as she pulled a second mushroom off the end of a stick with her teeth and bit into it. "This doesn't need any of those sauces, it's so good!"

Callie grinned and did the same as she bit a piece of meat off the end of her's. The flavors were deep and rich and intense, and she couldn't help but to moan a little, too. "Someday," Callie said, rudely talking with her mouth full, "I'm going to park my butt in Grig's restaurant and eat until I can barely move!"

As the rest of the table began to sample, their own happy yum sounds coming from everyone, Callie couldn't help but feel like she contributed in part. Sure, Grig already knew how to make these, but she did give him the name and the suggestion to use dipping sauces and mushrooms. She decided she'd skim a little of the praise off the top for her part in the operation, as there was still plenty more for the actual cook.

"Vanis," Lhawni eventually said, "you know military things. Why did the Arkan promote me? It doesn't make sense. I did what anyone else would have done. Help me understand, please."

"I am not surprised you were promoted, Lhawni. Just as the Arkan said, you showed not only skill, but confidence and command. It's not something that many in your situation would have been able to do, and he took notice."

The blank look on the Goblin's face showed that Vanis hadn't clarified a thing.

The Warlock Prince frowned, and tried again. "To be an officer, it takes more than skill. It takes … let's call it 'presence'."

"What does that mean?" Juniper asked.

"Oh, it's a combination of many different things. Think of a military officer's presence as their overall aura of authority, competence, and leadership. How they carry themselves, their demeanor, and their attitude, especially in a moment of crisis are just some elements, for example. This sense of presence inspires trust and respect in them, as well as confidence by subordinates and superiors alike. Lhawni, think about how you feel when you are around the Commandant or Master Trainer Thorn. You are able to feel that sense of presence in them, and thus you trust in them, right? The Arkan saw those traits in you as you treated Jesca, and as you directed others to do as you needed."

"All that sounds a little wishy-washy, Vanis," Callie said.

"Perhaps it is, and in a way this is why it's something that is difficult to teach someone. In most cases, you can only hone those instincts they already have. That's why it is important to identify those with these traits early. Think of it this way. Lhawni is an uncut gem with priceless potential. The Arkan found her, and the Academy is the gemcutter that will bring that out in her."

"But, all I did was heal Jesca, Vanis! Just like Ambria or Chown or anyone else would have done. I don't understand what I did that was so remarkable."

"Lhawni, how many senior officers were present? Three? Plus the Sergeant-Major? You didn't ask a single one of them what you should do or to approve of your treatment. You didn't ask one of them to fetch Trainers Cheena or Maugra. Instead you knew you wanted those two at medical, and you ordered someone to make that happen, not even directed towards a specific person, and someone answered without question." He gestured to Pixyl to make his point and then continued. "When Koda approached, you didn't defer to him, a higher tier and arguably better healer than you. You told him exactly what you needed to have happen while continuing to focus on your patient. You had, in that moment, 'presence'. The Arkan saw that."

"I … I don't understand," Lhawni said with a sigh. She turned, glancing up to the dais where the Arkan was talking to Legate Galin and Kyra, the latter smirking at something being discussed.

"That's okay," Vanis said. "To be honest, the fact that you don't see it might just prove the Arkan's point about instinct being a significant part of what he looks for. Perhaps, at this moment, it might be easier to defer to the Arkan's decades of expertise."

"Centuries, really," Pixyl interjected.

"Exactly!" Vanis said. "Some day, when you've reached the rank of General, you're going to see these same, unhoned, uncut traits in a recruit. You'll give them a field promotion, appoint them to the Academy, and leave them standing there with the same dumbfounded look on their face that you're wearing right now, wondering what they did to deserve it."

"General Lhawni," Tazrok said, his face considering. "General Lhawni," he said again, this time adding a sharp nod and a grunt in approval. "Sound like very good words. Someday you make mighty general."

"General?" Lhawni squeaked. "You're all joking, right?" Seeing Vanis and Tazrok shaking their heads, she pushed her plate out of the way and thumped her own on the table, wrapping her arms around it.

"Yes, you be General," Tazrok said again. "This, I have decided."

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"I feel faint," the new officer whined.

"By the way, you also outrank all of us now," Vanis said, shooting a mischievous, teasing grin.

"That's right! What are your orders, oh Sub-Captain my Sub-Captain?" Callie added with a snicker.

"That's not helping!" Lhawni melodramatically fake-cried.

Soon the appetizer course wound to a conclusion, and the servers returned, this time with empty carts. Because the plates for the kabobs weren't summoned to the tables, apparently Pama couldn't unsummon them either, or at least not while spread out among so many people, so one of the Elves collected the settings while a Goblin pushed the cart. It was a different Goblin working Table 1 this time, and he also took a moment to congratulate Lhawni directly, echoing how wonderful it was to see one of them actually recognized for something.

Lhawni had mostly managed to get her brain facing forward again, although she still couldn't really understand the why of her promotion. Callie suggested that she simply ask Pelidri, saying he was rather pleasant to casually be around. She had quite enjoyed the conversation she and Pixyl had had with him, after all. Lhawni wasn't so sure about the suggestion, but agreed to at least think about it. Even if she didn't talk to the Arkan, Trainer Maugra would certainly be able to fill in some of the gaps in her understanding, and even the Major had said they would talk after the holiday was over.

Before long, Pama came out, magicking away the remaining items from the appetizer course, the sauces and such disappearing into a puff of nothing. The mood in the big tent turned dining hall was light, especially among most of the recruits. A few were grousing a bit, wondering why Lhawni had been promoted, and Callie knew her friend's hearing was good enough to overhear some of that talk. As a whole, though, the overheard positives far outnumbered those being negative. Still Callie could see Lhawni struggling to ignore those negatives. She was already suffering from a sudden case of imposter syndrome and didn't need any more help from detractors.

Up on the dais, Reynard had been helped up the steps and was now sitting in a chair talking and laughing with Jorin and Natala, Scryer Yulayla accompanying and laughing along with the others. Reynard had some pages he was reviewing with his two friends and Yulayla, some of the contents seeming to leave the poor Dwarf gasping in stitches. A couple times, Thorn, who was seated at the long table next to Xera, would catch Reynard's eyes and frown, while the Foxkin returned a slightly-evil grin in return.

Xera soon rose from the table, moving towards the podium, stopping briefly to discuss something with Pama, before taking their spot. In less than a moment, the entire audience immediately went silent and focused to the front.

"Presence, Little One. Just like that," Tazrok said to Lhawni, managing to keep his voice from carrying so much this time. Lhawni just groaned a bit and covered her face.

"Tonight," Xera began with no preamble, "we have gathered not only for the annual celebration of Midsummer, but to recognize some very special achievements, and one in particular. Recruits, you have all excelled in your training, with many of you reaching your Silver Tier this past week. However, I'd like to begin by giving a special recognition to Corporal-Major Pixylataweneecina for being the first of the recruits that were Iron Tier when arriving to reach Silver.

"The Queen!" several people shouted randomly.

"Aww, that's my girlfriend," Callie said to the table, leaning in to lovingly bump Pixyl with her shoulder.

Clearing their throat, Xera continued. "Pixyl has proven herself many times over since arriving, including saving so many lives on her first day. It seems only fitting that she was the first to reach Silver. Congratulations, Corporal-Major, I look forward to seeing you continue to excel." This led to a round of light applause, which forced Pixyl to at least acknowledge people with a slight wave of her fingers.

"I would also like to call out some of our camp staff for reaching new high-tier milestones since the term began. Trainer Vonn and Major Celeste have both reached Platinum. In addition, Trainer Cheena just missed it today, but should hit the Platinum mark next week."

"One point!" Cheena called back from the audience. "One lousy point!"

"There you are," Xera said. "Only a single point, so we can extend the congratulations to her all the same." They paused for the next round of polite applause.

"However, tonight we are gathered because we celebrate the achievement of one person in particular. It is not often that someone reaches Topaz, and it is an even more-special day when it is achieved by a Beastkin. I've known Colonel Tandis Thorn for a few years now, and when I first met him, I thought he was a complete idiot." That caught the audience by surprise, causing many people to sit up straighter and focus harder, as well as a wave of titters to flow lightly through the air.

"I was at a military dinner, and I'd received a warning that there was 'some annoying Ratkin officer' trying to talk to me. I was in the midst of trying to get support for the creation of this camp from my superiors, and didn't have time to talk to a sub-colonel that was trying to claw his way to a higher rank. I mostly avoided him, even though he spent the entire evening stalking me. He finally cornered me as I was on my way to use the facilities.

"For nearly twenty minutes, Thorn simply would not shut the stars up!" Xera said in exasperation while making a yapping motion with their hand. "He talked and talked and talked and talked, while I'm standing there doing a dance of increasing urgency, just wanting to get away from this guy." She looked back at Thorn, calling out, "Do you remember what I finally said to you?"

"I believe it was 'whatever you want to do, just get the hell out of my way'," Thorn replied with a deadpan voice, which elicited another round of laughter. It appeared he'd been given an Amplification Sigil, so any responses he might have could be heard by everyone.

"That's right! 'Get the hell out of my way'.' And instead you've been attached to my side ever since, like a furry, whiskered barnacle!"

Callie couldn't help but laugh along with the crowd. She knew that honoring Thorn for reaching Topaz was going to be part of the dinner celebrations, Jesca had let that slip at some point. After all, that plan was what kicked everything off a lifetime ago, as they assembled for the mission to destroy the Bogwump nest. But this was turning into more than just honoring him. Based on Xera's words, the mischievous look on Reynard's face, as well on Jorin's and Natala's, this was turning into a roast, and the audience was loving it. Thorn, maybe, not-so-much, but that's what he gets for not letting the Commandant pee!

"It wasn't until he showed up at my office a week later, now ready to implement all of his crazy training ideas, that I realized what a mistake I'd made," Xera continued. "He didn't even bother to knock! Instead, he just stormed right in with an armload of papers telling me how excited he was to be partners. I didn't even remember who the hell he was! From then on, he followed me around like a lost kitten, somehow interjecting himself into every high-ranked meeting I was trying to take in. Damn he was annoying! Plus, to make things even worse, he was so attached to me that rumors started that we were courting! I'll have you know I have standards. He wasn't even a colonel!"

Up at the long table, Thorn had covered his face with a paw, slowly shaking his head in disbelief and embarrassment. If it hadn't been for the fur, there was no doubt he'd be blushing right now. Legate Galin was seated next to him on one side, Arkan Pelidri on the other, both trying their damndest not to break down in laughter with the rest of the crowd. Seeing the normally prim Pelidri like this was odd, and in a way made everything more fun.

"Still," Xera said with a long, resigned sigh, "Sub-Colonel Tandis Thorn somehow managed to ingratiate himself to me. His unique training ideas did, at least, make sense, given what I was trying to achieve. In time, he somehow even managed to get that message across to the people I had been working for so long to convince, or perhaps we became such a tenaciously bothersome team that banishing us to this far off training camp was the best way to deal with us. Since then, we've remained a close pair, producing some of the finest soldiers our kingdom has ever seen, with each term increasing that quality. I couldn't keep this place running if not for him, and I'm proud to consider him a friend. Still, it's important that all of you recruits and graduates out there know that you owe everything you've learned here to how simply and utterly annoying he was."

Xera looked back at Thorn, but with a bit of mirth in their fake-glaring eyes. Turning back to the crowd, Xera made one last thing perfectly clear as they finished up. "And so everyone knows, even though he's since achieved the rank of Colonel, I'm still not sleeping with him. I've raised my standards to also include not being such a pain in my ass!"

That lit the room up with more laughter as Xera stepped away, Thorn coming from behind the table so the two could embrace, smiles on both their faces. As they did, Reynard left his chair, crutching his way towards the podium, apparently the next to speak. He was actually gaining skill at getting around. His leg had largely grown back, but was quite weak and needed a great deal of physical therapy still. Arriving in front of the room, he set the crutch aside and then grabbed on to the podium to keep himself balanced. He waited a few more moments for the room to settle.

"Good evening. My name is Reynard, one of the camp's trainers, and Tandis Thorn has been a friend of mine for many, many years. I am pleased to speak to you all tonight as we gather to celebrate the great achievement of my friend. But to celebrate properly, there are probably some things you should know about him." He paused for a long moment, letting the tension in the room eagerly build a bit. "I first met Thorn right about the time he stopped sleeping with my wife."

"Oh stars, Reynard! Would you let that go already!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.