Harrogye, Ausicaa

Together, the three of them, Brenna, Squadron Leader Ariss, and, of course, Roshe boarded the train from Harrogye to the neighboring town of Vaener. They sat in close quarters with the dozens of other passengers in the cabin. Brenna was sandwiched uncomfortably between Roshe's bulky body and Squadron Leader Ariss' long, lean, muscular form. Roshe was snoring up a storm with his head propped against the window, and his sleepy, dangling limbs kept sliding over, nudging Brenna closer towards Squadron Leader Ariss.

As the steam-powered locomotive rattled through the Ausicaan countryside, Brenna's muscles grew tighter and tenser with each passing jolt and jump on the tracks. She didn't mind careening into Roshe every time their train car swerved and swayed since he was as dear to her as a brother, but the constant bumping and brushing against Squadron Leader Ariss left her more than a little flustered.

No matter how rigidly Brenna tried to hold her spine and keep a respectable distance between them, her proximity to the handsome green-eyed boy was impossible to ignore. The invisible barrier of propriety that should've existed between his maleness and her femaleness had never felt more blurred than this moment.

Before, when Squadron Leader Ariss knew nothing about her secrets, it had been easier to let her guard down around him. Now, Brenna felt as though her soul had been laid bare before his eyes. Much of her future rested in his hands, and the thought of leaving her fate to someone else, no matter how capable he might prove to be, shook her to the core.

"Are you quite alright?" Squadron Leader Ariss murmured quietly. His eyes continued to stare straight ahead, but it was clear that he had picked up on her unease. "You seem... troubled."

"What? Why would you say that? I am perfectly fine," Brenna stammered.

He cast a sideways glance in her direction. "Perfectly fine, you say?"

She nodded and began to ramble incessantly, "In fact, I am more than fine. I am elated. Relieved even. I was worried that the Lieutenant would not be willing to let us leave the base for such an extended amount of time. He is a kind man. Ha! Ha-ha! How fortunate we are to have our leave requests approved so readily!"

He chuckled darkly. "I suppose that is one way of putting it. Fortunate."

She frowned. "Why do I get the sense that you are not being direct with me, Squadron Leader Ariss?"

"I will tell you what I actually mean to say," Squadron Leader Ariss replied, "if you promise to stop using my title and instead address me as 'Kaz' while we are off duty. I do not think it wise to reveal our ties to the Imperial Navy while we are... out and about."

Brenna thought back to their conversation from earlier that morning. "Oh, that is probably a good idea, Squad—I mean... Kaz. Perhaps you should call me... 'Bren,' then, instead of 'Miss Catannach' or 'Cadet Waevers?'"

"Very well, Bren it is," he murmured with a smile.

---

At the crack of dawn, Brenna and Roshe emerged from their dormitory room in their naval uniforms. Squadron Leader Ariss had been waiting outside for them. A stern look crossed his handsome face when he saw what they were wearing.

He sent them back inside to change into civilian clothes. "Trust me, you do not want to attract any unwanted attention from your fellow Islemen."

Brenna knew his reasoning was sound.

Almost two centuries had passed since the Isle of Ausicaa fell to the Empire's rule. Yet, present day Ausicaans still weren't keen on the Levish military presence that occupied their lands. This aggressive mindset was especially true in the more secluded northern provinces where Lachsea was located.

Thus, Brenna heeded his advice and swiftly switched into the pair of stained wide-leg black and white checkered wool trousers, the loose burgundy and orange argyle sweater with several sewn-up patches, and the tattered brown newsboy cap in a herringbone pattern that she had worn to the Station upon her initial arrival. The clothes used to belong to Lyonach. The old gardener left them behind at the manor before she cast him away.

When Brenna stepped back outside in her ill-fitting getup, Squadron Leader Ariss' green eyes lit up with amusement, but he was polite enough to keep his opinions to himself.

Brenna was grateful that he hadn't teased her. The clothes were all she had left of her old friend, and she didn't wish for anyone to speak poorly about them.

---

Brenna prompted, "Now, please—elaborate and be as direct with me as possible. I would very much like to know what is going on in that head of yours."

He smiled. "What you need to understand, my friend, is that kindness and good fortune rarely play a hand in the workings of the real world. Did you know, by Imperial mandate, cadets are typically forbidden to step foot off base until their training is complete? Why do you think, however, cadets and officers in Harrogye are allowed to operate under a far more lax set of rules?"

"I suppose... it is because Lieutenant Orrenach chooses not to adhere to rules and regulations as closely as he should?" Brenna offered.

"You are correct in that the Lieutenant does not care much about duty or honor," Squadron Leader Ariss drawled. "But the reality is that no one expects soldiers from the Isle of Ausicaa to ever amount to anything in the Imperial Navy, therefore, we are allowed free reign. It is both a blessing and curse."

Brenna's face contorted with shock. "Why, that may very well be one of the most condescending notions I have ever come across! Why would the Imperial Navy allow cadets to enlist if they had no intention of seeing them rise to their full potential?"

Squadron Leader Ariss sighed as a hint of despair fell across his face. In a rare instance of vulnerability, he mused out loud, "I ask myself that very question every night."

Before Brenna could ask him what he meant by that statement, Squadron Leader Ariss righted himself again. The easy smile returned to his lips. "Do you remember the favor that I asked of you last time we spoke?"

Miss Catannach, if ever I chance upon the opportunity to rise up the ranks in my station, will you help me with my ascension?

"Of course," she nodded her head vigorously. "As I stated before, I would be more than happy to help you. You are the most excellent cadet in all of Harrogye, and you deserve every accolade that the Imperial Navy might afford you in the future."

His smile widened. Her answer seemed to please him. "I can tell that you and I are going to become good friends, Bren. Very good friends, indeed."

Roshe stirred at this moment. His eyes flicked open. He glared at Squadron Leader Ariss and growled low and deep.

Brenna shushed him. "That is quite enough from you, Roshe! Hush now!"

Roshe proceeded to snap his mouth shut, but heavy clouds of malice continued to radiate from his every pore. Icy daggers were practically shooting from his eyes at the squadron leader.

Brenna cast an apologetic smile in Squadron Leader Ariss' direction. "I am sorry, Squad—I mean, Kaz. He tends to get a smidge combative around other... males."

Squadron Leader Ariss eyed Roshe warily as he asked Brenna, "Why is he always like this?"

"Ah, yes. Unfortunately, Roshe can be a bit of an... alpha. It is technically not his fault, though."

"How so? Certainly, we are all responsible for our own actions."

Brenna lowered her voice. "I probably should have told you this sooner, but..."

Squadron Leader Ariss' eyes widened ever so slightly. "Yes?"

She leaned in quite close to him and whispered, "Roshe is actually a wolf."

---

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is dedicated to lizaalewis for always making my day with the sweetest comments. Be sure to check out her story, "Against the Odds," if you're in the mood for an LOL-funny, heartwarming romance. <3