“Forgive us if we don’t believe you.” Wolfe chuckled.
“Wolfe Noxus on point, followed by his Witch Cassie, then Reiko, Ella, Mary, Noor and Parker, with the Guardian Candidate Curtis Goldstein in the rear. You were sent two days ago to collect Black Elder wand branches.” The voice replied.
“That’s fairly convincing. Who are you?” Wolfe asked.
“Agent Smith. Coven Security. You’re the last team out here now that the two teams recovered by the Wilderness Protectors are back.”
Wolfe thought about that for a moment. “Do you have others helping you?”
“Only Coven Security and the Wilderness Protectors should be in the area. Everyone else has been sent to the front as of this morning. There has been a monster tide coming out of the Central Wastes.”
Wolfe led the group back to the road, ready for almost anything. Their arrival was almost anticlimactic. All they found were three very ordinary Coven Security agents from the city waiting beside a pickup truck with the engine shut off.
They were all just lounging around, clearly aware of which direction Wolfe and the others were coming from and not concerned that the students might be a threat.
“How did you find us?” Reiko asked once the officers, one man and two Witches, came into view.
“Academy backpacks and uniforms have a tracker in them. Makes it easier to find lost students. Not everyone has a good sense of direction.” One of the Witches told her in a strange, halting rhythm like she wasn’t used to answering questions.
“So we only had to enchant the convoy to make it sound like we were still with them and then wait for you to decide if you were running or returning to the road. I take it you ran into some feral human troubles?” The other Witch spoke in a nearly identical voice but much more naturally.
“You could say that. We killed two groups that were hunting students this trip.” Wolfe agreed.
“One of them mentioned that they’re specifically looking for Witches without mutations. Can you tell us why?” Cassie asked.
“Likely to transfer their own curse damage before they sell them off. Too much will kill you, and they aren’t going to stop using them. We have also heard about them using mind control curses on prisoners to use as shock troops during attacks as well.” One of the Coven Security Witches explained.
“More importantly, why have all the students been called back?” Wolfe asked.
“Coven orders. The draft has been instituted. Those who do not volunteer will be placed in the lottery to fill the remainder of the necessary reinforcement numbers.” The male of their team replied very seriously.
“I don’t suppose pretending you didn’t see us is an option?” Wolfe sighed.
“You’re not that lucky. But we will at least run a fair lottery. Council Members Isabel and Morgana wanted all Witches with Familiars from the various evil species immediately drafted before the lottery began, but they were overruled.”
“See, so much bias just because I’m handsome.” The Imp sighed.
“I know the feeling. It’s not an easy burden to bear.” Wolfe agreed.
“Enough jokes. Hop in the bed of the truck so we can get going. It gets sketchy out here after dark.” The male Coven Security officer demanded.
In the pickup, it took under an hour to get back to the Academy, where nearly a hundred military vehicles were waiting, and the field behind the main academy building was crowded with tents and people.
“Did you drag everyone out of their dorms?” Wolfe asked, amused by the sight of so many tents.
“They’re the Infantry Recruits drafted inside the city. They will join with the Witches to form five-person teams. One Witch to four Soldiers unless there is an existing bond.” The Agent informed them.
That made the Witch basically support and heavy weapons for the team, assuming that they were competent.
“That’s a lot of people. How many are being drafted?” Curtis asked.
“Three of every five with an active aura. After the crisis, volunteers will be given the rank of Baroness, and a leave of absence pass to finish their education to try for a higher rank.
“And how long will that be?” Reiko asked suspiciously.
“Until the state of emergency ends. The last one went on for three winters, but most are handled within the first year.” The Agent shrugged.
“Well then, I guess we have to hope not to get drafted.” Cassie sighed.
The Agent was about to speak when a bureaucrat came up to their group with a clipboard. “Mister Goldstein, I presume? You have been officially recalled to the city. Your family has determined a more suitable marriage match for you and requires your return in the morning.”
With that, the bureaucrat checked a box on his list and walked away, duty complete.
Curtis looked bewildered for a while, then took his belongings out of the pack he was carrying and handed it to Reiko while pretending that nobody else noticed the keepsake that he tucked into the bag as he worked.
“Please be safe. I know you never intended to marry me, but I would hate to hear that any harm had come to you.”
Reiko grabbed his head and turned it to kiss his cheek. “Good luck with whichever one of my sisters you got reassigned to.”
“I was being legitimately nice. Why would you threaten me like that?” Curtis complained, looking a bit terrified at the thought of Reiko’s sisters.
“They’re not that bad. Well, maybe they are. But they’re rich and famous. I’m sure you’ll work something out.” Reiko consoled him.
“Now you’re short a member. Unless you can convince the defence force Agent that your Familiar counts as a Soldier as well, you need to have at least one in every team. However, no matter how closely Bonded you are, you’ve got too many Witches for one team.” The Coven Security Agent pointed out.
“We’re still hoping that Noor and Parker don’t get drafted just because they went with us on a trip to gather wands. When is the official draw?” Wolfe asked.
“Ten am tomorrow. If you report early, you can volunteer as a group when the first of your names is called and get some extra benefits. But I advise you to find an Infantry Recruit for your team before the draw.” The Witch informed them.
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“How about you ladies all go finish those healing wands and turn in the Quest? I’ll find a suitable Soldier from among this mess of bodies and bring them to you for evaluation. That way, we’re ready if one of us gets drawn.” Wolfe suggested.
“You would really all go if one gets picked?” The Agent asked.
“The five of us are inseparable. Or, I should say that separating us is unwise since the Witches are power sharing.” Wolfe explained.
“Got it. Good luck finding your last member. Don’t hold it against them if they’re crying a little. They found out they were being drafted and going to the front lines when the Coven vehicles picked them up today.”
The security team left, and the Witches returned to the main building, ignoring the chaos and protests outside, while Wolfe went to find one more person that he could trust for the team. There were thousands here. Surely someone would be suitable.
