The Sovereign Codex.

Bearer Recognized

The recruits went into the long stone hall and found their places in rows.

The walls were old, and they were rough and worn in some places. Narrow windows high above let in thin strips of daylight which was not bright enough to illuminate much. At the far end, the Authority Stone was on a raised platform, It was dark and smooth and taller than any man in the hall.

Officers were lined up along both walls, their uniforms were clean and their insignias were clear. They only spoke when it was necessary. Mostly they stood watching.

Some recruits looked eager while others shifted their weight or rubbed their palms against their trousers.

Names were called one after another.

Each man stepped forward and placed both hands against the stone and waited.

It usually took just a few seconds.

Light would gather and a Mark would form in the air for everyone present to see. Then that image would fade and the Mark itself would settle into the skin.

Most of the recruits did not receive anything special.

Strength Marks meant a little more power in the arms and shoulders. A man could hold a shield longer, grip a weapon tighter, and deliver more forceful strikes.

Scout Marks provided sharper eyesight and better awareness. Movement was noticed sooner and distances were judged more accurately.

Weapon Marks meant that certain blades felt lighter, the movements were quicker, and the control was better.

There were Defensive Marks as well. The weaker marks could toughen the skin enough to deflect small cuts and common training injuries.

Then came the nobles.

Their Marks were nearly always stronger.

The light above them burned brighter and lasted longer. When this occurred, some officers exchanged quiet nods with no explanation needed.

Taren was called near the middle of the line.

He left the line and made his way to the stone and pressed his palms against it while looking straight ahead.

A faint green light rose.

A Scout Mark formed above him.

It was useful but not rare. It would enhance his awareness and distance judgment.

Taren stared at the Mark a moment longer than was required, then he returned to his place.

His shoulders had already dropped when he reached Edrin.

“I wanted something important,” he mumbled while glancing at the noble recruits.

Edrin kept his voice low.

“At least you received one.”

Some men would leave the hall with nothing at all.

The ceremony continued.

Cassian’s name was called near the end of the noble group.

He walked to the platform without hurry and displayed no nerves. If anything, he seemed to already know what awaited him.

He placed his hands on the stone.

A golden light appeared immediately.

It was brighter than anything the common recruits had produced.

A Command Mark formed above him.

Several officers moved closer at the same time.

It was the Mark of leadership and command stemming from his bloodline. One officer put a hand on Cassian’s shoulder while another offered quiet congratulations.

Cassian accepted it all with a small smile.

He did not look surprised.

Then it was Edrin's name.

He stepped out of line and walked the length of the hall.

As he approached the stone, he could hear his own pulse.

He pressed both hands against the cold surface.

He waited.

Nothing happened.

A few seconds went by.

Still nothing.

No light. No Mark.

The officer overseeing the ceremony frowned.

“Again.”

Edrin removed his hands, then put them back on the stone.

He waited.

Nothing.

Someone whispered behind him.

Then another whispered.

Within moments several recruits began murmuring among themselves.

Edrin glanced sideways.

Cassian was watching him, a small smile still on his face.

The officer looked down at the record he held.

“Step aside. No Mark recorded.”

That marked the end of it.

Edrin returned to his place in the line.

He kept his face expressionless and looked straight ahead.

A soldier without a Mark began at the bottom. They had worse assignments. There were fewer chances to stand out and almost no path upward through the ranks.

Up until that moment, Edrin had convinced himself that he did not care.

Now that the choice had been taken away, it sat heavier than he wanted to acknowledge.

By nightfall the recruits were back in their tents.

Most lay down. A few spoke in hushed voices. Others attempted to sleep.

Taren lay nearby.

“Could have been worse,” he said into the dark. “Some men leave with nothing and pretend it does not matter.”

Edrin turned his face away.

“I never wanted rank anyway.”

Taren did not say anything more.

After a while, the tent fell into silence.

Edrin fell asleep.

He was not sure how long had passed when something roused him.

Warmth against his chest.

It was not painful. Just enough for him to notice immediately.

He opened his eyes.

The warmth was coming from beneath his shirt.

Then he saw the light.

Golden words were floating in the darkness above him.

[SOVEREIGN CODEX INITIALIZING.]

Edrin remained still.

He looked at the words.

Another line formed below them.

[Bearer recognized.]

For several seconds, he could only lie there and read those two lines again.

He had left the Authority Stone thinking he had received nothing at all.

Evidently, he had been wrong.