“So, Animo, tell us about yourself,” Buhne requested as soon as she’d finished unpacking.

The Squad 14 bunker was cozy with three bunk beds sporting chests of drawers on either side. Callida got the top of the middle bunk by default with Buhne as her bunkmate. “There’s not much to tell that you don’t already know,” Callida began. “I grew up in the Wolf Tribe, and I’ve pretty much been a soldier my entire life.”

“From your conversation with the general, I gathered that you are military stock.”

She nodded, “... on both sides. My mom was a Bishou, my dad an Animo. I inherited my dad’s Lion Tribe coloring and a wolf spirit like my mom.”

“That explains why a wolf has blonde hair and a Lion Tribe name,” Buhne grinned. “So what about your brother? Is he a host too?”

“He’s my opposite. Wolf Tribe coloring, lion spirit.”

“That’s not as uncommon as you might think within mixed families,” Buhne said. “Hey, Stag, pass me that blanket.” Erkunden obliged, tossing a light quilt across the room.

“So what about you, Buhne?”

“I grew up a merchant’s son, traveling between tribes, selling household goods. You meet a lot of interesting people that way, but with the bandits getting more and more aggressive, business has been tough. I joined the military, one, because it was a job, and two, because I got sick of watching my family get robbed.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Eh, most soldiers have some kind of sob story these days,” Buhne shrugged her off. “Wouldn’t you agree, Shield?”

“Shield?”

“He means me,” Ablenkung said.

“Shield? Stag? Do all of you have some kind of nickname?”

“Code names,” Bern corrected her. “We only use them when we are alone or on a mission, which is most of the time.”

“Ok, so then, what’s your code name, Bern?”

“Papa.”

“Papa?” Callida snorted. “Why Papa?”

He shrugged. “Buhne, or should I say Parrot, comes up with the code names.”

“Spahen, what’s your code name?” Callida asked.

“Professor.”

“Ok, so Professor, Stag, Papa, Parrot, and Shield?”

“Yup! Well done,” Buhne congratulated her.

“Do the code names have any specific meaning?”

“Yes, actually,” Buhne seemed delighted to have someone to share his cleverness with. “Stag is the most obvious. As you already know, Erkunden was a hunter before joining the military. Shield, or Ablenkung, was a blacksmith and is something of a weapons expert. He’s also the guy that can get you out in a pinch should a mission go south. Papa Bern’s family practices horse husbandry for the military. He’s birthed a lot of foals over the years, and he’s our squad leader. Plus, Papa Bern just rolls off the tongue, don’t you think?” Callida nodded quietly, struggling to process so much information so quickly. “Professor, or Spahen, comes from a long line of Bear Tribe elders.”

“Elders?”

“It’s what we call the court council members,” Spahen clarified.

“So, like noblemen?”

“Kind of. The Bear Tribe has a less formal aristocracy than most other tribes, but it’s similar.”

“Anyway,” Buhne returned to explaining his code names, “Spahen was well-educated from a young age, and thus ‘Professor’ seemed fitting as a code name.”

“Gotcha,” Callida approved.

“And then there’s me, Parrot. You may have noticed, but the guys in this group don’t say much. I tend to be the exception.”

She snorted. “I did notice. So you are the designated chatter-box of the group.”

“That’s me! It’s not that I’m particularly talkative by normal conventions, but when compared to this lot….” Buhne pulled a face, and Callida laughed.

“So have you decided on my code name?”

“Naturally. And I’ve approved it with the group.”

“Ok. What is it?”

Buhne’s smile became impish. “It’s Beta.”

“Beta?” It took a moment to connect, but once it did, Callida blushed hard. “Seriously?!”

“You don’t like it?” Buhne asked coyly.

“You guys are all jerks!”

Buhne laughed. “Oh, be a sport. I came up with it that first night while you were hunting with Stag. At the time, I really didn’t know much about you beyond the fact that the young Alpha had a particularly intense interest in you and that you were from the Wolf Tribe. But, knowing more about you now, I like the name even more.”

Callida took a deep, calming breath. “And why is that?”

“For one, the Beta is kind of like the queen of the Wolf Tribe, their number one lady. You are the one and only lady of Squad 14. You took second to Keit in the tournament, he’s the guy in charge or the ‘king’ of our squad, so it makes sense that you’d be our queen. And you’re kind of like military royalty with two long family lines of soldiers. It’s safe to say you are the military queen. I also like how ‘Beta’ hails back to your Wolf Tribe roots in a way that is not obvious. And I enjoy how misleading it is.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if you are the Beta, there’s an assumption that someone is the Alpha.”

“You’ve put way too much thought into this,” Callida noted dryly.

“Does that mean you approve?”

“Fine,” she huffed.

“Well, then, goodnight, Beta!” Buhne said with too much cheerfulness.

Grumbling a little, Callida climbed up to her bed. “What do you call Captain Tragen?”

“Captain,” Buhne replied with a chuckle.

***

Germanus arrived at the military base well after dark. He was quite sick of traveling, and the horse he’d hired to pull the cart was similarly tired.

“Name?” the guard at the base entrance halted him.

“Germanus Animo.”

“What brings you here?”

“I’m here to join the military.”

“Can I see your identification?”

It was a reasonable request, but Germanus was cranky enough that it felt like a big ask. “Fine.” He rummaged through his belongings to find some identification papers to show the guard.

“I don’t recognize this seal,” the guard said with a scowl.

“It’s a Wolf Tribe seal,” Germanus tried not to snap. This must be a new guard.

“Wolf Tribe?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have any other form of identification?”

Releasing an exasperated sigh, Germanus pulled his family crest ring off of his left middle finger and passed it to the guard.

“This is a Lion Tribe crest,” the guard said, obviously confused.

Ugh. Why today?! I just want to go to bed, Germanus whined to himself. “I told you, my name is Germanus Animo-- a Lion Tribe name, but I’m moving here from the Wolf Tribe. I come from a mixed lion-wolf family. That’s why my papers are Wolf Tribe and my family crest is Lion Tribe in origin.”

The guard considered this explanation thoughtfully. “Why are you joining the Bear Tribe military if you’re half lion and half wolf?”

“My reasons are my own.”

This didn’t satisfy the guard as indicated by the deepening scowl furrowing his forehead. “Well, sir, is there anyone here that I can talk to who can identify you? Otherwise, I will need to authenticate this seal as being from the Wolf Tribe before I can let you enter the base.”

It was all Germanus could do not to grumble audibly. “I was recruited by Captain Tapferkeit Tragen, and my sister, Callida Animo, recently joined the military here as well.”

Recognition and embarrassment flickered through the guard’s eyes. “Ms. Animo is your sister?!”

Of the two names he’d dropped, his sister’s seemed the least likely to be recognized. “Yes. Why?”

The guard blushed. “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know why I didn’t connect your names. You don’t exactly look like siblings.” The guard returned Germanus’s papers and ring awkwardly. “I believe General Gutig is expecting you. I’ll have someone take you to him directly.”

The change in the guard’s tone was too entertaining not to follow up on. “Soldier, how do you know my sister?”

“Oh, well, uh,” the guard stammered, “I don’t really know her exactly. A couple days ago, General Gutig asked her to spar with each of the senior officers because he wanted to see the limits of what she was capable of. The matches were something of a spectacle, and I was able to watch a few of them. To my knowledge, she was undefeated, though I think one match ended in a draw.”

His mood doing a full one-eighty, Germanus was now struggling to keep a proud smile under wraps. “Is that so? Well, I’m glad to hear that she’s been kept busy.”

“Yes, sir.” The guard cleared his throat and ushered Germanus through the gates where another soldier was ordered to take him to the Bear General’s office. Fortunately, the office wasn’t far from the gate.

“Enter!” a soft but authoritative voice floated through the door in response to Germanus’s knock.

Germanus opened the door to find an old man, at least in his late seventies, sitting behind a large, pine wood desk. However, while his advanced age added wisdom and wrinkles to his kind eyes, General Gutig still had a powerful bearing.

“I’ve been expecting you,” the general smiled, his eyes crinkling. “It’s Germanus Animo, correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Welcome to the Bear Tribe.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“I’m guessing that you are tired and would like to settle in?”

“I am tired, yes.”

Gutig nodded, “there will be time to talk tomorrow. Captain Tragen requested sharing a bunk assignment with you. Is that agreeable to you?”

“Yes, sir,” Germanus grinned, betraying the fact that the arrangement was more than just agreeable.

“Then get some sleep and report back here first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you, sir.” Germanus turned to leave. “Oh, General, I almost forgot, General Laoshi asked me to deliver this to you.” He reached into the inside breast pocket of his jacket and pulled out a thick envelope emblazoned with a large wax seal.

“Thank you, Animo. Any idea what’s inside?” Gutig asked.

“General Laoshi didn’t say, but my guess is it’s a standard war report.”

“Dismissed, soldier,” Gutig said with a nod and Germanus took his leave. “Might as well see what the damage is,” the Bear General sighed once the door was shut again and broke the wax seal. As Germanus had predicted, the envelope enclosed a fairly standard report detailing the frequency and locations of bandit raids, basic counter measures employed and recommended, an intelligence report on enemy movements and personnel, and suggestions for coordinating offensive efforts.

Gutig massaged his temples in agitation. Twenty-five years ago, this war started with the assassination of the Lion King. Over the years, more and more small tribes attacked their large tribe neighbors, which is how the Bear and Wolf Tribes were sucked into the conflict-- a conflict that didn’t seem to have an end in sight.

While stacking the Wolf Tribe intelligence reports to put them away, Gutig discovered another small slip of paper still tucked inside the envelope.

Gutig,

Congratulations on inheriting the Animo siblings, though I’d be lying if I said I was happy to give them to you. Alas! I had hoped that one of them would give me the opportunity to retire here in the next decade or so. Perhaps one of them can do you that favor now.

Regards,

Laoshi

Chuckling, Gutig slipped the note back into the envelope with the rest of the papers. That’s quite the recommendation letter.

***

“I have a surprise for you, Beta,” is how Keit began practice.

“Shield already told me that Germanus arrived last night.”

“Daggum spies!” Keit cursed. “You’re no fun.”

“Sorry, Captain,” Ablenkung shrugged.

“It’s a credit to your training, sir,” Buhne added, his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.

“Well, did you know that-”

“... after his meeting with the general this morning, he plans to find me for lunch?” Callida finished for him.

“Who told you that?!”

Callida grinned. “Papa took me to look for Germanus this morning, and we overheard him talking to you.”

“You’ve been in Squad 14 for barely two weeks, Animo!” Keit protested. “You’re not supposed to be that sneaky already.”

“Sorry, sir,” Callida said, trying not to laugh.

“Well, get to your training, then,” Keit ordered and then found a fence post to sit against while he watched. Having Callida on the squad was awesome! As one of those naturally driven people, Callida had practically taken over teaching her fellow squad members swordsmanship, running drills until the last half hour when they held a one on five fight, Callida against the rest. It was a win-win-win. The squad’s swordsmanship was improving rapidly, Callida was being regularly challenged, plus it was good for her to develop her group fighting skills, and Keit was required to do little more than observe….

“You’re getting lazy, Captain,” Keit looked up as Callida chided him playfully.

“Rude.”

She smirked. “It’s just an observation. You might as well just turn command of Squad 14 over to me for all you’re doing here.”

Keit narrowed his eyes at her. “You cheeky little pup!”

“It’s true, isn't it?! All you do is sit around watching us train. You’re not even instructing us.”

“Are you asking me to train with you?”

“No. I’m just pointing out that your time might be better served doing something other than picking clover flowers on the sidelines.”

Keit scowled at her. “You could just ask me to join you.”

“But I’m not asking you to join me. I’m teasing you for being lazy.”

“... and trying to guilt me into joining you.”

“That’s not how I operate. But if you’d like to not be lazy anymore, you’d be welcome to join us.”

“How is that different from guilting me into joining you?”

“Are you saying that the truth stings, Captain?” Callida laughed.

“Maybe,” Keit said, swallowing the large bite of humble pie she’d served him.

“Good.” Callida turned to rejoin the rest of the squad, and Keit stood up to follow her.

***

“Germanus!”

He barely had enough time to turn around before Callida barreled into him. “Whoa! Hey, kid!”

“I missed you!”

“It’s only been a few weeks!” Germanus chuckled, squeezing her around her shoulders. “How are you going to get through an entire apprenticeship?”

“I know, but with everything else that’s been going on, I’ve just been missing you.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

Callida’s arms tightened briefly and then let go. “So, tell me everything.”

“About what exactly?”

“How did General Laoshi take our resignations? How was your meeting with General Gutig this morning? And anything else you think I might like to know.”

“Well, Laoshi wasn’t happy, Gutig was, and otherwise, my trip here was pretty boring.”

“Hm. That’s about as uninformative as you could possibly be…. Did Gutig give you an assignment yet?”

Germanus pulled the tie out of his sister’s haphazardly braided hair and ran his fingers through the snaggles affectionately. “Don’t you ever brush your mane?”

“I didn’t have time this morning because I went looking for you, and then I went straight to training. You didn’t answer my question though.”

“What question?”

“Did Gutig give you an assignment yet?”

“Kind of.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well, he wants me to meet Tribe Leader Recht as part of the process to promote me to the rank of captain, and then he wants me to act as a training captain.”

“What’s a training captain?”

Germanus chuckled at the quizzical frown plastered on his sister’s face. “I think it’s a captain responsible for training senior officers and working with soldiers that need a little extra help with their training. But I also think it’s a position that will give me the rank of captain until a command assignment becomes available.”

“So, it’s temporary until he can figure out what else to do with you?”

“‘Something like that. I understand that I have you to thank for my immediate promotion,” Germanus said, nudging Callida’s shoulder.

“What do I have to do with it?”

“I’ve been hearing rumors about a young female soldier who defeated all the senior officers in the Bear Tribe military on the sparring field and claimed that her older brother was at least as good as she is with a sword.”

“Oh,” Callida blushed. “There might be some truth to that. I mean, I didn’t fight all the senior officers-- just the ones stationed here at the base. And one of the matches ended in a draw because I got tired.”

“I’m glad you’ve found so many new playmates.”

She snorted. “I wouldn’t go that far. Most of them likely won’t want to spar with me again any time soon. According to my squad, men find it embarrassing to be beaten by a girl, especially one as young as me.”

Fighting down the smirk making the corners of his mouth twitch, Germanus nodded. “I suppose that might be true. Well, kid, does that mean you have time to spar with me this afternoon?”

“I can for a little while, but my squad has some more training scheduled this evening.”

“Keit said you’re in his squad now. Squad 14, was it?”

Callida nodded. “Yeah. You actually met the rest of Squad 14 back at the tournament.”

“Ah, yes! Keit told me. So the entirety of Squad 14 is just six people?” Again, Callida nodded. “That’s unusual, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know,” Callida deflected. “I haven’t paid much attention to the squad sizes here in the bear military.”

“Hm,” Germanus pondered. “Six people to a squad hardly seems practical, unless Squad 14 is a special forces team.”

Callida shrugged unhelpfully. “So far, apart from its smaller size, it’s not too different from my squad back in the Wolf Tribe. We do a lot of swordsmanship training, and otherwise pull duty shifts together.”

“So it’s not a special forces unit?”

Callida shook her head vaguely and changed the subject. “I’m hungry. Let’s go get some lunch.”

“Callida, you wouldn’t lie to me would you?”

“About being hungry?! No! I skipped breakfast this morning looking for you, and I’ve been training all morning,” she laughed and headed for the mess hall, not giving Germanus the chance to respond.

***

“Keit! You recruited Callida into a special forces unit?! Without consulting me first?!”

“Ah, crap. She told you?”

“No. You just did.” Keit stopped dead, and Germanus grinned victoriously. “You could stand to learn something from my sister. She deflected all my questions and inferences. You, on the other hand, reacted without thinking.”

Keit crossed his arms in a huff. This was the second lecture he’d gotten today from one of the Animo siblings. The worst part was, they were right. “Today is not my day….”

“So spill. What sort of special forces unit is Squad 14? Or should I guess?”

“I can’t say.”

“Alright, I’ll guess. Based on what I saw at the tournament grounds, I’m guessing intelligence gathering.”

Keit’s frown deepened. “You suck.”

“Does that mean I’m right?” Germanus chuckled.

“You can’t tell a soul.”

“On my honor,” Germanus said, bringing his arm up to the square.

“We might as well induct you into the squad while we’re at it,” Keit said with no small amount of dejection. “Why did you suspect that Squad 14 was special forces?”

“Only six people in a squad with the nearly absolute attention of a captain? Come on. It’s kind of obvious.”

“I suppose there’s some truth to that,” Keit conceded with an irritated sigh. “Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?”

“To approve your admission into Squad 14 with the Bear General.”

Germanus snorted. “What would my role be? I’m guessing each member of your team has a specific role. Callida is the muscle, no doubt.”

“Yes, yes. You’re very clever,” Keit rolled his eyes. “Stop showing off and let’s go talk somewhere where we are less likely to be overheard.”