THREE

“Let me see how you’re doing.” Black took the notebook from me, settling onto the cot next to me. He scanned the problems, occasionally glancing at the reader. “Very good,” he said after a moment. “Except here… these ones, you’ve done them all wrong. Didn’t you read the text?”

“No. I couldn’t understand lots of the words.”

Black took the pen from my hand. “You have to add the leftovers, the tens, on the left.”

I stared at the page. “I don’t get it.”

Black sighed. “Here, this one: eleven plus nineteen.”

I glanced at my answer. “Two hundred eleven,” I said. “Right?”

Black shook his head. “That one, the ten in the eleven, it belongs with the other one.” He ruffled his hair with his hand. “Ah, hell,” he muttered. “I’m a terrible math teacher. Let’s go find Noah.” Black stood, ducking his head, and held the tent-flap open for me. “Noah gets kids. And math. He’ll be able to teach you.”

All the soldiers were packing up their tents. Black stared around, bewildered, then angry. “Noah!” He called, motioning at the camp as he strode across the camp. “What’s this? Why is everything being packed?”

Noah saluted. “Sir! We’re being switched over to Volgna, farther west.”

“Why wasn’t I informed? The call should have been directed to me.”

“Krause arrived with the news just minutes ago. He’s taking command of the company for a few weeks.”

Black flushed. “What?” He hissed. “Krause?”

“Yes, sir.” Noah was frowning slightly. “You’ve been sent to Circle City.”

“That’s sufficient, Jefferson! I will provide Skylar with his dispatch papers,” a large man with graying hair boomed, appearing suddenly next to Black. “Well, old boy, how have you been?”

Black seemed to twitch. “I’m well, Krause.”

“Good to hear it. Now that I think of it, I haven’t seen you in several years. You haven’t been in Circle city in quite some time. Ah, here. I’m forgetting myself as usual.” He extended one hand to me. “What is your name, missy?”

“My name is Blitz,” I said quietly. “Blitz Grey.”

“Excellent, excellent. Blitz. Now there’s a name I haven’t heard in a while. Strong North-eastern name. From the northeast.” He turned to Black. “We used to know a Blitz. What was her name again? Melissa… Miranda?”

“Monica,” Black said. “Monica Blitz.”

“Where is she? I haven’t seen her lately either. Last I heard, she was dispatched in the east.”

“She’s dead, Krause,” Black said softly. “Her heart gave out.”

Krause frowned. “Oh, my. That’s a shame. She always was such a little girl.” He nodded. “I was always fond of her.”

Black nodded silently. “You have my dispatch papers?” He asked.

“Yes!” Krause’s voice returned to its usual volume. “Right here.” He handed Black a thick manila envelope. “Have fun in Circle City! I need to go make final preparations, but I’ll see you around.” With a wave of his hand and a smile, Krause walked away.

Black was visibly grinding his teeth. “He must be up to something,” He muttered, tearing the seam off the envelope as he strode briskly towards the tent. I followed him wordlessly, walking quickly to keep up with him. Inside the tent, Black sat down on the cot, spilling the packet of papers onto his lap. “Sit there,” He said, pointing to the folding chair. I sat silently as Black glanced at the top page. He shuffled the pages, ripping off a staple. “It looks like we’re going to Circle City for our testing and assignment,” Black said, glancing up at me.

“What?” I started. “I thought I was staying with you!” I exclaimed, alarmed.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a formal assignment. That’s the way it works- when we both pass our assessments, you get assigned to me. You see, I have my own examinations- to prove I’m capable of passing on the arts to a child.”

“Oh.”

Black raised one eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’re actually growing attached to me.”

My eyes widened.

Laughing, Black stood up. “Come on, kid. Help me pack up.”