The only way she could describe herself was exhausted. She hadn't slept much that night, the entirety of the ball replaying over in her mind. Her faith in her own kind had been shaken. Everyone's was shaken, for that matter, and it had been apparent as they had dragged themselves to training bright and early the next day. Whispers were shared everywhere, talking and speculating on the night before.

When the summons came for her and Kasper to report to the Captain Commander, she hadn't really been surprised. Even though Bex had essentially seen to her own punishment, they wouldn't be able to leave it at that. And there was still the matter of why they'd all been called home hanging over them.

So she made her way to Hadrian's office, eyeing the other two soldiers that left quietly before stepping inside, standing at attention next to Kasper as they waited to be addressed.

Hadrian did not ask them to sit. This wouldn’t take that long. He stood himself, glad to remain on his feet in this time of action. A small demonstration that he was taking this seriously—however silly that sounded. He went straight to business.

“@bex had recently been promoted to the role of Field Sergeant to oversee our operations in Coheed. Between the incident at the docks and the construction of the new city, the regions stability is precarious. I believed Brekker was the right one to see this through. Clearly, I was wrong.”

He looked between them, then focused on Faylin.

“@faylin, you will be promoted to Field Sergeant to oversee operations in Coheed. For your skill and service, you are an obvious choice, though I think it is additionally important that the women—and men—of Coheed see women in positions of authority. You, Lieutenant,” Hadrian turned to Kasper Van Zant, “Will be the second-ranking officer in Coheed. You will also gain the title Sergeant, but will ultimately answer to your partner. This is not a value judgment on your worth; you've proven yourself equally capable, but for the reasons stated, Sergeant Valana will have the last word.”

He waited, expecting a simple acknowledgment before continuing forward.

“The next matter is one of some sensitivity. I’d like you to keep an eye on the minster of foreign affairs, Magda Ivanova. Some soldiers have reported that she’s calling herself Coheed’s chieftess. For this an other reasons, she’s drawn the crown’s attention and concern.”

He waited for questions.

Faylin blinked once, the only sign of her surprise in what the Captain Commander announced. Her only ambition in life was to move through the ranks of the military, but not in this manner. Not through treachery of another among them. But she bowed her head slightly, "Thank you, Commander. We will not disappoint you as she did." As she had disappointed them all.

Her eyebrows would shoot up at the Commander's next set of instructions. She vaguely knew Magda, though had not spoken to the woman in a very long time. She glanced to the side once at Kasper before looking back to Hadrian, once again nodding her head. "We will see it done. Are we to be stationed in the new city?"

It was a fair question and one easily answered.

“For now, you will be stationed in Gilead, overseeing the training of the new female soldiers and the reconstruction of the docks. I’d also like you both to investigate whether there are any dissenters we should be worried about. Once Gilead is well in hand, the city will be your next concern.” He put his hands behind his back, happy to answer other questions.

Faylin paused for a moment, considering, before she nodded once. "When do we leave?" It seemed as if they had just been allowed to come home from Cambria, and now they would be off again. At least Kasper would be with her, and frankly that was all she needed. She was more concerned about how Kasper would feel about leaving his family behind again, and for what was a much more permanent station than their time in Cambria.

“At the change of the season. You will have some time to prepare and make any necessary arrangements. We will also be assigning soldiers to accompany you and phase out some that are finishing their service in Coheed.” Hadrian put his hands behind his back, waiting to see if there was anything else.

Satisfied with the fact that they weren't shipping off the next day, Faylin was ready to be dismissed. She folded her hands neatly behind her back, about to say her farewells and leave when Kasper spoke up again. She looked to him, her gaze softening and her heart squeezing in her chest.

But that was all she would show for what she was feeling in the moment, in front of their Commander, as she waited for his response.

Hadrian softened for a moment at Kasper’s request. The Van Zant’s situation wasn’t entirely unknown to him, though he hardly knew the full extent of their poverty, but he knew that Kasper as a commoner with others to provide for. The boy’s request was touching. Perhaps there was still comradery to be found in their ranks after all. Perhaps there was hope.

“A noble request,” Hadrian said with a slight dip of acknowledgment, “But there’s no need for you to do with less. I will see that they are well taken care of.” He looked to Faylin and gave her a quick nod.

“You are dismissed, Sergeant Valana. Sergeant Van Zant—” He looked back to Kasper, reassuming his military efficiency, “I’d like a quick word with you—alone, if you don’t mind.”

He’d wait for Faylin to leave before addressing him.

Once the door clicked closed, Hadrian turned his full attention to Kasper. His expression was not unkind, but it was firm. Much like that of a stern but loving father. He was going to make this brief, but it was a matter that needed to be dealt with.

“Last night was a shock for us all, sergeant,” Hadrian started, voice calm and even, “With such a shock, it is understandable to want to reach for explanations. To make sense out of the unfathomable.” He paused, letting his eyes drift for a moment before focusing with new intensity on Kasper.

“I understand from Captain Woodwick you suspect last night’s punch may have been tampered with. To be clear, you are not in trouble: you went through the right channels to inquire about an investigation. However…” Hadrian put his hands behind his back.

“I do not believe there to be a firm basis for your claim. Even if there was, such a revelation might further compromise an already precarious security situation. I’m ordering you to cease all investigations and not discuss this theory any further. Am I understood?”

Hadrian would wait for the soldier’s reply, keeping his steely gray eyes fixed on the young soldier.

Permission for Faylin’s exit was granted by @siren .