Three weeks. Three weeks of running through mud and memorizing battle tactics. Today was the last day of basic training, the day before the top 12 would be announced. So far Blake hadn't really seen any competition, except for Narisa, Isaac and occasionally Jackton, but she knew better than to get her hopes up. If the results so far were anything to go by, then it was likely that the entire Paladin candidate list would be made up of the top ranking Tommies. Blake tried to push that thought to the back of her mind as she completed her seventh lap of the 200 meter track. She could hear Isaac panting behind her, although it might have been the dog Narisa had somehow smuggled into training. She pulled over to take a brake, sitting down on the soft green, grass to enjoy the cool breeze. The dark streets of the outskirts seemed so far away, even if all she had to do was exit the gate only about half a mile away. Narisa came over and sat with her, the dog close behind her. So it was the dog. She should have guessed. She doubted Isaac would be tired after only running 1400 meters. They ran further than that each day in the outskirts. "How did you manage to persuade General Moustache to let you bring the dog?" Blake asked. "Ok. First, his name is General Kip, not moustache. Second, your allowed to keep pets. Why do you think you were allowed to keep Stevie?" Narisa retorted. Blake nodded, she had a point. It wasn't long before Isaac came over to join them. They sat watching the rest of the trainees finish their laps, and as usual, the smoking guy was lagging behind. They'd found out his name was Benny, although Blake liked to call him asthmatic weasel, because that's what he sounded like after running for about 2 seconds. Despite this he would still probably make the top twelve. Blake began to get up when she realised General 'moustache' Kip was staring at them. Narisa was already off, ready to run a few more laps before they were finally allowed to go back to their rooms and sleep off a hard days work. Isaac groaned. Blake rolled her eyes and offered him her hand. He took it, not bothering to thank her, before they ran after Narisa.

Nobody noticed the shadow slip between the bushes were they had been sitting. Nobody saw it follow them to the rooms were the trainees slept as the sun disappeared into a dark sky. So little time. So close.