Angels and Devils V

Temerity glanced down the hall towards Lukan's room, her hand already on the doorknob to her own. How long was she supposed to give him? It was already past dinner. Perhaps till morning, she thought, and turned the knob.
Before she could step into the room, a girl about her age ran up to her. "Temerity! There you are!" She frowned and looked around. "Where's Lukan?"
"In his room, probably," Temerity sighed. "His test didn't go well. He's still sulking."
"Well, make him stop sulking and get him downstairs," the girl said. "In uniform."
Temerity raised an eyebrow. "What's the emergency?"
The girl was already turning to leave, but she jabbed a thumb at the window across from Temerity's room as she rushed off. Temerity looked where she pointed.
"Oh, hells," she whispered, eyes wide, and ran to Lukan's room. She didn't knock; she just pushed the door open and, seeing him sprawled on his bed, went to his wardrobe to get his uniform. "You need to get dressed. Quickly."
Lukan twisted to look at her. "I already missed dinner, and I'm not hungry anyway."
Temerity threw his uniform at him. "Eisna's coming. Get dressed."
The uniform smacked Lukan in the face, then fell away to reveal his dumbfounded expression.
"Now, Luke!"
Lukan scrambled up and started getting changed. Temerity turned around, but didn't leave the room. It was several minutes before he was ready. Once he was, though, Temerity grabbed his hand and bolted down the hall, Lukan struggling to keep up behind her.
The soldiers were lined up by rank in front of the Order's headquarters. Temerity pulled Lukan into the back row just as the sound of hoofbeats stopped. Something swooped above them--a long, twisting dragon, which landed by the horses and trained its ruby eyes on the soldiers.
Most of the company were in Order of Brim uniforms. One stood out: a tall, pale-skinned man, hair jet black and down to his shoulders, eyes dark. He was dressed in black robes with a white-wing insignia on his left breast. As he approached, the officers knelt, and the rest followed suit.
"Your grace," the commander said. The greeting was echoed.
Eisna snapped his fingers, and everyone stood up. He greeted each person, some by name, others simply with a nod. It was nearly an hour by the time he reached the back row.
Lukan could see him more clearly now. His face, which might have once been called handsome, was cut through by scars. The remnants of a burn were just visible on his neck. Temerity caught him staring and nudged him, and he quickly looked away.
Not fast enough. Eisna stood in front of him, and he didn't dare look up.
"I don't believe we have met. Are you new?"
Lukan opened his mouth, but only a meek rasp came out.
Temerity straightened. "Lukan Naroiára, your grace. My cadet brother."
Eisna's gaze snapped to her. "I see." He crossed his arms, appraising Lukan before turning to Temerity once again. "You should not be relegated to playing house, Temerity."
Temerity looked away. "I'm still a cadet. It's policy. Your grace." She added this last hastily.
"You shouldn't be. You haven't forgotten my offer, I hope."
"... No, your grace."
"Consider it again. You're wasted here." He took a step back, straightened, and looked to Lukan. "Cadet Naroiára." He nodded.
Lukan bowed. "Your grace," he finally said.
With one last glance at Temerity, Eisna turned and stride back to the front. "I'll be staying here a few days to see your progress. You have nothing to worry about if you are true Brimerans."
He snapped his fingers, and his company followed him inside.