by Eric Vall
She nodded. “Very good, and do you know the exact date?”
I frowned down at her. “We need to know the exact date on the exam?”
“You may or may not need that information, but I believe it would be better to be prepared for the possibility.” She smirked mischievously, and I could only roll my eyes with a smile. Of course, she wanted me to learn more even if the information wasn’t particularly that important. That’s what a good teacher should do.
“Fair enough,” I replied. I racked my brain for a moment. I was sure that I’d written this down in my notes. I remembered that it had been signed at the end of the spring… the date suddenly hit me.
“May 10th, 4ae,” I proclaimed proudly.
Arwyn sat up so that she straddled my waist again, her hands on my chest. “Good, and why is that date significant? You’re not going to be tested on it, but I’m just curious if you know. This might not be something a non-Enclaver like yourself would have been taught.”
I thought about it. May 10th was a few weeks away. Our exams were on May 9th and after that was… “The Summer Holiday. Is that what it’s for?”
“Indeed. The summer holiday commemorates the Unification, thus why many schools take time off and many units of the military go on leave.”
I nodded with a growing smile. My mind was already forming a plan. I had forgotten that summer holiday was coming up, for we hadn’t paid it much mind in the wilds, but we would get two weeks off, so it would be the perfect opportunity for me to pay Maelor a visit. Maybe he knew that I’d be given the time off. I wouldn't put it past him.
“Last question and this will be on the exam,” she said, giving me a stern, teacherly look, an amazing feat considering her current position nearly naked atop me. “Why are the Unification Accords important?”
Oh, that was easy. We’d spent almost an entire class going over them. “The Unification Accords helped unify the various militaries of the enclaves into one fighting force so that humanity could better defend itself against the monsters of the Shadowscape. It also set up trade agreements and other mutually beneficial treaties between the Enclaves that help us thrive to this day.”
Arwyn threw the test paper into the air. “Excellent, that would get full credit on the exam!” She kissed me hard again. “I think we’re done with the quiz for now. Of course, you’re welcome to come back anytime for more tutoring.”
I gave her a cheeky wink. “I’ll certainly take you up on that offer.”
“Good.” Then, she started to kiss me again before she worked her way down my body. Jaw, then neck, collar, chest, stomach, down and down until her mouth hovered above my cock. “I think such fine answers deserve some extra credit.” She winked.
I laughed. “I couldn’t agree more.”
After we were done with the second round of fun, Arwyn curled up next to me, her flesh soft against mine, and we both sighed in blissful contentment.
“You should probably stay here tonight,” she said softly. “Better to not risk being seen by one of the campus security guards.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “You sure? What if someone comes to see you?”
She shrugged. “They would knock on the classroom door, not this one. Besides, you’re usually one of the first students to arrive anyway so it wouldn’t be outlandish if you were the first one here in the morning.”
I nodded. “Good point.” I smiled. “Whatever lets me spend more time with you, I’m all for it.”
Arwyn inched her head up so she could kiss me on the cheek. “I thought you might think so.” She curled her head into my neck and sighed. “We should get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us. We have response squad training tomorrow, and I intend to put you and the others through some rather stressful encounters.”
I laughed. “Hooray.”
She snickered along with me. “You won’t have that same enthusiasm by dinner, I assure you.”
“We’ll see about that, Miss Hamner,” I quipped with a cheeky grin. I petted her hair and closed my eyes. “We shall see.”
Arwyn leaned across me and blew out the candle on the nightstand. The room was plunged into darkness. She nuzzled back into me. “Yes, we will, Gryff. I like your attitude. I know you can handle it.”
I certainly could. I would take whatever she threw at us, for we needed to be better. The monster response squads were the main line of defense against the monster hoard that threatened all of humanity. If we weren’t sharp like we’d been on our first mission, then people could die. I couldn’t… I wouldn’t let that happen.
So I would train and run through her drills and do all Arwyn asked of me. If it made my comrades and me better, I was all for it.
With that, the conversation ended, and before long we both drifted off to sleep. My day had yet again ended in the arms of a beautiful woman, the perfect way to get me ready for the surely grueling day waiting ahead.
Chapter 9
Arwyn had been right. The next few days were a blur of training so intense, I thought I’d never make it to the weekend, so when those blessed days finally showed up, I almost didn’t believe it.
However, in addition to some much needed time off, the weekend also meant it was time for me to accompany Layla into the city to meet her brother who was being released from prison. I was tired, but I wasn’t deterred by the prospect. I was happy to help Layla, and I wasn’t going to leave her out to dry.
It was late in the morning on Saturday. A loud knock woke me, much to my annoyance. As I cracked my eyes open, I saw that Braden was gone, off to breakfast or whatever he had planned for today. I groaned as I sat up and swung my legs over the side of my bed, but before I could pull on my pants, the door opened, and Layla strode in.
“Time to wake up, Gryff-- Oh, well, I see you’re already awake.” She smiled and arched an eyebrow as she took me in. I was in nothing but my underwear.
I snorted. “What are you gawking at? This isn’t anything you haven’t seen.” I grabbed a pair of trousers and pulled them on to make myself decent.
Layla shrugged. “Just because I’ve seen a famous painting doesn’t mean I don't want to see it again.”
“Are you… are you calling me a work of art?” I asked with a chuckle. I put my hands on my hips. “Because if you are, then that’s probably the best compliment anyone has ever given to me.”
“Maybe,” she said with a wink and a devilish smirk. “Now, come on, get dressed. We have a long day ahead of us.”
“I’m sure. What should I wear?” I looked at her. She wore tight black breeches that hugged her thighs while they accentuated her hips and rough hide boots that rose almost to her knees. She had a sleeveless, pale green blouse on that was unbuttoned right above her cleavage. Finally, on top of that was a thin burlap vest with a lot of pockets.
She crossed her arms. “We’re going to the slums, so be casual. We’re not trying to impress anyone.”
“That is what you call casual?” I asked as I gestured to her outfit.
“Pfft,” she scoffed. “This old thing? Just get dressed. Like I said, nothing too impressive.”
“Oh darn.” I snapped my fingers. “I was looking forward to wowing everyone with my snazzy outfit.”
“Don’t be snarky,” she replied with a chuckle.
“It’s so hard not to be,” I retorted with a playful smirk which brought on another laugh and roll of the eyes from Layla. “Now, let me change in peace, and we’ll go.”
Layla waited patiently on my bed while I found some clothes. I replaced my dirty trousers with a clean gray pair that tapered at my ankles, then I put on a blue tunic that fit snuggly against my form. Finally, I added my thick summoner belt that was covered in pouches and compartments for my crystals. I didn’t add the bandolier, but I wanted to be prepared, just in case. In case of what, I wasn’t sure, but I was cautious, and that had always served me well.
Layla didn’t question the decision. In fact, I noticed a few of her own crystals attached to the fine l
eather belt she wore. At the very least, if we didn’t use them, they doubled as fashionable accessories.
“That’s fine,” she commented when I was finished dressing.
“I certainly hope so,” I replied, and she responded by flicking me in the head lightly.
“Come on, you idiot.”
The trip was a long one, and Layla was too nervous to talk much through it, unfortunately. On weekends, a rotation of carriages continually came to the Academy to pick up students and faculty who wanted to visit family or do other business in the city. We had to wait several minutes between carriages, but before long, one appeared through the gate. There were no other students either, so we didn’t have to jostle with anyone for the ride.
Our carriage driver couldn’t have been older than me. He had a pleasant smile, rosy cheeks that were a little dirty, and neatly cropped blond hair under his wool cap. He tipped it to us.
“Lovely day, isn’t it?” he asked with a smile.
I nodded. “Indeed it is,” I told him, which was the truth. The sky was cloudless, and even though the summer was upon us, the air was pleasant and not too hot, with a cool breeze that made it feel perfect.
The driver hopped down from his seat and opened the door for us. Layla gave him a tentative smile before climbing in. I followed right behind her and gave the driver my gratitude. Once we were comfortably seated inside on the green leather seats, the driver opened a small sliding wood panel where he sat so he could speak to us.
“Where to?” he asked cheerfully. It was as if he could feel Layla’s gloom and was doing his best to combat it. I’d have to tip him well.
Layla perked up only slightly. “Dallham Square, please.”
“Yes, ma’am, you got it.”
Then he slid the panel closed and whipped the horses into a steady trot.
Next to me, Layla sighed and leaned her head against the leather. She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. I frowned and nudged her shoulder with my own.
“Hey, are you alright?” I asked.
She snorted. “What kind of question is that, Gryff?” She opened an eye and gave me a long stare. “What part of this is alright?”
I furrowed my brows. “It’ll be okay, Layla. I’m here, remember?”
Layla closed her eyes again in a sigh and smiled. They opened again as she focused them on me. “I know.” She took one of my hands in hers and squeezed. “I appreciate it Gryff, I really do. Other than you and Braden, I don’t know anyone else that would do something like this for me.”
“You don’t have any friends back home?” I asked curiously.
She shrugged. “Of course I do, but honestly they weren’t the best people. Bad influences, you know?”
I chuckled. “You’re not exactly a good influence either.”
“I know,” she said with a smile as she punched my arm. “But hey, at least I’m fun and don’t partake in any criminal activities. I can’t say the same for my old friends.” She paused and looked out the small window in the door. “I haven’t spoken to or seen them since I found out I have magic. People in the slums aren’t exactly fond of mages or the military or those who get out of the slums.”
“Neither were people in the wilds, honestly.” I nodded in understanding. “Well, more so the military. We’re okay with magic and mages.”
She didn’t look at me as she kept her eyes on the passing buildings and street traffic. “Just know that it might come up. If we see people I know, it may not be a pleasant interaction.”
“Got it,” I said with a nod, “but we can handle ourselves if there is trouble.”
Layla smiled. “Yes. Yes, we can.”
“Besides,” I added. “I’m sure my charm will win everyone over.”
She scoffed yet didn’t lose her smile.
We stayed silent for the rest of the ride. I could tell Layla wanted to be alone with her thoughts, so I let her. She leaned her head against the glass window, and I did the same on my side. The trip took a while, for there was a lot of foot traffic and other horses and carriages clogging the narrow streets.
I watched as the smooth stone and marble architecture of the nicer districts gave way to clean brick and mortar buildings of the merchant and artisan districts. There were far more people here though at least there were dedicated traffic control officers that made it a point to keep the streets clear for carriages. We passed through the massive square where the main train station was, the same I’d exited when I’d first come to Varle. That seemed like so long ago.
The aroma of cooking meats and exotic scents of foreign spices of the markets eventually transitioned into smokey air that smelled of garbage. I remembered the smell from the train ride into the Enclave. It wasn’t one that I’d wanted to encounter again. It got stronger the closer we got to our destination.
Layla looked over at me and saw my pinched expression. She smirked. “Welcome to the slums.”
In a couple of minutes, the carriage rolled to a stop at the head of a shoddy town square. Thankfully, the smell of tobacco smoke was so pungent here that it drowned out the smell of garbage. The carriage shifted as the driver hopped down from his seat. He opened the door, that ever-present smile greeting us as he motioned for me to get out.
“Here we are!” he exclaimed. “Dallham Square.”
I nodded to him. “Thanks, we appreciate it.” I paid him the fee and gave him a handsome tip, for which he thanked me profusely. Then he climbed onto his high seat and was on his way.
As the carriage moved away, I got my first good view of the square. It was a dilapidated space half the size of the dining hall at the Academy, coupled with cracked cobblestone all around. A rusted fountain sat at its very center and looked as if it had once been a grand sight, but was now bone dry, the copper metal faded to a pale green patina. The whole area was bathed in shade, as the buildings all around were rooms upon rooms stacked atop each other, some of which seemed to tilt precariously.
Layla walked a few paces toward the fountain before she swiveled around to face me. She kept her arms straight against her sides and puffed out her cheeks, her lips set in a questioning line.
“Well, this is where I spent a vast majority of my life. Welcome to my world.” When she saw the wide-eyed look on my face, she asked, “What do you think?”
“Are you hoping it isn’t the worst place I’ve ever been to?” I asked with crossed arms and a smirk.
“Pretty much, yeah.”
I chuckled. “Don’t worry. There are dozens of crappy cesspools much worse than this out in the wilds.”
She let out an exaggerated sigh that doubled as a nervous laugh. “Oh, good.” She looked to her feet, then back up at me. “Let’s go, we don’t want to be late.” I nodded and followed her lead.
The northeastern corner of the square opened to a street that sloped up to a hill. We hiked up it even though the uneven cobblestone made it hazardous. Small drainage canals ran down each side, and… well, they weren’t just rainwater being funneled down the hill, that was for sure. The smell was nearly unbearable, but I did my best to keep my nose shut.
“How did you live with the smell?” I asked Layla through my hand.
Layla, to her credit, didn’t seem at all bothered by it. “You spend a week here, trust me you’ll get used to it. Now, you spend seventeen years here and pray that the smell hasn’t permanently made you stink too.”
“Well, you didn’t smell when I met you, so I guess it didn’t stick.”
She snickered. “I still wear a lot of perfume, just to be sure.”
Our conversation died down when we crested the top of the hill and saw what I had to assume was the prison coming into view. The building was a depressing stone structure made of cracked brick and crumbling mortar that didn’t look at all fit to contain potentially dangerous individuals. It was surrounded on all sides by a tall wrought-iron fence, each bar topped with a wicked sharp point. City guardsmen patrolled the perimeter, rifles slung over their shoulders and
sweat staining their pits from the thick coats they had to wear despite the heat. I didn’t envy them at all.
The building itself was several stories high with dozens of barred windows. It was hard to tell from the ground if those windows led to cells. Most of the jails of the wilds placed their dungeons in the basement of their buildings, but this was the big city, so maybe things were different here.
“Here we go,” Layla said with a deep breath before she strode forward. When she got to the main gate, one of the guards on duty put out a hand to stop her.
“Halt,” he demanded, his voice gruff and annoyed. “State your name and business.”
“Layla Bethel. My brother is being released today, and we’re here to pick him up.”
The guard arched a brow. “Hm. Identification?”
She dug into her small satchel and produced some papers, along with the Academy ID card that all students got issued. The guard took it and looked it over as well as the additional paperwork. He frowned.
“A mage, huh? Interesting.” He moved aside and pointed to the main doors. “Go ahead. They’ll take care of you inside.”
Layla inclined her head. “Thank you, sir.”
He nodded, then we moved past him and into the prison foyer. It had a low ceiling, and the floor was white tile that squeaked beneath my shoes. Despite the light from the windows, the room was cast in a pale green light from the gas lights that hung from the walls and ceiling. It gave the whole place a real dreary vibe.
A few regular citizens sat around a low wooden table, looking bored and impatient as they waited to be helped. An additional guard kept watch with his arms crossed in a metal chair next to a thick steel door covered in locks. Must have been the entrance to the closest cell block.
I followed Layla to the reception counter where a bored looking woman with graying red hair and a face full of laugh lines and wrinkles jotted something down in a log. She put her pen aside when we walked up to her.
“What can I help you with?” she asked. She pushed up her glasses and cleared her throat.
Layla and the receptionist went through nearly the same conversation as the one she’d had with the gate guard. My friend had to show her papers and ID again, and this time had to sign some papers too.
