Raising her head from the bed, Abby knew all of this and pitied herself as hours passed until it was finally the dead of night. Eventually, she snapped out of it, remembering that at least she still got to serve the Empire. Quickly she gathered everything she could not take with her and walked down the now empty halls dropping off gifts in front of the doors for those who would remain behind. Abby then returned to her room to practice her summonings of the Arrow towers far into the night. If I can only do a few things, I need to do them well.
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The following morning came as mornings often do, which is to say much too early. It was a heavy-handed rapping on the door by the Academy’s roving guard that woke Abby from an otherwise dead sleep. A professional courtesy extended to the graduates on the day they were to ship out. This was not born from altruism but rather as a way for the Academy to save face. No breach of decorum was considered as lowly as missing timelines. Ensuring that their graduates did not oversleep and miss deadlines was an excellent way to ensure the Academy retained its prestige, and the graduates could start their new lives on the proper footing.
Even more so, during the dead of winter, such courtesy was necessary. As neither the light of the morning sun or the crowing of a rooster could be counted upon for awaking.
Startled by the noise at the door, Abby jumped up from the bed that would no longer be hers after today. She was already dressed, having gone to sleep the previous night in her new uniform, or rather passing out in exhaustion when she could no longer keep her eyes open. She wore the outfit of a copper tier Engineer, An unadorned grey wool long coat, with a brown tunic underneath to mark her guild rank. Even the lowest ranking of the Engineers of the Mason’s Guild were offered enormous respect within the Empire.
Abby had fallen asleep partially out of anger towards her grandfather, somewhat out of excitement to begin her new adventure. But mostly because she was exhausted having stayed up most of the night trying to prove to herself that she was deserving of the uniform she wore and the gauntlet on her hand. A foolish thing, but it had made her feel better. She ran and opened the door, swinging it open with a muttering of apologies. The guard on the other side frowned in disapproval seeing the wrinkled uniform but said nothing as it was not his place to say anything.
"Thank you, Darius, for waking me." She curtsied to the old Silver-blood. A master in his own right, he had long since retired from guild duties to pursue the quieter life of a guard, one of the staples of the Empire was to allow all who desired it continued service if they so chose. The Guild as a reflection of the Empire was no exception, and as an old man Darius had no desire to fade away completely.
The old guard smiled despite himself, "It was no problem, little miss, your grandfather has ordered me to escort you to the stables whenever you're ready."
"Oh, I'm already packed and ready to go, Darius. Last night was full of goodbyes to many of the things and memories I loved about this place. For everything else, I already gathered it up". She walked over to the bed and grabbed a burlap sack and slung it over her shoulder. The bag contained everything she still owned in the world. By the lack of a bulge from the sack, it was apparent she held very little in the way of possession. Though Darius knew she had lied to him, he chose not to challenge it. Letting it go as he knew the young had their reasons sometimes reasons better left unsaid.
"I'm glad you've taken some of our lessons to heart. They might someday save your life. The weight one bears can become so much heavier while traveling alone." The guard turned to walk down the hall and noticed a small detail about her uniform that was bothering him.
"Are you forgetting anything, little miss?" Asked Darius eyeing a blank spot on her chest. He pointed his finger behind her towards the emblem of the Guild that had fallen on the floor. Likely having been torn from her uniform as she slept.
She laughed and smiled. "Oh, thank you, Darius. You truly are a lifesaver. I would have got into so much trouble if I had lost that. What would I ever have done without you?"
The old guard laughed. " Little miss, you probably would have been dismissed by the Academy long ago if not for me. Even now, you would still curse your fate as a seamstress from the safety of the capital. Instead, I have done you the favor of ensuring you be sent out to the edges of the Empire. Perspective can be a powerful thing."
She nodded and replied as she put the emblem on her chest. "We should get going, Darius.".
As they walked down the halls, their footsteps made loud echoes. Before opening the door leading out to the stables were the caravan waited for her arrival, the old guard turned to Abby. "Little miss, it's not my place to say, but I'll say it anyway. You're not just a reflection of your grandfather. You're also a reflection of the Guild. Once you're out in the world, you will find few people will accommodate any errors or mistakes. As a representative of both the Guild and the Empire, everyone you met will be looking towards you for leadership. Please try to do your best."
"I will, Darius, I will. I won't do anything to shame the Guild or grandfather or this Academy." She replied with pride. " You all have taught me well. I'm ready to fulfill my role as an Engineer."
"Are you really, though? I have heard the rumors. I would caution you, little miss." Said the old man in a stern warning. " Engineers are indeed powerful, but you are a new Engineer, unaffiliated with any element. Only just last night appointed the rank of copper. It is a hard and dangerous life that awaits you. Be cautious when uncertain and be bold and be brave if your back should ever be against the wall."
"I'll be fine, Darius." As she responded. Annoyed with the conversation and its sober tone. "I've bound my gauntlet to the school of the Arcane I'll manage. I'm going to be a defender of the Empire, just like my mother was just like my father was, no matter what it costs.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. It certainly explains why your grandfather has been every bit a nervous wreck. Certainly, you've made an interesting choice. The arcane is the only school that advances by combat and combat alone. I fear for you, little miss." The old man responded. Reflecting in sorrow the memories of friends that he had lost throughout the years. Friends as young and younger than the girl in front of him. All Engineers slain in service to the Empire.
"Thank you for your concern." Abby curtsied and walked through the door with an air of finality. "That will be all. It's not your place to worry; Its mine and mine alone to manage.” With nothing further to say, she was guided to her carriage by one of the scouts in preparation for leaving.
Chapter 9: Higher Loyalty
The Headmaster of the Mason’s Academy, the Silver-blood Porthos, pulled his cloak around him, trying to ward off the cold as he rubbed a hand against his arm shivering. The snow was accumulating on his shoulders as it fell in drifts, but yet the man refused to move. It was unbefitting of a man of his station to be out hiding like a common thief, but yet here was doing just that.
From a safe distance, partially hidden behind an old oak, careful to not be seen by his granddaughter. The Headmaster of the Mason Academy watched as the caravan departed to the West. While the majority of the graduates had been deployed to the South to quell the Elvish insurrection, a mere handful with the most potential sent East to further study at the capital. The remaining sent to the far-eastern frontier to guard the border against further orc and goblin incursions. He had heard the rumors of the destroyed towns, the Headmaster held no illusions those ordered to the eastern front, wouldn’t be returning.
The Headmaster's heart was heavy, his thoughts wishful in regret. An unfulfilled list of things he wished to change. His mind filled with thoughts of the past he wanted so desperately to be different. It was a sentiment below his position, but no parent should have to bury a child, and all he had left was his granddaughter. The Headmaster could not help but worry about the girl. She was the only surviving relative he had left in the world and the single surviving piece he had left of his son. The
last of a legacy.
From nearby, close to the main to the Academy Dormitories, the Headmaster could hear the sound of a door opening and closing. The sound of icy snow crunching beneath leather boots followed. "Old friend," Called a voice from behind him, and the Headmaster turned to see Darius.
Seeing the esteemed guard, the Headmaster scowled. "If you were anyone else, the ease with which you familiarize yourself across position would be a problem.”
The old guard shrugged. The distinction was less important to him. "That may be so, but how many guards do you know hold the title of Silver-blood? Our titles do not disappear just because we retire from active duty. There are so few of us Silver-bloods left the distinction between positions hardly matters."
The Headmaster looked at Darius with a curious expression before shrugging his shoulders and lessening his guard before admitting, "You're the only Silver-blood moonlighting as a guard that I know Darius. Outside of this place, we do hold the same rank. Besides myself, you’re also the only one I know who lived to see retirement. Now please, tell me why you're here bothering this old man in his melancholy."
"I saw footsteps in the snow and needed to investigate. As a guard at this Academy, my first and foremost responsibility is the protection of all who reside on the Academy grounds. I know your thoughts on how I’ve chosen to spend my twilight years. You’ve made it well known you think it a lowly position. Made it well known that you believe I should have taken a position of Master at the Academy or Magistrate on the frontier, but I’ve no desire. Protecting the children of this Academy protects the future of the Empire."
At the admission, the guard's expression changed, raising a scolding finger. "You are not quite as discrete as you may think, Porthos." Darius wished he didn't need to have the conversation; as a guard, it wasn’t his business, but as a Silver-blood, it was. "I had a feeling those footsteps in the snow would be yours. You know she should have never passed, not without an elemental binding. It isn't just a danger to her. It endangers everyone who will be depending on her. I’ve no idea why they would choose to pass her. Binding a youth to the Arcane can be so dangerous. As we both know."
The Headmaster's expression hardened. "You think I need this lecture? What else was I supposed to do? Intervene and say no? You know what happens to those who fail the Academy. Do you think I wanted my only flesh and blood to be conscripted as a common foot soldier? No. I’ve done what I needed to. You would have done the same in my shoes."
The old guard nodded. "Agreed, I would have, but I also have a higher loyalty to the Empire and its people. I know you changed her orders to send her West. I’ve seen the same reports as you. They need people out East. Tell me, is it to him? Did you send her to Nicodemus?"
"So, what if it is?" Snarled the Headmaster in anger, "Are you going to arrest me, turn me in? Recall her? She’ll die if she goes to the east. She needs time and training to come into her power, and you know Nicodemus can make that happen. He can get her into a dungeon."
Darius shook his head, not disagreeing as he held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "No, what good would it do now to say anything? It would tarnish more than help. Besides, she looks enough like her mother that he’ll likely be able to overlook his hate of you. He's never seen her before, has he?"
"No, he hasn't. The last time I saw him was to deliver the news personally that his daughter and my son had died. Abby was still too small to move, and he’s always resented me for not bringing her along so he could meet her. I left her behind with the wet nurse." Said the Headmaster, his voice heavy with sorrow. "I lost the little contact with him after the dissolvement of the Adventurers Guild following the Emperor's orders after the Civil War ."
Darius put a comforting hand on the Headmaster's shoulder. "I understand you’ve done your share of suffering for the Empire old friend. But try to understand my position here. More lives than just hers are at stake." Lamented Darius, feeling the pull of loyalty and honor, twisting him in different directions.
The guard shook his head as if making up his mind in an internal debate. "I have to report this irregularity, but it would be a shame if my report were to linger on my desk for a few days. I'm sure I’ll be written up for that unprofessionalism, maybe even accosted, but if by then, she’s able to harness the power of her gauntlet and the Arcane, I’ll have nothing to report except the manipulations of a loving grandfather who is no longer in her chain of command and a readiness report on a soldier for the Empire who will be fit to serve. Do we understand each other?"
"Yes, old friend, thank you." Responded, the Headmaster relieved that his granddaughter was going to be ok, at least for now.
"Don’t thank me. It’s not for your sake, old friend. It's for hers. I don’t want to have another dead child on my conscience. The gods only know how many children we’ve sent to their deaths unprepared." Responded the old guard with an icy, bitter edge to his voice.
Together the two men frowned, their thoughts heavy with the regrets of the past. Before, the Headmaster said what was on both of their minds. "You know, they could hang us for this."
"They could, and they’d have every right to do that." Replied Darius, his voice full of acceptance. "Let's pray she’s successful then. If she can control learn to control it and harness it, this slight will be forgiven, and they might let us escape comfortably into true retirement.”
The Headmaster nodded in thanks and began to walk back towards his quarters, talking to himself under his breath, deep in his memories, thinking about his son and his wife. They had both talked openly about moving to the countryside when they finished their first term of service, but it wasn’t what fate had in store for them.
Chapter 10: Trappings of Power
The sun rose high against an otherwise grey sky. Though the caravan left the snow behind them at the Academy, the cold lingered miserably. Among all of those who had departed the Academy, none were more miserable then Abigail Ruthiare.
Miles and hours down the road, Abby shivered alone in the back of the carriage. Away from the prying eyes of others, Abby bitterly wished she had packed the embroidered blue and white blanket bearing the sigil of the Academy. Instead of leaving the blanket behind on the doorstep of a junior classman. Or, better yet, Abby wished she was traveling with someone who could provide a little warmth. Maybe one of her classmates who were affiliated with the schools of Fire or Wind, someone who could summon a gentle warm breeze to circulate around the cabin. Or someone who could start a fire in the brazer to warm her otherwise frozen bones.
One other thing Abby quickly came to realize was how woefully underdressed she was for the harshness of the road. The brown uniform of the Engineers she wore was lacking in the functionality of the Scouts of the Empire she had seen traveling with the caravan. More then a few times, Abby caught herself staring in jealousy at their thick wool jackets. Even more so at the silk balaclavas that they wore around their necks and could easily pull up around their ears whenever the weather required.
This trip out West was the first time Abby could remember traveling for years. Actually, I don’t think I remember ever traveling, and certainly never during the winter. Even before she had started attending the Academy, she had lived there with her grandfather, and his duties prevented him from almost ever traveling. The Headmaster was required to attend the Academy first and foremost. It was not a figurehead position.
Abby caught herself, shivering with cold as she stared at the unlit brazer in the middle of the carriage cabin. It almost seemed to be mocking her and her inability to imbue upon it an element. Every element had a way to generate heat, and the brazer could channel that if only she had access to the elemental magic, something she did not. Or if I had just asked somebody for help.
Though Abby had been able to bind herself to the school of the Arcane, it offered no current solution to her problem. As the Arcane was not an element but more raw power. In this case, more the ghost of a last resort. One of the critical facets of the school’s powe
r was the ability to draw out the strength of defeated enemies. In this case, had Abby slain a monster with immolation. She could imbue portions of ability into the brazer. But unfortunately, for now, her skills were far more limited. Namely limited to just the simple summoning abilities her grandfather had given to her. But it won’t be like that for much longer.
Leaning back in her seat Abby thought on it, and a bit of contentment settled in as she comforted herself. There is power to be found in the Arcane. Even though the school was widely discouraged, and most noble houses actively shunned those who used it, viewing it as a lesser class and beneath their station. With the Arcane, as her last and only option, Abby was willing to overlook the social stigma attached to the taboo power. As the stigma of having no magic at all to wield, especially as one of the ruling class of the Silverhand Empire, was unmentionable.
If the word were to get out that a Silver-blood heir like myself has no elemental power and no Arcane abilities. I’ll be stripped of my title, my inheritance, even my name, and forcibly conscripted into the scouts. One way or another, the Empire would find a way to get value out of her. If not as an Engineer, then as a common soldier or Scout.
With the school of the Arcane, Abby would never be able to cast a Wind spell. Still, she could slay a Slyph or a Cloud Jinn and gain whatever power they held that was inherently wind-based and use it in that manner to mimic the element. It was complicated and dangerous, as any skills she learned would never grow stronger on their own through casual use. The only way her skills would get stronger was direct use in combat, requiring her to defeat similar abilities and their users.
After the Caravan had been traveling for at least half a day, the order came down from the Lord Commander of the Scouts to stop for rest and refit. A recent appointee from the capital, this was Abby’s first time having crossed paths with him. Everyone from commoner to Lord used the chance to disembark and stretch their legs. One of the caravan guards, a young scout, went around and opened the doors for all of the stagecoaches. Even on the road, even on the outskirts of the Empire, decorum was still expected, just as the nobility expected.
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