Boke still made Sophie uneasy. Odd, for Sophie’s meter of normalcy was greatly lowered after coming to Drachenburg, but even having blood sucking monsters for classmates, and half pumas for friends did not disquiet her as much as Boke’s presence did. Sophie had this constant foreboding feeling that Boke was up to no good, or knew something that could affect them all, adversely. The others seemed to recoil away from her too.
They found the homeroom easily enough - Freshman Homeroom - written on the door marked on their maps. A small but quite beautiful and well dressed Faery in her mid-thirties awaited them inside with a wide smile on her face.
She said nothing as they came in, only smiled as she counted them, Sophie guessed this by the quick shifting of her eyes. Finally, she walked to the door and pushed it shut.
Most of them stood confused, unsure where to sit. If it was anything like the dining hall, the last thing Sophie wanted was to find herself sitting at the wrong place. She stole a glance to the far corner where her new crew was hurdling, and quickly made her way towards them, taking a seat between Keira and Aimi at the back row. Lola then settled in front of her, between Klaus and Markus.
All were seated before Boke, who was still standing by the closed door. She seemed to know, and oddly enough welcome, the fact that she was an outcast. She looked around for a seat, and found one by Keira's right, where she placed herself.
¨Hello everyone!¨ The Faery teacher began the instant Boke was seated. ¨I don’t know if you remember me from the ferry boat yesterday. My name is Mrs. Cahart, and I am your class teacher, as well as your algebra teacher.
As we are all in attendance, the first thing we’ll do after introductions is discuss your course choices for this term..¨
Groan, Sophie thought to herself, choosing to space out at that point and analyse her classmates. Most of them were Witches, but the Werecats made the most noise, and so seemed to be the majority. Avalons were the quietest, not even one stood out, and they seemed most ill at ease, as though they couldn’t wait to rush out the door.
Sophie found herself swallowing from fear, when she caught one of the Avalons staring at her with- well, with hungry eyes.
She remembered Keira’s words from yesterday, that Avalons found Faery blood delicious. She was just about to alert the teacher of her lurker, when the Avalon girl finally turned away.
She drew in a slow breath to try regain her composure, and went back to paying attention.
One by one her classmates introduced themselves- their full names, beings, and where they were from.
“My name is Markus Kronborg, of House Kronborg from Oslo, Norway, and I’m an Avalon.”
“My name is Lola Ferro of house.. who am I kidding?” Here people laughed, and pale skinned Markus even managed a flush, though very slight. “Originally from Rio, and I’m a Werecat puma- aargh!” She finished with a cheeky roar that had half the class jumping from their seats, and the other roaring with laughter.
“My name is Aimi Nakamura, of House Nakamura from Osaka, Japan, and I’m a Faery.”
“My name is Sophie Leighton, and I live in Australia with my parents. I’m not sure if I belong to a house, but I hear I’m a Faery. I’m yet to be convinced,” Sophie said when it was her turn, causing her classmates to laugh again.
“My name is Keira Maurley, from the Awley-Leighton Faery Tribe in Ireland, which my dear cousin might have belonged to if ‘you-know-what’ hadn’t happened.” People shuffled in their seats uncomfortably, curious eyes focussed on the two of them.
The next row introduced themselves almost uneventfully, but when it was Boke’s turn, a pin drop silence settled over the class, and the tension was almost sizzling.
“My name is Boke Maiga..” Almost instantly sharp murmurs began, excited whispers between neighbours, and it seemed that Sophie was the only one out of the loop. “Of House Maiga..”
“Settle down!” The teacher was forced to intervene, as Boke’s voice was barely audible anymore.
“From The Mong’ena Cairns,” she proceeded unperturbed. “And I’m a Witch.”
“A Wailer Witch..!” Someone yelled.
“You'll all get your turn to speak!” Mrs Cahart said firmly. “Next?”
The rest introduced themselves, but Sophie barely paid any attention, as she was left wondering why people had reacted to Boke’s surname like that.
Once introductions were done, Mrs Cahart began speaking again. ¨I’ll give you a list of main curricular courses you are to take this term, as well as their time slots.¨
They all groaned at the coloured A3 placards she placed before them.
Sophie took a quick look at hers- Algebra, Eng. Lit, World History, Geometry, Geography, Biology, Physics- all the things she’d hoped to have escaped from in normal high schools.
¨I thought this is a Supernatural school,¨ Diego voiced, and others joined him, complaining about the courses they had to take.
Mrs. Cahart seemed to expect the outburst and complaints. Students that had come before them would most probably have complained about the same thing.
¨Most of you will still want to go to college and work in the human realm, remember? So we’ll prepare you so as to meet those requirements, as well as ours. Over the school terms, you’ll have various meetings with your guidance counsellors who’ll guide you on the specific courses you should major in, depending on what you aspire to be in the future..¨
¨I aspire to be a supercool Witch that can make money appear in thin air, and never work a muscle,¨ a Witch from New Zealand called Arapeta said from the far corner by the door. The whole class laughed and clapped encouragingly.
What was to stop him after all?
¨That, my friend, is why every Monday and Wednesday you have a compulsory lesson called The Supernatural Realm - History and Civics. It is there that you’ll learn how to conduct yourselves in the outside world, and that enchanting yourself to obvious wealth will attract unnecessary human attention. Alerting the human realm of our existence in any way whatsoever is a capital offence punishable by long term imprisonment in Apros, or even death.¨ Her words echoed through the class, and a heavy silence settled.
¨Moving on,¨ she continued with a smile again. ¨You all have a class called Being a-, and subsequently the name of whatever Being you belong to, to be held twice a week. This too is a compulsory class, where you are to learn about yourself and your people. Your pasts, how to carry yourselves, your strengths and weaknesses. It is here too that Avalons will learn how to feed safely without killing, the Werecats on how to avoid turning even when enraged. The Faeries will be taught to mask their special healing powers, to fly and how to hide their wings, and the Witches how to control themselves and their powers.¨
¨On this list,¨ she went on, walking along the rows to hand them yet another placard, ¨are the optional classes, supernatural related, that you may choose to complement your term one curriculum. The time slots are clearly written, so be sure not to pick two different Sup. classes at the same time slot. I hate having to point out that simple mistake year in, year out.
If you look below each subject, for example Earth and Enchantments, there is a note telling you what the class entails. In this case the study of properties of the Earth Elements that aid in the creation of spells and enchantments. Right under is an additional note saying it is a class open to Witches and Faeries. The same goes for the rest of the classes in the list. All you have to do is decide which two optional classes you wish to take this term.
Take the next few minutes picking out what you’re interested in. Remember that you are still allowed to change your mind over the course of the next two weeks. Should you have any questions, feel free to ask.¨ She concluded with another of her toothpaste-ad smiles.
Sophie stared at the last sheet of paper she’d handed them begrudgingly, wondering when the fun in this school would start.
Chapter 10
¨During the Realm’s dark ages - Avalons, Faeries, Werecats and Witches lived se
parately and in fear of each other. Faeries hid behind their enchantments in the middle of marshlands, where Avalons couldn't scent them. Witches hunted Avalons and Werecats alike, trying to wipe them out, believing that they were a perverse nature.
Avalons hunted and fed freely on humans and other Supernatural Beings, especially Faeries, their only rule being never to get caught or reveal their existence to humans.
The Werecats were a disjointed race, broken into various clans depending on their animal. They enjoyed hunting, killing and feeding on animals then, just as they do now. They never had any need to harm humans. However, once a while a Werecat would slip up and claw at a human. A fatal accident, as humans succumb to the Werecat venom within hours. Those were the dark ages for us supernaturals, for we all feared and hated each other. That's why the unification of the Supernatural Realm is very important to us all.” The whole class listened attentively, silence the proof, as well as all the pairs of eyes directed to the front.
“In 1502,” she continued, “the first council meeting was held on this very island, in this very castle, which then belonged to a great warlock, the then Duke of Schleswig and Holstein, John I, or King Hans- as his subjects in Denmark, Norway and part of Sweden knew him as.
There had been many meetings held before that particular one, but never before had all the four Supernatural Beings been represented. That is arguably the greatest achievement of our people since life began. It was in that meeting that the basic laws and principles of our realm were agreed upon.
The most important declaration is perhaps this one- there shall always be a council of eight for as long as a united Supernatural Realm exists. This council would be termed as the High Council, consisting of equal members from each of the four beings regardless of population. Two Faeries, two Avalons, two Witches and two Werecats.¨
¨What if the Avalons one day attack and binge on so many Faeries until there is only one left- say Sophie, for example, what would happen to the High Council then?¨ Lola asked without bothering to raise her hand, and the other students chuckled, except Sophie.
¨The Supernatural government would never allow for such an atrocity to happen,¨ the tall pale Avalon teacher said disapprovingly, clearly not happy at the comment that sought to portray Avalons as blood thirsty creatures, or at Lola’s obvious pertinence.
¨Moving on.. the basic laws for the Supernatural Realm were outlined that day. We all know the cardinal one, we are all equals in our realm. Brothers. No brother is to kill a fellow brother.
The second rule is based on the sanctity of human lives. No human life is to be taken needlessly. Any supernatural activity that results in the needless loss of human lives is to result in the incarceration of the perpetrator. The gravity of the sentence shall depend on the circumstances of the deed. Trials are always held in such circumstances, and the High Council decides the appropriate sentence.¨
Sophie’s hand had been up for a while, so she smiled gratefully when the teacher finally acknowledged it with a nod.
¨And when is the loss of a human life not needless?¨ Sophie asked, keeping a straight face as two dozen pairs of eyes turned her way.
¨If it occurred as an accident, like when a young Avalon that hasn't yet learnt self control accidently drains his meal.¨
¨His meal!¨ Klaus scoffed.
¨I mean, the human been fed on,¨ the teacher replied, struggling and failing horribly at hiding her growing irritation. Sophie wasn’t even nearly done with her yet.
¨And why don't young untrained Avalons just feed on blood from a cup, or even a blood bag? Why feed directly from a vein if they still can't control themselves? That is why babies first drink from a feeding bottle before being given a cup, so that they don't choke,¨ Sophie argued, her voice firm, gaining confidence from the backing she got from everyone in the room except the Avalons, and of course Boke, who never opened her mouth unless absolutely necessary.
¨That's what we do here at Drachenburg School- teach restraint. Moving on,¨ the teacher said quickly before they could argue some more. ¨Over the years, institutions have been created by those brave enough to be part off- and support the High Council. A Supernatural governing system was created, with the High Council being its head. And slowly a unified society was created, more members joining with each passing year. The Supernatural Realm officially became a governing entity in 1781, and there after all Supernatural Beings were required by law to be part of it.” And here Sophie could have sworn that the teacher’s eyes rested on Boke. It was only for a couple seconds, but Sophie was certain the teacher had directed the last phrase to Boke, especially because Boke reacted by narrowing her eyes, almost as though being indignant.
“Unity and equality, that is our maxim as members of the Supernatural Realm. We stand together always, and just like this very institution, its castle and grounds donated to us by the great warlock, King John the 1st..¨
On and on the uptight Avalon teacher lectured, and Sophie’s classmates eventually began losing interest. If she hadn’t been so interested in the history of Supernaturals personally, Sophie was certain she’d have been one of the more than half of her classmates unabashedly dozing on their desks behind their books.
“Keira?” Sophie asked as they made their way down the large set of staircase again. It was the third time they were making this trip, and Sophie was already so tired of it, she could have blown the stairway into pieces. Someone needed to teach her a pulverising spell soon, before she lost her knees to this.
“Yeah?” Kiera said, slowing down.
“Could I ask you something?” Her words came out clamped because of the exercise.
“Sure.”
Sophie looked around nervously before proceeding to speak, wanting to make sure that no one was paying their conversation any heed.
“That Witch, Boke, why did people react like that to her name?”
Keira kept walking a few steps before answering.
“Her surname is Maiga.” Keira stated it as a fact.
“Yes,” Sophie said, her voice coming off breathless. “She said so.”
“Remember the virus I told you about?”
How could she forget it? Sophie nodded her yes.
“The Witch that created it, and nearly wiped out the whole Avalon population- well, she was a Maiga too.”
Sophie stopped walking and stared after her cousin.
“I can’t remember her first name, people don’t talk about that unfortunate incident, but she was a Maiga. A somebody Maiga.”
“And.. and she just killed people?”
“Not people- Avalons. But yes, she massacred them.”
“But.. is that why everyone avoids Boke? Surely we shouldn’t blame her for something a family member did..!”
“No, everyone avoids her because of her mode of magic. She’s a different kind of Witch.”
“What kind?” Sophie asked.
Keira shrugged now. “I’m not certain, but it is an unnatural kind of magic. All I know are rumours, rumours of necromancy and life-draining spells.” Chills ran up Sophie’s arm.
“I’m not sure entirely, don’t take my word for it, but everyone knows the Maiga family are Wailers, practitioners of unnatural magic. It is how that Maiga was able to generate the virus. Boke might not even be a Wailer Witch, but I suspect she is, if she really is thirteen years old.”
“Why?” Sophie’s bewildered whisper was almost inaudible.
“Because only Wailers Witches get their powers at birth. The rest of us all wait to fledge. That is the first sign that they are unnatural. In fact, grandmother says that there was a great debate during the formation of the Supernatural Realm whether to include Wailer Witches too..”
“Grandmother?”
“Yes, our grandmother.”
“I have a grandmother?”
“Of course we share a grandmother on our mothers' side. Your mother is my mom’s youngest sister.” It then dawned on Sophie that it had been rude of her to never have
asked about their relations.
“Oh!” Was all Sophie could manage to say.
“She’s called Sophie too. Sophie Awley. Your mother must have named you after her.”
Sophie was about to cry, and Keira noticed it on time, and so wound an arm around her cousin.
The lunch warning bell sounded just then, and then the girls were forced to run the rest of the way down the stairs.
Sophie went to the tennis courts with the girls after classes. Aimi and Keira probably went to check out the boys, but Sophie had, in addition to that, gone for the love of the game. She wanted to join the tennis club.
She played a number of rounds with some of the older students, and even managed to win a few. The team captain, a tall Werecat, was quite impressed, and immediately signed her up. Best of all, she was informed that she’d be able to compete with other humans during school meets.
¨We are allowed to compete with humans?¨ She asked surprised.
¨Of course, but only Witches and Faeries are allowed, because physically they are equal, if they don't use their powers. We just tag along for the sake of escaping this rock and meeting new people,¨ he’d answered.
“Fair enough,” Sophie responded happily.
¨Remember, tennis practice every Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4pm.¨
¨Come on, Sophie. It’s almost 5:30!¨ Aimi whispered impatiently.
Sophie immediately broke into a run, with her friends following close behind, when she remembered what was to happen at 5:30 p.m. They sprinted away from the courts, towards the rarely used back paths that lead to the southern gate. Even the overly self-righteous Klaus was among them.
They made it in time, slipping quickly behind a thicket just as the first Werecats leaped from Moccha’s back door onto the narrow path leading to the woods. Sophie watched dumbfounded as one by one, uninhibited teenagers came running down the path, lept into the air as humans and landed on the ground on their fours as beasts, growling, purring or roaring fiercely. They were all cats, some type of cats- mountain lions, leopards, jaguars, pumas, cheetahs, lions, tigers- all were cats, of varying colours, shapes and sizes. They ranged from night black, ranges of brown, tawny yellow, striped or spotted. Some were tall and lean, others all muscle, others with small streamlined heads, others bore terrifying manes- roaring wildly.
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