School of Deaths

by Christopher Mannino

  “Thank you,” she said. That phrase again…take care of…what exactly did he mean?

  Sindril neatened his papers and looked at her, pausing as they studied each other. What does he see?

  “Anything else?” he asked. Oh no, she hadn’t taken long enough. She wanted to go to the window, but couldn’t. Where were the ’Mentals?

  “I was wondering what will happen at the final exams.”

  “I can’t discuss that with you, Suzie. I can guarantee Luc will leave you alone until then, but it’s all I can do.”

  “What will you do to him?”

  “That’s not your—” He broke off as a sound like thunder exploded far below them.

  “Excuse me for a moment,” he said. He stood and walked to one of the telescopes, adjusting the dials. Suzie’s heart pounded hard against her ribs, echoing in hears like thunder. Sindril would hear her fear. Someone knocked on the door behind her.

  “Come in,” said Sindril, peering through his telescope.

  “Sir,” said a Death Suzie didn’t recognize. “It’s the ’Mentals. They’re attacking the College.”

  “I see that,” said Sindril.

  “Only, sir, it seems to be—”

  “Yes?”

  “It’s women, sir. Women ’Mentals.”

  “Gather the Council,” said Sindril. “And ready the defenses, we’ll deal with this.”

  The Death bowed and hurried out of the room.

  “You should wait in the Tower,” said Sindril, turning to her. “Go to the first floor.”

  “Are the ’Mentals attacking again?” she said, her voice shaking. “I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m scared.” She stared ahead, forcing her eyes to tear.

  “Don’t cry,” he said. For a moment, his expression softened. He walked to one of the doors and opened it, pulling out a large scythe.

  “I won’t touch anything,” she said. “I don’t want to be near the chaos if it’s anything like Styxia.” That part at least was true.

  “You can go to the lower floors, nothing will happen—”

  “You had to rescue me from those awful ’Mentals,” she shouted, through her tears. “I can’t take that again. I swear I won’t even move until someone comes for me, or I’m absolutely sure it’s over.”

  He stared at her as another crash thundered outside.

  “Fine,” he said. “Stay here until the chaos ends. This shouldn’t take long. Keep away from the windows, and don’t touch anything. Stay put and I’ll deal with this.”

  He gave her a hard look and then walked out, slamming the doors behind him. A third boom rang out, and the entire Tower shuddered. For a moment she froze, fearing Sindril would come back. After a minute, she eased herself off the leather seat and walked to the window. She tried to peer below, but all she made out was clouds and smoke. She peeked into a telescope without moving it, by standing on her tiptoes.

  Deaths ran from roaring balls of fire as ’Mentals strode calmly through the campus. She recognized Kasumir’s white hair; the ’Mental raised a hand and two Deaths fell to the ground cowering. A Death ran toward Kasumir with a raised scythe. Another ’Mental raised his hand and a geyser of water burst beneath the Death’s feet, knocking him down. Suzie turned back to the room. She didn’t have time to watch the melee, though she hoped her friends wouldn’t get hurt.

  How would she find anything? Where should she even start? The suite was massive, probably taking up most of the entire floor. Six closed doors, not counting the ones leading to the elevator, stood around the room, perhaps leading to other doors. And what if Sindril discovered she’d been spying?

  Suzie took a deep breath.

  “You are strong,” she said aloud, echoing the words she’d heard in her visions.

  She walked to the bookcases first, skimming the titles of the books. She didn’t recognize any of the names. She slid a thin book down: “MacFarlen’s Guide to Growing Flower Lights.” No help. She tried a thick volume near the bottom: “Boskery: The Complete Rules.” She pushed it back onto the shelf.

  Suzie walked to the massive desk where Sindril had been sitting. She tried the bottom drawer, but it was locked. She tried the next drawer up. Inside she found stacks of papers. She leafed through them, but they seemed to be academic reports from teachers. Beneath the reports, she found inventories for food, supplies, mortamant, and scythes. She closed the drawer. The final drawer slid open with a loud creak. Inside she found quills and blank pieces of parchment, probably used for contracts. An array of small knick-knacks, trifles that reminded Suzie of tourist shops back in the Living World, littered the rest of the drawer.

  She pulled out a small silver chain with a large, gaudy pendant with a picture of Niagara Falls. Behind it, she found two marbles, a tiny Statue of Liberty figurine, old coins, and a handkerchief with embroidery that said “Mom’s Kitchen.” She pulled out a worn, wrinkled photograph. It showed a teenage boy holding hands with a young girl. They were sitting on the hood of a car, parked in some woods. She turned the photo over, and on the back, she found the words “Best Date Ever” in cursive. Suzie put the photo back in the drawer.

  She was about to close it when she spotted another trinket: a small ceramic dragon. She pulled it out. Like the other trinkets, it looked like something from the Living World. The dragon was painted bright green with red eyes. It sat on a small pile of treasure. Suzie swore she’d seen the same figure at a Renaissance Faire when she was younger. She turned it over again. The top of its head seemed discolored. She ran her finger over the spot where the paint had worn away. Click. The dragon’s head popped down and a small compartment under the treasure popped open. A silver key fell on the carpet below.

  Suzie put the dragon down and picked up the key. This was an unexpected stroke of luck. She guessed what it opened. Reaching down, she unlocked the lower desk drawer. The drawer was large but almost empty. She reached for a shimmer of metal and pulled up a small ring: a silver band of metal with a carved silver dragon’s head on the top. She looked at the ring and heard a shudder.

  Nothing too special about the ring, but it did have a dragon on it. Did Sindril think this was a Dragon Key? She heard the sound again and glanced up. The ’Mentals must be close to the tower.

  The ring shook in her hand and she noticed the crystal ball on Sindril’s desk. A cloud of smoke swirled in the center of the crystal and she heard another shudder. No, not a shudder, a growl emanated from the ball. In the smoke, something moved like a great piece of leather. Or a wing.

  “Not now,” growled a low voice, deeper than anything she’d ever heard. The voice thundered with terrible malice, and she shoved the ring into her pocket. As soon as it was out of sight, the cloud of smoke vanished and the rumbling noise stopped.

  She froze for a minute, watching the crystal, but nothing stirred. She was right, Sindril communicated with Dragons. This is how he’d talked to them in the house, outside her secret library. He must have brought his crystal and used this ring. It was taboo. If the Deaths had a religion, communicating with Dragons would be their greatest sin. She had the proof. She had Sindril’s ring.

  Using the key, she locked the drawer again. She was about to put the key back in the dragon, but instead, tucked the key into her pocket as well. If Sindril couldn’t open his drawer, he wouldn’t know it was missing. A desperate plan, but it would at least buy her a little time. Enough to spread the word of what Sindril had done.

  She closed the other drawers and started to leave but hesitated. She had a key and a dragon-ring in her pocket. A Dragon Key? No, she still had no idea what the Key was. Kasumir claimed it didn’t exist, but Sindril had mentioned her. “What of the girl herself?” he’d asked. He must have been asking the Dragons. He had been talking into the crystal. She had proof, but she needed answers.

  She looked around the room again.

  “Leave,” said a voice. “Leave now.”

  The carpet of the floor grew hotter and the walls melted into flames. The green eyes
stared at her.

  “I only have a ring,” she said. “I need more. I need to find out why he wanted me.”

  “This isn’t the time,” said the eyes. “Spread the word, take away his power and then, when he is weakest, confront him. It is the only way. If you stay, he will find you.”

  “Are you Plamen?” she asked the eyes. The green flames narrowed, and the world around her seemed to cool.

  “Yes,” said the eyes. “I am your friend.”

  “Why have you been doing this to me?” she demanded. “What do you want?”

  The flames vanished and the eyes started to fade.

  “We will speak soon, I promise,” said the fading voice.

  Suzie checked her pocket, feeling the ring and key. The desk looked as it had before she’d opened it. She took a deep breath and hurried to the double doors. She left and took the elevator down.

  “Susan?” asked a voice as the elevator opened. She looked up and stared into Sindril’s beard. His monocle was gone, and he had scars on his sweaty face. A streak of blood ran down his cheek.

  “I—” she froze, sweat beading on her forehead. “I thought it’d be safe. The battle was dying down.”

  “I told you to wait,” he said.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “The situation is still dangerous. Stay inside the tower until I can find an—”

  “Suzie,” shouted a voice from outside. Frank ran through the open doors of the tower. Sweat dripped from his face, but he looked unhurt.

  “Headmaster,” he said. “I’ve been looking for my friend here. Everything seems safe. I’d like to escort her home.”

  “I don’t have time for this,” muttered Sindril. “Fine, but avoid Eastmoor Corridor or anything near the Ring. Those areas are still unsafe. I have to get more scythes. Bring her directly home.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Susan,” said Sindril as she turned away. She tried not to clutch her pocket.

  “Yes?” she asked.

  “I will remember our talk. He won’t bother you anymore.”

  “Thank you,” she said. She turned and walked away, with Frank behind her. They left the tower but she didn’t stop walking. She couldn’t stop or she’d break down in tears.

  “Did you get it?” whispered Frank.

  She nodded and kept walking. “What’s in the corridor?” she asked.

  “The ’Mentals attacked hard but fled quickly. Some went to the corridor, others to the Ring. They were holding many of the guys from Styxia as prisoners beneath Eastmoor Corridor. We’re not supposed to meet everyone until tomorrow.”

  Suzie glanced around. The campus was mostly deserted but Deaths still ran through some of the courtyards with scythes raised.

  “Quiet,” she whispered.

  “I didn’t speak aloud,” said Frank. She turned to face him. His mouth didn’t move, yet somehow she heard him say. “I am your friend.”

  “It was you,” she whispered.

  Frank opened the door to Eagle Hall and ushered her inside. He stood outside their door and looked back at her.

  As she watched, Frank’s dark eyes brightened to a furious green, like green fame.

  “My given name is Plamen,” said Frank. His mouth hadn’t moved, yet the voice sounded clearly in her head. “I am your cousin.”

  “No,” she said. She needed to sit down.

  “I’m sorry the visions were frightening,” he said. “I’m not a seer, like my mother. One day I will be, but I’m still learning, and it’s difficult to control.”

  “No.” It was all she could think to say.

  “I’ve been in disguise to infiltrate the College. I wanted equal rights and helped organize the Styxia movement. It was you, Suzie, who did it. You have Sindril’s ring, and we can prove he was a traitor. You did it.”

  She slapped Frank in the face. “You lied to me,” she said. The door to Eagle Two opened.

  “What’s going on?” asked Billy.

  “We’ll talk inside,” said Suzie.

  Jason sat at the kitchen table. He looked up as she came in.

  “Well?” asked Jason. “How’d it go?”

  “I found something,” said Suzie. “I was right.”

  “What’d you find?” he asked.

  “I’ll tell you in a second, first Frank has something he’d like to share.”

  She turned to Frank, who stood near the door. “I’m sorry,” he said, lowering his head.

  “What happened?” asked Billy.

  “He’s been causing my visions.”

  “The ’Mentals said it was someone named Plamen,” said Billy.

  “My name is Plamen,” said Frank. “I am an Elemental in disguise.” He raised his head and his eyes glowed with green fire. “I only wanted to help.”

  “How does giving Suzie weird visions help anything?” demanded Billy. “What do you want?”

  “I’m still your friend,” said Frank. “I’m still Frank.” He sighed. “But I’m also Plamen. I recognized Suzie when she first came to the In-Between. I worked for Athanasius, and she was a relative. I had both my mother’s visions and my own. Suzie returned to the World of the Dead to help bridge the gap between ’Mentals and Deaths. She’s inspired change already, two revolts in the past few months alone. And now she has proof that we can use to overthrow Sindril.”

  “Why speak to me in visions? Why not tell me who you were the first day you came here?”

  “Elementals are not allowed on campus, except as servants. How would I become your friend if you didn’t trust me and spend time with me? I like you, Suzie. I like you a lot. As for the visions, at first I wanted to nudge you. I tried to show you visions of Lovethar, hoping you’d learn about your own heritage. I thought if you became curious enough, you’d discover the truth, and you did.”

  “Were you ever going to tell me who you actually were?”

  “I wasn’t sure how you’d take it,” he said, reaching up to the cheek she’d slapped. “But time’s up for me. We’re going to the library today, and a few of the Elementals have already recognized me. My parents told you my name when you went to their village. It’s not a secret anymore.” Frank spread his hands and his eyes faded back to dark brown.

  “No one caught you before this?” asked Billy.

  “One did,” said Frank. He put a hand on Billy’s shoulder. “And I am sorry. The truth is that they were attacking me when your face was hit.”

  “Why would they attack their own kind?” asked Suzie. “Didn’t you help to organize the Styxia revolt?”

  “I was one of the chief organizers,” he said, “but Paryas was never that bright. I grew up with him. He saw me and believed I was helping the Deaths. I guess no one told him otherwise. He threw fire at me. When I dodged the flames they hit Billy, who was already out cold. Paryas died a moment later with a scythe in his back. Billy, I’m sorry, and sorry to everyone for lying.”

  Billy stood and frowned. His disfigured face contorted as he looked at Suzie.

  “You’re still our friend,” he said. “And I think I understand why you did it. This also explains a lot, like why Suzie kept having visions and how you ‘took care’ of the albino.”

  “I sent him home,” said Frank. “He never meant Suzie any harm. Luc had found one of the albino’s brothers and threatened to kill him if the albino didn’t use his skills on Suzie. Even in my village, we looked down on Fearmongers. He’s probably here now as part of the revolt.”

  “He’s here?” asked Suzie.

  “Susie, everything I told you in visions is true. You are strong, and I am your friend. You have more support here than you realize. The albino was looking out for his family. That’s done now. You have nothing to worry about. I promise.”

  “No more lies,” she said.

  “No more lies.”

  She gave Frank a hug. “I forgive you,” she said. She wasn’t angry. In a way, it made sense. He had helped her. Besides, she did need Frank. She needed all of her friends.
>
  “Tell me one thing,” said Billy.

  “What?” asked Frank.

  “Did the Gray Knights win because of you? Was it some ’Mental ability?”

  “No,” said Frank. “We won without any help in that way.” He smiled. “But let’s face it, ’Mental or not, I’m still a better player than you.”

  Billy smiled. “What do we call you?” he asked.

  “I’d prefer Frank. Think of it as my new nickname. Besides, I don’t want the Deaths to find out. Not until Sindril’s gone, at least.”

  “We won’t tell anyone,” said Suzie.

  “What proof did you find?” asked Jason. “Will it work?”

  “It will,” said Frank as Suzie pulled out the ring. “I don’t know how, but it will.”

  Suzie looked at the tiny ring.

  The Dragon’s mouth stood open as if ready to breathe fire. Had she glimpsed an actual Dragon in the crystal? Would this tiny ring be enough to overthrow Sindril?

  Answers had started to come. Lovethar, her visions, the way Sindril had communicated that day. Who would have guessed that Frank and Plamen were the same?

  Only one problem remained: Sindril. She thought of his lies, of his words outside the library, and of the scythe-like grin he wore after he murdered Athanasius.

  “We’ll bring him down,” she said. “He’ll pay.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The Ring

  They walked out of the Ring of Scythes toward the library. The campus was quiet. Most of the ’Mentals had fled, but the Deaths remained wary, wondering where they’d went. Suzie smiled, she was about to visit them.

  “Frank,” asked Jason. “How are you a second year? If you went into disguise when you met Suzie—”

  “My abilities allow me to enter minds. I did a little…persuading. Nothing damaging, but enough to convince the Deaths that I’d been here for a while.”

  Suzie didn’t like that. She didn’t like to think of Frank as a liar. He was her friend, or at least she hoped he was.

  “What will you do when they find out?” asked Jason.

  “Hopefully Sindril will be gone, and Deaths will be more accepting of us. Elementals built this campus, I don’t understand why we can’t study here, or at least be respected.”