by Candy Crum
“Special girl. You used the words special girl—dick,” she replied, her expression as flat as her voice.
“Oh, yeah! That,” he said exaggerating his excitement to annoy her. “If you want real warrior training, I'm good with it.”
“Fantastic. And battle magic?” she asked.
Cathillian nodded. “Of course. Now, something to remember… Our magic is only as strong as our will is. Basically, there’s a magical door that we all open when we begin doing magic. Most of the time, it’s only a crack. Enough to learn to heal or grow basic plants. In other cases, like the Chieftain and the Founder, it opens more and more all the time with practice and dedication.”
Arryn nodded. “That’s basically all I can do—unless I'm pissed, apparently. And animals seem to like me quite a bit, even if I can’t bond with one.”
“You’re pretty talented whether you want to admit it or not. You have the potential that my family has. Personally, I think that’s pretty cool since we were raised together. It would be an honor to train you and teach you to harness it.”
“Do you think that’s limited to nature magic?” she asked.
Cathillian looked at her inquisitively. “You mean, do I think it would transfer over into your physical magic, too?”
Arryn nodded. “Yeah! I mean, if I’m going back to Arcadia, maybe I can attend the school. They wanted to see me attend the Academy with all kinds of students, regardless of their background. Maybe I could go and learn a few things.”
“I’d say you’d be crazy to let that go. I highly doubt your connection to magic is limited to nature alone.”
She smiled. “Fine. I accept these conditions. You can come with me, and you can be my teacher.”
“That sounds like a positive thing, but I just don't know if I trust you. You’re going to make my life hell, aren’t you?”
“Did you think for a second that I wouldn’t? That’s kind of my job at this point,” she said. “Now—game on! Next point wins this round.”
***
Talia made her way down the hall, a small stack of applications in her hand. She had other things on her mind—like her pet in the basement—and she had no interest in parting with those to do interviews, but when Amelia approached her, she smiled and agreed.
It was too important to stay in Amelia’s good graces.
Being too impatient had been the mistake that Adrien had made. He came in and dominated everyone, putting himself above all and letting everyone know it. Talia was smarter than her dearly departed father.
She refused to recreate his mistakes.
The true secret to dominance was to allow everyone else believe they were in control. Then, she would never be challenged.
Amos had given in a little, telling her there were other students and teachers she needed to check out, though he didn't have names. She'd tortured him long enough he'd have given them if he did. That would require her talking to Jackson, but she hadn't had a chance to do so.
She hadn’t even been able to go to the bar yet, which she planned to do very soon. That was no longer a question. Smiling so much gave her a headache, and she was ready to go unwind. People-watching wouldn’t be a bad thing either. Learning about the city’s people could come in very handy.
“Are you fucking stupid? Do you have a clue what you’re talking about? Why should they be punished for where they were born?”
Talia heard a young woman screaming at someone from down the hall.
“Their parents could have bettered themselves, but they didn’t. Bad genes, Mikhaila. That means the kids are just as stupid and lazy as their parents. Do you really trust them to learn how to use magic? People like that will only use it for their own greed.”
Damn it. I know that voice. They’re fighting about the Boulevard students joining the Academy—again, Talia thought as she picked up her pace.
“Jackson, just stop it. You sound ignorant as hell. They weren’t lazy. Those people worked harder in a single day than you have in your whole life. Do you even know how to wash a dish? Do you know how to clean your clothes? No. You have someone do that for you.”
“You have servants, too! What the hell point are you trying to make? Besides, I don’t think you really get what I’m saying. They’ve lied, cheated, and thieved their entire lives. What the hell do you think they’ll do if they get magic?” Jackson yelled back.
Talia came to the corner of an intersecting hallway, standing just out of sight to listen for a moment. She did promise to take care of it, though she hadn't planned for that to be today.
“I saw how non-nobles and servants were treated—so I learned how to do that shit myself. And do you hear how stupid you sound? The Boulevard families did those things because they were forced to just to survive. Not because they’re bad people, you asshole. Don’t look down on people you don’t understand. They deserve to be here just as much as we do.”
Talia stepped out from behind the corner, faking a stern expression as she approached. “Whoa! Hey—what’s going on? Why are you guys fighting about nobles and Boulevard students? Especially you, Jackson. Really?”
Jackson wasted no time arguing for his innocence. “She started it by giving me grief about the fight with Amos. No one cares to see the obvious. Those Unlawful bastards are going to get us all killed. I’m telling you—they have a vendetta against us nobles. You just wait.”
Talia shook her head. “They aren’t Unlawful anymore, Jackson. Those laws have been rewritten.”
He shook his head, clearly exasperated with the argument. “Mark my words. Bad shit’s coming. I’m telling you.”
Talia fought a smile from forming. “Jackson, I told you before that I didn't have time for this. We are going to continue this talk in private at some point, but right now I have to go interview more teachers. I expect this argument to be over for now. Those from the Boulevard will be a part of the school, and we’ll do all we can to make them welcome. Understand?”
Jackson was annoyed, but he wasn’t defiant. He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I understand.”
Talia turned to Mikhaila. “That goes for you, too. No antagonizing. He can’t help how he feels. Perhaps over time he’ll see the other students are friendly. His mind might change. There’s no need for such arguments. The recent revolution settled all this for us.”
Mikhaila nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I should get to class,” she said before turning and walking away.
Talia silently watched the girl walk away as she turned her attention back on Jackson. “I meant what I said. Drop it. I’m sure you don’t want your other fellow students or teachers to make you feel like an outsider, do you?” she asked. He shook his head, looking down to the floor. “You need to vent in private. You can come to me, but stop causing problems. That's not how anything gets solved.”
He sighed. “I didn’t even want to get into that argument. I just exploded when she came at me like that. I don’t know what happened.”
Talia nodded. “Don't beat yourself up over it. Just stop and think next time. We could begin a counseling program to help others with adapting. One-on-ones, of course. But I could start with you.”
He nodded. “I do have friends that think the same. I know some teachers, too. I just don’t think it should be me that changes. No one asked me what I wanted when all these changes took place. Or anyone else. They just happened. Why should I have to give up my sense of security for scum…” He closed his eyes and clenched his fists as he tried to calm himself.
Talia gave one of her first genuine smiles. “Relax. It'll all get better. I promise. We’ll start with you and see how this goes. Just keep your head down and no more fighting.” Her smile grew as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s important that everyone here feels safe. Even those who may not share whatever the popular opinion is.”
The tension melted away from his expression. He was putty in her hands. Her soft tone, beautiful face, and position of authority gave him a strong respect of her, maybe even a bit
of healthy fear.
He trusted her, and that was all that mattered to her. As long as she had that trust, she had him. All the molding would take time anyway, and she was a very patient woman.
“Thank you, ma’am,” he said. “I’m sorry again.”
“Not a problem. Things are still very sensitive around here. Maybe even apologize to Mikhaila.” She held up her hand as Jackson began to protest.
It occurred to her that with this latest fight, he could end up blamed for what would happen to Amos, and Jackson wouldn't be any good to her in a cell.
She needed to protect him for now, so she added, “It’ll only cause you more problems than being stubborn will solve if you don’t. Just keep that in mind. Now, as I mentioned when I first arrived, I have a few interviews to attend! Get to class and try to salvage the day.”
She flashed one more beautiful smile in his direction, and he smiled back. As she walked away, her smile faded into something a bit more devious.
This may be easier than I thought.
***
Amelia waited in Talia’s office for her return. The interviews had gone better than expected. With lack of funds for ample salaries, she expected the men and women applying to be far less inclined to accept, but that hadn’t been the case at all.
Only a few declined the position afterward—though Amelia couldn’t exactly understand why.
Where else would they work?
The factory was destroyed, and it would take volunteers to rebuild it because there was no funding for materials, let alone for the workers to start.
But even with all the issues surrounding the city as well as getting the school back on track, there were bigger things pressing on her mind.
There had been some leads on finding Doyle, but they'd turned out to be a loss. The Hunters visited a farmhouse and discovered he'd spent a few nights there, having pretended to be a kind man from Arcadia, one who fled because he'd lost his wife and children—neither of which he actually had—and the city was a painful reminder.
They had no idea who he was and had sent him on his way. They were currently searching the area, but she knew the weaselly bastard had slipped away. Still, even with Doyle's location a mystery, other terrible news had reached her…
A student had gone missing. One that she'd worked with personally.
She sighed, trying to push it out of her mind for the time being. She needed to keep herself together. She flipped through the papers in her hand, thinking back to the many things floating around in her mind.
Doyle.
New jobs.
Homes.
Poor, missing Amos.
She was pulled from her thoughts when Talia walked into the office. She didn’t seem to even notice Amelia sitting across the room by the window.
“Talia,” Amelia said.
Talia looked over to see her guest. Amelia had expected her to jump from the surprise, but she didn’t. “Hello,” Talia said, her voice level and calm. “What can I do for you, Chancellor?”
Talia hung her jacket on a hook before turning to take a seat behind her desk. Amelia stood and crossed the room to sit across from her. She placed five applications on the desk and slid them toward the Dean.
“I had a few things that I needed to go over with you,” she said, pointing to the applications. “First is this. These men and women showed a lot of promise. They understand the situation that we have with rebuilding. They also welcomed the challenge of teaching the Boulevard students. We both know that’ll take a lot of time and patience on their behalf due to past laws.”
“Adrien,” Talia said. There was a flash of something that crossed her face, but Amelia couldn’t read it before Talia continued speaking again. “Right. He definitely created quite an educational gap for these people. Hmm. Yes, I’ll look these over. If you feel they’re promising, I’m sure I’ll feel the same.” She smiled, and Amelia followed suit.
“I’m so happy to hear that, but really—don’t hire someone for my own benefit. Please make sure these are people you would want to work with as well. You met them as well as I did, so you can judge on their personalities for yourself. I don’t want to tell you how to do your job. I only wanted to give you the options that I felt was best. You can take or leave them.”
“Thank you, Chancellor,” Talia said.
Amelia waved her hand in the air. “I just can’t get used to that. Please, feel free to call me Amelia.”
Talia smiled again. “As you wish. Thank you for the suggestions. I’ll look them over and let you know what I think tomorrow morning at the latest.”
“Wonderful! The sooner we can get the classes back to normal, the better. That being said, I'm afraid I gave the good news first.”
“Oh?” Talia asked, concern in her expression.
Amelia nodded, hoping the new Dean didn't take the news terribly. “Unfortunately, one of the students, Amos, a young man that I grew very close to during the rebellion, was reported missing to the Guard. They filled me in immediately, of course, and it appears his mother said he never came home last night.”
Talia’s expression fell further as she leaned forward, placing her arms on the edge of her desk. “Missing like maybe he went hunting or fishing and didn't say anything? Or…” she didn't finish, allowing the silence to finish the question for her.
Amelia shook her head. “I'm afraid not. We’d hoped so, but no one saw him leave. If he did, he would have had to sneak out somewhere other than the gates, and there's no reason to do such a thing. No guard saw anyone leave or come in. He must be somewhere in the city. There was talk about an earlier argument with Jackson—”
Talia's eyes briefly widened before her previous cool, yet worried demeanor returned. “Jackson? Yes, there was. But I talked to him myself, and he mentioned apologizing. I know he's upset, but do you really think he's capable of actually harming another student?”
Amelia wasn't sure. She certainly hoped not, but there was no real way to tell. “I don't know. I would think not, but we need to check all angles. We have to find him.”
Talia nodded. “I’ll ask around and see if anyone saw him, but Jackson is a good man. Misguided, but I'm working with him. Leave him to me. If he knows anything, I'll get it out of him. I would say we shouldn't alert everyone. I fear they may worry for their safety after so much has been done to grant it in the first place.”
Amelia shifted in her chair. “I thought the same thing, but if we don't warn them and something else happens, then it would be on us. Better safe than sorry.”
“I suppose that's true. Thank you for stopping by to tell me. I just spoke to him yesterday, and we were supposed to meet once I had more free time to discuss how to make the school a better place. This is truly devastating. I'll keep my eyes open.”
“Thanks again, Talia. I’ll let you get back to it. Have a wonderful day.”
Amelia left the room, leaving Talia to look over the stack of applications in front of her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Rain had started to fall, making the chill in the air a thousand times worse, but that didn’t stop Marie from keeping her promise to Amelia.
In the few weeks that she’d worked for the new Chancellor, things had changed in ways she never imagined. Marie was untrusting of those that were mean to her—for obvious reason—but through working for Amelia, she discovered that she was even more nervous around people that treated her nicely.
The new Chancellor seemed to understand her, though, which had gone a long way to ease her worries, and she no longer feared knocking on that door.
She admired Amelia and her strength. It was obvious why she held the positions that she did. Her entire life, she imagined what it would be like to be stronger. What it would be like to be the kind of person who stood up for people—including herself—but she couldn’t ever really believe that could be her.
Until now.
It was amazing how much a person could change in such a short time when she was allowed to b
elieve in herself. Every day was a new challenge, and she met it with excitement. She would help Amelia get the Queen’s Boulevard rebuilt and restore the quality of life for the people that lived there.
Marie pulled the hood of her thick, red cloak over her head and made her way to the street. She wasn't exactly sure what she would find when she went to the Boulevard, but she was excited to see what the progression looked like.
It had been days since she’d found some help to rebuild the destroyed area. Only a few men and women had volunteered, but it was a start.
It was still so new to see the people of Arcadia freely mixing in the streets. Students, potential teachers, and out-of-work laborers walked around the city together.
At the moment, it was difficult to balance the need of men for the new and improved Arcadian Guard and needing strong hands for the rebuild.
Hundreds of Adrien’s followers were lost in the Battle for Arcadia. Hundreds more survivors that still somehow worshipped him fled. And hundreds more begrudgingly thought they could adjust, but soon decided they couldn't—then fled.
Most of the sympathizers went of their own accord, going to the country to build their own homes, or they went north to Cella to build new lives in another city, but some were forcibly removed. There was no place in the new Arcadia for hatred and violence.
So far, most everyone seemed to be adjusting well, and it warmed Marie to see it in action as she walked through town.
As she came to the old intersection that once held the toll to the entrance to the Boulevard, she was stopped in her tracks, unable to believe what she saw.
Just outside of the Boulevard were huge piles of debris. The largest piles consisted of burned, busted, or otherwise unusable wood and materials. The other smaller piles had salvageable wood varying in size from large beams to what could be used to make new furniture.
Stones that weren’t blown to pieces by the cannons on Adrien’s warship were also put in with those items.
