Guiltily, Jaymin sat down at one of the tables in the front row. He knew that he must be doing a good job in his role as unmotivated student if even the teacher was fooled. But Miss Arrin, he had to admit, was a good teacher. As she had shown several times before, she would not allow any of her students to fail without doing her best to help them.
The teacher pulled up a chair and sat down across from him. “How are things going for you, Jay?” she asked conversationally, resting her elbows on the table.
Jaymin shrugged uncomfortably. What could he say? I miss my parents terribly, I’m still adjusting to living in a hovel instead of my palace, I’ve been feeling inadequate and disloyal to myself because I can’t be who I was raised to be, and if the soldiers I see every day had any idea I’m really the Prince of Alasia they’d kill me on the spot – but besides that I’m doing just fine. The thought made him smile, but all he said aloud was, “I’m all right, I suppose.”
“Are you sure?” She leaned forward and looked him in the eye. “Jay, I’ve been getting the impression that things have been hard for you lately. I want you to know that I care; that I’m here if you ever need someone to talk to. Please don’t feel that you have to keep it all bottled up inside.”
Jaymin lowered his gaze. If only you knew, he thought. You have no idea how much there is that I do have to keep inside.
“You miss your parents, don’t you,” Miss Arrin asked gently.
“Yes,” he admitted reluctantly, wishing she hadn’t brought them up. He really didn’t want to think about his parents at the moment. If he did, he might not be able to hold back the tears. He didn’t want to remember his mother’s musical laughter, see her sweeping gracefully down the marble corridors of the palace in her flowing gowns, hear her praise him enthusiastically for a new technique he had just learned on horseback or a lesson mastered with his tutor. He didn’t want to picture the warmth of his father’s hand on his shoulder, or hear his hearty laugh or his voice raised majestically in command or lowered confidentially to explain some matter of state to his son.
To his embarrassment, Jaymin found himself blinking back tears after all. But the teacher, obviously sensing his awkwardness, was considerate enough to pretend not to notice as she changed the subject.
“You know Alasia is changing,” Miss Arrin told him. “Now that the Malornians are in charge we’re going to start seeing more and more changes, and things certainly won’t be any easier. I’ve seen the way you look at the Malornians, and I know you don't like it any more than I do. Many of our people sacrificed their lives to try to stop them, but they haven’t been stopped yet.” The teacher paused to make sure she had his attention, and Jaymin nodded in acknowledgment, wondering where she was going with this.
“Jay, children like you are Alasia’s future. If there is to be any lasting hope for our kingdom under Malornian rule, it must come from you. That’s a great responsibility you have.”
You have no idea, Jaymin thought dryly.
Miss Arrin went on. “In order to be the best Alasian you can be – in order to have the greatest impact and be able to do the most good for our kingdom – you must have a proper education. I know you don’t enjoy school. But don’t you think it will be worth it in the end if it helps you help Alasia?”
Jaymin could only nod briefly, his gaze averted once more. But she wasn’t finished. “Jay, I know that you can do better than you are doing. You are an intelligent boy; I can see it in you. You have so much potential.” She was speaking so earnestly that he couldn’t help but feel guilty for deceiving her. “Wasted potential in a child is a wasted resource for the kingdom that we both love. For your own sake, Jay, and for Alasia’s sake, I want to ask you to start trying. That’s all I can ask. Will you do that?”
Jaymin lowered his head again, ashamed of the person she thought he was. What could he say?
“Oh, Miss Arrin,” he managed awkwardly, “you make me really want to try.” It was the truth. But she waited for more.
“I do want to do all I can for Alasia,” he continued, under her prompting gaze. He hesitated, trying to negotiate a truthful path through this conversation. “I want to get an education, and I – I’m sorry I haven’t been a very good student.” That was true, too. “I’ll try hard from now on to do better.”
Maybe he could, too, now that he had successfully fooled her. He could make a little improvement, and she would think he was trying harder. But if only you could see how much I already know, he thought. If only I could show you the kind of work I’m really capable of!
Miss Arrin smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Thank you, Jay. I’m sure your parents would be proud of you. And I have a feeling that you’re going to do great things for Alasia someday.”
Jaymin allowed himself a smile. “I hope so, Miss Arrin. I intend to.”
“Good. Now, hurry along and go play. You still have a few more minutes before the bell.”
At the door, Jaymin paused. I could tell her, he thought suddenly. I know she wouldn’t betray me. I could tell her who I am, and then I wouldn’t have to pretend any more. Maybe she could even help me.
“Jay?” came Miss Arrin’s voice from behind him, doubtless wondering why he had stopped in the doorway. “Is there something more you’d like to talk about?”
He hesitated, his hand on the door handle. Should he tell her? She would be so honored to know she had the Prince of Alasia in her class! She deserved that honor. Jaymin smiled, picturing her wonder and amazement when she found out. But then, he reminded himself more soberly, he would be burdening her with the secret as well. Besides, would she even believe him?
Glancing up, Jaymin saw Erik waiting for him just outside the window. He was looking in, and their eyes met. Seeing Jaymin’s look of indecision, Erik raised a questioning eyebrow.
I can’t tell her, Jaymin decided finally. Not here; not now. But someday I will. When I’m king. I’ll invite her to the palace, and maybe I’ll even hold a banquet in her honor.
“Jay?” The teacher began to move toward him, her voice puzzled.
“Never mind,” Jaymin blurted out quickly. “Excuse me,” and he slipped outside before she could ask anything else.
He joined Erik, who was soon chuckling at his account of the conversation, and they headed for the back of the school, where they could be alone behind the classrooms. But no sooner had they rounded the corner than they saw a group of half a dozen boys standing there – waiting, as they quickly realized, for them. These were older boys, in Ninth or Tenth Year, whom they had seen around the school but never actually met. Puzzled, Jaymin wondered what they wanted.
The group moved toward them, and one boy, a tall, burly fellow with straw-colored hair and dark eyes, stepped forward.
“Hello,” said Jaymin, resigning himself to conversation after all. The other boy grinned unpleasantly but didn’t reply. More to break the awkward silence than because he really wanted to know, Jaymin added, “I’m Jay. What’s your name?” The lie, though it still made him uncomfortable, was getting a little easier every time. He wasn’t sure he liked the implications of that.
“Worran,” snapped the boy finally, barking out the name like a challenge. “And don’t you forget it!”
Jaymin was bewildered by his manner. Was he upset about something? “Well, we’re pleased to meet you, Worran. We –”
“Well, we’re not pleased to meet you,” Worran interrupted rudely, taking a step closer. Out of the corner of his eye, Jaymin saw Erik shift a little, watching the other boys as two or three began to move around behind them. He still couldn’t understand what was wrong with Worran.
“Ever since the two of you came here, you think you’re better than everyone,” Worran continued loudly. “Always by yourselves, always too good to be with anyone else. Like a couple of standoffish rich boys who got better things to do than mix with the likes of us. Well, we’re set to teach you a thing or two!”
Jaymin was astonished. He had never dreamed their actio
ns could be interpreted like that. “I – I’m sorry if we’ve given that impression,” he exclaimed, still in some confusion. “We just – we don’t really like the games everyone else plays, so we keep to ourselves and try to stay out of people’s way.” Actually, he would have enjoyed playing with the other students now and then. It would have been nice to make some new friends. But he knew it was safer not to let anyone get to know him; not even to let people talk to him if he could avoid it.
“It’s never been our intention to be rude or unfriendly,” he added earnestly. “And we’re certainly not rich.” He spread out his hands, indicating his ragged clothes as evidence.
Worran laughed, a nasty scornful laugh. Taking their cue from him, his cronies laughed too. “Too late for that, sonny. We’re gonna teach you a lesson you’re not gonna forget. You gotta be polite to your elders here at Hilltop School.” He pushed up his sleeves dramatically.
Jaymin suddenly realized what the older boy intended, must have intended all along, and he couldn’t hold back a sudden, surprised laugh. Worran was trying to start a fight! But why? What a pointless, childish thing to do!
The tall boy scowled, his dark eyes narrowing, and he took a step closer. Jaymin could feel Erik shift again, ready to leap into action.
“What are you laughin’ at me for, huh? Didn’t I say you gotta be polite? Didn’t I?” Worran clenched his fists.
“Oh, please.” Jaymin smiled tolerantly. “I’m sure we’ve all got better things to do than get in a fistfight over as silly an issue as that. Honestly, the Malornians are taking over our kingdom. Why should we Alasians fight each other?”
Diplomacy was supposed to solve everything, but it didn’t seem to be working now. Worran and his little band laughed nastily again. “You’re just scared!” Worran taunted. “I could beat you to a bloody pulp, and you know it.”
“I really wouldn’t try that if I were you,” Jaymin cautioned, seeing Erik move forward slightly. “I’m the last person in the kingdom you want to pick a fight with right now. Trust me.”
“Ha! You think you can beat me?” scoffed Worran, and his friends around them laughed again on cue.
“Well – yes, as a matter of fact,” Jaymin admitted frankly, “but I’m not your biggest problem. He is.” He indicated Erik, who had silently glided forward to stand between them.
“Him?” Worran sneered, looking Erik up and down. Erik’s hands hung loosely at his sides, and his face was expressionless. He looked like nothing but a helpless young child. “This little thing that hangs around you all the time? The shy one who watches everyone and mumbles and can’t talk right? I’m s’posta be scared of him?”
Jaymin shrugged, seeing that the fight was inevitable. “Your choice. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Worran drew his fist back, but that was all he had time to do before Erik blurred into motion. Jaymin stepped quickly aside to give him more room as his friend leaped forward, landing two kicks and a couple of hard punches from mid-air. Worran yelped in pain and surprise, and the two boys went down with Erik on top. Jaymin glanced warily at Worran’s friends, his only concern whether they might try to come to their leader’s assistance. But they were staring open-mouthed, even taking a few nervous steps backward. Either they didn’t care enough about Worran to come to his aid, or they were cowards. Or both.
Jaymin looked back at the combatants. Worran was struggling and kicking, trying to free his right arm, which Erik had firmly pinned down beneath him. Bellowing in pain and rage, Worran flailed his left fist wildly, but most of his blows seemed to be missing their target, as Erik’s lithe upper body barely stayed in one place for half a second at a time. Erik, on the other hand, was silently letting the bully have it, his face grim, every muscle in his lean body clenched.
“No need to overdo it,” Jaymin cautioned, seeing how hard his friend’s blows were landing. “He’s not a Malornian.”
Worran struggled to rise. “Someone get him off me! He’s insane – OW! Get him off!”
Jaymin threw another quick glance at the other boys, but they had backed away even further, wanting nothing to do with anyone who could beat up their leader like this.
“All right, Erik, you’ve made your point,” he said finally. “Better let him go.”
At once, Erik rose to his feet and stepped calmly aside, barely even winded. His clothes were a little rumpled and his knees muddy, but he was apparently unhurt. Worran, however, was another story. His nose and lower lip were both bleeding, his pale hair was splattered with mud, and one eye was already starting to swell shut. He lay propped up on his elbows, glaring at them balefully, breathing hard.
“You should consider joining the army in a couple of years,” Jaymin suggested, stepping toward him. “They can use determined fighters like you. But in the meantime, you’d better not pick fights with your schoolmates anymore.” He extended a hand to help the older boy up. “No hard feelings, though. Don’t try to cause trouble for us again, and we’ll forget this ever happened.”
Worran ignored the hand and staggered to his feet on his own, rubbing his shoulders and jaw where he would doubtless have bruises by tomorrow. He pointedly turned his back on Jaymin, glaring at his cronies as he wiped the blood from his mouth. “Some help you are,” he spat angrily.
They began to protest, but Worran wasn’t listening to their excuses. He spun back around, using the distraction to take one quick step in Erik’s direction, his other foot shooting out in a hard kick aimed at the smaller boy’s midsection.
Unfortunately for Worran, Erik never let his guard down that quickly. Jaymin sighed and stepped out of the way once again as Erik seized the flying foot with both hands and twisted it, catching Worran off balance and throwing him to the ground again, face-first this time. Before the bully knew what had happened, Erik had landed on him once more, his knees digging into Worran’s back, both Worran’s wrists caught in his grip as he forced the boy’s arms backward and up at an impossible angle.
“Ow! Ow!” Worran roared, twisting and kicking in a furious effort to break free. Jaymin could have told him it was useless. Even he always knew he had lost a wrestling match when Erik managed to get him in that hold.
At that moment, they heard the bell ring from the other side of the building, signaling the end of break time. Worran’s friends seized the excuse and took off around the nearest corner.
“Lemme up,” Worran growled fiercely. “You’re gonna be late to class. You’re gonna get in trouble. I’m gonna tell the teachers what you did. Fighting’s against the rules, you know.”
“What are you going to tell them?” Jaymin asked with interest. “That you started a fight with a boy half your size, and he beat you up?”
“Ow! Stop it, will you?” the bully bellowed at Erik, who had not slackened his grip on his arms. “All right then, I won’t tell. Just let me go, all right?”
Erik glanced up at Jaymin for consent. Jaymin stepped closer and squatted down beside them. “We’ll let you go, but you have to promise not ever to do this again.”
“Fine! I promise!”
“Not just to us. Promise you’ll never attack any law-abiding Alasian citizen again.”
“All right, all right. Now let me go!”
“Say it. On your honor as an Alasian.”
“On my honor as an Alasian I won’t ever attack another Alasian again. Are you satisfied?”
Jaymin nodded to Erik, who released his grip and stepped back. Worran rolled to his feet, rubbing his forearms and grimacing in pain. “What is wrong with you two? I was just –”
“And you’d better keep your promise,” Jaymin warned sternly, cutting him off. “If I ever find out that you haven’t, you’ll really regret it. This was nothing.”
Worran turned without replying and limped away.
“Well, this wasn’t quite how I’d planned to spend my morning break,” Erik muttered as they waited for him to leave before returning to the classrooms themselves. “I just hope he and his f
riends keep their mouths shut about this, otherwise I might end up with that interesting reputation you were talking about.”
Chapter 9
Jaymin and Erik headed back toward the main schoolyard, but as they neared the corner of the building, they became aware of the murmur of voices gradually growing louder and louder. Erik, who was in the lead, stopped short with a frown on his face, gesturing for Jaymin to wait. They peered carefully around the corner and saw a puzzling sight. From all over the school, teachers were leading their students out of class and into the yard. The students’ voices rose in confused exclamations and questions, but no one seemed to be giving any answers.
“I don’t like this,” whispered Erik, still frowning. He pulled Jaymin back and the two of them stepped behind a building, listening to the sound of children’s voices chattering a few dozen yards away. “They just got back into class after morning break. Why are they all going out again so soon?”
“And it doesn’t sound as though they’re going out to play,” Jaymin added, just as puzzled. He leaned across Erik for a quick glance around the corner. “The students are all lining up out there in rows.”
Erik ran his eyes along the old brick wall that surrounded the school – just in case they needed a quick getaway, Jaymin knew. There was no back entrance; Erik had checked for one on their first day there. But he had once shown Jaymin a few spots where they might be able to get over the wall if they ever had to.
Without warning, complete silence fell in the schoolyard. It was like the way their class stopped talking the moment Miss Arrin walked in, but somehow this was different – a frightened silence. Jaymin and Erik strained their ears, wondering what was happening, and then they heard the measured tread of multiple pairs of heavy boots.
Prince of Alasia (Annals of Alasia Book 1) Page 10
