"Right. The Academy. But I wanted you to know that I will be here waiting." Raina pushed closer to me once again.
"You really don't have to." I wrinkled my nose.
Her lips turned downward. "What’s wrong with me, Noah?"
"Nothing! You’re amazing. Perfect all the way around." I sighed. "It’s just… There is someone else. In the kingdom, I met him, no her, last time I went with father. We are getting very close her and me.” I was reaching for any excuse.
"You’re lying."
"What? No, I’m not." She came closer but I matched her pace and stepped back further.
"You keep blinking."
"I am not!."
She started coming toward me again.
"Raina, stay where you are." I held up my hands.
"I don't want to."
There was no other option. I had to risk getting out. "I better get going."
"Noah, don't you leave this river!" She swam toward me quicker. "I will chase after you. So, help me, Noah, if you don't get back over here!”
"Bye now." I jumped out and kept my back to her. My wrappings could be seen through my top, but I could easily claim they are from an injury. I threw on my leather top as Raina got out and came towards me.
I grabbed my boots and took off into the forest. I reached the main road and put on both of my boots. My feet were already starting to hurt from the rocks embedding into them. "So much for a relaxing dip. I'm just glad I wasn't naked."
"Noah!" Raina screamed from the river.
“Geez.” I glanced over my shoulder. She screamed my name, determined to get me to return. Ignoring her, I started home and saw my brothers and father jumping off the wagon.
I’d have to take the long route inside so I could change. It didn’t help that Raina was still screaming my name.
I decided to run into the closest wood line and wait out the storm known as Raina. After a few moments, she finally made it to our house and stormed inside. I saw Ian run out the other side of the house. He didn't like her any more than I did.
A bad break up, he would say. She was familiar with my family so much as to apparently welcome herself whenever she deemed necessary.
I guess she wanted to conquer at least one more of the Olsen boys, or females, in this case. Raina did have a reputation for being spiteful. If I rejected her as I did just now publicly, my name might be ruined forever.
Ian got out lucky from the rumor mill.
Raina came back outside and looked around some more. But I remained out of sight and she found nothing. As she stomped back to town, I let out a deep sigh.
Finally.
I jogged back to the house through our cornfield. It was tall enough to hide me should Raina look back. Coming up to the back of the house where my room was, I crawled through the small wooden window frame and slipped inside. I raced to take off my breeches and everything else.
"Hurry," Kept leaving my mouth.
Finally naked, I was starting to relax, thinking I was safe. All I had to do was dress but heavy steps stopped in front of my door.
I jumped outside my window stark naked in a panic. My door opened and my father looked at the wet clothes littered on the ground. I kept looking from the corner of the window to make sure he wasn’t coming closer.
He was going to find out. My heart thumped through my chest as I panicked and crept back into the cornfield. Luckily, it wrapped all around the house. I made my way through and came out the other end, which led to the barn. I prayed to whatever god was listening that the place was empty. It held leathers that I could wear and get out of this mess. If it wasn’t empty, going to the academy would be the least of my problems. I went up to the door and heard Gabriel and Lucius talking from inside.
"Can you believe this?" Gabriel asked.
"I know...Enchanted leathers. This must have cost father a fortune. For what? So he can go to the academy and fail? I love Noah, but dammit Gabe, I'm sick of all the seventh son shit."
"You aren't the only one."
Was he talking about himself, or all my brothers in general? Did they all feel grief at my existence? I tried to never rub it in that I was born seventh for good reason.
Still, was that what they thought of me? That I was a spoiled child? I clenched my jaw and closed my fists. I had worked just as hard as them to be what I am today.
I heard the case slam shut, and I went to the side of the small barn checking to see if it was safe for me to enter. I waited for my brother's footfalls to fade away. I walked inside and opened the black case. Removing the top and bottoms, I slid them on. At least this way, I would have something on. At the very bottom of the box, there was a sword. I hadn’t noticed it before but I also hadn’t moved the leathers since they were given to me. Most mages didn't carry a weapon, but I always felt more comfortable with one than not. I picked it up and felt the weight in my hand. Before I could inspect it closer, I heard my father’s voice.
"Noah!" my father yelled.
Putting the sword back down, I closed the barn doors and ran to the house. "Yes, father!" I screamed, earning a look from both my brothers, who were halfway to the house. I glared at them in response. Now they knew that I’d heard them. So, they probably thought I was wearing the leathers just to mock them. Let them believe it.
I ran inside to my room and Father was sitting on my bed, playing with the wrappings. He rang them out and noticed my wet hair.
"Have you been swimming?" he asked.
"I have, Father."
He held the wrappings up. "Then please, tell me what these are for?"
I swallowed trying not to show panic. "Those?”
"Yes..."
I shrugged. "Those aren't mine."
"Obviously. Whose are they?"
"Raina.” I nodded, committing to the lie. “Yes, Raina's. She left them when we went swimming in the river."
"Oh, okay. So that’s why you were dancing with her last night."
"It’s not like that." I shook my hands in defense knowing what I had just said.
He held up the wrappings. "Then how did you get these?"
I stared at him for several moments, not speaking. "Okay, it’s like that,” I finally said.
He stood up. "Listen, son."
Not this talk. I blinked longer than usual and bit down. I was getting the talk.
"It’s important to realize the beauty of women. But it also the duty and responsibility of that man to uphold her honor as well.”
"Trust me, that honor has been given up multiple times," I mumbled.
"My point is, you need to be more careful about hiding these things."
I blinked. "Wait, what?"
"At the academy, I'm sure they have rules about these things. You could get in trouble, or worse."
"Father. Can we just avoid this entire topic for the rest of our lives? I really don’t need any advice."
"Sure." He squeezed my shoulder. "I'm here if you have any questions."
I managed not to roll my eyes. Oh, that would be a great time, I thought. Right now, I had more important matters to deal with. Tomorrow I would be leaving for the academy. I had no powers. I was a female. And my entire village was resting all their hopes on me. Great.
CHAPTER FOUR
The Royal Academy
"Please, be careful in all things," my mother whispered into my ear. The outside matched my mood with the cloud cover. It was still early but I wished the day had never started. My brothers were all standing in a line ready to see me off.
I embraced her tighter. "I'm scared."
She buried her face in my hair. "Don't be, young one. I'm always with you."
I backed away, fighting the tears.
I took a step to the left and clasped Ian's hand. "Don't embarrass us,” he said. “I'm way too pretty to be considered part of a failed seventh of a seventh’s family."
"I wouldn't dream of it." We smiled at one another as I said my final goodbyes.
Surprisingly, Gabe and Lucius
were polite as well. I hopped onto the front of the wagon with my pack of small belongings, including my new leathers. My father was already waiting for me. He squeezed my leg, and we started our journey to Sevos, the capital city of the Kingdom of Era. The wagon shook as he spurred the horses into action.
"You know, you do them a great honor by going."
"I know, Father."
"You can handle any man with a sword. I don't understand what you are so worried about." I crossed my arms and looked downward to hide my frown.
Should I just come out and tell him? It would save my family from the inevitable. There would be so much disappointment, though. I wasn't ready to face that.
I can do this. I’ve done it this long. I can do it some more. "I'm not worried, Father. Just want to make sure the others will be fine without me."
"Oh, I'm sure they’ll survive. Plus, once you graduate you will earn the village enough gold to rebuild the whole town."
"Why does the kingdom even do that? Reward sevens, I mean.” I readjusted to keep my backside from going numb.
"Well, for one, sevens breed great warriors. Every kingdom wants that, I suppose. Along with most of them being the personal guard for the king, it makes the kingdom more secure. He wouldn't want you getting bribed from any outside source, would he?"
"No, I suppose not."
Father lit his pipe as we traveled down the enclosed road. "You know, I once kill—"
"Killed a seventh from Leden. I know. Everyone in the world knows." I tilted my head at him and smiled.
He gave me a slight push. "Told it that many times, huh? Well, if everyone is so tired of my talking, then how about you say something. Like, tell me about Raina. What’s going on between you two?"
"Oh, nothing really. I broke it off yesterday considering where I'm going." I really should stop telling lies. I was going to have trouble remembering them all. "As you saw, she didn't take it very well."
"No, I don't think she did.” He sighed. “Ah, young love."
"I wouldn't call it that," I said as I propped my feet up.
"Whatever you say, son. You like that girl."
No, I really don't. Still, I didn't want to ruin his current image of me.
"She is an honorable match if you want to think about marriage,” he said.
I burst into laughter.
"Sure, Father I’ll put it on my list of things to do when I return."
He kicked my feet down but I put them back up. We smiled at one another and enjoyed the rest of the journey.
* * *
We finally made it into the castle gates. On the way in, my father was sure to tell everyone who I was.
“Make way for the seventh son of a seventh son.” He repeated at least ten times. At least it wasn’t for nothing. I was surprised how much of a difference it made in the daily proceedings of life here in Sevos. We were quickly let in and well on our way. Usually getting through the gate took hours. I looked up to the tallest peak of the castle and whistled. I’d forgotten how tall it was. I loved the cobbled streets and the sound of the horse hooves clacking against them. I knew that roads were expensive and that Old Urn could never afford them.
The houses were stacked one upon another, leaving little room for side alleys. But the closer we got to the castle and the academy, the more space the buildings were given.
The wagon came to an abrupt stop, causing me to almost fall forward off the wagon. "A little warning next time."
My father didn't reply.
I looked to him and his mouth slightly opened and closed. He kept looking around everywhere but not at me.
I placed my hand on his shoulder to get his attention. "Father. I'm not going off to war."
"In a way, you are. The people here are cruel towards the poor, son. But never let them think they are better than you. You are an Olsen, and that name used to carry weight. Make it carry weight again."
"Of course, father..." My words drifted off.
He couldn't look me in the eyes.
“There is one more thing.” He dug under a thick blanket in the back and pulled out the sword I was looking at when I wore the leathers. He took the blade out and handed to me. “This was my blade. I had it re-sharpened and rebuilt, just for this occasion.”
I turned it over and it was well balanced. It was nothing fancy, but now it was a family heirloom.
“Father, I don’t know what to say. It’s perfect.” It wasn’t too long or too short. It was the perfect blade, with a singular gold-plated hilt. My mouth went upward when I received the gift. I had received two grand gifts these past two days and it left me speechless.
"It’s time to go, son." He hopped off and I sheathed the blade before following him off.
"We aren't to the castle yet."
He grabbed my pack from the back and threw it to me. "Close enough. I don't want anyone to see you being brought up in a shoddy wagon."
"Yea, but it’s our shoddy wagon. I couldn't care less what they think."
"But you must, son. Or you will always be on the outside."
I was confused by his words. He brought me into a bear hug which almost swallowed me whole. "Time for you to be great."
"Can’t wait." He looked down at me and I did my best to hold back a tear. This was the father I wanted to remember. He was affectionate and kind. I held back watery eyes and squeezed back.
He climbed back on the wagon and was gone. Just like that. That was my final goodbye before the royal academy.
I took off at a brisk walk towards the academy. I wasn't sure what to expect but I knew what my goal was: to keep my secret and to survive. If possible. By doing that, my family would receive notability and riches. It was my responsibility now.
The royal academy was right next to the castle but was a separate building. The academy wanted to remain neutral in all things. They said they wanted to focus on training mages and sevens, meaning others like me. Well, not exactly like me. It was the most famous school of the three kingdoms in the northern lands. Its competitor lay far down south, past the marshlands in the realm of Crusix. Of course, each kingdom had their own schools and customs, but ours were famous for the sevens. In no other land had they bred more sevens than the Kingdom of Era. I suppose you could say we were baby makers. Different factions attest this to different things.
Others say we are blessed by the gods. Some being the worshipers of the old gods and some of the new. I never knew what to believe, but my father was always partial to the old gods.
I finally made it to steps of the pale white school. I wasn't sure how it maintained color but it was beautiful. It stood alone with no adjoining buildings but took up at least a block itself and even beyond that. There were high towers behind it that intertwined with the mountain it sat upon. It was indeed a wonder and a sight to behold. I never thought I would be able to see a building that sent so much inspiration into a person.
I walked up the steps to the entry chamber. Of course, it had huge doors, but those would only be used for ceremonies. I entered the small set of wooden doors I saw others enter through. The doors were set off to the right from the grand ones. I entered the room and there was a man behind a long wooden table like the one you would find in an inn.
"Name and invitation, please,” he asked without even looking.
"Noah Olsen." I dug into my bag and handed my invitation to him.
He brought out some books and flipped through them. "I don't see your name here." He handed me the book and I read the front.
Mages.
Must have been a record of all incoming and outgoing persons.
"Is there a sevens book?" I asked as I flipped through the pages.
He raised an eyebrow. "Are telling me you that you’re a seven?"
"Yep. Says so on the invitation."
He huffed and looked closer at the invitation. Upon seeing the seven ribbons, he stood up and bowed. "My apologies. Please forgive my impudence."
I looked around but nobody else was
around who could help. Turning to face him again, I muttered, "Um, forgiven..."
"Allow me one second to find your name."
I decided to play into the whole sevens are superior act. I pushed out my chest and lifted my head higher. It made it easier to stare him down. "But of course. Don't keep me waiting all day."
"I wouldn't dare." He refused to make eye contact.
This could be fun.
"Ah, here. Welcome." He gave me some papers but I didn’t look at them now. I was supposed to be above that.
"Tell me, where will I be resting my head at night?"
"I shall take you there personally." He put out his hand and opened doors opposite of where I had entered. The doors led to a courtyard. Students were already there in groups, looking at me. I held my head high and followed the man in front of me.
"What’s your name?" I asked from behind him.
"Pearsons, sir."
"Pearsons, thank you for escorting me."
"Um, you... are ... welcome,” he stuttered in response.
"Why are you stuttering?"
"Sevens don't usually express thanks."
"Well, I'm a new breed of seven." Quite literally. I was becoming exhausted of standing up so straight. The fun was over.
He wasn't sure how to answer and chose to keep quiet. I mimicked him and followed in silence. I took in the open hallways. No ceremonious crests floated along the walls. No self-identification. Maybe the school really did want to stay neutral. We went to a separate hall, traveling even farther.
His pace slowed as we reached another single door. "We are here, sir," Pearsons said.
"Ah, excellent."
He opened the door for me and entered the most significant room I’d ever seen. It was the size of my house. There were two beds on opposite sides. Sharing. I could handle that. Not a problem. I think.
"Now, tomorrow is the welcoming ceremony. It is in the auditorium we passed on the way here. Please enjoy your stay until then. Just pull the rope if anything is needed."
The Prisoner of Fate Page 3
