by Ben Hale
Hawk walked past the figure before Tess could inquire about it, and strode to an enormous desk near the rear of the chamber. Wide and gilded with brass, its height allowed for an excellent view of the room. An older woman sat behind it, and stared down at them through a stylish pair of spectacles.
"Hawk," she said, a sly grin spreading on her wrinkled face. "It's been a while."
"It has, Eden. It's good to see you alive and well."
She flipped her grey hair and laughed. "Aged perhaps, but still well. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I am here to deliver another student to the school."
Eden's steely gaze flicked to Tess, and for some reason Tess had the urge to flinch. Eden’s eyes narrowed. "She's late. New students must be presented during the break, not after."
"I must beg your forgiveness for my oversight," Hawk said with a disarming smile. "I must have lost track of the time."
"I'm sure," Eden drawled, obviously unconvinced. Then she sighed. "But since you are here to vouch for her, perhaps she will not need to be presented at this time."
"I thank you for the exception," Hawk said. He inclined his head in gratitude.
"But she will have to be presented at a future date," Eden said with an apologetic look. "I can delay it until the next break, but only because most of the directors are already gone."
"That should be fine, Eden. Thank you."
"Name?" she asked.
"Tess Oliver."
Eden stared over Tess's shoulder, her gaze darting in several directions. With a start Tess realized that the spectacles Eden wore were omni-glasses. Eden then grumbled, her eyes flicking back to meet Tess's. "You weren't supposed to be here for another few months."
"She broke her binding," Hawk said. "And since she was placed with a family of aurens, I thought it best to bring her early. Her parentage suggests enough power that caution would be prudent."
Eden grunted but her gaze didn't leave Tess. "I can't dispute that. It looks like we will just have to insert you into the current quad."
"What's a quad?" Tess asked. She'd been distracted by the reference to her true parents, and couldn't catch the words in time. Privately she wondered why she felt nervous to speak. It was probably the first time in her life that she had held her tongue.
Eden's eyes bored into hers. "Classes at Tryton’s run in twelve-week sessions, with a break in between them. Each term is called a quad. You are allowed up to six classes per quad, but depending on the year there will be two or three required courses. Since this is your first year, you must take History of Magic and Remedial Magic, but you will not be required to take an Earth Studies course because you were raised by aurens. In its place, you will need to take Magic in the Modern World. You may select three other courses."
Eden turned and swept a hand at the wall behind her, where a ten-foot circle of different colored knots wove themselves together. "As you will learn in Remedial Magic, this is the circle of energy. Aside from the Unknowable Energies, all the magical schools are represented here. Now, what did you display at your unbinding?"
Before Tess could answer Hawk shifted, drawing Eden's attention back to him. "I would request that she be allowed to take water, fire, and gravity from the mind school."
Eden's eyebrows shot up. "To take three power classes in your first term requires a graduated tutor—"
"Which I volunteer for," Hawk said, and then flashed a self-deprecating grin. "I hope my qualifications are sufficient?"
Eden appeared surprised and flustered as she blinked and shifted in her seat. Finally she nodded in acquiescence. "Er . . . of course they are, Hawk. Give me a moment to print her schedule."
Tess leaned forward as Eden withdrew a piece of paper and placed it on her desk. She then blinked, and her glasses flickered like a camera's flash going off. In the same instant scrollwork and lettering appeared on the page. Nodding in satisfaction, Eden picked it up and handed it to Tess.
"I assume you would like to show her around?" Eden asked as Tess read the notes.
"I would. Thank you Eden," he said, and inclined his head in appreciation.
"Anytime," she murmured.
Hawk turned away and steered Tess toward a set of double doors on the side wall. She glanced back once before they left and saw Eden's piercing gaze following after them.
Tess blinked as she stepped back into the late afternoon light. Then she followed him onto a trail. Once they had reached a shaded path she fell into step beside Hawk. "What exactly happened back there?"
"What do you mean?" Hawk asked.
At first Tess thought he was being intentionally vague, but then she realized he really didn't know what she was asking.
"When's the last time you tutored a student? And why did you choose those classes for me?"
Hawk stopped in the shadow of a great oak and turned to face her. "I've never tutored a student at this school. As to the fields of study, I selected the ones I thought would be best for you. I hope you don't mind."
Hawk resumed his walking, and when Tess caught up, he continued in a subdued tone, "In truth you could have chosen any of the subjects to start, but fire broke your binding so it should come most naturally. Mages with multiple talents tend to have bordering abilities on the circle, and since mind is adjacent to fire on the circle, it's likely to come easily for you as well. Gravity and technology are both branches of mind magic, but I chose gravity because your father was a flyer."
"And water?" Tess asked shrewdly. "I noticed that air was between mind and water on the circle. Why didn't I take air magic? Won't that draw attention to me?"
Hawk chuckled. "Perceptive of you." Then he seemed to check the shadows around them. "A little," he admitted, “but not as much as starting at the fire, mind, and air schools. The trio would indicate a class three flyer, which if you recall . . ."
"Is rare," Tess finished for him. "So why water then?"
Hawk's expression sent a chill down Tess's spine.
"Most energies can be used in battle," he said, "but fire, mind, and water are considered the battle magics. I wanted to ensure you are well prepared for when they come after you again."
She fell silent, disturbed by the implication. Was she really in so much danger? It would seem so, or else why would Hawk want her trained to fight? At the same time she felt a thrill of anticipation pass through her as she thought of the day she'd met Hawk.
If the ones in the alley came for her again, she didn't want to be helpless. Her jaw set into a firm line as she recalled the smug grin on the leader's features. Perhaps it was best that she learn how to fight as a mage. That way she could wipe the grin off his face if he tried again. Her thoughts spun to a halt when she realized Hawk hadn't said if.
He'd said when.
Chapter 7: Down the Rabbit Hole
"Are you so sure they will try again?" she asked.
"I would be a fool to think otherwise," Hawk said in an undertone. "And I would be a fool twice for assuming I'll be at your side every time. Would you rather be placed in another course? It's not too late to change."
"No," she said hastily, "those magics should be . . . perfect."
He threw her a harsh look. "I don't want you searching for trouble on your own."
"Of course not," she scoffed, and hoped she sounded believable. That was exactly what she'd been thinking.
"If you do, everyone will know who you are. Once that truth comes out it can't return to obscurity—and neither can you. You should do everything you can to keep your identity a secret for as long as possible. It will allow you to avoid becoming a target . . . before you are ready."
She nodded, and when he raised an eyebrow, she sighed, "I promise."
Hawk bobbed his head in turn, accepting her at her word. Then he strode through a gap in the trees and came to a halt. Tess joined him, her eyes widening at the size of the school. In an enormous ring that spanned two miles, twelve unique buildings stood. Each was almost immediately identifiable for the course
material taught within it.
Matching the order in the circle of magic, the building of light stood directly to her left. Sunlight reflected off its glass spires, illuminating the surrounding grass with beams of yellow and white. Fire stood on the other side of it. Marked by graceful, liquid flames that traced its surface, it stood squatter and wider than most of the others.
The building for mind magic stood next in line. Shaped like a reaching spiral, the entire structure was supported by a quartet of statues that held it aloft. Regal and majestic, they wore flowing purple cloaks that rippled in the breeze.
Beyond it, a lazy tornado spun around the air building, followed by a short castle with water flowing up its walls. Next a small mountain was the tallest of the buildings and represented the earth school. Barely discernible in the distance, a handful of great trees stood next to it. In their branches large platforms were just visible.
The animal school came next. Hundreds of carved beasts formed stone and wood walls. Grey and somewhat drab compared to the others, Tess assumed the next building held the school for body magic. Towering statues of men and women held its detached roof aloft. Next was the building of healing magic, its surface pink and white. Music and sound were the last two and were the only ones that bore some sort of resemblance. Both were u-shaped and boasted a courtyard in the middle.
Each of the buildings of Tryton’s could have held her previous high school three times over—and that was just from her vantage point. Oddly, only a handful of students were walking the paths.
"Where is everyone?" she asked.
"It's customary for parents to celebrate after the introduction speech. They aren't allowed inside the school grounds during a quad. I assure you that it will be quite crowded by tomorrow morning."
"It's bigger than I expected," Tess said, awe coloring her tone as she motioned to the buildings.
Hawk laughed, and then led the way onto the sunny path of crushed white stones. "The instruction halls are in fact distinct schools," he said, "but all are controlled by the school directors. Students are allowed to start here at the age of sixteen, and typically finish their coursework by twenty.
"The schools have classes on a variety of subjects, but their core goals are to train their respective mages on how to control their power. Students with multiple talents have classes in multiple buildings. Aside from the paper Eden gave you, you will be able to check your own schedule by using your omni-glasses."
"What do you mean?" Tess asked.
"Why don't you see for yourself?" Hawk said, and pointed to the pouch containing her spectacles.
Feeling nervous, Tess withdrew the glasses and placed them on her face. She was about to ask what to do, but a new symbol had joined those that bordered her vision. It expanded when she looked at it, until it covered a quarter of her sight. She recalled seeing it carved in the World Room's doors and assumed that it must be the school's crest.
The symbol was of a large sword embedded into the bottom of a concave triangle. On the left a phoenix lifted its wings to the upward point, while on the right a dragon raised its spiked head. The flame from both creatures had merged and wrapped around the sword.
The symbol dissolved into text, and she read a quick welcome note from Director Grayson. As she finished reading the message, it changed into a schedule of her classes. She was taken aback by how quickly it had responded and flicked her gaze to the left, causing it to return the welcome screen. Annoyed at the mistake, she flicked it to the right and her schedule returned.
She stared at the third on the list: Intro to Fire Magic, Fire School. Noticing a tiny symbol of a compass, she looked at it and blinked. The entire view shrank back to its original size. In its place, a subtle gold filament had appeared on the glass. It seemed to hug the ground as if it were gold dew on the grass, but below the rim of the spectacles she could see it did not exist in reality. It unmistakably led to the fire building off to her left.
"Will it take me to the correct class?" she asked, astonished at how easy it had been.
"From wherever you are," Hawk said.
"How do the glasses know it’s me?" she asked, removing the spectacles and rubbing her eyes.
"They recognize your eyes. The first time you put them on they register to you. Any glasses you put on in the future will know you. And don't worry," he added, his tone sympathetic. "Your eyes will get used to them."
Tess placed the glasses back into their pouch. "Where to next?"
A part of her felt a sudden desire to laugh at the absurdity of everything around her. The buildings, the glasses, the city itself—all of it stood on the verge of impossibility, and yet there was no denying their reality. That same part felt an almost giddy craving to explore her new surroundings. She also felt a great deal of apprehension and nervousness. She could not have said which part held more sway.
"Let's take you to your dormitory," Hawk said.
"And then?"
His lips pursed in thought. "Perhaps then you should call your mother. You should be landing in Colorado soon."
She twitched, and realized she had forgotten about the real world. Her mother would go ballistic if she didn't receive a phone call. Feeling conflicted, Tess followed Hawk toward the collection of giant trees that rested in the exact center of the school. Set a good distance from the ring of buildings, they towered over everything except the earth building. As they drew closer it became obvious that the trees had been shaped to support an abundance of small cottages.
Each set of dormitories was actually formed from a trio of separate arbors. Twisting and coiling together, they provided the support for what could only be described as the most incredible tree house of all time. Amid the dense foliage countless rooms graced the gigantic limbs like enormous fruit.
Every room had been constructed of seasoned, polished hardwood, and looked to be twice the size of her bedroom back in Virginia. Some of the dormitories hung from branches that extended out from the core trees. Others lay snuggled next to the trunks. All of them boasted spiral staircases that led to their doors. As living branches that grew from the trunks, the wide staircases wound through trees and foliage to the very top. Tess felt a knot of fear when she saw that some of the dormitories hung well over two hundred feet off the ground.
They walked under the lowest branches and cabins, but Hawk didn't stop. Continuing past the base of several stairs, he came to a halt when he reached the edge of a lake. Tess joined him, and looked up at the massive trees circling the water.
The great tree they had passed was one of eight dormitories. With all of them boasting rooms and staircases, they encircled a large lake. Like blue glass, the water reflected the living dormitories on its shaded surface.
"It's beautiful," Tess breathed.
Hawk chuckled and pointed to the ones across from them. "The four trees on the left are for boys; the four on the right are for the girls."
"Which did you stay in?" Tess asked.
Hawk coughed. "To be honest I never stayed here. My training was a bit . . . different."
"What do you mean?"
He regarded her for a long moment and then said. "It's a tale for another time. Now, let's get you settled."
He strolled onto the path that led around the lake, pointing out things as they passed. Tess let the topic drop, but his expression was hard to forget. Where had Hawk been trained?
"There are two meal halls and two leisure halls between the dorms," Hawk said, gesturing to a two-story, pillared building that stood between the first and the second girl's trees.
Then he nodded toward a larger structure that was barely visible through the foliage. "On the eastern and western sides are the meal halls. I am confident you will enjoy the cuisine. Be careful with your magic in the buildings and the trees. Damaging them is frowned upon."
They passed a meal hall and came to the base of the last girls' tree. "Just activate your glasses and they should take you to your room. Then you should use them to call your mom. I'm
sure she will be worried about you."
"And then?" Tess asked.
Hawk shrugged. "Get unpacked and get some rest. A lot of students will be showing up throughout the night. You will need the sleep. From what I hear the first day is always the hardest."
"That's not reassuring," Tess said with a grunt.
Hawk laughed quietly, and then abruptly embraced her. "Your luggage should already be there. I will see you later this week. I'm your tutor, remember?"
Before she could respond, he turned on his heels and strode away. Tess stood rooted in place. The hug had taken her by surprise, but had been oddly comforting. It reminded her of her grandfather before he'd died. The thought made her frown. If her dad wasn't her dad, it would mean that her grandfather wasn't hers either.
She sighed and turned toward the wide spiral staircase, feeling alone and nervous. With hesitant fingers she donned her omni-glasses. Grateful that Hawk had allowed her to use them before, it didn't take her long to find the compass to her room. Just as before, a gold filament threaded its way up the staircase in front of her.
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she began to climb. She soon passed a pair of rooms on the left and right. Nestled among the lowest branches, they boasted brass handles and numbers on their doors. This close she could see how beautiful each room was.
Roofed with two enormous sheets of darkwood, the walls were reddish-brown. Large branches supported them, while smaller ones grew against and around it, anchoring it in their grip. A smaller staircase curved up to the door. Branches as thick as her wrist formed the railings.
Taken aback by the inherit beauty, she pressed on and passed another cabin, and then another. It didn't take her long to realize that although the individual rooms were the same, each of them had slightly different decorations. One had an abundance of flowers growing right from the walls. Another had a round waterfall on its porch. Suspended like a wreath, it fell in a perpetual circle.
She reached a junction and followed the thread that told her to continue climbing. A few times she peeked over the side, but the density of the foliage and the sturdiness to the stairs kept her fear at bay. After passing another dozen cabins, she crossed a sloped bridge and then spiraled up the adjacent trunk, where she paused to catch her breath.
