by Eric Vall
We rounded a corner, went down a short hallway and came to a small wooden door with the image of a scroll and quill etched into the stone above it.
Arwyn knocked and opened the door before a reply could be given. I followed her in and caught my breath. The room was far larger than I’d expected. It was almost like a library, with shelves and shelves of leather-bound books and scrolls. A large chandelier hung overhead, and large bay windows at the head of the room cast the orange glow of dusk into it.
At the center was a large metal desk with stacks of paper scattered about. No one was present, though. Arwyn went up to the desk and rang a small bell, which chimed lightly and reverberated through the shelves. Moments later, I heard a clattering of books and the squeak of boots against the tile. A man about Arwyn’s age appeared from among the back shelves. He had on glasses, a grey three-button suit, and a nicely trimmed beard. He adjusted his glasses as he approached.
“Ah, Miss Hamner, a pleasure as always, what can I do for you?” his voice was high and his eyes bright as he cast a quick glance my way.
“Terrel, this is Gryff, the new student. Gryff, this is Terrel, our head of admissions and records. He’ll see to your books, rooming assignment, and class assignment.”
Terrel seemed enthused by the prospect. “Ah, you’re the summoner Headmaster Sleet wired me about. I’ve already prepared your things for you.” He bent down behind the desk and started to rifle through some papers. I could only blink. He appeared a moment later and piled a bunch of books atop the desk, as well as school supplies and a stack of folded uniforms, which looked almost as heavy as the books.
Arwyn grabbed a large blue robe from the top of the clothes. “You will want to put this one on now. These are your dining robes. I doubt you want to stick out in there.”
I supposed I didn’t. So I nodded, shrugged off my pack, and slipped on the robe. It felt bulky over my other coat, but it would have to do. From the brief spots where it touched my skin, the velvety fabric of it was divine. Cool in a pleasant way. Oh yes, I could get used to wearing things like this.
Seven bells boomed through the Academy suddenly, baritone and shaking. The dusk bells, I assumed.
Arwyn hooked her arm through mine. I almost flushed at her closeness. “That’s the dinner bell. All the students will have gathered already. Terrel, could you have his things delivered to his room, please?”
He nodded profusely. “Yes, ma’am.”
She beamed. “Thanks, dear.” It occurred to me then that Terrel was attracted to miss Hamner. That wasn’t so much a shock. I couldn’t imagine a man that wouldn’t be even a little bit infatuated with her.
We left the office and returned to the foyer, where we then took the large central hallway. The doors at the end of it were opened, and from within I could see that constant motion of bodies. That must’ve been the dining hall. We stopped at the entrance, where Arwyn unlocked her arm from mine.
“Well, here you are. Nervous?”
I gulped. “A little bit.”
She smiled and patted my cheek. “You’ll be fine, dear.”
She started to walk in, but I pulled her back briefly. “Wait, where will you eat?”
“Oh, sorry, Gryff, but I don’t eat with the students.” She gave me a once over with her golden amber eyes, then she smirked. “Not usually.” She walked away and into the mess of bodies. I sighed. I already missed her.
I took a deep breath, readied myself, and strode into the hall.
Chapter 5
The smell of various foods warring for dominance of my nose assaulted me. My mouth began to water. Silverware chinked and clanged, and above it all was the feverous din of dinner chatter. The hall rose up several stories about me and was supported by tall stone pillars. The room was awash in the warm glow of torches that hung from the pillars. There were five long tables with benches beneath that dominated the center of the room, and moving about the tables, sitting and eating, were my fellow students.
Big and small, man and woman, I estimated there to be about a hundred people. I saw mostly gold and white robes, each with different color variations in the trim that symbolized what type of mage they were. White for adepts, gold for elementals, and blue for summoner, though I didn’t see many of them.
To the left of the hall was the serving stand, so I headed for it. There wasn’t much of a line anymore since I appeared to be the last student to arrive. I waited behind a very tall man with a shaved head and white robes that towered over me. He picked up a metal tray from the counter, so I followed his lead. Then he started to pile his tray with food. There were vegetables, meats, breads, and everything I could ever want in a meal, so I dove in. I grabbed several pieces of grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, dried fish chips, steamed broccoli, and other assorted vegetables. With the tray balanced in one hand, silverware and napkins along with them, I poached a large glass pint and filled it to the brim with mead.
Meal in hand, my legs carefully marched forward. I hadn’t the slightest idea of where to sit. Everyone was already in groups, hunched together eating and talking, and didn’t look at all inviting. I searched and searched and felt like an idiot as I stood there alone, but then my eyes found her.
A woman about my age sat alone at the far end of the middle table, closest to the main doors as she could be. I hadn’t noticed her when I’d walked in because I’d been too focused on the chaos of the scene, but she was perfect, and that was perfect for me. She wore gold elemental robes, but the trim was gold as well. I didn’t know what that meant. She had long ashen hair that she wore back in a long braid.
I walked over to the young woman and sat across from her. She’d barely touched her tray full of vegetables and a bowl of soup. She had a glass of water and a large textbook opened to read. Her finger followed the passage as she read along, but when I sat down, her head snapped up, and her eyes locked on mine.
She didn’t seem happy, but I didn’t care because she was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen.
Piercing blue eyes stared daggers back at me, but I would have let them stab me if they could. Her thick lips were curled into a frown, her narrow eyes slits as she glared at me in suspicion. A small scar adorned her gentle jaw and tucked into her chin. Her nose was delicate, but her cheekbones were plump and defined. She took my breath away, but it was clear she wanted to do that quite literally.
“What do you want, summoner?” Her voice was beautiful, though she spat my title like a curse.
I dipped my spoon into my mashed potatoes and started to eat. “No one should eat alone,” I said between chews. She cringed and slammed her book shut. That drew the attention of more than a few pairs of eyes.
“Maybe I want to be in solitude.”
I shrugged and kept on eating. “No one likes being lonely.”
“I do.”
“Suit yourself.” I tried the broccoli. It was exquisite. And then the chicken … hmm. Cooked to perfection. The mead wasn’t the best, but who was I to judge what these city-folk liked to drink.
The girl arched a brow and eyed me incredulously. “Why are you still present?”
“You might be fine with eating alone, but I ain’t.”
She threw up her hands and grunted. “Maker preserve me.” She pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers. “And it’s ‘I’m not.’ Not ‘I ain’t’. Ain’t isn’t a word.”
“It is where I’m from, and you just used it in a sentence, so I reckon it’s a word now, ain’t it?” I gave her a cheeky smile. She gave me a glare that could cut diamonds.
“Your accent is atrocious,” she said and enunciated that word a little too deliberately. “What yokel sty are you from? Do you even use soap?” She meant that as an insult, but us free rangers took it as a point of pride that we could smell so bad after a hard day’s work. It meant we’d earned our keep.
“I’m from all over, lady.” I took another sip of my mead and swallowed the chicken I’d been eating. A lovely combination. “But if it really
matters to ye, I don’t remember my birthplace on account of my parents and village being burnt and killed by monsters. But the man who rescued me raised me in this serene little lumber mill called Njordenfalls. Now, I don’t suppose a city girl like yourself would know where that is, but maybe you can find it on a map someday if you’re interested.”
She blinked only for a moment at the candor of my words, before she twisted her face at my tone. “You do know who I am, yes? And why no one sits with me?”
I blinked and chewed. “Nope. Can’t say I do. Should I? Like I said, I’m new.” I reached out my hand to shake. “I’m Gryff, by the way.”
The girl rolled her eyes and grunted, but she didn’t take my hand or give me her name. Before I could reply, someone walked up to me and nudged me with their shoulder. I protested and turned to the perpetrator. It was another student, one who wore the same golden robes as the girl. Jewelry and baubles adorned his attire all over. The trim of his robe was a blazing fire red.
He was arrogantly handsome and carried himself with a haughty air that told me he knew he was full of himself. He had long blonde hair that he kept loose and overflowing, though it didn’t look right, like it was dyed. His beady green eyes were like emeralds, so much so that I had to wonder if an adept had altered them. And of course, everything about his face was aristocratic and snooty. From his chiseled cheekbones to his sharp jaw and pointy chin and long nose, he looked like a handsome goblin, all sharp edges and points.
His small lips curved into a sneer when he looked at me. “Is this guy bothering you, Nia?” So that was her name. I liked it.
She smiled at him, but it had a condescending edge to it. “No, but you are, Gawain.”
He smirked. “Come now, lady Kenefick, you seem too lonely over here. I know I would be better company than …” He eyed me up and down and looked down his nose at me all the while. He looked disgusted. “... this one.” His attitude toward me was annoying, but her last name pricked a memory in my mind. I knew of the Keneficks, didn’t I?
Gawain slid his hand across the table toward Nia. That was unwise. In a flash, Nia scooped up her knife and plunged it into his hand. No, in between his fingers. He yelped, but he didn’t dare to move his hand. The room quieted and turned its collective attention our way. I wasn’t sure if I liked the eyes on me.
Nia’s eyes narrowed, and her lips curled into a snarl. She was still gorgeous, but she was sure terrifying in that moment. “I said. Leave. And take that shitty perfume with you.”
I smirked. I’d wondered what the nauseating scent was. Like roses, but way too much of it, so that it was overpowering and unpleasant.
The prick pulled his hand away and adjusted his insufferable red ascot. “It’s cologne,” he said, his voice meek as he tried to regain some dignity. He failed. The golden pins on his collar and the several necklaces he wore jangled as he twirled around and strode away.
Her cheeks were slightly puffed, and though her lips were pursed, she forced them into a smile. But I could see the murderous rage beneath the surface.
“Sorry about that,” she finally said and dropped her false smile.
“He seems like a real glass of curdled ogre milk.”
She blinked at me for a few seconds, as if she hadn’t heard me right. Then her face contorted into disgust. “Such a farm boy.”
I cocked my head and snorted. “Well, I don’t know where you think this food you’re graciously eating came from, but I can assure you that it was probably raised by a farm boy.”
Nia scoffed. “You are insufferable. Don’t you have anywhere else to be?”
“No. I’m not even sure where I am or where I’m going.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean? Go to your dorm.”
“I don’t know where it is. I’m new here.”
“Yeah, I’m new too but the semester is a month in, you should know--”
“No. I’m. New. As in, I just got here today.”
Her eyes, already narrow, were practically slits then. “You got here … today? No one starts at the Academy late.” She frowned. “Especially not some dumb farm boy.”
I couldn’t tell her the truth, for I doubted she would believe it, so I scrambled for a plausible excuse until I found one. It was hard to think with all the commotion. A few people had finished their meals and were already heading back to what I assumed were their rooms. After a moment, I managed to conjure a convincing fib.
“I’d meant to arrive on time, but I had to leave late because Maelor, the man who raised me, fell ill with fever right when I was to depart. I had to care for him, since I couldn’t afford a doctor. Once he was better, it took me a few weeks to travel here, since I don’t have the coin for a train or one of your fancy flying ships.”
Nia didn’t lose her frown or her suspicion, but she didn’t question me further. She sighed and stood from her seat. “Well, Gryff, as an ambassador of this school, I can’t allow a new student to simply wander the grounds aimlessly all night. No matter how deserving.”
I smiled at that.
“Come, I’ll show you around. But try not to talk much.”
I gave her a mocking bow. “As you wish, my lady.”
She snorted. I quickly scarfed down what remained of my food and followed her to return our trays and dispose of our waste. That done, she led me to the foyer.
“What’s your dorm number?” she asked.
I stared back at her blankly. “They … they didn’t tell me.”
“Of course,” Nia said with a groan. She grabbed my wrist roughly and yanked me after her. “Come on, yokel.” I should have been insulted, but I was just happy that she deemed me worthy of her time and touch. She brought me down the hall, back to the record’s office. She didn’t even knock, just barged in. Terrel was at his desk, reading through papers.
“Sir,” Nia began, “can you tell me where this boy’s room is?”
I coughed. “I’m a man …”
She glared at me. Terrel adjusted his glasses. “I certainly can, Lady Kenefick.” He opened a drawer, looked through it briefly, and then handed a small sheet to Nia. “There you are. Room 205 in Cornelius Hall.”
“Brilliant,” said Nia with a huff. “Come along.”
I thanked Terrel and followed after her. She led us back to the foyer and down the opposite hallway, where we took a few turns before we came to an open-aired walkway outside. There was a courtyard next to us, and beyond that a large circular building made of stacked arches that looked suspiciously similar to the great arena of Fargarden. But Nia didn’t point anything out. I guess she wasn’t really into being a tour guide.
We cut through a few more buildings before we came to an open field. Ahead was a line of long brick buildings built along the Academy walls. Nia and I cut across the field and veered to the right until we came to the final building in the row. It was only three stories, made of faded brick, with vines crawling up the sides.
Over the iron doors, a name was etched into the stucco: Cornelius.
Nia pulled open the doors and walked inside. I stayed a step behind her. The inside was plush, with red carpeting and warm gas lights that hung from the ceilings. The walls were wood paneled and very luxurious, and that was just the foyer. It was very open, with several areas covered in desks and sofas that were centered around two fireplaces on opposite walls. The common area I presumed.
“I think I can find my way from here, Nia.”
“Call me Kenefick and nothing else,” she snapped. “And I doubt it.” I shrugged, though I felt a little offended that she thought me that stupid. She looked at the paper, then led me up the stairs in the center of the room. The air was too quiet. There hadn’t been anyone present downstairs, so everyone must’ve still been at the dining hall.
Her name finally lodged into my memory. “So, you’re one of the Keneficks.”
She didn’t look at me. “I am. Now you know why I can’t associate with a lowly yokel farmhand like yourself.”
; That stung, but now I was in even more awe. The Keneficks were legendary. They were the greatest heroes, the best mages. They’d been fighting monsters for three generations, since the beginning. Alvarus Kenefick had been one of the first people to discover the benefits of using essence crystals to power things. Emall Kenefick had led the charge at the first battle of Barly Grotto against the monster onslaught. The Keneficks were magic, myth, and hope. They were the greatest humanity had to offer.
And the most beautiful one had lowered herself to help me.
I wasn’t about to kiss her ass, but I appreciated her a bit more.
We took a right at a cross in the hallway and then a few paces later, we came to a wooden door, that had been like all the other wooden doors we’d passed, but this one had a brass plate on it that read 205. Also, all of my things were dumped next to the door. On top of the books was a key for the room. I took it and unlocked the door. I thought Nia would leave, but she scooped up my books and marched into my room like it was hers. I had to admit, though she was uppity, she was rather helpful.
The room was large and spacious, far bigger than any bedroom I’d ever stayed in. There were two four-poster beds with blue cotton covers against each wall. Next to them each was a large chest and a desk. The left side of the room was already occupied by whoever my roommate was. There was a door beyond that, and a light glowed from within.
The door slammed shut once we were in the room. It startled me. Nia chuckled, the first time I’d heard her make a sound that wasn’t negative.
“I’d heard the doors in here do that,” she said with a smirk. When she smiled, it made her glow all the more. She dropped my books on my desk. I slung my new uniform onto the bed, dropped my pack at the foot of it, and turned back to her.
“I appreciate the help, Kenefick.”
