School in Hastelan, chapter 45. (Patreon)

Here we are. Please enjoy some intrigue! Maybe just a hint of intrigue, anyway....

The morning dawned, as was its wont. The world awakened anew, uncaring of the life upon it. The Goddess was all such care, and she decreed the morn to be a cold one, with frost reaching delicate fingers across the window as the sun painted the day in the usual colors.

There were no vines today, and no birds; the frost had no doubt chased both away, and I would be left... unburdened by such further reckonings or expectations.

The water in my basin was chilled today of course, yet I could not heat it so I would do as I must. I was not so far removed from my origins that I would be defeated by a mere chill.

I found my robe's warmth welcome, however.

I had to pack my boots again in order to get them snug.  I would need another pair 'ere to long, which was a passing shame, as these boots were as fine as any I'd had. Mayhap I could find someone else who needed a good pair, and regain some of the coin I'd spent on them. If not, I would find someone in need and gift them. it would be far better than leaving them to rot at my bedside.

Surely all of my peers had good boots of their own by now.

"Lady 'Rine?"

Right, no good would come of trying to see booted feet in the hall. "My apologies, I was lost in thought."

"It is no trouble at all," lady Woad replied, moving past, her boots hidden by the hem of her robe, as was the same for many. "Yet we should not tarry."

Lady Woad was a second year, and I'd little experience with her as yet. She was more unfortunate than most, yet seemed cheerful enough and seemed to cause no ripples within the school. She was large and muscular, having both the look and bearing of a knight to be, and had been the son of a knight before she answered the call. Her rippled brown hair and dark eyes sparkled in the dim light however, and she smelled of a growing garden in spring.

I set my own feet to move, and soon the main hall and the treasures within met my eyes.

Precious few treasures as of yet of course, unless one considered heavy tables to be such. The real treasure would enter in mere moments however, so I resolved on a speedy fetching of a strong tea, the better to shake what cobwebs still clung to my mind so far this day.

The tea did beckon, welcoming in it's blackened strength. The water here was as chilled as that which I had washed with, and I poured some of that as well. I did not desire something cold this morn, but who could say what the day would hold?

My companions here were bundled up in shawls and cloaks one and all, save for lady Istha. Surely it was not so cold...? Why was lady Delia here so early? It was not customary for her.

"Good morn."

The mumbled greetings in response to my own affirmed that wakefulness was less than complete among us. I sat and placed my treasures before me, and at last was able to drink deeply.

"Have you heard anything of the sign? There is so little discourse upon it today. yester-morn, it was all spoken of, and now it is as if it did not happen," lady Nells grumbled.

I did not understand. "What would there be to discuss? It has happened, and if it is a sign, then none yet know its meaning. Even those who have been gifted the sign and any task it represents know not. What use could such reflection upon is serve?"

"Interest," lady Nells returned promptly. "It is a matter of import that has happened to us. You are yet new here lady 'Rine, so I shall tell you a profound truth."

Lady Nells leaned forward and put a sage finger before her lips before pressing on: "School life is boring."

Lady Delia arrived at this moment, gently shoving lady Nells aside to take her own place and offering an opinion all the while: "School life is only as boring as it is made, lady Nells. Good morn, everyone."

Another round of greetings passed, and the bell rang. The scullions began their serving dance.

The hall was more quiet than seemed normal, lady Nells was right. Many were discussing matters in muted whispers. Yet of those, there seemed to be few matters of import. I could detect no concern, no tense shoulders or furtive glances.

Unless I looked up. Those who watched over us, were watching even now, and they seemed less inclined to idle chatter - or any chatter at all it seemed.

Rather, there were two stern and lined faces framed by gray hair above thin bodies draped in ornate and expensive dresses. They sat on either side of the three instructors I knew, and their eyes settled upon us in turn. Those eyes seemed harsh and judging.

I knew of a sudden, that I would be meeting those two 'ere long.

The platters were placed before us, the scullions smiling out simple joy of life. I felt the same, despite the souring looks, and returned such even as they passed.

There was meat aplenty, both from wild animals and tame ones, some few vegetables, much bread, some cheese... but no fruit at all. The winter had finally claimed those stores, it seemed. I would mourn the loss.

I had my own reserves; I would sample those some days later.

I chose what I desired, as did the others. The eyes were still upon me, I could feel them. I  knew not what they desired, yet I would not act in any strange way.

Even lady Nells seemed subdued. "What are they even here for?" she muttered.

Ah, of course, she was my senior. "You know them?"

"Yes," lady Nells affirmed. "The one to the left of lady Matrona is none other than lady Fletching, a fierce warrior of old and member of our own council."

I knew of her, and she looked every bit her reputation. A fierce warrior and noted countess, it was rumored her presence alone at our border kept many an enemy away.

"The one to the far right," lady Nells continued, "is none other than lady Ezing, the famed ruler of the waters."

Another well-known personage, who was rumored to be able to control the course of the rivers themselves. Some even said the sea itself, yet knowing as I did now, I could not credit such a thing.

Why were such people here? I had not seen either before, as they were busy safeguarding the kingdom. Surely it could not be that? Surely the sign, which was rare enough among us, was not so amazing a thing to pull our best from their important posts?

How many more might be among us, waiting in the shadowed inner halls we could not see?"

"You should not worry so much," lady Delia whispered. "They do come here, from time to time. When they are in the city. Even your counterpart of earth."

That was a comfort. Yet even so... "Both at once?"

"Nay, that is unusual," lady Delia answered. "Even so, it may have naught to do with us."

She did not believe those words. I would be much surprised if any of us believed such.

Even so, she meant well. "Mayhap they have been asked for wisdom. The Goddess could have given them further insights."

They were fellow chosen, after all.

"It is possible. I'd wager none of us alive could offer such wise counsel, however - the last sign given was almost a hundred years ago," lady Serapis intoned.

"Really?" lady Istha retorted at once. "I'd have wagered much on you not wagering at all."

Lady Serapis sniffed, and most carefully did not smile at the jest. "I am aware of what the word means, and can use it at my pleasure."

"My apologies," lady Istha returned. "How much pleasure does such a use give you? I should like some pleasure myself."

Lady Nells shoved her voice between the two: "I do not enjoy this! Jests are my domain, and you both are making a true hash of things!"

They both turned to her, and she darkened somewhat, yet held her ground.

Then they all broke the enchantment as one, giggling as if they wore motley and not robes.

lady Serapis sniffed again, tucking her nose into the air: "you are half as amusing as you think yourselves, at best."

The two looked between themselves.

"I'll take such praise with gusto," lady Istha said.

Lady Nell's words were far more ominous. "That sounds a challenge. I shall happily accept."

Lady Serapis rolled her eyes, yet said nothing, focusing on her bread. I followed her example, the merriment gone, even as the spirit remained.

I finished, my last tidbit a piece of cheese and the last of my tea, and waited. Some time yet remained until our task in the kitchen, and I should use it well.

Some communing with the earth under us would do me good, as it had in days past. It... centered me. Lady Nells might even say it grounded me - hah. I could imagine even lady Nells would not like to use such a jest; it was far too easy.

My tea finished and body warm, I turned to the water, even as the earth revealed its secrets to me once again.

Those two still bored holes into my soul with their eyes. They were attempting to hide the object of their gaze, and for others the blur of moving their faces hither and yon combined with muted whispers might have worked, yet even so I could feel it. I knew they meant no harm, yet it was unsettling.

When I made the earth ripple, just a touch, below the depths of the cellar, lady Ezing returned to her overt stare - as if she knew.

Of course she did, how foolish of me, she had felt the ripple from the earth in the waters of the stream under us. I ceased my practice immediately. She would of course know who had done such a thing, as there was only one of us present here who could move earth at all.

Unless the very famous lady Aarde, the sole earth using graduate of this fine school, had come. I did not think she had, as I would likely be ushered to meet her the moment she arrived. Even so, it was likely she was on her way, if her tasks at all allowed for such. We were rare after all, and lady Sonan had stated the good Lady had traveled back to the capital to meet her, in her first year.

Why the worthy had not helped lady Sonan at that time was a matter beyond me, and none of mine besides. So for all my curiosity, I would not ask. At least, should she one day make her way to me; I should not assume such a visit was owed me just for existing, after all.

The bell rang again, and the scullions made their second entrance. One day I would hunt down that bell, and those who rang it, to see how they always seemed to know. Was it practice, or something else?

We all sat quietly as the scullions retrieved their crockery, save for lady Nells who stuffed one last morsel into her maw.

She acted as if starved. Yet, she might be attempting to stave off the desire for morsels later.

The balcony was empty now, the worthies among us retreating through the upper hall attached to it. We lined up as usual despite this, yet I could not help but wonder - where were they going with such haste? What made them rush so?

Of course I was able to satiate my rampaging curiosity sooner rather than late. Those same worthies I had been watching and had watched me in turn came into the main hall as I was about to leave it. We passed each other, so close that I could hear the labored breathing of those who had abandoned all propriety and ran some distance.

"Come see me as soon as your chore is complete," lady Matrona demanded, looking right upon me.

I pointed to myself to make the order clear, and she gave a curt nod as she once again swept away, leading those two with eyes like hawks spotting a fat mouse away. I bowed my deference even so, and then rushed myself back in line.

I understood; even as I was supposed to report to lady Matrona after washing crockery, she had stated her desire as a means of making clear to all that I was not above such chores... even as she later informed me of some great truth or revelation.

Surely that must be so?

No, I should not borrow such trouble. I shall complete my task as well as I might, and then let other leaves fall as they may. The pots were fierce today, their grease and grime resisting all attempts to scour them away with normal methods.

I had another method of course, and earth was plentiful, even here... yet I dared not. I could make the task as nothing, and so save time, yet I would drive further space between myself and the others were I to do so.

Even if lady Usin was using her own command over water to assist her, not three places away. The head cook was watching, always watching, and I was certain he'd already spotted the act.

The work was welcome, truth told, and brought a respite from my racing thoughts. Yet in the fullness of time, I was the last one remaining, and the pots were at last clean.

And so I dried my hands and walked to what doom lay before me, what doom my dream of yester-morn opened before me, a path I was certain none should envy.

The halls were clear of course, as everyone was already at their assigned posts to learn. I would not gather my books, I dare not tarry before a summons. Instead I grabbed the hem of my robe and quickened my pace.

I should switch to dresses in truth; the ones which lady Serapis wore were much more difficult to tangle in one's feet. Or so she said. She was a noble, used to such things, and I had my doubts.

As expected, the three emerged from the passage just before the main hall. They had clearly been waiting with the door closed. How had they known when I was to pass? No, I would not ask.

I stopped and gave respect; two of the three stood still as statues. Only lady Matrona dipped her head in response. "Well met lady 'Rine. These fine ladies would like to discuss matters of import with you. I must teach your peers. Come to us when you have finished."

"If she should finish before your class, of course," lady Fletching uttered softly, in a voice that was somehow quiet and loud and gruff all at once.

"We shall finish before," lady Ezing admonished, "for if we do not, lady Matrona shall be quite cross with us. Come quickly child, we shall not hurt you."

There was no other in the passage, the ambush had been lucky or well-timed.

Lady Ezing held the door as I entered, and closed it after with the soft thunk wood oft had meeting itself. Lady Fletching was already gliding along, leading the way. I followed, and lady Ezing brought up our rear without complaint, even as she was entitled to walk before me.

We passed the strongroom, or the records room, whichever it was, where I had learned about my small fortune, and kept on. Further, past two sets of three more thick banded doors. Finally, at the fourth set upon the right, lady Fletching brought forth a key; the metal turned smoothly in the lock, and she entered.

The room itself was a large one, made much like a noble's room might be, with couches set across from another with a small table in between, a round table set with a service and tray for cakes, and some chairs scattered about. There, on the table before both couches, my journal rested.

I had heard of these; surely it was a sitting room, a space made for simply talking and entertaining others in comfort, when the same actions out of doors would not do. Nobles used such fripperies, it was odd to see such here.

Lady Fletching moved to the far couch, and lady Ezing passed me in order to join her, it seemed.

"Please, sit. The couches are most comfortable, and we should not stand on ceremony, or indeed stand at all, to do this."

I sat upon the lone couch, facing the two worthies. They had placed themselves on either end of course, so that it was hard to keep both in clear view. Harder to discern their intent, and even should I pierce the veil of one, the other would elude me.

I would like it if, just once, those who sought answers from me would assume I would not play such silly games with them, and instead spoke to me directly without deceit or blandishment. No, they had done naught yet, and it was wrong to assume such a thing of these, I had not met them afore.

Lady Ezing picked up my journal, and opened it to what I knew to be the last page. "As you have no doubt guessed, we are here regarding your dream and the events that follow. We believe your dream to be a sign; a sign the Goddess has illuminated to us with birdsong. Have you any further insight as to its import?"

"Any new thoughts gained by distance and a good nights sleep?" Lady Fletching added with a warm and gentle smile.

Of course. "I've none. Any insights you might have into the meaning of the Goddess's message, would be most appreciated."

It was no lie, as any insights I'd had were not new, since the dream itself. I was certain I knew the meaning, and yet I was also certain that I should not give up those young boys who had been revealed to me thus; they had their part to play in my life, and they would not be able to play it should my sisters and comrades in arms decide they were to be imprisoned... or worse.

Why I felt that the Goddess's own chosen would take that path, I did not know. Yet I trusted the knowledge, as it sprang from the same source as the sign itself.

Against my breast, my charm warmed pleasantly, the earth within responding for but a moment.

"We may share a few," lady Ezing admitted. "Such confusion is not odd, and with care we may uncover hidden truths."

"To start," lady Fletching added: "The tree itself. We feel that the Goddess is speaking in a riddle here, and the sapling is not a sapling, but symbolic of another young life."

That was... "How so? Have  I met this young life somehow?" The two seemed to offer a hint that it was not a plant at all. Was it one of the beautiful boys themselves?  Some other form of life, mayhap a special deer or horse? There had been some signs as that known in the past.

"We believe it to be you, yourself," lady Ezing stated. "The tree is none other than you, yourself. The dream itself is about you, doing all you can to raise yourself properly."

Then... "What could those shadowy figures represent?"

"A choice. A choice of others, either that you make or that they shall make for you, which will affect your growth," lady Ezing stated with utmost faith.

They felt as I did. Truly, they were close to the truth, all on their own. The choice was one I must make, yet all else was correct. Or should be correct, as there would be choices on both sides. My friends would have their own parts in the play of my life, by their own admission.

"There is another choice, of course," lady Fletching pondered. "The tree could be another of your family or even a friend, whom your choices could greatly affect, for good or ill."

She did not believe that. She and I both knew, even as she uttered the words to tickle my ears, that she did not believe them.

"I do not think such is the sign received. After all, should that be so, why would the birds sing to me?"

There could be no doubt who the birds had outed, and who the vine had outed; the life had come to me, and not my family or friends. They must surely know of the strange vine with the pleasant scent by now.

"Were they singing to you?" lady Ezing asked, her face pleased.

As if she had won some great victory here. "I can think of no other reason why they would be outside my window. Mayhap it is arrogance on my part, and others had such encounters?"

"They did not," lady Ezing admitted. "The birdsong came from many at once, and was heard across the school, but the origins of it seem every well known, according to the keepers report."

"Why didn't you report this?" lady Fletching asked.

"Before all this, I had no knowledge of signs and portents and events. I had not thought anything was amiss. For all of me, the song and dream could be normal among our kind."

Lady Ezing was nodding. "Right, you are as yet uneducated, and therefore unfamiliar with the wider workings of the world and the Goddess."

"And the school became in an uproar before you could then report it to any of us."

I nodded my silent assent. Had they more questions?

"Just one more question then. You've no mention of it here, yet we must make certain: do you have any thought on what the two shadows might be? What choice they may represent?"

That had been... close, so very close to the mark. I kept my face still. "I am certain I do not know, yet I feel the light and shadow they appeared in to be all the clue I need. If you'll forgive my wild premise."

"Hm, good and evil, aye? It could be so." Lady Fletching declared. "I would not hold such close to your heart, however. It may be that some other solution shall present itself in time."

The two shared a look before lady Ezing took up their combined cause. "Alright, you may go and learn; if we arrive at other inquiries, we shall ask more of you. If you come up with more you feel we should know, you may reach us through lady Matrona."

Clearly dismissed, I stood and gave my curtsy. "Thank you. If you have need of anything else, of course you may ask."

So they had no intent to make an issue of my power use earlier this morn. If they saw no reason to make issue of it, I saw no reason to make issue of it. Even so, I would like to know how lady Ezing knew I had used my gift. I had my own thought of course, yet nothing was certain.

I would deal with my disappointment. Instead, I should leave while the leaving was possible.

The hall was not empty this time; there were older sisters travelling hither and yon as I shut the door. Many of whom lent me a curious eye, and some of whom bore recognition on their faces as they passed.

None took umbrage at my presence, however, and none ceased whatever tasks brought them about.

I would not dream of halting them myself of course; I knew the way, and my letters beckoned.