School in Hastelan, chapter 48. (Patreon)

Here we are. On time and under budget, but not a very long chapter. Nonetheless, please enjoy.

The school was abuzz, the customary tables awash with random noise and rumor. The morn saw naught but wild speech. There was precious little meat this morn, either. Most of us would make do with dried fish direct from the sea, of all things.

Some few of us had fresh fish, myself included, and I did not like what such a thing might mean, yet I would say nothing so long as others also kept their counsel.

The fish was made well, of course. The cooks had gone beyond themselves, adding some spice or other that changed the taste completely from what I was used to.

I pondered if I could wrangle their secrets from them for the asking; surely with such secrets, I could make such fish myself, as I wanted?

I would ask. Surely they would be angry, and I would not be angry should they refuse.

"We were the only ones attacked; you would think the entire school was, with all this," Lady Nells spit in disgust.

Then she looked around, making sure none of those minding us saw her transgression.

If they had, she would soon be set to scrubbing the floor by herself.

"Even if we were the only ones attacked, the attack affects us all." I was certain of that. Leaving the school would now be much more of a chore.

The real attack had been aimed not at us, but at myself alone. Of that I was certain. I was also certain my friends knew this, and beyond telling those who stood above us, and had said not a single word to anyone. The better not to cry out my nature more than had already been done.

Truly, my friends were fast and knew me.

"True," lady Serapis intoned. "We shall all require more escorts. The school shall have to glean the best knights of the city, such as the noble houses will share."

We did not have enough from the school's own knightage, should our escorts double. The other option was to confine us to the school itself and allow few to no outings. A solution which I was certain would please none.

I would leave soon or late regardless, as my gift was far too valuable to lay fallow. I wondered how many would be forced to protect me, and how. Surely they could not have four such knights around me at all moments with their shields held over me? What could even be done?

"I should not worry," lady Istha opined. "We are safe here, for the while, and should we need to leave these confines, no expense will be spared."

"Even for the least among us," lady Delia agreed.

The least among us could do much; even if all we could do was to sense earth and stone, and where it may lie.

I am quite sure that lady Sonan would much prefer to lay waste with gouts of flame or water, however, usefulness aside. At times, I wished the same.

Such words of comfort were not needed; I had faith in the Goddess, that if she wished so, she would see to my survival. I did hope that she would see to the others alike, however. I did not wish to be held in those gentle arms alone.

"Of course. We should not fear what will be. At least, not this moment. To do so takes much away from what is."

"And what is?" Lady Delia asked.

Did she not know? The feast was over, with even the dried fish consumed for all of us: "Chores, of course."

The groans at my small jest were as music.

The crockery was gathered, according to the scullion's will, and we lined up, as was our will. Or rather, the will of those who lead us.

The end of the meal also served to finish the rumors and noise; we were silent as we marched through the hall.

Such silence lasted under the keen gaze of the stern cook, who seemed to have no pressing matter to take his interest, and who would make souls who spoke, no matter the issue discussed.

I would be safe from such, as my friends were all well away from me.

This day was almost a festival; I was finished with my crockery before almost anyone else, and the cook let me leave with a nary a look and nod.

I had more time than I needed to gather my books, my writing materials, and make my way back to the hall for class. Enough time to enjoy my sights, the sounds, the scents of my chamber, mayhap.

I took the seat, my belongings around me. It was comforting. It felt safe.

I did not have enough time for the tea - the tea I so badly desired. I would settle for water instead, from the pitcher we all had. It was chilled to perfection, yet was not hot nor bitter. I would make do.

Then it was off to the hall, where lady Matrona waited. Some few were already present, and it seemed as if we would stay within the hallowed halls this day, so I found my place beside them.

None made as if to move away, so some headway had been made there.

More would need be made of course; I did not know the one I was seated near. She was small among us, only slightly larger than myself in height and frame, and her hair was more the color of aged hay than the sun, but her blue eyes seemed to sparkle in the middling light of the hall and the smattering of dots along her nose gave her a pleasing cast overall.

"I do not believe we have properly met. I am lady Katerine, might I have the pleasure of your name?"

Spoken so well not even lady Matrona could find fault with my etiquette, I was certain.

"I am lady Tirude, lady Katarine. P-pleased I am to make your acquaintance," the stammer would be certain to earn some ire, and so would the hesitant plucking, as if to curtsy while seated.

Sure enough, lady Matrona was looking her way with a frown. Mayhap I could save her the tongue lashing to come? "Your etiquette seems to need more effort, lady Tirude. Might we work on that later?"

The blush was deep and seemed to reach all the way down: "At your convenience, lady Katerine, I would appreciate any help you might be willing to offer."

Better myself than lady Matrona, as a rule.

"Of course. After class, then, we shall work upon it. It would not do for those who care about such things to find any of us lacking."

I did not think many cared in point of fact, not as our superiors did, yet I would not gainsay their wisdom. At least, not in front of one such; that way led to more chores.

Chores needed to be done, but not by myself, and learning was always greater than such things.

I settled on working on my letters before the class started, and counted the others as they streamed in with written numbers. I was better at both, seeming to have a knack for the work. I was sure if my gift were less strong, I would even now be scribing works as an apprentice for others even now, as some had recently been given.

A form of chore, yet one that taught.

"Alright, we are all present," lady Matrona said, and I focused on her. In the interest of being complete, I also marked my last mark; there were almost two dozens of us here.

"I would like to say, before you all begin your readings, that until we say so, the trips into the city must cease. This year's student in particular shall not be allowed to cross the gates for the next few days. The school has put forth the call for more knights, yet it shall take time to make certain those who answer the call have the skill and discretion required. Until that time, only those who have received a royal order may leave with impunity."

That would be none of us, as while I have had such before, there was no reason for another now. I would be happy with such, I could spend the time here, with the books and knowledge of times past.

Lady Matrona continued: "Deliveries are still to be accepted, however, so if you find yourself in need of some trinket or other, you may send word through myself or a servant, and we shall take care of it."

There were some murmurs of dismay as lady Matrona quieted, however they were not loud, as none wanted an irate Lady Matrona.

The Lady in question clapped, loudly, as noise drew our gazes away: "Now, to your lessons."

The reason for the noise was the next year, settling in the benches on the other side of the hall from us. Another instructor was leading those ducklings, watching with a stern mein as they settled in.

These were the second years, and Jayan was their minder. She had some foolscap in her hand, and referred to it as I watched.

I turned away as she began what could only be a lecture, soft words that barely carried to my ears, and from which I could glean no meaning.

It had to be a gift at work, and it could only be wind. I found it easy to ignore after a moment, and began my own lesson.

This book was a book on plants. Special plants of miraculous or legendary properties.

I would learn some healing plants... and if I happened to find the tree of my dream among them, I would know what it was. Learning the art of healing would make me more valuable, and making myself valuable enough would mean no court, no angry royal, would cast me aside should I say or do anything to offend.

There, a plant with a red bulb and yellow innards, with a green to brown stem, complete with thorns. A dramil, useful in for those who have difficulty getting air. I dutifully wrote the name to the side with my charcoal upon the floor, and added the drawing beside it as well.

Drawing such things was easy, very like making scroll-work on wood, only without the extra cuts needed.

"You seem to have a knack, lady Katerine," my seating companion opined.

It did look very much as the picture in the book. "I do not know, it is not so hard. I would wager most of us here could do as well or better."

"I should like to try then; might I use your book as a reference?"

Bold of her. "Yes, I shall practice my lettering instead."

I could tell from the outset, as I formed my letters, that lady Tirudi would not be able to make her doppelganger of the flower. I buried the thought of offering wisdom; what did I know of such things? This was my first true attempt at such art, and only my work as a carpenter had allowed for any true likeness to be formed. I had to create a series of flowers close to this one on the side of a bed, just this last spring after all.

No, I would let her do as she will and do my own work. I would offer praise for any attempt. She would like such, when her own work was completed.

Lady Matrona, ever watchful, looked on but said naught, content to let lady Tiludi do as she will for now, despite her own lesson being delayed by her current actions.

Said lady in question finished the last stroke, with a muted growl of what could only be anger. Her flower... well, I could tell it was a flower. A lopsided affair, with thorns far too large for it, but even so, a flower.

"Well done. Some minor differences, yet I can tell what it is supposed to be."

Lady Tiludi all but slammed down her charcoal and blew a breath. "You made it look so easy, lady Katerine."

"Practice," lady Matrona spoke at last. She had not moved, had not raised her voice so as to disturb the others, yet we had heard her clearly. "Lady Katerine has had much practice, being raised as she has. If the Goddess had not called her, she would even now be a famous artisan to some, and her fame would only grow with time."

I would be no such thing, yet it was a kind fib to tell. "It is not so. My father is the real artisan. I would have some great learning to do, yet."

My father was the best in the kingdom. When he could be. The Count and his family, the royals themselves, many of the nobles here, had seen fit to limit such choices for our family.

Given the chance, they would do so again. That was what it meant to be a fallen family, after all.

"A coin for your thoughts," lady Matrona asked. Despite the questioning nature, she was stern, as if I were in the wild and had stepped on some trap or fumbled a catch.

"I was merely thinking that I did indeed have some long history with doing this sort of thing, this way. At home, charcoal was the best way to mark any wood before a cut, and so we did it often. The skill works well here, and will likely work as well on paper itself."

"Ah, I see." Lady Matrona replied softly, and I gathered the sense of a trap I'd not see yet somehow avoided. "It is true. We should allow for more such skills in the Kingdom, yet we may not train them here. If you are interested, self-study is the best that can be offered here, as we've so little time already to mold you into fitting ambassadors of the Goddess."

I did not know that word. I would look it up when allowed to do so. "Self-study is the true art of the noble, I have heard it said. I would do as I will, and soon enough we shall have the time."

"Even so," lady Tiludi agreed. "I do not mind some effort spent for a worthy cause, and I shall surpass lady Katerine in this!"

Then she jumped and looked to me. "So long as it does not offend."

Why would such a thing offend? "Nay, do as you will. I look forward to the time when your depictions outstrip my own."

I could see the flaws in my own work from here; I would congratulate anyone who might do better, or even match the book itself.

If I dared use ink, might I be able to match the book? I had not thought to try afore, as paper was a singular expense. Mayhap a finer, smaller charcoal might also serve. I could attempt it. I would have time, with all trips cancelled.

Was it wrong to be happy about such an outcome? I did not know - while it felt wrong, I could not change my darker yet happier thoughts on this. Dealing with others was becoming a chore, and I really should ponder why.

It felt nice to realize I might indeed have the time to ponder such things rather than be pulled hither and yon by mission after mission, no matter how needed they were.

I worked on my letters and pondered these feelings. Was I angry at being useful? Was I happy? Was I doing as the Goddess willed with my gifts? Nay, I was certain I was; the Goddess desired us to help others, so the help I was offering could not be wrong.

Nay, I decided. I would stay the course; all I really needed was somewhat of a rest from the rigors of what I faced. Those rigors mostly spoken of by those people who seemed so ingratiating, or who seemed to desire more from me than I was willing to give. At least for now.

The tree was not on the next page; rather, there was another flower, this one proof against blood ailments. After I wrote the name, I dutifully traced it out. If I continued with this, I might invest in paints and other pigments and begin my forays into a hobby of the rich.

I should learn my letters first. Truly, there was much before me.

I should like to know who took a shot at us... at me. It was not either of those boys I had so recently seen, I was certain. Or mayhap it was, and my gut feeling was wrong. I should like to know which it was.

I should also like to know who I might ask for those answers; the only one to whom I could turn would be lady Matrona, and for all her skills, I did not believe she would know the truths I sought.

There was naught to do but ask. Later, after the letters.