School in Hastelan, chapter 51. (Patreon)

Here we are; next one. Please enjoy.

The morn came much too early; it was clear that I would pay some price for my sojourn last night. As yet, that price seemed little enough, and far less than others had paid for their own nightly movements. Finding the glass against me, the first bell long past, I jumped from the clinging grasp of my warm blankets.

I washed and dressed quickly, and only just managed to leave my chamber before the bell and join the throng.

Water and tea both were a must, so I made sure to take both to my accustomed seat. Most of my friends were already here before me, and settled in.

My friends, of course, were none the wiser about what had transpired, and I would keep them that way if the choice remained mine. I knew neither lady Matrona nor the knights would offer their own versions of events to any, and so I should be safe from any bickering the knowledge might cause.

"Good morn to all."

"Good morn, lady 'Rine," they chorused in return. A most musical sound in truth.

"You look tired," lady Delia said.

I would answer truthfully here. "I feel tired. I slept less than I should, mayhap."

"Deep thoughts," lady Serapis intoned. I did not correct her. For all I knew, such thoughts as I possessed would be considered deep if shared.

"You really do look peaked," Lady Istha opined. "Will you be alright today?"

I stifled a yawn and reached for my steaming cup. "Not an ill some bracing tea cannot cure."

Mayhap more than one cup, yet that carried its own hazards.

The meal today was mostly porridge, with some breads and cheeses. There was little meat of any kind, a testament to the lack of hunting. Soon, there would only be salted meat if any were to be had.

Even so, the porridge was plentiful; none present would go hungry, despite their muted grumbles.

I would work to bring such plenty to the countryside when I was able. For now, I should do as I can do. Improving the city also helped the lives of all in the kingdom. I should like to improve the roads, should the King allow it.

I should write to my father and the village; should they need any, or had the harvest been light, I could help and make sure none went without. It was a perk allowed to all of us. My father surely knew his letters, even if he had not instructed me. If he did not, then the mayor did. His calling was for such things, after all. He kept all records of the village at the lord's whim. Whichever lord was in charge of the territory.

I looked just as the others, our seniors, appeared and took their places on the balcony above. I had not missed the morning prayer, which was a stroke of luck; the Goddess would be most cross at me if I did not give her the due which she deserved.

Obeisance made, we settled in once more; this time, our silence was purchased at the expense of the food before us.

The meal settled down, however, as such meals were wont to do, and lady Nells gave us a verbal foray: "So, what do you think we might do today? Shall we have some excitement?"

"No, it shall be a trial again today," lady Serapis intoned.

"That is a statement filled with pits and hidden dangers, coming from you," lady Delia offered.

In truth, I could use less excitement. "I too feel that we shall have a day of no eventful import."

"I can believe such if you say it," lady Istha replied. "You do seem to be connected to most of the excitement which besets us at times."

Lady Delia's eyes narrowed in thought. Lady Istha was right, of course. I had known such sometime before. I did not like the knowledge at all.

Lady Metis clucked her tongue. "Surely, it is simply happenstance. After all, were it fate, would it not be more accommodating to one of the Goddess's own?"

Who could say what lay in the mind of the Goddess? "I am not certain that is how fate works."

It is told," lady Serapis began. "That our blessings are the tools given us so that we may steer the ship of our fate where the Goddess wills, and where we will, for the two are oft the same."

I.. had not heard such, before. "Where is that told?"

"Priestly scripture," lady Serapis answered. Had she been studying with the holies before her advent here?

"Truly, your ken of books and scriptures boggles my mind. Just boggles it." Lady Delia's words were mocking but lacked sting, and her smile was wide. "It is reassuring that we can lean upon you during test seasons."

Lady Serapis shook her head, her own lips twitching just slightly upwards. "Mayhaps, yet such services are costly for some."

Lady Delia clasped hands to her heart, her jesting clear as the day itself. "You wound me! You wound me to the quick! I shall never recover from the blow dealt this day!"

Lady Serapis simply reached over and pushed her in response. Just at that, the line of inquiry was closed.

"This bread is delicious."

Lady Delia made a show of slapping her own loaf upon the table. It did make a pleasant form of thunk noise.  "The bread is harder than my boots. You are too kind, lady 'Rine."

"Mayhap you just picked up a bad loaf?" Lady Metis asked. "My own loaf seems soft enough."

My own loaf was soft, and with the jam I favored, the tastes were pleasant. I slapped my own remains upon the table, and soft or not, it too made a thunk sound.

"Ah, the story is told! The bread makes a sound no matter the hardness."

There was now a dent in the remains of my loaf. It would not affect the taste, I was certain.

One of the scullions, standing to the side, met my eye. Of course, the cooks would learn of this. I gave a small wave as I took a bite and smiled. With some luck, I could prevent some form of punishment a turn of the glass hence.  

The boy did not return my smile.

"Here is to another dull day," lady Nells declared, holding her tea aloft as if it were the very best of wines.

I lifted my own cup; customs or not, I could drink to such a sentiment. With luck, I might be allowed some self study. A chance to enter the library at my own behest and for my own whim tempted like no other thought.

"The Goddess willing," lady Delia agreed as she joined in. The rest of my friends followed with no words but smiles for all.

Lady Metis moved closer, as close as the seating would allow. "I should like such help as you might offer concerning letters."

"Which?"

Lady Metis sighed, and used her water to trace some letters upon the table. I knew not why she thought I should know above her... but I could not deny that I did. I traced those same letters, and whispered the word to her, just above the noise of the throng.

Then lady Serapis made us both for fools by making the water even more precise, with but a single thought. "Simply say the word, and I shall show it. Provided I know."

Clearly, lady Metis was in good hands now. Lady Serapis was better than I at all learning, and her gift made this form of learning her bailiwick.

The meal ended like that, and such a mood was agreeable. I collected my dishes into a neat pile as lady Metis mopped up her learning spill.

The scullion to come for my dishes was the one who had seen me smack the bread upon the table. He still looked most displeased.

He left, as his friends did, and I joined the daily line.

Despite my fears, my share of dishes was no larger than the one of yesterday, and was not made of the worst pots the kitchen could muster. That gift had been reserved for someone else, a sour looking peer who was being given the head cook's personal attentions.

Truly, she was welcome to them.

Scrubbing as hard as ever, I was able to let my mind roam to far vistas.

Why had those assassins attacked us? Attacked me? Who had attacked them?

I could only think that the reasons the assassins had struck was that they feared the Goddess's gift to me, but why? What could be so frightening to them, whoever the true enemy was? I simply made homes, shops, and reinforced walls.

Were reinforced walls the problem the enemy foresaw? Or was there more?

Also, who had hunted the assassins? Footpads? Fellow assassins? The Count's men? I could see the Count's men doing such creeping in the night, yet the men I knew of were knights to a man. Had the Count tasked more to watch over me?

If so, I must thank him. I should request a visit to the man... should he be in the capital. I should at least inquire.

I had no need to hurry today; there was time enough to grab my books and join the others in the main hall.

The class would be on letters again. I did not mind it overmuch, yet I should like something new. Numbers, mayhap. I knew some numbers, and was learning how to write them even now.

I could be patient. More so with the promise of self study.

Lady Matrona came in to my rear, and she sat even as I did. "Today we shall stay inside. Focus on your letters, all, and benefits from those who have come before you shall become clear."

Thus said, she opened a book of her own upon her lap and began her own study. I would not begrudge her this, and I was not alone. Those of us tasked began, and I also opened my own book. I would copy all words I did not know in order to sus them out. Only if I could not would I ask.

The time seemed peaceful. Yet, something seemed... amiss. Some event or space, something. What was it?

Was it I? Was I the thing that was different? This peace seemed strained, as if a sheet pulled tight over a bed not fitting for it.

Surely naught could harm me here, in this stronghold of the Goddess. Yet outside seemed more filled with danger than the country beyond.

Even in my hindrance, I found no words to challenge me in this book, and so I was able to parse the entire chapter during the time allotted us.

The others left even as I gathered myself and swept up my own tools.

Lady Matrona favored me with a smile. "You may go to the library at your convenience, and you may stay there until the bell. I have seen to it."

I should ask. "Is there... naught we can do about the condition of the docks?"

They would collapse if left alone. We had a matter of some years, yet that wall protecting those from the angry seas should be repaired while it were possible to do so.

"Patience," lady Matrona answered. "We must see to your safety first, and there are some about in the city who respect us and the Goddess little. We shall see to those malcontents first, then you may do as you will in broad daylight and with full awareness of the great powers."

Did lady Matrona mean we did not have the full awareness of the great powers last night? Did the King know? Surely so, we could not move without such dispensation.

"I understand," I said, even though I did not. I should think we might do again as we had done last night, and simply set a trap for those who wished me harm.

Lady Matrona reached over, and gave my head a gentle caress with a smile. "For now, along with you. When next we do a thing, it shall be in complete safety."

I went, watching from the corner of an eye as she strode out the main door into an overcast day, her smile gone.

The library and librarian were both as I had last seen them. I chose a spot in the corner to make my haven and began the hunt for what books I may.

I decided this day to ponder the history of the docks themselves. A torrid tale to be sure, yet any insights might help me better repair the area.

I found a book on the history of the capital... and saw none other than lady Serapis at a table herself, her own nose already in a book of her own.

I would not disturb her. I took my own gains for the day back to my quiet corner, and the entire chamber settled into comfortable silence.

This city grew up around the docks and the bay, from a village as small as the one I hailed from to as massive as it was now.

A tap on my shoulder brought me from my reverie. The librarian scowled down at me as I raised my head, her distance as far as she could manage. "It is almost time for the evening meal. You should go and prepare."

A quick glance proved the truth: "I see. Thank you for your timely warning."

"Think nothing of it," the Lady told me, in a tone that made it clear that I should think much of it. "Leave that book as it stands."

I remembered her rules. "Thank you again."

I did not tarry.

My chambers were as I'd left them, of course. I splashed some of the water upon my face, and did not towel it off. I needed wakefulness. I should not like to find myself with my face lodged in my soup. Should we have soup.

I would wager upon soup.

I entered the hall in time to the bell, and thus fortified by the time I gathered more tea. I would make more after the meal, to my own liking, and add more to make the brew strong.

I sat and sipped as the others filtered in, much like a stream carried sticks along its path until beaching them here, in the hall.

That was a poetic image; I took note to contain it in my journal later.

The others gathered their own drinks then sat as well, giving the appearance of cultured nobles in dignified silence for all who knew them not.

I also enjoyed the silence. There was little to discuss from this morning, surely.

"There was some excitement in the night," lady Nells said. "Some assassins were found by our nights, dead just outside our very gate, as if simply sleeping there. The knights themselves have said they are not responsible."

I should have known. "How have you come by this information?"

"The knights themselves have told me," lady Nells replied. "There were rumors among us already, and so I asked."

I was of two minds on this. On the one, the news was now known. On the other, many things were omitted from the events lady Nells had relayed, and it even made it seem as if either the knights or the assassins themselves were involved. There was no mention of our party and our mission for the night.

"So it is confirmed then, if the knights are saying it." Lady Delia cupped her chin in hand as her eyes darted. "There is danger everywhere, it seems."

"Who would be so foolish? Assassins sent for us will bring the wrath of the entire kingdom down upon those who sent such fools." Lady Nells opined.

"Other nations," lady Serapis intoned, refusing to even lift her eyes from her small book, even now in hand.

"Why would other nations want such a thing?" After I helped the Kingdom, I could also travel among the other nations and help them with the same such problems as I helped the Kingdom with. Even if they had to pay, surely it would not be so much as a life and the anger of the Goddess's faithful was worth?

Lady Nells and Delia both stopped, to give me a twin look of such incredulity that I shriveled under the weight of it. Lady Serapis however simply fired another arrow blind, her own eyes still upon her book.

"Invasion."

The empire had been rumored to harbor a desire to invade for years; that was no secret. Even the villages far from the lines had known. Yet surely they were not so... ready to do such a thing? Ready enough to risk war with such a simple stroke?

Lady Delia shook her head. "You are woefully unaware of your own value. You've even fortified walls, and you still do not know."

"Any army coming to the kingdom would have to storm our forts," lady Delia explained. "Those forts, fortified by our best, can withstand siege engines or their engineers. Some forts even now have never been taken by an enemy, and those gifted of the earth are the lion's share of that reason."

"Those who fight also bear some of that pride," lady Metis said firmly.

"I said as much; none of us bear such pride alone," lady Delia parried. "Yet the truth remains that in times of war, we become warriors of the Kingdom in our own way, supporting those who fight and alleviating suffering where we can."

I knew as much. We all did. "Are the others truly so close to another war?"

The last war we had was before my life, before all of our lives, some generations ago. Mayhap nobles were told of these things as part of their raising? None of us villagers knew when we might be given a spear and told to march.

I should avoid that fate this time, yet those I knew, I could not see them in such a fate either. How would Garz fare, given a spear? Better than Zhet, certainly, yet I would not give odds on either surviving a battle. They knew even less of the rigors of war than I, and battle would not be kind to any of us.

"We are always close to war," lady Serapis intoned. "The empire despises us, one and all."

Why?

"Why?" lady Istha asked.

"We are smaller than they, with fewer men to bring into battle, yet we are stronger than they due to us. The force which we can bring to bear is far more than they, so they dare not challenge us openly. Not yet at least."

Not without killing some few of us in order to reduce us. Lady Delia did not say as much, yet she certainly intimated so.

Even so, to choose me for such a thing seemed to smell of fear. I was but a student, not a master like those before me. Lady Matrona alone should have far more impact upon any battle than I; I could raise walls, while she could kill many with a simple thought.

"Enough, such thoughts are unpleasant. We should move to other, brighter words." Lady Metis said.

"Agreed." Lady Serapis intoned. Her nose was still firmly placed inside her book, and had never left.

I wondered idly if she would spill some drop of food upon it; she had not as yet, but the meal was not yet truly begun; the scullions had just delivered their charges, and the soup had just been revealed.

Lady Serapis spooned a small morsel from her bowl to test, and... promptly moved her book aside to secure it from all such hazards the meal might bring.

"So, the weather is nice today," lady Istha opined. "A bit cloudy, with some bluster, yet warm overall."

"What you consider warm is not what others consider warm," lady Delia noted, sopping her bread with a reproving eye.

She must not like root soup.

"It is true, I have much meat upon my bones, and so cold does little. I do envy all you smaller ones in the heat, however."

Lady Istha was large, to be sure, yet in time that might change. Those of us with the gift seemed to tend toward smaller frames.

Just as that, the discourse was lighter, and more suited to us.

Even though now I knew, we all had such thoughts in our heads now, where they could not be rooted out easily.