A World in the Shadows

Chapter 12, Ethan

Chapter 12

Ethan

Sitting outside under the overhanging tree in the courtyard, I don’t bother reading the book lying on my lap and instead watch the sun set over the few fields. Clare had given me the book and told me I had to study it. It’s just a book about mythical creatures, the kind of thing you’d read when your little. It’s full of really boring stuff but the pictures look cool, for a kid’s book. I’ve been given a new book to ‘study’ every third day and so far it’s been a week and a half since being basically abducted. Throughout that time, every day, I’ve had to read in the morning, after lunch I’d have to fight Ammon and then read till dinner. Clare was right though about our first fight and Ammon just being mad, his talking to me and actually commenting on my moves. Which is a pain in the ass seeing he says everything in either his smart ass way that pisses me off, or he’s nice and walks me through steps. I swear, he acts like a teenage girl with her mood swings but way worse. From a bad introduction to his magic, when something doesn’t go his way, he starts having a hissy fit but not the kind that are easy to deal with. I haven’t been able to figure out how to get out so far but I think it’d be smart to try and wait until I’m better at the sword and better friends with Jenna before trying to escape with her. She still has been acting colder than Lyra did when we met which is a problem.

“Sir Ethan, I do believe your late for dinner, the Master has been questioning you’re whereabouts. He has now asked me to be in a twenty meter radius of you at all times.” Lifting my head back I stare at Clare from the corner of my eye. Standing at the door she watches me, patiently waiting but with a worried look in her eyes. Sighing, I get up and start to follow her to my room where she hastily helps me get dressed. Every single dinner, we all have to wear these formal clothes. Luckily during the day we get to wear what we want but for weapons practice I have to wear some training clothes. They always end up either having to be sewn up or throw out. No training lesson has ended without me getting at least one cut. Because of this, scars cris crossing my arms, legs, torso and back. “Thanks Clare for the help, I suggest you stay here so you won’t be scolded. I know how much you hate it.” Looking up from buttoning my cuffs she gives me one of her rare smiles and whispers a small thank you right before dashing out of the room. Following her out, I then head on my own way towards the dinner room where Jenna and Ammon already sit and eat their dinner. Silencing their conversation as soon as I entered the room. Lucky me, I’m on both of their bad sides and lucky for Ammon, his on mine. Sitting down, a maid serves me right away, allowing me to start eating. Tonight’s dinner just had to be seafood, the worst kind of food edible. Without looking up from his dinner, Ammon says “You better not make a habit of being late or skipping events just because you feel like it. Jenna, sweetheart, tomorrow I’ll give you money so that you may go into the town with your maid and buy a dress and mask for the upcoming charity ball. I’ll send along two guards to follow you nearby just so that nothing will happen to you. Ethan you may come along with us. If you prove yourself and show that you can be ahead of your books, weapons practice and be if anything early to any events. Do this, and you may also go out with Jenna to buy something from the town.” There’s a town nearby! How could I not have seen it from any of the gardens? I could easily escape to the town with Jenna and catch a lift back to the Orphanage, which ever direction that is.

In a casual tone I ask, “I’m sorry but what ball and how far away is this town?”

With a laugh, Ammon answers, “It’s far enough away that you can’t get there by foot, and I own the town. It’s quite pretty, I’m sure the guests coming for the Charity Ball will also think it’s a very nice town. Pity they won’t know who properly owns it. I’ve got a puppet as the head of the town, I pull the strings though.”