The Realm Protectors

Chapter 13 - Carter

"Where'd Professor Grantwood go?" Ciana asks. Nikolina is staring dumbfounded at the empty stage. The crowd is getting louder and louder as more people wonder what happened to the High Arch.

"I have an unpleasant feeling about this," Lyra says softly, holding her crystal necklace in her hand tightly.

"E-everyone remain calm," The announcer's voice comes over the speaker system. Judging by the way it stuttered, I'm going to assume that they're not exactly calm either. "Headmasters, please escort your students back to the facility you were in earlier. Teleporters will be around shortly."

Students get up from their seats around the auditorium and begin making their way to the exits. All of the Asavanra kids stay in their seats, trying to figure out what to do. Assistant Principal Redmond, a tall skinny air elemental who seems to glide rather than walk, says from the stage, "Asavanra students, please make your way to your campuses. If you find any stray students from the other delegations, please help them back to their Facility. Can I have the eight students who were in charge of the presentation come down here? Thank you."

We all look at each other and begin making our way down the stairs. We go slowly, having to wind around all of the students who are attempting to make their way out.

"What do you think this is about?" Ciana mutters behind me. I hear Faris respond,

"No idea."

We finally make it down onto the stage and Assistant Principal Redmond ushers us backstage and out the stage door.

"Where are we going, Mr. Redmond?" Nile asks.

"We're meeting the other presentation groups in the teachers office lobby." He says quickly and quietly. He glides ahead of us, forcing the three first sects to start to job to keep up. We enter the teachers office building and he starts pacing back and forth. We take a seat on two of the couches and wait for everyone else to arrive.

Various teachers, the heads of schools, and student groups from each delegation all arrive within the next few minutes. Everyone looks panicky and rushed, like they all ran here.

"What are we going to do?"

"We have to organize a search!"

"Everyone quiet!" Enya hollers. Students and teachers alike go silent. Ciana's eyes are wide as she stares at the fiery girl.

"Miss Fuego–" A teacher starts to interject.

"Everyone listen," She says, holding out her hands. "If Mr. Redmond called us all here, I'm sure he has a plan."

"Thank you, Miss Fuego." Assistant Principal Redmond nods at her. He clears his throat and says, "We're going to organize a search. The teachers will stay at Asavanra and search everywhere, while the student groups search Academy Avenue."

Protests rise from teachers and Redmond waves his hands.

"I am Assistant Principal! My decision is final!" The teachers all go quiet. "Having the teachers nearby will calm the other students. Teachers and school masters, break into groups of two or three and get to searching." The teachers group up and walk out, leaving us with the other student groups.

"Miss Fuego, I'm entrusting you to lead this operation." Mr. Redmond sighs. "Escort the groups to Academy Avenue and then split up. You eight take the area closest to Arch Hall."

"On it." Enya nods. "Everyone! Follow me!" She says the phrase in Common, the language of Capital, before repeating it in Fajran and Vesian. Lyra waves at the Stelluna delegation, telling them to follow her in Steullune. Nik calls out to the Mork delegation in the harsh tongue of Morkian. Ciana and Avani kind-of stare after them.