Meanwhile, down the halls of the Scarabia Dorm, Jade has woken up Kalim and the two are walking down the hall.
Jade apologizes, "I'm sorry about this, Kalim. I wasn't expecting you to already be in bed for the night. This can wait until tomorrow, honest. I know it's selfish of me to ask to see the treasury again..."
"No worries! It's totally fine!" Kalim says with a smile.
Then asks, "What did you want to see?"
"I was curious about the tapestries and carpets further in the back. You don't see many textile handicrafts under the sea, you know. I've always been fascinated by Scalding Sands culture. After all, what could be further from the bottom of the ocean than a world of arid sands?" Jade answers.
Kalim smiles and says, "Ooh! Speaking of carpets, I've got one with colors that would be a perfect fit for your would be a shame to let it keep gathering dust in the storeroom. Why don't you take it back with you?
"Are you sure?" Jade asks, surprised
"Absolutely! And here we are," Kalim says.
Kalim opens the door to the storage room, allowing him and Jade to enter. Jade is amazed to see the room is full of treasures and different kinds of fabric.
"Ahhh... It's even more amazing when I study it up close," Jade says, amazed.
Then notices one of the fabrics, "Kalim, what's this lovely peacock green fabric?"
"Oh, that's woven out of silk," Kalim answers.
Then explains, "Long, long ago, back when they first reformed the law stating that royalty could only marry royalty... There was a princess who wedded a common man raised in the slums. She often wore that color. It's a popular color among men and women alike in the Scalding Sands.
"Incredible. If the mer-princess fascinated with the human realm were to see these treasures, she'd have been desperate to have them all. It can't be easy keeping track of so many luxuries," Jade says,
"I leave all the organizational stuff to Jamil. He airs them out on occasion," Kalim says.
"Jamil is quite the competent right-hand man, isn't he? Azul was saying the same thing," Jade replies.
Kalim chuckles, "Heh heh! Isn't he, though? The guy's pure amazing. It was Jamil who taught me magic and tutored me. He was a way better tutor than any of the ones my family hired.
Oh, and he's a great dancer, too! Not that he does much of that around others..."
"If he's that competent, why doesn't he speak up to you about what you've been doing?" Jade questions.
"Huh?" Kalim says, confused.
Keeping students from going home on a long holiday and forcing them into harsh training every day... I strain to imagine you doing such a thing. So why?" Jade calmly questions.
Oh... Well... It's because we really needed extra training, I guess...?" Kalim answers, sounding kind of unsure.
You 'guess'? It was your decision, wasn't it?" Jade questions.
"Yes. It definitely was, but..." Kalim answers, "I've been...spacing out a lot lately."
"Why is that?" Jade asks.
"Jamil says it's probably fatigue from me becoming housewarden as a sophomore," Kalim answers.
"Come again?" Jade asks.
Kalim explains, "I've always had this habit of nodding off when I start working my brain too hard. My tutors and Jamil were always on my case about it."
"What are you finding difficult at present?" Jade asks.
"Our loss in the interdorms, our bad grades in the exams... My responsibility... Remedial measures... When I dwell on those, I end up just spacing out. Ha ha, I'm a pretty lousy housewarden, huh?" Kalim continues.
Jade asks, "Wasn't it your decision to keep the students over the holidays for special training?"
"I, um... I think it was," Kalim answers, sounding unsure.
"Another noncommittal answer. Hmm..." Jade replies, and begins to think.
He soon says in his thoughts, "So be it. It's got a fifty-fifty chance at best of paying off, but I think I'll gamble on my trump card."
Suddenly, Jade says, "Ah... Ow!"
"Hm? What's wrong?" Kalim asks in concern.
Sorry, I think I got a speck of something in my eye. Could you take a look at it for me?" Jade says.
"Are you all right? Here, let me see. Which eye?" Kalim asks, and looks at Jade directly in his eyes.
"My left eye," Jade answers.
Kalim then looks at Jade's left eye.
"That's it, look in my left eye... " Jade says.
He then opens his eyes and says, "Don't be afraid. I want to help you. Shock the Heart." and cast his signature spell on Kalim.
"...Huh?" Kalim reacts, but before he can say anything, Jade has Kalim under his magic.
Having Kalim under his spell, Jade says, "I'm going to ask you some questions, and you will answer them honestly. Do you know..."
YOU ARE READING
Twisted Wonderland Book 4: Schemer of the Scalding Sands
FanfictionWinter Break has arrived, and Briar and her friends are staying at campus for the time being. However, their break has cut short when Jamil from Scarabia Dorm ask for their help with their housewarden, Kalim. Upon arrived, they are forbidden to leav...
