Sylf Tales

Chapter 4. Summons

As morning dawned my muscles were aching from yesterday's activities. I had a millennia of chores to get done today and I wasn't exactly looking forward to it. "Sylvia, you need to get down here!" I heard my mom shout from the main living area of our home. "The sun hasn't risen fully, so I shall not rise fully!" I heard a clattering sound and shot straight up "Sylvia, this instant" I let out a huff and rolled out of bed heading down the stairs. "What do you want, woman?" I was rubbing my eyes when I heard a masculine 'ahem' coming from the dining table. I stopped dead in my tracks and looked over to see my mother sitting at the table with First major Reten, Major Declain, and an older gentleman whom I hadn't known.

I could hear the sounds of the birds chirping outside with the long awkward silence between all of us. "Sylvia, do you have something to tell me about yesterday?" It just came to my attention that I was wearing a very thinly made nightgown and my hair was presumably sticking up in every direction. "Uhm, not that I can recall. We sold almost all of the pies if that's what you mean'' I looked over to Major Declain and he was eyeing me up and down like a predator stalking its prey. "Maybe you'd like to tell me why our house is filled with academy soldiers so early on a Sunday?" I said, grabbing a thick coat hanging by the kitchen doorway, wrapping it tight around my gown.

The older gentleman cleared his throat "Ah, yes. Maybe I can shine some light on the subject. I am Commander Lumon, I am overseeing the students at leave for the reform celebrations. This is Major Declain, and First Major Reten. But I believe you have already met them, haven't you?" My heart stopped for a moment, what do they want with me? my silence was vocal enough as the commander turned his attention to the majors "Declain, Reten. is she the one?" Is she the one what? Declain still had a predator lock in his eye, but Reten nodded his head. My mother rose from her seat "How could this be true? My daughter keeps a low profile. She wouldn't have stolen a thing!" Ah, so that's why they are here.

The commander also took a stand "Mrs, may we continue this conversation outside?" my mother shuffled away from the table to stand beside me and put her arm around my waist. "Whatever you have to say, just say it." The commander nodded his head "Unfortunately mam the officer who was taking charge of last night's fiasco was able to get a clear visual of the maiden in the blue dress. The owner of the store also was able to provide the description or the maiden and after confirming with the two majors and a majority of the community residents near here, there's no other female on this mountain with Miss Sylvia's... stature" My mother looked at me with a sadness in her eyes and It made me find the courage to speak up for myself "Commander Lumon, its true that I was there last night. But I did not steal anything" I looked the commander dead in the eye, hoping to have some form of intimidation. "Well if you didn't steal it, you were wearing it and ran with a counterpart. Name her and we can relook at this predicament."

My eyes moved over to Reten and Declain they both were listening intently. "I don't know who she was. We met last night." This was the second time I was lying to an officer of the academy and I didn't regret it. But Major Declain stood "Commander, I believe the second's name was Cora. I never caught the last name sir" My stomach just dropped into a pit. I shifted my focus over to Reten and he looked downhearted, I wonder if he would have kept her name a secret. I snapped my head towards Declain and looked at him like he was the prey this time. "Excellent Major, we will also be summoning her as well then" Summoning? I looked over at my mother and her stare was fixed to the floor "Miss Black, we will send a rider by nightfall to allow time for packing. Goodday" Commander Lumen placed a cap back on his head and did a tip bow then headed for the door. My mom slumped back into her chair while Declain and Reten were gearing to follow Lumen outside. Before they made it out, Reten looked back my way mouthing 'sorry' and I didn't get a single look from Declain as they both vanished from the doorway.