The Wolf, the Butterfly, and the Kraken

Chapter 43

                                                          Kane

It was bad. Worse than bad. Why had I not seen this before? The King of Venera had effectively trapped my daughter, her husband, and most importantly, Oshie, in the middle of Venera. Ambassador Dura had barely escaped, and now my grandson was effectively being held prisoner in a fancy, honor bound prison.

The headmaster didn't give a fluffers ass about Oshie. He wanted him to fall short and fail. He resented someone being forced into his school.

And why did Mr. Rivers want to meet me somewhere tonight? And what should I tell Joann and Vam? Should I tell them? How would I tell them? I felt old.

Oshie was sitting with Grant Valla, listening to some story or another. He adored Grant. But was Grant only spending time with a small child because had orders from on high? Or did he sincerely enjoy the company of a two year old? When I was a teenage boy you couldn't have paid me to hang out with a two year old.

My heart sank as I felt my little Oshie was some pawn in a game of ludo. How many people were using him? Did Lord Eureces know about this? How could he not? Did Captain Rivers? How low through the ranks did this go? I knew it was at least at the top.

The day took forever. After school I took Oshie to the shop on Earthen Avenue. His mother was there, placing bits of mortar in cracks. She was happy, but immediately noticed something was wrong with me. She knew me too well.

"You okay Dad?"

I grunted. "I just need to think something over is all."

She watched me, appraising me, but let it be after a bit. "Tomorrow I will be getting a bit more time in the healing tubs. The matron, Arda, has been impressed and is giving me an extra hour a day at work. She also wants to train me to help elders. I am so excited! Some of my favorite patients on my rounds are the elders. So, what did Oshie learn today?"

I shrugged, "Oh the usual." I was ashamed that I hadn't focused much on

his lessons. "Hey, I gotta go. I have things to do. Tell Vam I said hi."

She smiled. "Of course!"

I left, hopefully before she realized how disturbed I was. I reported to the barracks, practiced with everyone, and ate with everyone. I lay down at the same time as everyone, but rose an hour later, and went to the pub I had been told to meet Mr. Rivers at.

It was loud, and smokey, like the chimney was in severe need of a cleaning. It took me a minute to find Mr. Rivers. He sat in the back with several other people, who were deep in discussion, and hidden under hoods or shawls. When he saw me he motioned me over. I wasn't sure I wanted to go until I spotted a familiar face under a shawl, Ms. Arand.

I sat down with all of Oshie's instructors. "Should I have brought Oshie, or his parents?"

Ms. Arand said, "No. We need as much anonymity as possible. You may pass this along to his parents though. We have a feeling you realized something today."

I blinked. "I feel blind that I didn't see it before. I have brought my only family to a prison where I have to spy on them. They are here, willingly, as long as Oshie is here for school."

Mr. Woodland, his history teacher, said, "We don't want it to be that way though. All of us enjoy having Oshie in our classes."

My eyes fell on Mr. Greer. He nodded, "Yes, even I like him. He tempers the rest of the class. I want him to succeed."

Ms. Arand said, "We all do. The headmaster is angry, and he doesn't see what we do. In just a couple of weeks he has improved by leaps and bounds. In almost every class this is clearly evident."