The Academy

Eighty One

Rose:

Matthew was quietly falling asleep against my chest and I held him close, not wanting my little boy to have to deal with stuff like this. Stuff that I went through as a kid, maybe not the same thing, but nightmares.

Jace came in silently and climbed into bed with us and on the other side of Matthew before holding the two of us.

“We’ll be okay.” he whispered and I nodded, trying to believe it myself. “Are you okay?” he asked and I looked at him. “I just want for him to be happy. I don’t want for him to have to go through with this at his age…” I whispered, closing my eyes and he nodded. “Neither do I, all we can do is be here for him.” I looked up at him and he gave me a small smile. “I’m going to take him tomorrow, you should go to the Thorn, be with other people, don’t worry.” I shrugged, “I want to go with you.” “It’ll be easier if it’s just me.” “Okay…” I muttered, feeling hurt.

Not sure why I was feeling this way, I just...did. I wanted to be there for my son and for Jace but it felt like they didn’t trust me all over again. Great.

Stop it. I thought to myself, slightly shaking my head and forcing myself to go to sleep.

Over the years I’d gotten a little better at controlling my nightmares, but tonight was just plain awful. All of my bad memories resurfacing, all of the pain. Like opening a up a healing wound by accident.

When I woke up Matthew and Jace were gone with a note saying they should be back in a couple of hours and I sighed.

At the Thorn, Trevor was flirting with Sarah (no surprise there) Tink was out, Peter was at home though and so were the kids.

“Hey.” I said, sleepily, last night did nothing to help with my tiredness so I felt like a zombie. Peter walked over and put an arm around me, “You alright?” “I’m going to be frank, I’m not. I worried sick and they couldn’t even wake me up when they left?” I asked, sighing and he gave my shoulder a quick squeeze. “Guess not, you want some tea?” “Sure, that would be fantastic.” I replied, walking over to the kitchen and plopping down, looking out of the window at the gray sky.

“Tink told you?” I asked and he nodded, “Do you expect anything less?” “Nope, just verifying.” I told him, shrugging and he walked over to the stove. He quickly filled a pot with some water and turned on the stove, flipping his hair out of his face and sat down. “Alright. Don’t you have work today?” he asked and I nodded, “Mhm, first day back, sword fighting doesn’t start until eleven though, it’s only nine now.” “So you’ll take my tea and go? I see how it is.” he joked and I rolled my eyes, smiling. “Yeah, I think that’s about how it’s going to go.” “Tea stealer.” “Pan.” I retorted, smirking and he laughed as the kettle started to whistle and he poured some into a to-go mug before setting the tea bag in it. “There you go.” he said as I stood up and I took a small sip. “Dang, this is some quality tea, where’d you get it?” “Overseas, so you better enjoy that.” he replied, pointing to me and I waved his hand away. “Alright, alright, thanks. I will.” I said laughing as I headed out.

At the Academy, I tied my hair up, and took off my jacket taking a couple practice swings at the straw dummies on the side of the gym.

Most of the student, were second gen. but I couldn’t care less, if I got slackers I threw them into the sparring pit, the ones who were really good were paired up with each other and the ones who varied just found their way to another partner. Half the time all I had to do was give the pointers, very few I actually spared with.

When I sparred with these kids, I didn’t hold back, that’s why I don’t let many kids spar. It has the same effect as it did when I was a student here, it cleared my head and gave me something to focus on, letting me leave all of my worries behind.

“AGH!” A student exclaimed, a burly guy around sixteen who resembled every football player, with curly brown hair.

I sighed, “Who cut Hank?” A small girl, who was the opposite of Hank in every way possible meekly raised her hand, “Sorry.” she said and I walked over, “Don’t apologize, you used size to your advantage. All I have to say is, instead of slicing, try hitting with the flat of your blade. Less wounds and same impact.” I told her, patting her back, she beamed and I raised an eyebrow at Hank. “Well, you know where the infirmary is.” “Aren’t you going to write her up or walk me?” he asked and I rolled my eyes.

“Hank, you do realize that if I did that to every kid who got cut in sword fighting class then half the class would be in detention and I’d constantly be walking to the infirmary.” I told him, crossing my arms and he looking like a fish gasping for air and I pointed to the door. “Go.”

I could hear a couple of kids snickering and I turned, “You have anything to say?”

Crickets.

“That’s what I thought.” I said, then waved them to continue.

My phone rang a minute after the class let out and I answered, being in a protected area like the Academy I could do it for a little bit.

“Hello?” “Rose?” Jace asked and I nodded, “Yes?” “Matthew’s okay, everything went fine and we’re on our way home.” “Okay, see you there, love you.” I told him before hanging up and slipping the phone into my pocket again.