A Curious Mask

VI-Studying

Finch gently placed the back cover of The Complete History of Montevia onto the last page and rubbed his temples, just behind a pair of horns. He went back to it as soon as he walked out of the king's study and hadn't stopped until he was done, late into the night.

Sir Asone was leaning on a nearby bookshelf, watching him. "You read fast, kid."

Finch nodded. "I enjoy reading. How long do you guard the secrets?"

"Every day until someone else shows up to replace me, and as long as someone else is in here, I need to be too."

"Oh. Sorry."

The knight chuckled. "Not a problem, little man. I can see why Untany picked you now."

Finch hefted the large book in Sir Asone's general direction. "Could you please put this up?"

The knight took it, and when he came back, the boy was still there, staring off into space.

"You actually enjoyed that?"

His gaze snapped to the knight, and he nodded with a shy smile. "I'm sorry. I'll go so you can go."

He stood, but the knight waved him back down and sat across from him. He offered his hand.

"Sir Asone Beldock."

Finch shook it well. "Finch Vigo."

"Most kids your age would have fallen asleep reading that. I know I did."

Finch shrugged. "I like reading, as I said. Doesn't matter what it is, I'll devour it."

Finch yawned and rest his head on his hand.

"Where'd Untany find you?"

"Military Academy, sir."

"I see. How old are you?"

"Nine."

"How long were you there?"

"Two years."

"Wow. I didn't realize they accepted kids at seven."

"It was because I lived so far away from the capital. They didn't want to send a kid all the way back to Belluz."

"I see."

The door to the Library opened, and Sir Asone stood and strode back to his spot. Finch rest his head on his forearms on the table and closed his eyes.

"Ah, your majesty! What are you doing up this late?"

"I need a few books. Why are you still here, Asone?"

"I'm on shift, m'lord."

"I get that, but shouldn't the last person have left hours ago?"

"Sir Untany's boy has been here nearly all day and night, reading the first book of level one."

"Finch? Where is he?"

"Over here, Sire."

The knight led his king to the table he had left Finch at, and they found him seemingly asleep.

The king sounded incredulous. "He's done with that tome already?"

"Aye, he finished about ten minutes ago. Never seen a kid read so fast, especially not something as dry as that. His parents must be scribes."

"No, they're farmers..." The king trailed off and Finch felt him come closer.

His hair was brushed aside gently, and Finch flinched away. He looked up at King Reyferd in fear and moved his hair back.

"Don't touch me," he mumbled.

King Reyferd tilted his head and furrowed his brow. "I want to see your horns."

Asone blinked in surprise, and Finch backed away, looking the king in the eye like a cornered animal.

"Why?"

"I need to see for myself."

Finch warily pulled his hair back from his forehead with one hand and smoothed his eyebrows with the other. The king stepped closer and grabbed his chin to tilt his head. He touched a filed stub.

"Where else are they?"

Finch pointed to his temple, just behind his ear and then again twice more around his head, indicating nine horns. The king looked at one of the non-filed horns, it was as thick as a fingernail and not even 1/2 a centimeter long. It was tiny and the same color as his ebony hair.

Finch stepped back, out of his reach with a slight snarl on his face. "You saw them, aye?"

"Aye."

"Don't touch me again."

"Watch your tone boy! You're lucky I don't simply have you killed right now!"

"What's stopping you, your majesty?"

The king scowled. "Do you want to die?"

Finch shook his head. "No... I simply wish to know."

"Well, stop it!"

Finch nodded and sighed. "Sorry."

Now the kid looked sad. The king rubbed his brow and walked back to the alcove, returning with a stack of books. He plopped them on the table next to Finch and started separating them into two piles. They were about the same size, and he picked one up.

"Pick that one up, Finch, and come with me."

Finch did as told, walking quietly behind the king. When they arrived at his study, the king put his pile on his desk and gestured for Finch to put his next to it. He then handed him one, An In-Depth Study of Wister Obsession.

"Read this and summarize it for me when you are done."

"On paper?"

"Out loud. Wake me if I fall asleep."

Finch took it and sat on one of the seats in front of the king's desk. Before he opened it, he locked eyes with the king.

"Once I start reading a book I can't stop until I'm done. That's why I was so irritable earlier, Sir Untany stopped me in the midst of The Complete History of Montevia."

"So wait, your wist is curiosity? Then why were you so mad?"

Finch smirked. "I was faking it. I try to translate the potency of my questions into emotions the rest of the world can understand."

"I see. Read."

Finch opened the book and couldn't take his eyes away. The king watched him turn a page every twenty seconds or so, shook his head, and picked up his own book. He figured that the best way to figure out what to do with the born wister was to study history. Who knew? Maybe he could find a precedent. It was a desperate hope, but what was he supposed to do!?

Who does the king care for?

-----------------------

These chapter are short, I'm sure you can read more. But before you do (if you haven't already):

Vote!

Comment!

Follow!