The gymnasicarchis put his forehead onto his own hand. The room was in complete silence as he thought on the situation.
Elpida shifted her feet uncomfortably. She stood by herself in the large room. She hadn't said a word when the gymnasicarchis first started to chew her out. She had thought it would have been rude to talk back to someone in his authority. So she stood, rocking, looking at the floor, wishing she could leave right then and there.
Finally, the gymnasicarchis looked up with his mouth in a thin line. His dark brown eyes looked tired and had dark circles under them. His face was slightly wrinkled, making him look older than he actually was. His nose was medium sized. It had a bumpy look, making it obvious that it had been broken more than once.
His eyes bore straight into Elpida's as he began to speak. "Why? Why do you insist with causing more trouble? Why?!"
Elpida bowed her head and shrugged her shoulders. She wanted to say a few things, but didn't want to make him any madder.
The gymnasicarchis sighed heavily and stood up, walked to the window, and folded his hands behind his back.
"You are an excellent fighter. And although you don't study, your grades are some of the best we've seen."
Elpida looked up, her eyes filled with more than just self pity. It was hope. Sadly, it was diminished when the man turned back towards her, arms to his side.
"Why did you attack that boy? "
Elpida looked the man straight in the eyes as she answered. "He was making fun of me. I was standing up for myself. "
His head turned so he could see her over his shoulder. "And you couldn't tell one of the teachers?"
She casted her eyes down, giving him the answer without saying it. He let out another long sigh and turned back to his desk. Sitting down he looked at her, the hard look softened. "Eplida, you know any of the teachers could have helped. I could've helped. That's what we're here for. Please. I don't want to see you leave this school. You've worked hard and it would be unfair to those who helped you get this far. Nevertheless, you still need to be punished."
Eplida nodded her head solemnly. The gymmasicarchis hid a smile in his hands. "Don't worry. It won't be all that bad. You'll live after cleaning the public toilets, stables and bedrooms for a few weeks."
Elpida grimaced but said nothing. She didn't want to extend her punishment. She nodded and made her way to the door. "Thank you sir."
Before she could leave, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see him. "I don't want anymore of this, understood? If this happens again, your punishment will be much much worse." He gave a knowing look as she nodded. "Good. Now off you go. It's meal time right now, correct?"
Elpida nodded and ran out the door. The gymnasicarchis closed the door and sat back at his desk, sighing into his hands. He heard a loud knock. "That must be the other one. Come in."
The large boy entered and sat in front of the man. The gymnasicarchis looked him in the eyes. "Why?"
~~~~
Kako started the fire with a flick of his wrist. Soon light filled the small cave where he and Apistos stayed. He was warming his hands when she came in, soaking from the rain. Removing her cloak, she sat across from him, feeling the warmth warm her bones.
Kako waited a few minutes before talking. "How did it go?" He kept his eyes on the fire, waiting.
She shrugged. "Fine, I suppose. Like you said earlier, they don't talk much." She grabbed some dried meat from her bag. With a big tug, she tore off a piece. After swallowing, she spoke again. "They did tell me where to find it though." She tore off another piece.
Kako waited patiently as she ate. He waited this long...
"It wasn't where you thought."
His snapped up, eyes wide. "What do you mean? It must be."
She shook her head. "No. It's at the school."
Kako rested his arms on his knees. "The school? Why would it be there? It's not like he needs it. He has plenty of students to make into his own little army."
Apistos shrugged once more. "I have no idea. But I heard that it's become even stronger."
Kako stood up and walked to the mouth of the cave. "We'll need to hurry then, before it's powers are discovered."
Apistos looked at her master. "What do you want me to do?"
Kako looked out at the rain. "Gather your things."
Apistos's eyes widened. "Why?"
Kako turned back to her with a small smile. "Because your going to school."
YOU ARE READING
An End
PertualanganI held up my lamp, my sword in my other hand. Although the light was bright, it wasn't bright enough and I couldn't see all that was in front of me. But I could still hear. And it was silent. So very silent.
