Recap:
As I looked around me I felt like I was standing atop the highest mountain in paradise (were there mountains in paradise?). The view was the most breathtaking thing I had seen in my entire life!
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I heard a soft chuckle behind me, and realized I had been standing there, mouth wide in surprise, for over a minute. I quickly shut my mouth, the color rising to my face out of embarrassment as I saw Duke smirk at me.
“Here we are,” he stated matter of factly. I quickly gathered myself together.
“Didn’t you say I was going to a school? This looks more like a, uhhmm I don’t know, a really pretty town or something.”
“Well, yeah, we are actually like a village. With houses, stores, and entertainment. This is the life for people who were born into this. If Mom hadn’t married a Norman, we would have grown up here.” I nodded taking it in, “By the way, you used to have quite the way with words Sis. What happened?” Duke teased. I glared at him.
“This is all a lot to take in ok. I know that you, Mr Smooth must have kept your cool when you realized your whole life was a lie in the span of a few hours, but for me this is pretty tough... and I’m tired” I finished off lamely. Duke looked at me empathetically.
“Naw, Sis, I can completely relate. Sorry if I was being harsh, I just remember wanting some lightness and humor to contrast to the seriousness of everything when I went through this. If you want me to stay serious I can do that too. Just let me know what I can do to make this easier for you ok?” I felt bad for losing my temper with him. He had to go through the same thing as me. At least I have him to be by my side through this, he had no one.
“Yeah thanks for trying to cheer me up, please don’t be too serious?” I forced a smile onto my face. “Let’s continue!” Duke smiled at me and squeezed my hand.
I looked back out on the scenery. There were mountains, and valleys with small bubbling brooks. The fields were a bright forest green with wildflowers of all colors. I was standing on a plateau, and could see quite a bit of The Academy (which I guess now isn’t only one Academy but like a whole different world? I don’t know, I’ll figure it out). Far in the distance I could see small cottages and buildings, whose cute stone, wood, and stucco exteriors fit perfectly in with this paradise. The sun was starting to set over the mountains, and it gave a glowing tint to the landscape.
“I’ll race you!” Duke called as he led me down a few stone steps to a... whoa! A zipline?
“There are two” Duke stated as if reading my thoughts. “See, perfect. Wanna race?” I groaned.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me! I usually love this kind of stuff but I’m really tired man, and these are some seriously intense ziplines. Don’t I get like a harness or something?”
“Well, I guess you’re right, a Norman would always use a harness for something like this. But you’d be able to hang on. Once you start your training you will realize how much you’re actually capable of. But, this is your first day. Come on, I’ll take you the boring way.”
As I reached the “boring way,” I realized it was actually far from boring, it was a ski lift type thing that headed down hill as well as up, this was probably better anyways so that I could take in the view my first time. Duke hopped up onto a bench, and helped me on after him sprawling his arm around my shoulder as I settled in next to him.
“So do you want some more explanation? Or should I wait and have the Boss explain it when we get off” Duke asked.
“Well that depends,” I replied “Is this ‘Boss’ a friendly guy?” Duke laughed.
YOU ARE READING
The Academy (on hold)
Romansa"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."-- Ghandi Isabella (Izzy) Riley's life as it was before is turned upside down when she learns about and goes to attend The Academy. Was she really betrayed by a brot...
