The Lancaster Chronicles: A Knight's Honour.

Chapter 1.- Principium

Anxiety...Excitement...Wonderment, those were among the many feelings which flooded Sebastian's mind. Today was Sebastian's first day at a new school one far from his mere concept of home. As he stood outside of the grand dark oak doors, Sebastian cleared his mind and took a deep breath; to help calm his nerves. This wasn't the first time he's had to transfer to a new school, yet the anxiety affects him as if it were his first time. Sebastian looked up at the eloquent looking wall clock, which stood outside the Headmaster's Study. He sat outside in the secretary's area admiring the Architecture; from the hand carved mouldings to the many statues of men, women and animals.

He shifted his gaze to the double dark oak doors, their entire surface bearing the image of a centaur, fantasizing about the multitude of books and sheer wonder, which were confined behind those magnificent doors. "Sebastian ? Sebastian Lancaster ?". Sebastian snapped out of his daydream, "Yes that's me", he replied. "Headmaster Regulus will see you now", said the secretary from behind her gold rimmed glasses, "just knock before you enter please".

"Yes...of course...Thank you", Sebastian replied. Sebastian Stood up and took a deep breath as he buttoned his jacket; and set pace to the grand doors. "Knock-Knock". Sebastian paused before entering to receive his approval to do so for what seemed like an eternity. "Enter !", the voice boomed. Sebastian turned the brass door knob and entered the great room. He shut the door behind him and turned his attention to the silhouette of a tall man looking out of an enormous window to what seemed to Sebastian the study of his dreams. The Headmaster turned around and greeted Sebastian, "Hello grandson". "Hello grandfather", Sebastian replied feeling overshadowed by the presence of such a man in such a room.

The Headmaster was strikingly tall, looking down at Sebastian with his green eyes; which shone like marbles. Headmaster Regulus approached Sebastian staring into Sebastian's similar green eyes; he reached out his hand and ran it through Sebastian's dark brown hair. Sebastian took a step back to regain his composure," I trust Father spoke with you". "Ah, yes indeed", replied Regulus,"I'm quite glad that you agreed to start school here". "Agreed ? It was only a matter of time before I was forced into the university that my family owned", Sebastian scoffed. "Still you should be grateful that you have this opportunity as opposed to other who have to pay; so please show some respect and have a seat", Regulus demanded as he gestured to the leather padded chair in front of his gigantic desk.

Sebastian sat down and said nothing. "How is your Father ?", Regulus asked. A few moments passed before Sebastian answered,"Sigh- As revolting as ever". "Hmm, well lets get to business then" replied Regulus as he stood up and walked over to a filing cabinet which looked as old as himself. Sebastian also stood up and walked over the great window which his grandfather was looking out of. He admired the identical looking trees which dotted the Campus' grounds; and the sheer multitude of students that roamed about. Regulus closed the cabinet and walked up to his grandson; his shoes generating an echo each time they hit the teak floor.

"Here, these belong to you", Regulus reached out his hand, in them were some keys connected to a key chain bearing the letters "V.P., "you'll be staying at The Vice Principal's lodgings in the North Wing". "Wouldn't The Vice Principal be staying there ?" Sebastian asked. "Oh don't worry we've never had one for twenty-five years so it's fine", Regulus replied, "now Sebastian Lancaster welcome to Lancaster's University of Philosophy and The Fine Arts.

Sebastian quickly turned his attention to his grandfather's outstretched hand, gazing at the keys in his grasp. "What are those ? ", Sebastian enquired pointing at a rather large, brown parcel that Regulus held in his other hand. "Oh yes, this parcel contains all your necessary books; such as your handbook and code of conduct", Regulus replied. "Oh please you can keep that, I won't use it anyway; except maybe as scrap paper", Sebastian said as he took the keys from the headmaster. Sebastian turned his back to Regulus, his attention turned back to the grand doors of the study.

"Where is it ?", Sebastian asked. "What are you referring too ?",replied Regulus. "My lodgings. How am I going to find them ?", Sebastian said as he turned back to his grandfather. "Outside my study there'll be another student waiting to escort you and will help you unpack", Regulus said as he moved back to the window from which he was looking out of, " now go, you have a lot to do before bed". Sebastian paused for a while as he once again admired the dark silhouette of the great man before replying," Yes, of course Grandfather". Sebastian walked to the giant doors and quickly left the room; however before he closed the door he heard something; two words he didn't expect to notice..."Be safe".

Sebastian slowly close the doors with a silent gesture, he thought nothing of what just happened and looked up to see the headmaster's secretary already standing before him. "Master Lancaster, your escort is here, Sir", said Mrs. Bloomberg her eyes as large as golf balls; enlarged by the strong lenses of her glasses. Sebastian trying hard not to smirk replied, "Could you please show me ?". "Yes Sir, please follow me", Mrs. Bloomberg replied as she quickly scuttled away to the sitting area; Sebastian quickly tagging along behind her.

Sebastian followed Mrs. Bloomberg all the way to the main waiting room, her high heels generating a monotonous tune on the marble floors. As they arrived in the main waiting room; Mrs. Bloomberg introduced Sebastian to his escort. "Master Lancaster, may I introduce you to Master Watson of House Aristotle", Mrs. Bloomberg said. The student stood up from his seat and turned towards Sebastian; to which Sebastian thought was the most out of place looking person on the entire campus; one who would stand by his side throughout his future in these new halls.