What if, at 14, you and every teen your age, are called to enter the Warden Academy to learn the basics of warriorhood, wizardry, and watchery? Would you go for it?
Tierra, who finally decides to enroll, soon finds out it won't be a walk in the p...
“And I said, ‘Keila, Kerstyn, or Kandys? Ring a bell?’ and when she still shook her head, I finally said, ‘Look, we’re friends of the princess and you don’t want her royalness coming here and getting the money for us, don’t you? Now hand over the money.’”
“Karys! Oh my goodness, you sounded like a robber!” Tierra wheezed as she and Maizy almost cried laughing while banging their fists to the bed.
Serin was nodding to them, “She did say that alright. And the old lady took out her purse. I was shocked myself!”
“I told her we were your appointed ladies,” Karys said undaunted, “She was such a stubborn prick. Not to mention forgetful.”
Tierra was still rolling over the bed howling and clutching her tummy. “You are unbelievable, Karysta!” Maizy was now giggling silently.
Serin shook her head and smiled as she folded her clothes, “Karys always gets her way.”
There was a knock on the door. The four girls turned to look.
Sipka appeared into view, “Could you keep it down? The walls in this castle aren’t thick enough to cover up your joshes.” She rolled her eyes and went away without closing the door.
Maizy gulped. Karys bit her lip, “What are they doing anyway? Sleeping?”
Sephyrian academics were walking by the hallway outside.
“What time is it? Why is everyone about?” Tierra asked, standing up. She checked her watch, it was still 11:40 AM.
“Sephyrians are used to eating brunches. So they’re seeing if the Buffet Hall’s already with food,” Maizy explained, unpacking her things.
Serin and Karys exchanged i-don’t-know glances as the girls emptied their trunks to their individual closets in silence.
--
“So I asked her why she had to place a doll on my bag and she said, ‘I just wanted Kiefer to experience his first day in the academy,’” Tierra storied as they were climbing down the main staircase five minutes before noon. “And then she excused herself and left. How absurd is that?”
Karys was thinking deeply. “You’re sister might be spying on you.”
“What?” asked Tierra, taken aback. Serin and Maizy was staring at Karys.
“Well, she could have placed a spell on the doll to track you or, say, hear your conversations.”
Tierra looked at Serin and Maizy who returned curious glances. “There are spells like that?”
Karys nodded, feeling the handles on the stairs, “Very sophisticated ones though. I don’t even think my aunts can do them. I don’t think anyone in Kalos can.”
Tierra punched Karys lightly, “So why’d you say it then? You just made me worried, Karys.”
Karys chuckled. The Buffet Hall doors were already opened and they could see orange lights gleaming from inside.
Tierra saw Eros appearing from the kitchen. He was dusting his hands and looking grim. She ran to him, “Eros!”
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Eros looked up and lightened, “Oh, hey Tierra. How are you?”
The lack of words Eros uttered made Tierra remember how annoyed she was with him yesterday. She started, “I’ve been wanting to talk to you all week. Oh, hold on-” Tierra turned to beckon her new friends. They approached them. “This is Karys, Maizy, and Serin. You know Serin, right?” Eros nodded, “Girls, this is Eros, my long time best friend.” The girls smiled, but one of them was obviously blushing.
Eros waved shyly, “Nice to meet you, ladies.”
“I’ll catch up inside. You go ahead,” Tierra told them. Serin lingered a little longer before realizing she had to follow Karys and Maizy.
Tierra turned to Eros, he was eyeing Serin. She cleared her throat.
“Oh, sorry. What were you saying?” Eros said, eyes widening.
Tierra felt glum. I haven’t said anything yet. Sighing, she began, “Remember the Book of Swords? There’s this curious page about The Sword of the Savant-”
“Woah. Sword of the Savant.”
“Yeah, but I haven’t read it yet. So I was thinking-”
“Why hello, Princess!” Memma called out carrying a tray full of pastries. Tierra smiled and nodded. Eros looked at her guiltily. Memma shot him a piercing look and then went inside the Buffet Hall.
“What was that about?” Tierra asked.
“She wants me to carry the tray to the hall.”
Tierra studied her best friend’s eyes and understood why he declined, “Anyway, I'm curious but there was no picture intended for the sword, Eros. It only had a big question mark on the paper, so I thought that maybe we can-”
Tierra stopped short. She saw her father coming from his quarters behind the main staircase.
“Let’s get inside,” Tierra said pulling Eros to the hall, who turned to see the king approaching.
-- Why can't they have enough time to talk about that sword? Come on, guys, it might be important. ;)
