Wardens of Elysia

Chapter 16 ▪ Kalos Full House (2/2)

“Thanks for saving me a seat,” Tierra said fixing her dress before sitting down on a cushioned chair. Eros waved to her as he headed to sit beside Reed in another table. The girls were situated near the entrance.

Karys started whispering, “It seems that Sephyrians hogged the good spots. Who would have thought they had big appetites?” Maizy and Serin snickered in response.

Tierra wasn’t able to hear this for she was eyeing her father. He was wearing a white suit and his forest green cape, walking with an unusual limp. It wasn’t everyday that she got to talk to the king but something tells her he wasn’t his best this noontime.

The two guards left him and positioned elsewhere when the king sat at his table. Beside him were unfamiliar people wearing braids of sorts.

“Are those…our other preceptors?” Tierra asked Maizy in an undertone.

Maizy turned to look and then nodded slowly. “I th-think so. Those are certain to be m-middle age knot-heads.”

“Knot-heads,” Karys repeated who was apparently listening. She was trying not to laugh, “Oh my goodness, knot-heads. You’re a genius, Maizy.”

The girls shared their chokes of snickers. Tierra was feeling guilty about joking over the Sephyrians a lot. She feared they might not just be different from them.

The king was clearing his throat as all eyes turned to the royal figure standing. The hall grew silent.

“Academics,” there was a round of applause, “This may be your first day to dine with all of your fellow-aspirants here in the castle, but I assure you, there will be no need of my speech tomorrow as I may not be with you daily. A bell will be rung by exactly noon time and everyone will then be entitled to his meals.” There were reliefs and nods in the crowd, “I repeat, after the bell, we may all approach the buffet tables. You may head back to your quarters once you are done to prepare for your next classes. Thank you and may we all be filled sufficiently.” The king bowed and another applause was heard.

A man in a bright red suit rang the tiny bell he was holding and the academics stood up with their plates happily. There were three long tables for the teenagers and the Sephyrians intentionally positioned themselves beside the two outer tables to be adjacent to the food. Tierra and the girls had no choice but to wait for the line to be less congested.

Maizy was scanning her notebook. Apparently, she brought it with her. Serin was playing with her fingers. Karys looked bored with a palm on her cheek.

Well, here goes. Tierra pursed her lips before voicing out her question, “Girls, do you...uhm really believe in savants?”

Serin exchanged glances with Karys. Maizy was staring at Tierra.

“You m-mean the one appointed with all th-three charges?” Maizy frowned, “N-no, not really. I’ve read a p-plethora of books about them b-but most of the descriptions d-don’t coincide.”

This caught Tierra’s interest, “You read about them, Maiz? So are they myths then?”

It was strange that Karys was silent. Maizy went on, “Y-yes. There are m-mountains of books about them in Sephyria, a l-lot more than in the Kalos dome.”

“What do they say about them?” Tierra saw the group of Salovin heading back to their seats, plates full. Serin was pacing about before focusing back on Maizy.

“Well, y-you know. The usual. S-silver hair, p-powerful, too uncommon that there s-seems to be no one alive who has kn-known them firsthand. Why’d you ask, Tierra?”

“It’s actually a long story,” Tierra said, scratching her arm.

“Reserve it for another time," Karys said, craning her neck to look at the buffet table to the left. "For now, can we first load up our plates puhlease? The clock’s ticking and I think the lines have shortened.”  The girls nodded.