19. Power Orbs
A few weeks passed, and the brown leaves of October disappeared under the cold frost of November. Lessons outside were becoming a challenge, many people struggling to cope with the temperature. It would have been fine had their jumpsuits been designed for outside weather, but because they were mostly underground the designers had clearly not deemed it necessary to make them warm. Any other warm clothing people might have had, such as their blue hoodies, was not allowed in the training lessons, as they were a 'hindrance' to their learning. Obviously, there was a lot of muttering about this amongst the students, along the lines of 'soon our limbs will drop off with the cold'.
The only person who didn't really mind was Phoenix, because she could create little fires in her hands to keep herself warm. If they were standing in a huddle listening to instructions, Phoenix would get people to gather round as big a fire as she could safely make to stop them all becoming icicles.
One exceptionally cold day, they had come in after having done three laps of the training field, their limbs stiff with cold as they tried to run.
Over lunch they were still defrosting, their lips still blue and numb. For some unfathomable reason, it had occurred to none of their teachers for History, Foundology and Healing that it might be a good idea to turn on the heating, or whatever they used, so they had just shivered their way through three lessons.
“Maximus himself should try running three laps in the coldest weather we've ever had.” Jason's teeth were chattering as he tried to put some bread into his mouth.
“I hope he dies painfully of pneumonia.” muttered Peter sourly.
“It's not really his fault, though.” said Emma.
Peter looked incredulous. “Emma, that's like saying that if a gorilla eats a group of children, it's not the gorilla's fault.”
“Last time I checked, Maximus wasn't eating us.” Emma raised an eyebrow.
“But...” Peter just shook his head despairingly. “It doesn't matter.”
Their low spirits sank to a new level as they realised they had Biology with Caspir next.
“I wouldn't put it past him to deliberately turn down the heating.” said Charlie.
They had just begun to make the dreaded journey to Caspir's lesson when Felicity jogged up to them and handed them a note from Feriador.
Charlie, Peter, Jason, Emma, Phoenix,
Please meet me in my office after lunch. I have explained to Professor Caspir why you will be missing his lesson.
Professor Feriador
The relief that swept through them when they realised they would not have to go to Biology was absolute.
“What does he want to see us for?” wondered Phoenix.
“I don't care.” grinned Peter. “It can't be any worse than Biology.
With a little searching, they found the lift Charlie had used on his first day, and took it up to Feriador's office. The moment they stepped into the office they were met with warmth, and their lips returned to normal colour almost immediately.
Feriador was sitting in his armchair, staring at something on his desk. He looked up as they entered. “Please, have a seat.” He gestured to the sofa.
