Shroud of magic

chapter 2

"There it is son." Zero's father beamed as they came over the hill and saw the gigantic air ship docked in the sky bay.
It was a giant metallic structure with two gargantuan engines coming off the side of it. The ship had many wide arched windows and what seemed to be a deck on top, with the bridge of the ship elevated in the middle. The vessel was huge.

"That's really big." Zero said in awe at the size of the ship. "How does it float?"

His father looked back with a smile "I believe that it uses rose crystals."

"What's a rose crystal?"

His mother giggled "you will find out soon enough."

The cart continued down the road and steadily approached the town where the ship was docked.

"...Lisa," father said. The tone of his voice had a 'you know what to do' feel to it.

With that mother lifted her hood so it was hiding her face.

"Mum why did you put your hood up?" Zero was aware his mother never visited the village but was never aware of why.

"Oh, it's just so that mother doesn't have to talk to anyone she doesn't need to."

"Why?"

His mother gave him a bitter smile. "Some people are quite annoying and well... it's for fashion"

Zero was not quite content with the answer but did not feel like pressing the matter further.

They continued through the town down the main street with the town carrying on as usual, though today was not a usual day.

Zero watched as people waved and shouted good luck to the carriage in front of them. The carriage was rimmed with gold and had two big white horse's pulling it.

"Dad, is that a nobles carriage?"

"Yes, they obviously went all out just to send their child away to study for a year."

Mother sighed "The people sure do have a good impression of them."

Zero's father chuckled. "And of course why not?, they come down from their glorious mansions and spend heaps of cash helping the traders make money what's not to love."

The cart then came to a stop. "It's time to go my boy." Zero's father climb down off the cart as Zero jumped out of the back.

"So, it's time to say good bye" Zero could feel the tears begin to build behind his eyes but he refused to let them out.

"It's is indeed, not gonna cry on me are you?" His father teased.

"Don't be silly I'm sixteen years of age I'm not going to cry."

Zero's mother had now come to meet them at the side of the cart. "Well I don't care if your not going to cry, I will" his mother's eyes were red with tears trickling down her face.

"Come on mum don't do that." Zero felt awkward as he had never actually seen his mother cry, he didn't know how to deal with it.

"Um... mum I'm only..." but before he could finish she had already wrapped him in a tight hug squeezing him, it felt like she would never let go.

"Come now Lisa, it's time for zero to go" his father stepped closer and placed a hand on his wife's shoulder.

"Yes Samson, I know" Zero's mother pulled away and placed her hands on his shoulders "promise me that you will always be strong, no matter what happens."

Zero looked into his mother's eyes though they were darkened by the hood the sharp-piercing blue eyes held soo much love and worry. "Don't worry mother I will be fine."

At this Zero placed a kiss on his mothers cheek and turned to his dad "take care, ok old man." Giving his father a bright smile.

Samson rolled his eyes at his sons remark "old man?" he huffed then returned the smile "I'll be fine, it's you who's going on the adventure."

Zero gave his father a warm hug and then began to walk down the cobblestone street past the gold rimmed carriage giving it a questioning look. He wondered what type of person would own such a marvel.

"STUDENTS FOR WARDRAN PLEASE REGISTER HERE!" Zero looked up to see where the shouts were coming from, he looked around till his eyes landed on the source.

It was a man standing on a stage behind a desk he was signalling for any student and that of course ment Zero so at this Zero began to run. So he did not miss the ship.

He glided through the crowd until he was on the stage behind about six people.

Zero was nervous and hoped conversation would calm his nerves so he attempted to talk to the individual in front "So we just, sign up here?"

The boy turned around with a look of disgust on his face. "What is a commoner like you doing here?"

Zero was taken aback "What do you mean?"

"I mean what is a low born scum like you doing, attempting to get on this ship?" the boy looked at Zero as if he was dirt.

"Well going to Wardran of course." Zero spat back.

"Ridiculous," the boy chuckled "you, go to Wardran." The boy raised his voice as to attract the action of others "look at this line, everyone in this line is either the son or daughter of a Noble and bears the crest to prove it you on the other hand have no crest, and plain clothes.

The boy was beginning to anger Zero he had gotten away from Bruce just to run into someone a lot worse.

"What does it matter to you? I am here to attend the school just like everyone else" Zero stepped closer to the boy. "And I don't give a danm what you think.

The boys face began to twist with rage  "What did you say?"

"Is everything okay." One of the helpers had now come over "Is there a problem"

"Yes" the boy began "I believe he is attempting to sneak on to the ship"

The helper raised an eyebrow "Through the front entrance, I must say that's a pretty good way to get caught."

Zero chuckled as did a few other that had also been drawn in by the commotion.

The boy looked furious and began to mutter under his breath. It was something that sounded like filthy commoner.

Zero payed no attention to this as he had noticed the line had already shrunk and it was time to get his ticket. "Are you getting on or not?" He asked the boy who simply turned on his heels and stormed off to get his papers.

The helper now turned to face Zero. "Don't worry about that, he will have to get used to working with commoners even if he doesn't like it."

Zero nodded and walked past the helper. It was time to board and he did not wish to be held up any further.

As he approached the table his heart started to race. Here he was going on a new adventure. The cool summer breeze on his check calmed him as he closed his eyes, taking deep breath. "here we go."

Zero looked at the man in the white suit at the table. Zero was trembling with anticipation.

"State your name please" the man in the white suit began to scroll through a device as he said this. It looked like a mini mirror which held information.

"My name is Zero Morgoma."

"Ah I have found you, good. well head up the ramp and your guide shall be waiting for you" he pointed to his right bring Zeros attention to the ramp leading up to the colossal air ship.