Enter the Shadows: Book One of the RTS Series (First Full Draft)

Chapter Two

Daniel

The evening had become a bit too cold for Daniel's liking. Even with a light wind hinting at warm weather ahead. Though what was more intolerable was the fact that the train was running incredibly late. He stared out the train window, watching hills and small villages pass by in the distance, occasionally glancing down at his wrist watch.

"Hey, Daniel? You still with us? You're sort of spacing out."

Daniel Marchand looked away from the train window and towards the two friends, Andrew and Vincent, sitting across from him. "What?"

"We were talking about Professor Archibald." Vincent recalled. "You know how some of the students were talking about-"

Daniel immediately wasn't interested in whatever the topic was. "Archibald is a hack teacher. Why should I care about him?"

"Well, we're just trying to bring up conversation." Vincent went quiet after that, he attempt trying to make died away and left the train cart in silence. Daniel returned his attention to staring out the window. "We're not really going to see you much this summer because, you know..."

Daniel felt a pang of annoyance. He knew all too well what he was talking about. This summer Daniel would be undergoing his Trials; a series of tests that would determine whether or not he would claim the inheritance of his family.

"Just shut up about it before you get too carried away," he grumbled, "you know it's bad luck to talk about them in detail."

"Right." Vincent replied. "But you better know what you're doing or you might get yourself-"

Daniel shot a glare at Vincent. "You're not doubting my abilities, are you?"

"N-No!" Vincent shrank a bit at Daniel's glare.

"Then let's end the conversation at this; I've made up my mind, nothing will change it, and I have confidence that I will succeed. So back off."

The conversation ended there, and the three were silent for the rest of the journey. After a while, the train crawled to a stop. Daniel stood up, got his bag from the overhead luggage carrier, and began to leave.

"Uh, good luck." Andrew muttered.

Daniel gave a short, stiff nod to acknowledge that he heard Andrew, but gave no other sign that he cared.

Before he could head down the corridor, Daniel heard someone snickering behind his back. He turned and saw a blonde girl leaning against an open train booth doorway, smirking at him.

"What the hell do you want?"

"Not'in at a'." She spoke with an annoying, heavy Scottish accent. A clear reminder as to where she grew up. "I just heard ye' 'ad a death wish o' some kind is all."

"I don't have a death wish." Daniel fumed, his tone flat.

"Ye' 'ave ta' be. If ye'r risking yer neck fur a bloody pocket watch."

Daniel felt his temper flare up. "Watch your tongue before I-"

This provoked her further. "What are ye' goin' ta' do ta' me? Cry ta' yer father ta' rip my tongue out? We both know ye' don't 'ave the guts ta' do it yer'self. I could break ye' in half without so much as breaking a sweat."

Daniel heard laughter from the open booth, probably her friends. He was about to draw out a weapon to silence the little parasite, but the overhead announced that the train would be leaving in a few seconds. But there was no way he would just let things be as they were, so Daniel raised his head, and smirked wider. "We both know you wouldn't dare lift a finger towards me, and if you were so powerful you would be back in your isolated little world underground."