Becoming Complete: Inchoate Book 1

Chapter 10: Trial by School

A younger Que was balancing on one of many round, wooden posts, scattered in a pit. The posts stood roughly twelve feet in the air and had a diameter no bigger than eight inches. Another figure could be seen on a post ten feet away, and both children had yolks bearing weights on each end. The pair hadn't spoken since they were first placed there over an hour before. The humidity and still silence of the pit were grueling enough, but the girl and boy knew to give in would lead to dire consequences. Que also knew if either fell before they were released, they would be doing the exercise again in a few days, not to mention with possibly some mending bones from the fall. She could tell Tomas was getting worn down. Though he was older by four years, Que was stronger and more balanced. She had been here longer than him and thus gained more endurance. Suddenly, a cacophony of noise came from somewhere not far off from the pit. It sounded like gunfire and was it people screaming? What was going on? At that moment, Tomas, distracted by the commotion, lost his balance. Que watched in horror as he tumbled to the ground.

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Que woke with a start. It was 4:30 in the morning. This was not a great way to start the first day of school.Though Que's first class didn't start until 8:00 AM, she knew going back to sleep was pointless, so she threw on some running gear and climbed out her window. Windows were not her usual exit, but she didn't feel like running into anybody in the hall. She doubted anyone was up, but who knows when it comes to first day jitters and sleep walkers. Que conjured up her little light sphere to guide her to the lake. A few laps around the courtyard from there should be enough to take her mind off things.

After an hour of jogging, she headed back to her room nice and sweaty. She might have gone a lap to many she thought as she scaled up the vine covered walls to her window. It was definitely not this hard going down. Once she had showered and dressed for the day, it was 6:00 AM. She headed down to grab some breakfast and was quite surprised to see Raven and the Professor already there enjoying some coffee, eggs, beans, and sausage.

Before she could sneak away unnoticed, she should have known better, she heard "Good morning Que, you're up early." It was Raven who greeted her first.

"Come join us Que. I dare say we got a little over zealous while cooking," the Professor laughed.

Que stood for a moment then awkwardly walked into the room and grabbed a plate. She forgot that these two were like brother and sister, and she felt uncomfortable and intrusive.

"Thanks," she mumbled. She was quite hungry, but she still found it strange at times to be eating with others. Definitely a big change since she'd left her table for one at the cottage.

As Que piled food on her plate by the counter, the two adults continued their conversation until she joined them at the table.

"So, first day of classes for you Que. Are you dreading it?" Raven asked, teasing.

"Do you really want an answer?" Que quipped back.

"It will be fine," the Professor reassured her, hearing the tense undertone in her remark.

Que threw him a grateful half smile, and quickly changed the subject. She got Raven chattering about the upcoming combat training session she would be holding for different groups of students for the week.

Once Raven had finished her breakfast, she excused herself from the table and headed upstairs to get ready for her morning combat session.

Charles continued to read his newspaper, but he kept watch on Que from the side. He knew she had been up early. He was used to feeling the tail ends of sudden emotions that nightmares ensued, if they were strong enough. Que's nightmares, however, were quite frequent and always quite intense. He was concerned for the girl. The dark circles under her eyes were always present, but today they really showed how restless her sleep had been.