The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 18

The next morning Cyan decided that she would go to the Perets history lectures with Liz for diplomacy's sake and then attend Skotonian history with Leanna. She soon found out that all students had to study the history of their own country and then elected history for one other country in Tebel. Since Machseh wasn't offered as a subject, she was allowed to choose both of her history subjects. Cyan remembered Kael saying he was the only I'te that took Skotonian history as a subject and she hoped to have a chance to talk to him without his sullen friends.

Liz led Cyan to a large lecture theatre on the first floor where a young Junior Master was teaching on the history of Perets. Cyan thought she'd be bored, but the young lecturer came from Perets originally and was passionate about the Skotonian invasion and current occupation. By the end of the lecture on one of the more gruesome wars Tebel had seen, Cyan thought she understood a bit more about why Skotonia had earned such a bad reputation.

After the lecture, Cyan was taken into the third year Perets tutorial room where the class was divided in a debate about whether Skotonia could just leave Perets or should engage in a long-term strategy for the withdrawal of power. She thought that some people made excellent points around how the years of oppression had left Perets under-qualified and ill-equipped to run a country. Many students felt that if Skotonia pulled all leadership out, the country's economy would crash under the pressure and lack of experience. Others felt that Kratos should step in as the more successful country currently, and take charge of the liberation of Perets.

By the end of the first tutorial Cyan's head was buzzing. She found Leanna and followed her to the Skotonian lecture on the second floor. Far fewer people across the years attended this class. Later Cyan found out it was because, unlike other countries, no one had any desire to actually live in Skotonia and so no one felt particularly drawn to the subject. As she entered the auditorium with Leanne, Kael saw her and waved. Relief flooded her. He still wants to be friendly. She took the seat next to him. Leanna looked irritated, but sat on the other side of her.

'What lecture did you just attend?'

'Perets,' she answered. 'But it seemed more like a Skotonian lecture.'

'Ah,' Kael said. 'Master Orvil lecturing on Skotonia's occupation then?'

'And some.' She grinned with him.

A thin Master in his forties entered the room and scanned it. Seeing Cyan, his eyes widened then narrowed in fury. She cringed under his look. What now?

'You!' His voice was a snarl. He headed towards her and she shrank back from his hostility. 'I know why you're here. But know this, you won't succeed!'

Cyan stared up at him in horror and confusion at being singled out. The class was silent as the Master and Cyan stared at each other. Finally his face mirrored her confusion.

'Master Evan,' Kael said eventually, confusion also etched across his face, 'this is Cyan, our new third year from Airlia. She only joined the classes today. Grand Master Trey and Head Master Rustley said she could decide on her courses.'

The Master looked back at Cyan in amazement. He leant towards her. She felt very unnerved as Evan looked her up and down. Then he smirked.

'Cyan? Really? So you want to learn about Skotonia? That is . . . laughable.' Evan carried on muttering under his breath as he went to the chalkboard. He seemed to realize the class was still staring in bewilderment and quickly composed himself.

'Fine,' he snapped. 'You be Cyan, I'll be Master Evan – but no comments from you until you've caught up! I expect outstanding work in this class. There are only a few students wanting to learn this history and so those who do must make every effort to compete against the other subjects.'