The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 21

Early the following morning she woke before everyone and made her way to the training room. In working on her fitness outside of her scheduled lessons she had started ending off her morning routine by holding weights up with her arms as she went through Trey's foot patterns. He had suggested that this might make her more nimble and graceful. After about half an hour she suddenly realized with a fright that she wasn't alone – a tall man with thick gray-brown hair was watching her from the doorway, but he slipped out when he saw she'd seen him. Other students then began filling up the gym for morning exercises and Cyan decided to leave. She wondered who the stranger was that seemed to have taken such an obvious interest in her.

When she got to her Perets lecture, she saw him talking to Master Orvil.

'Who's that?' she asked Matty. The students were all excited.

'Not sure. Hopefully a visiting lecturer – a change is as good as a holiday.'

Looking around, Cyan could see the others students were thinking the same. They sat down quickly and once the excited buzz died down, Orvil addressed the theatre. 'I bet you're all wondering what's happening today. It's my pleasure to introduce you to Master Dakin, well-known historian from Airlia in Thelo. He's also one of the academics responsible for your curriculum and practical exams. Many of you have already participated in his field assignments. In addition, he's a renowned swords master. You might be able to persuade him and Grand Master Trey to honor us with a demonstration sometime.'

The class applauded enthusiastically, more because a guest lecturer was a change from the norm than because they had actually heard about this Master. Cyan frowned. Someone had mentioned this man to her before but she couldn't remember who.

'Good morning.' Dakin now addressed the class. He looked to be in his fifties and from his build Cyan could tell he was athletic but lanky. 'It's a real pleasure to be back at Noring. I used to teach here many years ago. I'm here as part of my sabbatical from Airlia and so you'll likely see me around a lot in the next few months. My hope is that some of you'll become involved in my studies. Many interesting events are happening in Tebel of late.'

Cyan stifled a yawn. This was not an interesting lecture. She noticed both Shyla and Braeden paying close attention, but otherwise people mostly looked bored. The lecture lasted right through the tutorial lesson and the students had to rush to get to their next lecture. Cyan didn't have time to speak to Kael before the Skotonia lecture as she only just made it in time. Although Master Evan still felt the need to rebuke her tardiness.

At lunch Jesse and Braeden had sat at her table to talk to Shyla about the new Master.

'I actually thought that it was very interesting,' said Shyla after Jesse complained at great length about Dakin's long lecture. 'It was nice to hear the perspective of someone who's actually living out there.'

'What's going on?' Kael asked, joining them. 'Why are we sitting here?' He winked at Cyan in greeting.

'Swayle's Breath! If Kael's here that means I'm late for my manipulation class,' said Shyla in alarm.

'I'm not late,' said Kael in indignation as Shyla rushed off. He dropped into her vacated seat.

'You are a little.' Braeden pointed out.

'Well?

'Master Dakin's visiting,' replied Braeden. 'Jesse and I were talking to Shyla about the Perets lecture.'

'Ah yes. Dakin was here six months ago. He was the one who commissioned me to go to the Furnian Desert. And he set some of the exam campaigns. I guess he didn't really have enough time to lecture then. He did mention he'd probably be back in time to announce the results.'