The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 29

'I think someone knows,' Shyla told Cyan under her breath, as they sat down for lunch. Kael and Braeden were having a mock sword fight with their bread rolls and the other third years were sufficiently distracted from overhearing their conversation. Cyan was surprised when Braeden had started sitting at their table – but hadn't said anything, she was happy for Kael's sake. Braeden was cordial with her, but she knew they would never be friends. As long as Kael was happy, she was happy.

'Knows what?'

'About you and Trey.'

Cyan's head jerked up. 'What do you mean? You know that ended ages ago.'

The look Shyla gave her indicated that she hadn't been fooled. Cyan sighed, wondering who else may have been as observant as her friend.

'I heard a first year telling her friends that someone she knows saw Trey kissing a student.'

Dread surged through Cyan and her hand froze around her glass, as her whole body seemed to turn to ice. Someone had seen them. She looked at Shyla who was pursing her lips. Cyan realized from her friend's expression that she had just confessed everything by her reaction. If there had been any doubt before, the guilt on her face now sealed the truth. Shyla looked away briefly before meeting Cyan's eyes again. Shyla looked upset and guilt knotted Cyan's stomach even more. But she needed to know.

'Did they say who the student was?' Cyan asked meekly.

'No,' said Shyla. 'I'm not sure they know. The student was asked.'

Cyan swallowed and nodded slightly.

'You two must be more careful,' said Shyla finally.

Cyan grimaced. 'I know.'

'Seriously – you could both get in a lot of trouble. We've spoken about it before.'

'What are they going to do?' asked Cyan. 'Kick me out?'

'They'd probably ask Trey to leave rather than break your cover.'

'Why wouldn't they make me leave? I'm not as valuable to them as him,' she said in surprise.

'You're a Rubia,' said Shyla simply. 'Noring has to protect you.'

'I've heard that a couple of times. But I really don't understand. Surely not at the expense of a favored Grand Master?'

'Noring is under a Bond Oath. The founders made a Bond Oath that Noring would go to the aid any Rubia. So if you ask them to protect you, the whole campus could be rallied under you. I think Airlia may have made a similar oath.'

Cyan exhaled slowly. She had heard this all before from Kael, but was still a little awed by what Shyla said. They seemed to accept magic so easily here. Nowhere on Earth did such things exist.

'Can Noring make demands on me?'

'No, I doubt it. You have to willingly agree to the Bond Oath – that's why it's called an oath. There are Bond Laws though which are similar where one is automatically under the bond. Certain actions are considered to be the same as making an oath. But I don't think there's a Bond Law between you and Noring. They gave the Oath to Rubias. Bond Oaths are one way, but Bond Law's are both directions. I'm not sure you could do anything to intentionally harm Noring though. Like with a king and his subjects – they're completely loyal and submissive to the king, but it doesn't work both ways.'

'That's a lot of responsibility.'

'I think it's why Rustley's willing to leave campus to find out more about you.'