The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 38

Despite Kael's words, Cyan found the following day almost unbearable. She couldn't help feeling as though people were staring at her accusingly while some of the third year men walked Jesse's coffin down the aisle. Even Shyla being released from the infirmary to attend the funeral didn't help.

Cyan kept to the back of the hall as much as possible. Students were constantly approaching Shyla to find out how she was so Cyan steered clear of her friend, wanting to avoid more scrutiny. Half hiding in the shadows, she inadvertently heard acting Head Master Brook speaking with some of the Grand Masters.

'You sure? How do you know?' asked Marlin sourly.

'After what happened on the roof, Drenta seemed to get scared that he was going to be discovered. When Brinsey searched his room to find out why, he found a letter that had been sent to him. Braeden examined the letter and confirmed the code as being Inskian. I think we can assume that after what happened with Master Evan, Drenta has fled back to Insko. Braeden has sent correspondence to the I'tes in all the major cities and towns to look out for him, but he doubts there would be any point in pursuit. Inskians are wily and cunning – much more so than the clumsy Kotons. I am sending a message to Rustley to inform him that Insko is likely to become aware of the resident Rubia in the next month or so.'

'Did anyone know Drenta was Inskian?' asked Keter.

'No, he's only been here for two years,' answered Brook. 'A rather uninspiring water manipulation student. Kept to himself, but handed in all his work on time. Basically unnoticeable.'

'The perfect spy,' said Keter. 'We've always known that Insko has the best spies – we should make sure there aren't more of them around. Maybe our I'tes can look into it.'

'Well, too bad now,' said Brook, 'we'll just have to make decisions as we need.'

'But shouldn't the Rubia leave Noring?'

Cyan watched the Masters hesitate as they all thought about this. Her heart was hammering in her chest. Where would they send her? Where would be safer than Noring?

'No,' said Marlin finally. 'I know that Trey will agree that we should wait for Rustley. Let him decide.'

The other Grand Masters seemed to agree with this and the informal meeting came to an abrupt end. Cyan darted down a corridor before they could see her. She was relieved. She didn't care about the second year spy too much or about the nation of Insko. She was just happy to stay at Noring for as long as possible.

Later Trey came to find her on the roof.

'Seems we are destined to find each other atop a building,' he said with a sad chuckle.

'Trey.' She was surprised to see him. 'How are you feeling?'

'Fine, I was luckier than Braeden. He wouldn't be able to come up here to find you,' he attempted a joke.

'He wouldn't want to,' said Cyan, thinking of the funeral and Jesse.

'No, probably not today anyway,' conceded Trey, raising his hand to trace a finger along her cheek. Cyan grabbed his hand with hers and turned her face into it. To her surprise he pulled his hand away gently. She looked up at him. He seemed to be struggling with himself over something.

'What is it?' she tried to keep the alarm from her voice.

'I'm Skotonian,' he said. 'And you know now. I've never told anyone. How could I? You've seen the kind of response we get from Tebelians. If students found out I was allowed to teach here, let alone be a Grand Master, Noring would lose her students.'