Academy
Chapter One
1
It took Callo a little while to gather her wits and her ability to walk correctly once she got off the boat. The docks shifted almost as the ship had, and that made things easier. However, she still hadn’t got it quite right when the VKP Recruiter met her at the corner. Reaching a hand out to hers, he helped her up the steps of the school. She was unaccustomed to the aid. Her efforts to balance on her own only caused her to nearly fall. The man’s grip was icy and strong and his step was sure as he wordlessly kept her on her feet and walking.
Behind her, she could feel Kajetan’s silent laughter. He certainly wasn’t going to help her.
He led her up the stairs to a room with a very pretty door. The script on it was in Old Valendian, a script used for formal documents.
She could read it perfectly, though.
It read, Headmaster Alastair Kegan.
"Kegan?" Kajetan whispered.
The aide turned a disparaging eye on the two before knocking at the door.
"Enter," called a pompous voice from within.
The aide opened the door, knocking again before he stepped through and closed it in her face, ignoring the soulful look she gave in response. A few minutes later he stepped back out. "He will see you now," he said. Kajetan entered with her.
The man behind the desk looked gruff and old. He seemed to dislike the idea of holding an academic position, though how Callo could tell she didn’t know. "Sit down, both of you." The man spoke in clipped tones. It was as nasal as the rest of the High-born Valendians’ voices were. "Tell me your name, lad," Headmaster Alastair Kegan said.
Kajetan grinned cockily, "Il mio nome è Kajetan Merlose, Don Alastair.
""Valendian, lad. This is nay Italia." Sir Alastair replied sternly.
He swallowed. "My name is Kajetan Merlose."
"And yours?" He nodded towards Callo.
"I am Callo Merlose." She stood with her hands at her sides and her chin thrust out in accusation. Despite Kajetan’s size and boisterous personality, Callo made it clear she controlled him, not the other way ‘round— with this pair, it was true that behind every great man was an equally great woman.
"I shall inform you of the workings of the Academy."
They nodded obediently.
"There are no curfew rules. The night be yours past nine of the clock at night. However, should ye waste the evening hour and sleep not, the fault shall be your own and ye shall be dealt with accordingly. VKP Agents must learn to rely only on themselves."
"The mess hall serves the nightly meal at six of the clock. Service ends at seven. If you cannot find the time to eat within that hour, you can go hungry for the night. This academy is one of punctuality and discipline."
They nodded again, unsure of how to respond.
He pierced them with a hard stare, as though he wanted them to leave.
"Aught ye would ask?" He asked, his tone cold and brittle. Quite obviously, the question was merely a formality. They shook their heads. He waved them off and the aide escorted them out.
2
Ashley was hardly new to Valnain— he’d visited the King’s city often enough, riding the wagon with his father. But this was his first time in Valnain without goods to help unload. As a blacksmith’s apprentice, he would be expected to care for as much of the nitty-gritty boring work as he could. That meant making sure nobody stole anything and that none of the wares fell off the cart.
"Ash?" Malachai Riot’s voice was naturally loud but now it was soft. It only softened in sadness. Even pain could not soften his father’s voice— it only made him scream more.
"Here, Father," Ashley replied.
Malachai bent down, though not as far as the year before, and pulled his son close. The boy put his arms around his father’s neck, returning the bear hug.
"Love you, boy." Malachai said gruffly, straightening up and handing the lad a letter.
"Love you too," Ashley replied.
With that, he walked up the steps and into the Academy.