Chapter 1
I kissed her, our eyes shutting while we felt each other's presence. We separated again, both of us gazing at each other with love in our eyes. "I love you," I said. Another kiss, this one initiated by her. I loved her so much. I wanted to hold her and tell her how much she meant to me all day. "You're going to be late!" She said, pushing me away. It was a weak push, and I easily pulled her back and kissed her again. I hugged her tight and raised her up off her feet, spinning her around. "Sweetie!" She said, holding onto me. "I love you I love you I love you!" I said. I put her back down, and she pouted at me cutely. I knew that face. She was annoyed but unable to do anything because she loved it when I showered her with affection. "I'm serious! I don't want you to be late. I know how much this means to you." "Come with me," I said. "You know I can't, sweetie. And I don't think you'd get a lot of studying done with me around." I simultaneously sighed and smiled, holding her. And then she gave me another kiss. "Now go! Go go go!" She said, shooing me. Another kiss, this one from me, and I left. I looked back at her, and she smiled and blew me a kiss, which I made sure to catch. I gave her a farewell wave, and then set off for real. The carriage ride to the academy was nothing worth mentioning. It took close to six hours for me to get to the city from our village. I had two bags with me, each of which my wife helped me pack, and I'd gratefully let her. I had my letter of admittance tucked inside my coat, and I silently thanked my wife again for reminding me to bring it. The letter was years old now. The paper, which was still the finest I'd ever held, was a bit faded, and there was a stain on it from the time I'd accidentally spilled my drink. "Halt!" The carriage stopped at the gate to the inner city. Multiple men wearing shining mail and holding spears guarded the entrance. "I've a letter!" I shouted. "Give its here then!" The guard shouted. I handed it over, and he flipped it open a bit haphazardly. All of a sudden he stiffened and straightened up. "Sorry my lord!" He bowed. The other guards all straightened up. "We'll let you right through." I didn't bother correcting his mistake—I was no lord, but I was getting worried about being late, and they moved much hastier now that they thought I was one. "Ahem, um, your carriage my lord. We can't—" "Oh. Is the academy far from here?" The guard gave me directions, and I thanked him. It didn't sound too far, and I didn't want to cause them any problems. I thanked the driver before I went on my way. The inner city made me pause. Paved roads and well sorted buildings with reddish shale roofs filled my vision. Polished black carriages with clear windows, drawn by multiple horses, their hooves clopping on the ground, passed by. "My lord, is there a problem?" The guard said. "No, no, I've never been here that's all." "You's from far? There's been a few like you through here. They all gon right through, though." I suppose they would. I gave the guard another thanks and kept moving along, a bag in each hand. I looked out of place, dressed in my best clothes, yet feeling like I was wearing rags. Compared to the fine fabrics and glittering jewelry worn by those around me, it wasn't far from the truth. What was my wife doing right now? She'd be caring for our daughter, maybe taking her for a stroll to see our extended family. I missed them. I wished my wife were with me, wrapped around my arm. She was my life. I depended on her. More than I realized now that we were apart. Most of my trip to the academy I spent in my head, thinking of Isabelle, but paying vague attention to the world around me. My thoughts got left behind when I jumped to the side, a carriage rolling past where I stood. It made sense for me to pay more attention to the world after that; I would never wish to leave my wife a widow. My trip continued. One of my bags was a bit roughed from being run over, but I believed the contents to be fine. They were clothes; they could take a bit of a beating. My other bag held my true valuables. Inside was my sketchbook and some pencils, one of my most expensive items, gifted to me by my wife. The first page contained a message from her that I read every time; she confessed her love to me, and that she hoped I would never let my aspirations fade. I'd sketched her countless times, some in positions and dress that meant I would never share the book with anyone. She enjoyed it, I think, posing for me, and I enjoyed it as well. Perhaps I enjoyed those times shared with her more than the act of drawing. Again, I'd found my mind wandering to thoughts of my wife—it was impossible to get her out of my head. I arrived at the gates to the academy, big imposing black metal, kept open while carriages streamed in and out. The guards there were dismissive of me, albeit more subdued, and I went through a familiar process of presenting my letter and them all straightening up. "Right that way, sir. Follow the path and you should arrive at the reception hall," One of the guards said. "You'll want to be quick sir, the entrance ceremony starts soon." I thanked the guard and went on my way. The academy grounds were grand. I'd not known what to expect before arriving, but a small city was not it. The place wasn't quite bustling, but men and women flowed this way and that. They dressed in elegant black robes, the academy's uniform I assumed, but beneath the robes was variance. It seemed students were free to wear what they wished underneath. The women sitting behind a desk at the reception hall mostly confirmed that for me. "You haven't got your robes yet, have you?" She asked, eyeing me up and down. "No, I hope I can get them here?" I said. "Most had theirs fitted well in advance. You'll need to be quick," she said, while looking down and writing something. She provided me directions and told me to hurry. I left my bags with her; she said they would be delivered to my room. "They won't have time to fit it properly, but they should have something you can wear in the meantime." The seamstress said much the same. She gave me a robe that fit perfectly in my eyes, yet told me to return later to have it properly adjusted. By the time I was done the number of people outside had dwindled. I rushed to the auditorium and didn't have time to admire its grandeur. Upon entering, my eyes struggled to find an empty seat. The place was colossal. Multiple floors, each with rows and rows of plush seats, faced the stage at the front. After some time sweeping my eyes over the floor I was on I spotted a vacant seat at the end of a row. I was more than likely very much late. I got some unsavory looks and a woman started speaking before I took my seat. "I wish to welcome all who are present to our illustrious academy. To those of you who are joining us for the first time, this academy will teach you to harness your birthright so you may perform acts no others may for the betterment of our society. "To those of you who have returned, I commend you. You have demonstrated your ability and earned the right to continue your studies. I wish you well. This year you will face even greater challenges."
