“Tetric close the door after the boy,” he glared as the man cowered by the closed door. The teacher kept his hand on the door as if to avoid turning the face the headmaster. Despite the headmaster’s disdain for the man, the headmaster would admit he was skilled at his path. The miserable sneak. How she could find a use for such a man is beyond me.

After a few moments the teacher dropped the act. Tretric’s back straightened and he rolled his shoulders to remove the knots.

“Feeling stiff from cowering around like the rat you are?” the headmaster knew it was childish, but could not stop himself. He hated Tetric for the mans’ personality as much as for his path. Only the man’s patron kept the headmaster from throwing the vile creature out on his ear.

“That is unkind,” Tetric replied, turning to face the headmaster. Tetric continued in a deeper and calmer voice than the one the children had heard. “You know who I serve.”

“Yes, I do. Though today I have to wonder if you forget,” he glared a the smiling man. “I can see where Jolm would have allowed the duel. He would do anything to suck up to the kingdom’s powerful families. But Jolm stupidly believes they see him as anything more than a tool. I do not see where your patron would benefit from disturbing the king’s academy.”

“That is a lack of vision. She intends to change things, yo know she has great plans for the kingdom,” Tetric replied cheerfully, clearly trying to provoke him. “I must say you were rather lenient with the boy involved in the disruption. Considering his injury, I doubt he will be able to do much more than rest for the next week anyway.”

“How can I blame the boy when this is clearly a trap you orchestrated!” the headmaster snapped, and stood. “I do not know what you or your patron have planned, but this will stop now. She can find another way to achieve her plan without harming the students here. I should take this to the king now!”

“But you will not,” Tetric’s words were cheerful, but he could see cracks in the false levity. “It could put your master in an awkward position. Neither of us want that.”

“Awkward or not, I will not turn a blind eye to another incident such as this one. Tell your master, this will be first and last time you will interfere in this way. The king is well loved by his people and your master does not want the kingdom to turn against her,” the last words came out in a low growl.

...

{Now what?}

Orn sat on a bench in the building the tour refereed to as the old library. Orn glanced around at the empty shelves and tables while the older boy finished bandaging his shoulder. I wish he would say something. Every time I try to start a conversation he just motions for me to wait.

“How does that feel?” the older boy say back on the bench he had pulled opposite where Orn sat.

I have most of the bleeding stopped already and it has been numb since before it was cut, Orn thought to himself. But as the other boy did not want to talk, so he just theatrically rolled his shoulder.

The older boy winced a the motion, and shook his head. “If you can do that I am sure you will be fine. It was much shallower than I originally thought. Please stay here while I put this away.”

Not waiting for a response, the older boy put away the rest of the bandages and walked to return them to a desk by the door. Orn took the opportunity to put his shirt and jacket back on. From the corner of his eye he saw Kao smile. Adjusting his jacket he shot her a quick glare. They both knew she was about to make a joke about him being told to stay. Kao laughed when she realized that she did not even need to say anything.

Orn’s loud sigh was hidden by the sound of the door’s hinges creaking. A uniformed boy walked in carrying a messenger bag. The boy nodded to the large boy then walked over to Orn. As he walked he pulled out a piece of slate and chalk. He placed them next to Orn along with a set of papers. “Answer these on the slate.”

The papers had a series of questions, and math problems. Orn glanced around and noticed the large boy seemed nervous. Kao in contract seemed as confused as he was and only shrugged. The new boy by contrast seemed perfectly calm, and placed a small hourglass on the table. “This is timed, so do your best.”

Orn was completely confused, but no one in the room seemed inclined to say anything. At a loss for what else to do he started answering the questions. The questions were incredibly simple and Orn reached to flip the question sheet then the other boy picked it up. “Your slate,” he asked stretching out his hand.

Once the chalk and slate was passed over the boy took a seat down the table from Orn. “He is all yours Clay.”

“This is not what I meant when I asked for your your opinion on him,” Clay directed at the other boy, who made a dismissive motion with his hand. The large boy sighed and turned his focus to Orn. “As you just heard my name is Clay. Unlike the noble dorms, that choose head boys by court rank, we keep to the reformed military structure. I am the colonel of your barracks, and the commander of the barracks generally. Which makes me responsible for all the knights students in the barracks.”

“You are stalling General,” the other boy said, as the as the chalk marked quickly on the slate. “Just ask.”

“The insubordinate student over there, is Major Tack,” Clay gestured to the other boy with a tilt of his head. “But he is correct. I am stalling. What did the headmaster say the punishment is?”

Orn repeated what the headmaster had told him. The older boy’s brow furrowed and he repeatedly looked over at the boy reviewing the slate.

“That is a lot lighter than I expected.” the older boy looked over at Tack. “They are barely punishing us at all. The headmaster has to know this will bother the nobles much more than us.”

“It makes sense actually. The headmaster’s hands were tied when Tetric approved the duel. Though I have no idea why he did that. He is not that much of a coward, so there must be more to this,” Tack trailed off for a moment, before he continued. “At any rate, the kings law allows what Orn did. If anything the headmaster is furious with Tetric.”

Clay looked blankly at the other boy.

“Remember when the headmaster said ‘countess.’” Tack asked but clearly did not expect an answer and continued on. “I spoke to his bunk mates after you left, and found out his name was Orn. It is not a common name and was not hard to find it on the class lists. This is Orn Vorn Balckthorn, the son and heir of Count Blackthorn.”

The larger boy looked quickly between Orn and Tack. “But he is not…”

“Obnoxiously arrogant?” Tack supplied. “A silk wrapped twit? The personality equivalent of a weeping boil on the kingdom’s rear?” Kao chucked at the last insult.

“I meant he was not dressed like them, or looking down on us,” Clay said then ran his hand over his face.

“That is what I said,” Tack said, in a flat tone that caused Kao to laugh harder. “But to be fair he does seem to be the decent sort. His bunk mates said he was laughing and joking with them before the duel. I think he was sent to the wrong place, because of his uniform, and Bron picked at a sore subject. If you need prof remember that he just obediently took a test given to him by a tailor’s son without question.”

“Good job by the way, you got them all right,” Tack added, then slid the slate down the table to Orn. Tack turned back to Clay he added, “The punishment is minimal, and the old bloods got the worst of it. They have been pushing the headmaster and he has had enough. I say we let him stay, call it a win and move on.”

“He is a noble student Tack. Why would he want to work in our barracks, when he could be waited on hand and foot in the dorms?” Clay asked. “Not to mention how will the other boys treat him. Most of them have never seen a high noble much less tried to eat with one or give him orders.”

“That is easy,” Tack answered. “Orn has just made an enemy of an influential student and the old bloods will all blame him for their punishment. Moving into the dorms would like be more of a danger than a comfort. Also his bunk mates did not seem bothered until they found out his rank, so I expect the others will adjust when the novelty wears off.”

“So you think it will become so normal they will feel fine giving him orders?” Clay asked clearly not agreeing.

“Giving him orders would probably be too far for most, I grant you.” Tack admitted. “But if you give him an officer post they would not have to. Before you ask, yes I know some will complain. Let them gripe and then tell them they can work under me instead, if it bother’s them so much.”

“You think he can handle that?” Clay asked hesitantly.

“Of course,” Tack smiled. “That was the other reason I gave him the test. He passed. His penmanship needs work, but otherwise he is fine.”

“If you say so, then I guess that could work. But the main issue is whether Orn wants to stay,” Clay looked at Orn. “You have been quiet for all this, but it is your decision. What do you want to do? Go to the dorms with the other nobles or stay in the barracks with us?”

“I want to stay in the barracks.” Orn did not need to think about the choice. I doubt anyone will look down on my mother or sisters for not having a noble path there. Besides, every noble I have met has been a jerk. I am better off in the barracks.