The kingdom is a relatively new nation. Our history is as simple as it is interesting, but listening to Prof. Ollian makes it long and boring. Ignore the useless details and focus on the timeline below. This is all you really need to know. Just mark where he gets in class and we will review that afternoon.

The kingdom’s lands were held by several small warlords who ruled the area. There were a lot, but only 3 matter: the one in what would be Sapphire, the Fay Port pirate king, and the horse lords.

Eventually there was a very hot year and the Spine thawed. This allowed tribes to to cross the Spine unimpeded. Unlike the other tribes who decided to raid these lands, the king’s tribe decided to stay.

The tribe grew until they encountered the warlords. They then defeated them in order, Sapphire, Fay Port, and then the horse lords.

That is all he usually covers up to the holiday. Try not to fall asleep, and make sure the students who need to, keep working on their slates.

-Tack’s notes on first year history

Despite what the older boy told Orn a several days ago, Tack and Clay continued to have time to escort him to his noble class. This meant Orn was never alone. It also left Kao with no opportunity to talk to Orn about what had happened in Madam Bode’s class.

At first, she wanted to get her thoughts in order. Then she started waiting for a quiet moment to speak to Orn privately. But he is always talking to the other boys, or he is collapsing onto is bunk after tutoring the others. Why is this so hard?!

Kao stood invisibly behind Orn while the history professor droned on. The professor waxed eloquent about how the warlord of Sapphire coveted the lands settled by the king’s tribe. From time to time the teacher would look across the room to see students carefully working on the pieces of slate in front of them. He seemed genuinely thrilled to see his students so dutifully trying to take down what he said. In contrast, he barely glanced at Orn any more.

Orn must look like the biggest troublemaker in the class, Kao thought. Orn had spend the entire class watching the other students in the class. Once a student finished filing their slate with letters, or copying a word dozens of times, they would pass the slate to Orn. Orn would then mark it and send it back.

“That is all for today’s class. I will see you all tomorrow,” the teacher said before turning to leave. Despite the man’s slow plodding lectures, he always rushed out of the room.

Once the door closed, the class filled with muttering. Kao saw an opening, but before she could say a word, students rushed Orn with slates in hand. Kao instantly returned to being invisible to Orn.

…

Orn turned quickly only to see the blank wall in the back of the room. I could have sworn…

The thought was interrupted by students asking what they had done wrong. It had been a long time since he had last seen Kao, and he was worried. Unable to do anything else he reviewed the slates with the students and directed them to the old library.

Clay met him outside of the old classroom building, and walked with him to the other side of campus. He appreciated Clay wanting to make sure he arrived safely, but he would rather be alone. I have not seen Kao in so long I am beginning to jump at shadows thinking they are her.

The thought continued to bother him as Madam Bode broke them into pairs to learn another dance. Orn was so distracted that he nearly stepped on his partners feet. This lead Madam Bode to let him leave early, as he was ‘clearly not feeling well.’

Orn nodded at her pronouncement, and made his way out of the door. Out of habit he turned to close the door gently behind rather than slam it like the other boys did. As the door shut he noticed his dance partner giving him a strange look. I wonder what that is about?

Orn shook his head and turned to see he was not alone outside the building. Standing a few paces away was Kao. Orn was not sure what to make of her expression, but she was idly fiddling with the necklace he had given her. Orn glanced around quickly as he covered the distance, confirming they were alone.

“I am sorry,” they both managed before staring at each other. “What?”

…

Orn and Kao walked back across the campus talking.

“It normally does not bother me, but you just would not stop with the dog references. It hurt a bit, so I was trying to do the same thing,” Orn paused. “I did not realize it would bother you that much.”

“If it bothered you why not speak up?” Kao asked, though she was sure she would not like the answer.

Orn stopped and thought back. “I was around others for a lot of that time. But, mostly I think it was normal. Most of the time it is fine and looking back a lot of it was funny. I mean sometimes you do sound a bit mean, but you always quit that after a while. Besides,” Orn smiled at her. “you are my friend and I know you do not mean it.”

Kao felt as if she had been punched in the gut. “I do not mean it! But that does not mean you should not say anything! Say something if you are ever bothered by something I say.”

“I will,” Orn said watching her with a worried look on his face. “Are you alright? I did not mean... It was not that bad.”

“Stop,” Kao said in a pleading tone. “Promise me you will say something if I start saying something that bothers you.”

“I promise,” Orn replied instantly. “But I want you to promise you will say something if I go to far. It has been lonely without you and I had enough of that after Emmy’s pathday.”

“I promise,” Kao said half laughing. “But how can you be lonely? This is the first time I have been able to speak to you alone in almost a week. You are always surrounded by other students.”

Orn snorted. “The guys in my room are not bad, but I barely know them. The only other people I really talk to are Clay and Tack. Clay is just talking at me, while he dodges work. Tack on the other hand looks at me as if I was a strange creature he could not identify.”

Kao considered the discussion between the older boys when Clay handed over the coin to Tack.

“It does not matter though,” Orn sighed. “We are talking again. And I am glad you are around, even if I cannot talk to you. Please do not disappear on me again.”

“I will hang around then,” Kao smiled. “We can figure out how to talk later.”