When he finished with Administration, Seth left through the same gate he’d entered the school. He paused to get his bearings so he could head to the combat school where Saben was taking his own assessment.
“How’d you do?” Saben said from right behind him.
Seth startled then turned to face Saben with a smile. “I did pretty good I think. I got four keys.” He looked Saben over quickly. He had no visible bruises or injuries. For a combat entrance test, that was unexpected. “How did you do?”
“I got cut from the list. They didn’t even let me try.”
“What? Why?”
Saben scowled and shook his head. “They didn’t say. Just told me not to bother trying next year either.”
“But you’re a fantastic fighter, they’ve got to see that. Professor Mick talked non stop about you. Was the Captain not there?”
Saben just shook his head. “Let it go Seth.”
“That’s not right,” Seth said. “What can we do? Maybe Benjamin can talk to someone there? He’s got to know somebody, right?”
“I imagine he does,” Saben said bitterly.
“No, this is so wrong. We can get this cleared up, okay? I’ll ask Benjamin, I know you don’t like to ask him for anything.”
“Shut it, Seth,” Saben snapped. Seth took a surprised step backwards.
Saben took a deep breath and looked away. “Sorry. I don’t want to talk about this now.”
Seth didn’t know what to say or do. Saben not getting into school just wasn’t in any of their plans.
Saben gestured for Seth to go first. “You remember the way?”
Seth led the way in silence. He had so many questions. Why would the school do that to Saben? Did he ask? Of course he did. What did they say? What could they do now? How could he help Saben? Don’t push, Seth reminded himself. You promised. He’ll talk when he’s ready.
After a few minutes of silence Saben said, "I'm sorry. I never asked you what keys you got."
"It's all right," Seth said. "You had more important things on your mind. I got Fire, Wind, and Circle." And Celestial, but Seth felt mentioning that one wouldn't be wise right now.
"Fire? Seriously? That's unexpectedly bold of you."
"Crazy right? Some girl with a water power put the whole tower out. Like not a lick of flame anywhere. I think every key got taken in the first five minutes."
"That's actually hilarious. The Wizard of that Tower is pretty elitist. She's got to be furious."
They had made their way to the main thoroughfare when Saben grabbed a distracted Seth’s shoulder and pulled him to a stop. Seth turned and saw the procession that Saben had stopped him for. Other pedestrians also cleared the way and watched the procession.
“The Princess,” Seth said, surprised.
A troop of mounted guards surrounded a girl on a white horse. She was the same age as Seth and was flanked by servants, one of whom nodded to the boys as they passed. The princess saw the servant nod and scanned the crowd, but her gaze passed over the boys without pausing.
Seth thought about calling out to her and subconsciously leaned forward. Saben's hand on his shoulder gripped him tighter and held him still. Then he saw one of guards in the procession glaring at them.
“She didn’t recognize us,” Seth lamented.
The cat perked up from her perch on Seth’s knapsack and peered at the girl and her entourage as they passed, the cat’s whiskers tickling Seth’s cheek.
“It’s probably for the best. Not like we’ll ever live in the palace again,” Saben said.
“But for her to forget us? It hasn’t been that long.”
“It’s not that strange since we are commoners. We were never part of her world. Let’s just go.”
In a square just west of the magic district the boys waited at a fountain. Seth was new enough to this neighborhood that the fountain was interesting to look at. It was a collection of equine creatures, from the common horse up through unicorn and pegasus all the way to nightmare, allacorn, and finally the celestial mist horse. It was a beautiful piece and complemented the mosaic pavers in the square. Trees lined the edges of the square, which was unusual. The whole square felt more like a garden than a public space.
Saben wasn’t looking at the scenery though, and was watching one of the alleyways on the far side of the square.
“I need you to stay here,” he said to Seth. “I’ll be back shortly.”
Seth started to question him but Saben’s expression changed his mind. “All right.”
Saben hadn’t walked more than half a dozen steps before he turned and picked up the cat and handed her to Seth. “You should keep hold of her. She might wander off around here.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Seth sat on the fountain and waited. The cat continued to stare off after Saben, and Seth noticed that Saben was talking to someone concealed in the alleyway. Be safe, Saben. Don’t get involved in dangerous things like Dad did. School was supposed to be where they both stayed safe.
Seth couldn’t watch the alley, however, as the cat kept squirming and struggling to get down. She might be small, but she was definitely not weak. She didn’t use her claws on him though, for which he was both surprised and grateful. Seth stroked her fur as she bristled a bit.
“No, I’m not letting you go. It’s too crowded here and I don’t want to lose you,” Seth said to the cat. He had no idea what she was so riled about. She really was such a temperamental thing. He liked her anyway.
The cat looked at him and shook her head.
Seth wasn’t going to be fooled. He knew she was smart, and she often made him do what she wanted. But this time he knew she was going to wander off, and he wasn’t going to let go. He struggled to hold onto her the whole time Saben was in the alley.
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Fucking green apples, kid. How in the holy fuck am I supposed to spy on your dear brother and see who he’s being all cloak and dagger with if you won’t let me follow him?
Ugh. It’s probably nothing. But Mr. Angsty Teen has some drama going on and now is being super sketchy. I never did get a peek at his mail either.
Yeah, I’m nosy. It’s not like I can have a conversation with someone to pass the time. I gotta get my giggles somewhere. And if stealing secrets is something I can do, I’m there.
After a while I drooped bonelessly as Seth tried to keep hold of me. I did my best to make it difficult without being aggressive about it. Out of habit I scanned the area, noting open doors, locations of streets and alleys, and the people around and what they were up to. That’s when I noticed a guy trying to look like he’d been in the square for longer than he had. He’d quickly walked up to a group and helped them move jugs of water for a moment before moving on and pausing beneath a tree. He was particularly interested in Seth.
I couldn’t help it. As a cat, when something tickles your ‘I’m dangerous’ whiskers, your tail gets bushy and your hackles rise.
“Woah easy, no one’s going to hurt you,” Seth tried to comfort me.
It’s weird, being petted. I expected to hate it. I figured it would be creepy and inappropriate and I would be all squicked out by it.
Nope. I love it.
And I will not be so easily side tracked. Much as I like the petting, I’m keeping my eyes on Mr. Sneaky over there.
I kept watching, and soon noticed there were two of them. It took me a bit to figure out they were working together. The tip off came when Saben left the alley. I hope his super sketchy contact beat feet because one of the two dudes slipped into the alley behind Saben.
Wait a second. I recognize that one. He was one of the caravan guards! He was just a random driver I think, but this guy definitely works for Benjamin. So what is good old Benny Boy up to then?
Seth didn’t ask Saben any questions when he came back. Such a good and trusting brother. Naivete will kill you kid. Not that I think Saben intends Seth any harm. I don’t think Benjamin does either, really. But hey. Entertainment.
Benjamin himself showed up shortly after and took the boys shopping. The markets and shops they went to were all still in the magic district. It was like the city was actually several different cities mashed together with how different the districts were from each other.
Seth got his school books, courtesy of Benjamin as promised. And a couple other specialty items that were apparently a big deal. Who knew an ink vial could be special? There were a couple of times Saben looked like he wanted to ask for something, but he never spoke up, and Benjamin never offered. I thought that was a bit unfair, but I supposed only Seth had actual need. Poor Saben got blacklisted. That was a whole other thing I was curious about. And neither boy had told Benjamin yet.
I noticed our tail. More than one actually, and I was certain I saw more of the caravan guards after Benjamin joined us for shopping and then dinner. That did leave me to wonder why a mid grade merchant like Benjamin appeared to be needing hidden guards. Was this world so dangerous that the mildly wealthy needed bodyguards? That would be scary.
He lived in a modest house in a well off neighborhood. He traded in common goods, nothing fancy or expensive. Except the mysterious egg. He was involved in something. Maybe since he was a trader, he was functioning as a mule? Moving contraband hidden amongst other cheap crap? Or was there more to Benjamin?
Could be. Or he could be just a guy making a living and trying to avoid getting robbed.
Ah that’s right. There were bandits that attacked his stuff before I met Seth. And according to Seth they wore uniforms no less. Political enemies?
Eh, there was shit happening. I decided I’d find out what that shit was before it was flung at me and my man Seth.
Dinner was fine. No, actually it wasn’t. I was booted off the table and had to eat on the fucking floor again. What the fuck, man. I am knocking every single thing in your office to the floor when we get back, Benjamin.
No cats on the table. Fuck you.
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“I don’t think she’s happy,” Seth said to Saben later that night as they were getting ready for bed. “She’s been so grumpy after dinner.”
“She’ll get over it. Cats don’t have that great a memory. You know the proverb, feed a cat for three years and it’ll remember for three days?” Saben smiled when the cat turned to stare at him.
“No, I think she is way smarter than that. And don’t say stuff like that about her. She will absolutely hold a grudge.”
“My apologies gracious lady,” Saben said with an exaggerated bow. “’The familiar ritual makes all bound beasts smarter and more responsive, everyone knows that. But in the end she is still a cat. Remind people of that, even if you think she’s more.”
“I guess you’re right. She is different though. And she still needs a name,” Seth reminded Saben. “I’ve tried Snowflake, Star, Cloud, Samantha, Tia, and Princess. She hates all of them.”
Saben and Seth tossed names back and forth for a while before giving up when the cat got disgusted enough to hide under the bed.
Seth eyed the darkness under the bed for a bit and then braced himself for the next question. “What are you going to do now, Saben? You and Benjamin were talking for a long time.”
“I’m done with school. Benjamin insisted that he had no contacts at the Combat Academy. He also was really sincere in helping out. For the first time he asked me what I wanted.” Saben smiled at that. “I’m going to apprentice with an explorer group, the one that Franco is on.”
“That sounds amazing. Would you be going Below?”
“Yup. We explore and then close off the wild entrances, and do extended excursions in the managed ones. That and some mercenary work on the side, like the caravan guard stuff we met him on.”
“You seem happy about it. I’m glad, even if it means you’re not in Rosia with me.” Seth smoothed his covers and patted a spot for the cat to lay down.
Saben sighed and plopped down on the edge of his own bed. “I know. I don’t like us splitting up, but I guess it can’t be helped. I hope I can work at that entrance you found until they decide to close it. I wouldn’t be too far away then. And you’ve got her,” he said. He reached over and gave the cat an affectionate pat. “Now go to sleep.”
It was several hours later when Saben silently dressed and slipped out the window.