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Chapter 36
There was no denying that Hubert was entirely uncomfortable with the predicament he had been placed in. His eyes constantly swept to and from, desperate for something other than the members of Group Eight to look at. Ezabel could not quite believe that there was someone that outmatched her in nerves. Her concern for him was still well and real, although much of it was lifted when she realized that he looked far more healthy than when she first met him.
Leonora had sent him to the infirmary not long after their scuffle in the training yard and it was abundantly clear that it was the right choice. Not a single scratch could be seen on Hubert now, much less the bruises he had suffered at the hands of Gilford. Whatever care they had given him, Ezabel would be sure to ask the same if the situation ever demanded it.
On the other end of the bench, which Ezabel could now see was a lengthy piece of furniture, Gilford folded his arms and stared into the crowd. He was stern and showed no interest in the rest of the group, not even Zo who hovered between him and Hubert. He had given Ezabel a ‘look’ when she first arrived, but was quick to turn back to the rest of the hall. Understandably, tension was ripe in the air.
“W-we only need one more person and Group Eight will be fully assembled!”, Zo mentioned as he pined for a friendlier atmosphere. His paws fiddled with one another and his tail dangled low.
“Who is the last person?”, Dani asked as she stepped closer into the small section of the Grand hall they had carved out for themselves.
Ezabel was also curious, albeit less ready to ask about it outright. Her focus was much too busy preparing for a possible exchange of words between her and Gilford. It may have been a little premature to assume such a possibility, but she simply found conflict to be inevitable with a group of people such as this.
“The last person is--.”, Zo lifted a paw.
“Doesn't matter who the last person is.”, Gilford interrupted. He turned his head and stared at Dani. ”None of you deserve to be here anyway.”
He was sudden and caught them off guard. That much was evident on their collective faces as they turned to him. Between them was a fiddly agreement not to reply, but it came after several long seconds of staring. Hubert looked away and Zo was frantic from the slight. The omon meant what he said and made no attempts at retracting it.
In any other circumstance, he would have been as intimidating as they came. He had a large figure and enough bravado to make sure it went unchallenged. However, Ezabel had already fought the likes of the creature that attacked Angoulet. It was bigger, louder, and even more deadly than Gilford would ever be. His words did little to carve at her poise. So, with as much discipline as she could muster, she chose to look away in an attempt to continue her conversation with Zo.
“We deserve it.”, Hubert muttered aloud. Zo, Dani, and Ezabel perked up. They were not startled per say, but Hubert most certainly caught them off guard with his reply. “All of us are here, whether you like it or not. And, until the Order kicks us out, we’re here as true candidates.”
Gilford, who still had his arms crossed, glared his way.“True candidates.”, he scoffed. “You’re just a member of a disgusting house with no talent other than for stealing gold from the poor.”
“I don’t steal and I would never take from my own people..”, Hubert answered again, albeit with a hushed voice. It was clear that he had his own opinions. Opinions which he felt safe to share thanks to the immediate and present company of Group Eight. Still, doing so was nerve wracking as Gilford was not an individual he could physically stand up to.
“You do..”, Gilford established. “..because you’re weak and worthless. You’re the only noble here that was not sponsored by an Attendant. What an embarrassment. And as for those sponsored fools, they’re just feeble children babied by the Order. The only reason they’re here is because of special treatment. Not talent.”
Gilford looked purposely in the direction of Ezabel and Dani. His words were clear and made specifically for them. He had obviously not let their earlier fight go. Still, genuine disgust was well and true in his delivery. And, even on his face. The omon was not a fan of those with noble birth it seemed and was more than willing to speak out about it.
To Ezabel, it was a farce for someone like Gilford to wear the Order’s garb, which he did whilst establishing his opinions. He wore it loosely, which gave him an air of disrespect. In truth, most everyone in the Grand Hall wore their uniform in a variety of different ways. But, since it was Gilford, Ezabel found it to be supremely insolent.
“The only child here is you.”, Ezabel replied without another thought. “There is no place in the Citadel for arrogance and hate. - That uniform is wasted on your ugly face.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“What did you-!?”, Gilford nearly stood from his seat on the bench.
“Calm down, calm down everyone!”, Zo flew between them with his paws held high. “T-tonight is supposed to be a night of c-celebration! Don’t ruin it!”, he offered a forced smile. It was shaky and looked a second away from breaking.
“We should quiet down and behave..”, Dani added. “..the Order is watching us, even now. They’re going to take into account everything about our character from this point on. We won’t succeed in the trials if we’re bickering amongst ourselves..”
“Yes, yes!”, Zo shouted as he pointed at Dani.
“They’re watching us? How do you know that, Dani?”, Ezabel asked with genuine curiosity.
“Leland told me..”, she shrugged. “..he said that Atalanta Silverton has a nasty personality and won’t hesitate to fail anyone she deems unworthy.”
“Atalanta Silverton? Who is that?”, Hubert raised his head and immediately took heed of Dani’s warning.
“She’s the one overseeing the trials. Everyone says that she is the most powerful Attendant in the Order.”
Ezabel looked on in awe. Since having arrived in the Citadel, she had yet to meet anyone on the caliber of the figures in her storybooks. They were legends, heroes, powerful knights who could shift the destiny of an entire land with the swing of their hand. It was a childish assumption to make of the Order, that there were Attendants with such strength.
In fact, Ezabel’s experience in the Citadel had brought her expectations into a more realistic realm. That is, until this very moment. Whoever Atalanta Silverton was, Ezabel was quick to grasp onto her image with full expectation of her supposed power.
“She is not just an Attendant. She is a Cardinal.”, Zo swung around and nodded. “And, she is the most powerful sorceress in the entire Order.”
“What’s the difference?”, Ezabel questioned.
Every other member of Group Eight turned to her, perplexed. Raised brows, tilted heads, the like. It did not take long for Ezabel to realize that she asked a question she should have known the answer to. Yet, she did not. Was it something she was supposed to know on her own? Or a piece of information that Leland was responsible for teaching her? Regardless, she shrunk between her shoulders and let her black locks cascade over her drooping face.
It was then that a vivid light called to the entirety of the Grand Hall. From wall to wall, every candidate lifted their gaze as a low hum began to descend from the ceiling. Ezabel recognized the sound almost instantly. It may have been deeper and far more overwhelming, but it was the unmistakable call of a spell circle being activated. She watched on as each portion of the ceiling began to glow. Among the many designs that covered the ceiling, a thin portion that had been incorporated into it began to shine the full shape of the spell circle.
“What’s going on?”, Hubert asked aloud. Like most, he could not take his eyes off of the pale white glow of the spell circle that shone true above.
“Attention all candidates, please proceed to the main gate upon the full assembly of your group. Further instruction will be given by your assigned guides.”
The voice, while not overwhelming, casted a complete sound over the Grand Hall. It was loud and full enough to see that all chatter ceased. Every ear was lent its way. Almost immediately, some began to move away from the hall, towards the direction of the main gate. They were quick and looked to be complete five member bunches. Six members should their guide be included.
“Zo..”, Ezabel turned back to her group, “..are you our guide?”
“Indeed! I will show you exactly where everyone needs to be before the festivities begin. Don’t be afraid to ask me any questions!”
“That’s good to hear!”, Ezabel had not put much prior thought into it, but the notion of having an Echo Spirit like Zo as her guide was far more appealing than the idea of a guide she did not know. Whether or not he was going to be a good guide was of no concern to her. She simply found solace in the fact that she had no trouble speaking to Zo.
“So, once our last member arrives, we’ll be put into parade order?”, Dani added.
“Correct!”, Zo nodded, his tail bounced in mid air as he did so. “He should be here any minute now.”
The clerk’s queue on the other side of the hall had thinned considerably, which only meant that most of the candidates had received their papers and were assigned to a group. It would not be much longer until they all stepped onto the Windroad. The roar of the people, the smell of the city, and the endless gleam of lantern light, Ezabel could picture all of it in her head. And, as the clerk said before: this was a moment to enjoy. Gilford would not spoil her night, she would not allow it.
“Of all people..”, another voice sounded from the crowd. Group Eight as a whole, turned its way. “..it just had to be you two.”
The voice sent a cold shiver down Ezabel’s neck. It was familiar to her and was already unwelcome. From the crowd came Kieran Addington. He wore a swept head of short, flaxen hair; not a strand was out of place. Even his uniform was without a single flaw. It was clean, pressed, and secured correctly in all places. It was textbook and, as a result, perfect.
Ezabel was at a loss for words. She only hoped that it was by some unlucky mistake that Kieran was walking in their direction. Any chance of her enjoying the evening’s ceremony would be entirely killed off if she were to end up in the same group as he. She could hardly stand Gilford, adding Kieran on top of that would make things entirely unbearable.
“Welcome!”, Zo called out. His small frame floated over to Kieran and offered a warm nod. “You are the final member of Group Eight!”
“Regrettably.”, Kieran replied. “If this is all true, then I certainly have my work cut out for me..”
“What is that supposed to mean?”, Ezabel replied on instinct. Her disgust was beginning to take over.
“I don’t expect to see much success with a group like this. Which means I’ll have to make sure you don’t drag me down. I don’t intend on failing out of the trials because of the shortcomings of others.”
“Shortcomings?”, Ezabel scowled. “I’ll show you--.”
“Big talk for such a little man.”, Gilford interrupted. His gaze was fixed solely on Kieran who he immediately scoffed at. “You’re just like these two over here. Spoiled, over valued, and useless without the gift of your name.”
“Know your place.”, Kieran answered with full derision. “An ordinary person like you has no business in this conversation. Although, do be ready to clean our boots after the parade.”
Gilford wasted no time in standing. His fists were balled up and his head leaned to cast a shadow over Kieran. There was nothing he wanted more in that moment than you put his arm through that smug noble’s face.
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