Chapter 213

The sun had set some time ago and Jay and his friends sat alone in a room at a long table that had been crafted out of a dense wood and stained a deep dark black with brown streaks. The room was small and there was barely enough room for the table, chairs, and occupants. It was not a room designed for action but rather discussion.

There was no discussion currently however as the group all sat quietly and considered what they had all just witnessed – a standoff between Guild guards and Librarians.

The room was warm and was lit by five magical lamps – one per corner, each on a slim triangular table that had been tucked in to each corner of the room, and one suspended from the ceiling over the table. The lights flickered occasionally as flames would do.

They had been there for some time already. Ten minutes? Half an hour? It was impossible to tell without a timepiece of some sort but Jay could feel that it had been far longer than was comfortable already.

One wall of the room held a large wide window that spanned most of its length. Outside the group could make out people walking along paths to wherever they were headed. It had grown dark and magical lights had appeared to light the pathways.

A door across the room from the wall with the window opened and everyone looked up as a harried looking Walter walked in. He carried what looked like a book and a writing kit. He had at some point wiped the sweat off of his forehead but new perspiration had already appeared. It had been an obviously trying night already and the night had just started.

Walter sat down at the head of the table. For a moment he just watched the group silently as if he was still trying to decide how to proceed.

“We don't have long. I have emergency meetings to attend, ones that I do not have the luxury of postponing. Let's start with you,” Walter said as he rested his entire focus on Sha'li who nodded nervously.

Norri leaned to the side and up against Sha'li as if to provide support and she glared at Walter as she did so.

“Oh stop it. I'm not going to harm her. First of all, I've no reason to do so – and second of all, the Librarians would tear me to pieces if I went back on my word. I do have some rather pointed questions for her though, so try and relax Norri, ok?” Walter said in an exasperated tone of voice as if his patience was rapidly running out.

Norri frowned but after a moment nodded once.

“Good. Now, is it true that you recently received a new class?” Walter started with. It was an easy question – yes or no. A good starting point as far as interrogations went.

Sha'li looked at Jay and M'redith but Walter slapped the table once, loudly. He frowned in frustration.

“Don't look at them – look at me, I'm the one asking you the questions. Tell me the truth, did you recently receive a class?” Walter said in a firm tone of voice.

Sha'li meekly nodded her head, completely unsure of what was happening. She felt as if this entire thing had somehow been her fault. Without being able to lean on M'redith or Jay she was forced to either prevaricate all on her own or just tell the truth as she knew it.

“I did,” she said and then broke the first rule of being interrogated. You should only answer what was asked. Interrogators are there for themselves, not to help you out. She volunteered additional information all on her own without prompting. “The Glimmerhides took me on a ruins run, the Pointless Ruins, and I was able to win an upgrade stone.”

Walter nodded and opened the book he had been carrying and took out a writing implement from the kit he had set on the table. He scribbled a few notes down before he asked his next question.

“I don't remember,” Sha'li said as she looked at M'redith. Walter frowned and was about to say something when Sha'li hurriedly answered, “but M'redith took notes!”

Walter paused with his mouth open before he shut it and tilted his head to the side and looked over at M'redith. “Did you now?”

M'redith nodded.

“May I?” Walter asked and M'redith shrugged.

She reached in to her bag and withdrew her notebook, the one she recorded her Class Ability notes in to. She paged through it until she reached the section she had used to record the process Sha'li had gone through. She placed the book open on the table and slid it over to Walter.

Walter read it and turned the page. He read more before he returned to the previous page and read everything again.

“Sweet Gaia. So your class is really Icemaiden?” Walter finally asked as he turned to face Sha'li once again.

Sha'li's hair fluttered a mix of reds and yellows as orange dots appeared and disappeared along its entire length. “Yes?”

Walter sighed. “I take it your mother is human?”

Sha'li looked confused at the question but nodded sadly. “Was.”

Walter's face fell and he apologized, “I'm sorry to hear that. And your father?”

Sha'li shook her head. “Elf. Mother never spoke of him.”

Walter nodded. “And your first Class Ability? I see in M'redith's notes you got a ranged attack of some kind?”

Sha'li's face lit up and she grinned as she prepared to cast her first and only Class Ability. She didn't let it cast completely and held it back from launching out of her hand. She couldn't explain how she did it – she just felt like it was the right thing to do.

A thick spinning six inch shard of ice suddenly appeared in her hand as she lifted it and held it palm up over the table so that everyone could see it. The shard spun faster and faster and began to whine just as a jet engine would – a high pitched sound that hinted at the immense amount of energy being pent up in that single shard.

A frosty mist began to form around the bolt as the temperature of the air around it began to drop.

Sha'li looked confused for a moment before she pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. The spinning slowed down and the bolt suddenly melted in to a wet pool that puddled on to the surface of the table.

Walter quickly pulled his book back and out of the way as he picked up and handed M'redith's book back to her.

“M'redith made mention of an array. Are you familiar with arrays?” Walter asked.

Sha'li quickly shook her head. “I don't know much about them but I was able to make one when I needed to.”

Walter gave M'redith a quick look and she nodded as if to reassure him that Sha'li was being truthful.

“How many elves have you met in your lifetime?” Walter asked Sha'li as if he had just thought of the question rather than it being the entire purpose of the interrogation in the first place.

Sha'li shook her head, “None. Well, one, if you count me. Other than me I've never seen another elf let alone met one.”

The scent of sweet grass and jalapenos drifted around the room and Walter smiled and raised an eyebrow but did not make any comment.

“Are you looking for elves currently? Trying to meet them or locate where they might be?” Walter asked intently.

Sha'li shrugged, “I'd love to meet an elf. I have so many questions. I'm not looking for them though and I have no idea where they went or how to find them. I'm just a girl with crazy hair.”

Walter let out a bark of a laugh. “Right. But in a lot of ways you are also an elf with a class that once almost wiped humanity out altogether. Let's not forget that little detail.”

“So you think I'm evil?” Sha'li asked in a hurt tone of voice.

Norri frowned at Walter who motioned for calm.

Walter peered at Sha'li, “I'm not saying you're evil, but your race and class are a bit worrying. Imagine wiping out a threat to humanity only to have it pop up again ages later in 'a girl with crazy hair' as you phrased it.”

The others remained quiet – as they should. It was not their interrogation. Talking would only prolong the experience.

Walter made a hrmmm noise. “Not many are even aware of what the Icemaidens once were anymore. It's ancient history even to ancient historians. I didn't know what they were until someone in the sponsorship office pointed it out – a history buff apparently.”

Walter gave something a bit of thought before he turned to face Jay.

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“Now for you. You applied for something today. Before we go any further no one here is to speak of this meeting with anyone else. Got it? What we say here tonight doesn't leave this room.” Walter insisted.

He waited until each of them had nodded in acceptance before he continued. “Jay – you applied to sponsor Sha'li, correct?”

M'redith looked surprised. Sponsorship wasn't something usually, or ever, discussed around others. It was supposed to be a secret process.

Jay after a short moment nodded, “I did.”

Walter smiled, “Yes, you did. Are you looking for elves? Have any idea where they went? Current locations?”

Jay looked confused for a moment before he shook his head, “No – how could I? I'm still really new here.”

Walter laughed and let himself melt a bit in to his seat. He was tired and a bit overworked and he looked it.

“Well that is a relief. Next up. M'redith!” Walter said loudly which made M'redith jump. “Did you know ahead of time that Sha'li would gain a class or the Icemaiden class specifically?”

M'redith shook her head, “Absolutely not. How could I? I had no idea, but I was happy I was able to record the process in my notebook.”

Walter sighed again. “Well that is a relief. So, just to be clear, no one here planned on her gaining a class or the Icemaiden class specifically. No one here is in communication with the elves? No one here is looking for elves, their hiding places, or trying to get in touch with them, correct?”

Everyone answered differently but they all added up to the same thing. Absolutely not.

“Don't be surprised if others ask you these same questions at some point. As for you,” Walter said as he turned back to Sha'li. “You have been put forward as an applicant for the Guild's group basic training program.”

The others nodded. A few smiled and waited for the good news.

“That application has been denied. You will not be permitted to attend group classes due to your chosen class. Although it is not on the Forbidden list it is in a bit of a gray area. You have committed no crime and this is not a punitive measure but a protective one,” Walter tried to explain as the group around him all made various loud noises of disappointment and disapproval.

The door opened as a Guild guard poked his head in to the room to check and see if Walter needed help. Walter quickly shook his head at the Guard who quickly left and shut the door behind him.

Norri's disapproval was the most vociferous and for a moment her voice was the only one anyone could hear. “WHAT? WHY! She's a GOOD person!”

Sha'li smiled sadly at Norri in thanks but looked quite disappointed at Walter's news. What would happen to her? Would the Guild take away her class? Was that something someone could even do? Sha'li didn't know what they would do with her and she looked worried.

Walter's words were shouted down by the ruckus and he held up his hands as if to ward off blows, “Listen, listen! Sha'li! Did you have any intentions of attending the basic training course as a resident anyway? Living on campus here I mean.”

Sha'li frowned lightly, “I had hoped maybe I could train part time, live where I'm already living, and still be able to keep my current job?”

Walter laughed, “No. Students live here, train here, and work here. I'm afraid you're not a good fit for the residential program.”

The group began to become riled up again but quieted as Walter quickly continued, “Having said that however, there is no way the Guild is going to just let someone with an elven advanced class walk away. I'm afraid you're stuck with the Guild at this point,”

Norri interrupted him. “But you just said she couldn't join!”

Walter smiled warmly at Norri, “No I didn't. I said she would not be allowed to attend group classes – a requirement for the residential basic training program. Due to her race and class composition the Guild is instead extending to her an invitation to attend private personalized instruction.”

Walter paused to stretch his arms over his head before he rested them once again on the table's surface with a grunt. He continued his explanation. “She will be assigned an instructor who will personally oversee her training. She will attend one on one classes with instructors. She will not, however, be allowed to interact with the other students. Is that acceptable?”

Sha'li grinned, “Yes! That's what I wanted anyway! Thank you!”

Jay was shocked when Walter blushed.

Sha'li's hair turned light blonde, almost white, and red streaks shot through it, gone as fast as they appeared. The scent of peppermint and grass filled the room.

Walter smiled. “Well. You're welcome. That really is wonderful, your scents? And the hair? Really quite remarkable. I've never met a half-elf before. I'm sorry that things turned out the way they did but that was through no fault of yourself.”

Sha'li smiled nervously, “Thank you.”

“After you leave here though you are never to mention Jay's status as your sponsor until after you have graduated. The others here will likewise forget what they have heard. If you are asked for your status in the Guild you may inform them that you are a private student and all questions should be directed to myself.” Walter explained with a smile.

Aiden spoke up. “What if they won't take no for an answer?”

Walter smiled an evil grin. “If they press you further let them know that I specifically requested that you inform me of anyone showing interest in your status as a student. Let them know that you will be notifying me of their interest. That should settle whoever it is down a bit.”

“Wait. So Sha'li got in to the Guild training?” Norri asked just to clarify.

Walter nodded. “Her instruction will be one on one.”

“Yay! Congratulations Sha'lI!” Norri said and clapped once before she squeezed Sha'li's forearm in a friendly manner.

“Yes, well, if you will excuse me I have to attend some other, not so pleasant, meetings,” Walter said as he got up and brushed at his hair with one hand. “Next time you attempt to sponsor someone maybe run it by me first Jay? I swear I should just have you come to me for everything at this point. It'd probably be safer – for me.” Walter said with a grin to let Jay know he was making light of the situation and not giving him an order.

“Thanks for being so understanding about Sha'li,” Jay said finally.

Walter shook his head. “What, this? She was never in any trouble – we just needed to know more about her and her situation. The Sergeant overstepped and caused this whole mess. I wanted you brought directly to me, not arrested. I swear the Guards have selective hearing at times. He should have known better than to offend a Librarian, let alone draw steel on one. Fool. He's lucky to still be alive.”

M'redith raised an eyebrow and Jay looked at her out of the corner of his eyes. The two shared a look that said 'Are you sure it wasn't something that you said?' They didn't speak their reservations aloud however. Not the right time or place.

The door opened and a woman that reminded Jay of a secretary leaned in to the room for a moment. “You have five minutes,” she told Walter who nodded and thanked her before she left the room and closed the door behind her.

“I have to go. What a waste of a night. Today has been an unmitigated disaster but at least I got to meet a half-elf. Good meeting you Sha'li. Glimmerhides. Jay. Until next time,” Walter said and he sighed as considered the fact that there would quite probably be a next time. Drama constantly circled Jay and his group.

The others all rose as Walter stood. He gathered up his book and writing kit and left as quick as he had arrived. He left the door open behind him and Jay was unsure if they were supposed to leave or wait to be escorted out.

The arrival of the same white haired secretary solved their problem. She carried a large beige envelope with a metal butterfly clasp and she handed it to Sha'li with a wide smile.

“Congratulations, dear,” she said to Sha'li. “You are all free to go. Left out of the room and straight to through the double doors. Have a pleasant evening,” the woman said before she turned and left the room.

Sha'li hefted the envelope. “What do you think is inside?”

Jay grinned, “It's probably your Guild paperwork. Map of the grounds, class schedule, required training materials – oh, you'll have to buy some things before your first class – be sure to go shopping beforehand!”

Sha'li's face fell, “Oh,” she said quietly.

Norri flashed Jay a quick look and Jay smiled and nodded at her before he turned back to Sha'li.

“As your sponsor I'm happy to cover your materials. So don't worry about affording it – everything is covered. All you have to do is learn, ok?” Jay said with a steady look directed at Sha'li.

Sha'li looked a little wide eyed at that. “Are you sure? Isn't that too much?”

Jay laughed. “It's the least I can do after what you just went through. Joining the Guild usually doesn't require an interrogation. Don't worry – you'll have everything you need.”

Sha'li's mood visibly brightened as she realized that everything was taken care of. There was no catch – all she had to do was show up, learn, and study. Everything else was taken care of.

“Thank you Jay! Thank you everyone for all of your help!” Sha'li finally said with a grin.

Jay nodded, “You're welcome, I can't wait to hear who you get as your primary instructor!”

The group slowly all got to their feet and gathered up their belongings before they left the room and made their way back outside.

It had been a long day. A single day and so much had happened. The group was exhausted – they had run a ruin earlier that day – Sha'li had gotten her Class and first ability! They had witnessed a stand off between Guild guards and Librarians – not something that many people could claim to have ever seen. They had been interrogated by Walter. Quite the day.

It was late and the group made their way towards the Guild's main entrance. Sha'li needed to catch a cart back home.