School the next day was different. Students were not allowed into the classrooms until the teachers had taken the time to examine the room before all that though the Headmaster called a meeting with all the students to give us an update.
‘Regarding the issue from yesterday, the spell was identified and traced back to a gem that was put in the room an hour before the spell triggered.’ The headmaster read from a paper in front of himself. ‘We are in the process of tracing the gem back to its creation and we will have the identity of the person who placed this device within the day, so you have nothing to worry about.’ With that, he ended the meeting.
Now I’m not an expert on the mental health of children but I’m fairly sure you do not tell children whose school was bombed that there is nothing to worry about after telling them that you don’t know who did it or why or how, but you will figure it all out soon. Ya after the meeting half the students left the school which should have been expected. I did notice that the Princess was not here today either.
As I was walking to class I ran into one of my classmates who normally are always in before me, except for yesterday which is still odd. ‘Good morning, I missed you yesterday’, I ask. ‘Oh sorry yesterday was strange, when the others and myself arrived Lord Holison was here before us’ he replied. ‘It was a little strange he was leaving the room as we arrived and invited us to breakfast.’ ‘He said it was in order to start making stronger ties with his peers.’ I thought about that for a moment before I replied. ‘Interesting so on the day of the only attack on the school's history, a student that never gets here early, arrives before everyone else.’ With those words, I could see the eyes of the student starting to open wide in what appeared to be fear. ‘I’m not sure I like what you are saying, nor do I think I want to be involved’ he said. ‘Really, what am I saying besides that on the day Holison arrives early for the first time, he also comes up with a reason to get all of you out of the room. Which is also something he has never done before.’ With those words, the student excused himself and headed for the school exit.
So let me think about this. Lord Holison arrives early for the first time ever that anyone can remember, gets in the class before anyone else, then comes up with an excuse to get everyone else out before the bomb and leaves before I get there. Ya, I’m going to go with the idea I know who my attacker was.
QUEST UPDATED– Who wants you dead!!
You know who the bomber was, now as to the why!
Okay well, I guess that’s proof I’m right, unless the Blue Box Gods are just mean….which is possible. But I’m going to go with it’s true. But why? With that, I entered the classroom and found only two other students there, a girl I did not know and surprise surprise Holison. I figured it was now or never. ‘Why hello there Holison, strange to see you here early today.’ ‘Well I figured after yesterday I might need to step up my game’ he replied. ‘Ah, yes being early, it’s interesting how yesterday, of all days, you arrived before anyone else, entered the classroom alone, and then when others arrived invited them to breakfast, something you have never done before, and got them out of here before I arrived and before the bomb fired.’ ‘One might say that was a strange set of circumstances.’ I stated. ‘Well like you said it was circumstance.’ He replied. ‘Perhaps or maybe it wasn’t just by chance, I mean one has to wonder at the timing and the luck’ I state. ‘Are you trying to say something!’ He replies in anger. ‘Think hard before you say something that could be considered a challenge’ He stated. ‘Oh I was just stating the facts, is there something regarding those facts that bother you?’ ‘They sound like you are saying I had something to do with the bombing!’ He shouted. ‘Not at all, I was just stating that the facts make it seem like you are involved, perhaps someone is trying to set you up for the fall.’ ‘Ah I see, yes that is possible, perhaps someone wants me to be the target, perhaps you are right.’
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‘I mean it’s not like you have a reason for wanting to harm me. I mean you are not upset at me for being a country-born commoner, which you consider me regardless of my mother. Or being here in this school for high nobles, or that I am engaged with the Princess, or that I have more power than you.’ I state with a smile. ‘Well wait, let me think, you have stated you don’t want me here, you have stated I do not deserve to marry the princess, that you should be the one who does and you have stated that a lowly commoner like me should never be given the kind of power I have.’ ‘Oh and you have attacked me before, well when you put all of that together you are a great target for being behind the attack.’ ‘Well, it’s a good thing the Queen has ordered the best investigator in the kingdom to look into this. I’m sure he’ll know who set the gem shortly.’
With that, I leave the room. Well, I’m pretty sure I know the why. He hates me and wants me out of here and out of the Princess’s life. I’m guessing because he was always late he just didn’t know the Princess would arrive with me. I’m guessing once his father finds out he’ll vanish before the Queen gets her hands on him. I’m not sure what secrets he knows regarding his family, but I’m guessing Dad will not want them out there.
QUEST COMPLETE– Who wants you dead!!
Man that was a long list of things he hates about you, good job!
REWARD: Sit back and watch, there might even be fireworks!
Well okay, I guess that is that. I go to the office of the Headmaster and ask to speak to him. I’m sent in right way. Once in the office, I tell him about the things I’ve figured out. He sits there quietly and after a moment tells me that while it’s the most likely answer, we have no proof yet. I tell him that figuring it all out completed a quest which got his interest. ‘You were given a quest to figure this out?’ ‘Yes I was, and to be honest I’d have looked into it without the quest’. ‘Interesting, normally a young man like you would not be given a quest for something like this, you’d have to be an investigator, though perhaps because you were involved you were given the quest regardless. Something to think about I guess.’ He stated.
The Headmaster told me he’d pass on my words and with that, I left his office. I headed toward the gate of the school and when I entered my carriage I asked the driver to take me to the castle. After a short ride, we arrived and I was waved through. I found a page and asked them to please ask if I could have a word with the queen. I was waiting only a few minutes before the page returned and let me know to follow him. I was led to a private sitting room where the queen waited. I again told my story including how I completed a quest and with each word I swear thunder clouds formed above her head. ‘Thank you for letting me know. I will take it from here. You should go see my daughter, I know she was upset I did not let her go see you today.’ With that, the queen left and I was led to the Princess’s rooms where we spent the day just sitting around and talking. I did not let her know what I had discovered, I did not want her to worry.
The princess and I had lunch together and at around 4 pm I left to return to my home. After about a 20-minute ride, I arrived and headed to my study. I wasn’t sure what I thought about the events of the day. I never thought about being a target, not over something stupid like being born a commoner. While I am considered a noble because my mother is one, she was given the rank due to her friendship and power, she was not worn to it. I know a lot of the Noble families view us as lucky commoners regardless of the title. I just did not understand how that could matter enough to someone to try and kill a living being. I also wonder if all nobles are like that, and if I had been born a high noble would I be like that?
With a heavy heart, I ate a light dinner and went to bed early.