Chapter Seven

After a hearty meal and excited conversation about what happened with the eagles, the new arrivals were escorted into a large assembly hall. The room was huge. Only the first three rows in the center were filled with the fifty cadets. The room had several rows to the right and left and even more above them on the balcony. Several men, women and elven folk were standing around up front. Jessica stared at a few of them. Several of them were dressed in peculiar robes of authority while others were dressed in uniforms or casual garb. This was the twins first time seeing an elf up close and just like their photos and drawings they were majestic creatures. A beautiful she-elf dressed in a satin-like gown with talking to another she-elf dress in dark blue pants with light blue tunic. A body cloak sat comfortably on her shoulders. Long white hair braided tightly lay on her shoulder and draped over her front. The one wearing a cream colored satin gown wore her dark brown hair in loose waves down to the base of her back. “Close your mouth Jeremiah,” she said catching him. “You look silly,” she added with a giggle.

Jeremiah cleared his throat and sheepishly took his seat. Ralph came up to them, “May I,” he asked.

“Certainly,” said Jeremiah. Jessica smiled, giving him a slight wave. Behind them sat Libby and two other females. Jessica remembered their names being Rebecca and Matilda from a quick conversation they had all had last night. Rebecca and Matilda sat quietly, faces forward watching. Libby waved at Jessica excitedly. She returned it in a friendly manner.

A noise came from the stage of a man clearing his throat. His dress was that of a fine robe. He smiled pleasantly at every one. “I’m Headmaster Madden and I want to welcome you to your first day of classes here at the Arch Academy. You're the brightest men and women of all that have applied. So we expect great things from you. My fellow instructors and the great council of the riders will help you in any way we can to succeed, but it’s up to you to make the effort,” he paused looking out at all of them.

“To give you an idea of what's expected. Your first year here will be centered on theory and course work on the main responsibilities of being a rider. Should you pass the final exams of your classes, ten months from now, then you will be put up to be assigned to become a recruit for the riders and assigned to one of the guardian wings that interact with our academy directly.

“Additionally you should be aware that every two months you will be sorted according to your abilities and scores. These sortings are not to diminish your confidence but to put you where you are excelling so that you may be ready for your future partnership with a great one.”

He looked over the students with a single sweeping glance then stepped away from the podium. A clap rang out followed by others. The boise fell away quickly, however, when another man stepped forward with a taunt face that read authority. He wore a uniform that looked impressive with gold braid along his shoulders and a medal pinned on his chest. Raising a gloved hand he began, “I’m Colonel Zane head of the scouts here at the academy. I’m also the instructor here for Aerial Combat. One course that all of you will have to pass to become riders. Your first year here will be covering the basics of weather patterns and the general strength and weakness of each species of great one. Eagles, falcons, hawks and finally Kites. You’re expected to learn it all. But right now I will answer a few questions.”

“I’ve heard there are great owls too,” chimed out a young man from the right.

Colonel Zane smiled, giving a nod he responded, “Yes we do, but there are very few and it is doubtful any of you will be able to ride one. The aptitude necessary is rare amongst us.”

“What does it take?” the same young man was intrigued by the challenge.

“Strong sense of duty. Devotion to the task of gathering information. A strong attention to detail. Sounds simple right?” he continued on with a pause. “The last quality required is the ability to leave your comrades and other civilians that are in danger behind. So as to alert others of danger. Often these candidates are smart but distanced from others around them. Those who ride the owls are always alone except for their partner. Flying at night your skills must be the sharpest. Does that answer your question?”

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Jessica looked from Zane to the man amusingly as he answered the Colonel with a, “Yes sir.” He was seated with several other young men. Friends it seemed. There was suddenly no desire to be paired with a great owl if it meant to be alone. Completely.

Several heads turned when another question rang out. “How’s the eagle that fell earlier?” Jessica wasn’t sure who had asked but looked at Zane eagerly for the answer as well. “Does that happen often,” they added.

“The great golden eagles are fine. It’s not too often they fight for dominance but they have their own hierarchy that they wish to maintain. Bright Eyes is one of the most senior golden eagles we have in the eyrie at this time.”

“Does he have a rider,” asked another.

“Bright Eyes? No he doesn’t at this time and it will be some time before this class is allowed to ponder that possibility.”

At that answer Jessica’s face beamed. She was surprised to hear the beautiful great one didn’t have a rider but even more excited at the challenge. She wondered, what would it be like to be a rider of a great golden eagle. Her thoughts were disturbed by another voice. “Why doesn’t he have a rider. An eagle with such dominance,” enquired an intrigued woman to the left.

Colonel Zane took a moment before answering his face twitching, “His last rider was killed some time ago. He hasn’t found any one suited to him since. They are not mere beasts to be picked. The great ones pick you.”

“His rider was killed? How?”

Jessica’s smile faded as her eyes darted from Zane to other members on the stage. The question was unsettling to all of them. Some hid it better than others but it was an uncomfortable topic to say the least. Jeremiah moved awkwardly beside her. He had noticed it at well. Jessica’s eyes landed on an older gentleman dressed in noble robes. He and the elven woman standing beside him were the calmest of the group but it was their eyes that betrayed them. She could see a note of concern from the questions.

“She met some unfortunate circumstances. That subject will be further addressed later. Are there any other questions?”

At this there were a few murmurings in the audience of cadets. The she-elf standing near the old man approached Colonel Zane’s side. “Please,” she said in a firm yet tranquil voice. Her tone quieted the group. “Your questions and concerns on the topic may be addressed at a later time. There are many of us that have other appointments to attend. Please stay on topic,” she warned. She then turned back to Zane and gave him a bow of her head to continue before backing away.

He thanked her with a nod of his own and asked again if there were any questions. “When do we get to fly,” cried out a cadet. “Do we not get to fly until we have a great one pick us?” The tone of his voice seemed a little disappointed by this realization.

A twinkle came to Zane’s eye at this. “Your more then welcome to try and force your way onto a great one’s back. There will be plenty of time to think on your mistake before you hit the ground below.”

A few people chuckled at his reply. The young man looked a bit flustered by the outcome. It looked as if he was about to say more but sank back into his chair embarrassed. Jessica stood with a question. “So our first year here is mainly about book work? We’re tested on our work to see where and who we are best fitted with, what if my scores set me to be with a falcon but a great falcon doesn’t pick me? Will I have a chance with the hawks or eagles or will I be sent home?”

“You will be given a chance to appeal before the riders council. They will decide if you are worthy of riding another great one. Should that not be the case, your training is enough to start a career as an officer in the kingdoms army.”

She nodded, accepting his answer. “Is there anything else we need to know or work toward in our acceptance to be a rider,” she asked.

Colonel Zane nodded to her question. “Indeed, there is one final requirement. Each of you will need to obtain a certain number of recommendations from either a council member or your instructors. The process is as tough as you have heard. We don’t accept second best here. If all of you are to pass then you will all have to excell at what’s asked.” He paused there for a moment letting his last words take hold.

“How many recommendations?”

“Three are required,” he replied quickly.

Jessica was surprised. That was it? She thought it would be a lot more. Three didn’t seem that hard to achieve as she looked at all the staff and members on the stage. It would be easy she thought. “Is every rider required?” she asked.

“Every rider that goes through the academy,” he affirmed.

“Are these recommendations required by the end of our first year or right before we are chosen by the great ones?”

“It’s required to have all three to pass your first year.”

She gave a nod. “Thank you sir,” she stated before taking back her seat. Her eyes scanned the staff members already wondering who she could get her recommendations from.

“Is there any one person we need to get a recommendation from,” asked a cadet from the right, “as a required recommendation?”

“No, you can acquire them from any of the aforementioned. They will make it clear as well as to what you will need to do.” He then finished with a nod. “That will be all the time we have for questions. Your schedules are waiting for you