The Rondari Commonwealth: Record of Thaddeus Northwood

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Chapter 3: My Lord. My Lady.

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Thaddeus’ father had been with the proctors for more than twice the time his interview had taken. Upon returning, his father had congratulated him with a warm smile and a hint of pride. He told him that everything was in order for his attendance as they left the waiting room through a different door.

With the Academy’s commencement ceremony still two months away, however, Thaddeus and his father would be making the trip home for now. Thaddeus would return alone when it was time to officially begin his training.

As they were making their way out of the administrative building, he saw two children his age sitting on benches, both with a parent by their side. They were giving him curious looks as he and his father moved forward. Thaddeus wasn’t surprised, really. After all, he had been summoned to the waiting room not even an hour ago. They must have thought something had gone wrong for him to be returning so soon.

As he and his father got closer, recognition dawned on Thaddeus. Being the son and heir apparent to the Duke of the Northern Territory, he had been taught from an early age of all the different Noble Houses and families under his father’s purview. Granted, he had yet to meet all of the Nobility in the North, he had met many of them over the years at one event or another. These two families, however, were more familiar than most.

The man was Lord Selten who was accompanying his eldest daughter and heir apparent, Clair Selten. The Seltens, although quite a distance away from Thaddeus’ home of Northwood, visited on a semi-regular basis due to Lord Selten’s position.

The woman, Lady Klein, and her second son, Kolton, lived only two days ride from Northwood, so Thaddeus saw them even more often.

“Lord Northwood,” the man said as he stood and offered a respectful bow to Thaddeus’ father, his daughter following his example a moment later.

“Lord Selten. Heir Selten,” his father said with a slight bow of his own, which Thaddeus mimicked.

This was followed by a similar, yet slightly more casual greeting from Lady Klein.

She gave Thaddeus a smile when he offered his own greeting, but she quickly returned her attention to his father, genuine worry apparent on her features.

“Pardon my saying, my Lord, but that was a rather brief interview, was it not? Is everything well with young Thaddeus?”

While Lord Selten seemed worried as well, he refrained from saying anything.

“More than well, my Lady. I assure you,” his father said with a smile, clapping Thaddeus on the shoulder. “Lets just say it wasn’t a difficult task for the proctors to determine which course Thaddeus here would best follow.”

At this, Lady Klein’s son stepped forward with an excited glint in his eyes. “What program did you get, Heir Northwood? I’m hoping for one of the combat programs myself.”

The boy’s mother frowned at her son. Thaddeus figured it was in part due to him basically interrupting not just a Lord, but the Lord of the Northern Territory. Beyond that, he assumed the Lady wasn’t thrilled on the prospect of her second son seeing combat. The woman’s husband had been killed in action not two cycles ago, after all.

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“Kolton,” she said in a disapproving tone. “Apologize to Duke Northwood.”

“It’s no worry, Katherine,” his father said with an easy smile. “You know I’m not that easy to offend.”

“You are one of the few exceptions, Jonathan,” she said in amusement, her expression turning to a mild glare as she looked to her son. “The boy will find himself in trouble one of these days.”

Just then, an Academy Administrator called for ‘Mr. Klein’ to report to the waiting room, which Thaddeus was thankful for. He was still conflicted about his recommendation for the Moon program. Along with the fact that none of them would likely believe him, he didn’t want to give that information away just yet.

Saying their farewells to the Kleins, Thaddeus’ father turned to speak with Lord Selten. As the two Lords spoke of things that held no interest to Thaddeus, he turned to Clair as she stepped toward him.

“Heir Northwood, a pleasure,” she said, holding out her hand.

Taking the offered hand, he placed a chaste kiss upon it as tradition dictates. Pushing his annoyance at the interview aside, he forced a polite smile on his face. He didn't want her worrying about him, after all.

“Heir Selten, likewise. It’s been some time.”

“Indeed?” she asked with a small grin, “I feel it hasn’t been that long. We were in Northwood not three months ago, were we not?”

Thaddeus shook his head, a grin appearing on his own face. “It’s just smalltalk, Clair.”

“Well, you know how I feel about smalltalk,” she said with a huff.

“About the same as I do.”

“Yes, but you’re the one who always engages in said smalltalk,” she said with a teasing tone.

“Yes, yes,” Thaddeus waved her off. “How have you been?”

“Well enough. The ride here was far longer than I would have liked, but it was pleasant all the same.”

“I suppose I’m lucky in that regard. It’s only a three days ride to Northwood.”

“You’re heading home, I imagine?”

“Yes, we were on our way to the stables when we met you and the Kleins.”

She seemed to sulk at this, a frown making its way to her lips. “I’ll be staying here until term begins. I would only be home for a month if I were to return, and I don’t fancy six weeks of riding in such a short span of time.”

“That’s a shame. I’m sure you would have liked to see your family again before then,” he said, patting her arm in sympathy. “With any luck, your interview will be brief so you can settle in before the moon rises.”

“Speaking of the interview,” she began, her frown turning into a look of curiosity, “what program did you get? You never answered Klein.”

Thaddeus felt his eyebrow twitch. Why did he have to bring up the damned interview?

“I’ll be in a combat program.”

While not a technical lie, for the Moon program was first and foremost a combat program, it was on a whole other level compared to the other programs. He just hoped she wouldn’t question his vague response.

“Perhaps we’ll be in the same program, then. I also aim for a combat program,” she said as their fathers approached, apparently done with their conversation.

“Father says I would do well in any that are magic-focused,” she said with a hint of pride, mixed with embarrassment. Lord Selten, on the other hand, had a face that was dripping with pride. Thaddeus couldn’t help but smile.

“I stand by what I say,” Lord Selten said, puffing out his chest. “My Clair will be the best damn water magi in the academy.”

“Father…” Clair said, her face gaining a bit of color.

Thaddeus’ father chuckled, patting Lord Selten on the back. “I believe you, Mikael. I believe you,” he said before turning to Thaddeus, “It’s time we head for the stables, son. Clair, it was good to see you.”

“You as well, Lord Northwood,” she said with a bow.

“Lord Selten, farewell,” Thaddeus said with a slight bow. “Heir Selten, I’ll see you at the start of term. Until then, stay well,” he said with a smile.

With their farewells done, Thaddeus and his father left for the stables, hoping to make some distance before night fell.

His father was looking at him with ill-concealed mirth as he always did after meeting with nobility. He knew just how much Thaddeus disliked standing on ceremony and tradition and being proper.

“Just wait, Ted. When you begin your training, the pomp and circumstance will be constant.”

“Fantastic,” he mumbled as the stables came into view.