“Celia!” Vivienne gasped, her voice barely a whisper. “It’s treason to talk like this.”
Celia shrugged. “Well, it’s true. Everyone is talking about it. The Prince of Eldoren is a complete rake, and he is not bothered about the kingdom at all. His father has guards following him now all the time to make sure he comes home at night. But somehow he always manages to evade them.”
Could there really be so much unrest in Eldoren as well? I had no idea how complicated the ties were within the nobility. There was so much to learn and so little time, and I had to be careful about my story. This time I was lucky, but if I slipped up again, someone could figure out who I really was.
“Oh no, we’re late.” Vivienne jumped up and banged her head on a low-hanging branch. “Ow,” she squealed, rubbing her head.
Celia rolled her eyes. “When are you not late, Vivienne?”
Vivienne made a face, ignored Celia, and gathered her things.
I laughed and got up. “See you later, then,” I said to Celia. “I’ve got to go too. Don’t want to be late for my first warrior skills class.” I turned and hurried out of the outdoor cafeteria.
“Do you think Celia is telling the truth?” I asked Vivienne as we walked to class. “Maybe all these stories about the prince are rumors, did anyone ever think of that? I don’t think he could be all that bad.”
Vivienne shook her head. “Celia’s right, I have also heard my parents talking recently, and apparently the Eldorean nobles have already been moving their allegiance from the ruling Ravenswood dynasty to the Blackwaters. Father says King Petrocales has pinned all his family’s hopes on the Silverthornes. Your guardian is the most powerful lord on the royal council, and Father says that without Silverthorne, the Ravenswood dynasty will come to an end. It is the Duke of Silverthorne who is the real power behind the throne. He is chief advisor to the king, and the Blackwaters hate him. So be careful.”
My eyebrow arched. “Why should I have to be careful? I haven’t done anything.”
“It doesn’t matter to the Blackwaters,” said Vivienne. “You are a Silverthorne. If I were you, I would watch my back.”
We walked down open corridors, past gardens and fountains, to the eastern grounds of the academy. A large marquee was set up in an open field, overlooking the sea. This was to be an outdoor class, and it seemed like it would be fun. The cool sea breeze ran across my face. I could hear the waves lapping on the shores of the beach below the steep white cliff. I was early, and only two other boys, whom I recognized from my healing class, were there, whispering to each other on one side of the marquee.
Soon the rest of the students came in twos and threes, and finally Damien Blackwater and a group of boys and girls I hadn’t met before walked in. He had such a smug look on his face that I felt like smacking him. I was not too happy to be sharing a class with Damien, and especially this one. Warrior skills would be the most important if I were going to learn to defend myself. I had only just learned to put up a shield, and even then I couldn’t hold it for long.
“All right, everyone,” said a big, booming voice. “My name is Professor Tanko, and you may call me Baron or Sir Tanko. Is that clear?”
I looked up to see a massive man with plaited red hair wearing a leather breastplate under the black robes that swirled about him as he strode into the center of the marquee. He carried a huge sword at his hip.
“I understand that most of you have no training in warrior skills at all,” said Professor Tanko. “But no matter; you are here to learn, and I will teach you what you need to know. The basic skills are easy to practice and should hopefully be enough to defend yourself, should the need arise. Advanced magical warrior training is quite another matter. I know that all of you have the potential, or you would not be in this school, and we shall find out just how much potential you have soon enough. Now, I want all of you to pair up.”
Unfortunately we were not allowed to choose our own partners. Professor Tanko paired everyone up, and much to my disdain I was partnered with Damien.
“Everyone take a defensive position,” said the baron, his voice drowning out the sound of the waves. “Shielding will be our first lesson. I presume everyone here has read the theory about shielding, chapters one through four, and knows how to create a shield even if it hasn’t been successful. If not, I expect you to do the reading by tomorrow’s class.”
The professor went through the groups checking our shields. “Now, keeping your shields up, I want you to pick up a pebble and throw it at your opponent.”
I did as I was told and concentrated on keeping my shield in place. It was easier this time because I had done it before. I flung my pebble at Damien, and it bounced effortlessly off his shield. But within moments I felt a pain on my shin, and I collapsed to the ground. My shield had wavered, and Damien’s pebble, which was more like a large stone, hit me hard.
Professor Tanko came over to me. “Your name?”
“Rory, Baron. I mean, Sir Baron,” I said, getting up and rubbing my shin. That hurt a lot.
The big professor smiled at me. “Baron or Sir is fine,” he said kindly. “Rory, you must remember
