His words hit the crowd like a blast from a fire hose. People actually step back as the news reaches them. Allbright waits a moment for his declaration to sink in for everyone before he continues.
“Where is Headmaster Underwood?” a student calls out from the other side of the room. His tone is angry, suspicious, and it gives others the courage to speak up as well.
“Yeah! And what happened to the Vessel?” another voice asks.
“Where is Master Damon?” the girl standing in front of Roz shouts.
Allbright raises his hands as if to placate and reassure everyone that he has everything under control. “Headmaster Underwood has asked that I step in and take on the work of continuing the society while he is indisposed.”
“But what exactly happened to the Vessel?” someone asks.
“Where is it?” another person says.
“What does this mean for the Society? How can we go on without the Vessel?”
Allbright is losing control of the crowd and he knows it. He takes a step back so he's one step higher and shouts a little bit louder. “Ladies and gentlemen, please, if you would just listen, everything will be explained.” He waits a beat before adding. “Before I begin, allow me to assure you that the Society of Ancient Magic will go on. This unfortunate event does not spell doom for our esteemed and beloved institution. Our traditions are older than anyone in this room, and they will live on.”
He turns and starts to get into a flow. It’s clear that he’s rehearsed this. “The Society of Ancient Magic is more than just a Vessel. We were founded with the fundamental belief that Ancient Magic is power that should be celebrated, encouraged, and empowered. The Society isn’t the Vessel. In fact, the power which was once contained within the Vessel still exists, it just needs a new place to call home. I called you here… We called you here to let you know that we had things under control, and that you can put your trust in us.”
I tug on Angus's arm and pull myself up to his ear. “I don’t like the sound of this.”
Angus keeps his eyes forward, focusing on Allbright. “Neither do I.”
The center pair of large glass doors on the side of the room opens and a crowd of people walk in from the balcony. They must have come around the back, and entered through the yard. Everyone turns to look at the new arrivals, some of whom are professors at the school.
Roz bumps me. “What the hell is going on?”
I shrug as Angus whispers, “That’s professor Gilvray with the red beard. The woman next to him is his aide. I recognize a few of the others, but the rest, I don't know.”
Professor Gilvray raises his hand as if to ask a question, but he manages to get everyone's attention. “Everyone, forgive the intrusion. We have been trying to enter through the front door, but we were blocked. It seems Mr. Allbright has decided that in the absence of our esteemed Headmaster, that he should be named the president of the Society and Headmaster of the University. This isn't how things are done. And I've come here on behalf of the faculty, some of whom are members of the Society and others who are simply concerned staff, parents, and alumni to voice our objections to this unorthodox grasp for power.”
I glance up at the top of the stairs at Van, who is watching the drama unfold like the rest of us. He's gripping the railing so tight that his knuckles have gone white.
Porter Allbright chuckles and looks around at the gathered crowd. “People, please. I dare say that the members of the Society of Ancient Magic hold sway here. Blakeborne University was founded on the principles of Excellence and while it has a noteworthy and honored history, the Society of Ancient Magic is the keystone of this institution. We are a select group of people bestowed with Ancient Magic, it only makes sense that control of this school, and our Society should fall to us.”
Gilvray’s eyebrows shoot up as if he can't believe what he's hearing. “It is true that the Vessel has been destroyed, but you seem to be overlooking the fact that unfortunately, it appears Daria North lost her life in the process.”
A surprised murmur moves through the crowd.
“We don’t know that her death has anything to do with the Vessel!” Porter Allbright shouts.
Gilvray throws his hands up. “This is exactly my point, Porter! I stood next to you the other night and saw the same things that you saw. None of us were here for the event itself, but it seems clear that whatever happened to Daria, it’s connected to whatever happened to the Vessel.”
“What is your point, Charles?”
“My point is that we need time. We should be investigating her death and the events that led to the destruction of the Vessel. We should employ trusted mages to reclaim the power that was once contained by the Vessel.”
Allbright smiles at that. “We have already taken steps to do that very thing.”
Gilvray sighs. “I feel it is time for this university to make some long-overdue adjustments.” He turns to face the people. “What would happen if Blakeborne University had more than one Society? What if we allowed for mingling between the classes of magic and ended this age old and outdated caste system? Ancient Magic is no better than any other line of power,
