Lunch has been made by Conrad, the steak and salad gobbled down, everyone present keen to discuss our meeting with Odin and Neve last night. There’s being detached and being altogether shifty, not that shady people don’t exist in the Society: they do.
Once doubt is cast, all Society eyes turn their attention to potential misdeeds, committed to maintaining peace where magic, adventure and wonder can flourish. Adventure is the topic of conversation at the dining table perched in the centre of the room. Conrad’s steak and salad has gone down a treat and with Jacob washing up, we get to the topic of duels.
“So, Casper didn’t look too happy about the idea of a duel?” Noah comments, turning to look for seconds in the kitchen. Unfortunately, he’s out of luck.
“Taking out his Follygrin wasn’t a coincidence,” I reply. “He wanted to make a point that we’re still being watched.”
“We’re watched more than you realise,” Jacob states from the kitchen, blowing bubbles to the Quij who hover high above. “Not out of suspicion but protection. Let’s not forget, we’re still some of the youngest members in the Society, and being Night Rangers doesn’t put you above the law.”
“Obviously,” I reply with a touch of annoyance. “It’s just a duel, Jacob … similar to the one you had earlier on The Hallowed Lawn. That got a little violent, didn’t it, so don’t get all high-and-mighty on us.”
Jacob returns to the table, handing Noah a glass of white liquid: Semphul to abate hunger for a boy with hollow legs. “Agreed, Guppy. It did get a little out of hand on The Hallowed Lawn this morning, making me more grateful you and Conrad agreed to help.
The difference is, Rucklz is a game; taming Riadek isn’t and nor is tempting The Domitus into a duel. They’re humourless soldiers who only have one mode of training: ferocity. Things could turn ugly very quickly.”
“You seem to be forgetting that Conrad’s the best sky rider in the Society,” I add, feeling a little defensive. Conrad is pushing the boundaries with his idea for a duel, but we’ve experienced far more dangerous things.
Taming Riadek will be brilliant to see, and then there’s Drandok itself: a realm Society folk don’t clamour to visit. I suppose the idea of ferocious creatures, roaring as they fight against their instructors, doesn’t fill people with joy. I’ve always been drawn to danger, though, meaning I’m probably not destined for a long life.
“Easy, Guppy,” Conrad says, swiping the glass from Noah’s hand and finishing off the Semphul remedy. “Jacob’s just being protective and he’s got a point; the last thing we want to do is stir up trouble.”
“Exactly,” Noah echoes, patting his stomach in the hope there’s more of the hunger remedy on offer. “What’s the point of picking a fight with the Domitus? Let’s just keep things as they are: a lot of fun and a little bit of work.”
“So, we ignore how weird they were in The Shallows?” Lucy counters.
“Why not? Lots of people are weird, Lucy, including you.”
Lucy offers Noah a sarcastic smile, finishing off her steak as slowly as possible as Noah eyes it longingly.
“I say we travel to Drandok to check things out,” Conrad adds, standing as he does so. “It’ll be cool to watch them tame Riadek: a mystery in itself.”
“So, you’re not looking for an argument?” Jacob asks, sitting at the end of the dining table — always the paternal voice of concern.
“No one’s looking for an argument, Jacob,” I reply, “but if their visit to The Shallows was what I think it was, we’ll be up to any challenge they’ve got in mind.”
“What, like a duel?”
“If they want to play with fire,” I reply, which seems to put an end to the debate, leaving Jacob to say his goodbyes, returning to the second floor to see how his students are fairing under Farraday’s tutelage.
“He looks a bit miffed,” Noah states as Jacob closes the door behind him.
“I think he misses the madness,” I reply with a smile, looking forward to a trip to a land where monsters are tamed.
Drandok rests between The Royisin Heights and Saraseai Lake. Its inhabitants take on a number of roles, some taming Riadek while others roam beyond The Society Sphere, using their intimidating presence to ensure mischief doesn’t morph into malice. That’s the official line, anyway.
Night Rangers and sleeping soldiers commit to part-time duties, wanting the freedom to enjoy everything the S.P.M.A. has to offer. That’s where I fit in: a witch with a thirst for life, my attention divided between Society duties and romantic ones. On that note, I keep a close eye on Conrad who seems increasingly agitated.
Olin and Neve Blin have got under his skin — an unspoken challenge he won’t be able to ignore. A duel in the sky, even with tamed Silverbacks, is a dangerous one and if things get out of hand, there’ll be consequences. Being part of the Society army doesn’t get you any special treatment, mainly because most members fight in one way or another.
Some of us meet conflict head on whereas others operate behind the scenes — in faculties where new charms, artefacts and remedies are created: magic for all eventualities. With a challenge on the horizon, I study the fading light outside the dining room window. Soon, it will be time to take to the air once again, to a place where ferocious creatures are tamed.
As day fades into early evening, I take a surveillance device out of my trouser pocket. A Panorilum looks like a normal book until you throw it into the air. Once in the air, it unfolds into a large sheet of parchment paper. The parchment hangs in mid-air formed of multiple sections the size of the original book.
