Author's Preface
Back in Sully’s office, Casimir sat hunched over on the couch, pinching the bridge of his nose, while his cousin quietly watched him from his desk. “I don’t get it.”
Sully shrugged as he flipped through his reports. “There is nothing to get. A self-conscious commoner felt like he had something to prove and got eaten by the local wildlife.”
“I know, but the assignment was due at the end of Monday’s class. There was no need to rush. ”
Sully crossed his arms. “Well, you don’t know what exactly Lightwell said to him or what was running through his mind. You will have to ask his friend and Lightwell about that.”
“That is true.” Casimir sat up and continued to churn the gears in his mind. “There is still the issue of the person who recruited him and his supposed sponsor. I’m still baffled why he was let in here. And there is what I saw...”
Sully raised his brow. “What?”
“As you know, Bryson was attacked by a creature in the bog yesterday. Professor Awldriver said it was a bog toad, but I sensed it’s Aether and it was in the shape of a human.” Casimir’s face darkened. “And it seemed to notice that I sensed it and hid its Aether from me.”
Sully remained quiet for a while and gave Casimir an unreadable stare.
Casimir sighed. “I know it sounds crazy.”
“So do you think it was the professor?”
Casimir shook his head. “Her clothes were not soiled. Same with Magnolia.”
“Interesting.” Sully rubbed his chin and rose from his seat. “In the meantime, let’s go ask Salamander about Bryson. He won’t be leaving his office anytime soon.”
Casimir left the couch and followed Sully to the door. “Isn’t it a bad time? He is probably busy getting in contact with the deceased’s parents.”
Sully pressed down the creases of his shirt. “If everything is above board, he would want to look into any oversights and make sure none of this happens again. And if that isn’t the case—”
His eyes twinkled. “We might catch him trying to cover his tracks.” He patted Casimir on the shoulder. “Yes, it is the perfect time to squeeze out information.”
***
Chancellor Salamander paced the floors of his dimly lit office. Muttering curses under his breath as stress sweat mixed with the coat of slime on his skin wet the collar of his button-down shirt. Wrinkles from worry added to the ones from age and fatigue on his morose face.
Casimir glanced at the Chancellor’s overcoat draped across the seat in front of the roaring fire. By how long it took him to answer the door, Casimir strongly suspected that the Chancellor was taking a snooze before they arrived. I’m glad that he is taking our concerns seriously, and he does not appear to want to brush this under the rug. Yet, he looks like he wants to crawl into a hole.
Casimir looked up at Sully, who was holding back his amusement. He gently nudged his cousin for his lack of decorum.
Sully simply smiled and patted Casimir on the head. “Calm yourself, Chancellor, we aren’t accusing you of anything. ”
“Don’t patronize me! I’m not in the mood!” Salamander slammed his fist on his desk.
“I understand your frustration, but we need to make sure that a few pests did not survive your family’s first round of poison. We are here to assist as discreetly as possible.”
Salamander’s face soured. “Tsk, I’ll look into who recruited Bryson and if he had any benefactors. You’ll have the report tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Chancellor,” Casimir spoke up before Sully could press him more.
Salamander reached for his rotary phone. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more unpleasant calls to make.” He gave them an unamused look that ordered them to leave.
Sully took his time. “Understood, keep us posted.”
They excused themselves from Salamander’s office and stepped into the admissions hallway.
Casimir stepped out of the way of a plump woman wheeling a cart. “That went well.”
Sully grunted an affirmative, “mhm”.
“Do you think we will find anything?”
“Who knows,” Sully grinned. “But don’t forget you are here as a student, not as an Inquisitor.”
“I know.”
“Also, remember there are two students who may want to vent about the recent tragedy.”
Casimir nodded.
***
Olman Rise did not look too different from his dorm. It was yet another stone tower with the same Gothic-style architecture and diamond lattice windows, albeit it was slightly smaller. Gradually, the distinguishing traits between the two dorms began to show up when he stepped inside. Despite the layout being the same, the furniture was cheaper, no marble fireplace or suit of armor, and the walls were plain off-white with wood paneling.
Several of the students who were crowding around the fireplace turned their heads and stared at him in a state of bewilderment. He glanced towards the viceroy's desk, and the stocky, dark-haired upperclassman manning the desk possessed the same expression.
Hmm, I do look out of place.
Casimir approached him with a polite smile. “Hello, I’m here to see my friend, Tristan Kilgore. Do you know if he might be in?”
“Probably, I didn’t see him leave.” He shrugged.
“Thanks. Can you tell him what room he is in?”
The upperclassman looked reluctant at first, but then checked his list. “Room 308.”
“Thank you.”
He left the desk and ascended the old wooden staircase that creaked with every step. Difficult to sneak out or in from this place. Then again, it would be difficult to snoop around Weavers, who can easily sense the Aether from other Weavers. I miss not having an Aether heart.
It did not take long to reach Tristan’s dorm room. Casimir sensed someone inside, lying down on what could be a bed, and knocked on the door.
Tristan eventually cracked the door and greeted Casimir with a despondent expression. His eyes were red, and he looked disheveled. “Ah, you must have heard.”
“Yes, I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
Tristan stepped away from the door and unceremoniously welcomed Casimir in.
There is no bathroom or common sitting area. The decent-sized room fitted four students. Two bunk beds, four desks, and wardrobes.
Tristan sat down on his bottom bunk, clasping his head between his hands. “I can’t believe he is gone.”
“Bryson returning to the place he feared the most in the dead of night is difficult to wrap your head around.”
“I know. He could be foolhardy at times, but he wasn’t stupid. Nurse Feverfew told him he needed at least a full day of rest, and we agreed to collect the ingredients on Saturday. ”
“Do you think someone might have pushed him to go out there alone?”
“No–I mean Alistair did tell him to drop out again. But surprisingly, he was not as much of a prick about it, and sounded genuinely concerned.” Tristan sat up. “He told us about the difficulties and dangers we will face as upstart Weavers, and if we manage to survive this path, at least one of our children will be forced to become a Weaver, whether they like it or not. He then said Bryson could easily achieve his goals by joining the non-Aetherian branch of the Imperial forces.”
“How did Bryson react to it?”
Tristan lowered his head. “He told him he’ll think about it, but I could tell by the look on his face that he was going to accept it. I–” Tristan let out a pained sigh that was filled with regret. “I became angry. What right did he have to say that to us, after he grew up with the privileges of a Weaver from one of the great families? So I gave him a piece of my mind and encouraged Bryson to stay.”
“So, Alistair eventually leaves. What happens next?”
“We continued studying until Nurse Feverfew returned and told Pace and me that we should return to our dorms because it was getting late.”
“Pace?”
“He was a senior Salamander student, assisting her.”
Casimir nodded. “What time was it when you two left?”
“It was around nine.”
Casimir stroked his chin. “So, Nurse Feverfew was the last person to see Bryson alive. ”
Tristan looked uneasy. “You don’t think she is responsible somehow? Nurse Feverfew is a sweet woman. I can’t imagine her hurting anyone. ”
“That may be so…” Casimir trailed off and decided to switch gears. “Do you remember the person who recruited you and Bryson into the program?”
“I don’t remember his name, but he seemed like a nice fellow. He told us about how his father was the son of a poor farmer from Quinen and that he was able to elevate himself to a minor lord.” Tristan lowered his head. “Bryson was more than excited. He wanted to travel and make enough money to send back home to Ms. Rottenborn. Her joints are going bad, and she can’t work as she used to.”
“Did you or Bryson catch the eye of any benefactors after your placement exam?”
“Not that I know of. Our scores were not spectacular enough to gain the attention of any Weaver families. You have to be able to give them the moon to be acknowledged by them. Getting into this school was all we could manage.”
No sponsors. I’m going to have to wait for Salamander’s report. “Well, I must be going. Take care of yourself. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thanks,” Tristan replied with hesitation.
Casimir departed from his room and traveled down the vacant hallway to the stairs.
Right now, it looks exactly like what Sully said. I’ll question Alistair, just to be sure.
Casimir entered the lobby and immediately spotted Merritt on the couch, chatting with his dormmates.
Not now. He lowered his head and decided to stealthily make his way to the door, but their gazes met, and Merritt began pestering.
“Casimir! Did you visit Tristan?” Merritt rose from his seat.
Casimir forced a smile. “Yes, it seemed like the right thing to do.”
“Ah,” Merritt cracked a smug smile and caught up with Casimir in the lobby. “I see, how thoughtful.” He tilted his head and flashed Casimir an inquisitive look. “You know, I was thinking about checking up on you, too, since you missed our Combat Class.”
“Thank you for your concern, as you can see, I’m fine.” Casimir continued his escape to the door.
“So what was more important than class?” Merritt followed him.
This blighter isn’t giving up. “I joined Professor Deadeye in the search.”
Merritt looked mildly impressed. “I didn’t know freshmen were allowed in the search party.”
“We weren’t. The Chancellor scolded me when he saw me there.” Casimir sighed. “I didn’t accomplish much. ”
After a long pause, Merritt gave him a knowing look and patted him on the back. “Old habits die hard, huh? ”
“Pardon?”
Merritt smiled. “Well, I for one will rest easy knowing that the professionals already have it covered.”
Merritt returned to his place on the couch, brushing off his dormmates’ questions of “What was that about?”
Casimir shook his head. What a prick.