Author's Preface
No one would have known that someone died yesterday. Casimir strolled down the well-lit hallway to Salamander’s office while observing the pencilnecks casually pushing papers around in their cubicle, in between phone calls. Casimir reached the hardwood double doors of Chancellor Salamander’s office and knocked.
“Come in,” Salamander’s tired voice called from inside.
Casimir entered, and the heat from the fireplace made him immediately remove his coat.
The top of the chancellor’s head poked up from a stack of documents on his desk. Behind him were ajar filing cabinets. “Ah, Casimir, you are here early. Take a seat, I’ll put you to work.”
Casimir draped his coat across one of the chairs positioned in front of Salamander’s desk. His eyes scanned over the documents Salamander was mulling over. He spotted a file with Bryson’s name on it. Bryson’s test documents, and next to his is Pendergass’, Quigley’s, and a few other commoner students. And there is a resume of an Olive Scribe. “What is all of this?”
“What you and your cousin were asking for.” He handed Casimir the resume. “He is the recruiter who selected Bryson and Pendergass, the boy who died two years ago.”
“Scribe? So he is a first-generation Weaver?”
“Second, but yes, he is not from a notable Weaver family and is middling in his achievements. He was put in charge by my predecessor to recruit from Quinen for the past seven years.”
Casimir read over his resume. Yeah, nothing sticks out. “Is there anything else?”
“Bryson’s entry scores were lower, but Mr. Scribe did justify himself. ”
“What was the reason?”
“He had a large Aether heart and impressive memorization. It was recommended that he join the Aetherian device program and be fitted with a device that would help with his control.” Salamander sniffed. “Unfortunately, he took too much of a chance with that one.”
Casimir frowned. If those gloves worked and Bryson showed up in class with them, Alistair would have given him a hard time. “What about Pendergass? And Quigley?”
“They had average scores. Pendergass was a bit higher. There was an uptick of students from Mr. Scribe in recent years, but other than the three recent outliers, all of them either graduated or transferred out. I called for him to come in, but it will take at least a week for him to get here by rail.”
Where did the two other students Jett killed transfer? Casimir sifted through the files and spotted two familiar faces. So it is so. Lloyd Albert and Anne Brown both transferred to… less prestigious schools. Jett probably just fed off of their insecurities.
Casimir frowned. “I don’t see anything here. I guess this was a fluke.”
“Indeed, for now, we will increase patrols around the campus.” Chancellor Salamander grabbed a crate of folders and pushed it towards Casimir. “Now deliver these for me. They are already labeled.”
“Yes, Chancellor.” Casimir grabbed the crate and exited his office. He thumbed through the folders, each one of them labeled with a note on where they should be delivered. “Well, Cornelius did warn me.”
***
Casimir spent most of that morning delivering documents and mail between the various departments in the admissions hall. When he returned to the Chancellor, he was given more mail to sort and deliver, only to come back and be asked to make coffee for him.
I thought I was done with this when I passed my Inquisitor training. Casimir turned the handle of the coffee grinder and stole a glance at the Chancellor, who seemed to still be brooding from another disappointing phone call.
A sharp knock snapped the Chancellor out of his stupor. “Casimir, get the door.”
Casimir opened it to Tristan, who looked surprised to see him.
“Morning,” Casimir said as he let him into the office.
“I didn’t know you would be here.” Tristan’s glance shifted to Chancellor Salamander.
Casimir took note of his closed-off demeanor. He seems nervous.
“Mindrattler,” Chancellor Salamander cut in. “See if Mr. Aetherseeker needs assistance. This is a private matter.”
“Yes, Chancellor.” Casimir closed the door and left the two men behind.
He walked a few doors down to Aetherseeker’s corner office and knocked on his door.
A cheerful, “Come in,” from Aetherseeker welcomed him in.
Casimir stepped inside an office that was a miniature version of Chancellor Salamander’s. It had the same color scheme and metal inset furniture. However, there was no fireplace. Instead, there was a large putting green mat. I miss golfing with Uncle and Sully. Maybe I will be able to play with them again this Spring.
Casimir quietly observed Aetherseeker calmly sitting at his desk, filling out paperwork.
The assistant chancellor’s large hands glided over the paper as he wrote. His sage green three-piece suit seemed to strain every time he moved his well-defined core muscles. When he was finished, he looked up at Casimir and smiled.
“Casimir, was it? How is your apprenticeship with Salamander?”
“It is going fine. He sent me to assist you, since he is currently meeting Tristan.”
“Aw, yes, the deceased’s friend asked to see him.” He adjusted his tiny circular frames that looked ridiculous on his large square face, and sighed. “Very sad— Well, I got everything covered here. Why don’t you take a break? You definitely need it. I saw you running around all morning.”
“I couldn’t, especially with so much work that needs to be done. Are you sure you don’t need anything? Maybe I could—”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Aetherseeker replied in a polite but firm tone.
“Of course, thank you, Assistant Chancellor.” Casimir turned to leave.
“But I can see that you are a diligent young man and should be rewarded.” Aetherseeker left his desk. “How about I teach you something?”
Casimir’s eyes widened with surprise. “Really, I would be honored.”
“Good, I’ll show you my favorite training spot.”
***
Casimir frowned when he saw they were exiting the warmth of the building and into the cold. He hung back near the doorway when Aetherseeker took a step outside. “It’s freezing. I should run back to the Chancellor’s office and get my coat.”
Aetherseeker held open the door. “You won’t be welcomed in. He is still in a meeting with Tristan. Besides, I can assure you, you’ll warm up very soon. ”
“Alright. Where are we going?” Casimir stepped outside and crossed his arms, trapping in the little warmth within his core.
“It’s five miles east of the campus. Do you know Lightstep?”
“Yes.”
“Good, then we will get there with time to spare.” Aetherseeker weaved a semi-circular pattern, and a gust of wind carried him away.
Casimir quickly did the same before he was left behind.