Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ An Angel's Remains ❯ Chapter 1

Standard disclaimer : All rights to this work, it's characters, etc. belong to the author, Candace Olufs (that being ME)

 

 

The sound of Jenny's alarm was somewhat jarring. Myara glared at it and then went back to her reading, attempting to ignore the persistent beeping. She couldn't believe that it hadn't woken her friend immediately. It was a surprise even though she knew how much Jenny hated mornings.

 

Jenny tossed in bed for a moment before rolling over and groggily reaching for the snooze button.

 

Myara went back to her book, with the alarm at last stopped. She adjusted so that she could catch more illumination from the reading light attached to the head of her bed. Unlike Jenny, she hadn`t been able to sleep in past five. She`d spent the entire summer before she started at the Academy with her grandfather in the Temple of Skye. The priests there got up early so when she'd been there, she had too, visitor or not.

 

After her alarm went off a second time, Jenny turned it off and seemed ready to get out of bed.

 

“Good morning.” Myara ventured.

 

“Morning.” Jenny mumbled sleepily. She staggered out of bed and yawned. “I'm going to take a shower.”

 

Myara closed her book. “Sure. I took one a while ago so take your time.” Myara had even had time to blow dry her hair in the bathroom and press her uniform. It wasn't something she would have been that conscious of usually, but she had figured that she should look nice for the first day of class. The Elysiac Academy wasn't like most colleges. They were fairly strict about attendance, dress, and grades. Myara had chosen them because they had ties to the Temple of Skye and her grandfather had thought she'd like it there.

 

After Jenny had gone into the shower Myara got out of bed and got dressed. She pulled on the tailored skirt and blouse, but she left off the jacket. She wouldn't need that until she was ready to go outside. It was fairly plain as uniforms went. A white, button-up blouse, and a pleated blue skirt the same light color as the girl's jacket. Boys wore a darker blue colored uniform. Myara had heard during orientation that it was the result of complaints about the “feminine” nature of the lighter blue color. After she was dressed she braided her long dark hair and pulled it up on the back of her head. Her hair was one of her few vanities. She kept it up a lot of the time just because the wind often blew it in her face or tangled it and it was a pain to brush it all the time. She also had a bladefighting class at this school and she didn't want to have to fix her hair before and after class. She was putting a silvery hair clip in to hold back some loose strands of hair from her face when Jenny came out of the bathroom.

 

Jenny looked at the time and grumbled, “Damn, I took too long. Will you wait for me for a minute? You`re going to breakfast right?”

 

Myara was a little bit surprised at the request. She smiled playfully and asked, “What, you thought I was sitting here all this time for nothing?” She grabbed her jacket and began pulling it on.

 

Jenny looked over at her and managed a faint chuckle. “Sorry, I'm out of it still I guess.”

 

Myara sat down to wait, watching as Jenny took her uniform out of the small closet on the opposite side of the room. There were walk in closets on either side of the room in the back corners, one for each of them. Jenny's was considerably more crowded than Myara's was already. Myara crossed her legs and rested her arm on her desk, waiting impatiently.

 

Jenny finally finished dressing. She brushed her hair quickly, throwing it back into a ponytail. She grabbed her bag as she was slipping on a shoe.

 

Myara got to her feet and picked up her bag. “Ready?”

 

Jenny nodded. “Yeah, let's get going.”

 

Myara closed the door and locked it behind them. Jenny took out some makeup from her bag and fixed her face as they walked. Myara asked, “Do you want me to get you out of bed earlier tomorrow if I'm already up?”

 

Jenny told her, “Nah, I'll be fine.” She finished putting on her mascara and put it away in her bag, picking up her pace. “I just wanted to have time for breakfast.” Jenny buttoned her jacket and then plucked at her skirt. “Did I get this tailored too short you think?” she asked.

 

Myara studied her skirt critically and then raised a brow. The skirt didn't fall half-way down her thighs. “You trying to get in trouble your first day?” she teased.

 

Jenny looked embarrassed. “Myara, I'm serious. You don't think it's too bad do you? I just couldn't stand it being any longer than this, it wasn't sexy at all.”

 

Myara had to laugh. “Jenny, I don't think that your skirt being too long would stop the guys from giving you a second look.” It was true. Her friend was short, but she was slender and had fantastic curves. She also had naturally curly blond hair which had caused even Myara pang or two of envy. Sometimes she hated standing next to Jenny. She was a bit taller, but she had only average curves and, in her own opinion, didn't stand out much.

 

Jenny asked anxiously, “You don't really think I'll get in trouble do you?”

 

Myara smiled and told her reassuringly, “I doubt they'll pay much attention to it. It's really not that bad.” They paused at the top of the stairs. Their room was located on the second floor of Ivy Hall. Even though the girl's dormitory was only two stories, both floors had high ceilings and tall, arched windows. It had to have been built ages ago, in a time when aesthetics were valued over economy. The entire campus had that sort of feel. Myara observed the students standing on the stairs with a twinge of annoyance. Several of them were having a conversation on the stairs, so spread out they were nearly blocking the way. On such a wide stairway, there was no reason why people shouldn't have an easy time getting by. At least normally. Myara met Jenny's eyes and they silently voiced their irritation to each other as they moved to the side and began walking by. Neither of them had any liking for inconsiderate people. Normally Jenny might have complained, but since it was their first day of school at the Elysiac Academy, perhaps she was holding her tongue.

 

A tall girl among them complained loudly, “I tried to go into Ivory Hall and they kicked me out like I was some kind of criminal. I was just curious.”

 

An older student scolded, “Didn't they tell you during orientation?” Her tone grew derisive as she added, “That place is for `special students,' although nobody can really tell what makes them so special. I think they're just a bunch of weirdos.”

 

Myara breathed a sigh of relief as they passed. When they were out of hearing she looked at Jenny and their eyes met. “What was their problem?”

 

Jenny shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Who cares? I just wish they wouldn't take up half the stairway. Jerks.”

 

Myara glanced back at the other students but Jenny drew her attention as they headed through the lobby.

 

“Myara, you're too slow. If you keep walking like that, we won't have time for breakfast at all.”

 

Myara returned her attention to Jenny. “Yeah. Let's hurry.” She picked up her pace as they headed for the double doors on the other side of the lobby.

 

Jenny got there first and opened the door for her. They stepped outside, where trees grew seemingly at random across the sea of browning grass.

 

Myara felt a deep sympathy for whoever had to cut all that grass. She looked over at Jenny with a wry smile. “This place is so big. It's going to take us forever just to get to the cafeteria no matter how fast we walk.”

 

Jenny picked up her pace and said, “We can make it on time. Besides, once we get to the cafeteria, our classes are right there in Starling Hall.”

 

Myara sighed. “Tomorrow I'm waking you up earlier whether you want me to or not.” She jogged after Jenny, following the paved pathways that cut through the grounds, barely glancing at the adjacent boys' dorm building.

 

***

 

When they reached the cafeteria finally, Jenny seemed to have shaken off any signs of morning grogginess. She looked around the room and then stopped, her face brightening. “My cousin Rick is here! Let's have breakfast with him and his friends.” Jenny started forward without waiting for a response or any type of approval.

 

Myara followed Jenny and asked curiously, “Your cousin?”

 

Jenny nodded and told her. “Yeah, he doesn't visit often so you've probably never met.” Jenny dashed forward as they got closer. “Rick!” she called out.

 

One of the guys, most likely Rick, looked up and waved. He was a blond like Jenny, but his short hair was truly a golden blond. He had a devilish look in his grey eyes that promised an entertaining personality and he had the build of an athlete. He sat with several others that Myara guessed must be friends. Myara joined Jenny by their table and she was introduced to Rick and his friends Derek and Jordan.

 

“I can't believe Jenny never introduced us,” Myara grumbled, but she smiled teasingly at Jenny.

 

Jenny looked at Myara, gently scolding her with her eyes.

 

Rick just chuckled. “Well, we don't see each other very often. Before I came here, I was always with my parents when they went out of the country.”

 

Jenny leaned over and told Myara as an aside, “His father auctions off art and stuff.”

 

Myara nodded understanding. “Oh, okay.” Turning to Rick she asked. “So what year are you? Are you the same as us?”

 

Rick smiled and shook his head. “No, I'm in my third year, just like Derek here. Jordan has been here the longest though, he's in his fourth.” He motioned to the other chairs around the table. “You two can sit down if you want.”

 

Jenny pulled out a chair.

 

Myara glanced at the time and said. “I'll be right back after I get something to eat.” She tugged Jenny on the arm. “You wanted food too right.”

 

Jenny paused before taking a seat and looked a little embarrassed. “That's right. We'll be right back.”

 

Myara sat her bag in one of the chairs as Jenny quickly wandered off. She told the others, “I'll be right back.” Rick, Jordan, and Greg all nodded their understanding. They returned to what seemed like a previous conversation as Myara left them.

 

She went to the selection of pre-made food in the coolers, picking out a fruit salad. The food in the dining hall was all free for students, which was nice. The students didn't have to worry about running out of food money that way. Since tuition was so expensive, she supposed they`d have to have a few perks for the students. When she returned, Jenny was showing her schedule to her cousin.

 

“Besides the mandatory classes, I decided to take a computer class too. I'm so bad at that sort of thing, I decided it was a good idea to learn. I'll never be a respected biologist if I can't even use a computer.”

 

Rick laughed faintly. “Yeah, I guess that's true.” He glanced at Myara. “How about you?” he asked as she sat down.

 

Myara was a little surprised at the question. “I'm doing art and bladefighting for my main electives.” she told him.

 

He raised a brow. “That's an interesting combination.”

 

Jenny leaned over. “That's because Myara is good at everything. Right Myara?”

 

Myara felt her cheeks flushing a little at the praise. “I'm not good at everything Jenny. Saying something like that is a little… embarrassing.”

 

Jenny turned to her cousin and his friends and told them. “Myara used to study at the Temple of Skye with her grandfather so she's really, really good at fighting. Whenever anyone tries to mess with us they get a big surprise.”

 

“The Temple of Skye? I've heard of them,” Jordan commented.

 

Derek leaned forward and asked curiously, “What are they? I don't think I've heard of it.”

 

Rick gave him a chiding look. “You come to this school but you don't know who they are?”

 

Derek looked embarrassed. “Sorry. It's true though.”

 

Jordon seemed to feel sorry for him. “They're a rather small religion really, but there are a concentrated number of followers at this school in particular. They believe that there are actually four worlds hovering in balance, ours being one of them. Besides our world they believe there's a spirit world which is closest to ours, and a demon and celestial or angelic world. They consider it their duty to protect that balance.”

 

Derek raised a brow. “Protect the balance. That seems rather vague.” He looked at Myara as if she might be a different breed of human and asked, “You believe that?”

 

Myara shrugged, feeling uncomfortable talking about it. Most people thought it was weird. “I believe it more than anything else.” They all paused as the first bell rang and then it was a rush of activity as everyone finished their food and gathered up their bags.

 

***

 

Her first day was hardly difficult at all. The teachers gave their speeches about what they expected of their students and then they generally had people introduce themselves. A few of them gave light assignments but some of the teachers let them spend most of their time in getting to know their classmates. Her bladefighting class was a bit of a disappointment. They didn't do anything at all the first day, not that Myara had expected them to spar or anything, but she'd hoped for at least some excitement. For a bladefighting class, it just seemed dull. Bladefighting was a style of swordsmanship in which any style of swordsmanship was fairplay. In tournaments and often in practice, it forewent the safety gear and was considered in Etolevol to be a true sport. Most of its followers scorned kendo and fencing as sports for either amateurs or for those who were afraid to practice the more brutal bladefighting style combat. In their class here though, they would be wearing safety gear, to prevent injuries their teacher said. Myara wasn't a fanatic or anything, but really, it wasn't like the students were going to try to maim each other. And the wooden practice swords they used had no edge whatsoever. Myara had heard that their bladefighting teams, both junior and senior, practiced without any safety gear at all. It was the same way she was used to practicing. She'd been hoping the classes would be the same.

 

Despite her disappointment with her bladefighting class, all of Myara's teachers seemed nice. Some were a bit stricter than others and she'd already begun to have favorites. On the bulletin boards along the halls a lot of the clubs and teams were already announcing their tryout or their first meeting in the next month and someone had been nice enough to print out flyers with sort of a calendar of all the different dates and times. Myara made sure to take one before she went back to her room.

 

Jenny had gone somewhere so Myara let herself in with her key and sat her bag on the floor, deciding from there to explore the ground. She'd heard that there was a huge garden somewhere behind Starling Hall. She picked up her sketch book and a pencil, thinking it would be a good place to work on some of her unfinished drawings. That was if she could find it, of course. She locked her door behind her and left out the side door, since it was closer. She followed the pathways, since one of them would probably lead her to the place that she was looking for. She said hello to the few students that she ran into and with a few directions from an older girl who was coming from class, she found the garden. It was surrounded by a tall stone wall covered in vines and on either side of the entrance were gray statues, one of a deer, the other of a small rabbit. She walked past the statues and into the garden. She paused so that she could decide where to go next. The walls were lined with flower beds, some of which were completely empty. The plants had likely been killed off in the chilled weather already. There were plenty of trees and Myara was sure that they'd be pretty in the spring. She could see at least one fountain and some benches under the trees. Further on there was a gazebo and she could hear some voices coming from there so she sat down under one of the trees near the fountain and opened her sketch book to the latest page.

 

“And I thought I was the only one who came here for inspiration.”

 

Myara looked up at the soft voice and was surprised to see her art teacher, Aiden Halley, moving to sit on a bench nearby with a sketchpad of his own. He sat his sketchpad and a small pencil case down beside him just long enough to take off his suit jacket and place it over the back of the bench. Myara smiled. “Well, I was already drawing a picture of a garden, so I thought I might like to come here and finish it.”

 

“Sounds like good reasoning to me.” He fell silent as he sat down and picked up his sketch book, brushing back a strand of dark brown hair that fell over his eyes. He had a number of different pencils in a small case on the bench next to him. He picked one out and Myara noticed how gracefully his hands moved as he opened his sketch book and began to draw. He really had very feminine hands. Myara turned her attention back to her own drawing. She could picture the image perfectly in her mind but some of the details eluded her. She sighed and looked up at the sky.

 

Mr. Halley glanced over at her and then back at his paper. “Something wrong?”

 

“Not really, some of the details of this are hard to get because the light comes from so many sources.”

 

“I thought you were drawing a garden?” he asked.

 

“Yes, but it's night time, and some of the flowers illuminate themselves so they cast rather irregular shadows.”

 

He looked up at her response. “May I see?” he asked.

 

She nodded and got to her feet, going to sit by him and holding her notebook out to him shyly.

 

He took it from her with a faint smile and a reassuring glance. He studied it for a long moment. “I see where you might have problems, but it already looks quite beautiful. May I ask if you've ever been to such a place, minus the glowing flowers of course?”

 

She smiled, a little relieved. “No, I don't think such plants exist.”

 

He returned her smile and asked, thumbing the edge of her notebook, “Do you have other drawings like it?”

 

She shrugged. “Oh, there are a couple other gardens or plants maybe. They're further back. You can look if you like.” He did, going back through the pages. She noticed that he paused to look at each picture. When he got to the first of her pictures of the demons she felt her cheeks flush faintly but he said nothing. He stared the longest at the high up picture of the city that she liked so much. He looked quite intent and she wondered if he was assessing her work.

 

He was most of the way through when he said, “There seem to be quite a few common images. Are they all pictures of the same place?”

 

“Well, most of them, except the ones of those demon creatures.” she told him. She wondered if he thought she was silly for drawing such cliché themes as angels and demons.

 

“It's sort of like a heaven and hell theme then but it seems very creative? How do you come up with your ideas?” He continued to look at pictures.

 

“I just dream about it at night. I guess my subconscious does all the work for me, making up beautiful places.” She paused and then added, “And bad places.”

 

He looked up from the pictures in her notebook. “Those `bad places' look pretty fierce. That can't make for pleasant dreaming.”

 

Myara could only shrug. “I don't know. I don't like my dreams about them. I despise those creatures, but in my dreams I'm never really afraid. I'm always fighting them. Maybe they're supposed to be some sort of subconscious message or something.”

 

He nodded faintly as he turned the last page and closed her notebook, offering it back to her. “May I borrow this sometime? I'd like to show a couple of pictures to a friend of mine. I think that he'd enjoy them a great deal.”

 

Myara was flattered. She took the notebook from him and rested it on her lap. “Sure. I can bring it to class tomorrow if you'd like. I use plain sheets of paper for my initial sketches and this notebook is almost full anyways.”

 

He smiled. “Thank you. Your name, it was…?”

 

“I'm called Myara. Myara Selwyn is my full name.” She wasn't at all insulted that he didn't remember. She'd only seen him for the first time that day in class and she was sure he had plenty of students to remember.

 

“Thank you Myara. If you'd like, I can help you with that drawing you're working on. Do you ever do any painting or watercolor or anything?”

 

Myara tapped her pencil against her notebook aimlessly. “I don't do much drawing in anything but pencil, I don't really know that I'd be any good at it. I would like to do some of these pictures in color though and colored pencils are too muted to look right. Any help you give me in my pencil drawings or otherwise, I would appreciate.”

 

He picked up his own pencil again. “Good, I'll try to make some time for it during class and maybe when it gets started again you can join the art club. I'm the sponsor so I'm always there.”

 

“Thank you Mr. Halley.” She got to her feet. “I should get going. I have some things to get done for tomorrow.” It wasn't really necessary that she go, but she'd feel too uncomfortable if she sat there next to him. She might feel compelled to make conversation and she didn't want to disturb him.

 

“Of course, I'll see you tomorrow.”

 

She left and felt pleased that he had praised her drawings. He was an art professor after all.

 

***

 

Aiden watched her go, toying with the pencil in his hand. Myara Selwyn had turned out to be a surprisingly interesting student. After she had left the garden he got to his feet and picked up his pencils and notebook. He wouldn't be able to draw now, not while he was thinking about her art work and what she'd said about it. He would have to turn in his first report much quicker than usual, as soon as he could get copies of some of the drawings he`d seen. In the meanwhile he wanted to think about what it could mean. It was a shame that the instructors weren't allowed to tell each other anything they discovered about promising students. He understood that the point of the rule was so that they wouldn't pay more attention to a student that they knew someone else had found to have some special attribute, biasing themselves for or against that student in any reports they might submit.

 

He greeted several students with a rather distracted air as he found his way to Ebony Hall, the building where the instructors all had their rooms. Each of them had a study, bedroom, and bathroom. There was a massive hall in the front of the building where they could hold meetings if they had to. Valerien and Luke were there sharing a bottle of wine and joking about something. Aiden greeted them but went on to his room, wondering how they could be drinking so early. But he supposed that having a few glasses of wine wasn't so bad when they hadn't started any of their duties as sponsors yet. Valerian was always particularly busy once classes got going, since he was an instructor for the classical music classes as well as the head of the music department. Luke wasn't quite as busy after hours, since he just taught French, but he sponsored both the girls' and boys' Soccer teams. All of the professors and instructors sponsored some sort of after school activity or another, many of them sponsored two or three. He waved to Gilda as she passed him in the hall. She had beautiful, classical features, not to mention being extremely good natured. She returned his wave and gave him a generous smile, although she didn't stop to talk. She was in charge of gymnastics classes and the swim and gymnastics teams.

 

After he made it to his rooms he placed his sketch pad on his desk with his pencils and took a seat. He was deep in though when there was a soft knock on his door. His head jerked up and he got to his feet, wondering if they'd been knocking long. He found Lilac standing there.

 

Lilac smiled at him. “I was wondering if you'd like to come play chess in the front hall.”

 

He returned her smile and nodded his head slightly, he could hardly refuse Lilac. “Sure.” He told her. He closed his door behind him, not bothering to lock it. No one who lived in their building would ever steal from another. “So how was your first day Lilac? Any promising new students?”

 

Lilac chuckled, she taught botany and biology. “I could hardly know after the first day. How about you, any potential prodigies?”

 

He smiled but didn't answer right away.

 

Lilac raised a brow. “Well? Is that a yes?”

 

“Not exactly. I met one of the students drawing in the garden. I was… confounded by her art work. I'm going to borrow her notebook and submit some of her work with my first report.”

 

“It's still rather early to submit your first report isn't it?” She asked curiously.

 

“Not for this.” He replied shortly.

 

Lilac frowned at him. “Now I'm curious Aiden.”

 

He chuckled faintly. “So am I. Let's get to that chess game.”

 

Lilac shook her head at him in a playful scold as they sat at the table. Valerien and Luke were still there and in the short time Aiden had been gone Dalziel had joined them as well. He and Lilac started their game, enjoying the playful banter of the others and occasionally joining in.

 

***

 

Myara's second day started out much the same as the first, but once in class her teachers all got down to business. She had Mr. Halley's class before her lunch break. He started on some basic concepts of drawing and then told everyone to practice and to draw a picture that incorporated everything that they'd learned that night. He gave them permission to talk while they worked as long as it didn't get out of hand. After walking around for several minutes he came to Myara's table where she worked next to a boy she'd met the day before, Mitch. She'd already discovered he was a bit of a goof, always saying something lewd that would make everyone laugh but never meaning it.

 

Mr. Halley stopped by their table and gave her a smile. “Would you like to work on that drawing right now Miss Selwyn?” He asked.

 

She smiled and nodded, happy he'd remembered. “Yes, I have my notebook right here.” She took the notebook from her bag and handed it to him.

 

He motioned toward his desk. “Come to my desk so that we have some room to work.”

 

She grabbed a pencil and walked around the table so that she could join him. He already had the notebook open to the page that he knew was the one that was difficult and he took out some paper of his own so that he could show her a couple of things. If anyone in the class had thought that it was odd that she was working at Mr. Halley's desk she was sure that after watching the two of them bent over their papers and listening to Mr. Halley's instructions about shadows and light, they wouldn't think it was anything other than what it was.

 

When it was about ten till noon Mr. Halley looked up and said. “That's enough for the day, you may all head to your next class.” As everyone else was leaving he asked Myara. “You don't mind if I borrow this still do you?”

 

Myara shook her head. “No, it's no trouble. I already started a drawing in the other one this morning.” She closed the notebook and handed it to him.

 

He took it from her hands and clasped it under his arm. “Thank you, I'll return it tomorrow, I promise.”

 

“Sure. Thanks for the help. I'll see you tomorrow.”

 

“Until tomorrow.” he told her.

 

Myara turned away and joined a second year girl named Kera as they headed off to lunch. Kera was in both her art and bladefighting class. They made their way across the room and out into the hall.

 

“What were the two of you working on?” Kera inquired.

 

“Oh, I met him in the garden yesterday while I was working on a drawing and he offered to help me work on the shadowing a bit since I was having a hard time with it.”

 

Kera smiled. “Mr. Halley is very nice about things like that I've heard.”

 

Myara nodded. “Yeah, he is.”

 

***

 

The end of the day had finally come. Myara was weary of sitting in classes, although her bladefighting class had broken up the monotony some. She walked into the large hall where tryouts for the bladefighting junior team were being held.

 

Jenny took her arm. “This way Myara.,” she said over the drone of conversation. They both wore tank tops and loose cotton pants suitable for activity, just like everyone else who was gathered in the hall. Several students wearing blue jogging suits, most likely a uniform of some kind, sat behind tables and students were lining up. Jenny and Myara got in the shorter of the lines.

 

“What are we lining up for exactly?” Myara asked.

 

Jenny glanced at the students ahead of them as one of them said their name and year. The student sitting behind the table made a note of it. Jenny said, “Looks like we're signing up here. This should be easy for you Myara, don't you think?”

 

Myara smiled at Jenny. “Are you saying that sort of thing again?” She asked. She'd gotten used to that sort of thing from Jenny. They'd been friends since kindergarten after all.

 

“Of course.” Jenny told her. They got to the front of the line and Jenny leaned forward, telling the student there. “Jenny Curtis. Freshman.”

 

He wrote it down and then looked to Myara.

 

“Myara Selwyn, freshman.” She blurted out, realizing he was waiting for her.

 

Jenny covered her mouth as she laughed slightly. “Quit acting like you're nervous. Come on.”

 

Myara followed her and moved to the side of the room, waiting for her name to be called. “Why did you decide to come Jenny? This isn't your thing at all.”

 

Jenny told her, “I'm here for moral support, obviously.”

 

Myara shook her head. “You probably didn't have to sign up just to do that. This isn't exactly the place for an amateur.”

 

Jenny shrugged off her light scold with an unconcerned air.

 

They joined the other students milling around the room, picking up practice swords from a student standing off to the side. After that, it wasn't long before one of the instructors called everyone's attention to him. He introduced himself as Dalziel Ziara, asking that everyone call him Dalziel. He told them that they'd be starting with elimination matches. The things that stood out most in Myara's mind were his long, white-blond hair, and the thin scar that followed his left cheekbone. It wasn't necessarily the fact that he had long hair that stood out in Myara's mind. He did have it pulled back in a ponytail, which was practical. It was just that most people who practiced combat sports wouldn't want to give their opponent something that might be considered an advantage like that. For bladefighting though, it was probably all right. He even had a small red stone glimmering in his right ear. With an eye patch, he would have made a very handsome pirate.

 

Jenny nudged Myara and giggled. “Don't you wish he was your instructor? Do you think he's the team sponsor? Or the coach?”

 

Myara shrugged and smiled. “I don't know. I kind of hope he's one or the other though.”

 

At that point the students in uniforms took over, calling out names for the first round of matches. “Do you suppose they're on the senior team?” Myara asked Jenny.

 

Jenny shrugged. “Probably, who knows,” she replied noncommittally.

 

Myara found the first few partners she sparred against to be sorely disappointing. They were too slow. She took her time dispatching them though, because she didn't want them to be too embarrassed. Her fourth and fifth partners were better, but not by much. She stood by the sides after her fifth match, sighing. Jenny was already done, so she was standing next to Myara.

 

An older student in uniform nearby glanced over. “Starting to get tired?” he asked, looking amused.

 

She gave him a soft smile, returning his amusement. “No, merely bored.” she told him.

 

Jenny chimed in. “You have no idea who you're talking to. Myara can beat just about anyone.”

 

He laughed. “That's some confidence you have in her.” He turned to Myara. “If that's the case, would you like to have a friendly match? Nothing too serious, of course.”

 

Myara was a little surprised but then she smiled. If he was on the senior team, then maybe it would be fun. “It would be my pleasure.”

 

He led the way across the room, encouraging students to get out of his way and motioning to one of the others they passed. “Hey Kavan, come referee this match for us.”

 

One of the other older students who'd been watching the tryouts came to join them.

 

Myara gave him a smile and a nod, which he returned as they approached the mat.

 

Jenny followed eagerly and told Myara, “Don't take it easy on him.”

 

Myara and her opponent faced each other and held their practice swords at the ready.

 

Kavan dropped his hand and she hardly heard him say the word `go'. The match began as soon as he gave the signal. Her opponent was quite good, faster than the others she'd faced by far. It was almost as good as sparring with one of the Priests of Skye. She stopped thinking and let her body react as she exchanged blows, dodging some of them all together. She hated to end the match but she knew she had her opponent bested already. She put him on the defensive and within moments he was disarmed.

 

He looked surprised that it had happened so quickly.

 

She gave him a smile, her eyes dancing as she lowered her practice sword. “That was indeed a good match. I think I'd like to do it again sometime. Thank you.”

 

He nodded and looked rather stunned for a moment before smiling ironically.

 

Jenny clapped from the side triumphantly.

 

“I guess your friend's confidence was justified after all. I would wish you luck, but I don't think you'll need it. I'm Jason, by the way.” He offered her his hand.

 

Myara accepted his extended hand. “I'm Myara . It's nice to meet you.” Myara heard her name being called and turned toward the sound. “I think that's my next match. I'll talk to you later.”

 

He nodded. “Later.” He told her, watching her walk away.

 

Jenny joined Myara as she headed for the next match. “Good job. Just as I'd expect.” Jenny patted her on the back.

 

The number of people left still fighting matches was beginning to really narrow down. There were always at least three matches going on at once and there were a couple of students taking down notes at each one. She noticed that the instructor who sponsored the team was walking about as well, watching.

 

After the last match the instructor called out 20 names, though only 10 of them would be on the junior team. The senior team had already had their try-outs at the end of the previous year, and had about 10 to 15 members. She'd heard a rumor that only the students who went to Ivory Hall were allowed in the senior team but she didn't know if it was true. To her surprise, once the twenty of them had come forward he gathered them around one of the mats. With one of the older students to referee, he began to make his way through the list. He sparred with each person on it. Myara watched the matches as she waited for him to get to her name. He was holding back with most of them, testing them, looking for weaknesses. He was very quick. He easily dodged their fiercest advances. But of course, he was the instructor. She couldn't wait to spar with him, she thought that he might just be better than she was, but she couldn't be sure until she actually fought him herself and determined just how much he was holding back. When he called her name she stepped forward and they bowed to each other.

 

The student referee dropped her hand.

 

He waited patiently for her to make the first move.

 

Myara obliged him, striking fast, testing his reflexes.

 

He dodged her lunge easily.

 

She made a few more attempts, annoyed to realize he wasn't even trying yet.

 

He dodged all of her attempted strikes with lightning speed, then he made some attacks of his own, forcing her to defend.

 

She dodged and blocked, meeting him easily. He was a perfect sparring partner for her. She sensed he was a hair faster, and she might eventually lose, but that hardly mattered. It had been years since anyone had been as fast as she was or faster. The dreams she had, in which she fought demonic beasts, had been nearly as good as practice in real life. They had given her a grace she otherwise couldn't have attained. Practicing at the temple with the priests or on her own had given her the rest. She couldn't have been sure how long they sparred but it must have been a while, because she began to feel her arms tiring.

 

He stepped in and lunged.

 

Her arms wouldn't move fast enough to allow her to block.

 

His sword slipped through her guard, its tip stopping at her throat.

 

Her sword stopped mid-block, as it was too late. She took a deep breath.

 

The instructor raised a brow. “You admit defeat?” he asked.

 

“Yes.” she breathed. She stepped back as he lowered the sparring sword.

 

The other students clapped politely. Myara thought a couple looked rather envious as they whispered to those standing next to them.

 

Dalziel gave her a bow.

 

Myara returned the polite gesture before stepping off the matt.

 

Dalziel told the student assisting him. “Next name please.”

 

The next student stepped forward and everyone's attention was refocused. Myara breathed a sigh of relief.

 

Jenny stepped in close to Myara and whispered, “I'd better get going. I was getting some dirty looks for hanging around. Tell me how it goes later all right?”

 

Myara nodded and whispered back, “Sure, I'll see you later.” She watched Jenny slip away quietly.

 

Once the last match was over Dalziel lowered his practice sword and told them. “The names of those who made it onto the junior team will be posted out front of the practice hall tomorrow.”

 

As everyone began filing out Myara felt a hand on her arm and paused.

 

“Just a moment Miss Selwyn, I'd like to talk with you once I've dismissed my helpers.”

 

She looked back at Dalziel and nodded. “Sure.” She went and leaned against the wall by the door, waiting.

 

He conferred with the three students who had been helping him, quickly crossing some names off the list and circling others.

 

One of the other students was collecting the remaining practice swords and making marks on a paper. He approached Myara and asked, “May I?”

 

She held out the practice sword to him, glancing toward Dalziel. He probably wouldn't want to spar again, so it was all right. “Sure.”

 

He took it and that seemed to be then end of his count. He took it to the side of the room, placing it in a crate with some others before leaving the room.

 

Dalziel finished with the other students and waved them out of the hall. “Go, we'll take care of the rest later,” he told them. He finally joined Myara, coming to stand in front of her. “You've caused me quite a dilemma.”

 

Myara was slightly surprised. She placed a hand against her chest. “Me?”

 

He nodded. “Yes. You're a bit too good for the junior team, but if I put you on the senior team I'd be breaking a few rules. I hope this doesn't go to your head, but you'd probably beat all the senior team members anyways. It would hardly do you any good to practice with them.” He crossed his arms over his chest and studied her.

 

She felt slightly uncomfortable, and flushed at his praise. “I wouldn't mind withdrawing from the tryouts if you'd agree to be my sparring partner.”

 

He smiled faintly at her response and seemed to consider it. “I suppose that might work… I have team meetings from six to ten during the weekdays, if you don't mind coming before or after that I wouldn't mind working with you. Tomorrow will be the only exception. Saturdays the meetings are from one to five.”

 

“I can come at five on weekdays and any time that's convenient on weekends, though I may not always be here. I like to go visit my grandfather on weekends.”

 

“That's fine. I'll see you tomorrow then, at five?” he asked.

 

She nodded. “That's good for me.”

 

“I'll see you then.” He turned away.

 

Myara sensed her dismissal and went to gather her things.

 

***

 

Tirsten stepped into his office and closed his door, sighing at the stacks of the usual beginning of the year reports. This early they would mostly be reports on which students had not returned and whether they had been students that there was a lot of concern over their disappearance from the roster. Generally they were divided into three folders, for the 2nd through 4th year students.

 

As he sat at his desk he realized that there was a smaller fourth folder on top. Curious, he reached for it. His secretary had placed two reports in it. One of them included a rather thick stack of papers. He went for the short one first. As usual, Dalziel was to the point. One of the first year students was exceptionally good at bladefighting, something which was unusual by Dalziel's standards. Tirsten made note of the girls' name and moved on to the next report. He immediately noted that the reports were about the same girl.

 

Aiden was reporting because of some drawings of things the girl said she dreamed about. The drawings greatly resembled places that should not be familiar to a human. Tirsten turned to the drawings and flipped through them once before going back and studying them more carefully. They were too exact for chance. He frowned. Every now and then a human would be able to have vague dreams about the other worlds, or perhaps their spirit would brush close by, but he had never seen one produce such correctly detailed pictures before. It bore careful investigating, especially if they wanted to recruit her.