Verdict
I walked through the castle together with Cvela. It was not winter yet but the Coldfire castle had started to snow so I was wearing a long jacket, with white furs at the collar and wrists, and gloves. Even after these half a dozen years I could never get used to this castle. As of now it was alright, but come winter, a man can freeze to death here.
Cvela did not share my predicament though; as a Nimp her constitution was superior to that of humans. In this world there are many races. Nimps are a sub race of human beings known for their long ears, good looks and sweet voice, but nothing more. It was not like they are better than any other race in anything; like humanity is starkly better in warfare, Atakas in magic, or dwarves in strength. There are thousands of races in Aliye too, like ethnic groups on earth, most of them with nothing special to them or barely a thing to differentiate them from humans or the other great races. Those are called sub races. Like the Nimps.
Thinking as such we walked before the throne room. Here I parted ways with Cvela and stepped in while she went to the other side to enter the keep through the antechamber to wait for me. Direct entry through here is only reserved for family or VIPs. She was neither.
The throne room was empty when I came in but it didn't surprise me. Viktora hardy sits the winter throne. She says it's 'too cold' on her butt, imagine that, eh? This one is actually funny. The boss lady might make a good comedian if she wasn't this scary. Maybe she'd take up the job one day, who knows? She'll sell a lot of tickets for sure though.
I walked through the hidden door in the wall behind the throne into a stone corridor and up a set of long stairs, into a spacious room. Mother, Viktora and Kina were there. "Here you are Sainty," mother glared at me. "We have been looking for you everywhere."
"And how did you find me?" I wondered.
Viktora smirked a little. "We didn't," she said. "Anyhow read this," she handed me a paper, I walked closer and received it, opening it slowly with trepidation.
I read the content in silence then looked up to mother. She'd be the most affected wouldn't she? I looked away at her grief. "The high priest's verdict?!" I asked Viktora.
"True," she took the letter back and folded it. "Turns out you make many enemies for a little runt, or a particularly powerful one."
"Or both,"
"Most likely, the sheer power needed to move this much people astounds me. To make most of the nobles in V'alkre to sign a petition wanting you to attend a school in a foreign country! The high priest had to accept their request. It's troublesome, but we have more pressing issues at hand,___ A decision, and fast."
In short, the nobles of V'alkre had signed a petition and forwarded it to the high priest for me to be sent to the Royal magic academy in Kingsground, in the name of 'national security', cause as it turned out I was too dangerous to be left around untrained in my powers. In the school they'd kill me too most likely. Again it would be foolish to underestimate these people. My father probably has a hand in it too. I asked Viktora that.
"I suspect that too," she shrugged. "I'm sorry but this is too early to conclude. Besides we have to make a decision first. Your mother requests that we coop in here and reject the verdict, I ask that we hear you first. It's your life, one is never too young to decided their own path."
Would you say that if it was your daughter? I asked in my mind but I wasn't bold enough to say that out loud. Instead I frowned and thought of my path. Sequestering myself here would do no one any good, we'd just get surrounded and sieged for disobeying the priest's verdict. I doubted Viktora would even help us that long. The way I see it the boss lady might sell us out for 'the greater good'. The evil shit she did to her husband is still fresh in my mind. So going to the academy it's.
My highschool days were horrible. I'd always wanted a redo anyways. Plus it's a magic academy it has to be interesting right? Not that I'll attend it for a mountain of gold normally, but my life's on the line here, so I reconsider. Anyway I'd finally get to meet the main characters; Rea, Kobe, Relda, Amy, oh, Scars, my favorite. This might not be that bad after all, it might be even fun surviving the trap my father already laid for me. Now I am pumped up, who knew I was such a good motivational speaker. Really, Sarah should see me now.
I walked over to mother and hugged her. "I prefer to obey the verdict." I said firmly looking at everyone. "It's best for everyone."
"Oh Sainty," mother whispered then stepped back to look into my eyes. Mother is not a tall woman unlike Viktora, and I grew up fast, so she only stood an inch or two taller than me. "You grew so wise in such little years. Yet they'll rather see you die for their hatred. We'll see them die first I promise you my son."
"We will mother," I agreed. We touched foreheads together, 'Mother and son'. For if I am not Resfiya's son in soul, I am in blood. Maybe that does not console me; but I have to make peace with that fact and move on, it's the only thing I am gonna get.
After that we made plans with Viktora on how we'll continue from here. Mother wanted to escort me to Crystalis but Viktora and Kina declined. The way their said it, she'll be killed the moment she sets foot in that kingdom. I at least has the protection of the King's Curtains since I'll be attending the royal academy so it'll be significantly difficult to lay a hand on me. In the end it was decided that it'll be Kina and some other soldiers that will be accompanying me.
That's how I found myself forced to attend the Royal academy.