As he buttoned up his long crimson robe, the young man gazed at his reflection. He ruffled his kinky hair. Staying within the lines is fine. But stepping outside the box is even better!, he told himself in front of the mirror.
"The Archipelago of Kelbor lies over a thousand nautical miles away from the shores of Mennphissis," the young man repeated aloud. "Who was the first navigator to discover this archipelago?"
"The Chronicles of Mémontum state that the discovery was made by Captain Allistair Kelbor in the year 816. But the logbook dated July 6, 798, by Kiddar 'Kid' Jones, a doctor aboard La Boudeuse, gives a detailed account of the archipelago's flora and fauna. Most importantly, it mentions one undeniable element — its mountain with the slanted face..."
The young man stopped reciting. He had a memory lapse. He turned away from the mirror and walked to a corner of his room, where his desk was flanked by a well-stocked bookshelf. On the table lay a large open book and several notebooks.
The young man, taking his notes, skimmed through them while mumbling."… This slightly more crucial detail proves that it wasn't Captain Allistair who discovered this archipelago, but rather the crew of La Boudeuse…"
At that moment, someone knocked on his door."Lurcard, what the hell are you doing!? We're going to be late!" said the voice behind the door."I'm coming, alright!" the young man replied.
Lurcard then gathered the book and his notes, tucked them under his arm, and headed for the door. He opened it and found his companion standing there. The latter, wearing the same toga as Lurcard, was adjusting his long brown hair to keep his red cap from falling to the ground."And you, Allan? Got all the maps with you?" Lurcard asked.
"Of course! I was waiting for you, man! I'm on time — you're the one who's late," replied Allan, holding several map scrolls between his knees.
"Alright, let's go," Lurcard concluded.
The young man locked his room door, then slipped the key under his toga. The two companions moved away from the door, walking up a wooden corridor with tapestries, bathed in daylight streaming through large windows. Along the way, the two young men passed other rooms, whose occupants were also rushing out.
"So, did you finish everything?" Allan asked as they walked.
"Eh… I'm almost ready," Lurcard replied hesitantly.
"What do you mean, almost ready?"
"Don't worry. I just had a little memory lapse, but I'll be fine..."
"You sure about that?!"
"Do you trust me or not, Allan?"
"Yeah... But you'd better not mess this up! Because the exam is now! Not tomorrow or the day after — now!"
"Don't worry, I said!" Lurcard replied. "But wait a minute… You're hassling me about whether I'm ready or not — but what about you? Are you ready, at least?"
"Yeah, I memorized all the routes on the maps. I even marked little stars at the various stopovers to better organize our presentation."
"Okay, perfect," said Lurcard, pleased. "We've got this. We're going to succeed!"
"Oh yeah? You really think so?"
"Hey, of course! What do you think!? We're the top of the class, aren't we!?"
"Yeah, but…"
"But what?"
"Well, in navigation, cartography, geography, and history, sure… but in…"
"Forget the other subjects! They're just optional if we really want to become sailors!"
"Yeah," Allan agreed timidly.
In silence, they continued down the corridor. When they reached the end, a staircase to the right — leading down to the floor below — appeared before them. Allan and Lurcard started down it.
"Will your parents be in the auditorium during the exams?" Lurcard asked.
"Yeah. And it's stressing me out!"
"Don't worry, I'm telling you! We're going to crush it! They'll be proud of you — even though they already are."
"Thanks, Lur'."
"Don't mention it. We're here to have each other's backs, right?"
Allan nodded in agreement.
At that very moment, a figure walked by and bumped into both of them."Hey, watch it!" Lurcard reacted. "Can't you see where you're going?"
The one who had bumped into them turned around and gave them a threatening look."You say something, Lurcard? Hmm!?"
For a heartbeat, Lurcard hesitated. Standing in front of them, the troublemaker towered over them by two heads."Yeah, I said something, Bill!" he finally replied.
"No, forget it!" Allan quickly interjected."Listen, guys, this isn't the time or the place for this. We're all just steps away from taking the exam that's going to change our lives. The one our parents spent all their savings on to give us a shot at making our dreams come true! Seriously, let's not screw it up now."
Struck by the truth of Allan's words, Bill backed down. He nodded and began to take a step back to continue heading down. But he stopped and gave the two classmates one last look."Just a little correction, Allan... Not all parents spent their savings. Some of them simply... stole it!" Bill said with a sly smile.
And that final jab hit its mark. Lurcard flared up. He dropped his documents and tried to lunge at Bill."You bastard...!" Once again, Allan stepped between them."Lurcard! Stop! Don't listen to him! Lurcard, don't listen to him! He's not worth it."
As he walked away from the two friends, Bill let out a loud, mocking laugh.
"Lurcard, don't pay attention to him!" Allan jumped in. "You've got a dream to fulfill! We've got a dream to fulfill!"
Once again, Allan's words hit home. Lurcard let go of his anger. He took a deep breath and bent down to pick up his documents. Other students, who had witnessed the altercation, walked past the two friends while eyeing Lurcard.
When he noticed their prying looks, Lurcard's frustration threatened to reignite. But Allan gave him a pat on the back to reassure him.
"Let it go, Lur'. They don't know anything about your life. They're just jealous."
"But is it my fault!?" Lurcard shot back, his voice bitter. "Is it my fault if my parents left me a fortune to pay for all my studies?"
Allan shook his head."Forget it, Lur'. It's just jealousy. Who cares! You should be happy your parents made sure to give you a future. That's what matters most!"
Lurcard let his friend's words sink in."Yeah, you're right, Al," he finally said.
"Let's hurry to the auditorium! Roll call's about to start!"
At the bottom of the steps, they pushed through a set of swinging doors that opened onto a large inner courtyard, packed with people. Under a radiant sun, the crowd—made up mainly of young people in robes and a few parents—was moving toward the building at the center of the courtyard.
The auditorium—adorned with nautical decorations—had several entrances, each topped with a figurehead. And on the roof, the flags of the seven maritime companies fluttered in the wind.
On this exam day, the students were called to enter through the grandest gate — the one adorned with the figurehead of the Angélique. Thus, Allan and Lurcard hurried to catch up. They weaved through the crowd and soon reached the entrance. Just as they reached the threshold, voices called out to them.
"Allan! Lurcard!"
The two young men stopped instantly. They scanned the area and — to their left — spotted Henriette and Bodwell Johntoms.
"Mom, Dad!?" Allan exclaimed. "You're not inside?"
"No, we were waiting for you," his father replied with a delighted expression. "Your mother wanted to surprise you."
"What is it now, Mom?"
"Lalan, I'm just so happy! I wrote you a little note of encouragement. I'd like you to read it before you go up on stage to give your presentation."
"Mom, please! Don't call me that, okay!?"
"What? Why not? I think your little nickname is quite cute," Lurcard teased.
Allan gave him a sideways glance. "Hey, Lurcard! Keep your comments to yourself. I'm not seven anymore."
While Allan was speaking to Lurcard, Henriette took the opportunity to throw her arms around his neck and shower him with kisses.Lurcard burst out laughing, as did Bodwell."Dad, don't you start too!Mom, stop it! You're embarrassing me!"
"But you'll always be my little Lalan!" Henriette replied.
"I know, Mom. But can you avoid doing it in public, please?"
"But why?"
"Because I'm asking you to," Allan shot back.
"My dear, please. Grant him that, since he's asking," Bodwell interjected. "They're men now."
That sentence had such an impact on the two young men that they paused to look at him in surprise.
"Thanks, Dad.""Thank you, Mr. Johntoms."
"You're welcome, boys. You're growing up, that's all—perfectly normal," he said, as he reached inside his coat.The father pulled out an envelope and handed it to Lurcard.
"Here you go, my boy.""What is it, Mr. Johntoms?" he asked, surprised.
"Well, since the school tradition requires that parents write a letter of encouragement to their child… I thought maybe…"
Bodwell had barely finished his sentence when Lurcard threw his arms around his neck."Thank you, sir!"
Soon, Henriette joined the hug, followed by Allan.
In the middle of this embrace, Lurcard, deeply moved, closed his eyes to keep from crying. Then he pulled away from them to take the letter from Bodwell in his hands, eyes filled with tears."Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Johntoms!" he said, his voice choked with emotion."You're welcome, my boy."
While Lurcard, head lowered, stared at the letter Bodwell had given him, Allan gently patted his back to comfort him.
"You're a lucky one, kid," said a woman's voice behind him. "Even before he left, he had already thought of everything."
Called out by the voice, Lurcard turned on his heels. "Helga?!" he exclaimed.The large, bright red feather danced above the hat as the braided head of the caramel-skinned woman looked left and right."What did you just call me?!" she said indignantly, giving him a smack on the head.
"Ouch! Sorry, Aunt Helga!" the young man replied.
"That's better," she said, then turned to the Johntoms couple. "Henriette, Bodwell, hey there!"
"Hello, Helga," Henriette replied. "How are you? What brings you here?"
"Yeah, seriously, Aunt Helga!" Lurcard chimed in. "It's been four years since you last visited! Why today?"
"What, you're not happy to see me, is that it?!" the woman barked, raising her hand as if to smack him again.
"No, that's not it!" Lurcard cried, raising his hands to shield himself. "I'm just surprised to see you, that's all."
"That's better!" said Helga, satisfied.
Then the stern-eyed woman adjusted her feathered hat and her long, rugged leather coat that covered her faded dress. Helga slid her hand into the crimson silk sash tied at her waist, where she carried a saber. She pulled out a letter."I don't know how, but... your father knew you'd succeed in your studies. That's why he made me promise to give you this, on the day of your presentation," Helga revealed, a touch of nostalgia in her voice.
A gesture from far back, from more than ten years ago… even before he could walk. Lurcard was so moved by this act that he stood speechless, eyes welling with tears, staring at the letter from his father.