Stahlhiem College of Magic

Rahvi nodded. A religious girl then. Rahvi believed in her gods, as every Hammer Folk did, but she wasn't strict about it. They weren't very strict gods, after all. She certainly didn't turn to them for comfort after tragedy, like this girl apparently did. Any aid from the gods would be welcomed right now though. "Yeah, my gods probably deserve a prayer or two right now as well." She thought about it for a moment, but didn't act on it. She was tempted to go down and find the others, but this new girl was intriguing her. Rahvi hadn't quite met everyone yet and she intended to before too long. It wasn't as though there were that many first years to meet. And strategically it was better to be on everyone's good side if something like Thal happened again. She stuck her hand out. "I'm Rahvi. School of Mind. I hope Borghild is alright. It must be terrifying, carrying a baby around in a place like this. At least she's got one hell of a bodyguard."
 
"Hmm..." Lyra looked down at her necklace and placed it down on her bed. "It's strange that the Church hadn't sent others to come hunt down the Witch Hunter. It's strange that he even decided to, for lack of a better word, settle down. Witch Hunters are the elite warriors of the Church of Ulmarc and pledge their body and soul to the Warrior God. For a Witch Hunter, to pledge your life to another is the same as committing heresy."
 
A few minutes after the the students and Borghild were sent to the infirmary, the Headmaster hastily enters the ward, escorted by two Void Guard and followed by his assistant. The Headmaster's retinue walks up to the Master Life Mage tending to the Master Death Mage and the two began quietly talking, to make sure no one hears, outside of each other. The two glanced at the students while they talked and after some arguments, the Life Mage gave in and the Headmaster readjusts himself before walking up to the group of students.

"Hello students." The Headmaster spoke clearly and firmly, as if he wasn't wearing his mask at all. "As you all know, I am Headmaster Arnest Waltherus. I have discussed things with the Master Life Mage, and have come to ask you what you part in all this. I would rather have the full story then the source then a third party."
 
Rahvi felt alarm bells going off in her head. The girl had a point. She didn't know all that much about Witch Hunters or the Church of Ulmarc, but if what this girl was saying was true it seemed like a bit of a taboo. It made Rahvi pretty glad she wasn't part of that religion though. And it made Borghild's love story that much more romantic. She didn't say any of this to the girl though. Shitstirrer she may be, but only when she'd decided it was going to be fun. Making trouble here was probably just going to get her hit on the head with a religious icon.
"So you aren't a fan of Borghild and the Witch Hunter?" She gestured at the necklace. "Does that mean you were praying for their souls or something, not their safety?"
 
"I...don't know..." Said Lyra. "On one hand it's wrong and I know I should condemn them, but at the same time...I've live in this city my entire life and for the years that I've known her Ms. Borghild was the nicest person in the world to me! I...just want to see her happy." Lyra clutched her necklace and looked at Rahvi in her vulrable state hoping for some advice.
 
The alarm bells faded from hearing. Rahvi took a seat on the bed next to the girl and gave her a smile, legs swinging off the side of the bed. "She's in the best of hands. I'm sure she'll be ok." After a moment, she added, "The baby too."
She grimaced at the wall. "I'm more concerned about my friends at the moment. Ella is blaming herself for the whole shebang, which means she's not going to argue if someone else starts doing it." Giving a sniff, she returned her thoughts to the girl beside her. "Not much we can do about at this point though. Got to just let events play out. And I guess that's all you can do as well. In the end it doesn't really matter what you think. They're still going to be in love. They're still going to have a baby. I'm sure the Witch Hunter had to grapple with a few moral issues to get to where he is, so if someone who is meant to be so dedicated to your god can find it in himself to do it, you can assume he had a damn good reason."
Rahvi shrugged. "Love them or hate them, it's probably not going to bother them, so don't let it bother you! So what are you in for?" Rahvi took an apple from her bag and started munching on it.
 
Ella sat, stoic and a bit shell shocked, on one of the infirmary beds as Borghild was being attended. The most trouble her mouth had gotten her in at her father's factory was a day or two locked in her room and a few missed meals. Now she was risking the lives of strangers and new friends.

"This is my responsibility. I provoked Thal both times," Ella said. She recounted the previous night's events and those that led to Borghild's present condition. She was mortified and scared, but she refused to cry. She was in the wrong, but she wouldn't let herself look weak. Her tears were private.

"The other students here just helped to keep me and our teacher safe, nothing else. I accept full responsibility," she told the Headmaster.
 
Arnest looked at her with his stern eyes and gave the girl a full 10 seconds to let her words sink in. The headmaster closed his eyes for a second them open them before addressing Ella.

"I do not know what your life was before you came here but you must realize that here, your words and actions will have consequences beyond your control. Choose your where and who you fight wisely otherwise you may even cost someone their life. I will not reward you for your valiant actions, nor will I expel you. Instead you are to assist Witch Hunter Vulmar during his patrols. During that time I expect you to reflect on your actions and to better yourself. If another incident like this happen again then I hope you realize that I won't be the person you will have to answer to. As for the rest of you..." The Headmaster turns to the rest of the students. "I am very please at your initiative helping your teacher. I belive rewards shall be in order, perhaps an advance on your weekly allowance? Yes that would be fitting indeed. Now if you excuse me my duties are never ending. Ms. Beaumont, I shall notify the Witch Hunter of your arrival that night. If you do not show, then consider yourself expelled." With those final words, Arnest turned from the students and left the infirmary but not before giving Eponia a polite bow before leaving.

---

Lyra smiled at Rahvi's antics, but also at the Hammer Folk's sage advice.

"You're right..." She said. "I should just be happy for Borghild. She's found her happiness and the best thing to do is to just accept it. In any case you might want to check on your friends. They should be in the infirmary if I remember correctly."
 
Steven sat in the infirmary, trying to think of how to calm an angry Witch Hunter down. From what he remembered from his temple's studies, the Witch Hunters were a high rank (or maybe an organization; Steven skimmed through some parts of these texts) of the Warrior's Church's warrior-monks, chosen for their loyalty and skill to hunt and combat powerful evils (by the Warrior's Church's definition of evil), such as magic users, monsters, small armies, cults to various abominations, politicians, etc. Much of the information on them was from rumors and legend, however. Hmm... not much in that description would stop Vulmar from hurting Ella in his anger. ...Thinking about it, though, Vulmar might not actually be that mad at Ella. Thal insulted his lover, and Vulmar himself might be tempted to act against Thal. The main cause for concern would be Ella provoking Thal, but that was in all likeliness simply her losing her temper and certianly not a deliberate attempt to put Borghild in harm's way. In any case, Ella was accepting responsibility for her mistake, which would go a long way towards calming Vulmar down.
 
As the Headmaster left, and the room went quiet. Karma's curiosty got the better of her, as this new environment provided her with a new area to explore. The Griffin stood up from under her master and began rummaging around the infirmaries ground level drawers, opening up doors to reveal, usually empty jars and clean clothes. She struck a metaphorical gold mine however when the juvenile griffin opens a drawer to find it full of various dried insects and strong smelling herbs. The Griffin pulls out one of these jars and began trying to open it with her beak and claws, but because of her lack of thumbs, and because of the jars smooth glass surface, the griffin is unable to open up the container to get into the, probably tasty contents inside.

Hearing this commotion, Eponia turns around to see the Griffin messing with his materials and yells.

"Sale bête! Obtenir loin de cela!" Unable to leave Borghild to fix the situation he turns to the students "One of you, get that creature off of my materials! They're very expensive and they are only to be use in emergencies!"
 
Jagton had woken up when the man began shouting.

"Karma! Get over here!" He snapped. The griffin turned around slowly in shame walking to Jagton with her head down. Jagton turned to the mage.

"Sorry about that..."
 
From across the room, Rahvi caught one of the jars that Karma had knocked loose as the griffin turned and walked back towards Jagton. Focusing very clearly for a moment, she gave the jar the lightest push, and it wobbled for a moment before standing still. She beamed at her success and glanced over all the others in the infirmary. Steven looked like he was thinking, hard-not surprising. He usually was. It was kind of his job. Miki was asleep on Jagton, who was looking as though he had just woken up. Ella was sitting, looking shocked, and a bit wretched. What on earth had Rahvi missed?

Entering the room, she tried not to look at the unconscious Wastelander on the bed, or the life mage ending to her. Instead, she walked over to sit next to Ella. "Everyone alright? Sorry I missed the drama."
 
"N'essayez-vous pas d'excuse! You're all done here right? Just get out of here before that beast eats any more life saving ingredients!" Said Eponia, urging the students to leave. "The Headmaster is already done with you and I suspect classes for you are already over. Go out and get lost in the city or something! Just me to my work before you break something!"
 
"Ok." Jagton replied back.

"And Mikida please get off of me. I need to buy some fishing supplies." Jagton asked Mikida.
 
Mikida looks up with a half awake expression when Jagton simply requests her to move off of him. She hadn't intended to fall asleep, but without a conversation partner, it became too comfortable, and she ended up like this. Not fully understanding the situation, "I'm where?" Looking up Mikida sees Rahvi, "Rahvi..?" Pulling herself up, Mikida is slowly remembering the situation, then reverts to her usual less than fully present expression, "Oh, right. The teacher got hurt. I forgot, was everyone else safe?"
 
"I'm going to die," Ella said absently answering Ravhi's question, "the Headmaster wants me to patrol with Vulmar and he's going to kill me for putting his loved ones in danger. I know he doesn't like Thal, but I have a big mouth. Words kill as surely as swords. I'm such an asshole." She shook her head dejectedly, fighting back tears with renewed determination.
 
After the Headmaster's visit, Arnest heads to his office at the college. There he dismisses the two Void Born Guards before entering his office and sitting down his wiry body on a worn oak chair. He rubs his temples as he groans.

"I feel like I'm going to die soon Page." Said Arnest

"Oh don't say that Headmaster. It's only been a couple of hours since last midnight." Replied Page, trying to be supportive.

"And in that time I've been a man tried to bribe me, and one of my staff had fallen unconscious."

"Point taken Headmaster, but I was wondering...was it a good idea to let Ms. Beaumont patrol the city alone with the Witch Hunter? It seems....dangerous for more then one reason."

"The Witch Hunter has networks of informants everywhere but he's just one man. He won't know anything. I'll make sure of it. I only wish to frighten the girl in order to teach her a lesson."

"I see...and what of Thal? This has been the second attack he's insitgated."

"I shall deal with the Prince later. For now it might be time for me to call for a new teacher. Let's see..." The headmaster picks up a blank piece of parchment and quill and began writing. "Now tell me Ms. Landrain. Where's the Master Mage of Thunder?"

"George Blassmann has been assigned to the capital, to act as your dignitary." Said Page

"Yes, yes of course...and what of Lucas Pauelus?"

"Still in Schmiedehiem Headmaster. I do not recommend that we-"

"And how long is it for him to arrive?"

"Uh....merely a day's flight on Griffin back sir. But I very much think you should recon-"

"Don't be so worrisome. I'm sure the factories can survive without him. Now....there!" The Headmaster finishes his letter and holds it out to Page. "Give this to Mage Manfred Surhardt. Tell him to give it to Mage Lucas Pauelus." Page hesitates for a moment but reluctantly takes the letter.

"Yes Headmaster. I shall give it to him right away." She bows and leaves the office. Once she's gone the Headmaster stretches and leans back against his chair. He looks at his desk and brushes off a cloud of dust.

"I really need to get some cleaners up here."
 
"Thank you." Jagton said getting up. He whistled to Karma getting her attention.

"Let's go fishing." He told the griffin. She jumped up instantly in joy. She and Jagton had gone fishing many times near the griffin nests. When they would camp there Karma would fly through the air. They would climb to certain points on the many mountains there. Most of them had lakes or ponds with fish. That was the one thing they made sure they did whenever going camping and such.

Then the two began walking to Jagton's dorm to grab the bag of coins he left in his chest.
 
Steven snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Ella speaking. "Ella. It is obvious to anyone that sees you that you did not intend for Borghild to be harmed. The only thing you are at fault for is insulting Thal, which I am sure Vulmar will find few issues with. So long as you don't repeat this mistake, you'll be fine."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top