INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

She understood Skhy’s sentiments and concerns but she couldn’t help but be displeased with his statements. He tried comforting her and she couldn’t help but accept his reasons. In the end, he just wanted to protect her. Tessa wandered to the library’s second floor when Skhy asked her to take a seat. He gave him a sad smile before he proceeded with his intention.

“When we reach the Academy, please don’t tell anyone that you are Carol’s sister,” he said slowly but the hurt and disappointment hit her so fast. It was as if saying not to tell anyone that her family studied and lived there. It was as if saying not to tell about her aunt. It took her minutes to regain her composure but continued to frown at him.

“Are you telling me not tell anyone about who I am?” She clenched her hands placed on her lap. Skhy panicked a bit, his eyes widen and he shook his head several times.

“It’s not like that. Please listen.” He waved his open palm towards her. She didn’t say anything. She was too consumed by her emotions.

“I was just hoping that you will give me a heads up before you tell someone there,” he stated. What for? You don’t have to monitor everything I do. Anger consumed her so she closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm herself. When she opened them, concern was written all over his face.

“No one knew of your existence. I just want you to talk your parents and sister’s friends before…news spread,” he explained. She just realized this basic fact. No one knew that Carol had a sister so everyone ask her questions; questions that she might not be able to answer, questions she shouldn’t answer.

“I just want them to know that their friendships meant a lot to your family.” His voice was soothing. This boy had so much power within him but he can calm anyone at any time. So different from the person I met in Woodland.

“So I should talk to this people first?” Her voice, on the other hand, was accusing but anger was diminishing. She thought that her aunt would also want her to know their friends in the Academy.

“Yes, just talk to them so they can also be your…allies.” He whispered the last word. They had many enemies inside the Academy. There was no way of telling who, and when, where, and how they will attack them. She bowed to stare at her feet. Her anger was no more but it was replaced with uncertainty. Can she trust those people? She hadn’t met her parents and Carol. Her aunt told her stories but those people could change after years.

“I’m sorry. I stated it wrong.” She faced him and found his tired and frustrated but tantalizing eyes on him. Tantalizing? Where did that come from?

“I will tell you later if I agree with this.” Determined not be handled by anyone, she voiced out her opinion. Skhy pursed his lips then nodded.

“I understand. And I’m sorry again.” She knew that he meant every word.

“I- “ She stopped, lost for words. “Thank you. I know you are only looking out for me…and my family.” She wondered if his feelings for Carol is still there. Skhy gave her a reassuring smile. His gaze shifted to the second floor of the library.

“Tessa! Can you come down for a sec?” he shouted. When Tessa sat beside her, Lei was thankful for her concern and for not pressing the matter. She must have noticed her troubled expression but respected her silence. She’s really nice. And unafraid. Her suggestion wasn’t bad. Since the fortress was close to the edge of the city’s territory, they could check if the other group, which consist of the other Regalis, went North. It’s much safer and faster than travelling in the West. There were more cities and terrains there. More monsters and dangers. Not to mention the maze. Who wouldn’t want to avoid that? So the probability of them crossing the borders after the attack was high.

Andy asked them to stay for the night and suggested that they check the borders before sunrise. Lei had been dying to sleep on a real comfortable bed. She knew that Skhy and Tessa felt the same way. Her watch hit nine in the evening when Andy led them outside his library. Mr. London Knightwood stood alone outside. Andy bid them farewell and the fortress knight led them to the opposite hall. She couldn’t help but admire the fortress. Well, it is the only fortress I’ve seen in my life.

She estimated that the paintings on the wall were 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide. The men were unknown to her but they seemed noble, powerful, and fierce. Dangerous aura emanated from their stern gaze but it didn’t bother her. They seemed higher order knights. Skhy hadn’t told them who owns the place and what it does, but watching his interaction with his uncle, he seemed relaxed yet emotional. His serious demeanour returned when they talked about the Seven; the same with Andy, his cheerful smiles disappeared. She had many questions haunting her, but the strongest that never left her mind was: Why did Skhy call his uncle Karl’s associate?

It probably took ten minutes to reach the room where they will stay from the library. They stood in front a grey wooden door. Mr London Knightwood twisted the handle to reveal a spacious receiving room with a short glass table between two long maroon couches facing each other. Before she could scan the room, their escort bid them goodbye.

“Enjoy your stay,” he stated with his low voice. She wondered what his whole face looks like. His helmet only showed his sharp amber eyes. His gaze turned to Skhy and beamed at him.

“See you tomorrow,” he told him. He raised his left hand, made it into a fist, and bumped his with Skhy’s. Skhy smiled until his friend turned and marched away.

“Come.” He motioned for Tessa and Lei to go inside the room. Once inside, Lei scanned the room and found two landscape paintings on each cream-colored wall. One showed mountains and the other one illustrated a beach. Facing the entrance, between the two walls, was a veranda. It can be accessed through the sliding doors. She was disappointed to find that the sky was dark inside the fortress’ domain.

“I’ll take this. The other room has two beds,” she heard Skhy say. He stood near an open door on her right, pointing to a door opposite his. Tessa moved towards it. She opened it and went inside. She’s probably too tired.

“Lei.” Lei turned to him who had a shy look on his face. Cute.

Stop it, Lei.

“Yes?” When his eyes found hers, she knew what he was going to say.

“I’m sorry, again,” he muttered. The boys in her school were too confident or ashamed to apologize even if they’re in the wrong. But this guy, a tall and strong guy, never failed to comfort her. She silently wished that she had meet his parents. How did you bring up this boy? He was probably loved by the people around him. Even Carol?

“Can you- “ she suddenly stopped. Whatever her question was, it left her mind. Another question replaced it but she knew that it is too personal for Skhy.

“Yes?” His eyes scanned her face, probably trying to read her.

“Do you still love her?” she blurted. Ugh stupid mouth. His expression turned from confusion to surprise when he realized who she was talking about.

“If it’s okay. I just want to know…before we go to your school,” she added quickly. But before he could speak, she turned to leave, feeling embarrassed and stupid. It was none of her business.

When she opened the door leading to her and Tessa’s room, his one syllable answer reached her. She silently gasped but didn’t comment on it. I knew it.

“Good night, Skhy.” Then she closed the door behind her.

“Are you okay? I’m sorry I didn’t wait for you.” Tessa laid on the bed farther from the door. The white blanket covered her from feet to her chin. The room was rather simple but elegant, a theme of white, grey, and black.

“It’s okay. You’re tired.” She placed her backpack on the floor. Tessa nodded towards a smaller door. Bathroom.

“Thanks,” Lei said. “You should sleep.”

After taking a bath and changing her clothes, she felt more alive and relaxed. Tessa was fast asleep when she got out of bath. She didn’t waste any time and went to bed. The warmth of the bed and blanket immediately lulled her to sleep. Her last thought lingered on Skhy’s answer.

A light shake snatched her from dreamland. She blinked several times before she noticed a pair of golden eyes staring at her. Her eyes regained their shine after a night of rest. There was no window in the room so Lei didn’t know the time but she rubbed her face then sat up.

“What time is it?” she croaked. She noticed that Tessa had bathe and changed her shirt. Her hair was also brushed. She smiled sweetly at Lei before she answered.

“Four in the morning. Skhy knocked earlier.” One hour and a half before sunrise. Lei stood up and grabbed a shirt in her backpack.

“I’ll wait for you. Skhy had gone to Andy,” Tessa added. Lei was still sleepy but she gave her a small smile before entering the bathroom. After 15 minutes, they were ready. Tessa and Lei followed a familiar hallway towards Andy’s library.

“Ah! There you are!” Andy opened the door before they could knock. Skhy was waiting in the conference room, eating bacons and eggs. He glanced up and smiled at them. His chestnut hair was combed back nicely. The good night sleep did them good. After Tessa and Lei took their seat, everyone silent ate their early breakfast.

After breakfast, Andy asked them to wait for him in the library.

“You forgot to tell us about this place,” Tessa pointed out once they were seated. Skhy gasped then smiled guiltily.

“Sorry. I figured that we should talk about our plans first last night.” He shifted to rest his back against the couch.

“This is the North fortress chaired by Markus Swindlefrost. My uncle, Anderson Wright, is his constable. He takes care of the castle when Swindlefrost is away,” he narrated.

“Are there other castles or fortress?” Lei asked.

“Yes, not sure how many in this country but they cannot be seen by normal people.” He glanced between Tessa and Lei.

“Why do you have fortress?” Tessa inquired. Lei’s aunt failed to mention this to her. Skhy scratched his chin before he answered.

“Protection. Training. Like I told you, Concordians train not only in the Academy. Those who usually work in a fortress are one of the strongest warriors; they become knights.” So there are Concordians stronger than the Sentries and Legionnaires…

“You mentioned the word ‘knight’ before. Is this the same ‘knight’ in medieval period?” Tessa rested her body against the couch. She winced when her back hit the material. Is she injured?

“Kinda. Yes, because we are given titles and No, because we don’t serve lords or barons.” It makes sense.

The door of the library opened to reveal Andy with Mr. London Knightwood, Mayson, and Crest. The tree men bowed slightly and the three travellers reciprocated.

“They will bring you to the back, near the end of the territory.” Andy regarded them with a smile.

“But they can’t go beyond,” Skhy added to which Andy replied with a nod. His smile vanished. His lip was set in a thin line and his eyes narrowed at them.

“Remember that if you don’t sense or trace them, you have to move,” he reminded them. Everyone replied with a ‘yes’. Andy didn’t accompany them outside his library but he gave Skhy a tight hug and Tessa and Lei a comforting handshake.

Mr. London Knightwood led them to a different hallway from yesterday. When they moved outside, they found themselves behind the fortress. A cemented road led towards the fence. There was no way out.

No one, however, commented. They followed Mr. London Knightwood’s steps. When they neared the fence, he stopped and pointed his halberd towards it. A part of the fence started to move. The image moved in spiral until it became slightly transparent then disappeared. Their three escorts faced them.

“We cannot go beyond,” Mr. London Knightwood informed them.

“Thank you for yesterday and today,” Tessa said.

“Yes, thank you,” Lei added. They waited until Skhy bid his friend goodbye. When they moved into the void, Lei felt hazy. Her eyes adjusted to the bright light. When her eyes refocused, she gazed at the rising sun, turning the surrounding clouds light orange.

“We’ll probably reach the border after two hours. If we can’t sense them, we’ll turn west, north, then west,” Skhy instructed.

Suddenly, Lei was uncertain if she wanted to meet the others. How strong are they? Did they train for years? What will they think of me? Do I really have to face them?

These thoughts haunted her as she followed behind Skhy and beside Tessa. She didn’t have answers and she knew that she had to find out for herself.