House of Ravens (The Nightfall Chronicles Book 2) (12 page)

"Leave her alone." It's Jax. He stands near the hill, though it's hard to see him through the blinding sun with my face shoved into the dirt.

Kira pushes off my head and stands up, facing him. "Her lesson is over. Would you like a turn in the ring?"

"I defeated you in the tournament two days ago. You're not ready."

"With swords. You can't match me in hand-to-hand."

"Perhaps one day we'll see. But not today."

I manage to crawl to my knees, cradling my head. It feels primed to explode.

Kira smiles at me. "You know, Jax, when you kept talking about this girl from back home, I imagined more. Shame. I don't believe she'll make it through the first Trial." She walks over to Jax and runs a finger down his shirt. My skin burns at the sight.

"Why don't you forget her now," says Kira. "Make it easier on yourself, and perhaps, give someone else a chance."

Jax grabs her finger and twists it. Kira gasps.

"Don't insult her," says Jax.

Kira
escapes the hold and jumps back, face clenched in pain. "I feel sorry for you," she says. "Because one day you'll see that you and Scarlett cannot be together." She softens her voice. "I hope that day doesn't come too late."

As Kira walks away, Jax walks toward me and helps me stand. "Let me escort you to your class."

I nod, wrapping my arm around his as we shuffle down the hill. I reach for my books, but Jax picks them up first.

"Thanks," I say.

He nods and leads me through a short tunnel under a bridge that connects two buildings. I notice Kira talking with Ragathon. "What's with her?" I ask, still spitting sand out of my mouth.

"She's trained here a long time, much longer than others. She can be critical of them. But she's a great Knight, and a great teacher. She pushes people, and she does what's needed."

I'm not sure I agree, but I don't argue. Jax has known her longer. I wonder if there's something more between them. You don’t touch a man like that unless you feel entitled in some way. I clench my fists, my nails digging into my skin at the thought that she might know him in a way I do not.

***

We arrive at my next class, Strategy and Tactics, and Jax says goodbye. I'm barely on time. I enter a small room with ten desks, each with an arranged chessboard on top. I find the seat opposite Corrine, who's playing with a knight piece. Varian stands at the head of the classroom, an eScreen behind him. He taps his eGlass, and an image of brackets appears on the screen.

"Are we having a tournament?" asks Wytt.

"Indeed. You will participate in a chess tournament, and I will evaluate your tactics."

Garin picks up a pawn, studying it. "What does this have to do with tactics?"

Varian glances around the room. "Anyone care to answer that question?"

I raise my hand.

He nods.

"Chess involves many aspects of tactics, including positioning, studying your opponent, and thinking ahead."

"Thank you, Miss Night." Varian waves at the screen. "As you can see, you've already been paired up. Begin."

I check my first opponent. Garin. I find him across the room and take a seat. "Let's get this over with," he says, sighing. I beat him in four turns. I don't think he understands the game.

Next is Bartholomew, one of Garin's rich lackeys. He flicks his blond hair as he makes the first move. "I apologize in advance for my victory." I beat him in seven moves. I think I traumatize him.

Corrine replaces Bart. She plays well, but her moves are too obvious. I win in fifteen turns and feel almost bad about it.

"Wow, you're amazing," she says, smiling. "Will you teach me to play better?"

"Sure," I say as she walks away.

We're left with an odd number of players. Varian pairs me with the extra. It means I need to play more games, but I don't care. I face Akio, the oldest amongst us. He's a strategic player with a calm head and a keen eye for placement.  He uses his life experience to his advantage, and I admire him for that.  He manages to capture my knights, but I checkmate him with my Queen. He does a slight bow as he leaves the table. "Thank you for the game, Scarlett friend," he says.

My final opponent is Lana. I'm surprised. She never struck me as the strategic type. Everyone watches the game, Wytt whispering encouragement over my shoulder and biting his nails. Lana plays well, thinking many moves ahead. But I think further. She manages to take my Queen, but it's a trap, and I checkmate her with my rook and knight. Lana grins and shakes my hand. "I haven't lost in a long time." She speaks in a cultured voice with only a trace of a Spanish accent.

"You're good," I say. "We should play again sometime."

"I'd like that." She smiles at me as she stands. "There's more to me than pretty dresses and boys."

I nod my head with new respect. "We all have layers," I say. "No one is ever really what they seem."

"I think I'm going to like you," she says, walking away.

Varian takes her place, sinking into the chair across from me. "Congratulations, champion."

It wasn't much of a challenge, but I know my fellow classmates did their best, so I just say thank you.

He picks up my Queen, turning her in his hands. "Tell me, what did you learn?"

"Nothing."

"Then you failed."

I raise an eyebrow at him. "But I won every game."

"Even your weakest opponent can teach you something."

I gesture at the board. "Maybe you can teach me."

Varian grins and puts down the Queen. I'm excited to play, to study my opponent, but instead, he stands up and walks away. "I already have," he says.

***

"This class is Order, and I will be your instructor," says Kira, standing at the head of the room before a giant white board. All the Initiates sit in a semi-circle or rising chairs and desks. It reminds me of a theatre.

Kira continues. "Today you will perform impromptu persuasive speeches. After I give each of you your topic, you will have two minutes to prepare." She begins to call up Initiates one by one. The topics are difficult and, to my surprise, oppose Four Order philosophies. Lana is asked to argue for the abolishment of royalty. Garin is asked to defend the terrorist group, the Red Eagles. Everyone does well. Finally, only Corrine, Wytt and I are left.

Kira calls upon Wytt first and announces his topic. "Why should Nyx have won the war?"

Wytt grins and looks a few things up on his eGlass. With a minute of prep time left, he declares he is ready.

Wytt's speech is eloquent and brilliant. He paints Nyx as a war hero, a man to be idolized and revered, and by the end, I feel as if I'd follow Nyx into any battle, no matter the cause. As Wytt performs his closing line and bows, half the class applauds. Corrine and I give a standing ovation.

Next is Corrine, who is tasked with defending the usefulness of the UFI. She does a better job than I would, citing their stellar management of transportation and construction. They are not the Four Orders. They are not powerful. But they handle the little things, and the little things can be very important. Of course, what Corrine doesn't mention is that the Four Orders could probably do better.

As Corrine wraps up, Wytt and I clap. She takes her seat, and Kira calls out, "Next."

I stand, realizing I'm the last person.

Kira smirks. "Ah, our newest Zenith. Your topic…" She rubs her chin and then smiles. "Why must Zeniths be regulated?" The first topic to coincide with Order values.

She wants to anger me, but I don't let her. I stay calm as I consider my speech. I'm outlining my conclusion when she says it’s time. I walk up to the podium and address the class.

"Zeniths can be dangerous. They are born with great abilities but no training. In order to keep everyone safe, Zeniths have different rules and different laws. Unfortunately, most of these laws are focused not on safety, but on power and segregation. The government says that Zeniths are less than human. That they should be feared and need to be controlled. This is not true. And it is this mentality that breeds hate and discrimination."

I pause a moment, considering my next words. "However, if all Zeniths can be taught control over their abilities, and humans taught that Zeniths can be trusted, then the mistreatment could end. It could—"

"Scarlett." Kira raises her hand. "You're drifting off topic."

"Sorry." I focus less on Zenith mistreatment and more on how a safer world can be accomplished. "Right now, Zeniths face two choices. Live a life of limited rights, or join the Orders. For many, none of these paths are ideal. If Zeniths, at a young age, could be allowed and encouraged to master their powers, more of them could pursue a variety of careers. Some could become performers or builders. Others could manage banks. With the proper training, Zeniths would be as safe as humans. They should be treated as humans."

"Scarlett," says Kira, interrupting again. "Focus more on why Zeniths should be regulated, not how the regulations should be different."

I try to refocus. This isn't going well. "As I…. um… " My hands are starting to sweat, and I wipe them on my robes. "As I said, without training, Zeniths can be dangerous, but so can humans. We must all be taught what is right and wrong. There is no reason why Zeniths and humans must have different laws."

"Scarlett," says Kira. "What's your topic?"

"Why Zeniths must be regulated?"

"So let's get back to that. Why must Zeniths be regulated more than humans?"

I frown, facing her instead of the Initiates. "They don't have to be. Zeniths can be regulated just as much as humans."

She makes a clicking noise with her tongue. "Not quite your topic."

"Why not? The topic was why Zeniths have to be regulated. I'm arguing that Zeniths and humans must both be regulated equally—"

"Argue why they shouldn't be equal."

I shake my head. "I won't do that."

"I'm your teacher. I’m telling you to do it."

"I won't."

Kira yells, pointing at me. "How can you hope to convince someone else to see your point of view if you can't see theirs?"

I yell back. "I do see their point of view."

"Then argue for it. Convince me."

I slam my fist on the podium. "No. I don't know if my answer is right. But I know unequal regulation is wrong."

Whispers spread through the classroom. Garin and Bart chuckle.

Kira snaps at them. "Do not mock her. Learn from her. Scarlett demonstrates something you have all failed to show."

I stifle a gasp, startled that Kira would defend me. Garin and Bart bow their heads and mumble apologies.

Kira turns to me and nods, and I feel like perhaps I was doing well all along. Perhaps she was challenging me to think of my topic in new ways.

The Seeker begins to pace around the classroom, studying everyone's face. "You have all spoken on behalf of an idea today. How many of you truly believed your own argument?"

I'm the only one who raises my hand. Some drop their eyes as Kira passes. After she has walked around the classroom, she stops before the board and gestures at me. "Scarlett did not compromise her ideals. She did not give voice to what she thinks is lies. If you ever become Knights, I hope you are not as easily swayed as you were today."

Jaden raises his hand, and Kira motions for him to speak. "But don't we have to listen to our superiors?" he asks.

"Why?"

"Because…. Um… because we have to…"

"Did you have to come here, Jaden?"

He grins with charm. "A Prince has responsibilities."

"And you have to fulfill them?"

"Of course."

"Why?"

"Because… Okay, okay." He nods, understandingly. "I suppose I didn't have to come here."

Kira smiles. "Do not blindly follow orders. Ask why and ponder." She glances at me. "Ask why and ponder." And she begins to pace again, but this time, there is real passion behind her voice.

"There have been many leaders who could weave words to convince others. I will not mention them all, for you know what they have done. Saved their countries. Liberated slaves. Killed thousands because they were different. They did not succeed because they were strong. They succeeded because they could inspire and because they could not be dissuaded. So learn to master language and debate, and do not fall prey to its silver tongue."

She begins to type into the keypad on her wrist, and the word
Ethics
appears on the board. She points at it. "But then, of course, who do we follow? Who is right? Who is wrong?" She pauses, letting the question sink in. Everyone is focused on her.

"And so, we arrive at our first lesson. Everyone is the hero of their own story. Everyone believes their way is right."

She writes on the board as we take notes, and I begin to understand why Kira is indeed a great teacher.