“Thanks. I think.”
They met Jason, who also wore his robe. “C’mon,” said Billy. “We don’t want to be late.”
They hurried across the campus, passing through mazes of stone. A few other Deaths walked in the same direction.
“Where is everyone?” murmured Billy. “We’re not late.”
They walked past East Tower and climbed a long flight of stairs. Then they stopped.
Standing in front of the Hall was a mob of at least a hundred Deaths. They shouted and some held signs. One sign read “
No Girls
,” another “
The Bitch Is A Witch
” and another said “
Burn Her
.” Suzie shuddered, and Billy put a hand on her shoulders.
“What’s going on?” he shouted.
“We don’t want girls here.”
“Send her away. She’s not wanted.”
The crowd shouted taunts and jeers, one after the other. One Death threw something over their heads and the crowd cheered. Another threw a stone, striking Suzie in the face. She staggered back, her cheek stinging.
“Let us through,” said Billy. “She’s a student here too.”
Jason stood near them but didn’t speak; he looked ready to run away.
“Why are you helping her, Billy?” shouted one Death. “You got a girlfriend now?”
The crowd laughed. Several older boys surged forward and tried to grab them. One knocked Jason’s books to the ground. He went to pick them up, and Suzie knelt to help him. The crowd surged, pulling Billy away from her. One boy pulled up the bottom of her robe.
“She’s got a dress on,” the Death laughed. “Girly wants to be pretty.”
“Leave them alone,” shouted a voice. The Deaths backed off, and Suzie spun around. Billy broke free and returned to her side. Frank and three other older boys stood behind her. Frank turned to the crowd again.
“Leave her alone, I said. You should be ashamed of yourselves.” Frank’s eyes flashed with anger.
Another stone flew out of the crowd, soaring above his head. He clenched his fist and closed his eyes. The crowd yelled and taunted again. One Death smiled at Suzie then opened his mouth and spat at her.
“Enough,” boomed a loud voice. The Deaths fell silent. A dozen men in bright purple robes climbed the stairs behind them. An older man in a white robe followed. The Deaths parted, making a path.
“Get into the Hall,” said one of the men. The Deaths started leaving.
“It’s the Council of Twelve,” whispered Billy as they followed the others into the Hall. “The one in white is Lord Coran. They’re in charge of the World. I’ve never seen all thirteen at once.”
Suzie was relieved to find a group of Deaths already in the Hall. Not everyone had protested her entry. Some of the ones from the crowd glared, but others avoided looking at her.
The Hall was long and narrow. Portraits of Deaths in purple robes, each holding a scythe, lined the walls. The walls themselves were earthen, like the walls of a cavern, similar to the mounds they passed when walking through the College. At the far end of the cave-like Hall, two massive scythes hung on the wall, with a painted skull between them. A large hourglass protruded from the rocky wall beneath the scythes. A series of arches and columns supported the ceiling, which held massive bowls filled with the strange, glowing flowers. Several skylights let in shafts of early sunlight, which shone into the Hall at angles. Three enormous tables with benches on either side stretched the length of the hall. A fourth table was raised and perpendicular to the others, beneath the skull and scythes at the end of the Hall. The Council of Twelve and Lord Coran sat at the far table. Billy led Suzie to the corner of one of the long tables, and they sat with Frank and Jason.
Plates and silverware were already laid out. The Deaths sat, and the Hall buzzed with anxious conversation.
“Silence,” shouted a voice from the table at the end. One of the purple-robed figures rose.
“The Headmaster,” whispered Billy. The Hall silenced.
Headmaster Sindril stood behind the center of the table next to the white-robed Lord Coran. A neatly trimmed black beard, flecked with gray, framed his angular face. His hair was short and slicked back, and he wore a monocle. He smiled.
“Welcome,” he said, his deep voice filling the room. “Welcome Deaths, new and old. And a special welcome to Susan Sarnio. Susan, please stand.”
Suzie’s face turned beet-red. She rose, staring at the table in front of her, aware that the entire Hall was staring at her. Several Deaths muttered.
“Susan is the first female Death in a million years,” said Sindril.
“Kill the bitch,” shouted a voice from the far side of the Hall. Several others murmured their approval. Suzie sat down.
“Now, now,” said Sindril. “I understand many of you are angry about this situation. I myself was surprised to learn she was here. However, Susan is a Death. She is one of us.” He paused, letting the words sink in. “This is a historic opportunity, a chance to change this world for the better. Do not sink to hate, but instead rise to the challenge. I ask all of you to treat Suzie with respect, and show her every courtesy. If anyone does not, if we have any more incidents…” He glared around the Hall and several Deaths looked away. “There will be serious consequences.”
Billy put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and forced a smile.
“Do not let this overshadow our purpose,” said Sindril. “You are here to learn, study, and one day take your places as fully-certified Deaths. I expect excellence. Please rise.”
The entire Hall stood.
“Have a wonderful year, and good luck.”
He nodded and they sat again. Suzie glanced at the head table and watched Sindril help Lord Coran sit. The Headmaster leaned to Coran and whispered something in his ear, which made Coran smile. The white-robed old man stared Suzie in the eyes and she quickly looked away.
Servants came in with large platters of food, placing them on each table. Suzie noticed one of the servants had large yellow eyes, reminding her of Athanasius. Another servant pulled his hand away from the tray, as she stared at what looked like green skin.
The meal passed in a blur. The food smelled good but Suzie hardly ate. Her stomach clenched in anger and tension. Billy and Frank talked about boskery. Jason never looked up from his food. Suzie didn’t talk, even when Billy tried to bring her into the conversation.
“It’s time,” said Billy, glancing at the hourglass over the head table. Strange-looking servants cleared the plates and the Deaths rose.
“Time for classes,” said Frank. “You ready?”
Suzie glanced down at the schedule Hann had given her. What did it matter? They hated her. Every one of them.
“Hey,” said Billy. “Don’t let them get to you. Headmaster Sindril doesn’t mess around, and once classes get going, no one will have time to worry about you.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“What do you have first?” asked Frank.
“I have Theory first, in Room thirty-two.”
“That’s in West Tower,” said Billy, “where we went on Saturday.”
“I have Theory first too,” said Jason, “in the same room.”
“At least I have a friend in my class.”
“Can I see your schedule?” asked Billy. “We have Applications together at the end of the day. It’s your only mixed-year class. Well, you and Jason should get going. I’m headed the other direction, myself. I’ll meet you guys back here for lunch.”
“I hope we get into lunch without another scene,” said Suzie. “Maybe I’ll eat somewhere else.”
He leaned in close, whispering in her ear. “Suzie, what happened didn’t surprise me. It’s a male world, and they’re not ready for you. You can’t let them get to you. Jason, Frank, and I—we’re your friends. You’re not alone. Don’t forget.”
“Thanks, Billy.”
“Bill,” shouted a voice across the hall. Billy walked away.
Frank nodded, following Billy.
“You ready?” asked Jason.
“Yes.”
They left the Hall. When she walked onto the staircase outside, a Death grabbed her arm from behind. He stood behind her, and Suzie couldn’t see his face.
“I don’t care what Sindril says,” he growled. “You’re not wanted, bitch.”
He let her go, and Suzie stumbled forward. Jason, walking in front of her, hadn’t even noticed. She continued, without bothering to turn around.
“Susan, wait a minute,” called a low voice. She stood still but didn’t turn around. Jason stopped.
“Susan,” a voice touched her back.
“Back off,” she said, spinning around. She stared at Headmaster Sindril’s frowning face. He adjusted his monocle and scratched his beard.
“I’m sorry, Headmaster,” she said, blushing. “I didn’t—”
“It’s all right. I’m sure this is difficult for you. Let me walk you to your first class. You have Theory now?”
“Yes, how did—?”
“Susan, it’s my job to oversee the students here. I’m Headmaster of both Colleges, Junior and Senior. But we’ve never had a student like you.”
“You mean a girl.”
They walked downstairs, heading toward the enormous West Tower. The sky was bright now, and the sun shone behind them. Scattered clouds lingered around the tower. To her right, in a barren stone courtyard, sat the black cube of the Examination Room.
“Susan, I’m a friend. If you ever need anything, come to my office in East Tower. I want you to feel comfortable here at the College.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“The year will be hard for you, of course. But if I can help in any way, let me know.”
“Again, thank you.”
They reached West Tower. Deaths glanced at her, but no one approached, probably fearful of Sindril.
“Your class is on the third floor. We will meet again. Good luck.” He held out a hand, which Suzie shook. Sindril turned and walked away.
“What was that about?” said Jason.
“Let’s go to class.”
They went to the third floor, following a crowd of young Deaths. Most of the boys ignored Suzie. First years, she supposed.
The crowd filed into a long room with a vaulted ceiling. She sat next to Jason at one of the narrow desks and put her books in front of her.
A short, chubby Death with long blond hair walked to the front of the room. He turned and stared directly at Suzie while he spoke.
“Good morning
lady
and gentlemen. Welcome to your first class of the new term, and your first class at the College. I am Dr. James. I will learn your names later this week. Now we will start with work. Please take out your theory books.”
Suzie pushed her other books aside, opening the cover of
Michael
Darkblade’s
Theories
on
Deaths
. A grim-faced skeleton holding a scythe stared from the cover page.
“Michael Darkblade,” continued Dr. James, “was my teacher’s teacher. His theories are indisputable and will form the basis for this class.” He paused and walked to Suzie.
“However, one of his theories seems appropriate to begin with, given our special guest. Please turn to page fifty-four.”
Suzie flipped to the page, which was labeled “Sex in the World of Deaths.” A number of the boys giggled.
“Silence,” said Dr. James. “This is no laughing matter. Do I have a volunteer to read the first section?”
A few hands lifted into the air, including Jason’s. Suzie did not raise hers.
“Susan Sarnio,” said Dr. James. “Why don’t you read for us?”
This was going to be a bad class. Her teacher was singling her out on the first day. Billy had warned her older Deaths were more sexist than the others, but she hadn’t expected this from a teacher.
“Well, Susan? You can read, can’t you?”
Some of the boys snickered.
“The World of Deaths,” she read, “is a male world, and always will be. Females have no place here. Deaths are obtained through contracting living boys. Only one female Death ever lived, the evil witch Lovethar. Females are useless.” She trailed off.
“Continue please,” said Dr. James.
“Females are useless. They are lazy and spend their time distracting the true Deaths. They are too weak to wield a scythe, and too stupid to use them. A deficiency in arm muscles renders the female body unable to perform the responsibilities of a Death. The Polton Hypothesis, later upheld by Decrion’s Law, decrees females will never be allowed in this world.”
“Thank you, Susan.” Dr. James grinned.
“Sir,” she said, rising. “May I say something?”
“No, come to me before class tomorrow if you have a concern.”
Suzie sat again, fuming.
The class continued for another hour, as Dr. James continued to point out that females were unwanted. The class ended and Suzie ran into the hall, choking back tears.
“Suzie, are you all right?” asked Jason.
“Are you joking? Our teacher spent the whole class telling us girls are useless.”
“He’s probably trying to scare you, maybe the rest of the week will get better. I mean we can’t focus on girls for every class, and we did half of that chapter in the book today.”
“I don’t want any more of this. I want to go home.”
“It’ll be okay,” said Jason.
“I have to go,” said Suzie.
“We only have a year and then we can leave. What’s your next class?”
“No, I have to
go
. To the bathroom. Do I have time to return to Eagle Two?”
Jason shrugged. “Remember what Billy said about being on time.”
“I’m not asking Dr. James if there’s a bathroom. He’s a total jerk.”
“He’s our teacher, but yes, you’re right,” said Jason. “What do you have next?”
“History, what about you?”
“I have History too. Are you in Room 17?” He looked at his schedule.
“No, Room 86. We must be in different classes.”
“I guess I’ll see you at lunch. There’s a bathroom down the hall. I can guard the entrance for you.”
“Thanks, Jason. I’m glad I have friends like you here.”
They walked to the bathroom, which had rows of urinals and three stalls. Jason stood outside the door, and Suzie heard several Deaths asking him why they couldn’t come in.
She emerged a few minutes later.
“You can’t hog the bathroom,” shouted one boy.
“Yeah, get your own,” said another.