Breeze Corinth (Book 1): Sky Shatter

by Olson, Michael John

  “Nobody cares,” Sally cut him off.

  Breeze was about to retort when Oslo entered. He took giant strides and crossed the length of the dining hall to their table in just a few steps.

  “Good morning students. I came here to personally greet you and have breakfast together. How is everyone doing?”

  Excort pulled out a chair for him and he sat down with a grace that belied his towering height.

  “Horrendous.” Sally was the first to answer as she gave him an icy stare.

  “Are you having difficulties adjusting to your new surroundings?” Oslo said as Excort placed a heaping plate of food before him.

  “Difficulties? Well, what a nice way to put it. Where do I begin? First—”

  Ray interrupted. “Sir, I would like to contact my parents. My father especially. May I use the communications room?”

  Oslo stiffened. “The comms are temporarily offline. Nasty storm earlier this morning knocked out the tower, but Excort is seeing to the repairs.”

  “He’s standing right there.” Sally pointed at the dwarf.

  “Yes, of course. His sons help out around the island,” Oslo quickly responded as Excort shot him a quizzical look.

  “Oh, there’s more of them?” Sally rolled her eyes.

  “Thankfully, yes. Ray, I promise you that as soon as the tower is repaired, you may contact your family.”

  “And me?” Sally asked icily.

  “All of you,” Oslo said. “Now, let’s enjoy this meal for we have much to do this afternoon, ja? What do we have for breakfast? Ah, hogfish, always a delight! Dig in everyone,” he said with joy and reached for his silverware.

  Sally pushed back from the table and walked away.

  Oslo’s booming voice brought her to a halt. “You have not been dismissed, young lady. Sit back down.”

  She whirled around with fire in her eyes. “I don’t like it here! This is place is a disaster. You call this a school? I call it a garbage dump!”

  Oslo placed his hands on the table. “You are a student at Greenbrier, ja? Phenomenal school and one of the best to be found on the mainland. It is an institution that had produced some of the best scholars and statesman in the North Eastern Territories. Men and women with class, taste, and style, who go on to inspire people of the surrounding territories to better themselves. To encourage others to be something more than what they are, and to forever strive to achieve loftier heights. That is what Greenbrier is known for. Sally, do you feel you are a good representative of that school right now?”

  She said nothing while nervously shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

  Oslo continued. “Sally, did it occur to you that perhaps Perihelion needs you? That what this place sorely needs is someone like you? That a young woman of your background and pedigree can bring to this place your sense of dignity and grace? To hang your unique style and class throughout the campus and help turn it into a place that is worthy of Greenbrier? May I dare say, perhaps one day, better?”

  Sally stood at attention. Her angry stare softened into contemplation. “This place could use some sprucing up.”

  “There, you see? That is what I’m talking about. Perihelion is more than just another school. This is not some institution. It’s a new beginning. A chance for a fresh start. The world needs more of that, wouldn’t you agree? We’re building a better tomorrow right here. Let’s begin right now with all of you behaving like students who obey their headmaster. Sit down at the table and eat you breakfast. We have a big day ahead of us.”

  Sally sat back down. She casually stirred her bowl of chowder and sampled it. A look of surprise lit up her face and she continued eating.

  Oslo beamed. Each of his students were eating their breakfast without any further bickering, and it pleased him to see this. He was responsible for their well-being and he was more than happy to take on that burden.

  His eyes began to wander across the dining hall. Sally was more than right. Perihelion was in shambles. He could see the cracks in the façade, along with the leaking roof, and the anemic air-conditioning system that was fighting a losing battle with the heat and humidity. He gave a great speech about rebuilding to Sally. Now he wondered if he bit off more than he could chew.

  He lowered his gaze and was greeted by Excort’s glare. “Ah, Excort. Please see to the comm tower if you will, right after you clear the dishes of course.”

  Excort grabbed plates and noisily stacked them on the cart. “I’ll head out later and see what sort of progress my ‘sons’ are making.”

  “Good man. Students, return to your rooms and get into uniforms. Then wait outside the dorms in one hour. Class dismissed.”

  The trio stood up and marched out of the dining hall. When they were out of earshot, Excort spoke up. “Are you mad? Making Perihelion a place worthy of Greenbrier, you said? How? With what? What are you trying to do here, Oslo?”

  Oslo narrowed his eyes. “They are young. Brash. Full of energy. Their gifts make them this way, but I can give them a sense of direction. I can help them achieve a sense of accomplishment by getting them to rebuild this place. I can keep them safe here. I know I can.”

  Excort continued to clear the table and stacking dishes onto the cart with a loud clink. “Keep them safe from what? I don’t claim to know what the Elephim are doing, or if they still hover above us watching our every move. But perhaps everything is quiet because no one has done anything yet to stir them up,” he said and glared at Oslo. “All I know is things have changed. And why am I cooking and clearing dishes? Why can’t we use the robots?”

  “We need them in the hangar. It’s critical that we get the aerocraft operational again.”

  Excort pounded his fists onto the table. “What for! What are you going to do with them? What is it you’re not telling me?”

  Oslo held up a hand. “You are right. I do owe you an explanation.” He cleared his throat before speaking. “I heard from Bram.”

  Excort’s eyes widened, and then narrowed into slits. “What do you mean? How is this possible?”

  Oslo sighed. He pushed away his plate and dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “He came to me while I was at my home in Scandinavia, in a vision, if you will. It was a bitterly cold night as I sat before the fireplace trying to get as much warmth as I could. The fire was roaring, and I was mesmerized by the flames. The wind outside was like a lion, lashing my home so hard I could hear the wooden beams of the walls and floor creaking and groaning. And yet, the flames held my attention. I was reminiscing about old times, dearly departed friends and failed dreams when I found myself going into a dark place that forced me to contemplate if I should keep going on, or just give up and leave things be. That’s when I heard his voice. It was faint, like a whisper. I haven’t seen him in so long and yet it felt like time had melted away when I heard it. As if it were only yesterday since we lost contact with him.”

  Excort stood in stunned silence.

  Oslo trailed off and began stroking his chin, nodding his head as if he were having a private conversation with himself.

  Excort motioned with his hand. “And?”

  Oslo stared blankly at the dwarf.

  Excort had enough. He was tired and frustrated. For him, life here on Perihelion was quiet and tranquil. He and his wife, Mila, were used to the easy life of the island and enjoyed being its caretakers.

  They were accustomed to Oslo’s frequent visits over the years as he would stroll along the boulevards of the dilapidated campus and wander about aimlessly with his head down while lost in deep thought.

  One evening, as they sat down for a meal prepared by Mila, Oslo began to chatter excitedly about finding others of “their kind,” as he so often put it. When Excort pressed him for details, Oslo dropped the subject and never mentioned it again. He left for Scandinavia in his sailboat the ne
xt morning.

  Weeks later, Oslo sent them an urgent message. Re-open Perihelion, it read. Get the main generators back online.

  They had done as he had requested. Oslo arrived days later on his sailboat, but this time with a look of excitement they hadn’t seen in a while. He spoke about a new group of students he had discovered and the importance of getting Perihelion up and running again. Excort had to calm him down long enough to explain to him that the campus was in disrepair and that they couldn’t possibly get things repaired in a reasonable amount of time. It was just too much to ask of them, Excort told him. But Oslo assured the dwarf it could be done.

  Excort reached out to his sons and daughters who had long ago moved away and had started families of their own on surrounding islands. Some of his younger sons who had yet to take wives were the only ones who could respond to his request for help. They never understood why their parents wouldn’t leave Perihelion, and he could never convey to his children the powerful bond they had with the island.

  But now he stood before his recalcitrant friend wearing an apron with a cart full of dirty dishes, and he couldn’t even get the man to finish telling him the most important news he had waited to hear for a long time. “Oslo, what did he say?”

  “Oh, yes, of course. He said ‘Return to Perihelion, I’m coming back.’”

  Excort waited for more. He received nothing. “That’s it?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s all he said? You looked into your fireplace, heard a voice, and that was enough to come rushing back here after all this time and to have my wife and I labor night and day to re-open this place, all because you heard a voice? Have you gone mad? Are you drinking again?”

  Oslo laughed and held up his hands in mock surrender. “Now, you know I gave that up a long time ago.”

  “You think this is funny? I’m taking the rest of the day off.” Excort turned on his heel and marched out of the dining hall.

  “What about these dirty dishes?” Oslo called to him.

  “Clear them yourself!” Excort shouted.

  Oslo sat alone as memories flooded his mind, bringing him back to a time when the cavernous dining hall would have been filled with cadets, sailors, airmen and officers eating their meals and exchanging news and gossip. The din of voices would be overwhelming as the kitchen staff, an army in their own right, worked overtime to feed them. He could hear laughter from some conversations; angry voices from others over a disagreement.

  Now, the place was still except for the slow drips coming from the ceiling. Water on the roof from last night’s storm, he thought idly.

  Oslo stood up, straightened and smoothed his uniform, then headed for the exit.

  SEVEN

  OSLO ASSEMBLED EVERYONE OUTSIDE the dormitories after breakfast where he had Excort bring supplies and materials consisting of paint, brushes, trowels and shovels. Breeze and Ray picked through the tools spread out before them while Sally looked on.

  Oslo spoke. “Perihelion, as you can tell, has seen better days. She once was a shining jewel that has since lost her brilliance. But no longer. We shall restore her luster, beginning with the three of you.”

  Sally raised a hand and cleared her throat.

  Oslo nodded. “Yes, Ms. Trumbull, question?”

  “Are we the only students here? I’m mean, are there more coming, or is this it?” she said while casting a sideways glance at Breeze.

  “Ja, of course. They’re on their way, just a bit of difficulty getting here. Apparently the weather is quite foul in some of the territories and is delaying their arrival.”

  Excort gave him a puzzled look.

  “Great, just hope we get some better company,” she sighed.

  “Sir, how do you know about the weather? Are the comms back online?” Ray said.

  “The comm room will be functioning soon,” Oslo responded without looking at him.

  Breeze piped up. “Maybe it’s those weird people on the coast that attacked the ship I traveled in, could they be slowing down the transports?”

  “Weird? You should be one to talk,” Sally retorted.

  “What’s your problem?” Breeze said.

  “The fact that you’re here. Let’s just say I’m not used to attending a school with guys who should be in a machine works class. Shouldn’t you be with Excort fixing stuff around here?”

  Ray spoke up. “Sir, I really need to get in contact with my father. Are you sure there is no other way?”

  “Yeah, me too. I need to tell my parents I want to leave,” Sally added.

  “You know, if it weren’t for guys like me, half the machines you use wouldn’t work!” Breeze said to her.

  Sally glared at him. “Do you think I care? I’m talking to Oslo. I’m done with you. And how come you don’t ask about calling home? Oh, I know, daddy threw you out of the house? Let me guess; juvenile delinquent who skips school?”

  “Students!” Oslo raised a hand and silenced them. “Now, back to our original task. Perihelion needs you. Together, we will rebuild this school. And it begins with the three of you. Teamwork is important. And I do believe we have a lot of team building to do.” He pointed at the ground. “Spread out before you are the tools and implements you will use to complete today’s assignment. With Excort’s guidance, we will begin by sprucing up the dormitory area.”

  “We will?” Sally said.

  “With my guidance? I was going to let them figure it out,” Excort said.

  “I can show everyone sir. It wouldn’t be problem.” Breeze offered.

  “Stop sucking up to the teacher, machine boy. Nobody cares,” Sally retorted.

  “Sir, I can’t even stress how important it is that I reach my father. Could you please have Excort expedite repairs to the comms?” Ray persisted.

  “Quiet!” Oslo boomed.

  Silence fell over them.

  Oslo’s hands were balled into fists. He slowly unclenched them as he spoke. “Class, I know it’s not easy being here. You all have made an arduous journey over a great distance to get here. And now you find yourselves in new and unfamiliar surroundings. I understand. But your parents want you to be here. It is the safest place to be right now. I—”

  “Safe? This place is falling apart! And besides, what are we being safe from?” Sally interrupted.

  Oslo closed his eyes and took in a quick breath.

  Excort glared at her and shook his head.

  He continued. “As I was saying; it’s a new experience. I understand. Your gifts have made you unique and here at Perihelion we will mold your skills into valuable assets. It all begins now with the simplest of tasks, such as taking pride in your surroundings. This is your home now—” he said, then shook his head. “Well, your home away from home. Excort, please show them what we have planned for today.”

  Excort begrudgingly stepped forward and began grabbing some of the tools. “Well kids, we will start with the basics. As you can see, the walls have quite a few cracks so we’re going to use this compound to fill them in. Later, we’re going to sand the walls and paint the building.”

  “Right, I’m done here. Manual labor is not my thing,” Sally announced as she turned to walk the steps back up into the dormitory.

  “Sally Trumbull, did I make a mistake when I asked you to set an example for everyone? About how you would endeavor to bring the grace and style of Greenbrier here?” Oslo called out to her.

  She stopped, and then turned to face him.

  Oslo continued. “This campus is your canvas, young lady. An opportunity to make your mark and to leave something behind for others to know you were here. Did you ever stop to consider that?”

  She began to say something, then descended the steps without a word and stood with her classmates.

  She placed a hand on her hip. “T
his place will need a new coat of paint. I mean the color scheme you have now? Horrible!”

  Oslo smiled. “Ja, you are right. It’s time to turn back years of neglect and set things right.” He paused for a moment as the smile faded and his eyes narrowed into slits.

  Excort cleared his throat loudly.

  Oslo snapped out of his trance. “Very good. I shall leave you to the tender mercies of my groundskeeper. Do me proud!” He turned and walked away.

  “You’re not staying to supervise?” Excort called out to him.

  Oslo waved a hand. “I trust your management style, old friend.”

  “Old friend? Look who’s talking,” the dwarf grumbled aloud, then turned and glared at each of them individually. “All right then—”

  “Exactly how old is Oslo?” Sally interrupted.

  Breeze chimed in. “Why is he so pale? In this sun he should be tan.”

  “Excort, I would like you to repair the comm systems immediately,” Ray said.

  “You? Paint brush! You? Trowel! And you? Shovel!” Excort shouted as he pointed at Sally, Breeze and Ray. “Follow me!” He marched to the side of the building.

  Bewildered, they followed.

  Excort gestured at the façade. “You will begin here by sanding down the wall, then fill in the cracks with this putty.” He grabbed a bucket filled with goop and dropped it in front of them. “Then, prime and paint the walls,” he said and stood with his arms crossed as if daring them to ask another question.

  Sally didn’t care. “Why start with the side? Why not the front?”

  “Because if you do a horrible job, nobody will see it,” the dwarf retorted.

  “But when is everyone coming? Hey, can I choose the color of paint?” Sally asked as her eyes lit up.

  “Do what you like, what do I care,” Excort muttered.

  “What kind of a groundskeeper are you anyways? You’re such a grouch. The ones at Greenbrier are much more pleasant. Could you make a palette of colors I can work with? There are several different shades I would like to experiment with first,” Sally said as she looked over the building with a critical eye.