by Candy Crum
She was glad that Samuel had been her first interview of the day. Now, she had ideas to work with, things that she could talk about with the other men. Perhaps by the end of the day, she would have one hell of a plan to take back to Amelia. They might even be on their way to getting their city back.
“I'm ready for the next one,” Marie said.
The door opened, and a man walked in. “Hello sir, I’m Marie. I’ll be the one talking to you about the future of the city.” The man sat down and Marie smiled at him, excited to see where this conversation and all those following would take her.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Talia impatiently waited at the base of the stairs for the three people she would have to show around the Academy. There were three new hires for physical magic teachers, and as the Dean, it was her job to show them around.
Their appointment was set for 9:00 a.m. that morning, and she was happy to see that every one of them showed up no less than ten minutes early. Punctuality worked for her; the earlier the better.
The last thing she wanted to happen was to be pulled away from her own work and her own plans to be a substitute for the day for any of their classes. After all, things were about to be set in motion.
While her dungeon friend hadn’t been as forthcoming as she’d hoped, he’d certainly been able to tell her a few good things about Jackson—which she’d used to her advantage.
Still, she’d had to gather the good stuff the hard way, gaining Jackson’s trust and trying to pry information out little by little. Slowly—dreadfully so for her liking—it was coming together.
Today, she'd find out just how successful she'd been.
Talia smiled as she walked towards the door as the last new hire walked through. The first was a tall man named Jakob, relatively handsome with light hair. He seemed like the do-gooder type.
Next up was Shelly, a tall brunette with overly rosy cheeks, bright, hazel eyes, and an almost too-excited attitude towards teaching children.
Children of all ages were assholes. Talia couldn't imagine anyone willingly teaching them, let alone being excited about it. Even at eighteen or nineteen years old, there were hormones, attitudes, and most of those students seemed to think they were better than everyone.
She hated them.
All of them.
Shelly seemed nice enough, but Talia assumed that there was undoubtedly something loose with that one.
Finally, there was a tall blonde, inquisitive, yet quiet. She studied everything as she looked around, but said nothing. Scarlett was her name. She was stunningly beautiful. If Talia hadn’t been the all-too-confident woman that she was, she would have been quite worried about the new employee.
The neckline on the teacher’s dress was cut lower than most, yet it looked very tasteful on her. Her seemingly long hair was pulled up high with messy tendrils hanging down. It gave her an overall sexy look.
Even Talia had to admit that she was a little taken aback. During her interview process, Talia remembered the woman being very cool, calm. Her answers were calculated, smart. She seemed to be the only one out of all the applicants that might not drive her insane.
In fact, Talia was a bit surprised to think that she might actually like the woman had circumstances been much different.
But that was fine with her. She didn’t have to like her to get what she wanted.
“Thank you all for joining me,” Talia said with a broad smile as her hands gestured around her. “I just want to take the time to welcome you to your first day at the Academy. Most of today is just going to be touring, sitting in on a couple classes, and just getting to know the layout here at the school. Many of those I’m still learning myself! As I'm sure you understand, we’re in a transition period. The school is still recovering from all the changes that have been made. But don't let that fool you, everyone here is strong, and things will get better. Especially with all of you here now.”
Jakob stepped forward, a large smile on his face. With the way he’d eyeballed Talia in the interview and even now, she knew he’d be one hell of an ass-kisser. But that was fine by her. The more people she had willing to bow at her feet, the better.
“I'm just excited to be here,” he said. “Thank you for this opportunity. I went here as a child, but things were a lot different back then. Everything was very—how should I say this—for the elite.”
Talia almost scoffed and rolled her eyes.
Jakob continued, much to Talia’s displeasure. “I'm excited to see what bringing in the new blood from the Boulevard will do. I really think those kids have a lot to offer; I always have. I always thought those rules were a crock, and now things seem to be a lot fairer.”
Talia struggled to keep her fake smile as she inwardly rolled her eyes. He was a liar if she’d ever seen one. She could tell by the way he’d said elite. He believed he was better than those Boulevard bastards, and she could tell that he’d only said otherwise because of wanting to impress the new boss.
Talia hated him, but she’d chosen him for his weakness in the first place. At his level, it was easy to spot.
“That's very true!” she said, trying to power through the introduction. “Over the next few months, the integration of the Boulevard students is very important. Most of them have absolutely no experience with magic whatsoever because of the laws that were once in place. I know most of you are familiar with the things that happened in the city before, but I wanted to make sure you knew for empathetic purposes.”
Talia saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Looking over, she saw Jackson approaching. He had something in his hand as he came closer, more than likely the item she'd asked for.
She felt very triumphant at that moment.
It had been a couple of days since they’d spoken, and before he left her office, Talia had then asked him to come back to her office today at nine.
This morning, she’d told her assistant that she’d be giving a tour, and if anyone came looking for her, send them to the front entrance, ensuring that the new teachers would see her new pet.
“Dean Talia,” Jackson said. “I'm sorry, I didn't realize that you were doing a tour. We set an appointment to meet this morning.”
“I’m sorry, Jackson,” Talia said, reaching out and placing a hand on his shoulder, the other over her heart. “That was all my fault. I completely forgot that I’d be doing a tour for the new teachers this morning. I hope you can forgive me.”
She looked down to his hand at the envelope that he carried. “Is that what I think it is?”
The Dean knew exactly what it was.
It was a little writing assignment that she’d asked him to partake in. She’d challenged him to write down his true feelings toward the Boulevard students and what he wished he could do about it—no matter how bad.
She’d asked him to write down the names of those who might feel the same. After only a couple of meetings, he’d agreed without a single protest. This had been her test to see just how in control she was. It appeared he’d given her exactly as she asked with little effort. And now, it was time for the show for the new people.
He looked down before smiling shyly and giving a nervous nod. “Yes, ma’am. It is. I wanted to take my time on it. It seemed important to you, and it kind of made me feel like it should be important to me, too. Anyway, here it is. I don’t wanna take up any more of your time. I see you’re busy.”
He extended his hand, and Talia took the envelope from it.
She smiled again. “Thank you, Jackson. This will go a long way with helping you. You'll see. I'll be free later this afternoon to look it over, and I'll get back with you tomorrow. In a couple days at the latest. Is that OK?” Talia asked.
An almost excited expression crossed his face as he nodded. “Yes! Yes, that's just fine. Thanks again. Have a great day, and it was nice to meet all of you. I'm sure I'll see you around school.”
Talia watched Jackson as he made a hasty retreat down the hall, disappearing around the corner.
“What was that about, if you don't mind my asking?” Scarlett asked, her voice smooth and even-toned.
Talia turned back to the group, who all wore smiles as she replied, “Oh, that was Jackson. I promised that I wouldn’t share the details of our conversations, but I will say that I’ve initiated something a little new around here.”
She couldn’t help the swell of pride while seeing the genuine look of interest on all their faces. Puppets, Talia thought to herself as she considered how well it had gone. Small plan or not, it was the little successes that led to true victory. Not the smash and dominate method many others, including her father, had chosen to use.
“You see, we have a lot of students that seem to be having a hard time adjusting to the changes in the city. It’s all so new still. We’re the only solid footing they have right now. Anything outside these walls is chaos.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Scarlett said. “It seems he’s taken quite a liking to you.”
“Kids, even older ones, are excellent judges of character!” Shelly chirped. “It only goes to show just how good of a person she is for him to trust her so much so quickly. Good for you! So, it’s like a counseling program?”
Talia hated the shrill sound of the woman’s voice when she was excited. It annoyed her to no end, and her peppiness was about to crush her. Talia forced happiness to her face, though the disgust wanted to show most of all.
“Yes! Though, I'm leery to call it that. I don't want these students to feel like there's something wrong with them if they feel one way or another.”
“Brilliant!” Jakob said, taking a step forward.
He reached out for Talia’s shoulder, but he then pulled away. She hoped her expression didn’t say anything, though she felt the bile rising in her throat as she thought of him having any physical contact with her. Especially in the form that he really wanted.
Jakob cleared his throat, clearly feeling tension where he hadn’t before. “It really is a show of true character. You have an entire school to run and a list of things to do every day, yet you still put these students ahead of all that. Again, I just have to say thank you. This is an honor.”
Talia swallowed, giving a nervous laugh as she feigned excitement for his words while simultaneously forcing her trembling hands to calm.
Lately, her anxiety had been getting to her, and her magic threatened to burst forth. Luckily, she was excellent at control, though apparently not as excellent as she’d once thought she was.
“I haven't yet discussed it with the Chancellor because she’s quite busy. She has enough to worry about! I’ll take care of this and know she’d be very excited that we’re doing all we can to help the students in any way possible.”
Shelly smiled like an idiot, placing her hand over her heart as her face scrunched up like she was looking at a newborn baby. It was obvious that she was truly touched by Talia's words.
It was exactly what she’d hoped for when she’d set it up. Now, it was almost a guarantee that when Amelia made her visit later that day to check on the new teachers, the word of Talia’s generosity and dedication without seeking recognition would reach the Chancellor.
Talia turned, and took a few steps away, before using her happiest voice once again. “Let's get this started!”
***
Samuel and Andrew had set out east, heading toward the forest where a group of loggers were cutting down trees. They’d been commissioned by the nobles that had fled Arcadia and decided to live in the open country under their own rule.
The loggers were no doubt being paid handsomely for their efforts, but not nearly what they’d make working for the city again.
Rearick and Arcadian's alike took the outside jobs to earn what little money they could for their families. It wasn't wise to work that close to the Madlands, but the small forests that separated the Arcadian Valley from the Madlands were closer than the Dark Forest, and the Arcadian's were too terrified to touch the druids’ territory anyway.
Too many stories had been told of the druids, and no one wanted to feel their wrath. Somehow, it was less terrifying to face down the remnant. They were more beast than human, but the rearick had fought them in battle often.
As Samuel and Andrew approached, Samuel spotted a familiar rearick carrying logs back to a cart that would be drawn by horse once it had been filled.
"Ren!" Samuel called out, a smile on his face. "I'd know that wrinkled, old, shit stain anywhere."
The other, older rearick looked up and smiled, dropping the logs into the back of the cart before running up to meet them. "Ye old bastard, what are you doing here?" He asked, clapping Samuel on the back. "Look at ye! That face of yers looks like weathered skin on a bull's undercarriage. It's good ta see ye, old friend."
Andrew shook his head. "I'll never understand you people. That was one of the worst insults I've ever heard in my entire life, and ya act like nothing happened."
Samuel looked at Andrew incredulously. "What are ye talking about? It would've been an insult if he'd told me I looked like some smooth, baby-arsed, pampered prick."
Ren laughed. "Yeah, kinda like yer friend here."
Samuel barked out a laugh and waved a hand in the air. "Na, this one might look soft as a newborn's arse, but he seems ta be all right."
"Well, I'll take yer word fer it. So, what brings ye out here? Lookin’ fer work?" Ren asked.
"In a roundabout way. The Arcadian's are hurtin’ fer help. They need resources. They need wood ta rebuild. I was comin’ ta see if we might be able ta strike an arrangement," Samuel explained.
"Oh, no. How did they manage ta get their grip on ye? Workin’ with the Arcadian's is much different than workin’ for the Arcadian's. It’s worse, lad."
Samuel shook his head. "It ain't like that, old man. Do ye enjoy takin’ shite work from those rat bastard nobles?"
Ren shook his head. "It was better working fer the city. We didn't really have a boss, just orders comin’ in. We came and went as we pleased. Workin’ fer the nobles, those entitled pricks think they own us. They’ll send someone out after us if we don't get our work done in time."
"That's what I'm tryin’ ta say," Samuel said. "If we can get that damn factory rebuilt, they can start sellin’ goods to Cella. They start sellin’ goods, they start pullin’ in money," Samuel began.
Andrew took over. "If the city starts making money, they can start paying us. Once they start paying us, the city can employ the rearick again. The bars and private citizens will have enough money to order bigger shipments of the mystics’ brew. We can start buying wood to start rebuilding the Boulevard. And we're gonna need stones for magitech. So, you see, while we’re asking for a little free help, it’ll do you a lot of good in the long run to give it."
Ren stroked his beard as he thought Andrew’s words over. "Workin’ fer ourselves again, eh? Can't say I don't like that. I call most of the shots around here, but this one doesn't just affect me. Lemme talk to the guys, and I'll see what we—"
A loud scream followed by gurgling breaths filled the area. Samuel looked around and saw a rusty battle ax cleaved into a man's rib cage. Those gurgled breaths he'd heard had certainly been the poor man's last. Screams erupted, the sound of loud footfall getting closer.
"Scheisse!" Ren called out. "It's the remnant."
Andrew drew a sword from the sheathe on his hip. Samuel looked up at him. "Do ye know how to use that, boy? Have ye ever seen battle?"
Andrew gave a wicked smile. "I'm just as handy with this sword as you are with the hammer at your belt."
Samuel smiled and nodded. "Let's see if ye have the stones to back up those words, lad."
A dozen remnant ran directly into the group, slashing, biting, and clawing their way through the loggers. Samuel, Andrew, and Ren all dashed forward, weapons at the ready.
A remnant knocked one of the fellow loggers to the ground, a large war-hammer—one that looked like it had been taken from a rearick—lifted over his head. He gav
e a wicked smile, laughing a guttural laugh before saying in an almost unintelligible deep voice, “Looks like I’m eatin’ tonight!”
“Hey, ugly!” Samuel yelled at the remnant.
The remnant locked eyes with Samuel, his dark grin growing. He charged as Samuel ran up, swinging his hammer hard and hitting the beast right in the side of the knee, shattering it. He fell to the ground on his good knee, his weapon falling behind him.
Samuel swung around, lifting his weapon as he did just before bringing it down hard on the remnants head. He kicked the body over.
“Eat that, ye foul bastard,” Samuel said, spitting on the corpse. He turned to the man sitting and almost shaking on the ground, extending a helping hand. "Can ye fight?"
The man took his hand before standing and nodding. "Y-yes, I can.” His eyes spread wide. “I've never actually seen them before."
"They’re big and stupid. They fight with brute force and nothin’ else, no common sense. They'll run right at ye, so stay low, and ye'll do fine.” Samuel pointed at the remnant’s weapon on the ground. “Grab that and get ta work."
Samuel didn't stick around to see if the man was strong enough to lift a hammer that big. Rearick were small, but they packed a lot of muscle into their stout bodies.
Samuel searched the area, hoping to find his companion and his old friend. Another remnant gave a loud battle cry. Just as he told the young man he'd saved, the remnant was running straight at him, planning to take Samuel to the ground with brute force.
Samuel ran forward, dropping down to his hip and sliding between the remnant’s legs before rolling over and jumping to his feet.
He swung his hammer hard, hitting him right in the spine. As he fell, Samuel once again took the final swing at his head, forever ending the remnant’s miserable life.