by L Cross
"You know that I wouldn't be in the top spot if Hanami were in play." I said that with a little more salt than I’d intended. The sugar in my coffee wasn’t doing its job.
The Merlin's face turned into a mask. "Well, good morning to you, too, then."
"I'm sorry that I'm not sorry, Merlin, but you know that it's true. If Hanami wasn't wrongfully accused of dabbling in black magic, which we need to talk about, then she would be up there, and not me."
"You don't know that. There really is no rhyme or reason to those ranks," the Merlin said.
"Regardless, she'd be up there," I insisted. "What the hell does it mean to be ranked and why isn't there more talk about the ranking system? After all, it seems like it's so important to the culture here, and yet I only found out about it among the student body. Doesn't that sound weird?"
"It's honestly nothing to worry about. There are rumors that there are more perks to those that rank higher, but there's no real truth to that."
I knew it. "Okay, well, then we can discuss the next item on my agenda."
"Oh, I didn't realize there was an agenda, I would have prepared," the Merlin deadpanned, smoothing the front of her designer suit.
"You can analyze stuff right? And the thing from last night disappeared before there could be any evidence? Well, what about this?"
I took out the bag of hairs.
"What is this?"
"Let's just say I tried killing something that had the horns, body, wings of a Baphomet Demon but wasn't. I need to know if you can figure out if it is with these."
She opened up the bag and held a few of the hairs between her fingers. "You're always a surprise, Ms. Drake. Before I accept this, you have to know that I admire that you are trying to protect Hanami, but trust me, it’s not necessary. This is part of the process, and once we figure it out, her suspension will be lifted, stricken from her record, and all will be well again. Therefore, there really is no need to speak about another student to me.” She arched an eyebrow at me. “Now, let's talk about you."
"Okay. I’d like to talk about how I encountered a big scary thing that nearly killed me last night at laser tag."
We had a staring contest. This was not the line of questioning that she wanted to have, but it was the one that I wanted to talk about. She blinked first. "Fine. What do you want to know?"
I swallowed down the thrill of victory with a quick sip of my coffee. “What was that thing, really, because we both know it wasn’t really a demon? Why do you suspect black magic when it’s not really a demon, and what made you check for wands?”
“We don’t know what it is since the evidence was destroyed. We checked all the wands in case it was an elaborate hoax. Black magic leaves a marker like a residue that depletes life rather than creates.” She answered in such a clipped manner that I had to remember the questions I’d asked, and in what order I’d asked them.
“Oh. Well, that would make sense.” My forehead creased. “What do you mean depletes life? Surely, conjuring a demon isn’t black magic? We do so many times during training, or at least we’re told we would.”
“It’s not just that. It is intent to kill and take.”
“So intention is important,” I asked.
“Very.”
“But, how in the world would Hanami’s wand be tainted? She had it on her the whole time, and it’s not like another person could have taken it and used it?”
“That is why we had no choice but to suspend Ms. Saito, and why I’m working to exonerate her,” the Merlin said matter-of-factly.
“Ah so you are intending on exonerating her. Awesome. Just so we’re on the same page,” I said, feeling a little sheepish.
“Can we talk about you and your curriculum now, Ms. Drake.”
“Sure.”
“Good. I see that you are going to be part of the Knight track, which is great. You’re already in the top ranks, so you should be a shoo-in. Tell me, what part of being a Knight appealed to you the most.”
Unbidden came Lance and Wyn’s faces. And to my horrible dismay, Morgan’s. I really didn’t mean to think about the guys. Really.
“Honestly, I like the idea that my father was a Knight, and I want to know more about who I am, where I came from, and why I was able to pull that sword from the stone.”
I didn’t know what the Merlin expected me to say, but she seemed satisfied enough. “Good, that’s good. You’re gonna need to remember your why, because even though it all seems exciting now, especially when the academic calendar starts and the ranks become more competitive, there’s a lot of work ahead, and more often than not, we get burn outs.”
“What happens when people burn out of the academy,” I ask her.
“They go back to their normal lives,” she answered.
“After knowing what they know? How--” then I saw her face. “Oh. They’re made to forget.”
“Yes. It’s a bit tricky, because even though they might have forgotten there is still the chance that their Sight comes back, or they draw the attention of creatures. We keep an eye on those folks. For the most part though, there’s no problem.”
If you say so, I said to myself.
“We require all of our Knights to be proficient in all forms of offensive training, including magic and combat. For your first year here, you will learn and train. You might not have the same foundational magic training as the rest of your group, but in many ways you’re already advanced, you just need some direction.”
She opened a manila folder that hadn’t been on her desk a minute ago. “To that end, I am assigning you a mentor to make sure that you have what you need.”
As if on cue, there was a slight knock on the door. “Ah, here he is now.” The Merlin stood up to greet whoever was coming, and I mimicked her action.
Dread gathered in the pit of my stomach to think about the possibility of who it would be.
Please not Morgan, please not Morgan...
The door opened, and Morgan swept into her office, closing the door behind him.
The dread in my stomach soured into something closer to nausea. Gee, thanks.
“You asked to see me, Merlin?” he said.
Morgan wore a severe black suit that matched his personality and accentuated his long, willowy frame. Damn, he looked like he had been called in from a photoshoot from a fashionable designer. He had that cold fae look down, all alien and serious. He wore his platinum hair down today, softening his appearance just enough to make him slightly approachable. Of course, that would be when he’d pounce on his prey. When their defenses were down.
I didn’t know if he was turning the glamour way on or if he knew how to play up his looks, but his eyes were luminous as he swept his gaze around the room.
Like a predator.
Yeah, his beauty was a weapon all its own, deadly and cutting. He would never pass as soft or weak.
"Yes, Mr. Tanis. I have a new assignment for you. I hope you're up for a challenge."
"I am always willing and able to serve wherever the Lady of the Lake chooses to send me," he said in perfect tone.
"That's good to hear, Mr. Tanis. I asked you here because among your peers you have a higher clear rate, and your case load seems manageable at the moment. Would I be correct?"
"You would be, Merlin."
I could almost see his chest puff up with even more pride. Considering he was already full of himself, I found this feat astounding.
"Tell me, what was the latest case you were assigned?" She asked.
"It was with Professor Drummond as the lead in the field. We apprehended a group of warriors that were aligned with an ancient demon clan. They were trading humans for personal gain. The usual power, wealth, and other such things."
"You say that like it doesn't matter at all."
He looked at me like he was surprised I was allowed to speak. "They don't matter at all," he said in a soft voice.
"You mean they shouldn't matter, and I agree with you. But for others, they do
matter and it's strong motivation for them to do things that they're not supposed to do."
The vein above his temple throbbed, and a faint pink flushed his cheeks.
He looked even more attractive when he was angry.
What the hell was wrong with me?
Instead of answering me he turned his attention back toward the Merlin. "Forgive the interruption, Merlin. What was the purpose of this meeting again?"
He dared to excuse me as if I was the interruption. I took one step toward him.
"The purpose of this meeting was to let you know that I thought about your request, and I will grant it to you. You will investigate what happened at the laser tag facility last night. As the lead investigator."
A corner of Morgan's lip curled up. That was the closest that I'd ever seen him smile. "I am grateful, Merlin."
"Good. Because you will also do so with Ms. Drake as your partner on this case."
I had the distinct pleasure of watching an entire spectrum of emotion ripple over Morgan's face.
The Merlin turned toward me. "Would that be amenable to you, Ms. Drake?"
"Yes, Merlin," I said. I felt like my voice was from a far ways off.
"Excuse me. With all due respect, Merlin, Ms. Drake is nowhere near capable of being out in the field. She was recruited nary a month ago, has not had formal training, and the academic calendar starts on Monday."
"And yet, she fought off a minotaur, a troll, and pulled the sword of power from its stone prison." She said without an inflection. "And, is the top-ranked cadet."
"She will be a liability to the investigation," he insisted.
"And I'm counting on you to make sure that whatever perceived liability will be turned into an asset."
There was another moment when they just locked stares, but in the end, Morgan dipped his head into a resigned bow. "As you wish, Merlin."
"I will be laying out the expectations and deliver the case to you once I have it complete. Ms. Drake, you will be cc'd on that case. I expect you to defer to the Knight's judgment. Would you be able to do that, Ms. Drake?"
I couldn't help but see the smirk creeping over his face. If I said that I had a problem with it, I might lose my chance of this experience of working in the field and of this opportunity to help Hanami and find out what happened at the laser tag place.
And, okay, maybe I still felt the need to prove to myself that I earned that rank. With me on the case, I probably would be even better help to Hanami and getting her back where she belonged: In her fast track to Merlin-hood.
"Yes, Merlin."
"Then you accept this assignment as a junior partner to Mr. Tanis?"
I spared him a glance. He almost dared me not to take it.
"I do, Merlin."
Somehow, just saying those words made it feel as if I sealed my own fate. More like hogtied myself to be at Morgan's mercy.
"Perfect. I'll have your case files ferried over to you all by the end of the day. Dismissed."
Morgan didn't seem to want to linger to share on any small talk or other nicety. He just turned around and barely opened the door before disappearing.
Reminder: I needed to ask Hanami how to do that teleportation thing.
I paused at the door, reminded of something. I turned back toward the Merlin who had gone behind her desk.
"Yes, Ms. Drake?" she asked.
"Just wanted to verify something. I was told that nothing could teleport into the dorms, correct?"
"That is correct."
"Like, how much of that is a hard impossibility? Like is it extremely unlikely or downright impossible?"
"Okay, if you put it that way, I suppose it would be possible after a full scale assault on the wards. But something tells me that you're asking if there were a quiet and stealthy way to teleport or otherwise appear in the Academy's warded spaces, and in that respect, teleportation or magical portals would be impossible."
I nodded feeling a little better, but not truly. After all, if teleportation from the outside were impossible, then that would mean I was hallucinating or something when I saw that thing in my suite.
"Okay, thanks." When I placed my hand on the doorknob, I paused again. "Teleportation or portals from the outside would be impossible. But the residents would be free to do so, correct?"
The Merlin stood there, holding a piece of paper in her hand. "I suppose so. They'd have to be adept or upperclassmen, but if they wanted to they'd be able to teleport. Why? You don't seem the type to avoid elevators or stairs?"
"Just curious, that's all."
I left the Merlin's office with more questions than answers.
* * *
#
* * *
The demon glared at the ranks that were on display in the common room.
She supposed that the ranks were the same throughout each dorm. She wondered if Artura had a chance to see it.
Of course she did. She knew everything.
With all the things that she did, she was supposed to be at a higher rank than where she was.
Being in the top fifty was supposed to be good. Would have been good.
But if that no-name Drake can get the top position, there was no reason why she shouldn't either.
The demon had thought that it was enough to take out the high rankers one by one. But it clearly wouldn't be enough. She would need to jump up herself up the ranks.
Damn Artura, and all her friends. They weren't supposed to be that far up into the obstacle. It didn't give her the chance to really be seen by the rest of the team like she was supposed to be.
She was the one who was supposed to defeat the damn golem. With those knights there and Hanami, it was anyone's guess who killed what and when. Not that anyone questioned her.
She disappeared as quickly as she could as soon as the Merlin came on scene. There was no way she'd have been able to hide the fact that she was the one behind the golem.
She wasn't stupid enough to conjure a true demon, but golems would be able to be filled with evil spirits. Angry enough to want to cause damage.
Soon, she'd be able to mess up those others' ranks and she'd be able to get the top billing.
After all she figured out what the top-ranked cadets actually won. They were just too narrow-minded to figure out what it was.
But with Artura, she would likely be the one who would figure it out. After all, she already had one sword of power. Finding the others would be easy enough for her.
The jeweled handled end of the stolen wizard's staff pulsed with a glowing light.
Soon, she'd get what she was promised.
Thank you for reading the first part of The Sword of Avalon. Artura’s story continues in part two.