Juliana nodded agreeably, and Rulia grinned. “Very well, Jess. And I'll let the captain know to check those cells straight away. But I do hope you and I are able to get together this evening to compare notes.” Words innocent as lamb's milk, Rulia’s steamy gaze was nonetheless sufficient to send Jess blushing hotly,
"Compare notes, definitely." Jess grinned.
Apple glancing at them both, cracking the barest hint of a smile. “Yes, well, before you ‘compare notes,’ which I’m sure will take you two half the night, how about we all agree to meet up here three bells past lunch and discuss our findings, if any?”
Rulia laughed at that. Jess felt her cheeks grow hotter. Was she that obvious?
"Yes, you are that obvious," her familiar assured. "Come, Jess, to the library we go."
“Just one thing,” Jess quickly asked, “does anyone know where the library is, exactly?”
32
Even as Jess walked down finely furnished corridors interspersed with short walks upon flower lined paths between buildings, led by an animated Juliana who appeared to enjoy discussing the history of the fine institution that she admired so, Jess noted a change.
Girls who before had never made eye contact with Jess, even those who had openly mocked her, were now giving her cautious nods. If not of friendship, at least of respect.
Jess frowned. Did her fellow students, savvy as they were in the ways of politics and intrigue, sense the shift in the tides of power so soon? Had rumors already started in defense of her character, or in disparagement of her detractors?
Jess pointedly gazed at Juliana, yet in this alone her normally bubbly, animated friend was oddly recalcitrant, shying from Jess's gaze, as if she could somehow sense the questions on the tip of Jess's tongue, questions Jess had the grace not to say aloud. No doubt there were plenty of things about her clan Juliana wanted no part of; promises made, threats rendered, deeds committed she was happiest knowing nothing of. Perhaps that was the real reason why Duke Smida's daughter had allowed herself to be enrolled at this cutthroat school without making use of her rank or contacts at all. She wanted to be her own person, to succeed and fail on her own merits, beholden to no one. In a curious way, bullying aside, perhaps here alone Juliana felt truly free.
Jess smiled, giving her friend a wordless squeeze.
“You are a strong one, Jess,” Juliana smiled. “But thanks.” She flushed and looked away. “I am glad we are friends.”
“Me too,” Jess said. “If you ever want to talk... about life, adventuring, or anything under the sun, I am here, you know.”
Juliana laughed. “All right, then, let's get to the heart of this mystery! Do you truly think we'll find some mystical tome that will lead us to this mysterious realm between worlds?”
Jess grinned. “Only one way to find out.”
Sensing that eyes were upon her, Jess turned with a warrior's instincts, only to find that several of her classmates were actually smiling at her.
Perhaps it did make sense, she reflected. She was now openly wearing her Highrock uniform, a move that would have no doubt invited swift reprisal, had her enemies still held power over her. In playing the game her way, bold as brass, Jess had initiated moves her peers wouldn't dream of emulating, but could at least understand and respect. Perhaps she had liked working with the staff that helped keep the academy running. Everyone knew she couldn't stand dresses, so perhaps she had gotten exactly what she had wanted, even factoring in Grimsly's beating. And she had shown no bruises, the day after. Not a one. Even Jess had caught wind of the rumors around that supposed wonder: She was a Delver. She was a healer. Perhaps she was a pawn of the Crown.
And whether or not there was any truth to those tales about her hardly mattered, Twilight assured, delighting in conveying tasty tidbits of gossip seemingly floating about the ether: The head disciplinarian was nowhere to be found, the headmistress had not shown her face all day, and Jess was openly wearing the uniform of a college of war. However unorthodox Jess's techniques, apparently there was something to them. And to the frightfully practical girls attending the academy, that was really all that mattered, in the end.
Jess took care to nod warmly back at everyone who initiated contact, and wished a pleasant day to those who cared enough to smile. She still felt unsettled about her encounter with the headmistress, and perhaps on some level just wanted to prove to herself that she could be a nice, good-natured girl, more than worthy of friendship, and not at all a bloodthirsty berserker who had recently threatened hideous retribution against anyone who dared to cross her, or a girl responsible for the death of multiple knights the day before, or someone who would coldly walk away from a woman pleading for succor from her executioners. Of course, if Grimsly hadn't been arranging for Jess's murder, no one would have had to die in the first place.
Jess gave a tired shake of her head. “This is why I drank more than my fair share at Highrock. So many memories to wash away.” Jess felt her cheeks flush when Twilight gave her a curious look, Juliana blinking, and Jess realized she had spoken her thoughts aloud.
“Pardon my wagging tongue,” Jess joked.
Juliana gazed solemnly up at Jess. “I'm sorry.” Words laden with so much meaning.
Jess smiled sadly back. “I did what needed to be done. No more than that.”
Juliana nodded quietly. “My brother says that the students of Highrock, the real ones who train for war, they go through things I couldn't imagine. Wouldn't want to imagine.” A slender hand squeezed Jess's own. “For whatever you went through, I'm sorry.”
Jess laughed. “Don't be. Less slavers and raiders plague our part of Erovering than was the case just a handful of years ago. That's something, I suppose.”
Juliana swallowed. “So it's true, then.”
Jess nodded. “No noble dares acknowledge that such things are problems on his land. No formal query ever reaches the Crown. But every nobleman knows they need but send word to Highrock, and those ugly blights upon their lands will be taken care of.”
“How old were you when you first...” words, hardly more than a whisper.
Jess sighed. "I had just reached my majority, the first time I killed a man. Our mentor gave us each a talk that night, looking us in the eye, as warm as he ever gets. They were slavers, he said. Flesh peddlers. Imagine if it was our brothers, sisters, and children they stole away in the middle of the night. They deserved nothing better than death. We agreed, of course, and learning to fight, to kill in furious earnest, was a necessary lesson that hardened us for the battles we will one day be expected to fight."
Jess gently squeezed her friend's hand. "But how I drank and carried on, to wipe that stain off my soul, that first week we were freed of all responsibilities, given a crusader's reprieve."
Juliana nodded solemnly. "I know Johann always dreamed of being a Squire of War, but I knew, I knew he never had the heart for it, not really. Of course Father had the connections to get him into Highrock, he's smart and hardworking. But after a year, he came home with full credit for courses taken, and he just never went back. Never spoke of it. Not a word." She braved a smile. "His swordcraft has really improved, however, and he trains earnestly with our armsmaster, almost every day. He's not as good as Rulia, but he's not bad either. Who knows? Maybe you'll get to spar with him, one day."
Jess smiled sadly. “Maybe.”
As if sensing her friend's melancholy, Juliana focused on lighter topics, showing an impressive mastery of all things related to the school. Her enthusiasm seemed quite genuine, falling into the role of tour guide with remarkable aplomb. Truly, Jess found herself learning far more than she cared to about the architecture and historical significance of the brownstone edifices that dotted the surprisingly lush lawn. A lawn that happened to be in far better shape than the garden, for all that it was basically maintained by little more than contented milking goats. Of course, Jess had already surmised what the college garden was really being used to grow and harvest, those plants behind th
e bushes in the rear of the garden that the head herbalist guarded so jealously from Jess's curious eyes, even as the woman allowed her tulips, roses, and wildflowers to wilt with neglect. And perhaps the woman had sensed the changing tides already, for there had been no sign of her since the night of the gala.
Jess turned away from Julia's side, striding through the grasses towards the nearest building, finding the ivy covering the carefully placed trellises far more interesting than the brownstone structures they covered, helping herself to a few of the newly ripened berries. "Pink ivy blossoms. Haven't seen that before. Too bad ivy can be such a pest if not carefully controlled," Jess observed.
“Oh, you like the ivy? That was a gift from Lady Herzabold, some two centuries prior. It truly gives the entire grounds a lovely picturesque quality, when they are at the height of their bloom."
Jess smiled warmly at her friend.
"Honestly, Juliana, I think you would be better served leaving this place altogether and serving as a historian at a respectable university."
Juliana blinked, looking suddenly uncomfortable. "I do love knowing about the origins of things, Jess, but I doubt my father would ever allow it. Wealth and splendor? Of course. But the thought of me living my life on my own terms, without the distinction and honors that I am due as the eligible daughter of Duke Smida? Unacceptable." She chuckled softly. "Between you and me, I would love to be able to teach at some quiet place of learning, where the students are actually friendly and want to master more than the latest gossip they can use against their peers." Juliana shrugged. "Unfortunately, that is not to be my lot in life, and I had best accept it. Father is bad enough, but Mother is not what you would call forgiving of divergent opinions, or any viewpoint save her own." Juliana chuckled softly. "I don't know about you, but I, for one, have no desire to risk my mother's wrath. She makes these girls look like mere apprentices, when it comes to the art of a sharp wit."
"I know what you mean, Juliana," Jess agreed. "I love her fiercely, but you cross my mother at your peril as well."
Juliana flushed and looked away. “But she is not always like that, of course. My mother, I mean. She can be very sweet, and I think, I am really certain, that she would be quite fond of you. She doesn't mind strong women, either. I'm proud to say that she knows her way around the rapier, even if she practices more for grace and posture than, well, you know, for actual killing.”
Jess gave her friend an affectionate hug. "Fear not, Juliana. One day we will all meet up at your family villa, and we will have a grand time of it. Your mother will serve tasty treats, your father and I can discuss the merits of different types of arms and armor and how best to counter them, and my sister will enjoy flirting with your brother while you give us the grand tour. Then Johann and I will have a sword and buckler bout to do your father proud. It will be a grand time, I'm sure of it." She winked and Juliana burst out laughing.
"Oh, I'm carrying on far too much, aren't I? I'm sorry, Jess. You're right. But still, if you are serious? We would indeed have a grand time of it, I think."
Jess squeezed her friend's hand. "We will. But first, a mystery to solve, and a college to rescue!"
Juliana whistled. “You are very bold, my friend. And I know that certain things... have been taken care of. My only concern for you now is the headmistress.”
Jess stretched, enjoying the refreshing scent of jasmine and wisteria giving the spring day a refreshing fragrance. She flashed her friend the smallest of smiles. “No need to worry on that front, Juliana. I have already met the dragon in her den and issued challenge, on my terms.”
Her companion gasped, looking at Jess with an expression that was equal parts awe and terror. “Half the rumors going about say that Headmistress Zerona dabbled in dark arts, and paid the price for it last night. Everyone can see the great gaping hole in the wall, where her office is. We all heard the terrible roar last night, stone pelting down upon thankfully unused land below. Fortunately, most everyone was deep in their cups at that point, or sleeping it off at the men's pavilion set up for the visiting lords." Juliana swallowed as she met the gaze of her coldly smiling friend. "But those rumors about the headmistress secretly being a witch, that's not the truth, is it? It's the other whispers... that somehow, it was you."
And that was the other reason, Jess supposed, why people were acting so nice to her today. “The dice have been cast, and time alone will tell if I have rolled double lots or double dots.”
Twilight cracked open an eye, gazing at his master even as he continued to drape across her shoulder. “Double dots will result in an impressive display of blood and vengeance, I’m sure. Wouldn’t surprise me if the whole kingdom trembles, should that path be taken.” Her familiar gently butted his head against Jess's cheek. “I do wish you’d try to hold off on these mad impulses, at least until I am back by your side once more. In any event, there may be some merit to taking your own piece off the board, so to speak, my dear Jess.”
“What do you mean by removing my piece from the board, Twilight?”
Her familiar shrugged. “Wouldn’t be so difficult, really. If your family was to pack light and be willing to travel, I could guide us to several lands that are enlightened enough to have mastered the delicate art of sushi, nations that are both isolated and sufficiently stable so as to assure us a safe and peaceful existence, at least for a few generations.”
Jess sighed. "You know that's not really an option, Twilight. For one thing, neither Father, Mother, nor Geoff would ever be willing to leave. Father because he feels a connection and duty to the land, and of course, Mother would never leave his side, and Geoff is just too much of an idiot to see the danger until it's right in his face. Besides, the rifts are occurring here and now, in the nation of my birth. The nation I have sworn to protect. They are not just fantastic stories in a tome of adventurer's tales anymore. What kind of Delver would I be, if I did not do my part to help close those rifts? We have seen firsthand the horrors they can wreak upon innocent townsfolk, have we not? For all that my memory of those horrors is clouded behind a veil of dream, I have woken up screaming often enough to know that terror as well as wonder are equally a part of my tale."
Twilight just shook his head slightly, tail flickering gently against Jess’s back. “Of course I know the stance destiny would have you take, my Jess. But it never hurts to make the offer. You know I could lead us to such a place safely.”
“Of course I know, my devoted kitty. This is just one of the reasons why I love you so.” Jess gently kissed the top of her familiar’s head, earning a very peculiar look from her newest friend.
"In any event here we are, Jess. The library," Juliana concluded with only slightly forced cheer, leading Jess to the entrance of a vast stone structure built more like a miniature fortress than a building of learning. Even the entrance was guarded. Juliana shivered, looking suddenly apprehensive, but Jess simply grinned at the two guardsmen, greeting them warmly, both giving Jess respectful nods of one warrior to another.
"Johnathen, Alexander. How are you both, this fine day?"
Johnathen cracked a smile and shrugged, thin little mustache quirking up with his lips. “As well as can be expected, my lady. 'Tis a beautiful day, right enough, but you know guard duty.”
Jess gave a sympathetic nod. “I can imagine. Father had me pulling the occasional all-nighter guarding our storerooms a time or two, if he thought I was particularly in need of discipline during my training. Mother was dead set against it, of course. Myself? I only hoped bandits would dare to attack. And I always found a carefully hidden snack helped to wile the time away.” With that Jess passed them each a pasty she had held back from their morning feasting, receiving warm nods of appreciation in turn.
Alexander gave a wry chuckle. “I would pity those bandits. Right remarkable mastery you have of a warrior’s true weapon, Dame Jess, and a right appreciation of a warrior’s belly to boot. You’d make a fine commander, my lady.”
Jess smiled. “And you,
dear Alexander, are a warrior of excellent refinement and taste.”
Johnathen took an appreciative bite of his pasty. “I’ve always preferred arming sword and kite shield myself, my lady, but no one can argue your skills with your weapon of choice.
Jess nodded. “Skills that are always in need of a bit of polish, my friends. I look forward to our next bout, at some point in the very near future.”
Both smiled approvingly at the thought of being able to test their steel against Jess’s practice blade once more.
“In the meantime, if you will excuse us, 'tis time for me to pursue my higher education. Ostensibly why I'm here in the first place, for all that I'd rather be studying a bard's account of a true hero than stuffy tomes of history, or the knitting techniques of ladies-in-waiting."
The armsmen gave sympathetic smiles at that, opening the door for her.
“Have a care though, Jess. For some reason the head disciplinarian has declared this fine old pile of rocks off-limits, save to students with proper passes, like what you just showed us,” Alexander winked. “In fact, should you lose your own pass, you might find other plaques right on the librarian’s desk.”
Juliana shivered, tightly clenching Jess's arm, and Jess was glad her friend had the sense to say nothing. As no one knew Grimsly was dead, no one knew to disregard her imperious commands, and Jess would not be the one to tell them.
Jess nodded solemnly. “Good to know, Alexander. And may you and Johnathen both find the afternoon passes quickly and pleasantly.”
He chuckled. “You as well, Lady Jess. Enjoy your studies!”
And with that Jess and her companions entered the vast chambers within.
Jess gave an appreciative nod at the entrance to the library proper, feet treading soundlessly upon the plush wool rug at her feet, as much a tapestry as a carpet, the depiction of a scene of battle no doubt centuries old looked to be from the same artist as the ones hanging up in her father's own study. Fine hardwood bookshelves lined the walls, oaken tables and chairs strategically placed between them, candelabras mounted upon the tables were all placed firmly on iron bases wide enough to catch drippings and bring the risk of accidental fires to a minimum, short of simply using globes of magelight.
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