Someone was snoring. There were walls between us and I could still hear him as if he were in the room with me. A bell began to chime on the other side of the grounds. To my ears it sounded as if it were in the next building over. I put the pillow over my head and gritted my teeth.
How can anyone with Dotharr’s accursed gifts live a normal life?
One of my guards knocked. “That’s your wake-up call, girl! You’re expected to be at breakfast within the hour.”
I threw my pillow at the door.
The Feasting Hall buzzed with noise until I walked in. Complete and utter silence took hold, unlike any I could have imagined from a large number of people. Instead of being disgusted with me, many of my peers were wary. I carried my tray of oatmeal, bread, assorted fruit, and milk to the table where Bryn sat, waiting for me.
“What happened to the four imbeciles?” I asked once I was seated.
My guards sat with us today, one on either side of me, and dug into their breakfast. Their eyes swept the hall occasionally.
Bryn glanced at the additions to our table before addressing me. “They were given five lashings each. It’s the standard punishment for starting a brawl. Everyone knows that. If it wasn’t enough to discourage your attackers, I doubt it will discourage anyone else.”
“Wonderful,” I murmured.
“But you handled yourself better than anyone expected. That could either make others who seek to harm you think twice about coming after you, or force them to be more creative with their assaults. Since you can’t trust your guards—”
“They took us by surprise!” one of them said. “It won’t happen again.”
Bryn frowned. “I’m sure.” He glanced at me. “You should stay alert at all times, just in case.”
I nodded.
“Have you taken a look at your schedule yet?” Bryn asked, as if to lighten the mood.
I retrieved the parchment from my trouser pocket and unfolded it on the tabletop. “Hand-to-Hand Combat, Religious Studies, Weaponry, Arithmetic, Breaking and Entering…” I raised an eyebrow at Bryn.
He popped a strawberry into his mouth. “Breaching the defenses of an armed building isn’t a skill only used for thievery.”
I frowned but continued reading. “This afternoon I have Politics and Government, Battle Strategy, History, and Acrobatics.” I leaned in closer to be sure I read it right. “Acrobatics? Are they preparing us for the circus?”
Bryn gulped down his milk before responding. “That class is improperly named. It’s mostly for the strengthening of our reflexes and dexterity, but also touches on techniques we can use to lessen the intensity of our senses. We only learn the basic flips and turns on trampolines. It also includes lessons on climbing and falling correctly.”
I almost choked on my oatmeal. I coughed for a moment, eyes watering. “Is there a way to fall incorrectly?”
Bryn nodded. “Landing on your feet from a certain height could break your legs, Asta. There are different methods of falling to ensure the preservation of one’s limbs. Acrobatics teaches you these methods.”
“Unfathomable,” I replied with a shake of my head.
He tore his bread into pieces and shrugged. “Could save your life one day.”
“So how often does the school host graduations?” I asked. “Is it possible to graduate in a year’s time?”
“There are at least two graduation ceremonies a year. You see, we all take the same classes but we advance to higher difficulties of those classes as our skills increase. Right now you’ll be in the beginner courses for all of these subjects, but with hard work and dedication, you can be in the master courses in seven months’ time.”
“And how long should it take to be done with the master courses?”
Bryn considered this before answering. “My father said it took him six months to complete his master courses.”
I’ll complete them in five, I thought with confidence. Then the general will die. “Well, it seems I have my work cut out for me.”
He looked down and mixed his oatmeal with a spoon. I wanted to ask him what was on his mind, but doubted he would be honest while my guards were listening. One guard eventually rose to get seconds. I gulped down the rest of my milk and held out my empty mug to the second guard.
“Refill it yourself,” he said with a grunt.
“I’m still sore from that surprise attack in the washroom.”
He scowled at me.
“It’ll only take you a moment,” I insisted. “If anyone tries to attack me while you’re gone, I’m sure Bryn will step in.”
The guard threw my companion a suspicious glance, but must have come to the conclusion that Bryn was trustworthy because he, too, left.
“I think I found a way to be expelled from this academy once and for all,” Bryn leaned in to whisper once we were alone.
I blinked. “You’re leaving so soon?”
Bryn shushed me and looked around to be sure no one had heard. He lowered his voice even more. “I might be, but you mustn’t tell Viggo. He’ll try to convince me to stay.”
I thought about making him promise to say goodbye, but thought better of it. I still didn’t know why he was entrusting me with this information or why he was so concerned with my well-being. However thankful I was for his presence, I couldn’t help being wary.
Laughter drew our attention to a table across the hall. The added noise of utensils against plates made me wince. When we weren’t speaking, it was hard not to be overwhelmed by what I could hear and smell.
Bryn leaned back and tried to look inconspicuous when my guards returned. “I’ve been thinking of several names for you.”
I shook my head. “I’m keeping my name.”
“Once you graduate from this academy, you’ll be free to go by whatever you please but, during your time here, they are going to change your name.” Bryn popped a blueberry in his mouth and swallowed it whole. “Wouldn’t you rather have an opinion on what you’re called? I’ve compiled a list if you’d like to hear it.”
Sighing, I agreed to listen.
“There is Hertha, which means powerful woman. I thought it fitting after your display of power last night.”
I wrinkled my nose. “When I hear that name, I think of an old and bitter grandmother.”
Bryn chuckled. “Very well. There’s Siri, which means marvelous victory. Despite what you’ve been through, you’re still alive. Doesn’t it suit you?”
“You know I don’t consider being alive a victory,” I said, picking at my fruit.
He frowned. “Moving along. Thyra is another I thought you might like. It means like thunder.”
I gave him a flat look.
“Another no then,” Bryn guessed. “Well, the last one the academy would consider is Iona, which means born on an island.”
I thought about this, growing somber. “It does appear that I’m being reborn on Holger… You said this was the last one the academy would consider, but do you have another?”
“Yes, it’s the one I gave you before I learned of your true name,” Bryn said, suddenly shy. “Freja. It means like a lady.”
My face burned. How can he possibly think me ladylike? So far he’s seen me bloodied and dressed in men’s clothes.
He waved away my embarrassment. “Think about the names, all right? Now finish your breakfast. Classes will begin soon.”
Chapter Five
I jogged into my first class and stopped short. There were no seats. My peers sat cross-legged on the padded floor. I ignored their annoyed glances and sat against the wall toward the back of the room. Thankfully, my guards stayed by the door. Several more men trickled in before two barrel-chested instructors entered the room. They wore the same jerkin, trousers, and boots we wore.