unnatural end.
“Terrano?”
Silence.
* * *
Nightshade?
There has been a bit of a disturbance, the fieflord replied. He sounded vaguely irritated. If I am to be entrapped as a student possessed of no great knowledge, the only possible advantage is the knowledge provided. Most of what has been discussed by the lecturer is known material; some of his conjectures are not.
Kaylin did not shriek in frustration. What’s the disturbance? We had Terrano—Terrano’s voice—for a bit, and now it’s gone, and not in a “talk to you later” sort of way.
She felt a glimmer of amusement. It is unclear to me what the disturbance is, but given the presence of my brother and his friends, I can guess.
Given Terrano’s reaction, I can’t. If they caused trouble, they didn’t do it intentionally. You’ve been here for a day. You’ve been here as a student.
I have only been here for a day. It appears—from limited exposure—that we are students who are caught in the classes and routine of the Academia’s final day. Or a random day before its final day.
Some of the Barrani weren’t trapped in classes.
No. But the Academia appears to have schedules that coincide with individual students. Not all of the students who occupy the class that has currently been interrupted occupy all of the classes I, in theory, am taking. I can think and speak to you, but there is a flow, and a strength to the flow, of activity. When this class is over, I will leave and head to the next class. When that class is done, there is lunch—lunch seems to be common ground for all who are students here—and then there are two more classes. I then retreat to the library to study.
You don’t have a choice in this?
No. I have some choice in the perusal of titles—and I find that perusal fascinating—but I have nowhere near enough time to examine all titles of interest, and I cannot read a number of them. His tone was one of mild frustration and longing. Dinner is also at a common time, although it is longer. I believe that all who are present on these grounds in the way I am—or the way the other Barrani are—will make their way to the dining hall.
And after?
I return to my room. I study. I sleep.
Barrani don’t need to sleep.
Killianas believes we require time in our room, perhaps to study or contemplate the lessons we have been given. I believe that most of the students here are caught in schedules of their own, but are trapped in similar fashions.
So...the people Sedarias and Annarion fought were also classed as students, but those students didn’t have classes scheduled for this day?
At times, I am surprised by your perception. Yes, that is entirely possible. It is a reasonable conjecture and one that makes sense.
Chapter 19
“I’m guessing Terrano or Mandoran have done something up above.”
“What gave it away?” Bellusdeo asked, voice dry enough it might catch fire if she breathed.
“Nightshade confirms that there’s been a disturbance. And no, he doesn’t know what caused it. He’s here as a student. He doesn’t appear to have a full range of choice over his location or his movements. He can’t get up and walk out of his class, and he appears to be following a routine. Within that routine, he has choice—but not enough to break the routine itself.
“He’s suggesting that some of the Barrani and humans who were headed to Larrantin’s building are also classed as students—but as students who have no classes, if that makes sense?” It made no sense to Kaylin, but she’d never been sent to a big fancy school. It would have killed her. Or her teachers. Or her guardian of the time, probably from apoplexy.
“Terrano and Mandoran weren’t noticed by Killian—or if they were, they weren’t here as students. They had their usual control over themselves. They could see what I could see with Hope’s intervention. Sedarias and Annarion don’t seem to have entered the building as smoothly.”
“It is possible,” the Arkon said quietly, “that the damage they did to the would-be attackers was noted by Killianas. It was not his desire that students murder each other, and the student body could be...fractious. The Barrani were far more likely to carry their political affiliations with them, but they were not the only ones. I think, at the moment, if we understood how Killianas survived, we would be in a position to make plans for the future.”
“I think,” Kaylin said, “that if we found out why or