Academy Rebels, page 2
part #1 of Card Mage Series
The bartender looked up as the sound of crashing touched his ears and Dax darting out from the back. Reaching down, he picked up a wand and aimed it at the fleeing young man.
Dax glanced to the side, seeing the wand. Passing a table with a few drunk patrons, hands took hold of one of them, lifted the thin man up and turned him around. Light flashed as the drunk’s eyes closed, snores rising up. Dax let go and bolted for the main doors. The bartender cursed as he took aim and let loose another sleep bolt.
Dax lowered his shoulder and jumped. The bolt missed him by inches as he crashed through the front door, slamming it open and hitting the ground. Rolling back to his feet, he pumped his legs as he ran.
The cobblestone streets were slick from the mist, but it didn’t slow down the young mage as he ran. Holding back his laughter, he pressed on, seeing the twelve towers to the academy in the distance.
If I just keep running, I can outlast them.
Dread filled his pumping heart as he heard shouts and incantations from behind. An air bolt struck his shoulder again, causing him to stumble and spin. Eyes wide, he saw Clive, several mages and the bartender with a wand, running toward him.
“Little help!” Dax shouted as he spun back around and kept running.
The small group of enraged people rushed past a dark alley, spells and incantations going off. A tall shadow stepped from the alley, wand in hand. Lifting it up, a word was spoken and a bolt of light shot from the wand.
A mage began uttering a new spell when a bolt struck him. Body going limp, he fell and rolled once on the street. A mage looked to his fallen comrade when a bolt struck him in the face. Eyes closed as he fell backwards and hit the street like a raggedy doll. The bartender was next, falling face down and wand clattering along the stones. Two more mages fell amid their running. One mage saw what was happening and tried to shout to Clive before he moaned, a sleeping bolt hitting his neck.
Clive charged with vile determination in his gaze. He stared as Dax slowed down. The mage huffed slightly before turning around, a confident smile on his lips. Clive slowed down, spell at the ready, but concern rippled through him as Dax didn’t seem bothered at all that he approached. The barrel-chested mage glanced to his sides and saw that he was alone, his comrades scattered and sleeping on the wet street.
“What the…” Clive trailed off as a tall, dark shadow approached, wand pointed at him.
“One illegal battle mage to another, no hard feelings?” Dax grinned.
Clive turned his attention back to Dax. “I’m going to make your life a living…” the mage never finished as a sleep bolt hit his wide back and he slumped to the ground, snoring.
Dax crossed his arms. “Maybe or maybe you’ll think twice before you call me slum runner again.”
Lantern light touched the shadowy man as he stepped into the street. Kind eyes looked to Dax as the young mage pulled back his hood, a white lock of hair stabbing out from jet-black hair. The stout young man made his way over to Dax’s side, his eyes glancing to the trail of sleeping bodies on the street.
“You said it wasn’t going to get this far.”
Dax shook his head. “It wasn’t, but Clive is a sore loser. We only played one game.”
“He’s going to tell the professors or the High Dean. We’re going to get expelled,” the young man said with a concerned tone.
“Symon, they can’t say anything or they will be expelled too. I know for a fact that the bartender won’t say anything because he’s not supposed to have non-academy enchanted items. We’re okay as long as everyone keeps their mouths shut.”
Symon looked down at the wand in his hand, “Like this non-academy wand?”
“We will be fine. We just have to…” Dax stopped short as the sound of boots clicked on the wet stones.
Dax and Symon turned, backs to each other as three magistrates stepped from shadows in three different directions. Their bodies were relaxed, but their eyes held a tired annoyance as they slowly approached.
“Evening magistrates,” Dax smiled.
The three men were dressed in leather, arcane symbols covering nearly every inch, down to the boots. One looked to the trail of sleeping bodies. Another one sighed. The last one approached closer, a seriousness in his gaze.
“Is there an explanation for what I’m seeing?” the magistrate asked plainly.
Dax looked to the snoring people lying about. “My friend and I were just enjoying a nice evening walk when we came across the scene. I think everyone had a little too much to drink.”
The magistrate looked to the wand in Symon’s hand. “And it has nothing to do with the wand in your friend’s hand?”
Symon’s face turned red as Dax stepped before his friend.
“It’s my wand. My friend was trying to stop me, but I had to defend myself. He took the wand so I couldn’t use it again, but those people were trying to rob me.”
The magistrate rubbed his eyes. “Even Tofer? His family has lived here for generations and they own the tavern. Why would a bartender want to rob you?”
Dax looked to the sleeping bartender and back to the magistrate. “They have fallen on hard times?”
The magistrate let his hand drop to his side, his expression speaking to how tired he was. Dax simply smiled as Symon hung his head in shame.
“Hand over the wand and come with us. We will have to see what the Academy has to say about your little adventure tonight,” the magistrate said with a weak, tired smile.
Two
Dax and Symon sat on chairs just outside a polished, wooden door. A magistrate leaned against the wall opposite of them, eyes never blinking. The corridor was otherwise empty, lantern light glowing along the walls.
Dax looked to the magistrate and smiled. The magistrate kept his indifferent gaze, eyelids not moving. Symon sat forward, elbows on knees and his head in his hands. Dax lifted his arm and patted his friend on the shoulder and looked at him.
“My father is going to kill me,” Symon whispered.
“Not after we clear this all up. It’s just a misunderstanding,” Dax said to his friend, but looked to the hardened magistrate.
The magistrate’s expression didn’t change as he had become a living statue, his sole purpose was keeping an eye on two miscreants.
The door opened and the magistrate who brought Dax and Symon there, stepped out with a blank gaze. Behind him, a robed man framed the door. Dax and Symon looked up, their eyes drinking in the short white hair of the counselor. When they looked to his face, both young men cringed internally as they saw thin white scars crisscrossing every inch of skin. Glancing down, they saw more scars on the counselor’s hands as he lifted them up and gripped the magistrate’s shoulder in a friendly manner.
“Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I will ensure they are properly disciplined,” the scarred man smiled.
“See that they are. I don’t want the townspeople getting riled up again. I don’t want a repeat of the riot a few years ago,” the magistrate sighed before giving the two young men a hard glance.
“On my honor, they will be taken care of,” the counselor smiled politely before turning his bright gaze to the Dax and Symon. “Please step into my office.”
Dax and Symon stood up and marched toward the open door as the two magistrates said their farewells and began walking away.
Dax was first into the office. A desk stood on the other side of the room with two chairs in front of it. Tapestries of waterfalls and mountaintops hung from the walls to the right and left, birds stitched into both. Thick bookshelves stood behind the desk, filled to capacity with tomes, some weathered and others appearing brand new. A low shelf by the desk contained many rolled-up scrolls. When Dax looked to the top of the desk, two scrolls were unrolled and held open by small, heavy dragon statues.
“Have a seat,” the scarred man said as he stepped past the two young men and moved to his chair.
Dax and Symon took their seats, the mage keeping calm and the fighter’s eyes wide and wet. The counselor sat and looked down at the two open scrolls.
The room was silent for a long moment, Symon’s boot beginning to tap on the hard floor.
The scarred man looked up from the scrolls with a warm smile. “I’m not sure if you know, but my name is Edrin Skullcut, Student Counselor here in Kinarth Academy. I don’t believe I have to tell you why you’re here?”
“We know who you are, Counselor Skullcut. I’m just glad we can sit down and try to sort out this misunderstanding,” Dax smiled.
Edrin nodded. “Yes, but first, I see that you are Daxton Sage, Mage Class Student.”
“Please, call me Dax,” the young mage kept his smile.
Edrin nodded before looking at the large young man, “And you are Symon Shieldbrook, Fighter Class Student. The Shieldbrook family has made many contributions and donations to the academy for many years. I’m sure they would not be too pleased with you being here in my office?”
Symon simply nodded and bowed his head, shadows covering his eyes.
“As I said, this is one giant misunderstanding,” Dax cut in again.
Edrin looked over to Dax and leaned back in his chair. “The magistrates informed me what happened. An illegal mage battle was taking place on the Drinking Serpent Tavern property. The owner was not aware of such activity, but he was quick to point out that you, Mr. Sage, had gone there looking for trouble.”
Dax let out a small chuckle. “That is so far from the truth, it would be circling the sun. I had heard there was an illegal mage battle taking place and I went to investigate. I couldn’t very well accuse anyone of any wrong doing unless I had evidence.”
Dax put his hand on Symon’s shoulder, “Nor did I wish to go alone. I asked my friend here to accompany me and wait outside in case I needed support.”
Edrin smiled as he laced his fingers together. “And that is when the mages in question chased you out of the tavern, slinging spells and yelling to the bartender that you had stolen their gold?”
“I was collecting evidence,” Dax said with a wide smile.
Edrin kept his gaze as he spoke, “Which led to a running spell battle on the streets of Silver Port where Mr. Shieldbrook used a sleeping wand to subdue the mages and bartender?”
Dax nodded. “See, a misunderstanding.”
Edrin unlaced his fingers and opened the top drawer of his desk. Scarred hand diving in, he fished out the bag of gold and put it on the desk, closer to himself. Dax eyed the gold before returning his gaze to Mr. Skullcut.
“Non-academy magical items are forbidden here on Mist Haven Isle. You may have snuck this in and you wouldn’t be the first student to do so. Unsanctioned spell battles on the streets or on business property are also illegal. There is enough here to send you both home,” Edrin said plainly.
“This is all a mista…” Dax managed before he was cut off.
“No, Mr. Sage, it is not a mistake,” Edrin’s voice was clear, direct and the air trembled to his tone. “In Hydale, you may have had to spend a lot of time trying to survive, but that’s not how it is here on Mist Haven and especially here in the Academy.
“Judging from how you eyed this bag of gold, I can safely assume that coin was your motivating factor. You're smart, but not that smart. I doubt it was simple greed.”
Symon’s head tilted forward, shadows covering his entire face.
“And you brought in Mr. Shieldbrook to assist and now he may be going home,” Mr. Skullcut’s voice came out with a dash of concern.
Dax shook his head, “Symon didn’t know the details. It was all my idea and my wand. He shouldn’t have to pay for my mistakes!”
Edrin smirked. “So, there is a glimmer of honor from a former thief.”
Dax’s eyes widened and Symon looked up.
Edrin’s smirk grew into a smile. “We know a lot about you and all the students here in Kinarth Academy. Dax Sage, you have spent most of your life living in the slums, surviving and seeing what gold you can paw off visitors to Hydale. When not thieving, you took care of your mother before her mental condition worsened.
“What surprises me the most was your magical ability and your high testing for the Academy. You have a talent, but it is short changed because you’re a slow spell caster, something many of the professors have discussed and felt you may overcome with time. Am I still on point?”
It was Dax’s turn to tilt his head forward, shadows covering his eyes. “I was going to send the gold to the Sisters of Vala so they could continue caring for my mother. It was a one-time thing so I could study in peace, knowing she was being cared for.”
Edrin’s expression softened a hair. “Nobel cause performed in the absolutely wrong way. We are aware of your mother’s state and the Academy is funding her recovery, if there is one. We cannot have students here distracted while trying to become champions, now can we?”
Dax looked to Mr. Skullcut, eyes wide and heart beating faster in his chest.
“The academy takes care of their champions and to a lesser degree, their families. We don’t talk about it because it doesn’t need to be said. You joined the academy to become more than who you are and fight the darkness, wherever it may hide,” Edrin said with a soothing tone.
Dax nodded. “I…understand. If I have to go home, so be it but Symon must stay. He wasn’t aware of my intentions and was simply trying to help.”
Edrin’s gaze slid to the other young man. “Symon, you’re a Fighter Class. Tell me, how did you know how to use a wand?”
Symon’s body wilted as he sat. “I had some training, when I was younger.”
Edrin nodded. “Yet, you joined the Fighter class, why is that?”
Symon shrugged.
“Is it because your father doesn’t care for the mystical arts?”
Symon’s eyes widened before lids sank down, half closed. “It’s no secret that my father despises magic. My mother on the other hand wasn’t so stern.”
Edrin leaned his elbows onto the desk, his hands laced and right below his chin. “I understand your plight, but you are training to be a champion and champions must choose their own destinies.”
Symon looked to the counselor, “I told my father my interest in learning magic once and received a black eye for it. Lesson learned.”
The counselor smiled. “Life is filled with lessons and we are constantly learning. Neither of you need to fear reprisals or concerns while attending the Academy. I know it's only been six months since you both began your training and the learning curve is steep, but despite what you may have heard, we want you all to succeed.”
“Too little, too late I suppose,” Dax said as his shoulders sank down.
Edrin smiled. “Thankfully it’s late and most of the faculty are asleep. If this little incident had come to anyone else, you would be on a ship back to Hydale in the morning.”
Dax and Symon perked up, their spines straighter and eyes wide.
The counselor continued, “This will be your second chance, there will not be a third. It is expected that you focus on your studies. The Trial Exams are approaching and you need to be ready. Once the exams are over, the real trials shall begin and no one wants to be ill-prepared for those.”
Edrin’s eyes took on a stern gaze, his smile gone. “I have seen many students flunk out and I have seen more rise to greatness. The great ones all had something in common, a strong foundation to build their destiny on. From what I see, you two are brothers, but it’s both of you against the world. You won’t make it far with that mindset.
“The only reason you’re both staying is because I believe there is a chance for greatness in your futures. You both will have some new stipulations to your time here and my ever-watchful eyes on your progress. This cannot be traded or altered for I will be directly notified and I will not be as pleasant as I am now.
“Starting tomorrow, you both shall join a club or group. Make friends and be part of something bigger than yourselves. Find a common interest with your fellow champions and strengthen those bonds. If you do not join one by sundown, you both will be on a ship the day after.”
Dax’s bright gaze dimmed. “Most of the clubs are filled and many have denied new members.”
Edrin smiled. “You’re resourceful. I’m sure you can charm your way into one. You have a day to try.”
“I knew we took too long,” Symon lamented.
Edrin turned his attention to Symon, “I have something else planned for you. Stop by my office sometime tomorrow.”
The young man simply nodded, defeat in his eyes.
Edrin lifted up a scarred hand and picked up the bag of gold. Dax watched as the sack slipped back into the top drawer and was closed shut.
“The gold will be a donation to the Academy, no questions asked,” the counselor grinned.
Dax’s heart deflated in his chest.
“Now, it’s late and I need my beauty rest. Off to your dormitories. I expect to know which club you joined after sundown and try not to get in any more trouble.”
Dax and Symon nodded as they stood up.
“I would watch your backs with Clive and his cronies. They seem the type to hold a grudge,” Edrin kept his grin.
The two young men nodded again before shuffling to the door and exiting the office.
Several moments later, Dax and Symon stepped out into the misty night air, their breath billowing from their collective sighs.
“We live to fight another day,” Dax smiled.
Symon shook his head. “We were nearly expelled and you’re smiling?”
“A threat isn’t a threat until it's enforced. Counselor Skullcut said we got a second chance so that means, a free pass.”
Symon started walking, not looking back to his friend. Dax picked up the pace, moving to his taller friend’s side.
“What’s the matter?” Dax asked like a concerned parent.
“You know what’s the matter. If you went back, you can start over again without anything holding you back. I go back, my father would destroy me and my family would shame me. No Shieldbrook was ever expelled from the academy. It would be a stain that would haunt me my entire life,” Symon hissed.
