Inkborn, p.14
INKBORN, page 14
Rounding the path, Natalie and Lakota neared the next classroom building. It was large, with thirty long and wide steps leading up to a large stone platform. The doorway into the building was far back, through a hallway of pillars. It was quite a sight; the front of the building was highly detailed. Carvings of warriors were etched into the rockface—Hercules, Atilla the Hun, Crazy Horse, and Miyamoto Musashi, along with many other warriors throughout history.
“Skills and Strategic Solutions class. This class is led by Governess Endicott. Here, you will learn fighting skills and battle strategies. The Governess is an abrasive woman, so try to stay on her good side. I think she has one… maybe.”
Natalie got nervous thinking about the classes; she knew she was smart, but she was way out of her league.
Continuing on, completing a full circle around the Academy, they reached the front of the doyen’s house in the tree. Even though she had just seen the huge tree with the whimsical water fall and moat around it, the sight was still breathtaking.
“What is he like?” Natalie asked, wanting to get a heads up on what kind of person he was.
“Wardwell is… a unique man. Being new, you will be just fine. No worries.”
Natalie released some of her tension through a huff as she looked up at the house.
Why do I have an uneasy feeling?
“Stop that, you are too young to have stress wrinkles.” Lakota said, facing Natalie as she brought her gaze back down.
Natalie nodded her head. Lakota’s gentle demeanor made her feel at ease once again. “Okay, let’s do this.”
“Oh, before I forget… you are bound to be hungry. All the food here is free. Therefore, after your meeting, please be sure to eat something good.”
“Thank you… for everything.”
Lakota bowed his head slightly.
Natalie took in a deep breath and started to walk over the short bridge over the moat to the tree house. Reaching the other side, she looked back to say goodbye to Lakota, but he was nowhere to be seen. “For a blind man, he can move fast,” she said thoroughly impressed.
Alright, you’ve got this. It can’t be any worse than what you’ve already gone through today. Remember what Mark Twain said: “Eat a live frog in the morning; you can go through the rest of the day knowing the worst is behind you.” But then again, he never experienced a day like this.
As she slowly walked up the stairs that swirled around the trunk, leading up to the house, Natalie took in a few breaths and exhaled, she was building up her courage. Reaching the top of the stairs, she quickly noticed her legs didn’t ache at all; in fact, she felt like she could run a marathon. “Wow, that stuff really did heal me,” she said in amazement. Reaching the tree house door, she knocked twice and waited.
“Come in,” said a male voice.
Stepping into the room and shutting the door behind her, Natalie saw a man sitting behind a mahogany wood desk, reading a file. He was a sharp looking man: mid-twenties, with shiny silver hair in a pompadour style, sporting a dark brown ducktail beard and wearing a black vest suit with a red silk shirt underneath. Natalie felt he was austere. Just his presents made her feel apprehensive.
“Take a seat, Miss Wilkes.”
Wow, I was wrong, it is like I’m back in Mr. Jackson’s office.
Natalie stepped in closer but was too uncomfortable to take a seat; she felt like she was in trouble.
Wardwell gave a slight sneer to her defiance to take a seat. “My name is Wardwell,” he paused and looked up at her.
Giving her a once over, Wardwell sat the file on the desk and grabbed a quill pen from the inkwell. He started to write something in her file. “Age seventeen, class level seven… impressive. Ancient… unknown.” Wardwell set the pen back into the inkwell and reclined in his chair; he crossed his arms. “Well, that poses a problem… It is rare for an Ancient not to nest fully. I am terribly sorry for your hardship, and the chaos it must be causing you. I am a walker type, so I can’t even fathom what you are going through. But that is why we are here, to help,” he finished with a supercilious smile.
Natalie replied hesitatingly, “Thank you.”
“Here at the Academy, we hold a high standard for all our students, and I’m sorry, but we can’t make special accommodations for you in certain classes, due to your situation.”
“I can handle it.”
Wardwell smiled again. “You seem like a powerful woman, and–” A knock on the door interrupted him.
“Wardwell,” said Evangeline, Wardwell’s secretary, through the door. “They are waiting for you in the conference room.”
“I’ll be right there, thank you.” Wardwell stood and walked over to Natalie. “I’m sorry, I have to cut this short. But I want to reassure you that you are welcome here and we will do everything in our power to help you bond with your Ancient. Would you like me to walk you out?”
“No—no, it’s okay, I think I can manage,” Natalie said.
Wardwell and Natalie shook hands. His was soft compared to Natalie’s, untouched by physical work.
“Very well. Enjoy your stay with us,” Wardwell said.
“Thank you for your time.” Natalie withdrew her hand from his and walked to the door. She paused and looked back as Wardwell smiled at her; she grinned back for a second. The moment she turned and walked out the door, her grin subsided. She did not know which was more foreboding, ancient beings inhabiting bodies, or a man faking his benevolence.
Sentence
Wardwell watched Natalie as she left the room. The second she was out of sight, the smile left his face, and his natural stoic expression emerged. He made his way to the back of the room to a hidden staircase behind a large bookshelf. It led him up to the conference room, above his office. As Wardwell entered the room, his presence demanded the attention of everyone present—all except for Popesbar. Standing in front of the fireplace, Popesbar was guarded by three men, as he watched the flames burn and crackle. Diana-Lee sat in one of the fifteen chairs that surrounded a long table.
“Daniel, didn’t I tell you to never return here under these circumstances,” Wardwell said.
“What can I say, Casper,” Popesbar turned and looked to him, “I can’t help myself.”
“Your job on the surface world is being a Relocator, and that’s it. You are no longer a Handler. And on top of all your insubordination and stupidity, you used your abilities on the surface.”
“I had to because of Agents,” Popesbar said.
“You opened a portal to Hell… for what?” Wardwell said, taking a seat at the front of the table. “To bring a defective here, thinking we can help her? You’ll never change.”
“Pot or kettle?” Popesbar replied.
Wardwell shot Popesbar a look of hatred, before shifting his gaze to Diana-Lee. “As for you, what good was it for me to send you to babysit him? I should have known better. I thought you would have been disciplined enough not to allow him to run amuck.”
Diana-Lee tried to talk, but only muttered a reply. She didn’t know what to say that wouldn’t incriminate her.
“She had no choice. I forced her… and you know I can; it’s my specialty.” Popesbar turned to Casper. “Leave her out of this.”
“Very well. Diana-Lee, you may leave.”
She looked to Popesbar in shock. He nodded to her, indicating that everything was okay. With her teeth clenched and fists tight, Diana-Lee got up and walked out the side door to the outside staircase.
Popesbar let out an exhale of relief; she was not going to be punished for his wrong doings.
Wardwell glared at Popesbar as he took a seat on the couch, facing the fireplace. “Now, what shall we do with you?”
“There’s not much more you can do to me.”
“Oh, there is still plenty I can do to hurt you Daniel. Why do you still resist me?”
“Let me think; you’re pissing on everything Lavendel worked so hard for.”
“Watch your tongue!” Wardwell said abruptly. “I have fixed this place. It was like the stone ages here, everyone living in shacks, and a school that taught nothing.”
“You’re right, it just taught morals and how to care, instead of just grinding the vessels down to the bone.”
“Enough!”
Wardwell stood up with haste. He stepped over and slapped Popesbar hard across the face. Daniel did not flinch; he simply brought his gaze back to Wardwell. They both tried to stare each other down.
“Evangeline, take Mr. Popesbar back to Cora City. He is no longer needed here.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Daniel—stop this. I’m going to keep you here until I know all your damage is cleaned up on the surface. I’ll need you back here tomorrow for sub duties and paperwork.”
Popesbar looked down in anger. “You know Casper; you are a real piece of work. I’m needed up there.”
“Well, you should have thought of that before you went beyond your duties. No good deed goes unpunished.”
Popesbar glared up at Wardwell. There was more he wanted to say, but he held his tongue and walked out for Natalie’s sake, and for her future.
Wardwell sat down on the sofa. He brushed his hand through his beard a few times, deep in thought, as he considered how to address his new—and unexpected—problem.
Settling In
After stopping off for some food at the Bacon Stand, getting a bacon wrapped hotdog—Natalie strolled up to the door of the House of Hour. The walk back to her room was vague; Natalie did not know what to think. She still wanted to believe this was all a dream, but she knew it wasn’t possible—her dreams were never more than a romance novel playing out in her mind.
What should I be thinking right now? Maybe I shouldn’t think at all. Maybe I should just go to sleep and wake up in the morning—if you’re back in bed when you wake, that means you had a weird dream, probably due to some food coma. And if you wake up here… Crap… what was the point of this again? …Sard!
As she walked down the hallway heading to toward her room, Natalie was greeted by other students as they passed her. A smile emerged on her lips as she greeted them back.
What’s this?
Natalie reverted to her old ways, unsure how a smile had escaped.
You can’t let this place break you. You need no help; you need nobody.
Natalie nodded her head, agreeing with herself. She just wanted to get her time in at the Academy and be done with it.
She opened the door only to find a woman with bright, rainbow-dyed hair, making up her bed. The woman in her early thirties, was wearing a bright pink shirt and a pair of Daisy Dukes, with knee-high pink boots.
She looks like a unicorn threw up on her.
“Umm…” Natalie said. “Can I help you?”
The woman turned and saw Natalie. “Hey! Well, that explains the contents of the box,” she said looking down at a box filled with dark stuff, next to Natalie’s bed. She then looked back to Natalie with a warm smile. “Hi!” After tucking in the last corner of the black fitted sheet, she walked over and gave Natalie a big hug.
“I’m Azaly Gray, third-year student, class level two… It’s so nice to have a new roommate!”
“Look,” Natalie said, pulling away. “I’m not the easiest person to get along with, so let’s get this out of the way. We probably won’t get along—at best, we will greet each other with a ‘Hello’ once in a while.”
Azaly chuckled “Oh, you’re one of those kinds. I like you. We are so going to be best friends.”
“Didn’t you just hear me?”
“Yep. Blah, blah, blah, ‘Hi,’ I’m just scared and unsure, so come over and talk to me, let me know I’m not going nuts and I have a friend here.”
“Wow, you got all that from the basic ‘leave me alone?’”
“I got all that from your eyes. This isn’t high school; the outcasts and goths can be seen with the colorful.”
Azaly took Natalie’s hand and dragged her to the bed, where she sat down. “Okay. Now, tell me about yourself.”
Wow… she is definitely different. Almost a breath of fresh air…
“I’m Natalie Wilkes, first year, I guess, and a class level seven.”
“Wow, really? That is so cool. So, to ease you into this crazy world, you can ask me anything.”
Natalie’s eyes drifted down; she’d noticed Azaly was extremely flat chested.
“Oh, yeah, it’s a shocker at first, isn’t it?”
Natalie looked away; she had been caught looking. “No-no, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.”
“It’s okay. I had breast cancer.”
Natalie was shocked. “I’m sorry to hear that. But you’re so young.”
“Cancer isn’t picky. Through hard times and hard work, I’m fully recovered, and I got an Ancient out of the deal.”
“What’s yours, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I have an Amazon warrior; her name is Clotilda. She was like, the biggest, baddest warrior of her time. It’s really cool.”
“Wow, that’s awesome.”
“What’s your Ancient?”
Natalie wanted to roll her eyes at what seemed to be the question for the ages. “Don’t know, he hasn’t shown up yet.”
“So, that’s why they brought you in early. Don’t worry, he’ll show. The Academy will help… well, except PE. That class is just out to kill you.”
“I’ve heard.”
Natalie scooted back on the bed, resting her back against the wall. How long did it take you to stop wishing it was all a dream?”
“Me, I never thought this place was a dream,” Azaly said, scooting back next to Natalie. “When I had cancer, that’s when I wished I were dreaming. But you know, it made me the person I am today. But I know how you feel—well, more or less. When I went in for my first treatment, it didn’t seem real. All I wanted to do was run away, run home to my room where I was safe. But I didn’t. I stayed, knowing things would get better. I think right then is when my Ancient decided I was strong enough for her.” Azaly continued. “Weeks passed, and I grew stronger as my body grew weaker. But I never gave up, I never ran. The day I was about to be told my cancer had spread, another woman was in the waiting room, sitting next to me. She was also young, bald, on oxygen, and unable to walk, but she had a smile on her face as if she’d just won the lottery. We started talking. I learned that she also had breast cancer. Just before I was called back, she took my hand and patted it. ‘You are strong; you will do great,’ she said. I paid no attention to it; they were just kind words. Little did I know she was a vessel, and she passed her Ancient on to me. She somehow knew I was right for Clotilda. She passed away in the waiting room just minutes later. It was heartbreaking, but somehow, I felt no sorrow.”
“Like you knew it was alright, that everything was okay with the world,” Natalie added.
“Yes, that’s a great way to explain the feeling. The next day, although she was gone, I felt more alive than I ever had. I was recruited and brought here shortly after. After six months, of a new treatment from my doctor, I was cancer free. So, stay strong, and great things will come to you.”
“Wow. I wish I had your luck.”
“Cancer?”
“No, just your bright outlook, spirit… all I have is…” Natalie stopped talking. She didn’t know what she had, other than bad luck.
“I like you,” Azaly said. “You’re just off enough to make the stay here more interesting. Hey, I know, I want to show you something cool. Come on.” Azaly got up and walked to the door. “Come on.”
Natalie didn’t quite know how to take Azaly, but she did know there was nothing to lose by letting down her guard just a little bit. Natalie stood up and sauntered over as if she didn’t want to go. She didn’t want to give away that she was slightly happy.
“Come on, or we’ll miss it!”
Natalie picked up her pace. Azaly took her by the hand and dragged her out of the room to the elevator. As they made their way out of the house, they stopped a few feet from the door, and just stood there.
“What are we doing?” Natalie asked as other students walked around them.
“Just waiting for the light to go out. And then we can get some Frank’s Pizza for dinner. They make the best pizza this side of the tectonic plates.”
Natalie’s eyes grew wide.
Holy crap, did she just say tectonic plates? Wait, what… for the light to go out?
“You mean the sun?” Natalie asked, confused.
“Up there, that big light that looks like a sun, that’s Ra. He spends all day up there.”
“The Egyptian sun god?”
“Yep, his vessel is Alice Whitten. She’s okay. I met her once at an Academy dance.”
“And what do you mean, this side?”
Azaly saw Natalie was truly puzzled. “You know, Second Cora… Cora meaning core… It’s okay, I didn’t get it the first time I was here either. We’re in the second layer of the Earth.”
Okay, so I have an ancient thing squatting inside me… and I’m going to a freak school, and now, I’m in the center of the earth… Yep, no drug could ever come up with this kind of hallucination.
“Okay, my brain is now officially fried.”
“Yeah, but don’t worry. Once you get used to it all, the fried part will peel off, revealing the still moist meat we call brain matter… oh, here we go. Watch.” Azaly pointed up to the opening above the oak tree.
Natalie looked up just as what she thought was the sun began to fade as it descended to the ground. Everything quickly became pitch black. “Now what?”
“Though life-giving, the sun also denies us.”
Suddenly, all the vegetation and insects around them began to glow, and luminous colors lit up the darkness like astronomical twilight. She looked around in marvel. In the vibrant glow of the grass, she could see even the tiniest of ants walking around. It was amazing.
“This place is astonishing.”
“See,” Azaly said, bumping into her playfully. “Even in the darkest of places, God gives us light.”
Natalie looked over at Azaly. At that moment she saw it, what was so special about her.
