11. The Schools
960 Words
Leggit, the Director of Physical Arts for the Warrior Academy, stood in shocked dismay, staring at his Maca. He hadn"t dreamed the summons from his Maca would end his career.
He had heard how the Maca ended the negotiations with Rurhran and how the Blind-eyed Laird had arrived within fifteen minutes to arrange the transfer of the sheep herds. The Laird had hired a Tri to be Director of sheep and made the woman House. All the new House member had to do was find more workers. Of course, she found them from the non-working Abs stationed at Ishner and offered them a chance to be Tris.
Leggit kenned he was too old for training Warriors, but since the Warrior Academy was not scheduled to open until next year, he felt it his due as a member of House. Lamar had sent him to LouElla for that position. Perhaps the Maca wished to thank him for his early training; done in private away from the prying eyes of Kreppies or Justines.
Instead the Maca had nay permitted the traditional greeting and erupted with anger.
“There are nay to teach the Physical Arts at the Donnick Academy or the Warrior Academy. The former tis scheduled to be open within days. Your position means that you were to select the staff. Ye will have their names to me by tomorrow morning or ye are nay longer House.”
That threat left Leggit"s mind addled. It took a moment for him to begin his defense and he stopped as abruptly as he had started. “Llew…”
Leggit changed from the name of a youth he had taught to the title of the huge man seated across from him. “Maca, what have I done to anger ye?”
“I just told ye. Do ye have the instructors?” The man"s voice was as hard as his black eyes.
“Maca, the Donnick Academy tis for Tris.” He did nay add House does nay mingle with Tris.
“The Donnick Academy tis for all till it tis decided who attends the Warrior Academy. It tis doubtful if the Flight section will have any students for a few years. Either ye take over as Director and secure the other trainers or ye are out of House. If ye do what tis necessary, then within two years ye twill be retired at half pay, but a home and fliv would also be provided.”
Leggit licked at his lips. “Maca, Lamar told me that the Donnick Academy would nay open. That it was but a ruse.”
“Did the then Guardian of Flight, LouElla, tell ye that.” The voice cracked against his ears.
“Nay, Maca.”
The Maca stood. “Lamar did nay ken that I was serious about restoring Don. He existed in a world of his own making. He tis now the Counselor of the Realm. Why would ye believe him and nay your Maca?”
Leggit swallowed and stood. “Maca, if ye will give me till tomorrow, I can have the Tri Academy staffed with Trainers.”
“It tis nay just a Tri school.” The roar filled his ears. “It tis for all of Donnick"s wee ones till the other schools are ready and there tis enough educated to enroll in them.”
“Do ye mean House will attend with Tris?” Leggit"s voice became a whisper.
“Aye, and if they are nay there, the enforcers will call and the negligent parents will face being barred from House. Do ye accept the assignment or do ye leave House?”
“I have already said I would have it staffed. I have trained others over the years.” His lips were stiff, but he hoped that those words would remind his Maca of the time spent with him so long ago. “They are all from House, but a few were made Tris.”
The Maca nodded. “Good. We need every one of them. If there are more people than positions, send two of them to my youngest, Andrew, Lad of Don. He will evaluate them as Trainers at the Second and Third Centers.”
Leggit could only stand there for a moment blinking his eyes that suddenly had filled with fluid. “My Maca, ye are restoring Don.”
Leggit walked out of the Tower office after bidding the Maca goodbye and they exchanged the Thalian embrace of placing the head first on the right shoulder and then on the left after making the “tsk” sound in each ear.
Llewellyn resumed his seat and touched one of the circles that obeyed his touch and nay else. The screen popped up with the face of a woman, her white, curly hair flowing downward and the grey eyes and face smiling that glorious smile just for him. His darling Anna had allowed him to take that picture on one of their trips to the Golden One during his exile on Earth. He smiled back at her face.
Golden One“This time when I come to ye, things are progressing. The schools will open, our laddie tis now part of my House, and I will wed soon. The most dangerous Sisters are locked away and secure. Andrew has started new enterprises and it looks like he too has found someone to love. Lorenz will wed the Kenning Woman within the month and claim her laddie.
Someday Lorenz and I will return to your Earth for a visit. Now there tis much to do and I may be absent for awhile.” He touched the circle again and stood. It was time to visit Magda and discuss Medicine"s relocation.
- Writer
