The Broken Ones

Chapter 11:2 -The Academy City

The dinner that night was something extraordinary. After all those days with dry bread and meat, this was a feast taken from their wildest dreams. One of the saloons had been arranged with millions candles and now you could see that the room was blue. A long table had been laid with beautiful china, white as snow, and the set of knife, fork and spoon were in silver as well as the candlesticks and candelabras. Flowers from the garden had been put in vases and the saloon was filled with the sweet scent of roses and lilies. A fire was cracking and by the piano a woman sat and played little melodies for their entertainment.
It was not only the saloon that had been transformed for the evening, the guests had been cleaned up and dressed in new clothes. Their old dirty clothes were sent away to be cleaned and mended. Haz and Ard had been given light blue and white clothes to match their eyes and hair, and they looked dazzling. Nibbles was dressed dramatically in red and purple, and had as usual a hat tipped to one side of his head. Soi got black and dark blue clothes. They were the first to enter the dining room and sat down by the sparkling fire as the awaited the girls. Nibbles picked up his old habit of snapping forward flames out of nowhere. Haz and Soi watched Nibbles’ little play with fire and Ard sat with his eyes closed.
-How’s your gift working out for you? Nibbles asked him.
-I guess it takes time to get used to, but it feels better for each day that passes.
-Can you predict something for me? Nibbles smiled with a sparkle of mischief hidden in his eye.
Of course, Ard couldn’t see that and furrowed his eyebrows in concentration.
-You’ll set fire to the curtain, he said at last.
-What? Nibbles said in disbelief and snapped his fingers once more.
Suddenly there was a large crash and the sound of someone tumbling down the stairs. They all rose to their feet, everyone ready for a fight.
-Nibbles! For the crying sky!
Ana’s voice came from the hallway like thunder and Nibbles jerked and accidently snapped his fingers. Standing too close to the curtain it caught fire but none of them noticed it except Ard who knew it would happen.
-Told you it would happen, Ard pointed at the spreading fire and attempts to put it out were made. The fire was soon gone but the curtain was forever lost. Nibbles glanced nervously at the doorway to the hall.
-Don’t tell her it was my fault. She might not notice, he spoke quickly before he straightened up and tried to take the few steps to the hall with some confidence. The three left smiled at one another. There was no way Ana would miss that the curtain was ruined. They followed the sound of a fiery discussion out in the hallway where Ana sat on the floor in a pale green dress, wearing high heels and her blonde hair in a simple braid. Apparently she had fallen down the stairs after tripping over one of Nibbles’ rings which had been conveniently dropped on the first step. She held up the golden ring between her fingers, it was Nibbles’. But Nibbles tried to convince her that it wasn’t which made Ana more aggravated.
-Ana, I swear on the silver moon that it isn’t my ring, and you really should blame this on the stupid person who gave you high heels to wear.
-I picked them out myself!
Nibbles bit his lip.
At the top of the stairs Jagger stood with her hands clamped over her mouth, preventing her from laughing, tears trickling from her eyes. She had seen the whole tumbling and falling and had heard the whole discussion. A little laugh slipped through and all eyes were directed to her. There was a united gasp.
-I’m sorry Ana, but it looked hilarious.
-It’s alright, I’m the laughingstock of today.
Then the two girls realised the men were staring at Jagger. Her cheeks flushed. Ana’s eyebrows wrinkled together as always when there was something she didn’t get.
-What? Why are you staring like a wolf stares at a lamb?
Nibbles made his famous “you’re too young to understand”-sigh and rolled his eye.
-Why would we stare if it wasn’t for the fact that Jagger has transformed from boyish girl to the most beautiful young lady?
-So?
Nibbles rolled his eye yet again.
-Do you really want me to repeat myself from last time?
Ana snorted.
-No thanks. Can anybody help me up?
She held out her hands and Soi stepped forward to help her. When she was up she leaned in closer to his ear.
-I can see that she’s beautiful, but do you really need to stare at her? She asked, surprisingly anxious.
Soi laughed softly and Ana got more anxious.
-I’m serious.
-I know you are.
-Then why are you laughing?
She took a step away from him but her left leg wouldn’t carry her and she fell. Fortunately Soi was prepared and lifted her up in his arms.
-Dinner everyone? He said and walked into the dining room with Ana.
Haz and Nibbles followed but Ard stayed behind and waited for Jagger.
-I get the impression you’re wearing a beautiful dress, he said to her.
-Yes, I suppose so, Jagger said, still a bit embarrassed.
-Is it red?
-How did…?
-A good guess, Ard smiled and shrugged.
He held out his arm for her to take, not as if he was the blind one but as he was leading her into a ballroom.
In the dining room another argument erupted as Ana discovered the burnt curtain.
-For the shining stars, Nibbles, keep your hands in control!
-But it wasn’t me, I swear!

It was when the dessert was carried in three knocks was heard from Ana’s front door and she went to open. Soi didn’t see who it was or hear what they had to say, he was caught up in Ard’s demonstration of his future telling gift and Nibbles explanation to Jagger how it couldn’t be his fault, entirely, for setting fire to the curtain. When Ana returned to the room her face was pale. Nibbles stopped talking and observed her seriously.
-Ana, who was it?
-Just some Academy man. I’m supposed to install myself at the Academy council first thing tomorrow.
-Oh, Ana’s in trouble.
-Shut up, Nibbles!
-It’s not that bad, Ana, you were supposed to go there anyway, right.
-I don’t get called on. I don’t like this.
-Stop acting like you’re fourteen and come here and listen to Ard’s fortune telling.
She sunk down beside Soi. She listened halfhearted and her grey eyes were lost in the distance. Soi took her hand which rested between them and Ana looked into his dark eyes with worry.
-What is it?
-I don’t know, I have this feeling that something’s not right.
-Oh, Ard exclaimed. –I see that woman again, she with the long braid. Her hair must be black, it’s so dark. There’s something about her eyes that seems familiar.
-Sassa? Soi thought out loud.
-No, there’s nothing strange about her eyes.
-Unless… she’s a monster.
Soi looked at Nibbles and Ana, but they kept quiet.
-No, this woman’s not a monster, Ard said. –It’s just something about her eyes.
Nibbles laughed.
-Ard, you’re just saying that to make Jagger jealous, aren’t you?
-What, no!

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick