The Tutor
By, Elias A.
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me. Just fooling around.
"He smiled his gentle smile. 'It may seem to you as if I've been here forever, but I actually came just after your fifth birthday. The Warden sent to the Academy for the best Sapient available. His daughter's tutor could be nothing less.'" Incarceron, Catherine Fisher.
Even packed for eleven days of travel, Jared had few possessions.
A footman in tawny brown robes heaved his single trunk onto the waiting carriage. Jared watched him secure it to the roof with twin straps
"The box Master?" The footman eyed the gleaming wooden case tucked under the Sapient's left arm.
"I shall carry it with me."
"Yes sir." The footman retreated to the opposite side of the carriage, where the stablehands were moving the last horse into position.
Jared spared a glance behind him. The west wings of the Academy were barely visible in the night. At this hour, the ground level buildings were silent, save for the bustle in the carriage house and the stables. Even the kitchens were dark, their fires reduced to coals, and the servants tucked warmly in bed. Yet high above, lights twinkled in the towers.
The carriage lanterns gave off their own soft glow. In their watery light, Jared removed a thick square envelope from the stiff wool of his coat. He lifted its flap, where the words Honorable Masters of the Academy peeked out in pitch black ink.
With a Sapient's discipline, the letter was already committed to memory. Its words, the stiff tone, and the delicately false cordiality. Jared withdraw the letter to read it again.
Honorable Masters of the Academy,
Six months from this letter's date, my daughter, the Lady Arlexa, attains five years of age. At that time, I wish her formal education to commence. In her tender years, my daughter has proved a willing and curious pupil. I intend that only the best of academics should rouse her intellect.
I desire that one of your own should teach my daughter the languages, histories, sciences, and other arts suitable to the Realm and her station. Certain leniency for Sapient curricula shall be granted. The tutor shall attend her for a period of twelve years, and thereafter shall be fit to pursue personal interests.
If Your Honors see fit to send me a Sapient of extraordinary discipline and exceptional brightness of mind and spirit, I shall host the Master with lodgings, furnishings and other necessaries for his employ.
Please reply by post.
Very truly yours,
M. John O. Arlexa
"Master, we are ready to depart."
Jared turned back to the voice of the footman. The harnessed horses shifted restlessly, and the driver was settling into position, his gloved hands gripping the reins.
Jared pocketed the letter, and taking the footman's offered hand, stepped up and into the dry, cramped interior of the carriage, the door closing behind him. He settled himself onto the velvet seat and placed the wood chest at his feet.
He will be impossible. The words of his superiors floated back to Jared as the carriage jerked into motion. They had not offered him the position without fair warning.
A whore to Protocol. Totalitarian in and out of Court.
Some of the criticisms had been expected. After years in their presence, Jared knew the senior masters of the Academy were hostile to the keeper of the great Sapient experiment.
Privacy will be difficult.
Abruptly, the carriage jolted forward to begin its long journey.
The Academy Masters voiced valid concerns. In the case at his feet and in the pockets on his person, Jared traveled with his few valuable possessions. Delicate crystal chips, sophisticated privacy scanners, vials of noxious liquids.
He performed above his peers in nearly all Academy disciplines. At twenty-one, he was young yet mostly finished for a Sapient. Beneath layers of Sapient learning, Jared knew his only loyalty was to his scholarship. Perhaps this had been enough for the Masters to make their decision.
Jared tugged the collar of his new coat to shut out the cold night air seeping into the carriage. It was too dark to read. Eleven days of journey lay ahead.
Settling back into the carriage seat, he wrapped his long limbs beneath the heavy fabric of the shimmering coat and settled his cheek against its high collar.
Wrapped in such a garment, Jared slept soundly.