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Chapter 2, lessons begin
Eric led the way and the other two Djamphir followed me behind, I didn't like being followed, it made my body tingle, my senses alive, prepared for attack. My fists were curled at the ready and my blade was in my pocket. I wished I had my gun on me but I didn't have a holster. I yawned quietly to myself. I really was tired; I could sleep for an entire day. We came to a stop at a highly polished door. Eric tapped the door and I shuddered at the memory of my father… 'Enter', a sunny voice said and Eric pulled the door open and nodded his head in a way that suggested that I could go inside. The man behind the desk looked no older than twenty, but his eyes suggested his years.
'Hello Dru, at last we meet', he smiled widely. 'Please take a seat.'
I did so, saying nothing and preparing myself, I didn't relax against the back I sat upright ready to spring into action. My eyes searched the room for plan B if the main escape was sealed or difficult to get through. That window would have to do.
I looked back at the headmaster, it was clear that he had been watching me, the interest of his face was very apparent. I waited for him to speak again. 'I'm Curtis', he told me with another smile. 'How are you finding it here so far?' he asked as though asking if the weather suited me.
'Fine,' I answered a little dully, 'it's been fine'.
'And how are you finding your bodyguards?'
I shrugged, 'I'd rather not have them', I told him.
'Oh?' Curtis said in surprise.
'And if I actually get taught this time then I won't need them', I said raising an eyebrow.
'Ah yes', Curtis said interlocking his fingers. 'I understand what happened at the other Schola, I'm not sure why they did nothing, but here Dru, you will be taught.'
He waited but I said nothing. 'Here is your schedule', he said handing me a piece of paper across the desk to me. I stared down at it, only three lessons from the other school remained there, the rest were new. 'My first lessons with you', I said surprised.
'Yes', Curtis smiled and stood up; he walked over to a cupboard and pulled it open. He pulled out two curved wooden swords, my heart jolted pleasantly. Christophe had called them malaika, made of Hawthorn. 'I will be teaching you how to use these', he said. 'Now get up and let's get started.'
We left his office and walked along the corridor until we reached a gymnasia type of room, but smaller and empty. 'Now Dru, the first thing you learn here is patience, with weapons such as these you must learn slowly and calmly. Adrenalin can dangerous, sometimes it jolts through your system too fast, and it can make one reckless. We will start with the most basics of all.'
'Yes', I said breathless with excitement.
'First holding them correctly', he smiled and handed me one of the weapons. I realised immediately by his expression that I'd taken hold of it entirely wrong; I held it like a bat to be cast aside.
*
Patience really was important I realised as Curtis escorted me from the gymnasia. We hadn't done any practice fighting whatsoever. Instead Curtis taught me how to hold the swords correctly and the correct stance. He circled me and made suggestions to improve my posture. The next lesson he told me that he'd been teaching me a little footwork. 'Here we are Dru', Curtis said as we reached a classroom with a line of boys outside waiting to go in.
'Thanks', I muttered sullenly and I noticed my bodyguards waiting for me.
I traipsed to the back of the line, even more annoyed as heads turned watching me. I stared down at the floor determined to avoid any eyes still lingering on me.
'Hi Dru', a voice said brightly, obviously male, I looked up at him. He'd turned around in the line. He was tall with a shock of bright red hair and round chocolate brown eyes. 'I'm Clay Philips'; he had a big sloppy smile and was extending his hand. What kind of kid offered a hand shake?
I shook it wearily, 'Hi', I said to him. A shivering murmur erupted through the queue.
'Why don't you sit with me as your friends won't be joining us?'
'They won't?' I said quickly.
'Werwulfen and Djamphir are mostly taught separately,' he informed me, his glittering grin still in place. 'We only share some lessons so we're aware of certain things about each other.'
My shoulders sagged and I sighed heavily, great, fucking great. Curtis had warned me about skipping lessons too. He'd looked very stern after our lesson. 'Dru you want to learn, you want to be able to fight. The only way that's going to happen is if you turn up. Am I clear?' I almost saluted the man. 'Alright come in everyone', a voice barked and we all trooped into the classroom. I sagged onto the nearest sofa; Clay sat down on my left comfortably while there was a little scuffle on my right which I ignored. The victor of the scuffle laughed as he took a seat in the other side of me. 'Hey Dru', he said almost immediately, I refrained with all my strength not to roll my eyes. 'Hi', I mumbled even more annoyed. 'I'm Sam', he told me and winked. His hair was caramel with streaks of honey in it, his eyes sharp and dark blue. 'How's it going then? What lesson did you have this morning? Was it any good?'
I stared at him open mouthed. Was I supposed to answer all of those questions? I couldn't even remember the first one he had asked. So I took the easy was out and just shrugged instead. 'Alright shut up', the teacher barked again, impatiently. I looked up the front. The teacher looked eighteen, though his pale green eyes were ancient. I could tell this bloke was one of those strict no nonsense teachers, if you misbehaved you were out and he didn't give a shit about you then. His eyes met mine, they stared locked into mine. 'Well, well, a Svetocha in our mist', he said, and then he looked around with a smug smile as the boys tittered. 'I'm sure that's very interesting to all of you', he said still smiling. It was a threatening, dangerous smile, his teeth shinning brightly, were warning. 'You're very special', he said addressing me again. 'But just because you're special it does not make me any more lenient.' And then he looked away and began teaching.
