Chapter Four
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, nativewildmage & shannyauburn. Ok, in this chapter, Lae will get her schedule, meet their first professor. I'm sorry, Lightbridge fans, but they'll only be staying there a few years. Three, tops. Anyway, you might remember that the older circle members (Niko & Rosethorn) felt that the University was horrible, and pretty much everyone hated how it was all about knowing the limits of magic. However, they will enjoy the first few months. (If they'll let me write it that way) Ok, here goes.
Disclaimer: I do not own the spell, 'sonorous.' J.K. Rowling does. I don't own Winding Circle, Lightbridge, or Kirel either. Tamora Pierce owns all those.
Teyrnon: Regal
Yorret: Rewot eht yb sevil; D
Washi: Eagle
Markku: Rebellious
Shoaza: Bring honor to my ancestors (Nashoaza: shame of my ancestors ((Not really, I just added a Na to the top of it ;-D)))
They took their horses to the stable; only leaving once they were satisfied with the care they would be given. After that was done, they walked all over the huge campus, trying to acquaint themselves with its layout.
Back at home...
"I miss her, Jarek." Lae's mother looked sadly in at her daughter's forge, where she usually spent most of her free time. "What if she comes home and she's been hurt, or she's unhappy there?"
"Stop thinking about it. You're just torturing your mind, Paz." He sighed. "I took the same chance with Keene, remember?"
"You're right. I just hope she's ok."
(I'll try not to do that often. I just felt it was necessary there.)
Three days later...
The students filed into a huge auditorium, called the main hall. A tall, bearded man came onto the stage. "Quiet, please," he called. Everyone recognized the 'sonorous' spell he was using. It enabled him to speak in normal tones, and still be heard by everyone. "Welcome students, all! As most of you already know, I am Teyrnon Yorret, headmaster of Lightbridge University."
L- Wow. That's neat.
K- Stop! Do you want to start your year here by getting us both in trouble?
It's not like they can hear us. Don't you think they would've said something by now?
Yeah, but still! Besides, I want to hear his speech, even if you don't. Now if you don't mind, can we go back to reality?
Ok, fine, I'll stop. Yeesh, Keene!
The man onstage continued. "I hope that your time here will be pleasant; however, you are the only ones who can ensure that that happens. You will all be placed into dormitories. I expect you all to get along like the mature scholars that you are, or at least, should be. If not, there will be penalties."
See, I told you. This is really boring
Shut up, Lae! For pity's sake!
"So, as you embark on another, or, for some of you, your first, year here at Lightbridge, remember, the key to life is," he paused.
"Wisdom!" shouted the throng.
"Thank you. Now, on another note, we have a new professor here at Lightbridge. His methods are new to us, but as a teacher of blacksmithing, his works are to die for. This is Kirel Blaze. Of course, you will all refer to him as Professor Blaze."
(Yes, it's Kirel as in Frostpine's assistant; no, Daja won't show up here... unless she visits Kirel. Also, I had him choose 'Blaze' as his name of practice, but keep Kirel, too.)
A slim, tall man with a black moustache,a pale face, andblue eyesstood up. He looked to be in his late twenties. Lae unconsciously began to mind-cast. Oh, my God! Look at him! That smooth, black hair, those dark brown eyes, that deep voice! I think I'm in love!
Well. That's just great; a sarcastic mind voice answered her, now I'm scarred for life.
Oh, shut up, Keene. I didn't say anything the time you were drooling over Maj.
What did you call me? My name is Markku, I've never drooled over a girl named Maj, and eww, no! He's so pale! The only thing I've ever 'drooled over' was Washi Ronin.
Oh, Nashoaza! I'm so sorry! I didn't know anyone but Keene could hear me.
Well, obviously, you were wrong.
Lae looked around and realized the girl behind her had kicked out, and their feet were touching. You're a smith, right?
Of course; that's why physical contact allows us to touch. How can you be enrolled at Lightbridge and not know that?
I did! Lae said, defensively. I just didn't realize we had physical contact.
Yeah, sure. What's your name, anyway?
Lae.
Oh. Is this your first semester?
Yeah; is it yours?
No, I've been here two years. Pay attention now, he's calling the dorms.
(A/N: I promise, this will not be a frat kind of thing, that is not at all Lightbridge. That's like, ETC U, or something.)
Kirel had sat down about ten minutes prior, and the headmaster was speaking again. "You will notice that each student has been placed in the dormitory named for the element that fits their magic best. When the assembly is dismissed, you may leave. When I call you, please stand. All female wood, plant, stone, and earth students will report to house Tuwah. Male students of these elements will report to house Azibo." A little more than a quarter of the students, including Keene, stood. "Female students of the elements wind, smoke, or air elements please report to Tadewi house. Male students of the same, report to Awel house. Female students studying smithing, fire in general, or cooking will please go to Paytah house. Male students of these talents will report to Rowtag. Finally, female students studying water, ice, or medicine will report to Mesi house, and male students studying those will go to Devor house. With that, this assembly is dismissed."
A/N: Houses and their definitions are listed below. I don't know where students lodged in Lightbridge, but I'm just going to say dorm to save time.
Houses:
Earth Azibo & Tuwah; 35 of student body
Water Mesi & Devor; 25 of student body
Air Tadewi & Awel; 15 of student body
Fire Paytah & Rowtag; 25 of student body
Lae remembered from her earlier tour, that she had seen a building called Paytah in a road with the other seven dorms. She followed Markku to the road where all the girl dorms were. They found a large stone building painted dark red.
"This is it, right?" she asked Markku.
"Well, my alert friend," she replied, "Why don't you read the sign?" Clearly marked on an iron tablet above the door, there was a sign stating Paytah, House of Fire. Still grinning, Markku lead the way into their dorm.
Lae, however, stopped at the door. "Wow," she breathed, "It's so… majestic!" Markku looked back at her, shaking her head. "I can't believe it! Look at the details in this door; what kind of a master could smith those?"
The other girl grabbed her by the arm and yanked her into the building. "Shurri and Hakoi, Lae, don't just stand there like a star-struck freshman!"
(A/N: Yeee! She uses Frostpine's words! YEEEE!)
"But I am a star-struck freshman!" Lae protested. "So where do we sleep, anyway? I'm really tired." Markku pointed to the second door on her left.
They were now standing in the middle of a large, circular room. In the center, there was a column, about four feet in diameter. (A/N: Once again, for you Metric people, that's about one meter, plus maybe six decimeters.) At each of the four compass points, there was a large fireplace, complete with roaring fires. The runes placed all around them, to protect from the fire burning more than the actual chimney, gleamed bright red.
On her left, there were two elaborately carved wooden doors, both obviously bedrooms. The right matched that exactly. Straight ahead, there was a huge stone archway, complete with runes all around its circumference. Once again, the runes all shone, this time in several different colors. The floor was also a mosaic of runes. They ran in a circular pattern, giving the smooth marble a textured look.
Then, Lae directed her gaze upwards, and once more, gasped with pleasure. The ceiling became a dome, with gilded weavings and braids running up the length of the sides, to meet at the keystone in a blaze of fiery colors that lit up the entire room, and cast dancing shadows on all of the walls.
(A/N: Wheeeeee! Talk about exploded moments! I should so send this to Ms. Auletta: D)
After drinking in all of the beauty of the room, Lae hurried to catch up. She ran into the door, and found only one bed left. She sank into it with a sigh, figuring that she would probably stay up for a few hours to study. Within ten minutes she was fast asleep.
The next morning…Lae jumped to her feet as the alarm rang noisily, startling everyone in the room out of bed. It sounded like a gigantic bell was emanating its ringing tones all over the campus. She had already gotten up, having become accustomed to waking up early on her journey to Lightbridge.
Keene, are you awake?Well, if I wasn't before, I am now. Her cousin sounded extremely grumpy. He never had been a morning person.
Oh. What's your first class?I don't know! Lae, leave me alone, I'm trying to get dressed! Don't you have anything better to do?
Well duh, I'm just not choosing to do it.
Well, go! I'm busy, and you probably should be too! Get out! He cut off contact, effectively slamming the door on their conversation. Lae rolled her eyes and walked out into the main hall of their dorm. Everyone was gathered, and a professor was handing out sheets of paper to people.
"Hue!" She came up, and he handed her a sheet. "Markku!" The girl in the bunk above Lae stumbled from her place next to the doorway over to the woman and took her paper. "Phuong!" A tall, red-haired girl walked over and took her paper. "Ignacia!" A small, energetic looking, black-haired girl bounded over, took her paper, and skipped back. Lae grinned at her; she winked. "Lae!" Lae took her paper and sat down as well.
(A/N: I used military time for the schedule. If you can't read it, just subtract 12 from the number if it's greater than 12.)
It read:
Miss Lae Croanin:
Please make sure you are not late for your classes and complete all work assigned to you. Your schedule is as follows:
8:00 – 9:30) Mathematics- you will attend a testing center with the other freshmen. When you have completed your test, your class will appear here
9:40 – 11:00) Writing- you will attend a testing center with the other freshmen. When you have completed your test, your class will appear here
12:45 – 13:00) Reading- you will attend a testing center with the other freshmen. When you have completed your test, your class will appear here
13:10 – 14:30) Blacksmithing- Forge three, bring all assigned work
14:40 – 16:10) Chemistry and Potions- Alchemy Lab two, bring all assigned work17:20 – 18: 45) Runecraft-, Classroom Fifty-seven, bring all assigned work
19:00 – 20:30) Theory of magic- Main Lecture Hall, bring all assigned work
Curfew is at 21:45, sharp. All dorms should be dark by 23:30.
A/N: Tune in next week for Lae's first day at Lightbridge (actual classes, that is)!