Gareth woke on the second bright morning of his page training, sweating and covered in bruises. He couldn't understand why for a few seconds, then he realised.
The fight, the silvery flash of daggers, which shone in the half-light from the dusty windows. The other boy's face- red, angry, bitter.
Gary tried to push all of his feelings away, to hold them in front of him, and get ready for the first proper day of his training. He had longed for this ever since he had heard Colelin tell him about it all. He hoped it went well.
As Gary pulled off the woollen coverlet, and struggled from the blankets, someone entered from the servants' door. Gary swung round, hands ready.
But it wasn't the bully. It was the maid from the day before, Magnita. She smiled at him, and he blushed.
"Master Gareth, do you require my services?" She asked politely, and curtsied neatly. Her cheeks were flushed, as if she had been running. Her golden hair was tied in two neat bunches, but was a bit knotted, Gary noticed, as he examined her closely. This made her blush. Suddenly he realised he was meant to answer.
Ummm, no, and please call me Gary", he said, smiling at her. She didn't need to look up at him, like most girls, which was good.
"I'm to be your personal maid", she said clearly, dipping anther curtsy.
"Wonderful, well, you might as well set up a pallet in the corner, then." Gary's hands were hot. Carefully, he used his Gift to cool them. His Gift wasn't that good, as Gary could only heat and warm things, to the point that they froze, of caught fire. He could also bring light.
Magnita left the room, and Gary got dressed in his new page clothes. Smoothing them with his hand, Gareth of Naxen opened his door into the Pages corridor. It was one of the newest corridors in the palace, as it had been built only a year ago. The sandstone shone in the early morning light from the windows. It glistened, looking like there was water on it. The entire Palace had this effect, as a mage had once enchanted the stone, making it look like it had water on it.
Gary peered anxiously around him, hoping the boy didn't come. He needed to get to the Page Hall, he thought. He had been shown where that was. Still scanning the crowds for the boy, Gareth walked swiftly to the Hall. He may have been short, but Gary's legs were muscled and strong.
The gateway loomed ahead of him, and the Pages all sat in their lines of tables. Gary almost ran in, hoping he wasn't keeping the others waiting. It wouldn't do to annoy them on his first proper day.
He was in just in time. The bell rang, and he didn't even have time to sit before Lord Harise said the blessing. They all sat down, and began to eat the food before them. It was warm porridge, thick and gloopy, though a little gray. Gary ate his speedily, spooning the stuff into his mouth. The water was much needed. On the other hand it was a bit sour, but no one was complaining. It was far better than any water the commoners in the city got. Most drank ale, no matter how old they were. Many died, Kidney failure, the healers said. However, one Gold Noble would make a Corus city healer instantly change his or her diagnosis.
Gary brushed such melancholy thoughts from his mind hurriedly. He was a noble! He must treat commoners with little respect, and no insult, however much he wanted to help their dire situation.
"You are dismissed!" The Training master boomed. Gary followed the other boys as he left the hall.
His first day had started.