Dedicated to Siobhan
"Is the content of my lecture boring you, son of Jason?" The professor glared coldly from his podium across the great marble hall; Jay snapped out of his daydream as he felt every set of eyes in the classroom suddenly fall upon him.
"Not at all, Professor Graemyre," Jay cringed, ignoring the snickers of his surrounding classmates. It had been a year since his first day attending the academy and the view of the rolling mountains against the seascape still took his breath away after all this time. Such beautiful views made him restless at his desk; perhaps that was just the human in him.
"Well then, since you're so interested, you'll be able to tell the class about the socio-political aftereffects that occurred after the Titan War?" The tall Elven scholar announced dryly, Jay straightened up at his desk and quickly shuffled through his notes not daring to meet the crowd's gaze.
"Uh well…" he fumbled, realising the only notes he had written were covered in mindless doodles. Had Jay been gifted with more refined artistic talent, the drawings would have been a remarkably detailed map of the land and sea surrounding the mountains. He remembered back to the stories his mother would tell him about the great battles of the Titan War,
"Well, once Cronus had been defeated…" Jay began, ignoring his teacher's wince at the God's name.
"Zeus raised a mountain from the ground – Mount Olympus – for the Gods to reside in once they had regained their power. Once the palace was built, the Gods shut themselves in and left the reign to the land's people. This didn't go down too well, as the races of the land were divided on who should be in charge. Eventually a group of high elves decided they should be in charge, as they lived in the mountain range closest to Mount Olympus and were the richest in resources to lead." He continued; Professor Graemyre furrowed his brow at the boy. "Even though peace had mostly been restored, most people weren't too happy about one subrace of wealthy elves ruling everyone; many races of creatures started to form their own territories around Mount Olympus…" This caused an offended grumble amongst the elven students of the classroom, "but the Darke Forest stands between the territories and Mount Olympus, making it near impossible for a lot of communities to get resources and trade - "
"Sir!" An unfamiliar voice interrupted, "what's in the Darke Forest? Why can't the Elves just cut through it and take the land?" The classroom erupted in hushed murmurs and giggles; while some of the more well-informed students rolled their eyes at such a suggestion, others looked eagerly at the Professor.
Graemyre cleared his throat, "Some believe a curse to be the reason no one has dared to claim the forest as territory…" Jay frowned at the old Elven man's words, but Graemyre continued, "they say the woods are cursed to be ever-changing as an evolving labyrinth. Which perhaps suggests why there are so few documented routes through the forest and why the fools who venture in…" He paused, "… are rarely seen again." The class shuffled uncomfortably in their seats; a thick silence overtook the hall. Professor Graemyre enjoyed this small victory and smirked to himself, "Others believe that the Darke Forest harboured many of Cronus's followers during the war and that the land is now claimed by thieves, rogues, monsters- "
"Vampires and Werewolves?" The bored, unfamiliar voice interrupted once more. The class laughed at the bold disruption, Graemyre squared up from the podium.
"You," he bellowed across the hall, "Stand up, boy, tell me your name," every head in the room whipped around to catch the source of their teacher's contempt. From the back of the hall, a boy no older than seventeen stood tall. Jay recognised him as an elf; his fair blonde hair and oceanic-blue eyes that could be admired even from across the grand hall suggested he was a high elf. Even in the Paladin uniform, Jay could see the boy was incredibly well dressed; his tunic was made from expensive, silken linens – most peculiar to see, as most Paladin students at the academy required cheaper, stronger fabrics to keep up with the wear and tear that comes with years of training in combat. The rest of the class seemed to notice this too, based on the blushing giggles of the two halfling girls that sat behind Jay.
"Well, to members of my household my title is Thalaneil Lysanthir of House Valmaris…" he declared, seemingly unshaken by the aggravated teacher before him. He combed his tanned fingers through his soft blonde hair, "To you people… I'd say the most appropriate title is 'Your Highness'," he continued, whispers amongst the class grew louder as the professor's face turned a deep shade of crimson.
"But friends call me Neil," The boy smirked coolly.
There were gasps among a select few of the Elven students who seemed to understand the significance of Neil's presence immediately. Jay, along with the rest of the class gawked absently at Neil's introduction; Graemyre regarded Neil for a long moment before chuckling to himself,
"Ah yes, the Great Thalaneil –"
"-I'd really prefer just Neil. "
"Tell us Thalaneil," The Professor paced away from his podium, "you seem to have a boundless source of wisdom; how would you manage the affairs of trade and passage through a territory you've never stepped foot on? Land you know nothing of, much less its people or their history?" Graemyre held Neil's gaze as he made his way through the aisles of desks, "I suppose you could just 'cut through the land and take it', as you say? If that is indeed the ruler you plan to become." The young prince frowned but Graemyre continued, "You could send forces from the North but then you'd be crossing Dwarf territory and those clans will not allow passage without a price."
Neil rolled his eyes impatiently, "Well then go from the east."
Graemyre smirked, "I would not go charging through the human farming territories; overpopulated beyond belief since the Titan War. Force them any closer to the Darke forest's edge like what happened to the Genasi clans, and you'll have an uprising before you can cut the first tree."
Neil grumbled, "You've made your point."
"My point, your majesty, is that your mother and father stripped you of your titles and sent you here in the hopes – nay, expectation – that you might become a Paladin warrior." Graemyre stood tall and expressionless, Neil's eyes widened in humiliation as the students mumbled awkwardly to one another.
"The Paladins we produce here live to uphold justice and righteousness; they stand with all things good against the encroaching darkness. A Paladin's role is to hunt the forces of evil wherever they lurk, and while we do devote ourselves to the Olympians, our power comes from a commitment to justice itself as it does from the Gods." Graemyre turned to face all the students, "We train you for years to master the skills of combat, weapons and armour to prepare you for the front lines of the cosmic struggle against evil." The room was silent, hanging on Graemyre's every word, "As with any Paladin, someday in your lifetime you'll each be required to take a vow that commits you to a cause of righteousness; an active path against wickedness." The turned towards Neil once more, "in learning about the history of the land on which you serve; you'll leave this academy well-equipped to recognise good and evil in all actions and crossroads. Therefore, I suggest that you do not interrupt my class again, Neil…" Graemyre said in a low voice before suddenly catching Jay's gaze, "and pay attention."
Neil sauntered sheepishly from his desk as Graemyre's class ended, shadowed only by a short human boy carrying a stack of books and writing equipment.
"What's my next class, again?" Neil asked the boy as he pulled out his pocket mirror to check his teeth, the short boy shook his head disapprovingly at the disgraced prince.
"It's a scheduled meal break before an open study period; you should really memorise your own class schedule, you know" Odd, Jay thought to himself, human Paladins were practically unheard of. The school board were hesitant to even allow Jay entry to the program for having a human mother until they found out his father was the famous war-hero, Jason, who died leading the High Elves to victory during the Titan War.
"But that's why I have you here, Odie, you're my representative… my footman!"
"they're paying me to tutor you and make sure you don't stick your foot in your big mouth in front of the Elves," The short boy grumbled
"Humans may be good for diplomacy but, Zeus, you guys can be crabby," Jay followed the pair out to the busy corridor. This area of the academy was easily the most beautiful; the open-air corridor was lined with rows of marble columns that led into a long balcony overlooking the mountains and sea. The academy itself sat in a hidden valley sheltered by a mountain range and neighboured only by the sea. Even from here, Jay could smell the salt in the sea air. He felt a pang of restlessness from the familiar scent.
"Watch your pet, your Majesty!" A harsh voice spat venomously, Jay looked up to see the human boy thrown to the ground, his books flung across the corridor floor. Standing over him was a towering figure Jay knew all too well,
"What are you supposed to be, some sort of lizard-man?" Neil leered at their attacker; the bully snarled at the comment. His rust-coloured scales pulled back against his sharp reptilian teeth, making him only look angrier.
"Don't tell me you've never met a Dragonborn before? You really are sheltered, it's disgraceful to your kind!" He roared; Jay rushed to intervene before Neil had a chance to respond.
"Back off, Rhogar," He warned. Rhogar simply laughed as Jay stood between the two,
"Or what, half-blood? It sickens me that the academy would allow such weak bloodlines to train as Paladins." Jay rolled his eyes, Dragonborn students were notoriously proud and patriotic creatures. Rhogar especially. They were humanoid enough to pass in most societies, like dragons that stood as men – but they missed the genetic benefit of wings or a tail. They were favoured as Paladins not only for their size and devotion to mastery but because to any Dragonborn, clan is more important than life itself. Dragonborn owe their devotion and respect to their clan above all else, even the Gods. This makes them excellent allies and excruciating enemies.
"Haven't you got better things to do than pick on new students?" Jay argued as he helped Odie collect his books from the ground. Suddenly he felt himself get yanked backwards as a large talon gripped him by the shoulder of his tunic.
"I could remind the filthy half-human where his place is," Rhogar sneered, baring his jaws.
"Hey, I'm half-human. How about you pick on me?" A familiar voice cut in,
"Herry!" Jay cried,
A tall, brawn boy strode up to the scene, leaning in close to Rhogar.
"I think you ought to get to class, or would you like me to carry you there?" The burly teen threatened. Rhogar growled but slowly relinquished the grip of his talons and receded,
"You better watch yourselves, half-bloods!" He kicked a book Odie was reaching for across the hall before stalking down the corridor out of sight. Even Rhogar knew better than to square up to Herry, who was perhaps the only student big enough to do any real damage. Having a half-giant as a best friend made the last year significantly more bearable for Jay. Herry was one of the few students totally undisturbed by the discrimination that comes with human lineage. Maybe it was because he was big enough that no one would dare call his bloodline weak; maybe he just didn't care after spending most of his life growing up on farmlands away from the scrutiny of city-dwellers; or maybe it was because he was raised by his human grandmother who was once the most notoriously feared assassins of the century. Either way, Herry treated everyone equally without fail. It was why Jay liked hanging out with him so much.
"Jeez, run ins with Dragon-breath before lunch – that's got to be a new record!" Herry chuckled,
"We have our friend Neil here to thank for that," Jay grinned slyly handing Odie a fallen book.
"That was NOT my fault! The brute just slammed through us! Besides, it was Odie who got in his way…" His short companion rolled his eyes,
"Yeah right, you're – wait…" Odie's gaze fell on Jay, "I know you! You're from Silverkeep, right?" It took a moment for Jay to make the connection between the human boy and his hometown,
"Wait… Odie? No way!" The pair laughed and pulled each other into a loose hug, "I haven't seen you since you got the scholarship to study at the Palace! What are you doing here?" Jay asked excitedly,
"Yeah, the program keeps me busy. I've been able to make enormous progress in my own research thanks to the Palace's library…." Odie leaned in close to Jay, "Between you and me, the program is more of an over glorified babysitting service. I'm more of the personal assistant than anything," he shook his head, indicating to Neil.
"But you're the smartest person I know! Your research and inventions are going to put Silverkeep on the map someday," Jay assured,
"Me? What about you? It was a surprise to no one the day you ran off to join the Paladins - What with your lineage and all - I think there are going to be a lot more eyes on you than me…"
"Uh Excuse me, aren't you going to introduce me?" Neil tapped his foot impatiently; Odie rolled his eyes.
"Sorry. I'm jay, I grew up in the same village as Odie," Jay grinned courteously, "And this is- "
"I'm Herry, any friends of Jay are friends of mine!" The brawny teen announced, clapping one hand encouragingly on Odie's bac. The force made Odie cry out 'oof'; not that Herry noticed. He offered his giant hand out to Neil, the prince regarded it for a moment,
"Uh, a pleasure. You may call me Neil I suppose…" Neil sighed, flinging forward his hand as if expecting Herry to kiss the jewelled rings on his fingers. Herry stared at Neil's hand for a moment before awkwardly gripping it into a shake. Neil frowned at the gesture, "Look is there someone in charge I can talk to about my classes? I really think there should be some accelerated program for me to take so I don't have to spend so much time with the common folk. I'm sort of on a time crunch with this whole Paladin thing being royalty and all!" Jay and Herry stared at the blonde incredulously, while Odie shook his head in embarrassment.
"You want Chiron, he's the headmaster." Jay said bitingly,
"We can take you!" Herry grinned, clasping his arms around both Neil and Jay's shoulders.
"Finally, some respect from the students at this Academy," Neil sighed as Odie exchanged a pained look with Jay.
Led by Herry and Jay, the group made their way through the main hall of the Academy, towards the Eastern Wing. Before them lay a grand spiral staircase, Neil gulped at the height of the marble structure. Students bustled from one floor to the next, barely fazed by the lack of railing.
"Chiron's at the top," Jay explained,
"That's got to be at least eight stories!" Neil groaned; Odie dumped the books he was carrying at the bottom of the stairs.
"I'll get them later," He shrugged before striding up the stairway, the rest followed suit with Neil dragging behind. As they climbed the winding staircase, Jay's mind wondered back to what Neil had said about 'being on a time crunch'. What could a prince with all the greatest tutors and swordsman available at his disposal possibly gain from Paladin training? Surely the Palace had the kind of resources that could make Neil the greatest warrior in the land? Jay chuckled at that last thought. It was hard to imagine such a ridiculous, precious person as a fierce warrior; it made Jay even more curious as to what Chiron will say. As they reached the top, they were met with a large arched door heavily lined with rusted iron plating. Neil approached to let himself in before Jay stopped him with his arm to knock on the door.
'You'd think a Prince would know manners…' Jay thought to himself.
There was a long creak from within before the door slowly opened on its own and the boys stepped through. The smell of old parchment and herbs filled the room; the walls were lined with rows of books and colourful potions that captured the light and left rainbow reflections all over the walls. Jay noticed archaic weaponry hidden in corners that were unfamiliar to him – old mementos no doubt. Dried herbs and flowers hung from the walls, lit by the light of the solarium roof. A large oak desk sat in the middle of the room and standing tall over a pile of parchment was the centaur himself. Though Chiron was aged, nothing about him seemed old or frail to Jay. His eyes pieced over his workstation towards his guests,
"Ah Jay and Herry, I see you've become acquainted with our new admissions." Chiron set aside his parchment and slowly strode across the room to greet them, the light of the sun revealing glimmers of silver in his grey hide. "I trust everything is to your liking, young Thalaneil?"
"It's Neil," The prince said curtly, "I'd like to talk to you about speeding along my progression in this course. You see, I was already trained in most subjects by the best tutors in land. I really don't see how I can get more out of this program, and I'd really hate to waste anymore of your time. I thought we could speed up my graduation date so I could take my oath before the next Solstice," Jay noticed the wrinkles carved along Chiron's brows deepened. This should be good.
"You thought wrong Neil," Chiron spoke remarkably calmy despite his harsh expression, "I cannot allow any student to become a Paladin unless they have demonstrated a dedication and devotion to righteousness."
"But I am righteous!" Neil cried, "No one's more righteous to being right than me, ask anyone!" Odie groaned from behind Neil,
"I'm sorry Neil but unless you demonstrate the conduct of a true Paladin, I cannot allow you to graduate with such a title; Paladin oaths are not to be taken lightly, young one." Chiron's long, grey beard twisted as he spoke, "a sacred oath binds you to a path destined to fight darkness, if you were to commit to one before proper training it could be certain death…"
"But what if it's a matter of life and death? I need to take an oath as soon as possible," Neil argued, Chiron furrowed is thick brows. Jay and Herry looked to Odie, who had a dark expression on his face.
"Neil, what's going on?" Jay finally asked, Neil's shoulders sunk.
"It's kind of a long story…" Neil stammered,
"It seems we have time enough," Chiron gestured to a circle of large cushions within an annex of the solarium and the group sat down.
"It's like this…" Neil began, "When I was born, it's customary for the various clans to bestow gifts on the new heir. Naturally, my birth attracted a lot of big names, but the biggest one was the representation from Mount Olympus – Aphrodite. She saw how naturally gorgeous I was even as a baby and blessed me with the gift of incomparable luck…"
I'm struggling to see where I should sympathise, Jay thought to himself dryly.
Neil continued, "the luck has been great for the most part! I manifest pretty much all of my heart's desires one way or another… but the gift – at least I thought it was - kind of backfired on me about a week ago. My parents and I were at a temple dedicated to the Olympians to perform this stupid ritual to honour them, and I guess I didn't do it right… or rather I didn't do it at all… and my parents got in a huge argument screaming about how I 'offended the Gods' and I kind of said something bad –" Chiron's grimaced as though he could see how Neil's story was going to end, "everyone was mad and yelling and I remember wishing that they would all just leave me alone.. and it was as if they'd heard me…" Neil stammered, "they turned to stone…" The room felt heavy in silence; Neil suddenly looked very young to Jay, like a small child rather than his classmate.
"I told the High Elvin Council of course, and they freaked out saying we couldn't let the other clans know the rulers were incapacitated in case it led to a revolt. So, the Council sent me here so that I could become a Paladin, claim a sacred oath and maybe that will lead me to a cure that will undo the effects of the curse!"
"If we can't undo it before the clans meet at the next solstice, the Elves are going to charge Neil with treason to save face in front of the others…" Odie quietly added, there was a long silence that followed. Chiron paced the room, his expression emotionless as his tail stirred slowly back and forth.
"Please... I made a mistake, but I want to fix it!" Neil pleaded earnestly, "not just for me but for my parents…" The centaur regarded the solemn expression on Neil's face; it felt like an eternity before he finally spoke,
"I cannot give you the title of Paladin, nor can I allow you to take an oath. You are not ready." He finally said, Neil's shoulders sunk at the words. Herry rose from the floor ready to protest, but Chiron raised his hand to stop him. "But what I can do is help you break your curse; you cannot take an oath if you are not a Paladin, but you can go to the city of Delphi and ask for a prophesy from one of the three oracles," the boys looked to one another, "A prophesy guarantees you a pathway to undoing the curse. Be warned, it is difficult to gain audience with the oracle women, and the journey they offer you will not be without trials and sacrifice…" Chiron explained, stroking his beard.
"No problem! With my luck and Odie's brains, we'll be laughing about this by the weekend," Neil shrugged
"Woah wait a minute… Odie's brains?" Odie backed up, "I don't know if this type of thing is my scene. I'm book smart and lab smart! Racing across the country facing Zeus knows what?! I don't know…"
"Come on Odie, you're always saying you want more adventure! You're telling me you want to pass up the chance to meet with the Oracles of Delphi?" Neil cried,
"Well…"
"Odie if you help me fix this, I'll guarantee you a lifetime grant for whatever research you want at the palace when this is over! Your own library with a wing named after you – whatever you want!" Odie pondered the offer for a moment; Jay looked to Chiron for a reaction, but the centaur had wandered towards the annex window seemingly distracted by something in the distant view.
"Fine, I'm in. But don't expect me to be your pack mule like I am at school…" Odie conceded,
"Yeah, baby!" Neil cried, "So Chiron, how do we get to Delphi from here?" Chiron snapped back from his gaze out the window,
"Luckily for you, I've decided to make a last-minute trip to Delphi myself…" He answered quickly; Jay's gaze wandered past the centaur towards the window. In the distance, a great mountain stood wrapped in a dark smoke of storm cloud; forks of lightning cut through the dark summit as if the mountain itself was restless. Mount Olympus.
"Chiron… the Mountain," Jay gasped; never in his lifetime had he seen such dark cloud cover over Mount Olympus. Chiron did not meet his eye,
"There is nothing natural about that storm; the Gods have been eerily quiet since our last correspondence."
"You speak to them?" Asked Jay, Chiron nodded.
"There has been a restlessness across the land, and not just in the palace…" the centaur disclosed, "beasts thought to have been long destroyed since the Titan War have been sighted along the borders of the Darke forest; Clans are disappearing; some are revolting against the Gods. I worry something worse is coming,"
"Worse like what?" Herry asked slowly,
"Worse like-"
CRASH
Suddenly shards of broken glass rained down from the ceiling above; Jay instinctively crouched into a ball, tightly covering his face. He heard Neil yelp out before launching himself under one of the large cushions. A long, piercing screech echoed through the chamber and suddenly Jay felt a sharp stinging grip around his shoulder. He cried out at the shock of the sudden pain, thinking he was struck by shattered glass.
"My word…" Chiron gasped, Jay slowly opened his eyes and swallowed back a scream. There, gripping to his shoulder was a great Eagle.
"What's with – ouch! - this thing?" Jay yelled, shaking his arm fruitlessly; the Eagle did not budge from its perch. Herry jumped to his feet to yank the bird off his friend, but its piercing shriek sent him flying backwards before he could touch it.
"What's it doing here?!" Cried Odie,
"Maybe it's migrating south for the winter?" Neil added,
"It is a call from the Gods," faltered Chiron, "An Olympian Eagle is a messenger from Zeus himself!"
"But what would Zeus want with me?" Jay stammered,
"I intend to find out," Chiron paused, "There will be a change in plans… Jay, you must go to Delphi and seek out the oracles to interpret this omen whilst I travel to Mount Olympus to discuss this with the Olympians."
"Me?!" Jay cried,
"Whatever this Eagle represents, it ties itself to you." Chiron replied sternly, already gathering satchels of equipment.
"But Chiron, I can't just go to Delphi! I still have classes and I don't know the first thing about-"
"Jay, you've proven yourself to be one of the strongest students in our curriculum; your ancestry is one of legends; you have an Olympian Eagle perched on your shoulder. This is not a matter of whether you can or cannot – the Gods, for whatever reason, have chosen you. You must answer the call!" Chiron thundered, "delivering this message from the Gods to the oracles… I dare say could be the fates offering you a sacred path." The boys stared at the eagle incredulously,
"Alright," Jay finally sighed, "I'll do it…"
"And I'm coming with you!" Herry cried enthusiastically, "We'll all go!"
"Herry, it could be dangerous!" Jay warned,
"I can't let my friends go to Delphi without back up! Plus, I've always wanted to take a road trip," The brawn grinned.
"Perfect! Herry can carry the heavy stuff for the journey," added Neil.
"It is important that you keep this quest between you four until you get to the oracles, do you understand?" Warned Chiron, "tell no one. The fate of the land could be at stake…"
The boys looked to each other nervously as the eagle remained firmly attached to Jay's arm. A restlessness shivered down through Jay's core; something big was about to begin.
Disclaimer: I do not own COTT, this fic is purely a passion project to practice writing again based on an idea that has sparked a lot of joy