-RECKONING-

Chapter Seven – INTERIM -

9:15 Dragon

-AEDAN COUSLAND-

-Castle Cousland-

I yawn and slouch against my chair. Something that would certainly get me a scolding from Mother, but what she doesn't know and see can't hurt her… or me. I watch the raindrops slowly drip down from the large window on my right. I trace their wet trails as they fall, my finger weaving a clear path through the fogged glass. Soon, however, I get bored of watching the window fog up again, so I exhale against the window and it fogs up faster.

I hate the rain.

I want to go outside and play with some of the other kids around the castle. I want to run with Zephyr barking at my heels until Nan catches me and glares with her hands on her hips. I want to feel the fresh air on my face as I look at Highever from the castle towers. I want to nag Fergus to play with me, or to tell me a story, or teach me something fun. Well, I suppose I can nag him when it's raining, but something about it saps my energy. The rain makes me want to sleep.

At least with snow, I can play outside for a time. But I can't do anything when it rains! I'm stuck here inside and I'm forced to sit through boring lessons. I sigh and put my head face down in my arms. If I can't play, I might as well sleep.

I let the sound of the rain make me really sleepy, and soon enough I fall asleep.

"….excuse…"

Something taps my shoulder.

I shift, only half-awake and fall back asleep.

"Um, hello…" Something taps my shoulder again, waking me up.

"Hello, excuse me."

Irritably, I rise and rub my eyes. I clench my hands to make the blood flow again. I glare at whoever was tapping my shoulder and talking so much. That glare would have made some servants back down immediately, unless they were Nan… but then again, Nan wasn't a servant. And it didn't seem like this person was either.

She was too short.

"What?" I ask, still glaring at her. The girl, who looked kind of familiar, was looking at me curiously. She was also dressed in a light blue dress that looked to be of quality make. Definitely not a servant then.

"Are you one of the Couslands?"

I narrow my eyes. She woke me up just to ask me this? I moan and try to rub the sleepiness out of me. Maybe she'll go away if I ignore her.

"Because I think… well, I think we should be going." She continues speaking.

She was still here? I look at her again trying to remember who she was and why she was here. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm Anora. Anora Mac Tir." She points at herself. "You're Aedan Cousland, right?"

Anora Mac Tir? As in Loghain Mac Tir? Is this the daughter who was hiding behind him a few days ago?

"We really should be going." She speaks slower than she did before. What, she thinks I'm slow? "We're going to be late for History."

History? Ugh. Why is she asking me to go? Disturbing my sleep for History?

"Maybe you should go on ahead, then." I lick my lips. "I'll follow you later. I, uh, just need to get some things from my room."

She looks at me suspiciously. I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I wasn't actually going to get anything from my room. As soon as she's gone, I'll just sleep again then maybe when I wake up, the rain will be over.

"Really." I nod. "You should go on ahead. I wouldn't want you to be late just because of me." Since she was still looking a tiny bit suspicious, I gave her an innocent smile, putting a bit of extra effort in it. It almost always worked on Fergus and Nan, and sure it will work on someone I don't even know.

She smiles and I smile at her too. She nods and walks away off to where the lessons were usually held. I sigh in relief as soon as she was gone.

I was still smiling to myself as I climbed the stairs to my room. Let her sit through that boring lesson if she wants to. No need to drag me into it. Hah! I can't believe she fell for that!

Then I bump into someone. Someone wearing a soft dress with some lace on it. Someone with her hands on her hips and is probably glaring at me. Someone like… My mother.

I gulp and backpedal as fast as I can but my small legs couldn't beat her reach.

"And where do you think you're going, young man?"

"My room?" I try to wiggle free in vain. "I- I forgot something."

"Really? What did you forget?" Mother asks in a tone that said she knew I was lying and that if I didn't tell her the truth… even Dad was afraid of this voice.

I gulped. Think! Think! Uh, what did I forget? Um… I- I-… a quill? A piece of parchment? No. No. I'm not going to write anything down! I, uhh…

"Aedan Sarim Cousland." She sighs and let me go. I was too afraid to even think about trying to run. "What did I tell you about your lessons?

I look at my feet and pout. "Mother…" Not this again.

"What did I tell you about your lessons?" She repeats more sternly.

"That I should study because only a few people have the… the…"

"Opportunity." Mother offers.

"The opportunity to learn things. And that since the tutors are busy people, I shouldn't go away and hide from them. Even if I like playing instead. Since they are willing to… lend me their wisdom." I roll my eyes inwardly.

"Exactly." My mother puts her hand on my shoulder and crouches down to my eye level. "Look, I know it can be boring, but your father and I only want the best for you and your brother. You are going to use this information one day, Aedan. It might be hard to remember all of it now, but when you finally need the knowledge, it will all come back to you."

I bit my lip and look away.

She notices. "What's wrong?"

"It's just…" I sigh and take a deep breath. "Do we really even need to know when some man or woman in the past has died? I just don't see how I'm going to need that, Mother."

She chuckles. "Oh you."

I frown. I didn't think it was funny.

"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. It's just that I remember thinking the same thing when I was your age." Her eyes were twinkling as she smiled at me. "But let me tell you a secret. I've learned that that's not the important part. The important part is what you've learned from the lesson. Like why they had to give up their lives. What went wrong? That is what you have to remember. Because one day, when things are really difficult, you can remember all those who went before you and faced the same things."

She touched my cheek. "You can learn from their mistakes, dear. You can change things for the better."

I can…

Mother stood up. "And now, you naughty boy. You've missed your lesson."

I fidget and try to hide my smile. She sighs and makes me promise not to skip anymore classes.

"I'll try not to, Mother." I can try… and then I remember something. "Mother? How did you find out I was going to my room?"

This time, she's the one who tries to hide her smile. "Little Anora told me. I guess she didn't exactly believe you."