Chapter 11 – The university
They arrived in the big building that was built years after Numair had been recruited by Jonathan. Numair had in the inner courtyard seen how Daine had stiffened in her work, as he had put his hand towards Felicias lower back. He had regretted this move right away, because it was a habit he had absorbed the realm of the gods. This movement he had only granted to Daine.
In the large corridor where they now stood in Numair was smiling to himself. He had a brilliant idea while he waited for the delegation to arrive. He only hoped that his plan would succeed. He looked at Felicia, he was not willing to let her believe that he was interested in her all over again.
"Ah .. Finally, I've been waiting for you for almost two hours ..." A male voice sounded . It came from the stairs, where a tall man with close-cropped black hair stood. Harailt of Aili was a man who was a ten years older than Numair. He was wearing a gray robe that fluttered behind him as he walked down the stairs.
"Excuse us Harailt, but the exit was delayed a bit" Numair explained while he smiled. He turned to Felicia and held his hand out to her. She took it and he pulled her gently forward. "May I introduce you to Felicia Katherinsri" Numair introduced. He was aware that he wasn't introducing the formal delegation first, but there was a reason for everything.
Felicia knew that her name told about her upbringing. She was an illegitimate child, and the man in front of her smiled anyway. She curtsied slightly and bowed her head in acknowledgment of the dean of the university.
"No, no my dear ... in my university everyone is equal" he replied laughing, as he took Felicia's hand and kissed it lightly.
Felicia giggled, prompting duke Mather to snort.
Numair turned. "Sorry their eminence, Harailt, may I introduce you to the two ambassadors from Tusaine. Count Harlan, son of Hilam of Keir and Duke Mather, son of Mikal of Form".
Harailt bowed deeply. He smiled, "It is my pleasure to be able to show you the royal university of Tortal... I'm sorry that I could not be there when you arrived yesterday... but some of my students had found an incantation and had decided to test it ... "Harailt smiled at Felicia, who stood and watched him impertinent "their attempt backfired and we found them hanging in the air in one of the class rooms." He explained calmly.
Numair chuckled, but it was Felicia who talked.
"How did you get them down?" She asked curiously.
Harailt scratched his neck. "Well ... we spent several hours on it and it was not until the evening that one of the boys finally remembered what book he had pulled the spell of."
"He did what?" Numair exclaimed shocked by the news. "What book?"
Harailt sighed. He sent a wry smile to Felicia. He knew that Numair would have a fit if he knew what book. "Now do not be frightened my dear ... it's just Numair, he has a special relationship with books."
"I certainly do not!" Numair snapped.
They had started to go through the large corridor that connected the many classrooms.
Harailt changed topic and ignored Numair, who clearly could not get over the shock of a torn page.
"Felicia ... Am I wrong, or is your beauty caused by the possibility that you have the gift?" He asked. Smiling down to her as she walked beside him.
Numair tried to hide the smile that formed on his lips. This was what he had hoped for, and Harailt had noticed the same as Numair. Felicia's gift was untrained, but full of possibility.
"Yes...I have it from my mother...but" Felicia began to said.
Harailt smiled. "If you like...It would be my honor to teach you while you are here in Corus". He bowed slightly when he said the words.
Numair could no longer hide his smile. Harailt was taking charge, just he had wanted the man to do. If it could work, Felicia would make a good partner to Harailt.
Felicia's mouth formed a surprised 'O'. She was silent for at long time, and Numair wondered if his matchmaking had gone wrong. When she finally spoke Numair relaxed.
"You...you will teach me?" Felicia was choked by this turn of event. She had never in her life though that she would get the possibility to do other things with her gift, other than light a candle. She looked up at the man she had just meet and what she saw in his eyes was confidence and kindness. She felt how he took her hands and felt hard skin in his hands.
"Yes...I will teach you. Jonathan, the king and Numair " Harailt pointed to the tall man with the raven hair, how stood smiling "are sure that you within a week would make remarkably progress".
Numair frowned. Was his matchmaking that clear?
"Can I?" Felicia asked suddenly. She turned to the man who was standing behind her. "May I father?" She looked at Count Harlan to ask permission.
The man with ruddy beard had an unfriendly smile on his lips, but nodded anyway.
Felicia felt her butterflies in her stomach. She felt a bit nervous by the sudden opportunity. The only thing she could do was to nod. Was this really doing to happen? Was she really doing to learn much more about what she could do with her gift? Then realization struck her. She would be able to defend herself against Tristan. She suddenly discovered that the dean of the university still held her hands. "I want to lean" she whispered.
"Good...then let me first show you the university, and then we will find out how strong your gift is" Harailt let Felicia hands go and turned towards the two men from Tusaine. "Is there something special you want while you are here?" he asked slowly.
And with that the tour of the university began.