Prelude Chapter 3: Sins and Scholars
Rennala I
"Welcome students, to Magical Defense." Rennala's voice rang like a bell in her throat as she addressed the small class of students in front of her, the adorable faces of the sweetings looking up at her filled her with joy to herald in yet another class of young mages. The Headmistress's eyes scanned the class that would and should have been taught by her former apprentice, and Vice Headmistress, Rennala's thoughts dwelled to what Renna may have gotten herself into.
nevertheless, moongrum is at her side to make sure she doesn't cause too much folly.
she thought as she felt a light smile bless her face as she opened a students book to the right page as he had been on the wrong one of the lesson.
"Today my sweetings, we will be exploring the theory of magical defense and its practical applications, please turn your books to section 3.2." Rennala watched them do as she asked and even seeing them do the smallest task brought warmth to her heart, "As you can see, detailed is the use of the spell Carian Retribution, which was pioneered by one of our academies teachers, the spell was developed by Professor Moongrum, and created to counter spells with his shield, because at most dire times a loyal Carian Knight cannot always draw his staff and use it for deflective purposes when the in the heat of combat."
The students eyes lit up as they heard of Moongrum, many students looked up to him and the Carian Knights that served Rennala, and by extent the academy. Moongrum was the Carian Knight whose task, unfortunately, was to look after Renna, as her caretaker, or companion perhaps. Their relationship was intriguing to Rennala as they were each absolutely in opposition to each other but they seemed to get along quite well, contrary to what Rennala expected when she assigned Moongrum to babysit her adoptive kin.
A voice rings beside Rennala, "Mistress Rennala, how does one become a Carian Knight?" A young student, named Hugues, who was quite stocky for a young one, but he asked his question with resolve, Rennala answered the tot.
"Well little ones, gather close and I shall tell." Rennala sensed the class edge forward in their seats as they listened, a playful grin spread on her face to see so many adolescents interested in their futures at the academy. "To become a knight of Caria, you must first excel in your studies beyond those you engage with, you will study the way of the sword and shield, and then you shall face a Carian Knight in battle, if you prevail you will be granted the title, but if you fail for any reason, thou will still be revered at the academy as either a battlemage or a Sworded Scholar, remember either path is respectable young ones." she smiled politely at them as Rennala saw that she had lit the flame of ambition under quite a few of the students. After a few moments of the male students boasting of beating the great Troll of the Carian Knights, Bols or one young student proclaiming that they would beat Moongrum which she had to cover her mouth to hide a smile, not out of mockery to her students but to hide her joy at their ambition.
"Little ones, little ones, you still have quite a while to tread before such ambitions come to fruition." Rennala giggled at the children's jests, and as she did a young voice sung his song of ambition from the back of the class
"I will best Royal Knight Loretta!" This was no half-jest like his other classmates, the young boy had laid his life's goal bare to me, his orange eyes were ablaze and his black hair was swept back, his youthful face was completely serious. As the child proclaimed his goal of defeating the secondary commander of the Carian Knights.
"And your name, little one?" Rennala asked, interested in the motivated individual before her.
"I am Bernhal, the future Carian Knight." the youth states proudly.
"Well Bernhal, you must not let your Headmistress down, I expect great things of you." Rennala gave him a nod, and then turned her hand at the clock on the wall. "Students you are dismissed, please visit my study if you wish to inquire further, as your next class will be headed by Mistress Renna like usual."
Rennala waved kindly at the students as they filed out of the room, their steps fading away down the hallway, leaving her inside this empty classroom. The surroundings once lit with the light of youths ready to learn, was now a lonely space where only Rennala stood at the head of the class, the Carian Queen felt no better than a helpless apprentice in the loneliness of this room, she felt her stomach drop, a usual response when she was in a state like this. The silence was loud, louder than if the room had been filled with a thousand drunken men.
Alone…
students, I need more students, perhaps private scholars to apprentice under me, much like Renna was.
Get out.
Rennala quickly made her exit from the classroom, pushing the door open forcefully to escape the empty space. She entered the hallway and saw one or two faces and her mind was relieved as she composed herself as she straightened her pointed crown.
I doubt any student could replace the fleeting snowflake Renna is.
Rennala began to reminisce about her early years; she had left her village of astrologers, taking her younger sister with her after their parents had seemingly abandoned them. Rennala had to support herself and her sister, so she competed against others in the art of combat and gained notoriety and fame from it, becoming a champion. When her younger sister came of age she too entered into the arena's for her own personal gain, letting Rennala pass on her mantle. While wandering the lands Rennala happened upon an orphaned sickly child on the side of the road, the child was starving and what else would one do if they found a starved child other than show kindness, so Rennala nursed the child back to health. When the child was able to speak and walk Renna asked if she had a name or any parents, the child had neither, this saddened Rennala and she took the child under her wing, teaching her the sorceries of the astrologers, that child earned herself a name by her studious nature and appetite for knowledge, and that name was Renna, the first pupil of Raya Lucaria. Rennala at the age of twenty one founded Raya Lucaria and the Carian Royal family. Eventually her younger sister returned and became the first Carian Knight as well as their commander.
Rennala paused from reminiscing, narrowing her eyes as she remembered that she was standing as a substitute for Renna moments before. Usually when Renna was left unsupervised by Moongrum or herself, she always gets herself into trouble.
Wherever could that rascal be this time? Certainly Moongrum has reigned her in from whatever chaos she has caused by now.
Rennala thought as she moved to the door of the classroom and exited into the hall and headed for her private study at the center of the academy. The echoes of her footsteps fill the hallway as she strode through the halls of the academy. She found her mind wandering to events Renna had caused in her solidarity, when Rennala first taught her frost magic, she completely froze over the debate parlor, causing quite the scene and a mess that herself and Professor Azur had to clean up.
Rennala sighed loudly as she recalled similar events throughout the years, although her flitty apprentice seems to have calmed down a little in the past few years since she's been under Moongrum's watch, despite being the same age as her, Moongrum seems to have an innate ability to calm Renna's antics down, or even stop them completely. Renna and Moongrum are very much a duo of the dynamic, both prodigies in their respective fields, and both talented educators in those same fields, Renna being a master of modern elemental magic, and Moongrum one of the most well versed and innovative knights and sorcerers in the fields of Glintstone Sorcery and the Carian Conspectus field that Rennala pioneered herself in her own early years.
Upon reaching the courtyard and waving to a few passing students Rennala took a sharp turn leading to the doors to her study, the large oak door was slightly ajar as she heard voices inside, namely those of her youngest sister, and the Carian Knight who she had assigned to her side, usually their conversations are lighthearted, but their voices are much more serious as Rennala listens in through the oak of the doors.
"Renna, you've done it now, Rennala will have both our positions as teachers." a soft and demanding voice said, Rennala imagined Moongrum mentally trying to decipher Renna's latest mischievous act, although he seemed much more distressed than normal. From beside him a giggle erupted belonging to Rennala's lighthearted apprentice.
"Oh, Moongrum, we've had no excitement here for years, I was only doing it so we can have a little bit of fun." Through the wood Renna's light voice carries her usual optimistic ring.
Rennala heard Moongrums voice rise "War is no jest Renna!"
Upon hearing the Moongrum's raised tone and mention of war Rennala's heart began to beat harder than the staff in her grasp, and she slammed the door open to reveal her surprised faculty and her gaze turned to the petite witch whom she raised. Renna scratched her head awkwardly, and her knightley supervisor snapped to attention in Rennala's presence.
"Explain. Now." There is a fire in the chest of the Carian queen as she requested the both of them to explain the situation "If there is to be conflict within or outside these halls, I wish to know the details surrounding such events." Rennala's voice was much more projected than usual, as if she were scolding children instead of requesting information from her faculty.
Renna's response was that of an awkward laugh, and her sliding her feet as she stood seemingly squirming trying to think of what to say. Renna, her pale featured face contorting as she stood and began to explain the situation.
"Well, the cat's out the bag, Sister… earlier today, two emissaries of the Golden Order came to our gates to discuss the matter of their recent inquiries." She paused her white garb swaying slightly as she shifted her weight from one side to another, as the Carian princess decided her next words carefully, "Well.. the scroll they delivered said that if we refuse their demands they will bring war to our academy, and well…" Renna gave another awkward laugh as her Carian counterpart hung his head in defeat. "I told them that if they wished to restrain the knowledge taught at the academy, war would be inevitable…"
Rennala looked upon Renna, and Renna looked back at her, Moongrum remained, his gaze solemnly aimed at the wooden floor beneath him. "Renna, did you in any way provoke or insult these emissaries?" For some reason Rennala found herself wondering why she had asked a question that she already knew the answer to. And as Renna opened her mouth to refute the question, Moongrum spoke from his place kneeling as he maintained his gaze upon the ground.
"Unfortunately, Lady Renna did slightly offend one of the visitors, although the other one seemed to be amused by her… personal attitude." Moongrum tried to defend his charge by telling the full and absolute truth, perhaps embellished a bit, but the truth nonetheless.
A sigh escaped Rennala, as does the anger harbored within her chest, and the room seems to lighten a little as the sun cast light upon the bookcases that surround the council "Very well, it seems the situation is less dire than I thought, although openly provoking the Golden Order is an activity I wished not to engage myself in, it seems we may have a conflict we must ready ourselves for." Rennala took soft steps over to Renna and stood in between her and Moongrum, touching Moongrums shoulder signaling him to rise, and he did. Her other hand reached Renna's cold cheek which she nuzzled against just as she had in her younger years.
"My sweetings, I do not fear the Golden Order, nor its capability of violence, and even with backing from Leyendell, I severely doubt they will breach our gates… but my worry is for our students, for if we fail to protect the little ones, they shall either be imprisoned for heresy, or worse, implemented into the Golden Order.'' The voice that came from Rennala's mouth was soft as she addressed her apprentice and her knightley companion. "We must prepare, I am sure the Order is rallying their forces and will soon be at our gates, send for my sister who resides at the manor, Jerren our guardian of Selia, Moonrithyll, and the rest of the Carian Knights."
Renna and Moongrum both nod in agreement and bow in respect as they leave to prepare for the morrow. Rennala seats herself at her desk, as worry begins to creep in.
The Golden Order seeks to overtake this academy, and those who reside inside it, they believe we are defenseless scholars, partaking in learning they deem 'heretical', it is quite a shame they have fallen to such narrow minded ways of thinking. Judging by Renna's tale it seems that both the emissaries seem to be well known and high in the structure of the Golden Order, and one of them seems to have a hatred for us, as I am sure the rest of the Order does. When Raya Lucaria stands, I will stand, and with my knights we shall defend the sweetings.