I woke up when I felt kneading on my back. At first, I didn’t know where I was or what those little pinpricks meant, but then I realised I had whiskers on my face. Socks… right… I’d had a cat since yesterday, and the little fellow was giving me quite a hard headbutt after he’d stopped kneading my back with his claws out.
“Yeah, I’m awake,” I grumbled. I was never an early riser, and talking much in the morning wasn’t really my thing. I preferred to enjoy my first cup of tea in silence and didn’t really want to be disturbed. Socks gave me another bump and jumped elegantly off the bed.
“Come on, get up, you sleepyhead. The bell’s already rung eight times.” I remembered – in an hour, I was supposed to be at Leonora’s. I slipped into my new clothes, splashed cold water on my face, and got ready.
Socks was already standing by the door, wanting his breakfast. But – what else did he actually eat besides cold chicken? He was still too small for mouse hunting. Together, we set off for the dining hall, and I was glad Socks had a good sense of direction. A predator, after all, even if still quite small and cute.
It didn’t take long before we arrived at the dining hall. No one was sitting at the round table, and I wasn’t sure if I should really sit there, but Socks strolled over confidently and looked at me expectantly. And yes, yesterday Sereina had said this table was reserved for the four pages and me.
No sooner had I sat down than the blonde girl from yesterday floated over and asked what I would like to eat. I asked for tea, bread, and cheese. It was worth a try at least. “Tea? What do you mean by that?” she asked uncertainly. “An infusion, just hot water and dried leaves or herbs,” I tried to explain. “Ah, an herbal brew, I see,” she smiled and disappeared. Anything but chamomile tea, I hoped silently.
It wasn’t long before she came back with a steaming cup, a board with slices of bread, and cheese.
“This is for you, and I hope you like Gharbia. It’s an herbal brew made from wild sage, shimmering mint, and dragon herb. Sometimes other herbs are added, but that’s the traditional mix. And I’ve brought some curd for your little friend. What’s his name, by the way?” I remembered Sereina’s warning never to reveal the real name. “Kelo,” I replied spontaneously. Socks looked at me, and I could have sworn he raised an eyebrow. Can cats even do that?
“I haven’t introduced myself yet; I’m Elara,” she said as she placed the little bowl of curd on the floor. Socks immediately dived into his breakfast with delight. “I’m Bobbie,” I answered. “I know,” Elara smiled and vanished again.
Somewhat sceptically, I tried the hot drink, Gharbia. It tasted bitter but also a little sweet, a very special flavour. Well then, if this was what came closest to tea here, I guess I’d have to get used to it.
I hurried through breakfast since the bell had already rung three times. I guessed it was quarter to nine, like back home. It was about time to make my way to Leonora.
Just as I was about to leave, the pages from the four kingdoms entered the dining hall. I really didn’t fancy another confrontation with Cal, so I greeted everyone politely.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Sereina asked, and I replied that I was expected by the Guild Mistress at the ninth bell strike. I saw surprised faces and made my way out.
I had meant to ask Sereina for directions but didn’t want to show Cal that I didn’t know my way around.
Well, there I stood in the corridor where all looked the same. “What are you waiting for?” Socks asked me and confidently walked down one of the corridors.
“You know where Leonora’s room is?” “Of course, who do you take me for?” Socks purred with a certain satisfaction in his voice.
For the life of me, I had no idea how this little street cat knew his way around the Guild, but I didn’t really have a choice, so I trusted him. Having no better idea and seeing no one else to ask, I followed Socks. He’d have to explain eventually, but now I had to hurry.
With the last bell strike, I knocked on the plain wooden door that I recognised. It swung open, and I stepped inside, of course accompanied by Socks.
Leonora was dressed more simply than on my first visit and looked very busy.
“Ah,” Leonora smiled, “you’ve already found your familiar. What’s his name then?” I really shouldn’t reveal anyone’s real name – that included Leonora.
“Kelo. I found him in town yesterday, and he spoke to me. From Sereina, I learned that this is special and that we can only communicate with our familiars this way.”
“Yes, that’s right,” Leonora nodded, “and I’m glad you’ve already learned the first lesson and haven’t revealed his true name to me. If you’re wondering how I know – well, it just is.”
Leonora became serious again. “I’ve also heard about yesterday’s incident with Calvin, and I will speak with him too. But you will find a way to work together. I tolerate no quarrels among my students. It’s neither worthy of a page nor of an chosen one from the outside world. I know he’s not easy, and you still have a lot to learn about Tarcania.”
I swallowed hard and was suddenly reminded of my childhood when my father scolded me over a silly fight with one of the village children. He had used almost the same words: ‘It is not worthy of you, Bobbie, to fight with them.’
I said nothing. What else could I say? Cal and I would probably never be best friends, but I would have to make an effort and keep my composure.
“If that’s settled then, let’s get to the main reason for this conversation. You need basic equipment. Getting it is your task to complete within the next three days. After that your training begins – at least the first part. You will go to the Guild blacksmith and choose your sword. Then you will get a staff, craft a cup from clay, and earn at least one silver coin. How you manage that is up to you. The sword is my gift to you and a concession because you come from the outside world.”
“But how am I supposed to do that? I don’t know anyone here except Sereina, Marcus, and the other pages. And what happens if I fail?”
Leonora looked at me sternly.
“Why are you already wasting your energy and thoughts on failure when you haven’t even started? Am I mistaken about you? I thought you were a fighter. Now go. The blacksmith is waiting for you.” With that, she turned back to her papers. I was dismissed.
I left the room, and Socks followed me. Once I closed the door behind me, I took a deep breath. I felt anger, fury, and a certain helplessness rising inside me.
I wasn’t seven years old anymore, but in that moment, I felt just like I was. I was stranded in Tarcania, didn’t know how to get home, and all the excitement from yesterday afternoon had vanished. I felt hot and cold at the same time, and I wanted to scream as loud as I could – which surely wouldn’t have been worthy of me. But it probably would have helped.
For me, there seemed to be only one way — forward, and not to fail.
Socks rubbed his little head against my leg and purred. I picked him up, and he tolerated me pressing my head against his.
“Come on, let’s find the blacksmith so you can get your sword,” Socks encouraged me. “I know where to find him.”
“How do you even know your way around the Guild?” I asked him. He grinned – if a cat can actually grin – and said amusedly, “I’m a true Tarcanian cat. We don’t just have a seventh sense, but quite a few other abilities as well. That would take too long to explain now; let yourself be surprised. But for now, trust me. And now let me down again. That’s enough physical contact for me.”
I let Socks slide down to the floor and followed him.
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