Lianne Arkei and the blonde and brunette who always flanked her. Their eyes were filled with cold hatred.
She barely heard Instructor Felgreen tell her to take a seat. Somehow her legs managed to obey, and she quickly sat down in an empty seat beside Henrick.
No, no this could not be happening!
She looked up as Instructor Shelley exchanged a few quiet words with Instructor Felgreen before leaving. Britea wanted to run after her, but it was too late.
“Novice D’Tranell.”
Britea almost jumped at the brisk tone of the history teacher.
“We were just discussing the early history of the first recorded wielders of this part of the world. I want you to name the era and name of the first known master wielder.”
Britea’s mind went blank with terror at being put on the spot. “I…I…”
Instructor Felgreen frowned at her. “Do you know what I’m talking about?”
“I’m new…um, I don’t know much yet—”
“Not much? Why am I not surprised? She is a farm girl after all,” said Lianne to the amusement of much of the class.
Instructor Felgreen glared at the noblewoman while Britea wanted to sink into the floor.
“That’s quite enough. Do you wish to answer the question, Novice Arkei?”
“Of course,” said the young noble smugly. She stood up. “The first recorded master wielder was Headmaster Lance Cen-Taros. He founded Syla College in 1384 AC. The current ruler, King Wilhem of Taros, is related to him, as, by the way, am I.”
Britea suppressed her exasperated sigh. This girl never ceased to remind everyone of her relationship to royalty.
“Headmaster Lance Cen-Taros was the brightest and bravest of his generation; he is why we have a strong Malaquey today.” The students around her began to clap before a loud sigh from the instructor silenced them.
“Is that your final answer, novice?” Britea frowned and turned to see a puzzled expression on Lianne’s face.
“Yes, it is. Lance Cen-Taros was the most learned and powerful wielder of his generation—”
“That wasn’t the question. I asked you who the first recorded master wielder of this part of our world was. Let me give you a hint. You need to look further back in our past.”
Britea found herself recalling something she had just read the day before when she was fervently preparing for her assessments.
Lianne had a haughty expression on her face. “I stand by my answer. Look it up, instructor.”
“No, no. You’re wrong,” said Britea distractedly. The class went silent as Lianne stared at her first in shock, then in fury.
“What did you say?”
Instructor Felgreen ignored the enraged noble. She was now looking at Britea. “Stand up, novice, if you wish to defend your answer.”
Britea complied quickly. “I mean, the question is about the first recorded master wielder, and it’s not your ancestor, as much as you wish it to be.”
Some members of the class gasped while Lianne went white with fury. Britea was thinking too much to be bothered by their reactions.
“What’s the answer then, Novice D’Tranell?” asked the instructor, who looked a bit impatient.
“The first master wielder recorded in our history wasn’t human. She was Queen Zaleria of the Dyhaeri. In 184 AC, she led the battles against the humans when the old, combined kingdom of Olderia declared war on the Dyhaeri. She never lost a fight. Back then, humans had no wielders, only the Dyhaeri did. It was only after the Dyhaeri won the war and the peace treaty was signed that humans began to wield, and even then, it was the nomadic Weltonians who were the first human wielders.” As she paused, she noticed the livid light in Lianne’s eyes.
“I’m sorry,” said Britea insincerely with an innocent smile, “but Queen Zaleria of the Dyhaeri would have wiped the floor with Headmaster Cen-Taros.” Lianne took a step forward but froze when Instructor Felgreen started laughing.
“Good answer, Novice D’Tranell. Welcome to history.” She smiled at the rest of the class as Lianne and Britea resumed their seats.
“I’m sure you’re all wondering why I take such delight in your lack of knowledge.” The smile disappeared to be replaced by a serious expression. “Nay, it is not delight but horror.”
What? thought Britea.
“You may feel somewhat arrogant because you’re the few who have the ability to wield. Novice Walters, what’s the percentage of wielders in the general population?”
The male student answered without hesitation. “Seven percent.”
Instructor Felgreen continued. “To simplify it for those of you lacking in math, out of a hundred people, only seven can wield. Now, compare that to the Dyhaeri. Every one of them are wielders.”
Britea discreetly looked around. No one appeared surprised by this news.
“I want you all to recall that humans have only been on the Olderian continent for the past two thousand, one hundred, and eighty-four years, while the Dyhaeri have existed in this part of the world for over twenty millennia.” She waited for them to absorb her words.
“So, for those of you who feel privileged and think themselves powerful because they can also wield, let me give you a piece of advice. Don’t be an idiot.”
From the corner of her eyes, Britea saw Lianne’s enraged expression. She probably felt this was directed at her.
“For each of those twenty millennia, the Dyhaeri have wielded, so they have more knowledge of this ability at their fingertips than our three pitiful colleges combined. Many of you will do a Year of Discovery at sea, and you will run into the Dyhaeri. I want you to remember how insignificant your skill with wielding is so you don’t cause a diplomatic incident, which is why history is your most important subject at this school. If you don’t learn from the past, you will destroy the future of those around you.”
Britea gasped at the petite teacher’s choice of words.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes, Instructor Felgreen,” answered the class as one.
“Turn to page thirty-four of History of the Crossing .” Britea felt lost as the other students pulled out books from under their table.
“Here, you can share with me,” whispered Henrick.
“Thanks,” said Britea with a small smile. She could feel Lianne’s glare without having to turn around.
CHAPTER 4
Britea was out the door the second Instructor Felgreen dismissed the class. She tried not to run even though she felt Lady Lianne Arkei’s eyes following her. No one had to tell her she’d made a powerful enemy.
Which was why she was looking forward to her next class.
“Britea, wait up!”
She looked over her shoulder to see Henrick hurrying after her. She slowed down so he could catch up.
“That was a clever answer by the way.”
Her face went red at his praise, and she tried to brush it away with a weak laugh. “Nah, I just got lucky. I’d read about Queen Zaleria recently when I was preparing for my assessments.”
The smile slid off Henrick’s face then, and he took a quick glance around and lowered his voice. “May I offer some advice?”
Britea felt uneasy now. “Sure.”
“I