Capítulo 168: Back to the Academy
Charlotte has her dragon Sylphid land in the main courtyard of the Tristain Magical Academy as she finally arrives. The torrid winds caused by Sylphid forced students who were having their lunch breaks to run away and seek shelter.
In one group of students was one of Charlotte's only friends, Kirche. Who rushes up to her as she hops off of the back of Sylphid.
"Tabitha!" Kirche happily exclaims as she envelopes the short girl with glasses in a deep hug. "You've been gone for so long! We thought we'd never see you again!"
Charlotte just nods while smiling numbly at her friends overenthusiastic welcome. "Hnn."
Montmorency and her own friends join Kirche as they surround the young girl and start trying to interrogate Charlotte on where she'd been, what she'd been doing, and everything else even vaguely interesting.
Fortunately for her or not. Someone had just arrived to split up the reunion, if temporarily. "Miss Tabitha, if you would please come with me to my office? I believe we have some things to discuss, specifically on your recent unauthorized departure of the academy..." Headmaster Osmond says, causing the almost ravenous groupies to go silent and await Charlotte's response.
"Hnn." she replies, patting Sylphid on the side and clambering out of the dogpile to follow Osmond, the chatter behind her increasing again as the two depart.
"Kirche, what do you think that was?" Montmorency asks, wondering if there was something more to that than just the Headmaster wanting to reprimand Tabitha for leaving.
"I don't know, maybe he wants to write a new schedule for her to catch up with what she's missed? If she even needs it, Tabitha has always been the top of the class." Kirche says with a shrug.
"Wanna go and spy on them?"
"I think not, Miss Montmorency." Mr Colbert says from behind her, causing the girl to freeze and stiffly turn around.
Kirche just shakes her head, amused by the byplay but still interested in getting reacquainted with Tabitha again.
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In the Headmaster's office, Charlotte had just sat down opposite Old Osmond and was silently staring at the old man as if he was hiding the secrets of the universe. In response, the old man just smiles as his eyes twinkle like a certain Fumble-Door. "Miss Tabitha, you are aware that I know of your origins, correct?"
Charlotte nods, indeed, it wouldn't be wrong to say that the Headmaster had been protecting her ever since she'd enrolled in this academy. Here, not even her Uncle could touch her without besmirching the honour and oaths of Tristain Academy, and every other country that works to keep it a neutral place of higher learning. Well, such things might not be true anymore with the steadily escalating conflicts, but it still applies.
Osmond continues, "Then, I doubt it would be too far a stretch to assume your absence is at least partially due to your less than honourable Uncle?"
Again Charlotte nods, though, wondering what Osmond's objective for this discussion actually is.
Osmond lets out a tired sigh, "With things as they are, I must protect the academy, and while I am happy to welcome you back with open arms. I must be sure of one thing... Is there any need for me to worry about you receiving orders from your Uncle to... Act, towards the Academy?" he asks, resting his chin on his clasped hands.
True enough, while Osmond was powerful, and might be able to hold off an average-sized army if the academy was properly prepared, having a rogue element working from within would easily destroy any chance of defending the institute. Of course, if Charlotte were a more duplicitous kind of person, Osmond wouldn't even try to ask her so bluntly, but he'd known the girl for years now, and trusted her to a good extent.
Charlotte shakes her head, if she did receive any orders like that she'd simply ignore them and go retrieve her mother to remove her Uncle's method of blackmail. "No."
Osmond nods, "That's good. That's all I wished to discuss with you, Tabitha. Mrs Chevreuse will be around to work out if your education needs supplementing in any areas."
Charlotte stands, but pauses when she realises that if anyone knew any information pertaining to her target, it would be the Headmaster... She doubted he'd lie to her either, especially if she explained her reasons for needing it. "Headmaster, the Prayer Book of Brimir... Do you have it?" she inquires, causing the man's furry brows to climb to his hairline.
"The Founder's Artifact? Why would you want to know about that? And how would you know that it's here?" he asks, immediately becoming suspicious.
"My friend, a Void Mage, needs it." she easily replies, shocking the man.
"A Void Mage?" he asks and Charlotte nods.
The man chuckles, taking his pipe from the table and lighting it, "Seems like we live in far more interesting times than I thought, hohohoo..."
"Can I have it?" Charlotte presses.
The old mage blows a cloud of smoke out and shakes his head, "I already gave it away you see, to another Void Mage. I won't tell you who they are, as I suspect your Uncle has ways to ferry out information from you." he pauses, thinking on the rumours of the Ring of Andvari being passed around like some kind of Molten Hot-Potato. "I'm sorry I cannot be of more assistance in this... But if your friend wishes to master their gift without the book, Romalia has its own methods. I suspect the Pope would be more than happy to accommodate them."
Charlotte lets out a sigh and nods, standing up and leaving. That was disappointing, to say the least, and she'd have to go report this to Michael so they could get to searching for this 'other' Void Mage. For now, she'd stay the night here and catch up with Kirche... If everything went to plan, she might actually never see the girl again, so, it's the least she should do...
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