Shcielle (Draeyer Academy 2)

Chapter 13-Master

Icefall Academy-Ferrin Lake
Arktis Skyland
Northern Space

One of Arktis' bitter winds blew past, causing his long black cloak to billow and his hood to fall back. He made no effort to veil his appearance once more and walked over the snow with silent steps. Trees stood tall all around him as their bare branches reached toward the grey sky. Birds flew off and small creatures ran away as he passed their homes.

As he emerged from the small forest of leafless trees, he found himself standing near Icefall Academy's Ferris Lake. Tiered wooden seats stood on one side of the lake, facing a wood platform decorated with flags of black, red, and blue. Scanning his gaze over the area, he saw a stone structure protruding a couple of feet on the water. It was about a hundred meters away from the wooden platform. The structure was covered in jutting stones and wood, which he assumed would allow anyone to climb it with ease.

"So this is the venue for Water Conqueror," he said. His powerful sense of hearing caught the sound of yells and applause from a distant. Slowly lifting his head from the sight of Ferrin Lake, he looked over the branches of the woods surrounding him and spotted the main building of Icefall Academy standing on the side of a mountain. His gaze continued to move until they settled for the visible part of the school's stadium. The lively cheers came from the large building, and a small sinister smile etched itself on his pale violet lips.

"Herce," he said. The smile vanished from his face and his voice came out cold as the wind he felt earlier. It didn't take long for him to feel the presence of another behind him. He looked over his shoulder and spotted his servant.

"Yes, Lord Beuen?" Herce said. The man was bent on one knee with his head down, as he too spoke with coldness almost similar to his.

"The ceremony has just started, hasn't it?" Beuen said. "You said the crowd has been interested in our little Cenred since yesterday. How is he bearing the attention?"

"He's been doing all he can to ignore it," Herce said.

Beuen shook his head and ran his clawed hands through his thick black hair. He looked back to the direction of the stadium and stood there staring.

"He and his brother may have inherited their appearance from their father but they take after Vera in terms of personality," he said. "It makes me wonder what other things he inherited from her."

A silence lingered around them once he finished speaking. Another wind blew by as Beuen walked closer to the lake. The sound of footsteps behind him told him that Herce decided to follow.

"Lord Beuen...how is your shoulder?" Herce shattered the silence. Beuen's right hand went up to the shoulder where Alec plunged Erinna Roselintine's holy dagger. He fisted the cloak covering that area at the thought of the dagger and the incident from two months ago.

"It's healing," Beuen said. "However, it is taking a long time. It's already been two weeks since I took Tara's power, yet it would seem her energy is still rebelling against me."

He stopped at the edge of the lake and stared down at the frozen surface. His foot rose and he slammed the heel of his boot on the ice. The frost shattered, watered sprayed upward before a jagged gap appeared on the frozen lake. He took a step back after shaking water off his boot.

"What have you found out about their security?" Beuen asked.

"The head of the First Ryder Regiment, Kreis Hildegen, is the one in charge," Herce replied. "Along with his division, three more Regiments are part of the security including Icefall City's guards."

Although surprised at the information, Beuen's face remained blank as he turned to face his servant. Herce stood there, gazing into his eyes with his grass-green ones. Of all the humans who served him, Herce was the only one who could meet his gaze full on. Sometimes it baffled him how a lowly creature could do so, while most of his kindred cowered at the mere mention of his name. He shook the thoughts off his mind for the time being.

"Isn't such a number of men too much?" he asked.

"Yes it is, my lord," Herce said. "The security is two times tighter compared to the previous years of Sky Games. I heard that the Council of Heavens decided it so."

A smirk tugged at his lips as he turned away from Herce. He raised a hand and created fist when he couldn't stop the smirk any longer.

"They're afraid," he said. "After what happened with Tara, Astrin and the three other fools are taking extra measures to protect Cenred and Cyrene. Donovan and the other two headmasters must be behind this as well."

"I believe it is so, my lord," he said.

Beuen huffed out some air which quickly froze into a cloud of mist. He moved so he was closer to the water once more and spoke.

"Have you brought the Seed I asked you to bring?"

"Yes, master."

He turned when he heard Herce approaching. When he did, he saw him holding a small black box. Once the man was before him, Herce flipped the lid open to reveal a dull brown egg-like object nestled in red cushioning.

He reached out and ran the tips of his claw over the object before lifting it out of the box and facing the lake. He tossed the Seed up the air before catching and clutching it over his chest. After closing his eyes, he mumbled an incantation.

"Turnilo Monsto."

The egg-like object glowed in deep brown before he threw it on the gap he made earlier. It landed on the water with a plop, creating ripples, before sinking beneath the lake's surface. With a snap of his fingers the gap closed and the ice returned to its previous state. He turned on his heel and strode back to the woods, pulling the cloak's hood over his head. As always, Herce followed him.

"How is the Shcielle?" he asked him.

"It is already in its true form, Lord Beuen," Herce said. "However, Donovan and his men are coming close in finding it. I'm doing all I can to keep them at bay until the Shcielle's Awakening."

"Keep doing that," Beuen said. "The longer its stays here in Arktis, the quicker its Awakening would come. We need its power. Obtaining the power of the remaining Sacrifices won't be enough anymore."

"As you command, your highness," Herce said with a bow.

Beuen stared at him with solemn eyes. The usual coldness was gone from their violet depths as he stared at his servant. When Herce straightened and met his gaze, Beuen saw his brows meet in the middle.

"Is there a problem, Lord Beuen?" Herce asked.

He shook his head at the green-eyed man. Herce lowered his head after his silent response and stood there with his feet apart and hands clasped behind his back. The Eimion looked at him for a couple more seconds before he turned away.

"An Eimion always keeps his oaths Herce. We're bound by certain laws not to break ones we make," he said after pausing in his stride. "Once this is all over, I'll grant you your wish. I'll allow you to personally place the soul of your sister's murderer in the Pits of Blazen."

He heard no response from the man. However, he never looked back as he took his leave. Dark mists rose from his cloak before engulfing him from head to foot. He felt his feet leave the ground for a second and he felt himself spin. When the dark mists parted, his feet landed on solid and he found himself standing in a different place.

The cold wind slapped at his face as he stood on a ledge attached to one of the spires of Icefall Academy. When a gust tried to unveil his appearance, that time he held his hood in place. From his spot, his gaze drifted to the stadium a few hundreds of feet below him.

A large crowd occupied the seat, hooting and clapping at the young ones standing in the middle of the arena. One from the large group of youngsters caught his eye and a small smirk etched itself on his face.

"Vera," he whispered, "your little Cenred is slowly growing up. I wonder how much longer he'll be able to continue doing so."