Shards: Intro- Part 1 (old)

Chapter One: Disembark

A few people who were mostly adults laughed in the background, the rest of us either groaned or cringed (me).

"Heh, uuuh, I'm sorry," Said Matidia as she waved a little hair out of her brow. "That one just came to me." With a smile, Matidia seethed and started again. This time going off script.

"You have to really try in order to make the most out of this journey. It's meant to provide each and every bit of our young populace with the mindset needed to secure a proper life, home, and supply of money on their own. It won't be repeated however. It's important for students such as yourselves to adopt a sense of camaraderie, leadership (she said gesturing vaguely to me), and most importantly: Identity."

I don't know if telling off a few immature guys makes me a leader, but I suppose I'll take it.

"I can't stress it enough. You need to pay attention to what Proctors like me tell you to do. Not to brag, but we are handpicked by the headmasters themselves not for prowess, magic potential, or everyday abilities, but for our compatibility with other students. Unfortunately, I can't start now. I'm only here to tell you how today is going to happen, not about the Endeavor itself. Understand?"

The crowd repeated its acknowledgements. A roar sounded from directly above us. "Jesus!" Yelled Matidia. She immediately waved her pointer at the sky and the lights disappeared. The crowd gasped. Some even used their Shards in an attempt to assist Matidia.

Right in the spot where the lights were, a couple large swallows flew all around a Boeing 757. All of them were using their shards on their foreheads to keep the human inhabitants of the massive Outsider's flying object from seeing our world. The Swallows all conjured a miniature counter veil that surrounded the bulk of the Plane. In a few long seconds, the birds were invisible among the background of the stars, and the lights coming from each wing on the 757 disappeared out west behind the mountains.

Matidia was gaping and clutching her stomach in relief. "Thank goodness, I almost interfered with a Sentinel's counter spell. Can't be too careful, especially when it comes to risking another war with the outsiders."
A reassuring voice came from one of the older teenagers to her side.
"Don't worry miss, a simple spell like that won't interfere with their counter veil. Even if it did, we've wiped their minds before. I assure you that no outside person will ever leave the thresholds of Atlantis with any recollection of being here."
Others in the crowd murmured their concurrence, and beckoned Matidia to continue.

"That's why it's important that each Endeavor produces its share of Sentinels," Matidia said still huffing slightly. "Because hundreds of these things fly over every day, in addition to boats. The Sentinels have some of the hardest jobs. They have to follow that object through the veil and hold that spell for hours on end, ensure its arrival at precisely the time they are supposed to arrive at wherever they're going, and cope with whatever environment they fly in. Sounds fun, but it's tough business. Trust me, I know."

The same voice as before sounded off again.
"You're too hard on yourself ma'am. Nearly two centuries have gone by without any such incidents. We're gonna be fine."
A few people in the crowd began to applaud in agreement.

Matidia smiled at the man who spoke up and gave him a formal bow of appreciation. Then she turned around to continue speaking to us.
"It's true, we wouldn't have survived without the Sentinels. Some of whom here may be destined to be one."

Matidia scanned the crowd almost as if about to handpick one, seemingly nostalgic. She shook it off abruptly and began to speak again.