Shards: Intro- Part 1 (old)

Chapter Two: Chaperone

Elliot seemed a bit fascinated and leaned in to hear.
Lance held his arms up. "Yes, I understand you may have seen something else, but......let's discuss it later. The other students are restless to get going so perhaps you could join the lined up students so I could give you instructions along with them. I'm intrigued yes, but I also have to attend to other things. Don't worry, I'll consider discussing your Shard with Elliot here while you're gone today. Come on."

I stood up and followed Lance out of the room. Elliot stopped me again; a pleased grin on his face; and handed me the Shard. "You'll need this."

I plucked the Shard out of his palm and it changed back into the ring. I made sure to give him a grateful smile on the way out, and put the ring back on.

Lance made haste back to the assembly. I almost lost him around a few corners. But eventually we were back in the assembly; which was by now cleared of all students except for a few stragglers and course; the impatient mass of 12,000 kids who were literally waiting all on me to finish talking with Lance. Lance was visibly sweating and began levitating over to the podium. When he landed, he faced the students seated in isolated groups all around the assembly. Apparently the line dispersed while we were gone.
I quickly sat down hoping to lose a few death stares. I was a bit too late late for that since by the time I did; about the whole room was doing it. Just my luck.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, a ward had something urgent to discuss with me. If I hadn't done it, a serious oversight would have gone unnoticed. So I appreciate your patience."

The captain adopted a speaking posture.
"I'll make this short. Each of you have one last task to fulfill before you leave. Only those who possess Shards can do this, each of you. Each of you must find the individual whose name you heard belongs to. That person according to a soothsayer; is unable to attend the Endeavor without you. Your task as a Chaperone is simple: Trust your Shard, find that child, tell them what is in store for them on the Endeavor, guide them, and bring them back to the pier for Embarking by 2200. If they ask you to stay with them until midnight, do it. If they don't require further assistance, you are free to leave. Once the day is up, you can't help them, they are on their own. Many of you began your journey this way, now the student must become the master, as it has been since the first Disembarking. Nod if you understand."

I nodded. I didn't even know I was doing it.

"Then good luck. Fulfill this, and your only remaining responsibilities will be to get a kickstarter, then it's all up to you from there."

I stood up, and words sounded off in my head. It was like my mind was inventing a presence. But it felt trustworthy and....familiar, like it was my own.
You must find Alessandro, go where the wind take you.

"The wind?" I said aloud. Nobody heard me thank goodness. The whole assembly was already clearing out through the doors on the side.

But......I don't want to go...no, not that way. I must go back. But why?

Without hesitation, I obeyed the instruction. I knew where I was going, how is that possible? I was going to the top deck of the ship. Why? I didn't know, but it must be for a reason, one I intend to find out. I went in the opposite direction that I first entered the assembly. Towards the doors leading to the staircase. On my way, a blonde graduate heading in the opposite direction noticed me. She was carrying several textbooks.

"Oh, where might you be going?" She asked me optimistically.
"I actually......it's hard to explain. I'm going up to the the top deck," I replied.
"Ah, well enjoy yourself!" She called back with a bright smile and wave.