The Student

The Student is a part of The Heirs of Zyainor Volume One, focusing on another of Ca'laer Gardon Bloodclaw's daughter on Larine the Exile.

## Synopsis

Parlea, one of the twin daughters of Larine, was put into the magical academy run by Councilor Birram.

## Story

May, 13 Z. R.

Birram sat in his study room and scrolled through the pages of a book. He had already read the book a few times, it was a theoretical study of the origins of shadow magic and its impact on wildlife, plants and other geographics. He could have summed it up in one sentence: There is none unless it is intentional. He wasn't looking for something, he was waiting for someone. Someone who was late. The door finally opened and someone entered the room. Birram didn't have to look up to know who it was: Parlea, one of Queen Larine's children - and bastard child of Ca'laer Gardon, but that was not official. Only those who were close to the rulers of Zyainor knew about this - and that this has caused some... problems between the Queen of the Elves and the Ca'lea Vail of Zyainor. Birram had managed to stay out of that conflict so far, yet he had been assigned to be the tutor of Parlea in the arts of magic. It was an honor to look after the child of the most powerful human on the entire continent. Birram knew that Gardon wanted the child to be in good hands so he also knew to appreciate the fact that Gardon allowed Birram to take care of Parlea, even if it was on Larine's request. Birram had quite a few theories on why Larine wanted this, but he kept them to himself. Finally, after letting Parlea wait for a few minutes, he looked up and into her face, his face was emotionless. "You are late." he just said. She looked to the ground. "I am sorry, master Birram. I fell-" Birram lifted his hand to silence her. "It was Tojaz and his friends again, wasn't it?" he asked. He stood up and moved one of his hands to her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. She gulped and a tear ran across her face. "They... they called me halfblood and filth and threw me off the stairs. Then they kicked me..." she sobbed and fell into his arms, crying. He allowed her to do so and didn't move. No one here knew who she was - for her own safety it was considered to be for the best if no one knew that she was the daughter of Queen Larine who of course was completely oblivious to what was happening here. Not even the other teachers had a clue, only Birram knew. He had told her several times to defend herself, even using her magic if neccessary, but she was the kind of child that could not hurt a fly. She was too nice for her own good, she allowed those things to happen. Birram could not allow this to continue. He had to put an end to this before something worse happens.
When the poor child was done crying, she wiped away her tears and took a few steps backwards. "I am... Sorry, master Birram, I shouldn't have lost my composure. I should've controlled myself. I am ready to train now." she said determined. Birram studied her face attentively. It was moments like this, when her thirst for knowledge kicked in and she had worked over her problems, that she reminded him of her father. She was nice and the toughness she usually displayed was a charade - unlike her sister who had inherited that toughness from their mother - but she was a determined and skilled student. Her fragile body and her strong sister had caused a lack of self-assurance, but she was intelligent and honest. In time, she would be able to make up for her short-comings and gain the self-assurance she was currently lacking. Birram would make sure of that. That was another reason why Larine wanted the child to be with him. He nodded and began with Parlea's training.

Several hours later, student Tojaz was called to the chambers of Duke Birram, the headmaster of the academy. With an uneasy feeling in his stomach, he entered. The Duke stood before the single window in the room and looked out, apparently not noticing Tojaz. Tojaz cleared his throat. "You.... wanted to talk with me, Duke Birram?" he asked hesitantly. Birram did not move an inch. "I remember meeting with your father over a decade ago, Tojaz. In the capital of the Duchy of Isalmur. In the name of our Ca'laer and Ca'lea I had granted him a tiny bit of land between the capital of Isalmur and the Black Keep for his loyalty during the war. He was made a noble, like many others were on that day." Birram said, his voice turned cold. "I know that you were raised believing that those lands were your family's birthright. They are not. I can take them away just as easily as I gave them to your father." he explained. Tojaz' face turned pale. "It doesn't end there, young Tojaz. Your family could be discarded as traitors - and despite your youth you should be capable of understanding what that means, especially since your family lives so close to the Black Keep. All it takes in one letter to the Black Fist." Birram continued and now his face turned to meet Tojaz' face. The boy looked as if he was about to have a breakdown. Birram's face showed no emotion. "You will listen to me, carefully, for I will tell you this one time and one time only: You will leave Parlea alone. Not only that, you will from now on make sure that NO ONE bothers her again, am I understood? If you or any of your friends touch the 'halfblood' as you call her again... I am sure you understood?" "Y-Yes sir, Duke Birram, sir, I will no longer be mean towards her and protect her! Just leave my family out of this!" the boy begged, his voice was filled with desperation. "Good. Make sure you do not fail me, boy. Dismissed." Birram said, signaling the young Tojaz to leave. The boy had to restrain himself to not run away. Birram looked out of the window again where he saw Parlea sit under a tree, studying a book. She would make her father proud one day.