Chapter 2

Trev, Linol, and Myrna hurried to catch up to Ruth. They really didn’t want to reach their destination any faster, but they also didn’t want to seem too far behind when they were invited into the Headmaster’s office. A sweet, gentle voice intoned from the other side of the formidable oak door, "Come in."

I took only a moment for Ruth to relax the tense muscles in her shoulders and back before opening the door, not waiting to see if her classmates were ready as well. The room was brighter than she expected. Lovely tapestries hung along the walls and the lamp on Master Cliyre’s light walnut desk was turned to its fullest. Master Cliyre’s appearance contradicted all rumors that Ruth had heard about the illusive Headmaster. She had a lean frame, as did all her fellow Masters, and she was quite beautiful. Her had tied her silvering hair into a long braid down her back. Her brilliant blue eyes were twinkling in a friendly matter, but Ruth could tell that it would only take a moment for the expression to change. Those eyes could tear holes in any adversary. She certainly would never want to be on the opposite end of such piercing eyes.

"Sit down. Make yourselves comfortable." Master Cliyre had a musical voice that immediately put the four students at ease. Ruth shook herself mentally. She could not allow herself to be lulled by the Headmaster’s flute-like vocal tones. Yet she also couldn’t help to feel slightly more optimistic than she did when she first knocked on the Headmaster’s door.

Once the students were settled in, Master Cliyre cleared her throat, and Ruth steeled for whatever blow the Headmaster was sure to deliver. The Master began to speak, going straight to the point, "It is not a well known fact among the students of The School that we have a limitation on the amount of time a student spends as a senior novice. The four of you are approaching the end of your second year, and it is time for you to end your time at The School."

Ruth felt herself deflating despite her self-preparation. She refused to allow her face to show any emotion. Her training was too good for that. Perhaps the army wouldn’t be such a bad fate after all. Perhaps she’ll be posted to the Calvary. Officers in the Calvary have a distinctly longer life span than the other branches of the Royal Army. And being an officer can’t be too terrible. At least it’s not as bad as being an enlisted soldier anyway. She’ll just have to make the best of this situation.

Master Cliyre’s eyes took on a slightly sadder look. "I will be sorry to see you all go, but it can’t be helped. A long time ago we discovered that a student either is done with training by their second year as a senior, or they will just never have exactly what it takes." She reached into her desk and pulled out four envelopes. "These envelopes contain your assignments. I expect you to leave for your respected posts first thing in the morning. Tonight, get some rest." She handed each student an envelope with his or her name written on it. As Master Cliyre rose from her desk, the students rose as well. She shook each of their hands, "Good bye, and good luck." She dismissed the students who found themselves in the hallway outside the Headmaster’s door without realizing they had even left the room.

They walked almost blindly down the stairs. The students each agreed about the preemptory nature of the interview, but no one voiced their opinion. Ruth came to her senses about halfway down the staircase and decided that they were all just going to have to something, anything, to get their minds working again. "Let’s go to Myrna and my room to open the envelopes." Ruth managed to keep her voice steady. "Maybe we’ll be posted near each other at any rate."

The other students merely nodded, happy to not have to figure out what to do next themselves. Ruth and Myrna led the two boys to their room and they sat down in a circle on the floor in front of the bed, just staring at their envelopes. Myrna spoke up this time, "We might as well open them." She began to open her envelope, and the others followed her lead.

Ruth blinked once, then twice when she read her assignment. Then she looked up at the others, stupefied. This couldn’t be right. Finally, she tells them, a large smile exploding onto her face, "I’ve been sent to the royal palace in Altor, to report Master-Samarit Orlin." By then, the rest of the group was smiling as well. Myna grins, "I’m being sent to Altor too, to Master Orlin as well.." Trev and Linol were also going to Altor, and Master Orlin. Suddenly, it dawned on Ruth; "We actually graduated." The four smile with pride and relief. They were finally Samarit.

Later, when the boys left, Myrna and Ruth spoke into the night. The journey from the isolated countryside where the school was located to the capital city of Altor would take time, at least a fortnight of travel. The four young Samarit had decided earlier that it would be safest to make the trip together. Bandits roamed the dark forests that border the plains that they currently resided. When the forests ended, they would have to make their way to the ocean. Altor was a coastal city.

Ruth had grown up fairly close to where The School was located, only about three days ride on horseback. She had never been to Altor or seen the ocean before. Neither had Myrna or Linol, but Trev had grown up in the city. For some reason, he didn’t seem all that pleased to be going back either in Ruth’s opinion, although Myrna disagreed, but he agreed to show the other three the way around the city.

The two girls spoke about what to expect in the journey, the types of clothes they should pack for the damp weather, and how hot the roads would be in the summer season. They also spoke of what weapons to carry. They finally settled on traveling light, and taking the weapons they were most comfortable with. They already knew they’d be getting horses. All Samarit got to choose their mounts from the best in The School’s stables. Ruth looked forward to that as well. Her latest rotating duty shift had her helping at the stables, and she had an idea which horse she wanted.

Eventually Myrna and Ruth fell asleep a bit before midnight. They had a long day ahead of them the next day, and needed their rest.