Arthur’s return
8 months have passed since I started attending Xyrus academy, it's been an interesting time to say the least. After my scuffle with Reginald, the older boy gave me a wide berth and no more 'lessons' were had. Fewer incidents between students of opposite races happened than I expected, only 15 incidents in the whole year.
Which at first glance I'm sure sounds like a lot, but with everyone living on campus and in such close proximity for 8 months I expected the number to be at least double. Perhaps the punishments I had personally dealt out when these things occurred was a worthy deterrent. Apparently people don't like to get what they had done, done back to them by another person.
My name had already become the talk of the school for being friends with the 2 Princesses, being the future student council president, and now for my strength that I had shown pieces of in retaliation against the discriminators and bullies. Hopefully this makes the next year run even smoother, with the integration of another wave of students. A wave in which Arthur will be a part of.
My trainings with Tessia had also persisted throughout the 8 months and I have to say I'm impressed with her rapid growth. Not only in tea making, but sword fighting. Of course her plant magic improved as well, but I had expected that. One thing that had added another boost to her power was that she was also a wind mage alongside her plant capabilities.
This allowed me to train her in my various uses of wind mana in tandem with her plant magic. Wind to sharpen her sword, or a wind barrier to block incoming attacks her vines would be to slow to stop. Reducing draft on her or her weapons to increase her speed, or increasing it for training purposes. Yes, she had come a long way in these 8 months.
I had also visited Cael at Caellurum a few times to find the progress of the island to be quite frankly, astonishing. Small but decent sized houses could be seen littering the island around the base of the mountain, where already the makings of a castle were beginning to form. A spiraling smooth slope wrapped around the previously craggy and rocky mountain face, to act as a way of accessing the castle from the lower town area.
Docks made of both wood and stone formed along the inner edge of the bay for the future port. Outer walls along the edge of the island had risen, though they were currently only standing about 20 foot high. Which is fine for now, as it's planned for it to grow as well as build another wall directly around the houses that are being built. However that's for far in the future.
My and Kathyln's relationship had also progressed in these past months and she was no longer as shy with public displays of affection as she was before. It has its own charm for my acts to be reciprocated, but I will miss her timid and demure nature at the start. She and Tessia had become recurring figures in the Helstea manor and that leads us to the current moment of sitting in the living room when we hear a knocking on the door.
I had received a letter earlier in the day from Kaspian telling me about the happenings on Arthur and Jasmine's delve into the dire tombs. I wasn't too worried for their safety not only as they had survived in the books, but also because they had improved tremendously in our sparring sessions before I left. Just 8 months again Arthur had already broken into the dark yellow stage, so I couldn't wait to see how far he had progressed.
If he stuck with my training he should be close to light yellow if not already light yellow, unless he reached a bottleneck. Which is entirely possible as the quickest growth happens when you have someone to spur on your improvement.
I had thought to attend the trial myself, but seeing as there was truly no point I just decided to wait here at the manor for them to arrive. Waving off the maid with a smile I approach the door, Kathyln and Tessia following just behind me. I open the door to see Jasmine standing there with Elijah standing just behind her and to her right side.
"Jasmine, it's good to see you are alright." I said with a smile that Jasmine returned before we shared a brief hug.
"And who is this?" I said as peered around Jasmine to the glasses wearing black haired boy. He was just an inch shorter than me, maybe 2. I stepped around Jasmine, so that we were facing each other fully and he seemed a little out of sorts. He had a weird blank gaze on his face and seemed to be staring past me, so I followed his line of sight to Tessia and Kathyln.
Oh right, he's a lover boy. I snap my fingers in front of his eyes and his cheeks blush when he hears the chuckles from behind me.
"Ah good, you're back with us. What is your name lover boy?" He stammers a few times at the nickname, but Kathyln is the one to speak.
"Don't tease him so much Jaron" I shrug helplessly.
"Fine, fine. I won't tease they poor guy too much." He finally seems to collect himself enough to answer.
"Elijah Knight, is my name. Pleased to meet you all. Are you friends of No- er i mean Arthur?" I point a thumb over shoulder at Tessia with a smirk.
"The one with the pointed ears is his girlfriend." I could feel a pinch on my lower back, so I jumped to the side by Kathyln and she gave me a knowing look. Tessia glared at me with flushed cheeks and I just rubbed the back of my head innocently.
"Right, teasing. Got it." I rub my lower back slightly and Kathyln even gives me a sympathetic pat, seems even when I deserve it she doesn't like to see me in pain.
"You're Arthur's girlfriend?!" Elijah exclaimed and I ignored the glare that Tessia sent me.
"Ahem, seems I misspoke. She's actually just his childhood friend." I lean in closer to Elijah and cast a sound barrier so she couldn't hear.
"Though between you and me, it's only a matter of time before the 2 of them get together." I immediately canceled the sound barrier and got suspicious looks from both Kathyln and Tessia that I just chuckled off. I looked around for Jasmine, to see her already off talking with Reynolds and Alice who had come down at some point.
"Here Elijah, come on in and have a seat. No telling with Arthur when he may arrive, so let's drink some tea. You do drink tea don't you?" He absently nodded his head and I smiled.
"Good, good. I'm starting to like you already." I clapped his shoulder as I guided him into the living room, Kathyln on my other side and Tessia just a couple steps behind. While we were enjoying some the rest of the family and the Leywins had joined us while Elijah told us a little about himself. It wasn't much really, but I suppose he doesn't know much himself. When we got to the part about the dungeon, he didn't get very far into it when I suddenly smiled. Everyone looked toward me in confusion for smiling during such a harrowing story and what I said next explained it to them.
"Arthur is here." Though they knew that he would be coming home anytime, it still seemed to surprise them as multiple mouths dropped. All except Ellie's, who had already wriggled from her mother's grasp and shot for the door. Alice and Rey followed soon after they shook the initial shock, and the rest of us stayed sitting in the living room. I assume most people were thinking about how happy they were for Arthur to be back, I had another thought running around.
My eyes landed on the figure that it was centered around, Tessia. My grinned inwardly as I couldn't wait for Arthur to see her and to find out how close she and his mother had become lately. Well I guess to the Leywin family as a whole, poor Arthur no longer had a choice in the matter as they had practically already accepted her as their daughter in law. Alice even slipped up a few times when shopping with Tessia saying such things as "my daughter in law", "my son's wife", much to Tessia's continued embarrassment.
I could tell she was nervous as her hands were set firmly in her lap, and her knuckles shown white from the grip she had on her pant leg. I looked to Kathyln, who looked back at me with a knowing smile. We both stood simultaneously and grabbed different shoulder of Tessia's and began to pull her toward the front door. Whispered protests were ignored as we just looked back with great big smiles that made Tessia sweat drop a little.
Elijah looked on confuse, but eventually followed after us out on to the walkway to the front door. Which is where we could see Arthur hugging his family, but when he saw us with Tessia held hostage his eyes went wide. Whether it was because of the grip me and Kathyln had on Tessia's arms or Tessia herself being their I don't know, but it was fun to see nonetheless.
Tessia finally quit squirming against our grasps and stood straight as she fixed her clothes and fidgeted with her hair. She was stopped by Kathyln placing a hand on her shoulder with a nod, and Tessia calmed her movements. Arthur's family seemed to notice the change in Arthur and looked around before seeing us and smiled knowingly.
They pulled Ellie away from Arthur and as soon as he was standing alone facing Tessia, a small smile splayed across his face. In contrast to his smile Tessia's face contorted and the beginnings of a sob got caught in her throat as she started walking towards Arthur before breaking into a slight jog. The battle seemed to have still taken a lot out of Arthur as he was nearly knocked over when Tessia finally reached him.
He smiled in sympathy as she hugged him tightly and cried into his shoulder. I gave him a thumbs up that he rudely returned with a glare that seemed to promise payback for this. I just smiled knowingly as he doesn't know the true extent of everything yet. A small pinch from Kathyln had me turning to look at her to see her giving me a look to leave them alone, so I just shrugged and sighed.
Eventually Tessia calmed down and we all returned inside where we had a big family dinner. Rey and my dad sat at the heads of the table with Alice, then Ellie, Tessia, Arthur and then finally Elijah on Rey's left and father's right. To Father's left was mother, Lilia, me and then Kathyln. The conversation was kept away from the tombs as we all just enjoyed the moment, with multiple jokes and banter exchanged.
Night came sooner than anyone expected or wanted, which meant the returning of the 2 princesses to Xyrus where they were still staying in the dorms. They could have stayed at the manor, but it could be seen as improper for 2 girls such as them to stay in a house with a 3 boys even if there are other women in the house. It's easier for everyone if they just go back to the dorms, which is why me and Arthur are currently riding back with them in the carriage.
Kathyln was the first in, so I snuck past Arthur and Tessia to sit beside her. Partly because I wanted to, but honestly it was mostly so that Arthur had to sit beside Tessia. He seemed to realize this as he gave me a half hearted glare before sitting next to Tessia. She seemed to be slightly drained from the festivities of the day and dozed off shortly on Arthur's shoulder. I could feel Kathyln, snuggle against my shoulder as well, so I positioned myself in a way to make it more comfortable for her.
Moments later the carriage was filled with the soft sleeping noises of 2 princesses on the the ride to Xyrus. I looked across at Arthur who was looking down at Tessia and seemed to be close to falling asleep himself. I conjured small sound barriers around the 2 sleepers as to not wake them before I spoke.
"So, I heard you got into a little trouble. Need your master to do anything for you, little apprentice?" He groaned at my words, but eventually looked at me seriously.
"How strong is Bairon Wykes? I saw a little of what he could do at the tournament, but how strong is he really." I grinned at his question before thinking slightly.
"Hmmm, as you currently are now, you could probably last for a bit. I'm afraid he would probably defeat you in the end, especially if he was properly motivated." Arthur frowned slightly and went into thought before looking at me again.
"Could you defeat him?" I grinned once again.
"Oh ho? Is my apprentice asking me to beat up someone for him." He deadpanned at me before shaking his head.
"No, not as such. I guess whether you could or not won't change much, but based on your answer I'm assuming you could." He stared at me directly.
"Lets just say there's no one on this continent that I know of, that could defeat me." He just nodded at this before going into contemplation.
"However even I can't be everywhere at once, so think wisely before retaliating on Lucas. I may be able to defeat Barron easily, but that doesn't mean you or even me will always be around our family to protect them." He didn't respond right away, as he just stared out the window of the carriage.
"I have an idea about that." I raised an eyebrow, but didn't respond, nor did it matter as the carriage stopped and I could see the gates of Xyrus outside. Releasing the sound magic from Kathyln and Tessia, I stand up. My movements wake Kathyln from her slight doze and she looks around to see the gates and frowns.
"I can't believe I fell asleep before I had to go." I help her up as well as lead her out the carriage and chuckle softly.
"Well it was worth it for me, you're quite cute when you sleep." Her cheeks gain a pink dusting, but she retorts back.
"Are you saying I'm not cute any other time?" And I grin widely at her as she takes the step down from the carriage.
"Yup. The rest of the time you're just beautiful." She fought the red that threatened to over take her face and pouted slightly.
"You were supposed to get flustered at least a little bit. I see my mother do it to father all the time." I smirked again at her and shrugged.
"Sorry Princess, no can do. Though, to think you already picture us as married is interesting. Moving a bit fast don't you think?" Her jaw dropped slightly as she stammered.
"N-no that's not how I meant it. Just that… Ugh you knew what I meant." She huffed as she gave a weak glare.
"I don't know Princess, I'm not sure you could have meant it any other way. You see us as similar to your parents. Husband and wife." I tease again and she just groans before placing her head on my shoulder in exasperation, causing me to chuckle. I pat her back as my arms encircle her in a hug. She hums into my grasp, and I see Arthur and Tessia finally exiting the carriage.
"Time to go Princess." A protesting grunt was all I got as a response, which just made me smile again.
"Only a few more months til school starts back, besides you already see me everyday even when it's not in session." She just grumbled again and tightened her own grip around me.
"Very well, you leave me no choice." She went to lift her head to look at me, but before she could I whipped an arm under her legs while the other stayed around her back. With one swift motion I lifted her up in a Princess carry and she stares at me in shock, a blush grew fierce across her cheeks.
"Wh- what are you doing?" She stuttered out, and I just chuckled at her expression.
"Carrying you of course, since you didn't want to walk." She seemed ready to protest and even squirmed a little, but eventually relented and sunk into my grasp. Her head leaned against my shoulder and her arms were wrapped loosely around my neck. I could see her ears with a tinge of red, but she wouldn't lift her face for me to see if it matched.
Eventually we made it to her room and I could feel her reluctance in us parting, and she stood in front of me. She seemed much like the first day of the academy where she was timid and nervous around me.
"What is it Princess?" I asked as I picked her head up gently by her chin, and could see the hesitation in her eyes.
"Coul..—" she mumbled, so I leaned closer.
"You'll have to speak up Princess, or I won't be able to hear you." She squeezed her hands together and looked at me with more determination.
"Could you… give me a kiss good night…" Her face flamed red and she almost turned to run into her room, but I had gripped her by the hand before she could. I turned her toward me, and used my free hand to bring her head forward. Her cheeks somehow managed grow even brighter and she closed her eyes. I placed a kiss on her forehead, and her eyes shot open, when I pulled back I could see a brief bout of disappointment flash through them, but they immediately switched to elation.
"Goodnight, Princess." I said with a smile and returned it with one of her own.
"Goodnight, Jaron."
With that she slipped into her room and I made my way back to the carriage where I saw Arthur standing outside waiting for me.
"What took you so long?" He asked, with a slight annoyance in his tone.
"Not all of us are brutes and would make a girl walk back by herself." I fired back playfully.
"I just don't see her like that." I grinned at his response.
"I'm not too sure about that." He looked at me confused as I stepped past him.
"What do you mean?" He asked, and I just waved him off over my shoulder.
"Nothing, nothing. Now come one, lets get home." He looked like he wanted to pursue it further. But decided against it as he boarded the carriage behind me.
——————————————————————————
Author's Note
Arthur has returned and the true Xyrus Academy arc begins. Though it will probably be pretty short as well, not sure how long I plan to make it.
Hope everyone enjoyed the scenes between Arthur and Kathyln, as they will be sprinkled here and there throughout the story. Also interesting fact I found while rereading a small portion of the book is that the castle that the Glayders live in is in Etistin.
In chapter 39 of the books when the Kings are giving their announcements of the lances as well as the new continent, the author specifically mentions the crowd in Etistin and the crowd in Xyrus. "King Eralith paused for a brief moment while the crowd in Etistin and the crowd here in the City Square of Xyrus filled with the sound of murmurs."
So now I know where the castle is located. It's not that big a deal, but it does make my journey at the beginning of the journey a little lacking as Jaron passed through Etistin and never mentioned the castle or it being a castle city. I think they just eventually make it float, and that's what all the council of Dicathen are in during the war arc, or it's another fortress altogether.
Lastly I hope I'm doing these interactions with Arthur good enough for everyone. Got another comment recently that he's just glorifying Arthur or some such, and I guess I was a little worried more people thought he's just going to be following Arthur around. I would hope that by 55 chapters into the story this would no longer be an issue, but it seems the mere mention Arthur being near Jaron is enough to spark it
I'm probably over thinking it ( which I do a lot of), but that's kind of what I use these Author's Notes for. Bounce ideas and concern around or just tell you guys what I'm planning.
Thanks for reading.
-SocioPhobia