as Raphael told them to get to work, Adrian and Lucian began working together at their mat.
Adrian grunted as he tried to block Lucian’s attack. “I’m so bad at this.”
“I keep telling you, you’re not that bad. You just need practice. Besides, you’ve never been able to block that before, now you got in there just in the nick of time.”
Adrian waved off the compliment. “You’re just being nice. Is that why you get so frustrated with Rusty?”
“Is what why I get frustrated?”
“Well, you said your dad started working with you young. You’re practically an expert and yet with Rusty you struggle.”
Lucian nodded. “It’s hard having a lower grade because I’m struggling with my hound. But I have the same frustration with Zephyr. I guess I’ll just keep plodding along until they both catch on.”
Raphael interrupted the boys’ conversation. “Please pack up. We’ll continue this next time.”
Kaelen walked towards Lucian and Adrian, fuming. How dare Lucian call him a failure!
Lucian had his back to Kaelen as he and Adrian packed. “I should probably go apologize to Diana and Phillipa for leaving early. That was wrong of me.”
“I don’t know,” Adrian said with a smile, “you should have seen Diana’s face when Rusty obeyed your silent command. It looked like she didn’t know whether to be angry or proud. It was…Lucian! Look out!” Adrian cried as he turned to see Kaelen behind Lucian sword raised.
His warning was too late. Lucian felt a sharp sting in his left arm as he turned. Kaelen was already moving in for a second attack, but Lucian tossed his sword to his right hand and blocked it. He couldn’t fight back, not right-handed, but he could at least block Kaelen’s fury.
“Enough,” Raphael bellowed for the third time, pushing past boys and reaching the two battling princes. Lucian dropped his sword, while Kaelen slashed again, leaving a second, deep gash across Lucian’s wrist. Raphael grabbed Kaelen’s arm and shook it until the sword clanked to the ground. “What on earth is going on here?”
Lucian tried to focus on Raphael’s face, but it was becoming blurred. He felt himself sway to the side as everything went black.
As soon as Lucian crumpled to the floor, Raphael barked, “Mithulan, run and get Tallia immediately.” He pointed his wand up and two slips of paper, one black and the other yellow, flew out the door. “Adrian, help me control the bleeding. The rest of you will sit down at once.”
The boys sat quickly as Tallia flew into the room, Mithulan panting behind her. “What happened?” she demanded as she began wrapping the wounds.
“Kaelen attacked him without provocation,” Adrian replied. “Is he going to be okay?”
Tallia looked up at him, worry in her turquoise eyes. “He should be.” She motioned for the other fairy, who had come in while Tallia examined Lucian, to come forward. “We need to take him to the infirmary now.” She waved her wand and a stretcher appeared. The two carried Lucian out as Calista and Althea walked in.
“Good heavens!” Calista cried. “What on earth happened?” There was a barrage of boys’ voices until Calista shouted, “Enough!” Even Raphael fell instantly silent, a look of fear on his face; Calista had never shouted at anyone before. She’d never needed to. “Now, Raphael, would you explain to me what has occurred?” she asked, sounding more like herself.
“I’m not entirely sure, Calista. I had just asked the boys to pack up and the next thing I knew Kaelen and Lucian were fighting. Adrian was nearby though not involved.”
“Adrian, what happened?”
He took a deep breath. “Lucian and I were getting ready to pack up and I saw Kaelen coming. He just attacked Lucian with no warning. I suspect it stems from Lucian calling him a failure after our hunting and horsemanship final. But Kaelen started that too by saying that Rusty was worthless.”
“Yes, I’ve already heard about Lucian’s previous behavior. In fact, I was going to send for him to come to my office to speak about that once classes were done for the day.” She was silent for a moment. “Raphael, please dismiss all students except for Kaelen. Ask Tallia to return with Lucian if he can be moved.”
He snapped to attention. “Alright, lads, class is over for the day. Go to your dormitories. I’ll be available this evening for questions.” He ushered the boys to the door. “You too, Adrian.”
“But…”
“No buts, Adrian.” He continued more gently, “Lucian will be fine. Come along.” Adrian nodded and walked with Raphael out of the room.
Calista was silent. She looked down at Kaelen, a look of withering disappointment on her face.
“Calista,” Althea said, placing a hand on her arm, “might I call one of my sisters? I need some counsel.”
“Of course,” she replied, her eyes never leaving Kaelen’s face.
Kaelen just stared back. If she was waiting for an apology, she was wasting her time. He had no intention of apologizing to Lucian now or ever.
Neither noticed Althea close her eyes. Nor did they notice that the brilliant emerald in her tiara began glowing brightly. The glow diminished as an ancient woman entered the room, leaning on a wooden cane. “You called, Sister?” the witch said. She was a tiny woman and brittle-looking as though the slightest touch might break her. She had flowing white hair and was wearing a green gown with a golden belt. Dangling at the end of the belt was a green stone, swaying like a pendulum with every step.
“Yes, Maeve, I need counsel from you on how I should deal with this young man,” Althea replied.
Maeve turned to look at Kaelen. “He’s a handsome, young thing. We could put him in the garden with the flowers. He’d be lovely next to them.”
“That’s not exactly what I meant, Maeve. He is to be punished for an attack on another student.”
They were interrupted as Raphael came in, followed by Tallia pushing a wheelchair. Lucian was still unconscious, his head lolling to one side. As she stopped, something fell from Lucian’s pocket. No one noticed, except for Maeve who began inching towards it while the others began speaking.
“How is he, Tallia?” Calista asked, still staring at Kaelen.
“He’ll pull through. He’s lost a lot of blood, which is why he’s still out of it. He hasn’t woken since he fell. I’m not entirely sure if he simply passed out from loss of blood or if he may have knocked himself out hitting the ground. He’s got a nasty bruise on his head. However, it’ll be at least a week, likely more, before he can do anything with that arm. The wounds are very deep. He’s got stitches right now and I’ll have to see him regularly to change his wrappings and check on how he’s healing. But, it is his left arm, so it shouldn’t affect his work too badly.”
“He’s left-handed,” Raphael interrupted, “it’s going to affect his work dramatically. He will be unable to participate in most of his classes, including mine. It’s a shame too, because he is by far the best student I’ve ever worked with.”
“Kaelen,” Calista said, “I’m still waiting for an explanation.”
“I don’t need to explain myself,” he replied. “I defended my honor. He got what he deserved.”
“Then Althea will give you what you deserve.”
Althea was silent and turned to Maeve. “If he can’t behave as a gentleman, than make him something else,” Maeve said as though this was the most obvious solution in the world. “Oh and Sister, look what I’ve found.” She held out her hand and beckoned to Althea to look. Resting on her palm was a sunflower seed. “I do believe I’ve found our little gardener.”
A single tear trickled down Althea’s face. “This calls for thanks.”
“Yes, but I believe Calista is waiting,” Maeve reminded her.
“Of course,” Althea replied, turning once more towards Kaelen. Her eyes darkened to black and her hair billowed about her. “Until thy victim is well and whole, a maiden’s part shall be thy role.” The tiara glowed and Kaelen was hit by a flash of white light.
When the light fade
d, Kaelen wasn’t sure why everyone was staring at him.
Raphael was beside himself. “Now see here! You can’t do that! He’s, well, look at him. He’s a she!”
Althea turned towards Raphael. “According to the agreement made, punishment is to be decided by myself or one of my sisters. No one, not you, nor even Calista can interfere.”
“She’s right,” Calista said when he looked ready to argue. “Althea, please tell me this isn’t a permanent change.”
“Of course not. Didn’t you listen? It’s only until Lucian is well again, meaning that he is fully healed. Luckily for Kaelen, that won’t include scarring. If it did, then I’m afraid the punishment would be quite permanent.”
Kaelen saw himself in one of the room’s large mirrors, only it couldn’t have been him. Where he should have been a skinny little girl was standing in his clothes. “What have you done to the mirrors?”
“Oh, I’ve done nothing to the mirrors,” Althea said, wicked amusement darkening her tone. “What you see is you. You will remain a maid until Lucian has healed from his wounds. Maeve is right; if you cannot follow the gentleman’s code, than you should not be a gentleman. Attacking without warning shows both hatefulness and cowardice. Neither is the trait of a gentleman. So, perhaps spending a few weeks as a girl will teach you to appreciate your place.”
Before Kaelen could say anything, Maeve said, “Sister, you’ve forgotten the attire of a maiden.” She held the green stone of her belt in her hand and