The Buried Symbol (The Ruins of Issalia Book 1) (58 page)

Benny shrugged.
“
The book doesn
’
t say and that was hundreds of years ago.
”

Brock sighed.
“
Well, we aren
’
t going to solve this tonight. I
’
m heading to bed. I
’
m exhausted, and I have to meet with Vandermark in the morning.
”

.   .   .

Vandermark finished reading the report, setting the paper down and leaning back in his chair. He stared at Brock, his gaze lingering for an uncomfortably long moment. Leaning forward, he finally broke the awkward silence.

“
I
’
m sure you
’
re aware that this will be a delicate situation for the Academy. I
’
ve been put in a position where I must inform the leader of the Empire that his son is dead. Dead at the hands of one of our own students, no less.
”

Vandermark paused, exhaling.
“
However, after a thorough investigation, I have determined that Corbin was at fault in this matter. Why he was on a mission to destroy you is still unclear. Perhaps that
’
s something you can shed some light upon?
”

Brock nodded, steadying himself.
“
On our first day at the Academy, he and I got into an altercation. He was forcing himself on a female student, and I stopped him. He...took offense to my standing up to him. That was the first of a series of confrontations. After I defeated him in the Arena Championship, it became even worse. He knew that I am...very close to Ashland, and he wanted to hurt me by hurting her. When I came to her defense, he attacked me.
”

Vandermark nodded.
“
That story makes sense, based on the information I
’
ve gathered. What I still don
’
t understand is how the solid metal rod was driven through his skull. You
’
re a fit lad, but not nearly strong enough for that.
”

Afraid the conversation might lead in this direction, Brock had readied the best story he could concoct.

“
Sir, as you know, I was rendered unconscious for days following the event. Other than grappling with Corbin to release Ashland, I don
’
t remember much at all. I recall that somehow, the press broke and a huge wooden beam went flying. Perhaps one of those events caused the rod to impale Corbin. If not, then I have no idea.
”

He stared back at the headmaster, trying to appear as innocent as possible. His armpits were damp with cold sweat, but he maintained a calm exterior.

“
Very well,
”
Vandermark replied.
“
Before you
’
re dismissed, you must understand that any details of Corbin
’
s death are to remain private. I am sure other students will ask about it, but you will tell them that you are not allowed to discuss the death of another student. Do you understand?
”

Brock nodded.
“
Yes, sir.
”

“
Okay. Please resume your classes as scheduled. The year ends soon. You have little time remaining to prove you have what it takes to continue at the Academy. You are excused.
”

Brock stood.
“
Thank you, sir. You won
’
t be disappointed.
”

Walking to the door, he pulled it open and left to resume his career at the Academy.

CHAPTER 91

“
And when Brock came around the corner on the Hedgewick Roller, the whole class gasped, even Karl Jarlish,
”
Benny said, trying to not spill his glass of wine.
“
Brock sped in, looking as if he might run right into the crowd until he pulled the brake and the roller slowed to a stop, just inches from where Nindlerod stood.
”

“
The old man began clapping and hopping around, giddy with excitement. I was so happy at his reaction that I jumped in, grabbed his arm, and danced a jig with the old coot.
”
Benny laughed, everyone else joining him.

“
And that
’
s why we celebrate today. My invention, the Hedgewick Roller, has earned the top prize for this year
’
s Invention Challenge. I hope that in years to come, people throughout the Empire can benefit from this affordable form of transportation.
”
Benny climbed down from the chair, clinking glasses with others standing nearby.

Brock was happy for Benny. The boy had some crazy ideas, but they usually turned out to be genius. He put an arm around Ashland
’
s shoulders as he sipped his wine with the other.

“
I
’
m surprised you agreed to ride that thing after the last episode,
”
she said to him.

He nodded.
“
Yeah, I know. I have to give Benny credit. He took my complaints to heart and made some changes. Now that there
’
s a way to stop the thing, it
’
s actually fun to ride.
”

Brock glanced around the room. He estimated that over two hundred students had gathered in the lounge, including many girls. Once word spread that there were three casks of wine for Benny
’
s celebration, students swarmed to join the party. Parker was even there, laughing with Benny as they talked. Without Corbin in the picture, Parker seemed to be free. In fact, most of the boys who had followed Corbin had befriended Brock and the others in the weeks since his death.

Benny patted Parker on the back and walked over to where Brock sat with Ashland.

“
How do you like my little party?
”
Benny asked.

Brock lifted his glass to tap Benny
’
s.
“
I
’
ve never heard of anyone throwing a party for themselves before, but I like it. I bet the wine cost you plenty, though.
”

Benny shrugged.
“
It wasn
’
t that bad. I paid for it with some of the coin I was awarded for my invention, so it evens out.
”

“
You still haven
’
t told me how you
’
ve been able to get the casks here anyway.
”
Brock remarked.

Benny smiled.
“
Take a guess.
”

Brock nodded.
“
I bet Dory helped you get them.
”

Benny looked disappointed.
“
You spoiled the secret. It
’
s not as fun now.
”

Brock laughed.

Cam approached, nodding to the group.
“
There
’
s one week left of school. What are you doing for summer break?
”

Benny responded,
“
I plan to go see my father in Selbin.
”

Brock shrugged, glancing at Ashland.
“
We haven
’
t decided except that Ashland and I plan to go somewhere together. What are you planning, Cam?
”

Cam smiled.
“
I
’
m traveling to Nor Torin to see my family. Maybe you guys could come with me?
”

Benny jumped in.
“
Hey, Selbin is on the way to Nor Torin. We could travel together.
”

Lars stepped up to the group.
“
What are you guys going on about now?
”

Brock replied,
“
Hi Lars. We
’
re talking about summer break.
”

“
Oh, that. I
’
m going to see my mom and pops at their farm just past Selbin,
”
Lars said before downing his wine.

Benny spoke, rocking his shoulders in that odd way of his.
“
I
’
m from Selbin. In fact, these guys are going to Nor Torin, so we thought we
’
d travel together.
”
Benny reached up and clapped a hand on Lars
’
thick shoulder.
“
Would you like join us, Lars?
”

A wide grin broke out on Lars
’
face.
“
If you guys will have me, I
’
d like that a lot.
”

“
Of course we
’
ll have you, Lars. You
’
re one of us, too,
”
Brock replied.

Benny called out.
“
Parker, come here.
”

Parker walked over.
“
What
’
s up, guys?
”

“
We
’
re talking about what we
’
re doing for summer break,
”
Benny replied.
“
We
’
re all going the same direction, so we
’
re traveling together.
”

“
What are you planning, Parker?
”
Brock asked.

“
I
’
m heading to Sol Polis, pretty much the opposite direction from you guys,
”
Parker replied.
“
I
’
m traveling with the others down to Wayport, and we
’
re taking a ship the rest of the way to save time.
”

Brock nodded.
“
That
’
s what I expected. I guess we
’
ll see you when break is over then.
”

“
That is if we all make it,
”
Parker said.
“
We haven
’
t been raised to apprentice yet.
”

Brock hadn
’
t thought about that. What if he wasn
’
t raised? After the incident with Corbin, he hoped that the Academy didn
’
t decide it was more trouble to keep him around than he was worth.

.   .   .

Students grouped by level filled the heart of the massive temple. A narrow section of masters divided each of the three groups like a purple spoked wheel of blue. The dais at the center of the wheel included Headmaster Vandermark and Master Ackerson, who assisted in running the proceedings.

After an initial welcome speech, Vandermark began calling the names of adept-level students who were being promoted to master. One by one, they approached the dais and were handed a master
’
s cloak and a signed writ, proclaiming their newfound status. Beginning with the lore masters, the ceremony continued one discipline at a time until all of the new masters had been announced.

Next came the apprentice-level students who were being raised to adept. As it was with the previous group, the ecclesiastic students were the last to be announced. Brock waited anxiously until Ashland
’
s name was called. He clapped and cheered as she approached the dais to claim the pin she would add to her cloak, marking her as adept. He was happy to see her continue toward her dream to become a master.

Finally, the advancing novice-level students were announced. Vandermark began with those who would specialize in Lore before moving on to the engineers. As expected, Benny
’
s name was one of the first to be called as an apprentice engineer. His friend held his new cloak up for everyone to see before reclaiming his seat.

Vandermark proceeded by announcing the hierarchists, with Parker
’
s name as one of those advancing to the apprentice ranks.

When he began announcing future paladins, both Lars and Cameron sat up in anticipation. Neither had to wait long. It was obvious to Brock that they would advance since they were already among the best fighters at the school.