Lord of the White Hell Book One

Chapter Nine

An hour later when the school bells rang out the lunch break, Kiram followed Nestor to the third table beneath the arching windows of the eastern wall of the dining hall. Nestor was overjoyed at the invitation.

"The higher tables get the better servings, you know. And every Sacreday they receive wine and sweet cherries." Nestor beamed as he seated himself across from Elezar.

Elezar acknowledged his younger brother with a quick, affectionate wink and then continued to speculate with Atreau about which of the horses were the best jumpers.

"Lunaluz has endurance. On the long course there is no way Llama can beat him. That's where I'm putting my money."

Atreau seemed about to reply but then his eyes flicked to Kiram.

Elezar looked as well and frowned. "Don't just stand there like a knee-less moron. Sit."

"What about Fedeles? Shouldn't someone sit with him?" Kiram stepped back from the table. "I think I should wait for him with the first-year students."

"Fedeles is none of your concern. He sits where he wants, with whomever he wants," Elezar stated. "You, on the other hand, will sit where you've been told to sit, Underclassman."

"I am not your-"

Nestor jerked Kiram down onto the bench beside him.

"Fedeles is eating up in his room today, and we'll get better food here anyway," Nestor said quickly. Then, to Elezar, "It's fine. Really. Kiram and I are happy to eat with you. Thanks for the invitation."

"That's good to hear." Elezar eyed Kiram suspiciously. "Because I'd hate to think to that Javier's underclassman is some kind of ungrateful runt who'd insult his generosity."

"No, no, it's nothing like that. We're both honored and thankful for the chance to dine with the older students." Nestor bumped Kiram's leg under the table.

Kiram knew he was behaving badly and a little pointlessly as well. It was Javier who he wanted to argue with, not Elezar. As it was, he was only aggravating Elezar, worrying Nestor, and living down to the Haldiim reputation for rudeness.

"I don't mean to seem ungrateful." Kiram bowed his head politely. "I had assumed that Upperclassman Javier would want me to remain with Fedeles. But since he's dining privately I would be honored to accept the invitation to your table. Thank you, Upperclassman Elezar."

"Well, that was prettily said," Atreau commented with a smile.

"Pretty indeed. I guess your friend has some manners after all, Nestor." Elezar tossed a copper coin to Nestor and gave him another conspiratorial wink. Nestor beamed as he stuffed the coin into his jacket pocket.

Kiram felt almost as if he should take a bow, like some kind of stage performer. Instead he accepted a glass of lemon water from a servant.

Elezar returned to his conversation with Atreau. Other third- and fourth-year students took their seats at the table, adding their opinions to Elezar's speculations on the upcoming tournament. Nestor watched their interaction with fascination, now and then pushing his spectacles up higher on his sharp nose.

Kiram watched them as well. He had seen all of these students before, though he knew very few of their names. They were the young men he always saw lounging around Javier, laughing at his jokes and marveling at his tricks. None of them seemed to take more than a moment's interest in either himself or Nestor. They made wagers with Elezar or chatted among themselves, grumbling about mathematics and law classes.

Nestor pressed closer to Kiram as a last upperclassman squeezed in on his left. With both Nestor and himself added to the table, the seating was tight, but Kiram noticed that no one took the space to Elezar's left, where Javier usually sat.

Kiram wondered if the place was left empty out of respect for Javier or fear of him.

"Elezar," a freckled young man called from the far end of the table. "Who's that with your brother? Is it Javier's brilliant Haldiim?"

Kiram felt his face flush but he wasn't sure if it was due to being called Javier's or brilliant.

"It is, indeed," Elezar replied. "Second-Year Underclassman Kiram Kir-Zaki."

The freckled upperclassman narrowed his gaze at Kiram. "So, are you really the genius Scholar Donamillo claims you are, or did Haldiim seduction get you into the academy?"

Kiram gripped his glass, barely suppressing the urge to hurl it at the freckled upperclassman.

"He won the Silver Leaf Challenge last year, and he's already beaten both your best scores in Scholar Blasio's class, Morisio, so I'd put my money on him being a genius," Elezar replied before Kiram could respond. "You're just going to have to accept that Master Donamillo has found a new favorite."

"Jealousy is so unbecoming in a gentleman," Atreau commented. The freckled upperclassman went scarlet but said nothing. He drank a little of his water and kept his eyes averted. Kiram was astounded. Both Elezar and Atreau had come to his defense without hesitation. He wanted to thank them but neither of them seemed to think anything of the interaction. They were already back to discussing shield designs and the newest black barrel cannons.

Javier had said that Elezar would protect him but somehow Kiram hadn't imagined that it would be from his own peers. Kiram was suddenly glad that he'd come to the third table. For the first time he had a hope that he might one day belong in the academy.

For the rest of the meal, he and Nestor quietly exchanged comments on the superior quality of the bread and stew served at the high tables. Slices of soft golden cheese were served along with fresh apples and pears. Nestor looked like he might weep from joy as he devoured the fruit.

Kiram enjoyed the food as well but he found himself glancing to the door from time to time, wondering when Javier would return from chapel.

After lunch and through his afternoon classes, the thought lingered with Kiram. Between art and history he dashed back up to their shared room, but there was no sign that Javier had been there.

How long could his penance last? Terrible images of ruined flesh rushed into his mind and Kiram's worry increased.

When he and Nestor took dinner at the third table with the upperclassmen, Genimo and Fedeles were there as well. Fedeles sang the names of his favorite horses and leaned against Kiram. Genimo sat at the opposite end of the table. The place at Elezar's left was once again left vacant.

Kiram hardly noticed his meal. Nestor pointed out that this was the first time that he could recognize the cuts of meat on his plate. The pork and apples were followed by a course of cheese and bread. Kiram chewed without really tasting anything.

He couldn't help but notice that Elezar also stole glances at the door as if he, too, worried over Javier's long absence. After dinner Elezar stepped up next to Kiram.

"If he isn't back by dark come get me," Elezar whispered. Then he strode away to join Atreau and the other upperclassmen for an evening ride.

Kiram went to his room to work on his history paper while he waited. He managed to write a string of obscenities about Nazario Sagrada, also known as Nazario the Impaler, Scourge of the Haldiim. He couldn't concentrate. He paced past the windows relentlessly. Outside the blue sky turned golden as the sun burned over the horizon. He suddenly thought that he'd been doing the same thing last night, pacing and waiting for Javier. And Javier had not come.

Kiram gave up on waiting. He headed downstairs and across the academy grounds toward the chapel.

A high wrought iron fence surrounded the ornate building. Small, flowering trees and rose bushes filled the inner courtyard. Deep gold light flashed off the glittering stained glass windows of the sanctuary building.

Kiram peered over the wall and then very cautiously swung the wrought iron gate open. He was forbidden from entering the chapel, but he tried to assure himself that the courtyard might be a different matter.

Still, his heart pounded wildly as he stepped on Cadeleonian holy ground. He crept from shadow to shadow, slowly circling the perimeter fence, searching for any sign of Javier.

Kiram found him lying under a pear tree. His white skin shone like moonlight from the shadows of the tree. His eyes were clenched closed and dark blood pooled around his outstretched arm.