Page 24 of Fractured Fates
Whatever. I’ve been running our smallholding alone for the last year. A few chores at some stuck up college will be child’s play in comparison. In fact, apart from the gut-wrenching social side of things, I’m expecting my life to be a lot easier at this flashy college than it ever was back home.
9
Rhi
“Arrow Hart Academy,”the principal announces as our car rounds a corner an hour later.
I can’t help but press my nose to the window of the car and peer out at the building that will be my home for the next year and a half.
It looks like some old English mansion, stolen from the countryside and deposited here on the brow of a hill. Its walls are a sandstone yellow with turrets circling its roof and manicured lawns running up to its doors. Other buildings crouch behind but I can’t make them out yet. What is clear though, is that out here, far from the city, the campus is sprawling and isolated. There are no other houses, not even a farm or some small hovel, in sight.
I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’m used to living far away from everyone else, but it will make it harder to escape when I choose to and, though I hate to admit it, I was rather looking forward to exploring Los Magicos.
“Before we arrive, I will make you aware of some of the fundamental rules of this academy,” Principal York says, diverting my attention. “The breaking of which will lead to your suspension and possibly your expulsion, and ultimately grave consequences for your future. You are here as a magical to train with the others as is required by the law set by the authorities. Every magical has a responsibility to protect this country and that is only possible if you have studied accordingly.”
I nod. I don’t give a shit about any rules, about being expelled or about training for some perceived threat.
“Firstly, it goes without saying that pupils are forbidden from using their magical powers against another pupil or on one another. The only exception to this rule is if you are given permission to use your powers in such a way by a teacher in one of your lessons.”
“I understand,” I say, somewhat relieved. It hadn’t occurred to me that the students might use their powers like that, but now I think of it, it makes obvious sense. Why use your fists when you can use your magic instead?
“Secondly, you are not permitted to leave the campus grounds without permission.”
“Seriously?” I say.
“Entirely. Thirdly, student accommodation is split by gender. You will be in a female dorm. You are not permitted to receive visitors into your dorm building, especially those of the opposite sex. In fact, I would advise you to concentrate on your studies while you are here given the fact that you are behind, and put any romantic thoughts out of your head entirely.”
“That won’t be a problem,” I insist.
“I would hope not.” She eyes me. “Those are the rules I consider most important. You will find a copy of the academy prospectus in your room with a more detailed list of the other rules you must follow while you are here as well as setting out an expected code of conduct regarding behavior.” The principal runs a palm over the tweed material of her skirt. “It’s late, Miss Blackwaters–”
“Rhi.”
“–and after your long journey, I’m sure you would like to get to bed.” I don’t know. I doubt I will sleep a wink tonight. “So I will show you straight to your dorm room. You will need a good night’s sleep before the first of your classes tomorrow.”
“Classes?” I wasn’t expecting to be dropped straight into classes. I’d hoped for a bit of one-on-one tuition first to at least give me a fighting chance of catching up.
“Yes, I may have allowed you to bring your pig,” her lip curls as she glances down at Pip lying tummy up, with his legs in the air, “but that will be the only exception I will allow you to enjoy. You will be held to the same rules and standards as the rest of my students, all of whom will be attending classes tomorrow. A timetable awaits you in your room.”
As she finishes her words, I realize we are already here, parking up outside the entrance to Arrow Hart Academy. But I’ve no time to take in the towering building, because the principal is out of the car and calling for me to follow, her brown brogues crunching the gravel as she walks around the mansion. I scoot out of the car, slinging my one bag on my shoulder and scooping up Pip. How long will this sleeping spell last exactly because I’m getting pretty tired of carrying his highness everywhere?
It’s dark, but as with the Los Magicos streets, lanterns appear above our heads as we walk around the buildings, lighting our path. We weave our way around a huge glass plant house, a squat building with tall chimneys and what looks like a gymnasium, and find our way into what I assume is the student accommodation. There are blocks of rooms; the first few we pass clearly luxurious from what I manage to peek through the windows, huge rooms all done up like palaces. They become less and less luxurious as we walk, until we reach a grotty-looking block at the edge of the cluster of buildings, a forest lurking behind it. Paintwork peels from the building’s facade; I can see at least one broken window covered up with cardboard, and the few light bulbs I can spot hanging in rooms inside are all bare.
Seems whatever amazing powers these magicals are learning doesn’t extend to repairing run-down buildings.
“This is the accommodation the Council has chosen for you. You will be sharing a first floor room with a student in your year.”
“I’m sharing a room?”
“The fees for sharing a room are considerably cheaper, Miss Blackwaters.”
“Oh.” I guess I’ll have to suck it up then.
The principal seems reluctant to enter the block, but she takes a breath in and steps inside, stopping outside the second door and tapping on the wood.
The door flings back immediately and a girl with two long shiny braids and bright pink pajamas bounces out to greet us.
“Is this her?” she says with a wide smile that reveals a heavy pair of metal retainers. Seems these magicals can’t fix their teeth either.
