FIRST YEAR, FIRST TERM
ORIENTATION DAY
“The place is a mad house,” Tanner says, looking around at the crowd of students and accompanying parents.
“Yes administration day, we need to report to the auditorium. I am kind of eager.” Claire says, bouncing on her toes.
Tanner takes her hand and says, “We should get there soon as we can.”
“I want seats in the front, middle section.”
“You’ve been here before?”
“The Contigo’s are alumni, and I was set up to attend since birth. The imperial family attends Darton.”
“I see, at least the path is well marked.”
“Oh, we will not miss it. It is the second biggest building on campus.”
“What is the biggest?”
The arena is twice as big.”
The couple follow the signs to the auditorium. Outside of the immense building, they find a series of tables set up with alphabetical signs. A student guide shows them their assigned table using the first letter of their last name. The couple having the same table walk up and announce, “Contigo and Alexander.” The three students stationed at the table look at them wide eyed, for a brief second then with a quick movement one girl grabs two folders sitting off to the side. The flustered girl hands the folders, then stops and bows, then stops again. Embarrassed, the girl looks to her companions for help.
Claire reaches out and touches her hand. “It is okay, I am aware of the rank change while on campus. You can just address me as Squire, or Squire Contigo, but I prefer Claire.” She gives the three women a bright smile.
Tanner also smiles. “You can address me the same way, only Squire Alexander, or Tanner.” The three girls giggle at Tanner as he winks. After taking the colored folders, Tanner passes Claire's to her. “What are the colors for?” Tanner asks looking over the piles of multi-colored folios.
“The solid color folder is your affinity rank, purple for Epic, the stripe denotes your gate light blue for mind gate the darker blue stripe inside the mind stripe is your the rank of your gate. Wow you’re both powerful.” The woman gushes over them.
“We were fortunate and very blessed.” Claire answers politely.
“Sorry, I wasn’t trying to pry. We just don’t see many folders like that.” The woman says, “I’m Katie, I help in admin. If you need anything just find me I’ll either help or find someone that knows. I’m in fourth year.”
Claire, thanking the helpful student, acting distant, continues into the amphitheater, along with Tanner. Jaw clenched tight. “She likes you. She wants to take you from me.”
“Claire what are you talking about?”
“That Katie, she wants to take you from me.”
Tanner stops and pulls Claire off to the side. “What is this about? Claire, I will not find another girl, I like you and you alone. She just wants to be our friend. What brought this on?”
“I don’t know I just got jealous.”
Tanner hugs her tight. “I only want you. Okay?”
“Sorry I don’t know where all of that came from.”
“Your okay now?”
“Yes, Let’s find seats.”
The two enter the enormous room. A raised stage is surrounded by a semicircle of seating. Figuring the auditorium should seat around ten thousand people. Observing the organized seating is in sections of one hundred, with five rows of twenty, with several sections spread over the first floor. Balconies are positioned above and around to form a sizable amphitheater. “This place is enormous. Where do you want to sit?” Tanner asks Claire.
“Let’s sit over there.” She points to the front third section, on the first floor, at seats in the center.
“Sure,” he nods agreement. They move toward the area they have picked out. Claire’s name is called out. The two stop and turn toward the greeter.
“Oh, that is Jackson Utian, the second son of the first district Grand Duke Utian. I believe you will like him, he is impulsive, but he means well. He is one of the nicest people I know. Hi Jackson, come sit with us.”
A young man, looking much younger than his current age, walks over to them as he gets closer. Tanner observes he is around five foot eight inches tall with a headful of thick, dark sandy blonde hair. The wiry man holds out his hand in greeting. With a look, gray eyes meeting dark blue, the two shake hands.
“Okay thanks, I was hoping to run into you. The people I know here are assholes. I want to avoid them as much as I can. You must be Tanner. I am glad to meet you. Congratulations on everything.” Jackson grins.
Tanner lets go of his hand and grins back, “Thanks.” He replies. We planned to sit there. He gestures, “Want to join us?”
“Yes, please.”
Claire sits between the two young men. The facility staff filter in on to the stage. All wearing black jackets with color scarves under the lapels. “What’s with the scarves?” Tanner asks.
Jackson explains they show what Affinities the bearers have. The embroidered symbol on the bottom edge is what class they teach. “Do you see the pretty brunette who just arrived?” Jackson asks pointing at the instructor. “She has Nature Affinity and teaches Healing.”
Claire gives a deep sigh, grabbing Tanner’s hand and says to him. “Do not pick up Jackson’s habits, please.” Tanner laughs.
Jackson defends himself. “Don’t tell me. You don’t think she is pretty.”
“Fine, she is pretty,” Claire snickers. “Still waiting for your explanation?”
Jackson continues, “The blue color is mind, the green border is nature. The red scarf is body, and the White is soul. The colored Border tells what Subset. They only wear them on social occasions.”
“Thanks,” Tanner replies.
“Oh wow, she is beautiful. I think I’m in love,” Jackson says, looking over towards the entrance. Tanner and Claire turn and look in the direction Jackson has indicated. Jackson stands up and shouts. “Hey Red! Over here.” Pointing to the seat next to him.
Claire’s face goes into her hands. Tanner watches the beautiful red-headed girl walking into the room. The young woman, hearing Jackson’s shout, pauses and gives a puzzled look in their direction. She walks towards them.
As she comes closer, Tanner can see she has vivid green eyes and tanned skin with a few freckles spotted around her cheeks. Her hair is a dark red with sun kissed light blonde highlights. ‘She is pretty.’ Tanner thinks, feeling an attraction to the well-built young woman almost as strong as he feels toward Claire. Jackson, almost beside himself with excitement, opens his mouth. Realizing his new friend likes the girl and is about to scare her off. Tanner stands and asks her to please sit with them.
Claire is quick to ask her, “Yes, please sit with us.” Then, with an odd look, “You look a little lost. This is Tanner, the loud mouth is Jackson. I am Claire. You are?”
The new arrival gives a timid smile, glancing between Tanner and Claire with interest. “Hi, my name is Constance.”
Jackson gives her a hopeful smile and gestures to the seat beside him. Constance gives a small shake of her head, but sits next to Tanner. Constance fidgets, assessing their clothing before taking a long breath. She says, “This was a mistake,” and gets up.
Jackson, looking heartbroken, asks, “Why?”
Tanner understanding her discomfort. Speaks up and asks her, “Please sit back down. It doesn’t matter if you’re common born to us. We’re here for education, just like you. We are here to learn. I grew up in an orphanage. I’ve been a noble for about four and a half weeks.” He smiles.
Claire reaches out across Tanner to take her hand. “Say yes, we all need friends. Besides, a noble title will mean nothing here. You will see in a few minutes.”
Constance sits back down. While the other three reassure Constance of their intentions toward her. The rest of the first-year student body enters the room. “Uh, I need to confess.” Jackson admits, “I want to form a permanent delving team with you all.”
Tanner hearing, “I want to form up as a permanent delving team.” shocks him out of his thoughts. “What?” He asks. “We just met. We are complete strangers. Claire and I will form a team. I don’t know what she has planned. I have been reading some old books, and I think a ten person party is the way to go.”
Claire, over hearing Jackson, stops talking with Connie and looks at him. “Jackson, this is our very first day of our first year. We have not started class yet. This is a terrible idea.”
“Claire, can I show you my Status Sheet? Please, you’ll understand after you see it. Please?” Standing Jackson raises his voice at a couple walking in the door, a tall, broad young man and a petite young woman, both blond, blue-eyed and looking like brother and sister.
“I don’t know Jackson, this is sudden even for you. What are you doing?”
“Getting the rest of the party. You know, I always had a knack for avoiding the wrong people when we were young. Please, just look at my Sheet.”
Claire looks at Tanner and shrugs. “You want the four of us? Jackson, You need to show all of us. This is a huge deal. You can’t just spring something like this on us with no warning.”
Jackson nods his head in agreement. “You want ten right?” Claire, having heard Tanner's reasoning, nods her head. “Yes ten.”
Connie, looking at the three in mild shock, asks, “What are you guys talking about?”
Tanner looks at her and smiles, “Trust me please?”
Connie, looking uncertain, nods her head, “I don’t know why but I do.”
Jackson, jumping up to shout again, gets a stern look from the pretty instructor, recognizing he had better tone it down, “I’ll be right back,” and runs off to talk to a set of silver haired, elf twins. The blonde couple reaches them. Now that the two are closer, Tanner notices the woman has a repressed energy about her, like she is struggling to contain her excitement. The woman, standing next to her enormous brother, asks. “so what did you guys want with us?”
Claire stands and introduces herself, asking them to please sit. “We just want to make friends and get to know you both.”
The small girl smiles and says, “I’m Milly this big lump is Mick my twin brother.” With a head nod, the large young man sits. His sister also sits. Tanner, keeping a wary eye on Jackson, notices he is now talking to a pair of elf twins but also a female dwarf and an obvious half blood dwarf and human mix. Jackson brings the four over with a big smile. As the newcomers and Jackson settle in, the dean walks onto the stage. While the dean pauses on stage to talk with the instructors. Jackson sends out a party invite to all. As the individuals accept and the party forms.
[Jackson Utian would like to form a party of ten. Accept YES or NO.]
[You are now in a ten person party. Warning: Your party is full.]
Jackson whispers, “Please, even if you turn me down, say nothing about this. My Father would kill me if this gets out.”
Claire and Tanner nod their heads. The rest of the assembled group lean in closer, listening. “I can identify compatible individuals for optimal results. When I looked at the ten of you and think permanent party, you all glow. When we formed the party, it was like a click when a puzzle pieces fits into place. It feels right to me. I know I am not explaining it right. So what do you think?”
“We need to talk about it after the presentation. Jackson, this is not a no. It is a huge decision, and we can’t just jump into it.” Claire explains.
“Okay,” Jackson, nods his head, disappointed.
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“Look, Jackson, this is not a no. If we agree, you have a lot of catching up to do with Tanner and I. We have seen none of your status sheets, but you all most likely will have a lot of work to do as well.”
“Good Morning First years, I am happy to see so many new students. This is your introduction to Darton Academy. I am Dean Taenya Liafinor. You are all welcome. My staff and I look are looking forward to helping you along your academic journey. There are a few rules of conduct we need to go over. At our next assembly, we will divide you all into class sections. Once we assign your sections, you will then proceed to your section assignments. This will be permanent for the rest of your stay at Darton Academy. I warn you of this now, so when the time comes, you can get into a section with your friends. I believe your experience here will be better with friends alongside.”
The dean pauses and looks over at the assembled students. After taking a breath, she continues. “Rule number One. There will be No bullying. Every individual here possesses identical rank. You are all Squires. Each one of you will receive the same treatment as the Noble rank of squire.” The dean looks around the room. “I am unsympathetic if you are the son or daughter of the Imperial family or if you were born into the lowest poorest, common family. All of you have equal rank. You will treat each other accordingly. If any of you have a title, forget it. You are now a squire. This is by Imperial Decree. If you are the child of a Grand Duke and you abuse your fellow students, the school will expel you and will charge you with a crime. If you have been born a Commoner with a powerful affinity, and abuse your fellow students. The school will expel you, and you will face criminal charges. Testing this will result in expulsion. We will not refund your tuition, and good luck explaining that to whoever funded your stay here. Once you get your class, we will elevate you to either Knight or Mage. The school will expel you if you decide to bully, abuse, or take advantage of your lower ranked classmates. You will treat those around you with Courtesy and Respect. Rule number Two. There will be No cheating. We will handle cases of academic malfeasance harshly. This will also get you expelled. The remaining rules are in the booklets you possess in your rooms.”
“You will have nine mandatory classes your first semester. Your first term you will have four classes, and a two hour physical training class. The second term, you will have four new classes and will continue the physical training class and any of the mandatory classes you did not pass on your first term. This is the first semester. If you have passed all of your course work for the first semester, you will start supervised Delves in the school Dungeons. In addition, the Dueling grounds will be available. When you enter the second semester, you will have a minium of six classes for the entire semester. Four mandatory and two electives. Depending on your grade point average, you may take up to four electives. The maximum class load allowed is eight classes per semester. Should you fail the first semester’s classes, you can either retake them or opt to drop out. The university will refund your tuition for the second semester if you choose to drop out. If you take the remedial classes and fail, you will not be here next year. If you take the remedial classes and pass, you will be a semester behind your classmates. You can rectify this by taking classes during the summer semester. You will pay tuition for the extra semester. If you need help, ask. If you need them, tutors will be available. We consider you adults at sixteen summers, and we expect you to act as adults. Childhood is over. You now have responsibilities to meet. Again, the school will not allow you to enter the Dungeons or engage in duels until you pass the nine mandatory classes.” The dean pauses and looks over all the assembled new students.
“Although at sixteen summers, you are a legal adult, able to serve on the front lines. Over the next two years, you cannot sign legally binding contracts. A guardian is required to sign binding documents for the next two years. The reason I mention this is twofold. One, unscrupulous and predatory individuals have in the past has tried to trap students in contracts that would have made them a virtual slave. Your protection is ensured by laws now. Two, I want each and everyone of you to know your rights. Before you sign anything, come to a facility member and get a second opinion. Some of you may obtain sponsors or may already have sponsors. Get a second opinion on your contracts either way. We will tolerate none of our students being taken advantage of.”
“The Dungeons and Dueling field will be off limits for all of you until the second semester, on condition you have passed your first semester. If you try to enter. The wards will port you to my office. Trust me, you do not want to be in my office under those circumstances.”
“There is one other mandatory assembly on toleration. Attendance is required, several of you come from areas that have not seen a Justicar in several years. There have been regrettable instances in the past that were caused by ignorance, incidences do still occur. Many groupings exist for delvers like yourself. Couples, Trios, Harems, etc. In all combinations. There are reasons for this happening, most of which none of you will understand unless you come from a delving family. This also gives you an introduction on how to best handle your new status and powers. This assembly and class is to promote understanding, not persecution for your beliefs or practices. If you have an issue with any types of relationships, powers, or other people's attitude, my suggestion is to keep it to yourself. You are welcome to discuss your discomfort with our councilors or church deacons. Any actions taken against someone because you are uncomfortable will face harsh consequences. We tolerate all sexual preferences and all races here, whether they are Humans, Elves, Dwarves, or half-bloods.” The dean adds many more remarks about the school policies for the coming year, Tanner’s mind wanders to the potential party Jackson has lined up. He has noticed that all the young men and women Jackson collected carry purple folders, with Mind or Body gates noted and all ten have their gates ranked at Rare. If all ten work out and all have Epic ranked affinities with Rare ranked gates open, they may become the best party in the school, or at least the most powerful. Tanner, hearing, “In a few moments I will dismiss you to get your other tasks completed today.” brings Tanner back to current matters. “I would like to point out one more thing. This week only, the Martial Council is meeting. Those of you that would like to try out for a training slot can do so this week. There are many weapons training schools here in the Capital and you are all welcome to attend them in place of your weapons classes here. The academic classes we have here for weapons training and fighting are basic information and instruction. Off-Campus facilities can sometimes do a more thorough job of instruction. The Council goes more in depth. Spots are very limited and any training must be paid for out of your pocket. This goes for any of the combat schools off campus. The reason I mention the Council, they have some free training positions open, but they are limited. You are welcome to attend those lessons instead of the academy lessons. Just let us know and we can substitute those for your normal class. Fair warning, the guilds will be outside waiting for you to leave. You are welcome to talk with them, however you may not join any of them. You must advance to Tier One first. They all know this and, if they ask you to sign with them. I need to know soonest. Lawbreakers are not welcome on campus. Now everyone with plain white folders and a single stripe may leave and follow the signs to your next task, your basic assessment. Those of you with a white folder and a two color stripe please stay, Those of you with a colored folder please stay.”
While fellow students are leaving, Claire stands and says, “Sorry for dragging you all over here, I will try to explain. Jackson wants to form a party with all of us. We can wait until the dean excuses us for introductions. Jackson please explain your mad plan to everyone.”
Jackson stands and brushes his hands through his sandy blonde hair nervously. “Okay, I have a talent that allows me to pick people that will fit with me for the best results. I think about what my needs are and look around. It works only with people, though. I thought of forming a party, Tanner, Claire, and Connie here glowed. That means the four of us will be successful together. Tanner mentioned he wants to form a ten person party, so I looked around. Of all the people here in this room, you all fit with us. It was like a puzzle piece snapped into place when all ten of us gathered. I felt it in my brain.”
The dean's voice interrupts the meeting. “I would like the remaining people to gather closer please, down here for a more informal gathering.”
Tanner realizes there are only fifty or sixty students left in the building. His group stands and moves toward the dean, along with the other students. The dean and two instructors move to the center front row and show the seats in front of them. As the students gather and sit, the potential party sits in back of everyone.
The dean smiles at everyone and says, “Those that left have common ranked Affinities and common ranked Gates. Some of you have received common ranked Affinities but Gates that are ranked higher than common. Others of you have ranked Affinities, but common ranked Gates. Some have both. You students remaining may need additional electives. The reason? You all require more study and class time compared to others. Just like loot classification, the rankings are: white Common, green Uncommon, blue Rare, purple Epic. The stripes on your folders are red for Body, blue for Mind, green for Soul. We do not have any Soul Gates open this class, so we will not discuss it. I like to gather the more blessed students. One to warn them the rules will not be bent or broken for them. If anything, you will be held to a stricter accounting. Two, there is a phenomenon called The Draw. All Affinity holders are affected to some extent. It affects those now left in this room more than your classmates that have left. Why this is can only be speculated on. Bottom line is you are, or will be more powerful than your contemporaries and may notice it more. Those of you with compatible Affinities may feel a kinship or be drawn to each other. Some of you may feel it even now. I do not want any of you to be alarmed. Some Affinities seem to synchronize better with each other. Those with Affinities that do not synchronize will sometimes have the opposite happening. You may feel an attraction or a repulsion. Sometimes this can be a determining factor in non standard relationships. One thing of note: if there is no feeling of connection between the two or more individuals, nothing will happen unless you decide to make something happen. Your Affinities will not make you hate each other or fall in love, so do not worry about that. The church has councilors and therapists that deal with this kind of thing. If you need it. We are all adults in this room, so keep in mind this happens and there is nothing to be ashamed of. Some of you have already been talking about forming parties. I encourage it. Many of you will form parties though this first year, be it just until you graduate or with the options to be permanent. Just keep in mind, you can only form provisional parties. I encourage you to contract any agreements. I will meet any parties that form, both together and as individuals, to make sure you are all agreeable, and that no one is being forced into something. This concludes our talk unless any of you have questions for me. My door is always open. Students are welcome anytime.” The dean smiles and leaves the audience.
Tanner stands and motions the others to stay in place. “Getting back to our earlier conversation. Jackson asked the four of us to form a party.” As he gestures to Connie, Claire, and himself. “I told him I wanted to form a ten person party. He then went and gathered you all. Thank you all for not leaving. I know it seems sudden and none of us know anything about the others, but I have a good feeling about us all. Claire will you take over? Your much better at this kind of thing than I am.” Tanner stops speaking, looking over the potential members.
Jackson's face eager, Connie’s uncertain, the elf twins skeptical, the half dwarf brother and his sister as eager as Jackson, and the blonde twins both looking intrigued. As Claire talks, he watches all of their faces change to thoughtful. Claire finishes her speech with, “We do not want an answer today or even tomorrow, you all need to think about this.”
Tanner stands and says, “First we need introductions. I am Tanner Wilson-Alexander.”
Claire, still standing beside Tanner, says, “I am Claire Contigo.”
Milly and Jackson jump up. Jackson gives her a slight bow and says, “Ladies first.”
The energetic petite blonde, with bright blue eyes, straightens to her full five foot two inches and introduces herself, grinning, curtsies and says, “I am Milena Rasumun, and this is my little brother, Mikhail.” Mikhail turns out to be the enormous young man that walked in by her side.
Mick stands to his full six foot, seven inch height. Gives a gigantic sigh. “By five whole minutes.” The rest smile at the twins' antics.
Jackson says, “Jackson Utian.”
The young broad-shouldered female dwarf stands up, to her full muscular five feet. Pale yellow eyes sparkling with excitement. Her black hair framing a pretty face falls down to her broad shoulders. Her clothing, worn but clean, enfolding her full breasts and curves. As she takes a deep breath, her breasts strain the fabric, with an enormous smile on her face, and says, “I am Karnna Chainbreaker, and this is my brother Dylan. We need no discussion. We accept.” Dylan stands. His broad five and a half foot, black haired, frame, thick with muscle smiles, his yellow eyes twinkling adds his thanks to his sisters.
Tanner gives the two a nod and says. “Thank you. We will talk later.”
The pale silver haired elf twins both stand. Both girls, tall as Claire’s five feet, six inches, willowy, compared to Claire’s fit, muscular body. Their ears slightly pointed just short of a full blooded elf. Everyone notes the striking resemblance. The only difference, their mismatched eyes. “I am Lilli Jhaeros, this is Iris Jhaeros. We need to think about this and talk with our father.” Lilli’s left eye is blue, her right eye green. Iris’s left eye is green, her right eye blue.
Claire says, “We all should get together with all our families. In the mean time we can get to know each other even if the party does not work out we can all still be friends.”
Connie, looking at Tanner and Claire, walks to them, taking their hands in each of hers, she says. “I trust you both. I don’t know why?”
“Well I guess we know what The Draw looks like.” Jackson says, a trifle disappointed. The others chuckle as they stand to leave. The dean stands in the shadows watching the decuplet leave. The dean frowns as she turns and heads for her office.
Still partied up the ten walk discussing the upcoming assessment. They come to a stop in front of the campus chapel. A small crowd is waiting to enter. A deacon stands in front of the doors. Tanner leads the way to the deacon and bows, “Sir we have come for our assessment.” and hands the man a sealed letter.
“You and every other new student on campus, you need to create an appointment.”
Claire steps forward and orders the man to look at the seal. The deacon gives her an eye roll, and a bored smirk, “Of course your highness.” The man examines the seal and goes white. “This is addressed to me by name?”
Claire looks the man in the eye and says, “I have no idea, is that your name?”
After opening the letter and a quick read of the contents. The deacon pales even further, gasping, “This is signed by the Empress and the Voice?”
“I do not know they sealed it before handing it off to us.”
The man now recovering his composure, revealing only a slight shake in his hands. “Please forgive me princess, your appointment has already been set. Please go in.”
Tanner asks, “What about our companions? We are forming a party.”
“Yes, Yes all of you go in please.” The deacon says almost begging. Tanner motions everyone in.
Claire stops to address the deacon, “A little common courtesy can do you wonders.”
Tanner follows her into the building teasing, he whispers in her ear, “Damn Claire you are so hot right now.”
Claire, wide eyed and flushing crimson, whips her head around and squeaks.
Tanner puts his arm around her shoulders and hugs her, laughing, “Sorry couldn’t resist. I only meant you were not the shy bashful perfect princess. I like it.”
“I decided to push myself a little, do you like me that way?”
“I like you are growing into your own person, so yeah. Embrace your ideal self. I will accept you.”
With a shrug, Claire slips out from Tanner and skips to Connie. The two put their heads together and whisper for a few seconds, then giggle. An older woman walks from the back offices and greets the young students. “Hello all, I am Cleric Watson. I trust you are all here for your baseline psychological assessment?”
Claire steps forward. “I am Claire Contigo,” Sweeping her hand in Tanner’s direction, she continues, “This is Tanner Alexander. The appointment was for Tanner and I, but we are in the middle of forming a delving party with all of us and we would like to be evaluated together.”
“It is nice to meet you, your Highness, Prince Alexander.”
Tanner steps forward and offers her another sealed letter, “This is for you ma’am.”
The deacon checks the seal. Raising an eyebrow, she opens the letter. After a moment to read it, she nods her head. “Well, can’t say I was expecting this. Are you sure you don’t want to use a more private setting?”
Claire shakes her head. “No we do not. We have to show trust if we want to make a party work. That has to start at the beginning.”
The older woman smiles and nods, “All true, I will, however, require an oath from all of you not to reveal any information learned about each other here. This is to protect each of you from the others, just in case.” All agree with that condition. After taking the oath, they hand her their file folders. In the conference room, Cleric Watson announces that status sheets need not be shown. “But if you are exploring the option, now would be the time to share your status sheets with each other.”
