Eric chapter 2 part 1
Chapter two; negotiating.
The next morning Eric was awakened by Laurana dragging the blanket from him.
“What are you doing?” he cried, “It’s only seven o’clock in the morning!”
She laughed mischievously and told him to be ready for breakfast in ten minutes. Eric got up grumbling and went to the bathroom. Once there he took out a box from his pack, which rested, as always, under the sink. He held it without out before him and simply looked at it for the longest time.
“Hurry up in there! We’re going to be late!” Laurana called from the next room.
“I’m coming. I’m coming,” he called back but he did not move. He rang hi palm across the smooth surface of the box as he held it in the other hand.
Inside the box there was a silver ring with an emerald stone and a twisted design. It was set into seven vines that ringed each other and bulged out of place in some places. It had obviously taken a lot of effort to make as each crevasse was carved out with uttermost care. Although it was very beautiful, no-one had ever liked this ring when they first saw it. Something about the design unsettled them. Some said it was too twisted, like a rope while others spoke of how it was too sharp, with many corners pointing out from it. It was though something about it warned them of just how dangerous it could be. It was worn for ornamental purposes but possessed a strange and haunting power. He opened the box quickly, before he could think about it properly. Eric examined the outside of it to check for lingering scratches or a loose stone. He held it up to the light and whispered the words to activate its ability. Then he put it on.
Looking in the mirror, he became a colourless blur. He focused on his hair at first, shaping it gently with a brush of thought. He made it a light blonde and concisely cut with a loose lock at the front that would go into his eyes on occasion. He was tempted to bestow light stubble on his chin but thought better of it. This character would need to seem weak and young to avoid all suspicion. He kept his facial feature the same, believing that his hair and eyes would be enough to disguise him. He did remove his scar however, a feat not possible with simple make-up, dyes and contacts. His eyes he changed from the colour of a raging sea at midnight to that of the sky on a clear day. The azure blue worked well, he had to admit and his eyes became easily the most attractive feature on his new face. When he was done he was tired but proud. The new him in the mirror was the opposite of the thief that had invaded the palace and escaped unharmed. He thought about the long thick scars that riddled his back. The amount of effort it took to hide them would be great and, he told himself, no one need see his back if he was careful.
He got dressed then, borrowing some of his older brother’s clothes as his were all dark coloured. He then choose a simply cut brown pants and a light blue top, just darker than his eyes. With just over nine minutes having passed, Eric went to breakfast.
Both Nathaniel and Laurana looked angry as he sat down.
“Aren’t those my clothes?” Nathaniel asked, displeased.
Eric smiled charmingly at him and grabbed some fruit and toast.
“Eric.” Laurana said his name in that tone, the one she reserved for when she was too mad to yell. “Why are you in disguise? Didn’t we agree that you would go to school as you are?”
“Sorry, Laura.” Eric said, bravely facing the consequences of his actions, “but I was seen.”
She hit him. Not hard, just enough to show how angry she was.
“IDIOT!” she yelled and hit him again.
“Well we are lucky I was seen!” Eric called out from under the arms he had raised to protect his face, “The old man knew my name and what I looked like. If I had left without knowing that we would have been all caught today.”
She sat back and stuffed some toast into her mouth. She sulked for about five minutes and then brightened up.
“I suppose your right, Eric.” she admitted easily, “It would have been worse today if you were noticed. You’ve always had the best luck.”
Eric nodded quickly, pleased that she was no longer mad, even if he did not agree with her on that matter.
“Only thing left to do is name you.” Nathaniel put in, also glad that Laurana was once again her normal, happy self and looking to make sure her bright mood lasted the day.
It was a tradition amongst these three to name every one of Eric’s disguises. It had started on the first night he was working with Cedivee and had continued ever since. Then he had had to dress up as a girl, who they called ‘Lena’. It was one of their fondest memories and the pictures were Laurana’s favourite blackmail material. Once, as punishment, she set him up on a blind date with a fellow she had shown those pictures too. Eric never forgot her birthday again. It had been Nathaniel who had started it, naming that disguise by himself. The next, a street-urchin called ‘Chad’ he had named together with Laurana. Eric never would get any say in the matter because, as Laurana had said, no-one gets to choose their name. So Laurana and Nathaniel would co-operate and pick a suitable name.
“Beam!” Laurana declared, to the boys’ horror. Linda and Rican had been quiet all morning, having stayed up late playing card, but now Linda spluttered with laughter and Rican declared that he liked it. Eric was sure she was punishing him for annoying her.
“No way! Not a chance in hell!” Nathaniel affirmed. “No, Laurana. Just no.”
Eric would be entirely grateful for the effort but he knew, as did everyone in the room, that Laurana would decide if that name was to be used of not.
“Why not?” she asked Nathaniel, pouting prettily, “No-one would suspect a boy called ‘Beam’ to be a criminal.”
“That may be true, Laura, but think of what it’ll get him into. No teenage boy is going to forgive that name. School will be miserable for him.” Nathaniel pleaded to her better judgement.
“Exactly!”
Now she had confused all of them. She noticed this quickly and decided to clarify what she obviously thought was evident.
“A bullied child is never going to be a candidate for a renowned thief and fighting genius.”
“I’m not a fighting genius, Laura. I can barely fight a wooden target, remember?” Eric pointed out.
“Don’t worry, by the time we get out of here, you will be.” she smiled.
Nathaniel and Eric exchanged a glance.
“What does that mean exactly?” Eric asked. She ignored him. Eric turned to Nathaniel for help but his brother had developed an amazing interest in his cereal. Laurana took the time to finish her food quickly and rush out the door. Nathaniel and Eric ran after her.
“Why didn’t you guys finish eating?” she asked.
“Oh well, besides the fact that you’re the only one who knows where this school is, I’m not hungry.” answered Eric.
They raced through the streets until they arrived at a large, stone building somewhere in the centre of the city. It had large grounds filled with gardens and spacious empty fields. Finding a place that was so green in the middle of a city was rare and Eric was certain that it was a place for wealthily children to attend school. As he looked at it, an uneasy knot begun to form in the pit of Eric’s stomach.
He had no reason to be nervous, he told himself, he had been in groups and crowds without being noticed for all of his life. He had lived with a rich woman in Belmont for a month while impersonating her son and had not been caught. He was not nervous of being captured. So why was his mouth suddenly dry? Around him tired adolescents were filling in through the gate. A few of them looked panicked as they held open books in their hands and were desperately reading aloud the text. Most were younger than him but some came dangerously close to his own age.
“This was a bad idea.” he whispered.
“Oh, don’t be such a worry wart!” Laurana told him cheerfully, wiping a camera out of her bag. “Now smile while I take a picture of your first day at school.”
“Do you have to say that so loud?” Eric hissed.
Nathaniel was gazing around, unimpressed by the estate.
“Reminds me of my old school... Must be pretty expensive,” he observed, looking pointedly at Laurana. “Where’d you get the money to pay for this?”
Laurana had the good sense to take the picture before telling them that she had dipped into Eric’s riches.
“What?!” Eric exclaimed loudly, “You thief!”
“You’re one to talk.” she said, raising an eyebrow.
Eric muttered under his breath and allowed her to lead him into the school. The walk up to the main building took them ten minutes.
“No wonder you got us up early.” Eric said to Laurana once they finally reached the main entrance. She made no comment and walked up to the secretary’s office.
“Hello, I’m Laura Hino. I have an appointment with the principle this morning.” She said politely.
“She used your last name.” Eric acknowledged to Nathaniel, who blushed. “If that’s not a hint, I don’t know what is.”
“Shut up.” said the older boy darkly. “There’s no rush. Plus, I want to meet her parents first and take her home to meet grandfather.”
“No need to explain to me.” Eric said hastily.
Laurana turned and scowled at them as the secretary went to call the principle’s private secretary to confirm the appointment.
“Do you two mind keeping it down! That woman looked at me strangely because of what you were saying.”
The boys apologised quickly and quietly and then stayed quiet as the secretary returned to give Laurana directions to the principle’s office. Laurana smiled charmingly at her before dragging them off the to Principle’s office on the fifth floor.
He did not greet them as they entered, instead he choose to snap at Laurana to take off her disguise and ignored Nathaniel and Eric completely. She complied graciously after shutting the door. Nathaniel did not hesitate to follow, revealing his own dark looks and pale eyes. The Principal took a step back from him, horrified. Nathaniel simply stood without speaking. When he recovered from the shock of the older boy’s appearance he turned to look at Eric expectantly.
“I decided to come as I am.” said Beam. Eric had made his voice lighter and slightly higher for the unsure character. The Principal did not look convinced.
“Beam is my bodyguard.” Laurana smiled towards the principal, “At least, he is in theory.”
Beam gave an uncertain little laugh as she giggled but inside Eric was raging. Her sudden decision to make him her servant annoyed him. They had agreed that they were going to be cousins before even arriving in the town.
“Good!” the Principle barked, “You should all be undisguised when the Higher Captain arrives.”
“I doubt that there is need for that.” Nathaniel spoke for the first time since entering the office. “We are allies, are we not?”
“You are a pair of run-away children whose parents will be grateful for your safe return,” the Principal growled.
“Is that all that is bothering you? Then tell them that we are here! Mommy will be delighted to come and get me with Daddy. She loves shopping in this city.” Laurana beamed.
“Father expressed a wish to come here and meet with your King formally. Grandfather also would use the opportunity to research some of your lore.” Nathaniel informed the room.
“Well, if your father is coming, Daddy will want to make it into a conference.” Laurana sighed, as though her father should be more enticed by the shopping of the region then the bonds between the allies.
“Then that’s sorted.” Nathaniel declared. “I will send a letter to my Father and the other two kings suggesting a conference.”
Eric was always surprised by this ability they seemed to share; reverting to royals when in trouble.
The principal was quiet. He could not interfere with the running of the country. They knew this, which is the only reason that they were willing to contact their parents. The Principal seemed to be more thoughtful than surprised. He spent enough time talking to higher ranking students to be deterred by such tactics. He stood and walked to the door.
“Very well, the matter is sorted then. I am assured that if you go to the palace you will receive a warm welcome.” he said opening the door, “Farewell.”
He was smiling for the first time.
“No!” said Laurana forcefully. “We want to go to this school, Principal Dorel!”
“I’m afraid that that is out of the question,” he said simply.
“But I already gave you the money for the fees!” Laurana protested.
“Yes, my wife was very interested to know about the large sum of money that came through our letter-box.” Dorel said sharply.
“I thought you said that you had sorted this out?” Nathaniel said coldly to Laurana. She scowled at him and then turned to Eric.
“Get Pep!” she snapped.
Eric glared at her.
“What?” he asked through clenched teeth. “What’s Pep got to do with this?”
“Just do it!” she yelled, folding her arms and turning away from both of them. Eric stamped towards the window, muttering under his breath about the trails of living with a drama queen. He snapped open the window, stuck his head out and whistled.
The Principal yelled as something very much alive fell on his head, almost causing him to fall out the window.
Pep was having too much fun seeing what Eric’s newly coloured hair tasted like to notice. Eric walked back into the room and tossed the small bundle to Laurana. She caught it and hugged the little creature tightly.
“Hello Pep honey! Could you let the big mean Principal see you for a second?”
Pedro looked up at her.
“Oh all right! See he won’t let into the school but I thought if he saw that you were with us he might let us stay. So let him see you and I’ll give you steak tonight.”
Pedro smirked and jumped onto the Principal’s desk.
“This is Pedro, Principal Dorel. Pedro is, as you can see, a soulta.”
Soultas were obviously miniature little lizard-skinned people with wide, toothy grins and large, cat-like eyes. Pep had dressed himself in a brown tunic and a matching hat with a bobble attached. The Principal opened and closed his mouth a few times before leaning in and gently touching Pep. Pep poked his hand away.
“Thi-this…this is simply amazing! Which of you is he bonded with? I must know!” he cried out.
Nathaniel caught Laurana’s hand and let Eric answer.
“Well none of us. The truth is that he belongs to a thief. Laurana saved his life a few years ago so he has Pep keeping an eye out for her so he can repay the favour if she ever is in need.” He said while examining the bobble on pep’s hat.
“In need?” the Principal asked still staring rather rudely at Pep.
“If anyone ever tries to kill me of something,” Laurana smiled. “The only thing is Pep has come to think of me and the boys as his pets.”
“Why have you shown me this?” the Principal asked warily, finally regaining his senses.
“That’s simple. If we come here you’ll be the only school that will have a living Soulta to observe.” Nathaniel pointed out.
The Principal gave them their registration forms and told them to come back again the next day. He also took the time to forbid the use of disguises to hide their identities.
The next morning Eric was awakened by Laurana dragging the blanket from him.
“What are you doing?” he cried, “It’s only seven o’clock in the morning!”
She laughed mischievously and told him to be ready for breakfast in ten minutes. Eric got up grumbling and went to the bathroom. Once there he took out a box from his pack, which rested, as always, under the sink. He held it without out before him and simply looked at it for the longest time.
“Hurry up in there! We’re going to be late!” Laurana called from the next room.
“I’m coming. I’m coming,” he called back but he did not move. He rang hi palm across the smooth surface of the box as he held it in the other hand.
Inside the box there was a silver ring with an emerald stone and a twisted design. It was set into seven vines that ringed each other and bulged out of place in some places. It had obviously taken a lot of effort to make as each crevasse was carved out with uttermost care. Although it was very beautiful, no-one had ever liked this ring when they first saw it. Something about the design unsettled them. Some said it was too twisted, like a rope while others spoke of how it was too sharp, with many corners pointing out from it. It was though something about it warned them of just how dangerous it could be. It was worn for ornamental purposes but possessed a strange and haunting power. He opened the box quickly, before he could think about it properly. Eric examined the outside of it to check for lingering scratches or a loose stone. He held it up to the light and whispered the words to activate its ability. Then he put it on.
Looking in the mirror, he became a colourless blur. He focused on his hair at first, shaping it gently with a brush of thought. He made it a light blonde and concisely cut with a loose lock at the front that would go into his eyes on occasion. He was tempted to bestow light stubble on his chin but thought better of it. This character would need to seem weak and young to avoid all suspicion. He kept his facial feature the same, believing that his hair and eyes would be enough to disguise him. He did remove his scar however, a feat not possible with simple make-up, dyes and contacts. His eyes he changed from the colour of a raging sea at midnight to that of the sky on a clear day. The azure blue worked well, he had to admit and his eyes became easily the most attractive feature on his new face. When he was done he was tired but proud. The new him in the mirror was the opposite of the thief that had invaded the palace and escaped unharmed. He thought about the long thick scars that riddled his back. The amount of effort it took to hide them would be great and, he told himself, no one need see his back if he was careful.
He got dressed then, borrowing some of his older brother’s clothes as his were all dark coloured. He then choose a simply cut brown pants and a light blue top, just darker than his eyes. With just over nine minutes having passed, Eric went to breakfast.
Both Nathaniel and Laurana looked angry as he sat down.
“Aren’t those my clothes?” Nathaniel asked, displeased.
Eric smiled charmingly at him and grabbed some fruit and toast.
“Eric.” Laurana said his name in that tone, the one she reserved for when she was too mad to yell. “Why are you in disguise? Didn’t we agree that you would go to school as you are?”
“Sorry, Laura.” Eric said, bravely facing the consequences of his actions, “but I was seen.”
She hit him. Not hard, just enough to show how angry she was.
“IDIOT!” she yelled and hit him again.
“Well we are lucky I was seen!” Eric called out from under the arms he had raised to protect his face, “The old man knew my name and what I looked like. If I had left without knowing that we would have been all caught today.”
She sat back and stuffed some toast into her mouth. She sulked for about five minutes and then brightened up.
“I suppose your right, Eric.” she admitted easily, “It would have been worse today if you were noticed. You’ve always had the best luck.”
Eric nodded quickly, pleased that she was no longer mad, even if he did not agree with her on that matter.
“Only thing left to do is name you.” Nathaniel put in, also glad that Laurana was once again her normal, happy self and looking to make sure her bright mood lasted the day.
It was a tradition amongst these three to name every one of Eric’s disguises. It had started on the first night he was working with Cedivee and had continued ever since. Then he had had to dress up as a girl, who they called ‘Lena’. It was one of their fondest memories and the pictures were Laurana’s favourite blackmail material. Once, as punishment, she set him up on a blind date with a fellow she had shown those pictures too. Eric never forgot her birthday again. It had been Nathaniel who had started it, naming that disguise by himself. The next, a street-urchin called ‘Chad’ he had named together with Laurana. Eric never would get any say in the matter because, as Laurana had said, no-one gets to choose their name. So Laurana and Nathaniel would co-operate and pick a suitable name.
“Beam!” Laurana declared, to the boys’ horror. Linda and Rican had been quiet all morning, having stayed up late playing card, but now Linda spluttered with laughter and Rican declared that he liked it. Eric was sure she was punishing him for annoying her.
“No way! Not a chance in hell!” Nathaniel affirmed. “No, Laurana. Just no.”
Eric would be entirely grateful for the effort but he knew, as did everyone in the room, that Laurana would decide if that name was to be used of not.
“Why not?” she asked Nathaniel, pouting prettily, “No-one would suspect a boy called ‘Beam’ to be a criminal.”
“That may be true, Laura, but think of what it’ll get him into. No teenage boy is going to forgive that name. School will be miserable for him.” Nathaniel pleaded to her better judgement.
“Exactly!”
Now she had confused all of them. She noticed this quickly and decided to clarify what she obviously thought was evident.
“A bullied child is never going to be a candidate for a renowned thief and fighting genius.”
“I’m not a fighting genius, Laura. I can barely fight a wooden target, remember?” Eric pointed out.
“Don’t worry, by the time we get out of here, you will be.” she smiled.
Nathaniel and Eric exchanged a glance.
“What does that mean exactly?” Eric asked. She ignored him. Eric turned to Nathaniel for help but his brother had developed an amazing interest in his cereal. Laurana took the time to finish her food quickly and rush out the door. Nathaniel and Eric ran after her.
“Why didn’t you guys finish eating?” she asked.
“Oh well, besides the fact that you’re the only one who knows where this school is, I’m not hungry.” answered Eric.
They raced through the streets until they arrived at a large, stone building somewhere in the centre of the city. It had large grounds filled with gardens and spacious empty fields. Finding a place that was so green in the middle of a city was rare and Eric was certain that it was a place for wealthily children to attend school. As he looked at it, an uneasy knot begun to form in the pit of Eric’s stomach.
He had no reason to be nervous, he told himself, he had been in groups and crowds without being noticed for all of his life. He had lived with a rich woman in Belmont for a month while impersonating her son and had not been caught. He was not nervous of being captured. So why was his mouth suddenly dry? Around him tired adolescents were filling in through the gate. A few of them looked panicked as they held open books in their hands and were desperately reading aloud the text. Most were younger than him but some came dangerously close to his own age.
“This was a bad idea.” he whispered.
“Oh, don’t be such a worry wart!” Laurana told him cheerfully, wiping a camera out of her bag. “Now smile while I take a picture of your first day at school.”
“Do you have to say that so loud?” Eric hissed.
Nathaniel was gazing around, unimpressed by the estate.
“Reminds me of my old school... Must be pretty expensive,” he observed, looking pointedly at Laurana. “Where’d you get the money to pay for this?”
Laurana had the good sense to take the picture before telling them that she had dipped into Eric’s riches.
“What?!” Eric exclaimed loudly, “You thief!”
“You’re one to talk.” she said, raising an eyebrow.
Eric muttered under his breath and allowed her to lead him into the school. The walk up to the main building took them ten minutes.
“No wonder you got us up early.” Eric said to Laurana once they finally reached the main entrance. She made no comment and walked up to the secretary’s office.
“Hello, I’m Laura Hino. I have an appointment with the principle this morning.” She said politely.
“She used your last name.” Eric acknowledged to Nathaniel, who blushed. “If that’s not a hint, I don’t know what is.”
“Shut up.” said the older boy darkly. “There’s no rush. Plus, I want to meet her parents first and take her home to meet grandfather.”
“No need to explain to me.” Eric said hastily.
Laurana turned and scowled at them as the secretary went to call the principle’s private secretary to confirm the appointment.
“Do you two mind keeping it down! That woman looked at me strangely because of what you were saying.”
The boys apologised quickly and quietly and then stayed quiet as the secretary returned to give Laurana directions to the principle’s office. Laurana smiled charmingly at her before dragging them off the to Principle’s office on the fifth floor.
He did not greet them as they entered, instead he choose to snap at Laurana to take off her disguise and ignored Nathaniel and Eric completely. She complied graciously after shutting the door. Nathaniel did not hesitate to follow, revealing his own dark looks and pale eyes. The Principal took a step back from him, horrified. Nathaniel simply stood without speaking. When he recovered from the shock of the older boy’s appearance he turned to look at Eric expectantly.
“I decided to come as I am.” said Beam. Eric had made his voice lighter and slightly higher for the unsure character. The Principal did not look convinced.
“Beam is my bodyguard.” Laurana smiled towards the principal, “At least, he is in theory.”
Beam gave an uncertain little laugh as she giggled but inside Eric was raging. Her sudden decision to make him her servant annoyed him. They had agreed that they were going to be cousins before even arriving in the town.
“Good!” the Principle barked, “You should all be undisguised when the Higher Captain arrives.”
“I doubt that there is need for that.” Nathaniel spoke for the first time since entering the office. “We are allies, are we not?”
“You are a pair of run-away children whose parents will be grateful for your safe return,” the Principal growled.
“Is that all that is bothering you? Then tell them that we are here! Mommy will be delighted to come and get me with Daddy. She loves shopping in this city.” Laurana beamed.
“Father expressed a wish to come here and meet with your King formally. Grandfather also would use the opportunity to research some of your lore.” Nathaniel informed the room.
“Well, if your father is coming, Daddy will want to make it into a conference.” Laurana sighed, as though her father should be more enticed by the shopping of the region then the bonds between the allies.
“Then that’s sorted.” Nathaniel declared. “I will send a letter to my Father and the other two kings suggesting a conference.”
Eric was always surprised by this ability they seemed to share; reverting to royals when in trouble.
The principal was quiet. He could not interfere with the running of the country. They knew this, which is the only reason that they were willing to contact their parents. The Principal seemed to be more thoughtful than surprised. He spent enough time talking to higher ranking students to be deterred by such tactics. He stood and walked to the door.
“Very well, the matter is sorted then. I am assured that if you go to the palace you will receive a warm welcome.” he said opening the door, “Farewell.”
He was smiling for the first time.
“No!” said Laurana forcefully. “We want to go to this school, Principal Dorel!”
“I’m afraid that that is out of the question,” he said simply.
“But I already gave you the money for the fees!” Laurana protested.
“Yes, my wife was very interested to know about the large sum of money that came through our letter-box.” Dorel said sharply.
“I thought you said that you had sorted this out?” Nathaniel said coldly to Laurana. She scowled at him and then turned to Eric.
“Get Pep!” she snapped.
Eric glared at her.
“What?” he asked through clenched teeth. “What’s Pep got to do with this?”
“Just do it!” she yelled, folding her arms and turning away from both of them. Eric stamped towards the window, muttering under his breath about the trails of living with a drama queen. He snapped open the window, stuck his head out and whistled.
The Principal yelled as something very much alive fell on his head, almost causing him to fall out the window.
Pep was having too much fun seeing what Eric’s newly coloured hair tasted like to notice. Eric walked back into the room and tossed the small bundle to Laurana. She caught it and hugged the little creature tightly.
“Hello Pep honey! Could you let the big mean Principal see you for a second?”
Pedro looked up at her.
“Oh all right! See he won’t let into the school but I thought if he saw that you were with us he might let us stay. So let him see you and I’ll give you steak tonight.”
Pedro smirked and jumped onto the Principal’s desk.
“This is Pedro, Principal Dorel. Pedro is, as you can see, a soulta.”
Soultas were obviously miniature little lizard-skinned people with wide, toothy grins and large, cat-like eyes. Pep had dressed himself in a brown tunic and a matching hat with a bobble attached. The Principal opened and closed his mouth a few times before leaning in and gently touching Pep. Pep poked his hand away.
“Thi-this…this is simply amazing! Which of you is he bonded with? I must know!” he cried out.
Nathaniel caught Laurana’s hand and let Eric answer.
“Well none of us. The truth is that he belongs to a thief. Laurana saved his life a few years ago so he has Pep keeping an eye out for her so he can repay the favour if she ever is in need.” He said while examining the bobble on pep’s hat.
“In need?” the Principal asked still staring rather rudely at Pep.
“If anyone ever tries to kill me of something,” Laurana smiled. “The only thing is Pep has come to think of me and the boys as his pets.”
“Why have you shown me this?” the Principal asked warily, finally regaining his senses.
“That’s simple. If we come here you’ll be the only school that will have a living Soulta to observe.” Nathaniel pointed out.
The Principal gave them their registration forms and told them to come back again the next day. He also took the time to forbid the use of disguises to hide their identities.