Rules and Procedures
I sat in silence in the Headmaster's office after he made his declaration about how he finds me fascinating. I finally cleared my throat and asked, "Sir, if I am to attend here twice a day, may I know your name or, at least, the proper way I should address you?" He shifted in his seat to indicate that this question was either touchy or uncomfortable. Josiah placed his hand on my shoulder, "Sir, if I may?" The Headmaster waved his hand to indicate that he was allowing it. Josiah then looked down at me, "Your Grace, I feel, and likely the Headmaster does, that you should not get too comfortable here. He is not in the habit of getting close to the students here. He is very important to the King and plays a vital role in the selection of the Royal Scribes. As such, he doesn't want to appear to play favorites." I looked at the Headmaster and then Josiah, "Pardon me but doesn't it show favoritism by having me come here and likely be seen doing so twice a day?" The Headmaster rose from his seat, waving Josiah away. He came very close to the screen, practically pressing his face up to the screen, "I was getting to that. There is a secret passage from Blackwood to this tower that you will take before school. As for after studies, you will meet me in the back garden. Josiah will show you the way to go in there undetected. As for what you should call me, simply address me as Ellis. This is not my name, but I must maintain anonymity to see to my other duties." Josiah shifted beside me, and I knew this act made him uncomfortable, "Sir, I don't think-" The Headmaster slammed his fist to his desk, “I DON'T PAY YOU TO THINK FOR ME!" I had jumped slightly from this outburst because I was not used to a man losing his temper like my mother often had. I saw his hand reach out from the screen and he patted my hands, "My apologies Your Grace. I just don't like to be told what to do when I so clearly am the master here. Please try to keep this in mind around myself and the King." His hands had a strength yet softness that was soothing to my soul. I had doubted any other student got this opportunity. I nodded, "Understood Mr. Ellis." He stroked my hands before pulling away, "Just Ellis is fine. I may not be able to show favoritism, but I want you to be comfortable around me since we are to spend an hour a day together for the foreseeable future. Now on to the rules and procedures of school."
At that he turned to his desk and pulled out some paper and handed it to Josiah. Josiah brought the papers to me. He continued, "Now, usually our students are housed in dorms, but His Grace Duke Batiste had petitioned to allow you to stay in Blackwood until you are comfortable with staying in the dorms. Given your unique circumstances the King has ordered that I comply with this petition. I can say that, had my opinion mattered in this case, I would have granted it under my own volition. I am also allowing Lady Kellen to stay with you as an attendant. I understand there is a certain Duke here with royal blood that wants to get a hold of you, so His Majesty is also assigning a student who is upper class and has been training in the Citadel to be your knight. You will meet him today in the back garden. Do you have any questions so far?" I shook my head, "No. I am following." He started pacing in front of his desk, "Good, now then. Since you are not staying in the dorms, I will ask that you leave here before sundown. We have a patrol after sundown and trust me when I say, you don't want to get caught by the Pelshies." I shifted in my seat and looked at Josiah. He looked at me and then at the Headmaster, "Sir, I will need to explain to Her Grace about what Pelshies are." He pulled up a chair to face to me from an angle, "Your Grace, Pelshies are sort of like the myth from Terre about Cerberus. Do you understand?" I nodded, "Giant three-headed dogs?" Josiah promptly nodded, "Pelshies are very temperamental and don't like other beings in their territory. In this case, the grounds at Lune De Minuit are their territory from dusk until dawn. It would be best to be clear of this place before they are released on the grounds." I had nodded because I couldn't imagine being faced with one. Josiah turned to Ellis, "Sir, I believe you can continue." Ellis leaned on his desk again, "Now then, your classes will work like this: you have three classes a day aside from the two here. You will alternate your six classes every other day. No classes three days a week, during that time, you will be likely attending to your Duchess duties here in Vellum. Since your father is working on His Majesty's orders in Terre, you will have to take care of things on this side. Your father will be sent instructions from His Majesty all that you are required for, this is a personal message from His Majesty. You will meet him in two weeks during the opening season ball. Please be sure to brush up on your dancing skills. As the highest-ranking Duchy, you will be required to dance with both His Majesty and the Duke of Mesha. You will also meet Queen Helena; she will likely invite you to tea as you are the talk of Vellum at present. We will work on teatime etiquette and ball procedure for the next two weeks. Do you understand?" At the mention of a ball, I winced a little since I had never actually been to one. I suppose I will have to ask my father about how to dance since it appears this will not be a thing Ellis will do with me. I looked towards him when he finished, "Yes sir, I will be sure to be studious." He nodded and pushed himself off the desk. He walked to the far end of the room I had guessed because his shadow left the screen. He appeared shortly and pushed a stack of books out to Josiah. Josiah in turn handed them to me and Ellis spoke again, "These are your books. Please ensure you read the first chapter for each of your classes." I nodded, "Thank you sir, I will be sure to." He sat down at his desk and turned his chair to face away from me, "Josiah, you can take the screen away now."
Josiah did as he was told despite the knit in his brow. Ellis did not turn his chair back to around to show his face, but I could see the top of his head. He was blonde and his shoulders were broad, I could tell he was tall from his shadow but seeing him sitting in a big chair and his head poking out from the top confirmed it. He pulled his hand up to where I could see the back of his hand and said, "Your Grace, I look forward to having you here and working with you to bring you up to speed on Vellum customs. You may go now." I pulled myself out of my chair and walked to the door.
I had not realized that I was having a mini hyperventilation episode until I left the room. I immediately could breathe again freely as soon as the door closed behind me. I thought I may have looked just as flushed as Jess because my mother crossed the room looking worried. She cupped my cheek in her hand and said, "Little one, are you okay? You look like you came from an extreme scolding session." I nodded and cast my eyes down, "Yeah, it's just that he's very intense. I'm not sure how I will survive being around him daily." My mother smiled, "He will grow on you, I know him well and he will never let you feel uncomfortable for long. He is a good man." I nodded, "I trust you are right mother." Just then Josiah entered the room and crossed to us, "Your Grace, The Batiste and Lady Kellen; please follow me and I will show you to the passage to Blackwood and the back garden." We followed Josiah out, my mother being first after Josiah of course. I waved for Jess to go ahead of me to allow me to be the last in the room, "Jess you can go ahead I think I dropped a bobby pin somewhere back there and I don't want to leave it lying about." She gave me a skeptical look and then nodded, "Alright but don't fall too far behind, you don't want to get lost. You have to know where to entrance is to these places after all." I nodded and then I turned my head to look at the door to Ellis' office one last time. I'm not sure why but somehow, I knew I was destined to meet him.
