INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

They didn’t stop to rest but nibbled on the remaining bread and drunk water as they walked. Several times, Skhy apologized for not stopping but Tessa and Lei reminded him that they had been hiking since childhood. However, while Lei lived near the woods and had every opportunity to walk around, Tessa only hikes whenever her dad approves of it. It only made a difference when the trio climbed and walked on huge tree roots along the way. Her feet were becoming sore but she didn’t say anything. It will pass.

When they finally saw the welcome sign, both Tessa and Lei’s legs were giving out. The trio stood under the lights of the Milky Way and millions of visible stars. Made of bricks, the 20-feet sign had one base on each side of the road. Behind the sign were lighted lampposts along the road with the last one beside the first house. After walking past several houses, Tessa realized that it a large town with several mansions. A few buildings stood in the uptown area while the houses remained in downtown. Large fences separated the road from acres of land where mansions stood.

“We will stay with Karl’s associate.” Skhy rounded a corner beside a white and yellow mansion. Lei and Tessa followed without a word. Its lawn was smaller than the rest they passed but the house still looked enormous with four floors and a swimming pool in the yard. It reminded her of their house but theirs was wider and looked antique because of the mahogany paint. This mansion’s fence was 10-feet tall with spears on the edges. Are those real metal spears?

“Here.” She didn’t notice that she was far behind Skhy and Lei. The two entered an open gate near the end of the fence. Talk about security. She followed inside but stood there speechless when she stepped inside. That’s not a mansion. It’s a fortress!

Standing almost 100-feet in front of her was a raven-colour fortress with five towers – one in the middle and one in each four corners – and hundreds of rectangular glass windows. Swirling above it were dark grey clouds and flashes of lightning. There was no grass but several cement-covered roads leading to doors of the fierce-looking citadel. It was only when men in armours, covered from head to toe, marched towards them that Tessa snapped out of her reverie. She tapped Lei’s shoulder to wake her up from hers. The three men in silver armours held what looks like a halberd, a pole weapon that combined spear and battle axe.

Skhy moved in front of Tessa and Lei when the men neared. She held her breath, both nervous of meeting strangers – skilled strangers – and amazed with their coat, armours, and weapons. When they stopped in front of him, she was shocked at one of men’s action.

“Skhy!” The man in the middle hugged and lifted Skhy up. She finally released the breath she was holding. Not just Karl’s associate, the man must be Skhy’s friend. The two men behind him now stood casually with their arms crossed. Their weapons were gone. Tessa assumed that they were grinning.

“Stop it!” Skhy cried. The men just laughed.

“Alright,” the man said after he left Skhy to stand. The men suddenly faced Tessa and Lei, then bowed slightly.

“We apologize,” the man who hugged Skhy stated when they lifted their heads. Tessa could see their brown eyes inside the helmet. Wait, why are they apologizing?

“Uh why?” Lei stuttered.

“For not introducing first. I’m London Knightwood,” the man who hugged Skhy introduced himself. “These two are Mayson-” he motioned to his right “- and Crest.” He motioned to his left.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Tessa.” She bowed slightly, copying what they did. Is this how Concordians greet each other? Or just with the knights?

“I’m Lei.” She also bowed slightly towards the men. London Knightwood nodded then turned to Skhy.

“Let’s go in.” He turned and the others followed his steps. Skhy trailed closely beside Tessa and Lei behind him. As they neared a door, Tessa noticed two more men in armours standing in front of it. They faced each other, each holding a halberd. The door was six times taller than the guards and had two handles. Just a few steps near, the guards pounded their halberds on the ground once, grabbed the handles, then opened the door.

It was more stunning inside. More men in armours stood on each side of the corridor. No. They were just armours. The floor was made of black tiles. The walls were bare and black. The ceiling was black. The chandeliers, for a change, were red. The lights were too bright for her eyes but she noticed silver spears on the ceilings. Uh oh. Traps.

When they reached the end of the corridor, she marvelled at the wide marbled stairs. A black marbled lion stood at the foot on each side. A painting hung on wall where the stairs branch into two smaller stairs. A pair of dark chocolate eyes stared at them. Dressed in dark double-breasted suit, a grey trench coat draped on his shoulders. There were red and blue jewels on his fingers, wrists, and neck. Good, there’s no crown. His whole demeanour sent chills along her spine. His eyes screamed power and authority. There were no kindness there.

“Come.” London Knightwood urged them to go upstairs. The second floor appeared wider and dimmer. Paintings of men in elegant outfits hung on every wall she see. There were several doors but their three escorts walked them to one of the red doors. It was when they reached the door that she noticed that they have their weapons again.

The door opened from the inside and they entered a library – a huge one – with three floors and a spiral stairs in the middle.

“Skhy!” Everyone turned towards the voice. A spectacled man in black slacks and white and blue stripes polo shirt, which was too huge on him, smiled at them. Too normal for this place. His silky chestnut hair fell near his shoulders. A party hat sat on his head. Nope. Not normal. Tessa now wondered what’s normal and not in this world.

The man with the party hat gave Skhy a tight hug. The two laughed for a few minutes. Tessa shifted, uncomfortable. She moved closer to Lei who also seemed uncomfortable.

When he released Skhy, Tessa found two pairs of blue eyes grinning at them. Skhy’s relative?

“Hello ladies. Please call me Andy, Skhy’s uncle.” He beamed at Tessa then Lei. The blue eyes. Do I have to bow? Panicked, she glanced at Lei who responded first.

“Lei.” Andy offered his hand and Lei gave it a short squeeze.

“I’m Tessa.” She copied Lei’s action. Andy regarded her with a big smile.

“We will go now,” London Knightwood said behind them. Andy waved hastily at him.

“Thank you,” Tessa said to the three men, who just bowed then left without a word.

“Come!” Andy gestured to a room without a door. Inside was his office. There were open books everywhere – the floor, his desks, and drawers. With a snap of his fingers, they closed and flew to the shelves. Wow. He let them drop their backpacks on a couch facing his desk. He then directed them to a connecting room – a conference room. A long oval-shaped table placed in the middle of the room had eight wooden chairs around it.

“Please sit. Someone will bring food later,” Andy directed. He sat on the chair at the end of the table while Skhy sat on his left. Lei chose to sit beside Skhy so Tessa placed herself beside Andy.

“I’m glad you made it on time,” Andy said to Skhy. “I always receive bad news these days. It’s quite sad.” What news? Tessa wanted to ask.

“They were killing more children every day.” Skhy sighed, looking troubled, after he stated this. They were talking about the Mortemians killing Cornordian kids.

“But they already narrowed their targets.” Andy’s demeanour changed from cheery to serious. “They found out that the Seven were teenagers with ages between 16 and 20.” Skhy didn’t mention that the Seven are closer in age. Tessa thought that they could be of any age as long as they can already train and fight.

“From the Academy?” Skhy questioned. His eyes getting darker and serious. Andy nodded as a response. He turned towards Lei and smiled, but his smile never reached his eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lei Thorneridge.” Lei’s cheek turned pink. Tessa bit down a smile.

“Just Lei,” she murmured.

“I know everything is confusing but I hope you will help us.” Andy looked apologetic. He placed his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together. Lei looked hesitant at first, but she replied with a clear determined voice.

“I will assist in every way I can.” He seemed satisfied with her response that he turned to Tessa and smiled.

“I hope it’s okay that Karl already told me about you.” It didn’t bother her but she was relieved that Karl and the rest were safe. She didn’t know them much but she felt at peace with them. They were like uncles that she never had.

“We- Tessa found out that there is another group who gathered some of the Seven. We don’t know how many.” Skhy glanced at her and she nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

“Interesting.” Andy rubbed his chin with a finger. “I received news of an attack near the city in the south.”

“Do you think…” Skhy didn’t finish his statement but Andy nodded.

“Compared to other attacks around the country, there was a group who fought and win against their attackers.” But they could be any group of Concordian?

“Of course, they could be any group of ours.” Andy regarded her with a smile. She wondered if her doubt was evident on her face. She blushed slightly.

“What led you to think that this attack is different?” she asked. Well, might as well talk.

“Witnesses said that they are teenagers travelling together. A Mortemian interrogated a civilian, who pointed the location of the group,” he narrated. Skhy was deep in thought. His eyes stared at the empty table.

“When did this happen?” Tessa inquired.

“Two days ago, I think,” Andy replied.

“Did you talk to the civilian?” Tessa couldn’t help but ask.

“Yes, but she was so shaken that she kept crying. But her husband heard the intruders’ conversation. The teenagers were on their way to a school. Probably the Academy.” Andy tapped his fingers on the table. This woke Skhy from his thoughts. If the Mortemians took their time looking for those kids and blowing their covers to civilians, they could be important people. Like the Seven.

“Did you learn anything else?” he asked.

“Anything that can help us find them.” Andy looked surprised and amused with Tessa’s statement. What?

“You intended to find them before going to the Academy?” He glanced at Lei then Skhy.

“Yes. It’s best that we are together in one group.” It was Lei who replied. Andy nodded appreciatively at her.

“What do they looked like?” Tessa leaned on the table as she asked this.

“Hmm the witnesses didn’t notice, just that there were three of them.” Andy probably felt uncomfortable with his party hat so he removed it then tossed it somewhere. She forgotten all about it when they sat earlier. When he removed it, he looked more his age – somewhere between 35 and 40 years.

“I take it that you don’t know where they are,” Skhy offered. Andy chuckeld.

“If we do, I’d order London’s men to rescue them.”

“Where is their last location? This city in the south?” Tessa asked.

“If I remember correctly, it’s The Canopy, right?” Lei had placed her palm on the table. Tessa remembered the name. His dad brought her there once on a business. Since it’s near the ocean, it had lots of beaches and resorts and yachts.

“Yes, the only city in the south,” Andy responded. “But the attack happened in the forest between the city and a small town.”

“It’s so far from here.” Tessa calculated that it will take them two days to reach on foot. Is it safe to ride a bus?

“Yes, but they are going to the Academy,” Lei pointed out. “So they are moving.” Right.

“I wonder how strong they are,” Skhy murmured.

“We’re going to find out.” Tessa smiled at Skhy then Lei. They had to be ready though. They didn’t know what they are, what they know, and what they believed in. She suddenly heard footsteps behind her.

“Ah dinner!” Andy exclaimed. Five maids dressed in black and white slowly and carefully placed plates of food on the table. She recognized steaks, lobsters, and salad. Her mouth watered. When was the last time they ate a full meal?

“Enjoy!” Andy exclaimed with a big smile then clapped once. Skhy, Lei, and Tessa murmured ‘thank yous’ then silently ate. They ate quickly and heavily. Tessa believed that they won’t be able to eat this full after days. When everyone was finished, Andy directed them to the library and left to attend to something. Tessa was drawn to the second floor so she wandered there. She stopped in front of the shelves with the “Elemental” sign. Placed on the selves were shades of green, blue, and red books. She was drawn to a blue book entitled “Touching Waters”. But before she could grabbed it, Skhy called her. When she returned below, she found Lei and Skhy sitting on couches facing each other. She took a seat beside Lei, who looked troubled. Skhy had his elbows on his knees while watching Lei. What happened while I’m gone?

“Are you okay?” Tessa asked her. Lei nodded and gave her a small smile.

“When are we moving?” Lei asked Skhy, clearly to change the subject. Tessa knew not to press. Skhy shifted to lean his back against the couch.

“I’m still waiting for Andy.” Tessa could feel the heavy atmosphere.

“But what do you think? What’s the best move?” she asked. He scratched his chin before he answered.

“There are two easy routes towards the Academy from The Canopy – north or west.” If it’s north, the group would have to pass by this town.

“Yes,” Skhy said as if he read her thought. “If it’s west, it’s farther and…more dangerous. But we don’t know their plans so…” His eyes showed frustration but his body was relaxed. He’s trying not to show his distress.

“Is this place close to the end of the territory?” Tessa had an idea. Skhy’s confused face faced her while Lei eyed her curiously, her troubled face was no more.

“We could check, if they went north,” Tessa offered. “Or not.”