Dreadlords First Day of Class

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair nervously stood at the front of the classroom as he persistently fiddled with several tools and magical equipment. He nearly knocked a whole stack of large books before he scrambled to grab hold of them. By now he could hear some of the initiates starting to wander into the class probably looking rather confused.

It had taken some convincing by both Alistair and Salak for this class to even be approved by the Academy. Magical classes at the Academy were typically held in the field and often involved combat. This would be a rare class focused far more on magical theory and experimentation. In fact, that is what the pile of books he had nearly knocked over was meant to prove.

Alistair had visited the Academy library before class to find as many books on magical theory as he could possible find. Some were barbaric, focusing on instinctual knowledge gained from life-or-death situations. Others were uneducated, one book speaking on a theory for fire magic that Alistair disproved in a matter of minutes. And some were just outright idiotic, one book actually chalking up some magics to the 'power of friendship', absolutely ridiculous. Yes, it was past time that the Academy had actual magical theory training rather than shipping off a few prospects to Elbion for a few months.

At the very front of the class, Alistair had set up a single candle surrounded by what looked to be a pile of cotton. The candle remained unlit. It would be one of several examples that Al would hope to use to convince these children that their understanding of magic and their own skills needed to change.

It had been the same for Alistair's work with Rhidian. His proctors had convinced the boy he was merely a bomb, but all he needed was just a different way of expressing his skills and now the child was set on the path of knighthood from what he understood.

"Alright everyone, please take your seats quickly. Let's begin. If you have any questions or complaints then fire away, but start with your name."

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

How lucky of them to be given a new class now that the Etiquette lessons were coming to an end.

This time, they were being given lessons of magical theory, something she would have sneered at in the past, but now saw it as a way to add to her repertoire on her way to becoming an Archon.

Vittoria slid into the wooden seat at on of the desks up front, gathering her things to prepare herself for the new class before eyeing the new Proctor. She may have been young at the time, but she recognised Krixus from his time here at the Academy and of late visiting and education a few Initiates in private lessons. Perhaps there was some credit to his teaching style if he was being offered the role of Proctor here.

Vitt turned to look over her shoulder to see who else filled the desks in this classroom, and which of her peers she would compete with in order to get that top mark. It was between herself and King in many classes, but academics were always something she liked to succeed in... but perhaps this class was a blend of academic and combative...

"And your name, is it Proctor Krixus?" Her hand had shot into the air before she spoke, putting up a pleasantly polite expression on her face. "Apologies, I am Vittoria Larrainth."

 

[Kora Urahil]

Kora knew who the proctor of this new class was- he had made quite a reputation for himself despite being of a minor house, something Kora's mother couldn't shut up about. Kora herself didn't particularly care one way or another who their proctor was as long as they were taught well. She sat down and got out her things, waiting for others to fill in the classroom.

The room filled rather quickly for the class only being brand new, but she supposed one thing they were not short of was ambition in this place. If there was a new opportunity to gain more power and knowledge, those at the academy would take it. Kora Urahil included.

She recognized a few of the other students and knew they'd recognize her (if only as another Urahil), but she made no move to talk to any of them. Not yet, at least.

Vittoria Larrainth spoke up eagerly, and while Kora did not know the dark haired girl well, she did know the polite smile she had on now was a rare sight and likely not genuine.

She wondered if she ought to introduce herself but she had no questions and so her hands remained in her lap and her mouth remained shut.

Alistair Krixus Vittoria Larrainth

 

[Kilien Basmarc]

A magic theory class. Well now - that was not something Kilien felt any great urge to miss. In fact, he had been one of the first into the classroom if for no other reason than he was just as curious as Vittoria about who would attend. When she looked back over her shoulder, she'd spy him towards the back.

Upon making eye contact, Kilien bobbed his brows at her over a faint smirk. No surprise to see her here.

He recognized a few faces, none of which he had any association with outside of training and sparring classes. As per usual, several of the seats around him were empty. That was fine, more room for him to recline.

 

[Norah]

Norah slipped into a seat in the back next to Kilien Basmarc as if the faint shadows in the room spit the girl back out from some unsatisfied belly. And as if she'd stepped through the shadows themselves instead of coming through the door. She noticed a few other students cringe and sink further in their seats at Vittoria Larrainth's casual glance back. Norah took note of the exchange between Kil and Vitty.

A bored expression eclipsed the petite girl's face followed by a cruel tilt of her lips.

Plain brown eyes shifted back to the front and Alistair Krixus. A small copper coin shifted effortlessly across her knuckles as she rested that hand on the desk in front of her.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair watched the remainder of the initiates stream into the room and only broke his attention away when the flow seemed to slow and as a question immediately caught his attention. Al was flustered for a moment, having forgotten to introduce himself as he fiddled with one of the books he had.

"Oh yes, thank you Ms. Larrainth, you all may refer to me as Proctor or Proctor Krixus. I expect a certain degree of respect when referring to me, not for any reason more than that is what will be expected of you when you are assigned after graduation."

His hands stretched out and began to trace a rune in the air that when completed caused several books to float off of his desk and disperse to each initiate there. It was a rather simple book that was often introduced to Dreadlords at a very young age titled, A Dreadlord's Basic Magic.

It was a rather confusing book that did nothing more than teach children the rules of magic, while then serving stories of Dreadlords where these rules came into play, but really it was just a chance to teach some history on famous Dreadlord accomplishments. The book did a better job as propaganda rather than a scholarly work.

"I first want to start this class with a simple question and feel free to speak up. If you could describe the magic of the Dreadlords in one word what might those words be?"

Vittoria Larrainth Kora Urahil Kilien Basmarc Norah

 

[Fabien 'King' D'Amour]

Well, well. Evangeline had spoken of this one. The scientist, and Lady Kristen's former consort. When Vittoria had spoken her interest in taking a class helmed by one "Proctor Krixus," King hadn't known what to think. He'd never heard of a "Proctor" Krixus. Seeing him in the flesh, it could only have been Alistair, of whom Big Sis had spoken. If he'd earned the attention of a Pirian then he would have a baseline level of respect from King, at least.

King had taken his seat next to Vittoria as he usually did, and had spotted that ragged animal Basmarc on his way in. The mongrel had left a noticeable impression on Vitt, much to King's chagrin. The rest of the class was unremarkable as far as he was concerned.

Proctor Krixus asked his first question of the class, and King would hazard an answer.

"King Pirian, Proctor. And my answer would be 'versatile,'" he submitted. "Diverse" had also come to mind. The magics of the Dreadlords were as varied and disparate as one could possibly imagine.

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Brief glances over each face, no one truly demanded anything worthy of a greeting from the Unmaker, not until she spied Kilien and Norah at the end of the row of desks. Her lips did not move, but her eyes came alive with a wickedness as those two classmates were becoming something more than just peers of weak resolve.

Not friends, no. Certainly no need for more of those when her only friend she truly needed had occupied the seat beside her.

Vittoria's face betrayed an unfiltered expression of disdain at the book title as the light tome fell before her, holding it up to look it over before frowning to her friend as they could share their disbelief. It was something they had all learned early on in the Academy, one taught by the sister of King, Proctor D'Amour.

But she did not say anything that may invite a demonstration of her understanding of magical theory. It was never a lesson entirely dedicated to it, only taught in passing in other aspects of their education. Vittoria always believed that this was one of her stepping stones to becoming an Archon.

"One word?" She did not bother to correct the Proctor in his misuse of rank when addressing them, but Initiate Larrainth sat up straight and gave Alistair another polite facade. "Formidable."

But of course, not many were born to wield a magic so destructive as her own. Not many were born to kill so readily. "As you can imagine, even the weakest ability can be made a into a weapon, and we are only dangerous once we are put to use."

 

[Kilien Basmarc]

A short glance was given to the girl who took the seat next to him, brows raised curiously at her. Hadn't met her formally, though he'd seen her around. For now, given the class' imminent launch, he kept to himself and turned his attention to the Proctor and the books that began floating to each Initiate in attendance.

The book plopped itself upon his desk without ceremony and Kilien withdrew from an inner pocket of his coat a pair of reading glasses to take a closer look. Given his rather ... late arrival to the Academy, he'd skipped a good deal of what had been standard propaganda and education for Initiates in their youth and had been thrust directly into the open, combative realm of a late year training. This book had not been part of his reading agenda and he gave it a curious look through.

As for the Proctor's question?

Versatile. Formidable. True, he didn't disagree, but in his short two years at the Academy one thing had become abundantly clear to him. "Narrow," Basmarc offered as his own response, easing back into his chair while drumming his fingers along the front cover of the book.

 

[Norah]

Shaggy brows for a shaggy man. There was no warmth in her gaze for the moment @Kilien spared in Norah's direction. But her brown eyes did flicker a little more closely over his form. Looking for something before the small thud of a book on her desk brought her attention away.

A stare blankly ahead as she fought to keep from rolling those eyes of hers at Fabien and Vittoria's responses.

A slight arch of a brown brow at Basmarc's word. That rewarded him with another glance his way. The coin along her knuckles momentarily stilled, landing on the fate of The Fallen Star.

"Controlled."

Norah palmed the coin.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

All of them provided decent enough answers. If anyone had said anything stupid, then he really would have had to start from step one and that would have been annoying. Some answers were similar while others were directly opposed against each other. Alistair decided to first focus on the agreeing ones.

He pointed one finger at Vittoria and Norah, "Yes, formidable particularly because it is controlled. The Dreadlords have mastered the art of mass-producing magical soldiers. By specializing in each individual, quickly engraining the skills through extreme training, and then producing said results in great numbers."

There was a reason that the majority of Dreadlords in Vel Anir were of the third rank. It wasn't just because that was the average, but it was also because that was the bare minimum when one was skilled with their born skills.

Next, Alistair whipped around to point one finger at Killen and Fabien,

"But now you two, 'versatile' and 'narrow', those words feel very opposite of each other. My question to the class now is, are they? Are one of these young initiates wrong? Can they both be right? If so, then what does that tell us about Dreadlord magic in practice?"

Alistair asked with a broad smile on his face, this would need to be the first point he hammered home. If this lesson was greatly understood, then he did not doubt that those inside this classroom could become the elite of their class year. Even without overwhelming power.

 

[Kora Urahil]

Kora thought the question Krixus had asked was simple enough on the surface, but as he revealed when analyzing some of the class' answers, there was a hidden complexity to it all, and it was key to understand this.

She did not answer his first question aloud (she disliked speaking in front of people she did not know), but she thought of her answer to herself. Priceless, was her word. The Dreadlords' magic was a key part of their society and as evident in Vittoria's answer, the Dreadlords took much pride in their powers. It was certainly much harder to be powerful in Vel Anir without magic, when it was so highly valued and taken so seriously.

Kora finally spoke up in answer to Alistair's next question, leaning forward in her seat. "Each Dreadlord has a narrow focus on magic, while as a group our talents are quite diverse. We can succeed as a group, not on our own."

 

[Fabien 'King' D'Amour]

King rolled his eyes. That mutt Basmarc surely gave a contradictory answer for its own sake, but their neophyte proctor seemed to find that profound somehow. Terribly obnoxious on the part of the mutt, but it did leave some opportunity for proving a point.

"I assume Initiate Basmarc says 'narrow' when he means 'focused.' Dreadlords are war mages, and thus we practice our magic for the purpose of waging war. Our purpose is focused, but the means by which we deal death on our enemies is as numerous as the sands on a beach," he answered Proctor Krixus' question. The D'Amour boy cast a dismissive look over his shoulder. "Not to be confused with college mages and their parlor tricks. We are potent. Students of war, not frolicking schoolchildren."

The very thought of Elbionites put a sneer on King's face. How he loathed those wretched pretenders. College magic had its uses, but it was not to be lauded over a Dreadlord's sorcery. It was their inherent gifts that made them a cut above the average hedge mage.

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

"It is in our blood."

Vittoria smiled at King. "To learn our magicks is what is best for us and our loved ones." Loved ones, family, as if many of them were not taken from the very families they were born to. Were taught to forget about the sentimentality. "Proper education and learning of control not only hones us, but keeps Vel Anir and ourselves safe."

At this point, Vittoria looked over her shoulder to catch the eye of Kilien, gracing him with a small smile. "Bloodlines can be telling, too." And then her gaze drifted to the others present, pinning them with a predatory look. Vittoria was dangerous, and with King always at her side, they made a deadly pair.

 

[Kilien Basmarc]

Well you know what they say about assuming things...

Kilien arched a brow at King and his assumptions. He had not, in fact, meant focused at all. The Dreadlord Academy's scope was horribly narrow to anyone who took a step back and truly looked at it.

Hell, he'd only been here for two years and he was quite well acquainted with the notion.

But King? He'd been here since... shit, probably since he was a little crotch goblin. He grew up under the fists of the Proctors with their propaganda being blown up his ass. Kilien very much wanted to voice these things but upon catching that glance back from Vitt, his mouth drew into a pressed line within his beard.

"What if," Kilien began, lifting a hand to paw at his scruff, "hypothetically speaking, there were more ways to help Vel Anir than just... pummeling things to death with magic?" His hands lifted in an open-palmed shrug.

"You're an inventor, aren't you Proctor?" he asked of Alistair, "are all your inventions made to kill or break things?"

 

[Norah]

Norah fought to keep her expression neutral. She gave Fabien 'King' D'Amour a look to match a bored house cat seeing a field mouse scurry only to find itself at a dead end. It was clear all her fellow initiates here were drinking the same Anirian punch.

The rogue's interests lay elsewhere.

"Can you show us any of your inventions, Proctor?"

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair just stood there, letting them all speak their mind. It was important for this conversation to be candid. Thankfully, the comments had largely gone in the direction he thought they would go. Across the broad spectrum, the majority involved those who had bought into the Dreadlord war machine, but there were always a few who were still skeptical.

Al's eyes looked over Killien closely, he was likely not at the top of the class sadly although the boy clearly had a good head on his shoulders. The Academy, more so than academic excellence or even skills in warfare, rewarded those most committed to the ideology.

"I agree with Initiate Urahil...in a way. Each individual's skills are often narrow but do not mistake that for always meaning that we succeed only with others. There are monstrous individuals who have gone beyond needing assistance." He explained, alluding to another topic he wanted to move to.

He focused on Vittoria for a moment, her noble background largely influenced her comments. It would be best if she grew out of that quickly. Some of the most powerful Dreadlords that Alistair had ever met were not from strong bloodlines or had any family to fall back on. His mind briefly thought of those like Sam, Edric, and Henk. Even he, although noble was not a bloodline that historically had any success with magic.

Alistair's gray eyes turned to initiate D'Amour and his countenance grew very serious.

"Initiate D'Amour, we are strong. You clearly know that. The Dreadlords have put centuries of effort into mastering magical warfare, but...your comments denote a serious naivety that would be best for you to fix as soon as possible. While the mages of Elbion may not spend as much time in practicing warfare as we do, they can be very, very nasty opponents to deal with. If we are the Students of war then they are Students of magic, be very aware of that."

Alistair let the silence hang after that short rant for just a moment before quickly moving on.

"Yes, I am an inventor, and not all of my creations are for the sole theatre of war. Although many of them have still been adapted to assist in those areas, such as advances in construction, communication, and arcane analysis. If we have time at the end of class then maybe we can review one or two of my creations." Shooting a glance at Norah.

"The reason I focused on these specific ideas is because I want to ask you all two important questions. What makes an Archon an Archon? And, would you like to become one someday?"

He hoped the answer to the second question would be yesses across the board, as anyone that does anything to strive to stand at its peak. That is a sign of ambition, and all greatness begins with ambition. However, his main focus was on the first question.

Kora Urahil Vittoria Larrainth Fabien 'King' D'Amour Kilien Basmarc Norah

 

[Fabien 'King' D'Amour]

King shot a similarly smug smile back at Vitt. Aside from the Urahil girl and the proctor himself, the two of them knew better than anyone else in class what a good pedigree could do for one's chances. It did irk him so, whatever these odd little looks back and forth between the mutt and Vittoria were, and the mutt's backchat wasn't doing him any favors so far as King was concerned.

"What if, hypothetically speaking, there were more ways to help Vel Anir than just... pummeling things to death with magic?"

"Sorry, last I checked we're not called 'Helplords,'" he retorted.

Proctor Krixus shot him a disapproving look, surprisingly expressive for how dull the man's eyes appeared, and King held his tongue while the proctor chided him. The man's assertions were, of course, ridiculous. No Elbionite, Maester or no, stood any kind of chance against an honest-to-gods Dreadlord. King fought the urge to scoff but couldn't help but roll his eyes. Perhaps one day he'd bring the proctor a few Maester heads as both gift and proof of Anirian superiority. Of D'Amour superiority.

But for now, the class was already on to the next question.

"Unmatched strength, skill, intelligence, and determination...plus the ambition to achieve the rank," he answered. This time it was his turn to cast a glance and smile at Vitt. Her eventual ascension was a forgone conclusion. "I want nothing less than to be the first of my family's name to claim the title."

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria peered down at the book on her desk before her. A Dreadlord's Basic Magic. She placed her hand over the hardcover and pushed it aside as far as it could go on her desk before it would teeter off the edge. "Not everyone can be an Archon." She began.

It had always been both their goal to achieve such status and rank between herself and King, that they made promise to help one another. Learn together, work together.

"To be an Archon means you have mastered your magic, and beyond. I also believe it shows a level of intelligence and experience needed for leadership. Not only must you be aware of your own capabilities, but that of your peers too. Know where to utilise those within your means to send marching orders. Of course, every one else should strive to be better even at our own age."

How many times had she seem so much wasted potential in this class alone? The fact only King and the Quillon boy could measure up against her left a lot to desire when it came to facing off with her peers.

 

[Kilien Basmarc]

Well, he'd never been one to rise to someone else's bait, and he wasn't about to start today. With a dejected sigh Kilien leaned into the back of his chair and idly drummed his fingers upon the book. It never failed that the title of Archon would be brought up at least once every class. The Proctors liked to think it a carrot on a stick for the students, but there were only a few that were so readily driven by what otherwise felt like an outdated ranking.

Vittoria, of course, had already shared with him her dreams and aspirations of becoming one of the greats. No surprise that King fashioned himself a viable pony in the race.

Of course, every one else should strive to be better even at our own age.

He didn't fault Vitt for the pep talk, but... "I'm striving for a sandwich and a solid nap..." Kil muttered, turning with a sniff to glance at Norah, "how 'bout you?"

 

[Norah]

Her gaze sharpened at the promise to see one of Alistair Krixus's inventions. She knew a few powerful folks who'd like nothing more than to get their hands on them. Then her face turned blank at Fabien 'King' D'Amour's answer. Then a full-on slouch as Vittoria Larrainth prattled on and on and on.

Norah wondered briefly what would happen in a class if none of the students had any aspirations to become an archon. Was that even possib-

Nah, didn't care.

Plain brown eyes flitted to Kilien. "Soup. I could go for some warm soup. And," Norah loosed a small breath. "anywhere but here."

A student sneezed loudly behind Vittoria but Norah's attention didn't leave Basmarc's.

"How do you feel about chocolate?"

 

[Alistair Krixus]

"Initiates D'Amour and Larrainth are completely correct," Alistair announced with a smile.

The answers had largely been what he expected. His own class had been asked this question, and opinion had been split. Alistair had even been one of the ones to say no, thinking he never had a chance for the position.

Unfortunately for Kilien and Norah, Alistair did not have some secret eavesdropping magic, no he was just blind and a teacher which immediately made his hearing very good.

"And Initiates Basmarc and Norah would find that they can have all the sandwiches and soup they could ever desire when they become Archons."

He looked across all of their faces before settling on Kilien's face since he was the first one to voice his idea that he did not want any of this. However, he had looked at the initial grade reports of most of these students. He knew a little about them and he wanted to stir a fire in them.

"And it may come as a surprise to you, but someone like Initiate Basmarc may be the closest in this class to becoming an Archon."

Alistair let that hang in the air for several seconds, that wasn't entirely true but it would work for his purposes.

"Archons have mastered their innate abilities to stand close to the peak, but what truly pushes them further is they go beyond. They continue learning...Nearly every famous Archon has mastered more than one form of magic. That means they have mastered something that was not part of their natural gifts...and to do that you need a strong understanding of magical theory."

Kilien Basmarc Norah Vittoria Larrainth Fabien 'King' D'Amour

 

[Fabien 'King' D'Amour]

Basmarc? The closest? King scoffed, suppressing a fullhearted laugh. Now he knew Krixus was joking. Basmarc had a handle on cantrips, the kinds of things hedge mages could teach themselves out behind a shed in the Falwood. He barely had any sorcerous talent at all.

With a haughty smile and a shake of his head, King pretended to write notes into a notebook. Whatever the good Proctor had in store, it was certain to at least be entertaining.

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria wordlessly turned back to watch Kilien, an amused knowing in her eyes as if to tell him, 'Did I not tell you this?'

She had multiple times in the past tell him he would make a fine Dreadlord, but she knew of his answer to this. Vitt did not like seeing potential being throw aside, but that was not the only thing to keep her curious about him. Turning to face the front, she listened to the Proctor speak and reaffirm what she already knew was expected of an Archon. She had two magical abilities, skills she took it upon herself to test and yield seeing as the Proctors now feared of her bloodthirsty reputation.

Perhaps... this Proctor would be unafraid. Would happily watch Vittoria demonstrate why she earned the named Unmaker when on a battlefield.

"And the education does not stop after graduation, is that not right Proctor Krixus?"