Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) Jonathan Michael (red novels .txt) 📖

To name a few, Ferrell the Fierce, who conquered the rebels back when the land was being overtaken by anarchy. Galvan Oaklander, who found great potential in small things and pioneered the use of thunderbugs as a source of light. And most recently, Carib Reign, a Hiberneyt with potential for greatness, who called the wrong group of peers his allies and one day just…vanished. He was believed to have joined the Celestial Cloaks after his exile, but only the rumor’s source knows the truth of it. All those icons were shallow in the pockets and allowed admission at no charge. The Taoiseach saw potential in them, and the same goes for you. Your talent is beyond most, Stone. You can be great.”

“But you know nothing of me. How could you possibly know anything of my potential? And for the Taoiseach to offer enrollment merely based on your word? He doesn’t need a demonstration of my talent? I don’t think I’m worth the effort. He’s an intelligent man, Astor. I trust you understand my suspicions. I can’t do this.”

She steps closer. Close enough for my nerves to flutter. Her scent leaves me subdued. A calm sensation wafts over me, and I suddenly feel at ease with the situation.

“Of course you can, Stone.” She places a hand on my shoulder. Her eyes are pure. “The Taoiseach knows not who you are. But you know him. If anything, this is a chance to get closer to the man who destroyed your life. And with Goose and Jaymes already free of his grasp, this is the best way for you to protect them. To get closer to your enemy and find his weakness.”

“Yeah.” Her words are clear, but I find myself lost in her beauty. In her honeyed scent. Merely agreeing without comprehension.

She pulls back. “So, you’ll agree to attend, then?” Her smile returns.

Her words make sense. If the Taoiseach doesn’t know, then what’s the harm? Would anyone recognize me? I was a mere boy when I attended the Academy last. Too many students don’t last more than the first season, so it’s not likely any of my previous mates remain. Even then, they were but mere acquaintances. And of the masters, I was but another pupil lost in the mix of hundreds. Thousands by now. Even if I told them my real name, they would only pretend to remember their former student. They wouldn’t recognize me.

“Yeah. Okay. I’ll do it. I’ll attend the Academy.”

“Wonderful!” Her tone shifts to something more assertive as she paces. “Now. Though you’ve already experienced a couple seasons of schooling, you’re going to have to start from the beginning. With your newly acquired alias, there’s no record of you attending prior to now, so your only option is to start fresh.” She halts and smiles at me.

“Yeah, okay. A refresher is probably best. When do my courses start?”

“That brings up another issue.” Her smile fades into something sterner. “All your courses began at the start of summer, so you have many lessons to catch up on. Your schedule is going to be tight, and classes commence first thing tomorrow.”

“Huh? What do you mean, ‘lessons to catch up on’?” I casually retreat away from her, suddenly weary again.

“Just that…there are eight months of summer remaining, and you need to complete eleven months’ worth of lessons. I would recommend getting yourself caught up within the month, or you’ll fall even farther behind.”

“What? There’s no easing me into it? I get dumped into the deep end of a river of which the flow is controlled by Harris Martelli, and I’m expected to swim without any say in it. That’s worse than swimming with the gators. And I’d know. I’ll drown! I never was a good swimmer.”

She sends me an odd glance. “They’re letting you learn from the best, free of charge.” She’s taken aback.

I throw my hands in the air. I don’t care. This is an unfeasible challenge I don’t need to jump into.

She slips closer and leans in. Honeyed lavender fills my nose with pleasure. It smells just like the black fruitlets of the Yao grass back home. It puts me at ease again. “Yes, the deep end is your one choice.”

The deep end it is. “Yeah, okay,” I agree.

She ambles to a table across the room and leans against it.

“Susy’s shits!” I comb my hands through my hair, shaking my head. “What courses am I enrolled in?”

“The foul language is not necessary,” she lectures. “Let’s see.” She pulls out a scroll of parchment and lists them off. My fingers raise with each. “Intro to the Talents, Intro to Regeneration, Stealth and Combat, History of Lahyf, History of Azure, Organics.”

She pauses, and I hold up my hands with elation. “Six courses a day! You’re right, I can handle that.”

“I’m not finished.” Her brow draws inward at my interruption.

I merely gawk at her in response.

“Armaments, Aeronautics, and Social Etiquette. And not all of them are daily courses, so it should be no problem.” She looks up from her list and smiles. “So exciting! I wish I could attend with you.”

“Social Etiquette? Aeronautics? Is this a jest? What would I need those for?”

“You have to remember, Stone, you’re starting you’re schooling at the age of seventeen, whereas most students begin at ten to twelve, depending on their talent. Also, the Academy has limited resources, and taking you in was more than generous. I was able to convince Harris of your worth, but you’re an exception. And exceptions lead to more exceptions, which eventually leads to anarchy. Consider yourself lucky to be able to learn so much all at once.

“You not only have lessons to make up from this season but previous seasons as well to get up to speed with your peers. Aeronautics is a revolutionizing mode of transportation, and Harris demands all his students, Nox