The Albatross teetered on the ocean more so than before. It bobbed up and down, water crashing against the hull and onto the deck. The cabin shook, the first years crying out while the older students laughed. Ed had fallen asleep while the other two remained awake for the duration of the voyage. Thomas held tightly to his seat, his nerves refusing to relax.
"You alright, Thomas?" Emery prodded.
"I don't do well with heights." Thomas admitted.
Emery grew confused. "But... we're sailing."
"I know." He acknowledged.
On cue, the ship blared its horn again. Outside the port side window, the children spotted a wooden wing sprout from the ship. It flexed itself with the compartment across from them staring in awe to the starboard wing. The seats buckled the students in and shut the compartment doors in an instant.
The Albatross fluttered its wings, gradually taking flight and speeding along the waves below them.
"What's happening?!" Emery cried.
Thomas tried to retain his composure. "Just breathe..." He said with his eyes shut tight.
With another flap of its wings, the ship burst through the clouds, zooming through the sky. The rush pinned the students to their seats, unable to move a muscle. Just as they teetered the horizon, the ship began descending back down toward the waters of the Atlantic.
"I hate this part." Thomas murmured.
Before she could ask what part, Emery found her answer as the ship casually crashed into the depths of the ocean. The port side window turned their view into an exotic aquarium. Various sea creatures and unseen wonders came across their new view. Just as they adjusted to their new surroundings, the Albatross shot back up and Emery felt a sensation like when she traveled to Kroy Wen. Her stomach flipped as they broke the water's reflective surface and the ship floated safely back among the clouds. The seats unbuckled as the students met a moment of relative calm.
Suddenly, one of the painted figures above their heads pulled herself from her frame. The mermaid-like creature's hair dripped colored droplets onto the floor as she spoke, "All students are permitted to walk about the ship until we reach Radiance. Please do not attempt to leave the Albatross until we have properly docked." The ghostly, green silhouette faded back into the painting with a wink.
Ed awoke as the ship teetered slightly. He rubbed his eyes, still groggy. "... What did I miss?" He stood and opened the cabin door. Other students seemed to be stretching their legs. "Why don't we check out the view?"
Thomas propped his head back against his seat, "I could use some air." He added while slowly getting to his feet.
Emery made to follow them but looked back at their seats. Alice was still seated, stewing in a bad mood. "Aren't you coming?"
"... Sorry you took the blame for what happened at the bazaar.”
"Not the first time it’s happened.” Emery confessed. "She’s the one that should’ve apologized.”
Alice turned back to the window with her arms crossed. "I wasn’t stealing.”
“I figured, to be honest.”
“Not that it matters... you should get back to your friends.” Alice said.
Emery figured she wouldn't get any further by pushing the subject and proceeded to climb up to the deck. Poking her head out from below deck, her nose caught the sea air immediately. Where once the sun graced the skies, night had already fallen. But it couldn't have been more than a few hours since they left Kroy Wen. The ship had risen closer to the clouds but with hardly any turbulence, even as the moon tugged at the oceans. The ground could barely be made out as they surfed the air.
Ed and Thomas waved her along from near the captain's station. As she joined them, Emery caught sight of the far-off mountains. The fog cleared, giving way to the moonlight showering down the hills. Twinkles of light illuminated the only structure for miles: Radiance.
It looked more like a fortress than a school, Emery thought. Surrounded by a forest on its left and right, the only clearings were the river south of the school and mountain wall that rose halfway up the back of the school. A few structures dotted the perimeter of the school but Radiance itself could not be ignored by the fresh, young eyes eager to be enthralled by marvels such that they had never seen. The structures were sleek and smooth with a dulled silver tone that blended well into the mountains and hills around.
"Wow," Ed started. "The pictures don't do it justice."
Emery pulled herself to the side of the Albatross, "So, five years of this place?" She wondered if that was enough time to really understand this new world of hers.
"Five years mandatory and two more optional, technically." Thomas corrected her while keeping a safe distance from the edge.
"Hey." Another teen boy called out to them. "If you want to get anywhere, ditch the dwarf kid and rant. You're better off with other legacies."
Thomas scrunched his face in response, “I’m good, thanks.”
“I’m Bryant... Bryant Blair?” The teenager repeated. “Family’s been going to Radiance for three hundred years.”
“Oh, excuse me.” Thomas replied. “Thomas Frost; and I’ve not been caring since... always, wow. Time flies.”
While Ed smirked, Emery was in shock as she rarely heard someone so blatantly fire back at prejudice.
“I see how it is Frost. Watch yourself.” The legacy student warned as he departed from the group.
“That was close.” Thomas said. “I thought I was going to have to explain that I didn’t like him.”
Emery smiled. “I didn’t think you had that in you, Thomas.”
“He’s always been like this.” Ed stated. “Either quietly reading or making social commentary.”
Thomas shrugged, “You’re the one who wants to be a knight.”
“Of course!” Ed yelled, pumping his fist. “What about you, Emery? Any idea what you want to do yet?”
Emery turned back towards the view of Radiance edging closer from the horizon. “Still figuring it out.”
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