Helian and the Baron’s Bastard (4)

As we waited for the exam results to be posted, Marie was holding my hand and trembling with excitement. Given her level of skill, I suspected she would pass this time with flying colors, and I was curious to see for myself. For whatever reason, this moment was left out of the novel. I suppose there was no need to waste time with narration like “her first-place ranking was the beginning of the young woman’s fame, marking the start of her meteoric ascent from humble commoner to …”

Well, there wouldn’t have been something like that in the novel anyway, since it never really specified how things were going to end (even though the author loved to sprinkle in ominous foreshadowing). By now I was convinced that the plot points were made up on a chapter-to-chapter basis, so committing to an ending that early was out of the question.

Most likely some sort of stereotypical “discover you were a royal descendant all along” ending, though. At least I didn’t have to worry about marrying a king or something… and the number of suitors was set in stone so there was no possibility of “Act 5: Pursued by the Perverted Prince” or anything of that nature. Probably. Best not to think about it.

The chattering crowd grew silent as a pair of administrators walked to the announcement board and began posting up the result sheets. As if to maintain the suspense, they began with the lowest-ranking (that is, failed) applicants, and proceeded to pin up the rankings in ascending order. The crowd thinned as hopes were dashed one by one. Eventually, only a dozen people remained, and the last two sheets were posted.

1. XXXXXX XXXX Jr

2. Helian

3. XXXX X XXXXXXX

4. XXX XX XXXX

5. XXXX

6. Marie Herschel

Well done, Marie! Beyond my expectations. Second place, though… how strange. Maybe the author didn’t want to make the story’s heroine too perfect? Seeing an unnamed character in first still made me uncomfortable for some reason, but the exams were over, so there was no point in thinking about it. I suspected that if XXXXX took this exam, she would have at least placed third.

Marie leapt off the ground and gripped me in a tiny bear hug. “We did it! What an impressive score, you’re really something. I can’t believe this was your first time taking the exam!”

Evan nodded in agreement. “You should be proud. Any employer with half a lick of sense would hire you on the spot.”

I had expected his mood to be lower since he barely missed passing this time, placing 33rd out of 32 – but it was apparently his first time taking the exam, so he had still performed admirably. His mother would probably be in the mood to celebrate as if both had passed regardless.

“I’m sure Mother will be thrilled to hear about this. Will you join us tonight to celebrate?”

I shook my head. “I’d love to, Marie, but I have plans… and I need to get my job applications in order so I can turn them in first thing tomorrow and get ahead of the pack. Maybe we could get together next week?”

It would be good to keep my distance from the pair for the next few days, since the little lord would use the exam results to figure out my identity. It was critical to avoid involving outsiders in the plot until we were in a safer environment like the finance ministry – anything could happen in the gap between scenes with him in play, and it still made me sick to my stomach to think of it even after all these years.

She sighed and looked at Evan, who shrugged. “Yeah, you’re right. I should probably prepare my applications too… next week then, it’s a date!”

------

I bid the twins farewell and returned to the inn, and after bringing some food up from the common area, locked my windows and barred the door. My agenda for the evening was to fill out job applications, update my plot notes, and then try to get some rest despite the men loitering outside in the hallway. I hadn’t expected them to turn up so quickly. I guess taking a rain check on my visit to the Herschel manor was the right call.

The soup from the inn’s kitchen was filling and paired well with the sour notes of the loaf of bread I had picked up on the way back. The story’s author didn’t know anything about food, so it was a surprise when meals in this world managed to be delicious even though cuisine in this era was generally awful. My anxiety kept me awake until nearly dawn, but I managed to get some sleep, at least.

How My Fresh Start Began (3)

The order’s tryouts continued for an eternity, until the biting chill of the evening breeze made every applicant shiver and the moon hung high in the sky. At this point roughly half of the applicants had been dismissed, and most of the remainder were resting on the ground after becoming too exhausted to continue. A few had begun chatting happily with their sparring partners, having discovered a mutual interest in swords, each other, or both. Even though the practice session used actual weapons, surprisingly, no one had lost an arm.

My partner and I, however, were still standing. As the knight requested, my hands were thoroughly numb, and I had discovered a newfound hatred for all twelve basic forms – especially number six, which never felt quite right no matter how much I practiced it. It was some consolation to see that Rufus – that was the young lord’s given name, though he had refused to provide his surname – struggled equally with forms three and seven, perhaps because they emphasized agility and precision.

“What do you say … we call this one a draw, XXXXX?” he asked, panting with exhaustion.

“I’m not sure the examiner will let us off so easy, but I’m willing to give it a try if you are.” I sheathed my sword and shook his offered hand. “Been a pleasure learning from you.”

He smiled and replied in turn, “Likewise! I look forward to your company in the order.” before snapping to attention.

The examiner’s voice boomed from behind me. “Don’t get ahead of yourselves! You may stand taller than most of these saplings, but that doesn’t mean you meet the order’s standards!”

“Of course, sir. I was merely paying a compliment to the lady’s skill.”

The knight chuckled and waved us off. “Fair enough. I can see you two are barely on your feet, so I’ll grant you a pass for this exercise. I expect to see improvements in your third form when we next meet!”

Rufus sheathed his sword and dusted himself off. “How do you fancy a stiff drink and a warm bowl of soup to celebrate?”

“Why not? I think I’ll pass on the drink, though. I doubt showing up with a hangover would impress whoever’s in charge tomorrow, even if it’s typical behavior for a squire.”

He nodded. “It doesn’t hurt to be careful, I suppose. And I hope you don’t take offense if I say that you look like a cheap drunk.”

I reached to punch him in the shoulder, then stopped once I remembered I had jabbed that same spot eight times today. “Jackass. You’re right, though. Any friends here you want to bring along?”

He waved at a pair of girls leaning up against a low stone wall and threw his voice in their direction. “The neighborhood ruffians over there seem to have made the cut, despite their parents’ best intentions. Join us for dinner, you two?”

“Sure!” the two girls replied in unison and jogged over to meet us. “Let’s go to Amber & Rye, they’re probably not too busy right now.” the taller one suggested.

“I hope the young Master hasn’t spread any foul rumors about us.” remarked the spry one.

“Perish the thought” he replied, “only hard facts and regrettable tales, like the carriage incident.”

“That wasn’t my fault!” shouted the elegant girl.

“It wasn’t mine either!” shouted the vivacious girl.

Hang on, this is getting confusing. “Sorry, we haven’t been introduced. I’m XXXXX. Could you two ladies grace me with your names?”

The two girls took turns shaking my offered hand and introduced each other.

“She’s Ruby.” explained the handsome girl.

“And she’s Sapphire.” responded the ethereal girl, without missing a beat.

They regarded me with clear anticipation, but I decided to skip the obvious remark and advance to small talk.

“Pleasure to meet you. I take it you’ve known Rufus for a long time?”

“You lose the bet, Sapphire!”

“I was sure a lady-killer like her would compare your eyes to gemstones…”

I shrugged. “Sorry, my lady, but I can’t see them in this light. I’m sure they’re beautiful.”

Rufus chuckled and gestured for us to follow as he led the way to the tavern.