Epiphany - Chapter One

Chapter One: Alluvia

Elaina sighed as she attempted to loosen her stiff muscles. The train ride had lasted hours and she was thankful that it was nearly over. As the train neared the capital the anticipation of its passengers grew. Elaina brushed a few stray golden hairs from her face, smoothing them back into her thick braid. Leaning closer to the window she watched in awe as the capital rose before her.

There was a nervous giddiness which implanted itself into the pit of her stomach. She had never been this far north, never seen the city of diplomats and lawmakers. She was only there presently to board a zeppelin headed for the border-lands.  There she would attend Alluvia. The prestigious school was created in order to train soldiers to fight in the war against daemon-kind. She felt honored to be able to serve her country and her family; her father.

Excitement swelled within her as she thought of flying through the air on a dirigible. The danger of her fast approaching reality never crossed her mind, or the minds of her soon to be school mates. Suddenly the train began to slow as it neared its final station; the Capital City of the Empire.

“Did I sleep long?” A small, mousy voice asked. Elaina looked over at the young girl that she had shared the train compartment with and smiled. Cecile Pryor was a tall and thin bodied person with lush brown hair and a bespectacled gaze. Although shy, Elaina found her to be a refreshing kind of charming. Unlike any other person she had met before Cecile had instantly won her over with her bubbly mannerisms.

“Not in the least. How are you feeling?” Cecile had gone to sleep much earlier complaining from motion-sickness. Her color had greatly improved leading Elaina to believe that she was fine at the moment.

“Other than my hurt pride,” Elaina offered her a sympathetic gaze. “I’m so embarrassed and what if it happens again on the zeppelin? I shall die!” Cecile hid her face in her hands. Gently pulling her hands away Elaina gave her a dazzling smile.

“I hear it is quite common for travelers to get motion-sickness when they first ride a zeppelin. Rather than being worried about you everyone shall be paying more attention to themselves. I doubt anyone would even notice if you start to feel unwell.” Cecile looked unconvinced but Elaina swiftly turned her attention to the city shining through the dingy train window.

“I have been to the capital before,” Cecile stated. “It was with mama just before she died. We saw a doctor here.” Elaina was quiet for a moment. How tragic..I cannot imagine…

“Was it recent?” Cecile shook her head. Her gaze lowered and her lips curved into a small smile.

“No, it was many years ago, in fact. I doubt I remember anything of the city. I was so little.”Cecile returned her gaze to the window an uneasy smile. Elaina opened her mouth slightly driven by the need to say anything to comfort her new companion. Abruptly the train’s whistle cut through the cabin compartments effectively silencing anything she could have said.

Elaina stepped from the train into a bustling steel city. Students poured off the train around her as she marveled at the smoking machines and enormous skyscrapers. Thousands of people crowded the station and the streets beyond. She could not take in enough of the sprawling cityscape. Her jaw fell as a large robotic worker passed her by emitting steam as it went. Amazing! I never imagined that the Capital would be this wonderful.

“Miss Oeuvre, please do not wander away from the group. I would hate to have to report to your father that by your own ignorance you were lost in the Capital and was unable to reach the academy.” Failing to notice that the group had moved on Elaina turned to face the Alluvian representative. The man was middle-aged, business-like and unremarkable; worst of all is the fact that his gravely, monotonous voice drove Elaina mad.

Faking a smile she apologized for wandering off and made her way back to the group of newly recruited students. Mr. Whitman sighed heavily as she passed him causing her to whip around long enough to glare heatedly at him, narrowing her violet eyes. Wiping his brow, the man returned to leading the group through the cramped sidewalks.

Separated from her traveling companion Elaina followed in the group silently gawking at the scenes of metal and smoke as they passed. She listened absentmindedly as their guide recounted the history of how their civilization had come to settle on the continent and grown into the Empire they now knew.

“As you should know, we are at war. This is why you have been selected; the best of the youth the Empire has to offer. As students of Alluvia you shall learn how to fight and survive this war until it is won. A great honor has been given to you; service in the name of the Empire.” The group found itself ensnared by the man’s flattery and passion. Elaina herself could not ignore the pride that welled within her at the chance to prove her own self-worth.

“This building here is Transit Tower. Please be aware that there are many levels of the tower and it is not uncommon for stragglers to become lost for extended periods of time. To avoid such mishaps please form a straight line so we may enter.”

Elaina’s attention shifted from the group to the murals painted along the walls of the tower as they made their way up the levels; scenes of the great migration to the continent, battles from the first daemon war, and portraits of the emperors from the centuries decorated all of the available space from floor to ceiling. One day my portrait will be painted among these, she vowed determinedly.

Soon the massive winding staircases left the students winded from the effort to climb them. Ever slowly the line made its way up to the loading deck assigned to it. While fanning herself after they arrived on the landing Elaina caught sight of Cecile. She hastily made her way over to her traveling companion who was glad to be reunited.

“I am so excited! And nervous! Can you believe we will be heading to Alluvia?!” Elaina kept herself from laughing at her companion’s outburst. For such a shy girl she was unnaturally full of life.

“It is exciting. The art here is breathtaking as well.” Cecile frowned.

“What art?” Elaina’s brow furrowed in confusion.

“The floor to ceiling murals painted on the walls. Did you really not notice them?” Cecile shrugged.

“I must have had tunnel vision from the excitement. Ah! We’re boarding.”

Elaina followed silently musing to herself. Large half-bridges used to load and unload the zeppelins were built along the top half of the building. It was upon one of those bridges that they boarded the air ship.

Elliptical in shape and filled with gas much lighter than the surrounding air the ship was a magnificent example of empirical engineering. The cabin was large and spacious with adequate seating for the number of passengers. Taking their seats the group settled down into an excited hum for the journey.

A light shaking roused Elaina from her contented slumber. She moaned slightly as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Cecile was smiling warmly at her. She smiled back and yawned. The other girl giggled and pointed to the window.

 “Look, you can see Alluvia!” Elaina leaned towards the window and stared down at academy complex. From above she could tell it was sprawling but the details and size were miniscule at best. Even with the bright morning sun the particulars of the academy were indiscernible. She could not wait to see it from the ground. After a few days in the air Elaina was ready to be back on solid earth. She had grown tired of flying and longed for space to move, to run.

On the east side of Alluvia stood a solitary tower used solely for the purpose of docking the zeppelins that traveled that far into the border-lands, a rare sight unto itself. Prowling the tower commons were humans and daemons alike, chancing for a glance at the new blood and looking for one that might catch their fancy.

 Elaina was rarely self-conscious. She had been raised to be calm and composed at all times, however, the dark looks and hungry gazes affected her just as much as it did the others. Trying to keep her outside appearance proud and disinterested as her father had instructed before she left; Elaina made her way across the crowded courtyard to what appeared to be the great hall.

 While they were herded by academy workers from the tower to the great hall Elaina viewed the expanse of land used for the academy. There were several towers, numerous buildings, and a clock tower on the campus; the great hall, which was the largest of the buildings, was one of the only things she could see through the tall trees that peppered the area.

The great hall’s wood doors were open to them as the students ascended the pale white marble stairs. The inside floor was also done in the same light colored stone but the walls were dark and unwelcoming. Clenching her hands into fists at her sides she determinedly walked into the beckoning light at the end of the hall.

The great hall was filled with long rows of tables and lines of students both human and daemon awaiting their arrival. Instantly Elaina began to feel her skin light up as if it was burning from the attention of the many eyes turned towards her group. Looking around she found that the seating was divided up into two very distinct groups; humans on the right and daemons on the left.

Directly, opposite the hall’s doors was another much larger and imposing table at which stood the rows of professors and the headmaster for the academy. It was then that Elaina realized that no one was sitting in the great hall. Every personage stood erect with expectant gazes directed at either the staff at the head table or the new comers at the door.

A masculine voice promptly commanded the room’s undivided attention. “Greetings newcomers, I am headmaster Hrothman. Allow me, on behalf of the staff and students, to welcome you to Alluvia. If you please step to the right and fall in with the other students.” His speech was crisp and clear; its tone threatening but not hostile. The group was quick to move on his orders. His voice is so different from father’s voice. I wonder what type of man he is. She gave the man a curious stare.

With Cecile at her side, Elaina easily found a spot for them near a returning male student named Thomas Bullard. He was a stocky young man; also shy, but very cordial. After exchanging pleasantries he fell silent and the girls found their attention turned back to the head table. Particularly to the headmaster who seemed ready to continue with his speech.

Oliver Hrothman was of less than average height but with a muscular bulk that displayed much physical strength. His dress was plain, even rugged with his leather pants and cotton shirt compared to the formal uniforms of his students. His eyes were stern, even as he smiled down upon them.

“At this moment I would like to review a few of the rules and regulations. There are a few changes this year as the warfront has been pushed back father into our lands. To begin with, we shall be holding the Tournament earlier this year. For those of you who are not partnered this shall take place three weeks from now in the stadium. New students you are required to participate so that we may assess your strengths and weaknesses. As some of you know, each of you shall battle one another in hand to hand combat as well as compete in weapon specific events. However, we shall not throw our new students to the wolves.” The hall echoed with laughter from the staff and senior students.

“The greenhorns shall participate in a welcoming camp if you will. In order to be capable participants in the tournament you will need some basic training first.” A few alarmed faces flashed about the room. Cecile grabbed Elaina’s hand nervously. The latter gave a comforting squeeze in return.

“Also, after dark no student may leave the dormitories without express permission from a staff member. Those found breaking curfew shall have patrol duty for a week. I know that doesn’t sound very harsh but ask those who have had the privilege before and they shall tell you how exhausting a week without sleep truly is…Daemons, this announcement pertains chiefly to you,” The headmaster began causing the left side to look in his direction.

“The clock tower needs repairing. Those who still have their collars shall report here tomorrow at noon so that you can be monitored while the repairs are in progress. Failure to report to the great hall shall result in death. I need not stress to you how important this is.”

Elaina shot a confused glance towards the opposite end of the hall. She had not noticed the thick black collars that encircled the majority of daemon necks when she had entered. Like many others she had questioned at one point or another why the Empire had decided to force daemons into serving in the army but she felt that, no matter the purpose they served for Alluvia and the war, the Empire had a justified reason for them. However, now she was curious as to why the school would go through such measures to keep a population of hostile creatures captive against their will.

“Now please bow you heads as Father Gildebarg blesses our morning meal.” Elaina looked down the head table to a balding man dressed in a solemn black robe. He cleared his throat loudly and gazed about the room.

“Thank-you, Headmaster Hrothman. Let us now give thanks to our god who in his glory sees fit to fill our stomachs with nourishment of his love and care. Whose care we give ourselves to in hope that he shall keep us and preserve us through the coming year and to keep us from harm and battle. But as he sees fit to place us in harm’s way then allow him to see that harm does not befall us. Remember that all is just and good in his name. Remember that we are his messengers and his rightful hand of justice. It is for him that we wage our war against the demons of the East. Do not forget that his will shall be done. Now go forth with his blessing in your heart and his will in your soul. Many blessings to ye.”

“And he those blessings be.” Elaina mumbled the familiar lines as she had done before every meal since she could remember. The headmaster waved his hand and with that the students were seated. Relaxing a bit as servants began to bring food into the room Elaina looked over at Cecile.

She still looked a bit upset and Elaina could sympathize with the girl but there was no changing their fate. They were there and they would remain there until the Empire was done with them. Besides, they had all volunteered and chosen this for themselves. It was a great honor.

“I wouldn’t take it too seriously.” She commented passively. Cecile eyes widened with disbelief.

“I can’t believe you can be so calm. Aren’t you the least bit scared? Haven’t you heard any of the stories?” Chuckling Elaina shrugged.

“Listen to yourself. That’s just what they are…stories. They’re spread to scare new students. We’ll be fine. The headmaster already said that we’re going to be trained in advanced and I have never heard of wooden weapons fatally wounding someone.” Elaina placed a finger to her lips. “We’ll have to be mindful to splinters though.” Cecile sighed in frustration and elbowed her friend in the arm.

“Be serious!” Elaina smiled, satisfied that she had lightened the girl’s mood. As if all the new students could feel their exchange the mood began to lighten. Soon all persons in the Hall ate with gusto; talking and laughing with friends and colleagues.

To the elder students and faculty this morning differed little from any other morning they had spent in Alluvia since they themselves first landed in the border-lands. The new faces in the hall merely offered them something new to gossip about and battle against in the training arenas. Yet, many welcomed the newcomers with an eagerness that bespoke their desperate need for contact with a world far beyond the one in which they now resided in.

Nearly an hour had past when Hrothman suddenly stood followed by ever other person in the room.

“I trust that breakfast has been enjoyable to all. Those students who will be receiving a dorm-mate on this day should leave for the dormitories at this time. New students please remain here so that Housemaster Ritcher can give your room assignment to you. Your belongings have already been delivered to their proper places. All students shall report back here for luncheon at noon but until then lectures will continue as scheduled. You are now dismissed!” The Headmaster’s voice faded away into the resonating sounds of movement and voices that filled the hall.