As her roommate, Ilyana was very much aware that if it were up to Tori, Tori would sleep in and lay around doing whatever caught her attention at that mont. Not to say that Tori was lazy - she was far from it. Tori simply didnt like stress and would tackle the cause of it as soon as possible to get it out of the way, so she could focus on sothing she enjoyed.
Ilyana wanted Tori to do things she enjoyed, but Ilyanas chances to help were limited.
Headmaster says only two people are allowed to do beautification, Tori told her when she and Sonia started the beautification punishnt. Any more and it wouldnt be a punishnt. Even JP isnt allowed to help.
Before the sun rose, Tori was already awake and dressed in her practice clothes and a JP2 down jacket in order to help Sonia with her punishnt for slapping Miss Hart. Ilyana thought it was too much. A full month of work, Sonia being banned from riding for two weeks last sester, and having to write an apology letter were worth at least three or four slaps. Five if they were light.
But Tori didnt complain. For the last week since they returned, shed gotten up before dawn to clean a section of the school next to the sword practice grounds. It was once a garden for agriculture niche students, but was no longer in use as there was a large space and four new green houses on the other side of the school.
The old garden was overgrown. It also happened to be in an awkward corner where any trash blown by the wind would end up and get tangled in the overgrown plants. Tori had been using the leather gloves she used for sword and they were now caked with dirt and squished plant juice.
According to Sonia, the section they had been assigned would take a month to clean up, with one hour every school day, either before or after class, if one person was doing it. With Toris help, it would be done in half the ti. Sonia wanted to put in more ti and get it over with, but her ti was limited. Because she had riding practice after class, Sonia also ca in the morning, leaving Ciel Noir to be fed by her brother.
Ilyana had taken to getting up and bringing them breakfast from the commons. Miss Juniper at the commons was sympathetic and packed breakfast croissants, so fruit, and juice to be brought to the two.
Surprisingly, by the end of the week, the old garden was almost cleaned up. Tori was didn't seem to be done as she told her friends her additional plans while they walked her to to the front of the school.
Next week, Im going to see if I can start aerating the garden, Tori said. Fix the fence around it and get it ready for planting.
Tori, all we have to do is pick up the garbage and weed it, Sonia said, looking at their friend with concern.
Yes, but its kind of a waste to just let it get trashed and overgrown again. Tori had sighed.
Dont push yourself, Henrik said with a frown. Youve been busy every waking mont since the project was assigned.
Toris lips tightened into a line. Ilyana frowned, as well.
Tori's schedule was tight as is. Shed garden until forty-five minutes before class, then rush back to the dorm, eat whatever Ilyana brought her, wash up and change, and run to class. After electives, shed go to the practice grounds, then to Instructor Ignatius to work on her crystal project, which was not required, just sothing she was interested in.
In addition, Toris Lyce project required much more research and preparation work than anyone elses. She had Librarian Hawthrone pulling everything he could on the Cosora Delta, the Asona Sea, and towns and cities in similar locations and environnts. Ilyana had seen books on city planning, building materials, and even wildlife on the floor around Tori's bed. Tori had returned to the dorm several tis with armloads of books and maps, which shed pore over nightly.
Tori had even asked her if she could go pick up so notebooks and pencils for her when she and Henrik went to check on the stores midweek. Tori would normally run such a simple errand herself, but she didnt have ti. Ilyana was sure she was still upset about the responsibility of over 1,500 lives placed in her inexperienced hands.
It angered Ilyana that the two boys who shouldve been handed sothing as serious as resettling a village of refugees, Mr. Guthry and Prince Gideon, dismissed Toris project as sothing perfectly normal and easily manageable. Ilyana had no experience in such a thing, either, but knew it was anything but.
However, after Toris failed attempts to get reassigned to a new project, she seed resigned to her fate. Resigned, angry, and bitter. Ilyana and the others couldnt bla her. While they all had a lot of confidence in their friends abilities, even they werent sure about how this project would turn out.
Do you have to leave tonight? Ewan asked, sowhat concerned as they stood outside the main gates with Tori.
Itll take a few hours to get to the delta, Tori said as she adjusted her thick cloak. She had two bags on her: her school satchel with notebooks, writing tools, and various papers; and a canvas bag with spare clothes and necessities. If I leave tonight, Ill get there early and can spend as much ti as possible talking to the refugees. Ill be back before curfew the day before school starts next week.
I cant believe they assigned you a project so far away, Albert said with a look of dismay. His project was dealing with an old water system in the sixth district that needed repairs.
Tori shook her head. My brothers project was in Nordur.
You said that was his choice, JP reminded her. He decided to focus his project in Nordur. The school didnt force him.
Do you have everything you need? Ilyana asked as they stood outside, under the dim streetlights. Tori had arranged to spend the weekend at the delta to get a better grasp of the situation. She assured them she wasnt going alone and had adult supervision.
Yes, I do. I bought all my warm clothes and the delta is slightly warr than here. It should be fine. Tori was attempting to reassure them, but it wasnt going to work. She gave them a helpless look. Give so support here, she said with a small, tired laugh. This is quite an undertaking and I need encouragent.
Ilyana furrowed her brow and stepped forward. I know you can do this. When we graduate and they look back at your project, theyll call you Tori the Townbuilder!
Sonia let out a snort and laughed as Toris eyes crinkled with mirth. Ilyana ignored the questioning looks from her other friends.
Well need to work on that title, Tori said. She looked past Ilyana and everyone followed her gaze. A large white carriage was approaching, drawn by four bay horses and flanked with what looked like two dozen guards on horseback.
Ilyana narrowed her eyes and squinted in the streetlight. Those werent normal guards, though they were in plain, civilian clothes. She could tell from the way they sat on the horses and the matching quality of the saddles, reins, and even their boots. A glint of silver from a pin that kept their dark riding cloaks closed caught her eyes.
She gasped and Alberts jaw dropped. Are those imperial knights?
Wow, Auntie Lucia asked for help from the imperial knights, Ewan said, looking surprised.
Henrik shook his head as the white carriage with black iron accents and the imperial seal on its doors stopped on the curb beside them. I dont think Auntie Lucia has that kind of clout.
Tori adjusted the bag over her shoulder as the footman jumped down to open the door for her. The carriage is here, Tori said. She looked towards her friends and held out her arms to hug Ilyana. Ill see you in a few days. Dont go out by yourself.
Ilyana wrinkled her nose. Ill be fine.
She hugged Tori tightly and heard the carriage creak. She lifted her head and her eyes went wide.
Is this all youre bringing? a smooth, low voice asked as a man stepped out of the carriage and reached for Toris bags.
Ilyana stepped back, but didnt move any further as she and all her friends watched Tori hand her bags to the first prince.
Yes, did you bring all the paperwork for citizenship and the land managent reviews on the delta? Tori asked as she placed her bag in Prince Piers awaiting hands, as if he were her servant.
Ilyana struggled not to make a horrified face. She loved Tori and thought she was amazing, but he was the first prince of Soleil - a figure they actually respected. Wasnt Tori being too familiar? Was it because Lord Sebastian was Prince Piers sword instructor, so this level of familiarity was accepted?
Of course. The doctors arrived this morning, by the way. They went with the two dozen military tents you ordered from Daybreak Garden. The professors are arriving tomorrow, as well, the first prince said. He looked past her and gave the other students a nod. Good evening.
Good evening! Ilyana winced as her voice rose awkwardly. Behind her, she heard soone whimper.
The first prince raised a brow, but said nothing and placed Toris bags into the carriage.
Its cold out, dont stay out too long, Tori said as she looked over them one last ti. She seed to mindlessly put her hand on the first princes offered one to pull herself into the carriage. As soon as she was inside, Prince Piers followed her. The footman closed the door and Tori pushed aside the curtains and slid open the glass window by her seat. Sonia, Ill be back in ti to help you weed the garden.
Dont worry about that! Sonia seed to choke behind her and JP patted his sisters back.
A knock on the wooden carriage sounded. Go, they heard the prince order.
The footman jumped back onto the drivers bench.
I thought you said youd bring the most humble, low-key looking carriage you had. They heard Toris sowhat annoyed voice. Ilyana bit her lips.
Tori, dont be mad at him...he might be emperor one day.
This is the most humble, low-key carriage we have.
It has the imperial seal all over it. Next ti, Ill just rent a carriage.
This one is more comfortable and you get motion sickness.
I brought the ginger oil! The carriage jerked forward and they began to head out.
I dont want to take a rental carriage. It wont be comfortable.
Why do you make it sound as if you always ride...oh. Right. Toris voice began to fade. Youre a prince.
Ilyana crinkled her eyes and drew in her lips, likely mirroring the sa look of uncertainty as the others.
Everyone else saw what I saw, yes? JP asked, his eyes following the trail of guards behind the eye-catching white carriage. Tori was picked up by the first prince.
Its an overnight carriage ride, Sonia said, as if hesitant to bring it up. "Alone."
Lets not think about it! Ilyana suddenly exclaid as she whirled around and clapped her hands together with a desperate look on her face. Im sure its fine!
Tori did say that her brothers told Sir Nassuan and His Highness to watch over her. Even as Henrik said it, he didnt seem convinced the princes actions were simply a duty given by his sword master.
I think its good that His Highness went with Tori, Ewan said. Several pairs of eyes turned to him with disbelief. His Highness was Lord Sebastians student, so hes probably a good swordsman. Hes also bringing along a bunch of imperial knights, so Tori will be safe.
Exactly, Ilyana said. Lets get sothing warm to drink at Cafe Fortuna before we head back to the dorms. She turned and led the way, huddling with Sonia to keep warm as they walked down the street.
She could hear JP and Henrik behind them. Do you think this is sothing we should tell Lord Sebastian about? JP asked in a low voice.
Henrik sounded unsure. He reached for his comcry. Do you think we should?
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