If we get into a fight, I want Hart.
Sonia, no. Tori closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Were not going to get into a fight. Even if its outside of school, Im sure instigating a brawl, especially with those people, will get us in trouble, if not expelled and that is the last thing I need right now.
What do we do? Ewan clutched the bowl of ice water against him.
All of you, go upstairs, Piers said. Tori looked towards him, surprised. When none of them moved, he frowned. Now.
Ewan was on his feet, still holding his bowl of ice water while Constantine rushed back to help JP lift Albert to his feet. The others raced towards the stairs at the back of the cafe, but Tori hesitated to go.
You, too, Axton said. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. Dont turn on the light crystals when you get to the room in case they see it from outside. Piers and I will take care of it.
As she passed Piers, he gave her a small nod and, though uncertain, she returned it. She ran up the stairs and nearly slamd into the group waiting around the corner. She gave them side-eye for crowding, but still joined them. The decorative slats on the stairwell allowed a few of them to be able to peek downstairs.
Why are we hiding like were criminals? Henrik whispered as he crouched down by the edge of the stairs. We didnt do anything wrong.
JP looked over at him with a deadpan expression. Youre not the one who punched the second princes knight in the face.
Several eyes turned to Ewan and his lower lip trembled as he let out a muffled whimper.
Thats...thats not a cri.... Albert said, unsure. He paused and looked at Tori. Is it?
Shh! Sonia shot them all a glare and put her hands against the slats as she lowered her head.
From what Tori could make out, Axton and Piers had moved to sit at the bar of the back counter and the earlier warm lights of the cafe dimd. Tori wondered if they were going to pretend that the cafe was closed; however, the familiar bell rang signaling that soone had entered.
Piers? Gideon sounded confused. What are you doing here?
Tori nearly pasted herself to the floor so she could look through the gaps and watch. Piers didnt turn around to look at Gideon. He remained facing the back counter and accepted his drink from one of Mama Js sons.
Coffee. Piers didnt appear to be answering Gideon so much as acknowledging his beverage. A few steps behind him, Gideon looked downtrodden.
Hes working on a project, so we ca to get coffee for so energy, Axton said, turning in his seat. He seed to nod his head towards them. Are you here for coffee, too?
Gideon shook his head. No.
We heard that Lady Guevera often cos here, Dimitri said, taking a step forward.
Tori held back a grumble. One of the problems with being well known on campus was that many eyes were on her and she couldnt exactly move unnoticed.
Are you looking for her? Axton asked.
Her friends, Dimitri answered.
No one has seen her or her friends at the dorms, Gideon added. Axton stirred his cup.
Is sothing wrong? His question sounded so sincere; Tori wouldnt have believed that he knew his pupil had punched another knight in the face.
Dimitri gave him a curt nod. Lady Gueveras friend, Mr. Connor, punched Sir von Dorn in the face.
Piers and Axton seed to look at Fabians face. From what Tori could see, he did indeed have a bandage over his nose. She drew in her lips to keep back a small laugh. She knew it was ssed up to laugh at so fifteen-year-old kids possibly broken nose, but that fifteen-year-old kid was Fabian.
Did you get into another confrontation? There was displeasure and disapproval in Piers voice. She couldnt see his face from her angle, but Tori did notice Gideon take a step forward, as if wanting to interject.
No, Your Highness. There was a scuffle in one of the study rooms and I was caught up in it, Fabian said in a calm voice.
The study rooms? Axton sounded as if he didnt believe them.
Sir Nassaun, Your Highness, I can explain. Alessa moved in front of Fabian. Tori narrowed her eyes and listened carefully to Alessas retelling. She silently compared it to what she had seen and what her friends had seen. Overall, the accounts matched. At least, until the end. Sir von Dorn was pushed forward and lost control of his footing. Mr. Connor suddenly punched him, unprovoked.
When Alessa explained it like that, she made it sound as if Ewan was just waiting to throw a punch at Fabian.
Are you talking about Ewan Connor? Axton asked. Hes my pupil and Ive worked with him extensively as of late. That doesnt sound like him. Are you sure it wasnt an accident?
What was the overall climate at the mont? Was it chaotic? Piers asked. He had turned back to face the counter. Were there many students involved?
I wasnt there.... Gideon said. Fabian?
There were many people involved, Your Highness. It almost seed like a ripple through the crowds, but Im sure Mr. Connor was the one who hit , Fabian said.
Axton didnt sound convinced. If there were many people involved at that ti, are you sure it was him?
Upstairs, everyone looked back at Ewan. The young man with the shaved head and his hand still in a bowl of ice water took a deep breath. Suddenly, he took out his hand and gave the bowl to Constantine, who was beside him. Henriks eyes widened and he shook his head, mouthing dont.
Tori stood up and moved to block the space between him and the stairs. She shook her head. Ewan....
I dont want Master to lie for , Ewan said in a quiet voice. He looked guilty and his friends exchanged concerned looks. Tori bit her lips, but nodded and stepped to the side.
Ewan began to walk down the stairs. The others continued to peer through the slats while Tori stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed over her chest and brows knit. Even if both Piers and Axton were downstairs to shield Ewan, Ewan was her friend. She would sweep down if needed.
You! Fabians voice filled the room and Tori could hear him stomping forward as Ewan reached the bottom of the stairs. You hit !
Im sorry. Ewan imdiately lowered his head as he stopped. It was an accident.
An accident? Fabian growled. You think this was an accident? He reached up and tore the bandage off his face. Upstairs, the group watching seed to barely hold back their gasps and grimaces as a bruise had begun to form on Fabians face and his forrly straight nose was knocked a little to the right. It didnt ss up his face too much, but with the bruise and remnants of dried blood, it was not a pretty sight.
Ewan had not lifted his head.
I had been training so much recently and my body moved before I could stop it. I wasnt thinking, Ewan said. If you wish to report , I will accept the punishnt.
Good! Gideon said. Be prepared for tomorrow! Were going to report you tonight and once-
We will request that an investigation be made, as from what it sounds like, there were nurous people involved and it beca violent, resulting in injuries, Piers said. He turned around in his seat.
What do you an? Gideon looked at him, confused.
If a simple review session devolved into chaos and involved as many students as you say, then this should be investigated by the school. Not only to find out who started it, but to find all parties involved. Anyone who was involved in instigating this should be held accountable, Piers said.
Fabian nodded. I agree.
Ewan, Axton said, looking towards his pupil. We will need to work on your temperant. In a non-combat situation, excessive force is hardly ever necessary. Whats more, you were around students. Ewan seed to lower his head even more and nodded. They are non-combatants. They dont have the training you do. You should have been able to control yourself. No raising your voice. No hitting. No shoving.
Piers nodded in agreent. Anyone who was involved in any show of force, or participated in aggravating the other students, should be held accountable for tonight.
Fabian tensed. While Gideon continued to nod, agreeing with his brother, Dimitri and Alessa looked towards Fabian with wide eyes.
The corner of Toris lips curled up. Fabian had yelled and shoved other students. If an investigation was made, certainly other students would report his actions, which would inevitably reach the ears of his employers: the imperial couple. It could be enough to get him kicked out of his position.
It sounds as if it really was an accident! Alessa spoke up and threw a hopeful smile at Piers. Mr. Connor does seem as if he didnt an to and everyone was in an unfortunate position when it happened.
And everything did happen so fast, Dimitri said. Alessa nodded enthusiastically.
Fabian clenched his hands at his side and Tori waited to see what he would respond with. What was more important: his position or his pride?
If it was an accident, then there is no need. His voice shook a bit as he spoke.
Im sure it wasnt done in malice, Alessa said, looking towards Ewan.
Ewan still hadnt looked up. Im sorry for hitting you, Sir von Dorn.
Fabian swallowed hard. Try to control yourself better next ti.
Gideon looked at the other three, confused. He leaned towards Fabian as Fabian turned around and began to walk back to the door. Whats going on? Why are you just letting him go?
Its fine. After all, Mr. Connor is a fellow student.
The bell rang again, signaling that they had left. The door closed and Ewan turned to Axton.
Im sorry, Master.
Just be more careful next ti, Axton said with a casual wave of dismissal. I ant what I said about non-combatants. Youre usually much more careful than this.
Tori walked down the stairs. She knew that, as well. Ewan was a favorite of the children at the delta. If they could find him when he wasnt training, hed play with them. He was very patient and said it was because he always played with and took care of his siblings children. Ewan never exerted more force than necessary when he was playing with them.
Piers, Axton, thank you for your help, Tori said.
Does this an that an investigation wont happen? Ilyana asked, following her.
I am sorry, Lady Agafonova, Piers said. But not this ti. However, I will still let my parents know that Fabian was involved in the aggravation that led to the chaos of your review session.
JP let out a heavy sigh. Lets finish our drinks and head back to the dorm. Im suddenly very tired. The group returned to their seats and Ewan took back his bowl of ice water. Axton inspected his hand once more before the lot of them headed back to Lyce.
As they walked down the empty alley, Tori heard Henrik talking to Ewan behind her.
Tell the truth, Henrik said, calmly. Was it really an accident?
Ewan didnt answer imdiately. He seed to pause for a mont. He shouldnt have pointed a sword at my friends face.
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