In Her Element

Three Years Earlier…

Frederick and Matthew strolled along the water, cloaks twirling around them, tangling behind them until they moved a few steps apart.

“I am so very glad you were allowed to come, Frederick,” Matthew said. “It is good to have someone to pass time with other than my sister.”

“Me as well—I am glad to be here. Thank you for offering, otherwise I would still be there,” Frederick replied, making a face. “Truth be told, I was actually very shocked that I was given leave.”

Matthew gave him sidelong glance. “You never told me what that place is all about.”

Frederick stopped. “It is a place for special people.” He gave a short burst of forced laughter.

He breathed deeply as he shook his head and sighed, “The truth is, I don’t know.”

Matthew opened his mouth, but Frederick shook his head again and resumed walking.

“No. Let me say this. I have never told anyone before.

“I was six years of age, and my mother was with a child. We lived on the outskirts of the village with a few others in hopes of expanding it, which was odd, since many of the people who attempted to join were sent away. At the same time, we were enjoying the privacy. We had little to live on, but we had everything we needed. I don’t know how, or if any of the others also did. I still do not know.

“A fire was always lit. In the winter the air was warm, and in the summer, it was cool. The water too, was always the perfect temperature, and we always had enough for bathing. The trees and plants outside grew perfect fruits and vegetables.

“If I asked about it, my parents would become all nervous and I learned to just keep quiet and appreciate what we had, even at the young age that I was. I got used to it and I was not going to complain about our good fortune.”

Frederick stopped walking again and closed his eyes. Matthew stood there, waiting patiently.

“Then,” Frederick swallowed, “They came. They came and destroyed everything.

“It started with occasional visits. All children were sent inside as the parents conferred. Then it became frequent, almost daily.

“Apparently the visitors did not get what they wanted, because one day they killed out everyone, besides for the youngest of us, those of us that had not yet become of age.”

Frederick’s blue eyes darkened and flashed with anger at the memory.

“Father, Mother, and the unborn baby. All friends and relatives, kith and kin; and there was no way to escape. They quickly brought all the rest of us together. We were given the night to rest up and gather possessions, and at the first morning light we were sent to the school, this coven—cult almost, the way some idolized….

“I do not know what happened to the girls, but the boys—we were fed, clothed, and basically taken care of.”

“So how was this bad?”

A small smile flitted across Frederick’s face. “But we were watched. At all times. As good as they were to us, there was always this sense of trepidation.”

“I watched as the boys I grew up with and knew really well would disappear into the Master’s office. Some of them we never saw again. Those who came out were changed. They would not talk to the others anymore and they would not take us anywhere with them. They were allowed to go places we were not. They would constantly disappear into the Master’s rooms, sometimes for hours, other times for days or weeks.”

Frederick fiddled with the lace on the throw pillow. He and Matthew now sat in Frederick’s room by the window seat, as he continued his story. Matt was enthralled and had insisted that Frederick continue after dinner.

“I myself was called in many times. The Master asked questions—how I was feeling, if anything unusual happened—and he was always disappointed with my answer: no.

“One day, a group of my friends—that had been my friends, in any case—cornered me. They asked if I thought I was more special than them. They asked if I was playing games. I never understood….”

A curtain fluttered from a cold breeze, and Frederick hugged his knees tight and rubbed his arms.

“It happened repeatedly, and I always felt strange after. I finally went to the Master to ask if I could leave, but it felt awkward to say why, and he said no.

“Then, somehow, word came that I might be able to stay here. I’m not entirely sure how your family is connected in all this. All I know is that suddenly, the Master was eager. So eager, that he sent me as soon as we received note of your mother’s consent.

“Of course, I was suspicious at his willingness, but I was too happy to question.” A thoughtful expression fell over his face as he said this.

“He called me in before I left and told me to pay attention to my surroundings, which the most unusual part.”

Matt looked up from the loose thread he was playing with. “Why would he care what the scenery here looked like?”

“Because I don’t think it was the landscape he cared about,” Frederick replied. “Maybe there is something here that is of importance.” Matthew shook his head and Frederick shrugged. “Who knows? Regardless, that is the story of how I got here.”

The Master glared down at the young boy in front of him, grinning in his mind as the boy shifted uneasily. The boy looked up, foolishly. No one dare look him in the eye, and the Master was not about to change this now. Upon meeting the boy’s eyes, the Master stared at him until the boy understood to look down again.

“Sir?” the boy was scared, tense, yet unwilling to back down. The Master admired this and found it funny too; like this little thing could stand up to him.

“Your impertinence is showing more often than not, my son. Your professors have been complaining to me.”

“They have been insulting my friends,” the boy replied simply. And the Master appreciated this ability for him to do so. It was another trait that might come in handy in saving his own life.

“And yourself, boy?”

“I care not. It is for my fellows that I worry. The professors can be hurtful. The others look to me to defend them, and I will not let them down.” He stood straight in defiance, once again meeting the Master’s gaze, daring him to say he was wrong. This time he held it.

The Master turned his back to the boy and clasped his hands together. This lad cared for others, a weakness. But this could be used to advantage as well. He would help the boy to gain his trust and alliance. The boy’s persistence would be useful.

He faced the boy again. “I do understand; yet it is not your place to talk as such to your elders. They answer to me, not you. I will take care of it, and for your impudence, Samuel, you have kitchen duty for three days. And I may have an errand for you in the future.”

The boy’s shoulders relaxed with relief. Kitchen duty wasn’t bad; it could have been much, much worse. The Master was not known for being lenient; some of his punishments were legendary. And an errand for the Master meant he was basically forgiven. Besides, who didn’t relish the chance to leave the school for a bit. “Yes, Master.”

The Master inclined his head slightly. “Go. And be on your guard. The next time, the ruling might not bend in your favor.”

The door shut behind the boy.