Jayhaven Chronicles

The next day, Rapid couldn’t seem to focus. “Why do you keep staring into the wild blue yonder? We’re supposed to be studying.”

Rapid blinked, and his gaze focused on Sedge, who had a teasing smirk on her face. “Huh? Oh, sorry.”

The book in front of him was 101 Greatest Escapes, it’s pages full of nonstop action and new, interesting moves. “Is it weird that I’m actually enjoying reading this?” He asked Sedge. “When I’m not lost in the ‘wild blue yonder.’”

She turned her page. “Not at all. I’m glad they have books that actually encourage us to study, and not make us fall asleep.”

Rapid looked back down at his copy. “It says here that when you perform Aerial Offence, you need to keep your front paws extended as you flip. That makes no sense.”

“I guess so no one can get near you. Beats me.” Sedge responded.

When class was dismissed, Claw came over to Rapid’s desk and whisked his tail. “Follow me.” He called.

“Just me?”

“Look at my eyes, boy. Are they on you?”

Rapid nodded, feeling silly. “Yes, of course.”

Claw began to lead him down the dim hallways, twilight casting shadows on the stone ground.

“Not to sound rude, but, you sound less official in private.” Really? Why do I keep making such weird remarks?

Claw laughed, but it caught in his throat as he wheezed a few times. “Sorry. Is sounding less official a bad thing?”

Rapid shook his head.

“Well, boy, I’ve been needing to talk to you since you joined. I don’t give this chat to everyone, so be grateful.”

“Okay.”

“Well, while the Battler guild may be the “strongest”, it’s also probably the most corrupt.”

Rapid tilted his head. Corrupt?

Claw clearly sensed his puzzlement. “It’s politics, son.” Then he leaned in close, and Rapid could smell the rankness of sickness on his breath. “Are you okay?” Rapid blurted. “Because, I mean, you’ve been coughing a lot lately.”

Claw laughed heartily. “Son, in all my years I’ve never been sick. Been around camps full o’ sick cats, didn’t get a cold. I ain’t gonna start now.

Rapid nodded. “Alright.” Of course Claw isn’t sick. Why would I worry?

“Now look. You’ve just become a Battler and you’re a bit proud, but don’t go associating with any shady older Battlers, alright?”

Rapid nodded, unease rippling in his pelt. “Alright.”

Claw stood back up to full height. “I made a lot of mistakes in my youth that I’m not going to let befall you and your friends.”

“But why are you telling this to just me?” Rapid shifted his blue-gray paws in discomfort.

Claw opened his mouth to reply, but then seemed to second guess himself and looked away. “There’s just a lot of things you don’t know, kid.” And with that he stalked away.

Rapid was left in the moonlight, staring after his teacher. I don’t know what’s worse, a sick teacher, or a crazy one.