I had actually put faith in Jerry. I felt extremely foolish.
The twins were sobbing. Mainly because I had agreed to teach them Vikari and was leaving before the first lesson. They were still happy for me though.
"Why aren't you jealous?"
They looked at me funny. And like true twins, they asked in one voice.
"Why jealous?"
"You're not interested in going to Fyler institute?"
"Nope," Dia answered first. "Not in the least."
"So, we're members of the Fuikasha society. That's where we're headed," Pratt followed.
Looking at my confusion, Dia explained.
"We specialise in pictorial runes. Nashi is mine. Vyaraishi is Pratt's. Fuikashi society specialises in pictorial runes. Fyler is more elemental and descriptive. The perfect fit for you. We'll be rivals when we graduate."
"So, you better be ready," Pratt teased.
"Sure," I agreed. "I can teach you Vikari. You can teach me pictorial. It'll be great."
"Aw, how sweet. This is what the future should be like. Friends and rivals."
Jerry wore a distasteful expression of a senior looking at disciples growing up. The twins smiled appreciatively. I gave him the stinky eye. He shrugged unaffected.
It was late. I had to leave early. So, we went down, to eat and sleep. Jerry woke me in the morning. The twins were still sleeping.
"I'll tell them bye for you," Jerry said, showing me out.
It was a four hour drive between Gawkers academy and Fyler institute.
"I've arranged for a car. It's a boring drive. You can finish sleeping. Catarina will meet you there. Don't be flustered. You'll be the youngest by a few years. But you'll be fine. Catarina's a nice woman. She'll take care of you."
And that was it. He sent me off.
How could I have expected more from him.
I was sleepy. I believed that the drive would be boring. I wasn't one to appreciate the country. Making myself comfortable, I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
I opened my eyes to a wrinkled but pretty face that was smiling warmly.
"Dean?" She asked in a melodious voice.
"Yeah," I nodded. "Catarina?"
"That's me," she answered, smiling wider.
She stepped back, spread her hands. Showing all of herself.
"I'm old, but I'm still very pretty, aren't I?"
I nodded. She was definitely pretty. And it wasn't the kind of pretty that made one wonder how much prettier she would have been younger. Rather, it was the kind of pretty that continued to grow with age. A kind of majestic pretty.
"I'm also very strong," she added, not bothering to explain why that mattered. "Where's Jerry?"
"Didn't come," I answered flatly.
"The idiot sent a fifteen year old all alone?" She was surprised. And angry. "He needs straightening."
I nodded. Jerry was definitely an idiot. I liked Catarina already.
"Let's show you to your dorm," she said.
She took my bag with one hand, held my hand with the other. And walked onward.
"Most everyone should be in class or lab. Studying. Nisha's my protege. I'll have her show you around later in the evening."
It wasn't a long walk.
"It's not like at your academy, here. Students have their own dorms. You are a special case, so you'll be staying with me. I insisted on it. Nisha has her dorm, but she practically lives with me too. We're always working, so it's easier like that."
The entire institute was as large as the department of history at Gawkers academy. A complete tour would take a couple of hours at most. The professors' cottages were by the lake. The perfect environment for study and research. Catarina's cottage was near the back, close to the lake.
"I like water," she explained.
The cottage was much more conventional than Jerry's villa. There was a large living room, a small open kitchen and two bedrooms with a bathroom each.
"Nisha likes her privacy, so she needs a room. You and I will share the other."
I was fine with that. She was pleased.
"Let's wait for Nisha before we start talking runes," she said, as we rested by the lakeside with mugs of steaming cocoa.
"Until then?" I asked.
"Until then, we can trash Jerry."
I loved the idea. Must have shown on my face, because she burst out laughing.
"Hate him that much. But why?"
"He ruined my dream."
"To be average?"
I nodded.
"Then the hate extends to me as well? I'm keeping you too."
"No. Jerry sent me here. It's his fault."
"Thank you. I don't like being hated. Especially on account of destroying dreams."
"You're nice. I like you."
"Because I'm pretty?"
"Yeah. And because you called Jerry an idiot, which he is. And because you have a warm glow."
"Do you know the story of Vhinn?"
I shook my head. She smiled before starting.
"It is from the Ishlayi. Far out on the grasslands, there was a goat herder. A boy no older than fifteen. He was always happy. Mercenaries passing through would get him playthings from far away lands, expecting nothing in return. Knights brought him stories from the capital. Merchants brought him the strangest things to eat. One day, a passing god saw the boy friendly with everyone and became curious. He went to the boy, to say hello. The boy stared at him in confusion for a while, before realisation dawned and he went down to his knees bowing to the god. It was the god's turn to be confused before realisation dawned. The boy's eyes could see past the physical body, at the soul. The one being seen felt like he lay completely open to the boy, felt blessed. The god felt the same too. It was in that moment, seeing the god's soul, that the boy truly awakened. He grew to be the greatest seer. His name was Vhinn, and he became a pillar of Ishlayi."
She paused at the end of the story. I loved her even more. There was no greater joy than one such a story gave. I decided I would learn Ishlayi, even if only to learn all about Vhinn. And I would learn from Catarina.
"I think you're like Vhinn," she said after a while.
I was surprised for a minute, and then burst out laughing.
"I'm too young," I said.
And she laughed too.