Ashton and Jamil's mouth hung open, and their hearts pounded heavily in their chests. Ashton was the most shocked of both boys, he felt dazed, his mind whirling as he tried to comprehend where he had just heard he had been brought to.
It was like a dream come true, a gift from the universe, and he felt an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude. He could hardly believe it was real.
The giant gates closed behind them and everyone was ordered to step out of the car. Ashton would have wanted to be the first to set foot on the sacred grounds of the academy, but Jamil was the one seated by the door side so, his chances got sliced. He knew he would be damned if he tried to get down from the other door where a policeman sat and would be damned if he tried to get off from Jamil's side.
'Whatever!'
He gave up and waited for his turn to get down from the vehicle. Waiting for them outside the vehicle were plenty of men in black cloaks. Three men, who were standing in the middle of the horizontal line, had a different colored cloak that made them distinct from the other men wearing black cloaks.
The three middle men had gray cloaks on and there were silver rings that adored each of their fingers except one who had gold rings on each of his fingers. They seemed to be the leader and sub leaders of the small army and the ring seemed to distinct their positions.
The commanding police officer who had by now introduced himself as 'Ercan' broke the distressing silence that followed.
"Ahem!…" he started off by clearing his throat. "Boys, pay your respect to the mages."
Ashton and Jamil looked at each other in surprise not knowing how to pay their respects. Ashton was the first to shoot his shot. He slid his hands into his pockets like an arrogant rat and said.
"Hello there, supreme Mages. How is the night going for ya?"
He had thought he would at least lift the dampening mood by throwing some informal hood greetings but silence encompassed them again. Everyone had their eyes fixated on Ashton and the more their eyes bore into him, the more he felt stupid.
No one dared break the silence. The only sounds that were heard were that of a lone wolf howling in the mountains and Ashton's feet scratching on the floor.
Jamil hesitated to break the deafening silence, but he had to save Ashton from the disgrace he was bringing himself into. Jamil stepped forward a bit, throwing his hands into the air like he was trying to hail the Mages in a hood manner. He knelt down and offered a big bow to them all.
As he did that, waiting for a response, one of the Mages in gray cloak nodded his head frantically and said;
"Arise child, you have passed the informal test without getting lectured on it."
"Pttf!"
Ashton let out a small scoff as he heard those pronouncements. Jamil gave himself a satisfactory smile and stood up to his feet.
The Mage with the gold rings turned at the police officers. "You shall spend the night at the visitors pavilion. The night is long drawn and you cannot return into the city for you might be endangered."
Officer Ercan smiled at the gesture and said. "I thank your grace for being benevolent to us." He started, his voice soft. "We shall retreat back to the city by dawn."
The Mage with the gold rings turned and the silver Mages followed him. The Mages in black cloaks did not turn around to walk away, but they stood still in the position they had been ever since their arrival.
Ashton's eyes darted impatiently at Ercan…seeking for an answer to a question he had not voiced at yet. Ercan seemed to have read Ashton's mind and he said to him;
"What are you waiting for? Go after them, son. Go!"
For a splitting moment, Ashton felt like he had known Ercan for years, like he was his father sending him off into the royal troupe. Though they had only met that morning, it felt strange leaving the company of Ercan. Ashton shrugged at himself and walked back towards Ercan.
"Thank you for bringing me here." Ashton said, with an arrogant expression just to severe the emotions he was feeling.
Ercan gave him a small smile and gave Ashton a pat on the shoulder. "May the heaven be with you Ashton. I hope you do not cause trouble here like you always do in the streets." Ercan warned, his voice laced with concern.
"I did not know petty theft files go to your table." Ashton chuckled.
"Your name always stands out on the report transcript." Ercan replied, his voice firm. He continued. "Be good…son."
Ashton nodded and then a question he had always had in his mind ever since his encounter with Ercan swerved into his mind. Without much hesitation, he decided to ask since he might not be seeing him again after that night.
"Why do you keep calling me son?" Ashton finally asked, a shy smile playing on his lips.
Ercan's fast reply instincts failed him and he thought to himself for a few seconds before finally giving Ashton a definite reply.
"You know Ashton, I once had a son. He should be your age by now." Ercan gave a solid reply, trying to hide the pain that was etching on his face behind a smile.
"And…what happened to him? Where is he now?" Ashton asked again, his voice laced with genuine concern.
Ercan's faint smile faltered off his face. "It's what you are thinking son," he shook his head dejectedly. "Willy is probably dead by now. He was taken away from me by the mutants when he was younger. His eyes are like yours…you see."
Ashton was left speechless. No right words seem to come into his mind at that moment. He just stood there, staring at Ercan. He had wanted to mumble a 'sorry' but it does seem right.
Ercan braced himself again finally and told Ashton to go on with the Mages. Ashton shot his hand out for a handshake and Ercan couldn't help but laugh a bit at Ashton's gesture. He was just a child trying to console an adult.
Ercan shook his hand and gave the back of his hand a small pat.
"Take good care of yourself. Watch out for Jamil too."
And with that, Ashton turned, walking further away from Ercan and the other policemen. Jamil placed his hand around Ashton's shoulder as they walked in front of the Mages in black cloaks.
Ashton's mind was disturbed greatly. He felt pain stricken about the evil the mutants who had invaded their world was causing them. First he had thought the invasion had always been cruel to him and Jamil the most, and now, his perspective had changed. He wondered how many other people had suffered a loss due to this uncalled invasion? Why did this evil befall them? Why were they tempted by this evil? What wrong had they done to live in this damned dispensation?