BK1 Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Eight

The Lieutenant left us standing before the doors of the Trainee quarters. We saluted his departure, all of us eager to explore our new residence.

"First come, first serve!" A noble exclaimed, running towards the doors in haste the moment the Lieutenant left our view. The action ignited a flurry amongst the trainees as they suddenly all rushed after the man scrambling to be first into the tall building.

I held back, avoiding the stampede as the commoners joined in, eager to secure a room for themselves. The chaotic scramble reminded me of the hustle and bustle I had witnessed in the market of the city streets. A mix of amusement and disbelief at the sight of the trainees scrambling to secure a room as if it would determine their fate was somewhat comical. However, I understood the underlying desire for comfort.

"Didn't the Lieutenant say they were all the same?" Teresa questioned, her voice tinged with both confusion and amusement as she stood with me wide-eyed at the commotion.

I nodded in agreement, a wry smile forming on my lips. "Yes, indeed. But no noble wants to beat out of the 'better' room."

Garret, fuelled by the excitement in the air, plunged head-first into the crowd, eagerly trying to push his way through the bodies vying for entry into the Trainee quarters. The double doorway was not large enough to accommodate everyone at once, resulting in shoving and pushing among the crowd.

Harold, on the other hand, chose to wait out the initial wave with us, maintaining his calm demeanour. He raised an eyebrow at Garret's enthusiasm and shook his head disappointedly.

"I will be happy with any room", he voiced.

Rian, joining our small group, crossed her arms and let out a disapproving tut as she watched the scene unfold. "You would think they were worried about ending up in a barn instead of a room. It's just temporary until will pass evaluations."

Teresa scrunched her face thoughtfully. "Right, the Lieutenant did say we would only stay here until then, huh? I wonder where we will live once we pass?"

Rian leaned in and shared her knowledge. "Most nobles have townhouses here in the Capital for the social season. The majority of them will reside in those estates."

Teresa's expression tightened with a hint of concern. "So, what about those of us who don't have fancy townhouses?"

Rian shrugged. "I imagine you will be given lodging here in the keep or have the opportunity to earn enough to buy your own place. There are various ways to secure permanent residences outside of the nobles' domain."

Teresa's shoulders sagged as she let out a moan. "Why does everything cost money."

I smiled as she pouted. "Don't worry, Teresa, I won't let you suffer", I nudged her shoulder encouragingly. "We can find somewhere together."

"You won't stay in your family estate?" Harold asked, surprised. Rian shared a similar expression as she waited for my response.

My lips twitched at their gaze. "Probably not; I don't want to rely on my family's support forever". I did not want to depend on Roger Heversham's wealth; if I am to succeed in this life, the least I need to do is be able to survive without his aid. I also in no way wanted to stay in a house with my brothers for company. That wasn't happening if I could help it.

"A noble pledge" Harold nodded, happy with my statement. "I wish you luck when the time comes."

"Thank you, Harold", I replied, appreciating his support. It may not be my true reasoning for wanting a place of my own. But he didn't need to know that.

Rian, still wearing a curious expression, chimed in, "It's admirable that you want to be independent. Many nobles cling to their family estates and wealth, but you have a different perspective."

I nodded, understanding her point, even if my choice was spurred by my desire to avoid Eduard and Callan. "I guess so. I want to prove that I can succeed based on my own merits and hard work. Besides, living in the keep or finding a place of my own will give me a chance to do just that."

Teresa's pout transformed into a small smile as she looked at me. "You always have a way of making things exciting, even when it comes to finding a place to live."

"I wouldn't have it any other way" I grinned as the crowd at the doorway thinned, and the commotion around us began to settle.

"Looks like the frenzy has dispersed, shall we?" Rian waved her hand towards the doors with a small smile, and we all nodded and followed her towards the Trainee quarters.

The doors opened smoothly inwards into a spacious foyer. We stepped inside, taking in the sight of the well-designed architecture and the sense of space that enveloped the area. Sets of armchairs and settees were nestled in the centre of the room, beckoning us to rest.

Our attention was drawn to the staircase that spiralled upward, leading to the upper floors of the building. The balcony-like floors that clung to the walls provided a glimpse of the rooms on each level. As we looked up, we could see the towering roof above, giving the impression of a fortress within the keep.

The walls of the building were lined with closed doors, each bearing a painted number. Some doors had keys hanging from their locks, while others remained empty.

"I guess the ones with keys are still available?" Rian noted, observing the space.

She reached for one of the doors on the bottom floor, turned the key and pushed it open. The room beyond revealed a simple yet comfortable space furnished with a bed, a desk, and a small wardrobe. We gathered inside to check it out and found behind a partition a metal bathtub with strange cross-like stubs on one side.

"Looks like we have our pick," Harold remarked, noticing my curiosity about the bathtub. "I believe those are used to provide water Lady Heversham. They are called 'taps'," he said, placing a hand on one of the crosses and turning it. A spluttering noise gurgled as the metal groaned and water rushed out of the spout into the bathtub.

I stepped back instinctually, staring at the freshwater before Harold turned it off again.

"Water just like that!?" Teresa exclaimed, dipping her hand into the little water at the bottom of the tub.

"Yes. It is powered by Summoners here in the Capital. They have remarkable inventions here that have not yet reached the outer cities." Harold's calm facade broke for a moment as his lips edged into a smile at Teresa's enthusiasm.

"Oh my gosh, we can take a bath!" Teresa jumped up in glee.

We all laughed at Teresa's excitement, sharing in her joy. After days of travel and the chaos of the last few hours, the thought of a warm bath was incredibly appealing.

Rian nodded a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Indeed, we can. I think we all deserve it after everything we've been through."

"Choose whichever room suits you best" Harold nodded approvingly. "I think I will take this one if that is agreeable?"

"Fine with me! Let's explore the rest!" Teresa grabbed my hand, and then Rian's pulled us out of the room as she urgently wanted to find her own room.

Rian and I exchanged a look as we were tugged along and smiled.

With newfound energy, we quickly explored the other available rooms on the ground floor. Each room was similar in layout, providing a comfortable bed, a desk, and a small wardrobe. Some even had a window overlooking the training grounds, allowing a glimpse of the ongoing activities.

As we ascended the stairs, we continued to check the rooms on each floor, finding them all to be in good condition. The higher we climbed, the more breathtaking the view became from the small windows, offering a panoramic vista of the surrounding keep. Some, however, only had a view of stone reaching far into the sky. The Training quarters were situated against the walls of the Capital, it seemed. The majority of rooms left had such a view.

Finally, we reached the top floor; the floor here was wider than the previous floors allowing for a small common area. Large windows in the hallway allowed ample sunlight to fill the space, and comfortable seating arrangements were scattered around, inviting us to relax and enjoy the view.

"This is amazing," I exclaimed, taking in the sight before me. "I never imagined we would have such comfortable quarters during our training."

Rian nodded in agreement. "It's a pleasant surprise, indeed. I suppose they want to ensure we're well-rested and ready for our rigorous training sessions."

Teresa stretched her arms above her head, letting out a satisfied sigh. "I could get used to this. It's quite luxurious compared to what I'm used to back home."

Teresa beamed as she plopped down onto one of the plush chairs. "I feel like a proper noble already!"

We all joined her in laughter, basking in the momentary respite from the demands of our new lives as trainees.

In the end, Teresa seemed drawn to a room on the top floor with a window overlooking the pathway towards the building, allowing natural light to fill the space. Rian, on the other hand, preferred a room closer to the common area on the first floor, as she enjoyed the company of others during her downtime.

As for me, I chose a room on the second floor, near the staircase. It provided easy access to both the upper and lower levels and gave me a sense of proximity for a quick escape if I needed it. I didn't think I would, but knowing it was an option made me feel safer.

With our decisions made, we settled into our respective rooms.

I closed the door behind me of my chosen room, dropping my backpack onto the floor. This room was a little smaller than the rest, the window had a view of the city wall, and the bedpost had a notch in it as though it had been punched. But I didn't mind. It wasn't as large as my old room at the Heversham estate, but it was clean and suited me fine enough. The burnt orange bed covers were soft against my skin as I lay on the mattress and looked up at the ceiling.

"I made it, Vishka," I spoke to nothing, holding my hand above my face and gazing at the red tattoo that now laced my hand. "Now, I have to make sure I stay alive."