Jodiah

Jodiah headed toward the Senior berthing; according to the directions it was the next hall, and Kryst’s door was the second on the left. He didn’t know why he was so nervous; he was shaking and now he wished he had time to go to his quarters and clean up, but he was here. He passed the first door with out so much as giving it a glance, his attention was focused on the second door. There was the placard with Kryst’s name: Sr. 1st Class Kryst Tavyl. Just below it was a security pad, and like all security pads, it had a visitor button. Jodiah pressed it. He didn’t have to wait long before the door opened, only it wasn’t Kryst who opened the door.

“Um, I need to speak with Senior First, please,” Jodiah stated softly.

“For what purpose?”

Jodiah’s face screwed up; he didn’t want to explain himself to this person. “I take it the question of his Junior has been settled then.”

“Yes, it has,” Alod told Jodiah a little smugly.

Jodiah sighed and ran his hand through his close cropped curls.

“Look, I just need to apologize to him for standing him up tonight. I don’t understand this Senior – Junior business, but from what I’m picking up from everyone it’s a really big deal, so I won’t get in the middle of what ever is going on, ok?”

Alod nodded and opened the door further. “He’s in his bedroom, come along, I’ll show you.” They stepped into an office and Alod pulled the door closed behind them. Jodiah then followed the other young man whom he assumed was Kryst’s Junior through another pair of doors with out benefit of a light. When Jodiah passed through the third door since entering the quarters he found himself in a nice sized living space with several well worn but serviceable pieces of furniture and a wall unit with enough electronics to make Ian envious.

Immediately to his right was a dining area and further on beyond that was a well equipped kitchen. This was an apartment not unlike the one his mother and father used to have, not a berthing area.

They then crossed the living space to the far side where there were two doors. Alod did not even pause before opening the door to the right. “Kryst, you have a visitor.”

“Tell them to go away,” came the muffled cry.

“Tell him yourself, he’s right here.” Alod pushed Jodiah into the room and shut the door behind him.

Jodiah saw Kryst sprawled across a very large bed wearing only his uniform pants. He caught a glimpse of a tattoo straight out of ancient mythology – a phoenix rising – that covered most of Kryst’s back before he turned to face him, and he understood its implications immediately.

“Alod should know better than this,” he grumbled as he reached for his shirt.

“It’s beautiful.” Jodiah said.

Kryst looked up at him and did not put on his shirt. “Do you really think so?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not afraid?”

“Why should I be afraid? You haven’t changed have you?”

“No.”

“Then…” Jodiah sat on the edge of the bed, “what do I have to fear from a prince of a house that no longer exists?”

“We exist, in exile, but we exist.” Kryst bit the words.

“Yes, you do.” Jodiah smiled and reached out to touch the tattoo.

Kryst sighed.

“The Provost told me to give you a message.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, he said, ‘He’s already begun spin control’.”

Kryst laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“The Provost using you to deliver that message. Ah, Jodiah, we have so much to talk about tonight. Alod isn’t my Junior, he is Senior Second Class, but he’s been acting like my Junior, trying to fill two roles and it’s been difficult on him. The selection committee and I finally came to an agreement today at lunch over my Junior. Only now, I don’t know how to broach the subject with him.”

“Is there some sort of complication?”

“Well, yes and no. Juniors are typically asked to serve, but in this case, there is no other alternative due to some unusual circumstances. So, he was appointed without his knowledge and I have to break the news to him.”

“I have to admit I really don’t understand this Senior-Junior business; back home each Discipline had their own way of dealing with the ranks and there were so few Linguists that just our ranks were enough.”

“Well, mainly my Junior will become my aide, assisting me with my duties. He will live here with me, and help me keep tabs on the Plebes.” “That doesn’t sound too hard.” Jodiah said.

Kryst smiled softly, “He will be my rock in this sea of madness we call life. My right hand, my best friend, and stand by my side against all foes. He will join his life to mine for as long as he is my Junior, living in my quarters, sharing my meals…” Kryst let the rest drop off.

Jodiah blushed. “That is a lot to ask of someone.”

“It is a lot to ask, and more to demand, ” Kryst told him. “Which is why I’ve been having such a difficult time.”

“Yes, I can see your dilemma.”

“How would you feel if…”

“If I were to be your Junior?”

Kryst nodded.

“Flattered, but I’m not sure it would be the best thing.”

“Why?”

“I’m a Third Class, isn’t your Junior supposed to be a Second Class?”

“Irrelevant. Tell me how you feel…”

Jodiah blushed. “My family wouldn’t understand. They would say I was making waves. Ian would make it very difficult for me.” He looked at Kryst, “but given the opportunity I would accept your offer.”

“Why?”

“Because you are my friend.”

“No other reason?”

“Do I need any other?”

Kryst shook his head, “No, no you don’t. Thank you.” He reached over and hugged Jodiah burying his face in his Junior’s neck. “Thank you so much.”

Jodiah held Kryst for a while, stroking his back. “I didn’t do anything, Kryst, why are you thanking me?”

Kryst pulled back, looked Jodiah in the eye, and then he took a deep breath. “Third Class Jodiah Dalton, you have been appointed my Junior.”

“There isn’t someone else better qualified?”

“There isn’t.” Kryst said gently. “I’ve been through this with the selection committee so many times I’m sick of it.”

“So you settled for me?”

“No, I fought for you.” Kryst smiled.

“Why?”

“It takes quite a bit of courage to cross train, and even more audacity to stand up to the Provost. I liked the way you handled the Plebes. Nostina said she could find nothing wrong with you when we talked this afternoon after your meeting.” Kryst shrugged. “I was given a very short list of candidates. If I picked any of the others, Alod would have been replaced by Ian, and then Taban would have been gone too.”

“Why Taban?”

“A Junior rarely stays longer than his or her Senior unless they move up in position. That would have been three changes to the inner circle, and that would have been a lot to take at once. So, I asked for you. We’ve been discussing it for weeks.” Kryst smirked.

“What settled it?”

“The inner circle showed up at the Provost’s office and all submitted our resignations if this matter wasn’t resolved today.”

“And they let you do that?”

“Let isn’t the word,” Kryst laughed, “You should have seen his face. He didn’t think we were serious until we inquired of the Steward about our new berthing assignments today just before lunch.”

“So what did the Provost mean about spin control?”

“Tomorrow you are going to catch hell. The Second Classes have been speculating on who it will be for weeks, and I can tell you they won’t like it. However, the Provost is prepared for a formal protest,” Kryst stated bluntly.

“We discussed it today.”

“What can I expect?” Jodiah asked.

“When the Second Classes discover that the Junior that should have been pulled from their ranks was not, there will be protesting that can take just about any shape or form. We don’t expect it to get physical, but it might get personal, very personal.”

“Tell me.”

Kryst sighed. “His name was Pieter. He was my last Junior… we were very close. Maybe too close, I don’t know, but one night after exams, we were celebrating and both of us had too much to drink. I don’t remember what happened. There were claims, but no medical proof. Pieter’s family was convinced it was better to leave, then your family came.”

“So people may say things about you and I that refer back to you and Pieter.”

Kryst nodded.

“Well, they say that scandal follows every prince.” Jodiah teased, “If that’s all you have to worry about then I wouldn’t worry about it too much if I were you.”

Kryst smiled. “Thank you.”

“So how do we go about doing this?”

“Let me put on my shirt and I’ll give you a tour. The others already moved you in.”

“When?”

“Before dinner, they thought to surprise you. I hope you don’t mind– they are good kids at heart.”

“It’s a little strange, but I don’t mind. Is my bedroom as big as this?”

“Same size.”

Jodiah looked at the bed. “It’s so big,” he said softly.

“Big enough for two comfortably,” Kryst whispered from near his ear.

“I thought you said you and Pieter never…”

“I said we didn’t remember…” Kryst stepped back from Jodiah giving him the room he needed at that moment. “Come I’ll show you your room.” He offered his hand and smiled when Jodiah took it. Then he led him through the bathroom into the other bedroom, which now held Jodiah’s belongings. “They tracked down your missing uniforms too, everything is in the closet. The things in that box were personal, they said you would want to put them away yourself.” Jodiah walked over and looked in the box. His family pictures mostly and a few mementoes from his previous world.

In the closet, his old saffron uniforms hung next to brand new slate gray uniforms with a single barred yellow patch on the left shirt pocket. On the sleeves where his rank should be there was nothing, but Jodiah didn’t let that bother him, he would be ready for testing soon enough, and when he was – he would rank up quickly.

Otherwise, his room was just like Kryst’s with the large bed taking up most the space. Additionally, there were the standard chest of drawers, a pair of nightstands, and a lamp. Some one had gone through the trouble of making the bed for him — wanting him to feel welcome, comfortable. His last berthing assignment would have all fit into this room – and this was just his bedroom.

Jodiah trembled.

“What’s the matter?”

“This is too much…” Jodiah turned, “I’ve never had so much space.”

“You’re going to need it, Jodiah. You will want to not eat in the galley all the time, and having a better place to study will help you keep up with your other studies too.” Kryst wrapped his arms around his Junior. “Everything will be fine, you will see.”

Jodiah leaned into the embrace. Kryst believed in him. It felt nice.

“I take it that Alod brought you through the rest of our quarters?”

Jodiah nodded, “But it was rather quick, he seemed in an awful hurry.”

Kryst laughed. “Yes, he would have been. Well then, let me give you the grand tour.” He guided Jodiah into the living space, only to be confronted by eight expectant faces.

“Well, since you are coming from that room and not the other one, can we assume you’ve told him?” Alod asked.

Kryst grinned wickedly at his squad, but then Jodiah nervously stepped behind him. Kryst took him by the hand and pulled him so they stood side by side. “Muster Up!” he cried out and Jodiah watched bug-eyed as they scrambled to get in some sort of order in front of Kryst.

They made two rows by four columns, the Senior Third Class stood facing Jodiah, a female Apprentice stood directly behind her, smiling. Jodiah recognized her from one of his classes. “Step forward as you are introduced.” Kryst ordered. “Senior Second Class Alod, Senior Third Class Nostina, Senior Apprentice Ral, Senior Novice Melchia, Junior Second Class Taban, Junior Third Class Eydis, Junior Apprentice Suza, Junior Novice Felad.” Each dutifully stepped forward and nodded. Kryst nodded back in turn, and then when he was finished, he turned to Jodiah with a wicked little grin. “And this is Junior First Class Jodiah Dalton.”

---

“That’s right Jodiah, stay with us now.” Kryst crooned softly as he passed off the smelling salts to one of the others. “I guess I should have told you about that part, huh?”

“Yeah,” Jodiah croaked.

“Here let him have some water.” Nostina held a glass, “Try and sit up, Jodiah, you’ll feel better for it.”

Jodiah sat up with Kryst’s help and Nostina handed him the water. He sipped it and he did feel better, but he still didn’t understand about the change in rank.

“Why did you call me Junior First?”

“It’s because you are my aide. I’m the Senior First, you are my Junior… you don’t get to wear the bars but you get the title and generally the respect and privileges that comes along with the rank.”

“You also get the duties,” the young man named Felad commented.

“And the responsibilities, don’t forget that,” Eylis added.

“But you get us as your best friends, and together we kick ass,” Alod said with a grin. The others nodded in agreement.

“Well, we were in the middle of a tour, so if you people don’t mind I’d like to show Jodiah the rest of his space.” Kryst helped Jodiah to his feet. “It shouldn’t take too long, make yourselves at home, as if you haven’t already.”

They laughed and headed toward the various pieces of furniture.

“We saved you some dinner Kryst, would you like it heated?”

Kryst turned to Jodiah, “Have you eaten?”

“Yes, with the Provost no less.”

“Ah, the first of many meals you will share no doubt.” He turned back to Alod, “I am hungry.”

“It’s good to hear my friend.”

Kryst blushed and turned back to Jodiah. “The door there in the middle is a head, toilet and sink only, and usually for guests or a quick trip if you are in your office. The door to the left leads to my study, the door to the right leads to yours. Kryst led Jodiah toward the door on the left. Again, he crossed the room in the dark and entered Kryst’s office, where Kryst did turn on the light.

“Something you don’t want me to see in your study?” Jodiah asked.

“Not really, it’s just a mess in there right now.” Kryst blushed.

“Anyway, you know what my office looks like, now let’s see what your office looks like.” He grinned and opened the door that lead to the passageway.

Kryst turned him toward the first door nearer the corner. Next to the door was a security panel, and above that was his name: Jr. First Class J. Dalton.

“Go ahead, it works.” Kryst encouraged him.

Jodiah reached for the security panel and punched his code. The door clicked open. The switch was easy to find and the light panels came on at his touch. There was nothing inside. It was an empty room about ten-by-ten square, with utilitarian carpeting, and painted walls. He took a deep breath.

“This is your office. The carpet stays but you can paint it, if you want. You can pick out your furniture tomorrow or the next day from what they have in storage, the guys thought it would be better if you got to choose.” Kryst smiled. “Open that door.”

The second door led to another room that was nearly as bare as the first. It was ‘L’ shaped, with both of its legs half again as long as the room he just left. It did contain a workbench with some apparatus and some bookshelves with some books along one wall. He ran his finger along the titles and noticed that some of them were his books from before and some were reference manuals for the classes he was currently studying. There were even some advanced language books on a shelf by themselves.

“This is your study and workroom. You can pretty much use it for what you need.” Kryst opened the other door leading from the study to the living area. “You know what this is,” he winked as he led Jodiah across the room to where the others sat watching a vid. They made room for him on the couch, while Kryst went to eat his dinner.

Suddenly Jodiah was sure this was a mistake. He had never had so many friends before, nor such a close group as this one seemed to be. He wasn’t sure how to handle the mixed emotions he was feeling, so he did the only thing he could do and sat and watched the vid. By the time a break came he had his emotions under control enough that he could speak freely.

“Thank you all for helping me get settled.”

“You are welcome, Junior First.” Felad responded for them all. “We all wish you luck tomorrow.”

“If you have need, one of us will be nearby.” Ral said. “Our Squad Leaders will be informed tomorrow morning at breakfast muster, but there is really only so much they can do.”

“I’m giving my Squad Leaders very specific orders.” Alod said. “Orders that include the types of punishments that will be handed out if the order is disobeyed, but that will not stop them all.”

“Why?” Jodiah asked.

“Because Juniors are chosen, it is often seen as a popularity contest. For Kryst to choose a Third Class as his Junior, he is basically implying that none of the Second Classes are good enough for the job. Now we all know why you were chosen, us probably more than you right now; but because of this implication, you are going to be expected to be better.”

Jodiah looked around the room. “Am I?”

“We think so,” Taban said.

“And what do you think, Alod?” Jodiah asked him bluntly, “as you are the only Second Class in the room.”

“I think the best person for the job has it.” Alod replied. “It’s good to see Kryst happy again.”

Jodiah blushed.

“It’s good to have full ranks again.” Kryst said.

---

Soon after, Jodiah and Kryst were bidding their guests good night. Jodiah then hit his books as he did every night, only now when he became stuck, he asked Kryst for clarification. He noticed that although he started much later than he normally would, he finished only a little later than normal.

“I should go to bed,” he told Kryst.

“It is rather late isn’t it, finished your homework?”

“Yes, on both accounts.”

“Good, don’t want your percentages slipping.”

Jodiah picked up his books and headed for his bedroom. “Are you coming to bed?”

“Is that an invitation?”

Jodiah blushed. “I meant… are you going to bed, too?”

“I knew what you meant. I will shortly, after this vid.”

Jodiah nodded and entered his bedroom, closing the door behind him. He sat the books on the chest then sat on the bed to look through the box and decide where to put his things. As he touched each thing he smiled with the memories it brought up. He pressed the button on the frame of his digital scrapbook and looked at the pictures. They were mostly of his family and the few friends he had before. The ones he cherished most were those of his mother and of Yule. Jodiah touched his lips in memory of Yule. His mother understood, only his mother. He turned the pictures to one of his favorites of her and placed it on the nightstand. Everything else went on the chest. He stripped out of his dirty uniform and tossed it in the corner, then headed for the bathroom. It would be nice to have a shower before bed, to help him relax. A short time later, he crawled nude and damp between fresh sheets. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

Kryst

Kryst waited until he heard the shower going before retreating to his office to place the phone calls he was required to make. The first was to the Provost, informing him Jodiah knew of his appointment and had accepted his fate. The second was to the Quartermaster to have the proper uniform markings sent up. They both congratulated him and wished the both of them luck over the transition phase. They also reminded Kryst that if they had any trouble whatsoever, all they had to do was contact them and they would take care of it if it were in their power. Kryst knew a lot was in their power. The third, and final, phone call was to the Steward to alert him of the berthing change for Junior First Class Jodiah Dalton. He knew that by making the last phone call he was alerting everyone to Jodiah’s new position. It would be changed in the computers and roster sheets by morning. His phone calls concluded, Kryst went back through their quarters and made sure everything was secure before heading to the bathroom. Jodiah had forgotten to close his door, and Kryst could not help but to peek in on him as he slept. He sprawled across the bed belly down, the sheet snarled around his hips and legs. Kryst sighed and closed the door. Why couldn’t the best candidate for his Junior have been female? Or, at least, undesirable? He could have handled the gossip and rumors of sharing living quarters with a female. The Provost would not have believed a single word of it anyway. However, Jodiah, Kryst sighed; it was going to take all his willpower to keep his hands off the Third Class.

Jodiah

Jodiah woke to the smell of frying eggs. He sat up groggily in his bed and looked around, then remembered where he was. Looking at the clock, he realized he had plenty of time, especially if he were eating here. A short time later, he walked into the kitchen dressed in one of his new uniforms. Kryst was just putting the food on the table. He was dressed in only his pants and socks, his shirt draped over the back of a spare chair with his boots under it.

“I hope you like scrambled eggs.”

“Yes, I do.” Jodiah sat down, “Thank you.”

“Do you know how to cook?”

Jodiah shook his head, as his mouth was full.

“Well, I guess that’s one of the first things you are going to have to make a quick study of then, that way we can share the cooking duties. Coffee, tea, milk, or juice?”

“Never had coffee.”

“So… milk or juice?”

“Both?”

Kryst laughed. “Ok, look, the glasses are in that cabinet, the milk and juice are both in the fridge, these are your quarters too, Jodiah.”

Jodiah blushed and stood up to get his own juice and milk. “Did you want any?” he asked Kryst.

“I drink coffee in the mornings,” he indicated the cup of dark liquid near his plate of eggs as he began to eat.

Jodiah returned to the table and they ate in silence until they were both finished, then Jodiah took the dishes to the sink and promptly washed them.

“This I do know how to do,” he said with a laugh.

“It’s good to know you’re useful for something.” Kryst laughed with him as he finished dressing. When the dishes were done and he was dressed, Kryst called him over, “Now come here and let me look at you.”

Jodiah walked over and stood in front of Kryst who smiled as he straightened Jodiah’s collar, then he pulled two pins from his pocket and pinned them to either side of his collar. They had three bars with a ‘J’ superimposed over them for his new rank. “Now you are dressed.”

“I feel odd holding three ranks.”

“You only hold one rank, Jodiah, Third Class. You are cross training, which means you will work across all the lower ranks at your own pace. The Junior First is an honor, not a true rank.”

Jodiah nodded, “I think I understand. So what is first?”

“Gather your books, you have class soon. We will make an appearance at the Squad Leader Muster, and then you are free until lunch. At lunch today, you should sit with the First Classes, let them get to know you. Then your afternoon classes and dinner is up to you. If you feel up to the galley and your family, by all means, go. If you want me there with you, just say so. If you want to have dinner here, I’m sure we can come up with something.”

They gathered their things and headed out. Kryst stopped on the way to check his mail, which was delivered to a small box in his office door. “You know, you might have mail too. You should check.”

“They wouldn’t know where to find me yet, would they?”

“Of course they would.”

Jodiah shrugged and opened his office door and checked the box, inside was a sheet of paper and an envelope. The sheet of paper was the morning roster. Kryst had received one too, but he barely glanced at it in favor of the envelope. It was his test scores. His mother had always received these in the past.

“What’s that?”

“I took my Second Class entrance exams before coming here. These should be my scores.”

“Well, open them.”

“I’ve never,” Jodiah looked at Kryst with damp eyes, “my mother always got these before, she just told me I passed.”

“Jodiah, you can do this,” Kryst said softly, stepping closer to him and closing the office door. “We have a few minutes, open it.”

Jodiah’s hands shook as he opened the envelope and pulled out the paper inside. After staring at it for a while he said, “I think it says I passed. Maybe you can make sense of it.”

Kryst took the page and read the numbers. Jodiah had not only passed but also passed with some of the highest percentages he had ever seen, including his own. Maybe his mother had been correct in not telling him his percentages.

“Yes, it looks like you passed to me. Congratulations, Second Class Dalton.”

Jodiah blushed. “Guess it won’t be too big a deal with the Second Classes now?”

“No, now it will be worse.” Kryst said opening the office door. “They will think you got the promotion to shut them up.”

“But I took the test before I ever got here.”

“That won’t matter. Nothing will matter. Do you think you can not say anything about your promotion yet? At least until we get a chance to see the Provost?”

“They won’t hear about it from me.” Jodiah said softly. They walked in silence toward the muster room just outside the student galley.

When they arrived, everyone was lounging around so the first thing Kryst did was yell, “Muster Up!” Everyone scrambled to get into position as quickly as possible. Jodiah didn’t know where to stand, so he stood next to Kryst. When they were in formation, Kryst spoke, “As you have been informed, I have appointed my Junior. Welcome him to your ranks.” He led Jodiah over to where the First Classes stood and placed him in the very front.

“Welcome, Junior First Dalton,” they said nearly in unison.

Jodiah smiled at Kryst who took his place back in front. “Everyone here has their orders, they are expected to be carried out. If there are any problems, you are to contact your First or your Junior. If they are not available, contact ANY First or Junior.” He looked them over with a grin on his face. “If there are any questions, you may present them to me now.”

Kryst watched them carefully, he knew some had questions, and there was one question everyone was dying to ask. Someone had to have the balls to ask it. Eventually, it came, from a Second Class, far in the back. “Senior First, is Junior First a good fuck?”

Kryst shrugged his shoulders. “I wouldn’t know. Junior First, are you a good fuck?”

“I haven’t had the opportunity to find out, Senior First.” Jodiah replied along with a blush.

“Well, now you know, Junior First is a virgin.” Kryst announced to the room.

“Yeah, but will he be one for long?” called out an anonymous female voice from somewhere in the Second Class ranks.

Jodiah didn’t even turn his head. “That depends, Miss, are you willing to impart instruction?”

The entire Apprentice ranks giggled as most of them knew Jodiah well from having classes with him, and the other Firsts and Juniors smiled at the brashness of their newest collogue. There was no reply from the questioner and Kryst considered the matter dropped. “Any further questions?”

From the front row of the First Classes came the next question, “Why the cross-training Third Class, Kryst? Is it personal or professional?”

“When a Junior is chosen it’s always personal, but this time there were several other factors taken into consideration, including percentages. He’s ranked in the top 5% of the Apprentice class already, and that is without taking the Novice and Plebe courses that the Apprentices have to draw knowledge from. You all know what happens to the top percentages.” He looked at the Squad Leaders and smiled. “I’ve just saved everyone the trouble of rearranging their squads as he plows through them.”

“Senior First, what does the Provost think of your choice?” this time, the question came from the Apprentices.

“The Provost was made aware of my decision. The rules are quite clear on the subject of choosing a Junior. Junior First is qualified, that is all that needs be said.”

“But he’s not qualified in our discipline.”

“Discipline does not disqualify rank, he is now in our discipline which qualifies him. Any further questions will have to wait. You all need to return to your squads.” He looked them over one more time, “Remember your orders. Dismissed!”

Jodiah picked his books up from where he had set them down before and went to join Kryst for a moment before heading to class. Kryst smiled at him as he came over. “You handled that well, Jodiah.” The other Firsts nodded their agreement.

“However, that is just a little sample of what it will be like, so be prepared.”

“You can be sure they are checking the percentage sheets to check up on Kryst’s words that you have high scores.”

Jodiah looked at them. “I guess I do, I don’t know anything about the percentages.”

Nostina looked at him. “How did you ever get to be a Third and not learn anything about percentages?”

“It seems his mother took his score sheets and told him he passed, and she kept up with his percentages.” Kryst looked around to make sure they were alone. “Show them your newest score sheet, Jodiah.”

“But I thought…” Jodiah looked at him questioningly.

“They will keep your secrets just as they keep mine.”

Jodiah fished the paper out of his pocket and handed it to Nostina, who opened it and ran her fingers down the numbers, then passed it to Alod.

“Congratulations, Jodiah,” she said. “It seems Kryst picked the best one for the job after all.”

“These are higher than mine,” Alod said finally.

“They are higher than mine,” Kryst told them.

“What are you talking about?” Jodiah asked.

“Your test scores, Jodiah. They are very good.”

“Oh, ok.” Jodiah shrugged. “Mother always said I did well, Father says if I apply myself I’ll do just as well here.”

“You’ll do fine, Jodiah, we’ll see to it.” Ral told him. “Want to walk me to class?”

Jodiah grinned, “Sure.”

Kryst

When Ral had taken Jodiah away, Kryst looked at the rest of his inner circle.

“Well?”

“Those are some damn high scores,” Alod said softly.

“He has no idea how high. His family has protected him from it.” Kryst told them. “I think we should too. He wasn’t even sure he had passed.”

“You’re joking,” Taban said.

“Not one bit. He asked me to read them and make sure he was correct in that he passed,” Kryst confirmed.

“That’s unbelievable,” Felad said softly.

“And he’s my Junior,” Kryst said with a hint of pride in his voice.