Sept Short Story [Astra Academy]

Hey peeps!

Here is this month's short story (from the Astra Academy series). Hopefully you enjoy!

Shami

The Business of Lord Oto

It was a perfectly fine house, so long as I ignored all the dead flies. Their little bodies littered the kitchen and living room, mostly in piles in the corners. I supposed there were also dead mice caught in traps on the rafters, and probably in the cupboards, but I didn’t glance in their direction, which made them easier to ignore.

The sun set outside the window. The hot air would linger long after the light had faded.

That was how it went here, in the dusty scrubs of mainland Sellix—arid, unforgiving, and filled with pests.

“Raaza?” my sister shouted from the back room. “Can you bring Mom some water?”

I stood from the table, my hands sweaty. We had a barrel of fresh water, thanks to the charity house, but it was running low. As I walked over to scoop some into a cup, I held my breath. Our window sills were filled with a special kind of plant that smelled like death. Rot flowers, they were called. Their aroma killed flies. Without them, our whole house would be overrun with the buggers.

They made everything feel like trash, though.

Once I had the water in hand, I walked the short—and dark—path down the hall to my mother’s room. I gently tapped the door, and my younger sister, Aisha, opened it, the hinges creaking. She was only twelve, but the bags under her eyes belonged to a world-wary fifty-year-old.

Without fully opening the door, Aisha reached for the cup. I handed it over, my gaze turning to the darkness of Mom’s quarters. All the curtains were drawn and the windows closed, creating a stagnant environment that smelled worse than the rot flowers.

“Mom’s doing better,” Aisha whispered. She was so small, and her voice smaller still, that it was almost too difficult to hear her. “Are you working tonight? Will you get enough coin to get Mom some hearty soup from Mr. Tavin?”

“I’ll get enough coin,” I said.

“Be careful, okay? Don’t fall in the river.”

I shook my head. “I’ll be fine.”

Aisha reached out and touched the sleeve of my tunic. She held her hand there for a long moment, her palm flat.

“What’re you doing?” I growled, irritated that she would play some childish game.

“I’m giving you all my good luck.” Aisha withdrew her hand from me and smiled. “So that you’ll catch lots of fish tonight. I don’t need any luck, since I’ll just be here with Mom.”

I rubbed my hands together, unable to look my sister in the eye. She thought I was going to fishing—to sell at the morning market—but nothing could be further from the truth. I was heading over to Lord Oto’s compound to help with all his dirty work. He paid well, and every night, which was a real help.

But he was no lord.

He just called himself that, and since no one had the spine to correct him, Oto just got to bestow himself with a title. Poof. Just like that.

“Thank you for the luck, Aisha,” I muttered as I backed away. “I’ll do my best.”

“I love you, brother.”

I grunted some sort of acceptance and headed for the front door. I didn’t know why, but saying I love you in response felt childish. I was almost an adult—nearing my fifteenth birthday—and I couldn’t be young and naïve and stupid. I had to be tough. Capable. Without weakness and stupid sentimentality.

Yet, as I left our home, my chest knotted.

What if I never saw Aisha or Mom ever again?

I shook my head and headed for the shed. Inside, we kept all of Dad’s work hats. I grabbed a straw one and pulled it on. It was dark, so I grabbed a lantern as well. Some people might think me strange for wearing a hat, but they didn’t know of the small knife hidden behind the ribbon around the side, and held in place by the weave of the straw. It was a small weapon, but better than nothing and a complete surprise to most.

Then I walked the streets of my hometown, lost in thought, all alone.

My hometown used to have a different name, before the Island Nation of Sellix took over our lands. Supposedly, this arrangement was better for everyone, since the islands didn’t have a lot of farmlands, and we didn’t have a lot of mystical creatures or arcanists, but I still hated Sellix’s presence here.

Well, I supposed I was a citizen of Sellix now.

My section of town was away from everything important. My home stood in the darkest grimiest corner, far from the light of the city’s main street lanterns. It took me a few minutes of walking through a void-like wonderland before I reached the warm illumination of the long main street.

Lanterns hung on decorative posts here, brightening the street nothing else. The shops were closed, the animals were tucked away in stables, and the only real noise came from Mince Tavern. The bustle of farmers and travelers swapping stories and getting drunk off cheap barley was a common sight.

The houses that dotted the main street were large, and beautiful, with tiny gardens and metal fences. They looked inviting.

Someday, I would live in a house like that. Aisha and Mom would be there, too.

“Stay focused, Raaza,” I whispered to myself. I tugged the rim of my hat down and continued forward.

Lord Oto’s compound was difficult to miss. It was one of the largest buildings in the whole damn city, and it was built just beyond the main vineyard. Lord Oto owned a winery, and his workers toiled away for hours making sure all the grapes he grew were protected from blight and random animals.

The wall around Lord Oto’s compound had a curve to it. Specifically, it curved outward, to keep anyone from getting in. I had to head to the main gate, where a couple of men in scale armor stood watch. They each carried rifles, handguns, and short swords, which seemed excessive, but everything Lord Oto did was excessive.

The guards nodded to me as I walked inside.

“They’re meeting in the kitchen,” one guard said with a grunt.

I nodded, but I didn’t say anything—I didn’t want anyone to figure out my real age. When I first approached Lord Oto’s compound, I lied about my age. First off, I was big enough—I had muscle!—so what did it matter if I wasn’t technically old enough? Secondly, it wouldn’t matter in a couple months, so this was fine.

Once I made it through the gate, I had to walk through the main garden.

The place was decorated from top to bottom in antiquity. Normal lords would’ve kept exotic flowers, fountains, and beautiful benches around their homes. Not Lord Oto. The man only wanted bizarre items that somehow proved he was really a member of the nobility.

He kept marble statues of long-dead arcanists placed around a winding path. They had been crafted centuries ago, and if you asked Oto himself, the man would claim they were his ancestors.

He also kept tombstones and plaques of famous individuals. Not their bodies—thank the good stars—just objects that were related to them. Like trophies strewn about, to show off to anyone entering the compound.

Lord Oto also kept two defiant dragons in his garden. They were old-world torture devices. Hollow metal statues with a hatch on top, both in the shape of sovereign dragons. A criminal was placed inside, and then a fire was started under the statue, so the person would slowly be cooked alive.

Supposedly they were just for decoration, but some people believed Lord Oto used them from time to time to punish anyone who betrayed him.

I hurried by them and went straight for the kitchen. It was a large building away from the main house that was capable of preparing large banquets. It also had a slaughter room and a deep cellar capable of keeping foods cold for a long period of time, which I found impressive.

I stepped in through the backdoor to find the massive kitchen already packed with individuals.

There were twenty mundane people—like me—with no magic to call our own. I recognized most of them as thugs hired by Lord Oto to handle various duties. We were all peers, or maybe “co-workers” since I did the same damn thing for Oto.

“Hey, Raaza,” someone muttered as I entered. “Took you long enough. The boss man is just going over assignments now.”

“Thanks,” I said with a grunt, never looking anyone in the eye.

At the front of the kitchen, standing next to the gigantic stoves, were three arcanists, each with their eldrin.

Two were manticore arcanists. One—a man—went by the name of Yex. He was so tall his bald head almost touched the ceiling. He wore thick armored clothing, and tons of muscle. Everything he had, from his boots to his braces, had been dyed a matte black that gave him a distinct appearance, especially when coupled with his darker complexion.

The second manticore arcanist—a woman—was lithe and wily. Her brown hair, cut to her chin, hung perfectly straight. She was the opposite of Yex in all regards. She wore white tailored pants, wore a cloak dyed blue, and overall seemed beautiful. Everyone knew her as Wella, but I didn’t know her last name. Her pale skin and brilliant hazel eyes were uncommon in this town.

Their manticores were siblings, even if the arcanists weren’t.

Both of those monstrous creatures had black scorpion tails, leathery bat wings, the golden body of a lion, and fangs capable of crushing a man’s skull. Their manes were vibrant red, and their claws striking sharp.

They lounged together, like two 700-pound cats. They were both content to just lie on the stone floor.

The last arcanist was a shorter man. Maybe five feet? That was it.

Still, everyone paid him the most attention. As they should.

He was Lord Oto.

He wore a tailored outfit of some culture, but definitely not ours. I suspected, given his trophies out in the garden, his clothing choices meant something, but I wasn’t privy.

His coat and trousers were a dark blue, his vest black, and his shirt ivory white. She wore a sash around his waist, and one around his left shoulder, both of which were adorned with medals of some sort. They all appeared old, and tarnished at the edges, but Oto kept them displayed like everyone should pay attention to the fact he had them.

What a weirdo.

He also wore the tallest top hat I had ever laid eyes on.

Probably to give himself extra phantom height. I snorted back a laugh at my whole thought.

Lord Oto stood straight, but he supported half his weight with a cane carved from nullstone. The black and blue rock was regally shaped into a sea serpent. Whenever Oto walked, the clack of his cane identified him long before his arrival.

The man had sun-kissed tan skin, and dark eyes that glittered with a considerable amount of intelligence. He always seemed to wear a smile or a smirk that showed off his gleaming teeth. And literally gleaming, because half of his teeth, on the top row of his mouth, shimmered with magical runes.

Who did that? Who put runes on their molars and incisors?

Lord Oto, apparently.

“Everyone, listen up,” Lord Oto said, his voice oddly nasally. He slammed his nullstone cane, and the room tensed.

Lord Oto’s eldrin stood next to him, beautiful and vibrant.

It was a glorious blue phoenix with a peacock tail, head like a heron, and a long beak that practically glittered golden. The creature’s body pulsed with inner fire only contained by his glistening blue feathers.

Although I didn’t know the names of the scary manticores, I did know the name of Lord Oto’s blue phoenix eldrin.

Cielo.

The phoenix let out a loud caw that basically echoed throughout the kitchen. When Cielo turned and moved closer to Lord Oto, soot drifted onto the stone floor.

“We have a few odd problems tonight,” Lord Oto drawled, each of his words carefully picked. His lip curled in a cruel grin. “First off, a few little pukes thought they could get away with stealing from me.”

“What?” someone in the kitchen balked.

“Really?” another person chimed in.

“Dead men walkin’, right there.”

“I know, I know,” Lord Oto said, holding up a single hand. “How could this happen? I hire enough security. But that is the problem. Two of my supposed guards were the ones who snatched a couple star shards and then took off like the cowardly bandits they are.”

His blue phoenix cawed a second time, much angrier than the first.

Lord Oto motioned to Yex. “You. Take half of these fine upstanding individuals—” Oto motioned to all of us non-arcanists, “—and track down my star shards.”

“What should we do when we find the thieves?” Yex asked. His voice was gravelly enough, it was almost difficult to understand him.

“Break their legs, drag them back here, and lock them in the empty part of the wine cellar.” Lord Oto huffed a laugh. “I need to have a chat with them, obviously. If they’re going to take precious things from me, I’m gonna have to take precious things from them.”

Yex snapped his fingers. One of the spooky manticores sprang to their feet, their scorpion tail up and their fangs bared.

“Let’s go,” Yex barked. “You all here. Closest to me. Grab a rifle and club, and let’s go hunting.”

The cheers from about ten people roared throughout the kitchen. Everyone seemed excited and ready to get this done. Lord Oto always gave extra coin to whoever did the best job—I bet everyone apart of Yex’s team thought they’d get rewarded if they were the one to actually find the thieves.

It was probably exciting.

But I was glad I wasn’t part of that group. Star shards were valuable. I was certain the thieves probably had allies somewhere. Or a powerful fence. It sounded like there would be a fight.

And I didn’t have the power to fight.

I crossed my arms, hating myself. It was illegal for Lord Oto to take the law into his own hands like this, but no one was about to stop him. I could stomp all the way over to the city guard and tell them everything going on, but they would never do anything.

Lord Oto had too much coin, too much magic, and too much hired muscle to really stand against.

Yex left the kitchen, everyone whooping and cheering as they went out for their manhunt. The manticore would help them do this quickly. It was a hunter of people, after all. They would find the bandits in no time.

“Last problem that needs handlin’” Lord Oto said with a chuckle. “Some pompous clothing tailor in town thinks he doesn’t need to pay no taxes.” Oto waved his hand around. “I need a few of you to go to his shop, smash up his windows, and leave him a note about his late payments. Should be easy, the shopkeep must be on his last legs. I think he said he was nearly seventy—as a mortal—so you know that lump isn’t gonna put up a fight.”

Nobles—real lords—were the ones who collected taxes on the crown’s behalf. I knew why the old tailor didn’t want to pay Oto. Because if he did, he would be acknowledging Oto’s claim to lordship, even though Oto was never appointed.

But now he was going to have his windows broken.

Wella slapped her hands together once. Her manticore, as well as the rest of us in the kitchen, all gathered near her. We marched for the far door, everyone just as excited as Yex’s group. I had to admit, I didn’t really want this job, either, but at least it would be fast and easy and we didn’t need to break anyone’s legs.

This job was probably the easiest. Lord Oto was right—no old man was going to put up a fight.

But right as I was walking by Lord Oto, the man placed a hand on my chest and held me back from leaving. Everyone else hurried out into the night, energetic and excited.

Not me. My heart slammed hard against my ribs, my panic high. Why would Lord Oto single me out? I had never even spoken to the man. Well, not one on one. I had taken orders from him, just like time, but we had never conversed.

“You stay with me real quick,” Lord Oto said, his tone smoother than before. His rune-marked teeth glittered whenever he smiled wide.

“Y-Yes?” I asked. “Is something wrong?”

Lord Oto waited until the door to the kitchen closed. Then he chuckled. His blue phoenix hopped closer, his sapphire feathers beautiful and flashing with inner heat.

“We have a special task for you,” Cielo said, his tone regal, but somehow dark.

I didn’t like the sound of this.

Lord Oto slid his fingers along the length of his nullstone cane as he said, “I want you to meet someone. Seven, get out here. Tell the kid what you want.”

From the darkest shadows of the deepest corner in the kitchen, out stepped a woman. I hadn’t seen her before then, but even if I had, I wouldn’t have been intimidated. Unlike Wella and Yex, who were frightening in their own ways, this woman was scrawny, her brown hair matted, and her face plain. She wore trousers and tunic and nothing else special.

She had no scars. No tattoos. No runes.

No arcanist star?

Yet, for some reason, she walked like a warrior would. Too confident, her eyes always calculating.

I didn’t like her.

“She’s a friend of mine,” Lord Oto said. “Ya see, I’m workin’ with some foreigners, and they’re getting me special mystical creature parts so I can craft some high quality artifacts and trinkets. Special shit that will sell faster than a whole boat-full of star shards.”

Seven walked over to Lord Oto and didn’t say a word. She just… stared at me. I tugged my straw hat lower, keeping in mind I had a knife.

Then again, I couldn’t fight a phoenix arcanist. Lord Oto could incinerate this whole kitchen with his flames.

“Why you so nervous?” Lord Oto chuckled. He slapped my shoulder and then motioned to Seven. “This fine young lady is gonna make all your dreams come true. Trust me, kid—you lucked out.”

Luck?

Aisha…

“Wh-What do you mean?” I managed to ask. “What’s she going to do?”

“Have you heard of Astra Academy?” the woman asked, her tone sultry.

I actually liked her a little more when she smiled, but only a little.

“I’ve heard of it,” I muttered. “It’s a place to train arcanists, right? Make them into warriors? Or something.”

“That’s right.” Seven reached into her pocket and produced two sailing tickets. They were for taking long rides between the islands. “I have one with your name on it.”

“My name?” I furrowed my brow as I glanced over to Lord Oto. “Y-You know my name?”

The man shrugged. “You would be surprised by what I know.” Then he patted the head of his blue phoenix. “Seven needed someone young enough to go to this prestigious Academy. A few of my workin’ guys are around the right age, so I had someone look into who would be loyal, and who wouldn’t be loyal.”

I really didn’t like where this was going.

“Your name floated to the top,” Lord Oto said. Then he pointed at me. “You’d definitely be loyal, so you get to have a fun little adventure. That’s lucky, right? You want to go to Astra Academy?”

“I… I can’t.”

“Why not, kid?”

“I’m not an arcanist.” I spoke that statement with a thick amount of sarcasm. “And also, my mom and sister need me. They need the coin from these jobs.”

Lord Oto smiled wide enough to flash his rune-covered teeth. “Ah. Right. Well, I have solutions for all your problems, because that’s what I do. See, Astra Academy has a charity program for sad sacks like you. They give out mystical creatures to individuals from poor unfortunate circumstances. So, once you get to the Academy, you’ll be an arcanist.”

“Really?”

That couldn’t be right.

It had to be a myth. No one would do that. No one.

Again, Lord Oto patted my arm. “That’s right. And your second problem? No coin? No problem! I’ll be providing for your poor, dear mother and sister while you’re away. And you’ll be studying for five years, maybe a little more. Right, Seven? How long is that damn school teachin’ for?”

“Five years,” she replied.

“Good. I’m right.” Oto snapped his finger. “What I’m trying to say, kid, is that your family will want for nothing. All the food and clothes and toy and whatever other bullshit small little families need. On me.”

His blue phoenix nodded along with his words, as though this was the perfect plan.

But I still didn’t know what the plan was. I glanced over to Seven—what a strange name—and then back to Lord Oto.

“I get to be an arcanist, and you’re going to give my family coin? For… For what? Surely you want something in return.”

“That’s right. We’re makin’ a deal, after all.” Lord Oto stepped away, the clack of his cane loud in the now empty kitchen. “All I need from you is to stay in touch. You need to send me information about what’s happening inside Astra Academy.”

“What kind of information?”

“Stupid information, kid.” Lord Oto laughed. “Stuff like—who works there. What’s going on. Anyone famous stopping by? Things like that. If you think it’s interesting, my friends will think it’s interesting, and that’s who really wants this info.”

That all sounded… suspicious. Nothing with Lord Oto was that simple.

I didn’t know much about Astra Academy, though. And if I could become an arcanist, and gain lots of magical power for myself, what did it matter? I’d be able to do whatever I wanted then.

“I’ll do it,” I said, my elation taking over.

This was lucky. Aisha and Mom would never believe it. I almost couldn’t believe it.

Seven smiled, her lips curling at the far ends. “Excellent.”

“I’ll get you something to keep in touch,” Lord Oto stated. “Something hidden. Subtle. Magical. We don’t need anyone reading letters.”

I nodded once. “Okay.” But then something struck me. I caught my breath, my body stiff. “What happens… if I don’t get you information? I mean, like, how much time do I have?”

Lord Oto smiled and shrugged. “Oh, no worries. Like I said, it was determined you’d be the most loyal patsy. I trust you’ll keep in touch.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because your family will be on my payroll.” Lord Oto shrugged. “If you forget to send information, I might forget to feed them.” He allowed that statement to sink in, the greater threat unspoken. “You understand, right? But let’s not talk about you failing. I prefer optimistic talk. You just do good, and everything will be good.”

I clenched and unclenched my fists, my breaths shallow. Lord Oto would hurt my family? Yes, he would. He’d break Mom’s legs. Let Aisha starve. Maybe it was best not to take this deal.

But I had already agreed. What if I backed out now? Would Oto be angry?

Sending information wasn’t difficult, though. That was easy. And who cared about Astra Academy? They weren’t here helping me when I needed them—I didn’t owe them anything.

But my anger wouldn’t leave me.

I hated that Lord Oto was blackmailing me into compliance. And what was I going to do about it? Who could I tell to make this right? I didn’t know anyone. I had no power. He could just control me and there was little to do. Why was that fair? I just… I hated him. That single thought burned my thoughts.

But as an arcanist… maybe I would be strong enough when I returned from the Academy. Maybe this was a boon in disguise. And Oto didn’t want me to do anything sinister. Just report on things.

“Are you done thinkin’?” Lord Oto barked. “It’s a simple plan, kid. Don’t overcook your brains analyzing everything. Just do as your told.” He shot a glare at Seven. “And you people better get me those dragon bits. I have big plans.”

“Don’t worry.” Seven turned on her heel. “You’ll get everything you were promised.” She sauntered out of the kitchen, pleased as pie. I wondered what she was getting out of all of this. I had no idea.

Lord Oto sneered at her back and then glanced over to me. “Pack your things and say goodbye to your family. Next time you see them, you’ll be a big shot arcanist.”