The Novel's Sidekick

Yasmine waited for the communication channel to be cleared. She was not in haste in the slightest, after all, she would have about five minutes to talk freely, so she better be prepared for what she wanted to talk about.

The service of the communication channels is exponentially expensive, even more so than the travel expense to where you wanted to contact. However, once a week, every spirit practitioner was given a chance to use it for some time, which was about five minutes, while for the common soldiers, it was once a month.

Some might find this extremely stingy, however, the communication service in Highprince Gareth's army was the laxest among all the armies of the empire. In other places, common soldiers were barely given chances to contract their families.

Yasmine waited to use her first quota, nodding and affirming at what Kisana and Aaelin were conversing about. She remained calm, recollecting what she should talk about. ‘I’m just being silly,’ she told herself. It was barely a week she was away, and she was already missing him. Well, other than missing, there was that anxiety as well.

What if he lost himself in guilt and started drinking again? She told herself she was just being paranoid, but some part of her still could not believe Scar regained his earnest self. It was like yesterday, she was trying everything so that he could get over his guilt, and when he finally did, she couldn’t believe it.

She knew she was paranoid just because she was away, but she couldn’t help it.

“Lady Yasmine,” Kisana called, “you are here to check on your family?”

Yasmine shook her head. Her closest family, her father, was already here, and she did meet others on the way here. So, there was no point in checking on them.

“I’m going to contact the Academy,” Yasmine said. “There is someone--”

“Your suitor?” Kisana cut in, eyes sparked with curiosity.

Yasmine thought for a second and nodded. “Yes,” she said.

Aaelin raised an eyebrow from the sides, finding it out firsthand.

“You are still with Oscar?” Kisana continued, keeping an eye on Aaelin. “After all you--”

“Yes.” This time Yasmine didn’t let Kisana finish.

“Well, the academy was so vibrant with his courtship to you, when I was there,” Kisana continued. “Tell me if it's true, I heard Oscar single-handedly won the great game and ask you out, bellowing before thousands of crowd?”

“Yes,” Yasmine said, blushing. And it was not even the most outrageous things he had done for her. “Well, he didn’t beat the five of them single-handedly. He had help.”

“I’m lost,” Aaelin cut in. “Are you guys talking about Oscar Emberheart, heir to House Emberheart?”

“Well, of course,” Kisana answered, “but he’s heir no more. Do you know him?”

“I remember meeting a couple of times during the feast, but not so personally,” Aaelin said, recalling. “You said he’s not the heir anymore? What happened?”

“Oh, of course, how can I forgot? A mule has a better idea of the political manoeuvres of the empire than you,” Kisana said, sighing. “While I am really surprised you don’t know Oscar Emberheart that personally. I thought you two already duelled countless times.”

“The feasts were not meant for duelling, and I never admitted to the academy,” Aaelin gave excuses. “There is only a faint chance of us meeting other than any social gathering.”

There were many political disputes at the academy. It was established as an institution standing apart from the empire or any nation. The empire rarely involves itself directly. And Aaelin, being one of the princes, was never admitted to the academy, respecting that rule. Well, if he pushed, he could have, but the Knight’s department was degrading, so instead, he chose his father’s army. There was no lack of excellent knights who could teach and spar with him here.

There was also his father. Countless young squires or even knights would do anything just for a moment of advice from him.

"You mention duel?" Aaelin raised an eyebrow. "Is he good at duelling?"

"He defeated five opponents in the great game single-handedly," Kisana said, "you tell me."

Aaelin turned towards her, and Yasmine let out a breath. "He had help," she said, "but yes, he did play the major role in eliminating all of them."

"Other than that, I think you two will have a fun time dueling." Kisana laughed. "Hmm, I would also like to see whom of the two arrogant princes wins it."

"Arrogant?" Aaelin snorted. "I am not arrogant."

Yasmine and Kisana laughed at the same time. Even she didn't know him for long, she could see the pride in his eyes easily.

"I am not," Aaelin said, flustering.

"We believe you," Kisana said, still laughing.

"Scar is extremely arrogant," Yasmine added, chuckling, "but at least he admits it."

Aaelin was about to deny more when Gavin called him.

“Hey, Aaelin, Mother wants to talk to you.”

“Excuses ladies.” Aaelin advanced to the communication channel while Gavin returned and joined them.

Gavin had similar features as his brother, but he seemed so different. Other than not having the muscles or height, Gavin appeared as an earnest young noble scion. Yasmine didn’t know him that well. Well, if she had to mention she didn’t know anyone well here, other than her father, that was.

“Good evening,” greeted the young prince.

Yasmine nodded and greeted back. Weirdly, she found the young prince staring at her.

Gavin came back from his stupor after several seconds, flustering—he really does a better job at that than his elder brother. “I’m sorry, but would you mind if I ask something?” Getting her nod, he continued. “Your hair. Are they like this always? Natural white?”

Yasmine raised an eyebrow. It was not the first time she noticed someone taking an interest in her hair. Burning white hair like her kind of stood out wherever she goes. However, nobody in House Amaan had silver hair like her, her father mentioned she inherited it from her mother and nothing else.

“It is like this as far as my memories go,” she answered.

“My aunt, I mean the late Empress, had silver hair,” Gavin added. “Other than that, I spotted none having silver hair.”

“It is rare," Kisana added. "Other than some mutations, it's absolutely rare to come across someone with silver hair.”

As they talked, Aaelin finished his call, and Yasmine finally got the channel free. She advanced a couple of steps to look back again. She didn’t have a clue on how to utilise the instrument. It had something to do with the Spiritual cloud, but she's not very adept in it.

“Oh, you can’t link the channels,” Kisana said and looked at the Sholinar siblings. “Gavin, would you mind helping her a little, while I have something to say to your brother?”

“Sure,” Gavin said and advanced while the other two withdrew, Kisana straightforwardly, while Aaelin took a peek at the other two.

“Do you have a private channel or--” Gavin asked approaching the instruments.

“The primary hub of Starlight academy,” Yasmine said, taking the seat.

As Gavin finished linking, he held out the receiver towards Yasmine.

“Thank you,” Yasmine said and infused a little spirit energy into the receiver.

Gavin nodded and withdrew a step. He still remained, as she would likely need his help again if there was any problem with the connection.

The call connected without a hitch as a feminine voice came out of the receiver. “Hello, this is Starlight Academy. May I know who I’m speaking to and who you want to contact?”

Yasmine took a deep breath. “Yasmine Amaan,” she said, “I want to contact Oscar Emberheart.”

“Thank you. Please wait a few moments.”

No voice came out of the receiver for some time and Gavin withdrew out of the chamber, giving her some privacy.

As Yasmine waited, her heart fluttered a little. The silly feeling came back, and then she heard the voice.

“Yasmine.”

Yasmine inhaled and all the nervousness washed away as she heard the voice. “Scar,” she called, “You waited long?”

“Yes, I waited the whole week,” Scar said. “How have you been these few days? Have you settled in there?”

“Yes, so far, I have had no problem. My father is here, so he saw through everything.” She paused for a second and continued, “I have missed you.”

“Me too.”

“So, how are you doing?”

“Not too bad, I guess,” Scar's voice echoed out of the receiver. “The magic stuff is hard, but I’m taking every bit of help I can. I’ve been doing missions now and then, so far . . . It's all busy and good. How's it on your end?”

Yasmine sighed in relief, hearing it out. She then told him how she was given a Dominion, a Ward, and also, her father gave her his sword. Scar joked about how she could throw him around so easily. She laughed and shared some hardships she felt here.

“Other than being searing hot, the training is nothing like the Academy,” she said. “I wish I had Daaryl’s breath.”

“Well, it is tough,” Scar paused for a second, “but take care of yourself. Don’t just work as you do without resting.”

“I know, it’s just . . .”

“What is it?”

“My father, he's retiring,” Yasmine said with a sigh. “He gave me his sword—the sword he earned in service of Highprince Gareth. So the pressure is very high. I have to prove myself worthy of the sword . . .”

“Yasmine, do you know how stupid that sounded?”

“What do you mean?” Yasmine arched her eyebrow.

“It's a sword, Yasmine. Yes, your father has earned that sword and it's the pride of your house, but in the end, it's a tool. No matter how fine it is in its job, it will always be a tool for killing. Do not be foolish and think you have to be worthy of some tool. What you have to do is learn how to use the tool efficiently.”

___________

Sorry for the delay, from now it would be regular. More chapters to come today.