Unstable Position

A happy hum filled the medical ward as the afternoon light streamed in through the window. Pages swished every minute or so. The bed held a single, unconscious patient covered in bandages. The scent of medicine was thick in the air.

Daren silently read his book while occasionally glancing over at Chris. The doctors had finally declared that his condition was serious but stable. He should be mostly back to normal after a few weeks, and fully recovered after a few months. Though his mental capabilities, especially his memories, could take a large fall.

The bird song outside seemed to be extra cheerful today. Everything was just going excellently from his grandfather's arrival to Chris's improved condition. The future was uncertain and bound to be turbulent. So, Daren would just enjoy these little victories today.

"Daren?"

The young man on the bed struggled to sit up. He hissed in pain when the injuries covering his body flaired up. Daren quickly put his book down and rang a little bell next to the bed. Then he reached over to gently push Chris onto his back.

"It's okay! We're at the main medical ward at Nafriton. The intruders are all gone!"

Chris slowly relaxed under Daren's coaxing. Daren fumbled around trying to make Chris more comfortable.

"Are you too warm? Or too cold? Let me fluff up your pillow for you."

"I'm fine."

Daren still fluffed his pillow again. Chris's lips curved into a tired smile as he relaxed on the bed again.

"How did I get here?"

"You were found in the wreckage of the enemy's camp. The military pulled you out. That cage probably saved your life by protecting you from debris."

Before Chris could respond, the door was flung open as doctors poured into the room. They performed every exam that they could think of before they were satisfied. After prescribing more medications and bedrest, they scurried out of the room to attend to other patients.

Stallesso arrived with several guards soon after. Only one of the guards came inside with him. The rest waited outside the door. The old man stared at his grandson's attendant for a long time before speaking.

"You risked your life for my grandson, so I will overlook how he got into that situation in the first place. However, I'm temporarily relieving you of your duties until you can redeem yourself. You are no longer Daren's attendant and will undergo strict retraining until I am satisfied."

"Grandfather! That's not fair! The enemy commander was way too strong for him to handle."

"Daren, you shouldn't have been in that situation in the first place. Trying to flee through the middle of a battlefield without any real plan and a half-hearted disguise is utter foolishness. Both of you panicked. If the other prisoners hadn't sabotaged your cell… then you would be long gone."

Daren looked down. His fingers dug into his palms.

"That's not the only reason. I've heard more details about what's been going on. Including that Landrienne girl's failed proposal. Christopher's job isn't making your life comfortable. It's keeping you safe. It's to never, ever leave your side.

"But he did. Instead of getting as much time as he could with you, he ran around to do other investigations and tasks. There are other Forolan vassals and allies on campus who could have helped. In his absence those hyenas isolated and bullied you. If this was in the real world, you could have been assassinated."

"But Grandfather –"

"My decision is final. There was a failure on the family's side to deal with the rumors and to detect the True Order's attack. Our allies also performed less than average in some areas. That's why Chris is merely suspended instead of fired."

The room fell into silence. Daren refused to accept this. He didn't want anyone else as his attendant. Chris hurriedly interjected before Daren started arguing with his grandfather again.

"I understand. Please excuse my lack of courtesy since I'm unable to stand at the moment. May I ask who will be supporting Daren during my absence?"

"Me. I will be staying here for a while to help Headmaster Marin keep an eye on things. You have until then to convince me of your worth."

"I thank your lordship for your benevolence."

Stallesso pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down. Daren quietly stood beside his grandfather and ignored any signals to leave. Stallesso sighed then stopped bothering to try to send his grandson out.

"I have a rough understanding of what happened during most of the mission. What happened after Aayla and Daren fled? Do you remember anything?"

Chris closed his eyes to think. The grandfather-grandson duo nearly thought that he fell asleep again when Chris started to speak.

"Some other True Order members arrived to convince me as the young master to join them. I recognized them. They were familiar. I was surprised, but not absolutely shocked. The only things that I remember were that they seemed to be a student-teacher pair, and that the student really hated me for some reason.

"They talked for a while, then left. I remember trying to keep them talking for as long as possible. At some point the student rushed back and the rest is just a painful blur. There was some sort of lesson. Someone knew me and kept ranting about their place, I think?"

Even just speaking this little seemed to drain Chris of all his strength. Still, Stallesso sank deep into his thoughts. The information that Chris provided revealed many more clues than he thought. The headmaster had his suspicions about several people.

A missing student-teacher duo with a student who hated Christopher Vear… Could it be them? The evidence was only circumstantial before, but if they could get Chris to remember then that could break open the case.

"That's enough for now. Just focus on recovering. Daren, are you ready for today's training?"

"I want to stay here for a bit first."

Stallesso stood up from his chair and straightened his uniform.

"Very well. We'll train after I send off the faculty tonight. Don't be late."

"Yes, Grandfather."

Daren bowed as his grumpy grandfather left the room. He sighed in relief as the door closed. At least Chris could stick around for now. Daren regained his chair and sat down.

"Looks like I'm going to have to actually do my own work for a bit."

"We'll see. Your grandfather probably has my replacements in mind."

"I don't want random people just pushed onto me again because someone's trying to flatter my uncle or grandfather. They're all just interested in fame and status, anyways."

"Daren, he was very serious about replacing me. You can't stop your grandfather this time. Honestly, I messed up big time. No matter what, my responsibility was to protect you but I failed. Besides, you can't just have one aide forever. It's best for you to take this chance to do some recruitment. This way the latest events won't be so easily repeated."

Daren snorted and grumbled in protest. Hmph. He'll see just how long anyone of those 'applicants' lasted. Chris chose another topic to stop Daren's sulking.

"What did Lord Stallesso mean by sending off the faculty?"

"The Senate called for a preliminary hearing. No one's allowed to leave campus until the investigation is completed, except for those summoned individuals. All of the high-ranking faculty and staff are going to the capital. Well, those that aren't dead or missing."

"His lordship is staying to watch over the university?"

"Yup."

The bedridden patient nodded his head. This situation was completely expected for an event this huge. Would Nafriton even exist for the next school year?

"Chris, I can tell you anything and you'd believe me, right?"

"Of course, young master. Though I may insist that you see a healing mage or a defense attorney depending on what you tell me."

Daren looked out the windows and the door to make sure that no one was around. Two Halcyon guards were stationed outside the door, but that was all. Daren set up a sound proof barrier around Chris's bed.

"I… think that I might like Aayla. Not just like a friend."

Chris nearly cried. Our young master has actually grown up a bit! That idiot could recognize his feelings at last. The Lady would be pleased. Daren blushed at Chris's tearful expression.

"Don't laugh!! Ugh, anyways you remember the year end party? Well, I actually found Aayla before you found me. She was talking with Ramona in the basement. She's not from here. She wants to go home. I might not ever see her again."

Hopes that Daren's EQ had increased were smashed.

"Don't be so dramatic. Daren, most people want to go home. Have you just asked her where she's from? You could both send letters to each other. Or I'm sure that the City Lord would love to recruit Ramona if Nafriton goes down. If that happens Aayla will probably follow along."

"I don't think that she's from here. With how they were talking, I think she's from Terra."