3

"I'm Lord Pascal Haberlin," says Pascal. "Call me Pascal—that's how we do things here, we treat students like the young adults they are, not children."

Asher murmurs a polite greeting, ducking their head.

"Would you like to make your formal introductions?" Pascal says quietly to you. "Or shall I?"

You survey the gathered crowd. Some are watching you excitedly, while others are trying to look nonchalant. Pascal gives you a broad smile and gestures to you to begin.

Thank you for the welcome," you say. "I look forward to starting my time here."

A burst of applause. They must be relieved to have royalty who shows a dignified side. You introduce yourself as His Highness the Prince…

Asher applauds enthusiastically beside you while the students and teachers clap and cheer. Pascal beams at you.

"And how would you prefer us to address you, Your Highness?" he says.

Pascal bows deeply, and turns to address the crowd. "Settle down, you lot," he says. "I know how exciting it is for Wailbeam to be here, but of course we'll deal with it with our usual aplomb."

A pair of teachers herd the students away toward the school, leaving you and Asher in the open evening air with Pascal.

"They'll get used to you," Pascal says fondly. "We haven't had a Westerlind royal here before, of course, and it's been a few years since we had Prince Rosario from Zaledo here, so everyone's a little excitable. Now! I'm certain you have a hundred things to think about, so I'll show you to your rooms."

With Asher, you follow him onward.

Next

Archambault Academy sits close to the top of a waterfall; as you walk with Pascal, you hear the roar of the water. A dizzying array of towers and spires soar high against the sunset sky. At the entrance stands an enormous marble statue of a rearing stag.

"That's Archie," Pascal says affectionately. "Been here for centuries. Lovely boy, isn't he?"

The whole place is ancient. Even the more modern gas lamps have been carefully blended with antique stonework and ornate stone carvings of animals and vines. Pascal is eager to explain where everything is, and the history of the architecture. Even if you wished to, it's hard to get in a word edgewise.