Valerie

Valerie Mason remained in her seat while the other students made their way out of the auditorium. She shuddered when a young dragon carefully stepped over her feet and out of her row.

A dragon. I’m in school with a dragon.

She wrapped her arms around herself and took a deep breath. Get a grip, Valerie. No one’s going to hurt you.

She picked up her satchel and stood shakily. The auditorium was virtually empty now. Valerie looked at her watch and groaned. She dug around her skirt pocket and pulled out a crumpled paper. After smoothing it out, she scrutinized it, tilting her head slightly.

“Come on, where’s Species Studies?”

One of the rooms on the map began to glow. A trail of arrows appeared on the map, connecting the auditorium to the glowing room. Valerie jumped, almost dropping the map. A glowing map. Figures.

She followed the arrows out of the auditorium and through the halls, trying not to look any other students in the eye.

She arrived at a room that had Species Studies engraved above the door. A boy was standing outside, as if he was trying to decide whether he should go in.

“Aren’t you going in?” Valerie asked.

The boy jumped and turned around quickly. He grinned sheepishly at Valerie. “I guess I’m just a little nervous,” he said, looking back at the door. “People tend to freak out when I walk in.”

He only looked about fourteen, but his voice was as deep as a man’s. He was slender and had long brown hair tied neatly into a ponytail.

“I’ll say.”

The boy looked at Valerie quickly. “You too?” he asked, almost sadly.

“Your voice is so deep, you could pass for an adult.”

The boy let out a sigh of relief. “Yeah, I guess so. I’m Linden.”

“Valerie.” Valerie stuck out her hand. Linden shook it heartily.  

"Where are you from, Valerie?"

Valerie hesitated. “It's kind of a long story."

Linden smiled. "Everyone here has a long story."

A gong went off, echoing throughout the halls. Students rushed to their classes, talking excitedly.

Linden took a deep breath. "No use being late on the first day." He held out his hand. Valerie took it gratefully. At least she wouldn't have to go in alone.

They opened the door and Valerie gasped.

Instead of a typical classroom, they were standing on a balcony that overlooked a huge circular room. Valerie was reminded of the Amphitheater in Rome. A long staircase wound around the room to their left. Below, students were selecting desks and tittering amongst themselves.

"Very nice," Linden breathed. He gently led Valerie down the stairs and to an empty desk. He sat down beside her and began rummaging through his backpack.

Valerie mechanically pulled her history book out of her bag and placed it on her desk. She laid a green pencil next to it, caressing it gently. It was a small thing, but it was something normal to hold onto.

A curtain rustled by the chalkboard, and a huge dragon ambled out into the room.

Valerie began to sweat profusely. It was the most terrifying thing she had ever seen. The dragon was the color of brass, and it easily filled the space between the desks and the chalkboard. Its talons clacked on the granite floor as it situated itself in a comfortable position.

“Valerie, are you okay? You look a little green,” Linden whispered anxiously.

The dragon lifted its head and surveyed the class. “Welcome to Species Studies,” it said in a rumbling voice. “I am Professor Octavian. Please open your books to chapter one.”

The sound of turning pages filled the cavernous room.

“Today we shall begin by studying the fascinating qualities of the pixie.”

As Professor Octavian began his lesson, the whispers began. She wondered what was happening and looked behind her surreptitiously.

Most of the other students were looking at her while they pretended to study. Valerie's face grew hot and she bent over her notes, avoiding eye contact.

Professor Octavian noticed the furtive whispering and brought his foreleg down smartly. The room echoed with the noise and the students fell silent.

“I will not have my students disrespecting me by whispering during the lesson, especially on the first day. If something is amiss, then raise your hand and I will handle the situation appropriately.”

A girl with long golden curls promptly raised her hand.

“Yes, Miss…”

“Ealis. Princess Ealis Borae.”

“Miss Borae, would you mind sharing the fascinating topic of conversation with the whole class?”

Ealis stood up primly. “We were just wondering how that freak got in here.”

The class tittered and Valerie's eyes burned.

Professor Octavian flapped his enormous wings. “Quiet! Miss Borae, of whom do you speak?”

Ealis pointed a dainty finger. “The He-Dryad.”

Valerie blinked. What in the world is a He-Dryad?  she wondered. She looked at Linden to ask him.

His head was bowed, and he was gripping his quill tightly.

“Linden…?”

Professor Octavian looked over at them. “I see. Miss Borae, I shall take this opportunity to remind you and the rest of the class that there is no such thing as a freak. A He-Dryad is a rare and precious thing and you are to accord him the same respect that you would anyone else.”

Ealis’ satisfied smile faded and she sat down slowly.

Professor Octavian looked at Linden kindly. “What is your name?”

Linden sat a little straighter. “Linden Coeden, Professor.”

“Well, Mr. Coeden, I’m sure I speak for everyone at this school when I say how pleased I am that you are here.”

Linden gave a little smile. “I’m honored to be a student here.”

Professor Octavian gave a pleased snort, a puff of smoke rising from his nostrils. “That is an exemplary attitude. I hope that the rest of you will emulate Mr. Coeden.”

He turned back to the chalkboard. “Now, concerning pixies…”

After class Valerie hurried to keep up with Linden. "Hey, wait!" she called out, trying to slide her things back into her satchel without tripping.

Linden waited for her to catch up, a pleasant smile on his face.

As they went up the stairs and into the hallway, Valerie summoned her courage and asked, "I don't mean to be rude, but what is a He-Dryad?"

Linden gave her a strange look. "I thought that everyone knew about He-Dryads. We're incredibly rare."

"Why?"

"It's a long story," he replied, winking at her. They weren't in any other classes together before lunch, but they agreed to meet up in the cafeteria.

Valerie arrived in Study Hall, which was presided over by an enormous grandfather clock. The clock was set in the wall and soared up into the ceiling. The shining face was pristine, ticking silently as the students worked.

A man with blue hair sat at a desk which sat at the foot of the clock. He was rather pale, with slender hands and a long nose that tapered elegantly into a point. He was dressed like he had just come from a medieval court, with a blue jerkin and waistcoat and puffy striped breeches.

Valerie tried not to stare as she signed her name on the attendance sheet. She looked up at the man and smiled. "Hello sir. My name is Valerie Mason."

The man looked up from his work. "Professor Cumber Dirigitosin. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Valerie shifted slightly. "Professor, I don't mean to be rude, but I think that your clothes are beautiful."

Professor Dirigitosin straightened slightly. "Thank you, Miss Mason. Your compliment is appreciated."

The grandfather clock chimed, the sound reverberating pleasantly.

Valerie smiled at the professor again and looked around for a seat. She noticed a strange-looking person sitting alone by the window. He looked like a small tree in a school uniform. The quill that he was writing with looked ridiculously small in his hand.

Valerie approached slowly, trying to act natural. "Can I sit here?" she asked.

The tree-boy looked up, surprised. "Sure, I guess so," he said cautiously. His voice reminded her of tree branches swaying in the wind.

Valerie sat down next to him and pulled out a notebook. The other kids snickered at them as they settled into their seats.

"Why are they laughing?" Valerie whispered.

"They think it's silly for an Enting to go to school," he replied quietly, his quill scratching rhythmically on the parchment.

"I'm Valerie Mason," Valerie said, writing her name on the inside cover of her book.

"I'm Gorn. What are you writing with?" he asked, pointing at her pencil.

"This is a pencil. It's a stick of graphite encased in...wood.” The thought occurred to her that this might be offensive to an Enting, but Gorn only seemed fascinated. “There's a rubber eraser on the other end for removing mistakes," she continued, demonstrating on her paper.

"It's different than any quill I've ever seen," Gorn said thoughtfully.

"Where I come from, no one uses quills," Valerie said, an unexpected catch in her voice.

"Where are you from?" Gorn inquired.

"Silence, please," Professor Dirigitosin called. Valerie and Gorn refocused on their writing, each glad to not be sitting alone.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Valerie saw Linden waiting by the cafeteria entrance. "Come on Gorn, I want you to meet someone."

She led the Enting over to Linden, the crowd giving them a wide berth.

"Linden, this is Gorn. We met in Study Hall."

Linden stuck out his hand and Gorn shook it gingerly.

"Let's get some food and find a table," Linden said. "Will you join us, Gorn?"

Gorn blinked. "You want me to eat with you?" he said incredulously.

Valerie and Linden both nodded. Gorn smiled for the first time, his face softening.

They made their way down the line and Valerie noticed that the lunch ladies were rather short.

Dwarf lunch ladies? There's something you don't read about in fairy tales.

They found a table and sat down, ignoring the hubbub around them.

"So Gorn," Linden said around a mouthful of food, "how did you manage to get into the academy?"

Gorn shook his head, creaking slightly. "My father is the head of the Ent Council, and when he heard about this academy, he decided that it would set a good example to the other Ents if I went."

"But don't all Entings go to school?" Valerie asked.

"Before this academy, there really was no school. The royal or wealthy kids had private tutors, the poor kids had their parents, and the rest of us had the ancient ways. It's always been that way, until today. This is the first school of its kind. Some people are betting that it won't last beyond the winter solstice."

Valerie pondered Gorn's words. "So we're the guinea pigs," she mused aloud.

Linden and Gorn stared at her blankly. "What do you mean?" Linden asked.

Valerie looked at them. "Guinea pigs? You know, test subjects?"

"Oh. Yes, we're the trial. If we can't successfully do this, then they'll shut it down."

Valerie looked around. "It can't be that hard to go to school every day."

Gorn and Linden chuckled at this. "Most of us aren't used to being around so many different species," Gorn explained. "Some certain species even have ancient feuds that aren't completely dead. Just look at me. I'm the first Enting to attend a school in recorded history. The only reason I'm here is because my father thinks he's modern."

Linden set down his fork. "Pretty much everyone knows this, Valerie. How is it that you don't even know a He-Dryad when you see one?"

Valerie stabbed her salad halfheartedly. "Maybe I'm not 'pretty much everyone'," she said quietly.

The boys waited for her to elaborate, but Valerie just sank into a stony silence.

"You know where we come from. Where are you from?" Gorn pressed.

Valerie swallowed hard. She could feel the homesickness beginning to overwhelm her.

The gong rang and the students began clearing out of the cafeteria. Valerie jumped up, abandoning her salad and her friends.

"Valerie! Wait!" Linden called out.

Valerie ducked into the ladies' room. It was mercifully empty and she exhaled slowly. She didn't know why she had run away from her friends. She just couldn't bear to talk about home to anyone. Not yet.

She splashed some water on her face and headed to her next class. The map directed her outside, the word Botany shining in gold letters. She followed a path that veered around the school and into a large grove of trees. She could hear voices as she approached. She stepped into the clearing and froze in her tracks. Standing in the center of the glade was the most beautiful woman Valerie had ever seen. She had red-blond hair and deep green eyes that glittered in the light. She was tall and willowy, and her pale skin glistened. Her dress flowed down past her knees, and her bare feet could be seen.

Valerie closed her open mouth and sat down on one of the many wooden stumps that dotted the clearing. Linden waved at her from the back, and she gave him a small smile.

"Welcome," the woman trilled. "I am Ashley, daughter of She Who Gilds the Oak. Today I shall teach you a new thing."

She waved her hands and a large scroll appeared, hovering in mid air. It unfurled on its own, rotating slowly. Valerie saw a great tree painted on it. People were gathered around it expectantly.

"This is a Dryad's Tree," Ashley explained. "When a Dryad comes of age, he is made one with one of the ancient trees in the sacred forest. Once they are one, the Dryad becomes aware of the life force of the forest, not just the trees, but all of the other Dryads as well. It is a most beautiful bond."

Valerie glanced over at Linden while Ashley continued. His eyes were shining with longing as he gazed at the tree on the scroll.

Valerie tentatively raised her hand.  Ashley gestured at her gracefully.

“How does that work?  The bonding, I mean.”

Ashley inclined her head. “She of Raven Hair has asked the ancient question. While many outside of the Dryad number ponder this, they are not permitted to know the details of such an intimate ceremony.”

Valerie looked at her feet, embarrassed. Only she could ask the questions that everyone else knew not to ask.  

“However,”  Ashley continued, “not many are brave enough to directly inquire. This shows much promise, She of Raven Hair.”

Valerie blinked. Had someone just complimented her?

She glanced back at Linden.  He nodded at her encouragingly before returning to his work.  Valerie turned back around and paid close attention, not wanting to miss a single word that fell from Ashley’s lips.