Anna's Dream

Anna stepped out of the palace into the sprawling courtyard to find a luxurious carriage waiting for them. Rose was waiting for her near the carriage. She was chatting with Sebastian and looked genuinely comfortable with the man.

I know Barika said I shouldn't trust darklings, but she's wrong about them. They aren't bad people. Honestly, I think normal humans are the bad ones if I had to compare them.

She glanced over at Prince Rupert. The boy stood nervously next to her, looking at the carriage. He was wearing the Academy's uniform which consisted of a shirt, tie, blazer, pants, and a pair of shoes, all of which were black save for the Academy's emblem, embroidered on the right breast of the dull gray blazer. She was wearing the same uniform, save for a skirt instead of pants and a bow instead of a tie.

I feel like I'm going to a funeral. And why is this stupid uniform so tight around my chest?! I get that they make these things for teenage girls usually, but I gave them my measurements. It should fit!

They started walking towards the carriage. She could feel the nervous excitement coming from Rupert. Sebastian opened the door to the carriage, and Rupert climbed in. She followed after and sat in the seat across from him. Rose climbed in and sat next to her. Then Sebastian entered last and sat next to Rupert across from Rose before he closed the door and pounded on it three times.

The carriage jerked into motion, pulling away from the palace and riding down the long pathway towards the gate. Anna reached over and pulled the curtain open to look out the window. The well-manicured grounds passed by, and they rode through the gate into the city. The city reminded her of the older parts of Therondale's capital with the most noticeable difference being the lack of colorful paint.

Well, this place is about as exciting as a temple to the black god.

The citizens of the city weren't any better, all looking like undertakers on the way to a tomb.

I get they have that whole spooky thing going on, but this is a little excessive.

The carriage picked up speed and rushed down the main street towards the western gate. It didn't take long for them to zip out of the city and into the valley where the shadow kingdom was located in.

Fields of straggly crops stretched out to the feet of the distant mountains. The lands around the capital were being utilized to their fullest and yet they seemed inadequate to the task of feeding so many people.

No wonder the darklings are fighting so hard. They can't stay here forever.

They reached the academy just before noon. The walls of the place were short and made from stone. It was clear they were there merely to dissuade people from entering or exiting and not to keep hostile forces out.

The carriage rode up to the gates, and the guards saluted and then opened them. The grounds were well kept, and students were gathered under the various trees doing whatever students do while on break.

All eyes watched the carriage as it made its way down the long path to the main building. It pulled in front of the entryway and the door opened. Rupert got out first followed by Anna, then Sebastian, and lastly Rose. Servants started to unload the carriage while she and the prince walked into the school.

"The headmaster's office is this way," she said.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yeah, I looked at maps of all the buildings a few days ago," she replied.

"Oh, well, shouldn't we wait until someone comes to get us?" he asked.

"You can if you want, but I'd rather just meet with the headmaster and get it over with," she replied.

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She walked over, and he scurried after her. She marched down the corridors, students moving aside as she went until she reached the headmaster's office where she pounded on the door like a troll battering down a city's gates with its fists. Moments later, the door swung open, and a nervous-looking old man looked down at her in confusion.

"You wanted to see me?" she asked.

The man blinked for a moment and then looked over at Rupert before looking back at her.

"Are you Anna?" he asked.

"Yep," she replied.

"Well, come in then," he said.

He stepped aside, and she strutted into his office, looking around as she made her way to the desk located against the rear wall in front of a large window. The headmaster rushed over to his desk and sat down.

"I didn't expect you so soon," he said.

"The dark one sent us here in a big fancy carriage with eight horses pulling it. Of course we got here quick," she replied.

"Yes, I understand that, but I was more wondering why the man I sent to fetch you isn't here," he said.

"I told you we should have waited!" Rupert added.

"But I thought we were supposed to take initiative!" she replied.

"That doesn't mean storming that man's office and battering his door down!" Rupert said.

"That's not what happened!" she replied.

"Enough!" the headmaster shouted.

They turned to look at the old man.

"Prince Rupert, all I wanted to ask you is that you don't misuse your position while you're here at the school. This is a place of learning, and there are even a few commoners, and they deserve a chance to receive an education without harassment," he said.

"I would never do that, sir!" Rupert replied.

"Good, now then, what exactly are you, Miss Anna?" the headmaster asked.

She held up her right hand to show him her new ring.

"I'm a dwarf," she replied.

The ring was a gift from Thokri and marked her as a member of the Boulderfist clan. The headmaster examined the ring for a moment and then nodded.

"Well, Miss Boulderfist, I wish you well in your studies. I expect great things from you," he added.

"I'll do my best," she replied.

"That's all we ask. Now then, you two go and get settled in. Your classes will start in the morning," the headmaster said.

"Yes, sir!" Prince Rupert replied.

They walked out of the office and closed the door behind them.

"Could you take me to the boys' dorm?" he asked.

"Sure," she replied.

They walked down the long hallway and then out of the main building through the rear doors. She led him through the courtyard and then down the right-hand path that led to the boy's dorm.

"Alright, girls can't go in the boys' dorm, so here's as far as I can take you. Your room is on the top floor at the rear of the hallway," she said.

"Thanks, I'll see you tomorrow," he replied.

"See you tomorrow," she said.

They parted ways, and she headed for the girls' dorm.

She swaggered along, her stride similar to that of her adoptive father. They'd spent the last few days celebrating their new parent-child relationship in a truly dwarven fashion, drinking copious amounts of strong liquor and singing rude songs long into the night.

The others had joined in which caused quite a ruckus in the guest wing of the palace. The Dark One came to see what all the hubbub was about and ended up passed out on the floor in a puddle of his own vomit.

Even the Dark One can't hang with dwarves.

That very morning before she'd headed out, he'd given her the ring and wished her luck.

I won't be gone for long, lad, and when I'm finished with this, we can go home to the mountain and have a proper celebration with the whole family.

She heard a girl crying and some strong voices just off the path. She went over to investigate and found a group of girls looming over a frightened girl who was cowering on the ground.

"You don't belong here you trash!" one of the girls shouted.

She kicked the fallen girl who whimpered.

"That's enough of that," Anna said.

The bullies turned to face her as she swaggered up.

"Who are you?" one of the girls asked.

"Anna Boulderfist," she replied.

"I've never heard of house Boulderfist before," another girl said.

"It's not a house. It's a clan. I'm a dwarf," Anna replied.

The girls looked at her clearly confused.

"What's a dwarf doing at the royal academy?" a girl asked.

"What the fuck do you think I'm doing, ya daft lass? I'm taking classes like the rest of ya. Now get moving 'for I stick my foot up yer scrawny asses!" Anna snapped.

The bullies hesitated for a moment until she took a step towards them. Then they rushed away. She walked over to the fallen girl and held out her hand.

"Come on. I'll walk you to the dorm," she said.

The girl took her hand, and she pulled her up. She was a little taller than Anna and on the cubby side.

"So, what's your name?" Anna asked.

"Cecilia," the girl replied.

"So why were they giving you shit?" Anna asked.

"I'm a commoner," Cecilia replied.

"I thought that didn't matter here," Anna said.

"It's not supposed to," Cecilia replied.

"I guess I should have figured that," Anna said.

"So, are you really a dwarf?" Cecilia asked.

"Yeah, I'm adopted though," Anna replied.

"I can tell," Cecilia said.

They started to chat while they walked towards the girls' dorms, getting to know each other.