Humayre: The Chronicles of Ronin Wilder
Chapter 24

Grace’s hair was tied back into a pony tail revealing the curvature of her neck. It was thin and delicate, yet strong. The musculature was there but not in a manly way. Holding her bokken in her left hand, she exuded strength and confidence. She walked with her head up and shoulders back.

Grace bumped Ronin with her shoulder. “What?” she asked, and laughed. It was flirty, like she knew Ronin was staring at her.

“Nothing,” said Ronin, and blushed. She caught him staring. It wasn’t the first time. She seemed to do that a lot. “I thought you had something on your neck.”

“That’s your story, huh?” she said with a giggle.

Once again Grace managed to hog-tie Ronin’s tongue. All he could do was smile at her and playfully bump her with his shoulder. They passed through the memorial room and stopped in the Great Hall. Grace scanned the room for a second and then continued to the exit.

“You looking for someone?” asked Ronin. He knew exactly what she was doing. It stung his heart. As much as he liked Cyrus he also hated him. He wished Grace looked at him like she looked at Cyrus.

“Cyrus was supposed to meet us,” said Grace. “But, as usual, he is busy with something else.” Her voice sounded irritated.

They walked into the next hallway. Paintings of fallen Humayre lined the walls. In between those paintings were torches. Light and shadow danced on the stone walls. The effect was beautiful and Ronin never ceased to appreciate it. All the doors were closed signifying class had already begun. Ronin was about to be late for Master Kita’s class again. It was the third time that month. Normally Ronin wasn’t the sort to be late or disrespectful, but the beatings Master Kita administered to him brought out his rebellious side. It was the only way he could get even with the guy. Knowing Mrs. Kinney would be disappointed made him feel guilty.

“You’re quiet this morning,” said Grace.

Grace’s voice snapped him from his thoughts. “Sorry. I was just thinking about Mrs. Kinney.”

“You miss her don’t you?”

“Yeah. I haven’t talked to her in months. I hope she’s okay.” He rested the tip of his bokken on the floor and leaned on the handle. “She was the only person I trusted for a long time. Until I came here and met you Kevin and Mike.”

Grace’s face grew solemn. She stared at the floor. “I have something to tell you.” Her tone made Ronin nervous. He didn’t know what to say so he remained silent.

“It’s about Ryan,” she said. She held her bokken across her chest with two hands. Her eyes remained glued to the floor. “I grew up with him. It’s why I am so afraid of him.”

“Grew up with him?” Ronin took a step away from Grace as he picked up his bokken. “How? I thought he was a Rahvein?”

“We both grew up in a Biotech town,” said Grace. “It’s where Borns’ are raised.”

“Borns’?” interrupted Ronin.

“Humayre families or Rahvein familes who have children are called Borns’,” said Grace. “Like you, my parents were also Humayre. But I was raised knowing our world, unlike you, or any of the kids who were raised by humans.”

“I knew there was something different about you,” said Ronin. “Most kids walk around in a sort of wonder, whereas you seem like it’s all old news.” He smiled. “It makes sense.”

She picked her gaze from up off the floor and smiled. “Thank you. I am happy you’re not mad at me for not telling you.”

“Trust me, if anyone understands not wanting to feel different it’s me.” Ronin relaxed his tense shoulders and took a step closer to Grace. For the first time he felt a real connection with her. Not just as a friend but something deeper.

“I’m sorry I told you to be afraid of Ryan,” said Grace. “It makes me think that maybe I am the cause for some of the problems you are having with him. It’s just. I know him. I know his family. His father was horrible. He used to beat Ryan and verbally abuse him. It made Ryan angry. He used to do terrible things. This one time I caught him hurting some cats. It was horrible. My parents made me stay away from him, but it didn’t keep me from seeing the sick things he’d do.”

Ronin hadn’t told Grace about his meeting with Mr. Westone earlier that morning, or his confrontation with Ryan afterward. He didn’t tell anyone. What Ronin had planned was going to be risky and he didn’t want to drag his friends into it all over again. Stealing the letter from Mr. Wetstone’s office would be grounds for automatic expulsion, if caught, and that would be the best case scenario. It all made sense though. His feelings about Ryan were correct, there was something seriously wrong with the guy. But, as much as Ronin didn’t like Ryan, he felt kind of bad for him. From what Grace had told Ronin, it sounded like Ryan had it even worse than he did growing up.

“I really care about you and I don’t want him to hurt you,” she said, and grabbed Ronin’s arm above his elbow. It was gentle and loving.

In that moment Ronin thought he couldn’t be happier. He never wanted her to let go. Staring into her green eyes he inched closer to her. The desire to kiss her full pink lips overwhelmed him.

“You’re like a brother to me,” said Grace. “If anything ever happened to you, I don’t know what I would do. You’re the brother I always wish I had.” She smiled and gripped his arm.

Ronin stepped back. It felt like all his dreams were crushed. The pit of his stomach ached. He just wanted to get away, to get to class. A Master Kita beating would be a relief compared to the pain he was feeling.

“I’ve got to get to class.” Ronin pulled his arm away. “I’ll see you later.” His voice choked up a bit.

“What happened?” asked Grace. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She stepped forward to touch Ronin’s arm but he pulled away.

“I’ve got to go. Everything’s fine. Just worried about class. I’ll see you later.” He turned and hurried down the hall. He glanced back before he opened the door. Grace looked confused and a little hurt. Ronin was glad. He entered the class and closed the door behind him.

Defensive stance training. Ronin’s least favorite class. His bokken was grudgingly held in front of his body with two hands. The ache in his forearms was almost unbearable. Wanting to relax his grip he remembered what Master Kita would do to him if he did. He gripped even tighter. Rob Miles stood before him. Rob’s bokken was held in his left hand, the blade parallel to the floor. His right hand was held out in front of him.

Rob thrust his bokken forward. Ronin dodged the blow aimed for his chest.

“Parry you insolent dog!” shouted Master Kita. “Don’t you dare dodge again.”

Rob pulled his bokken back and attempted another strike. Rob’s speed was inhuman. The blade of the bokken sliced through the air. It was on course to strike Ronin’s shoulder. Ronin wanted to bring his bokken up to block the blow just as Master Kita wanted him to, but his instincts took over. He dodged again and stepped under the attack. Ronin’s mind went blank. A clang sounded below his feet. It was his bokken. A smile grew from his new found freedom. Fangs glistened. Ronin’s right palm opened. Five pearlescent razor sharp claws extended four inches from his fingertips. The world slowed.

Every one of Ronin’s senses came alive. An instant splash of fear creeped into Ronin’s nostrils. The sweet smell of Rob’s terror ignited Ronin’s hunger into a frenzy. Rob’s heart raced, the bump, bump, bump beat hard in Ronin’s ears. It furthered his excitement. A pulsing, aching, pressure irritated his fangs. The insatiable need to sink his teeth into his opponent drove his frenzy even further. All focus found a spot on the side of Rob’s chest. Animal instinct was taking over. Something deep inside beckoned him to stop. But it was too late. The frenzy was out of control.

Wind swished through Ronin’s fingers as his hand cut through the air. Ronin was aware of every feeling but at the same time numb to reality. A crushing pain drove across Ronin’s back stopping at his right shoulder. The air was slammed from his lungs. Reality came crashing back. The tips of his claws were mere inches from Rob’s side waiting to disembowel him. Horror and shock sheathed his claws. Ronin felt himself being driven into the cold stone.

“Dog!” shouted Master Kita, standing over Ronin, his bokken driving hard into Ronin’s back.

The cold stone pressed against Ronin’s cheek. His mind returned to him. Turning to his side, he frantically looked for Rob. The boy was staring at Ronin, horror contorting his face. It was as though Rob was looking at a rabid animal. In that moment Ronin realized he was that rabid animal.

“Class is over!” shouted Master Kita. “Everyone out.” He walked to the corner of the room and rested his bokken on the sword stand.

“What happened?” asked Kevin, leaning over holding his hand out.

Ronin grasped his hand. Kevin pulled him from off the ground. “I don’t know,” said Ronin. He dusted himself off and picked up his bokken. Trying to recall what happened, the feeling came back to him. The feeling of letting go. The feeling of losing control. The feeling of wanting to tear into Rob. It terrified him. He changed his focus and blocked out the memory.

As the students exited Master Kita’s class they stared at Ronin like he was some kind of monster. Rob hung around seemingly waiting for Ronin to say something to him but left after only a few seconds, his face looked hurt and confused.

“You alright?” asked Kevin. He grabbed his bokken with two hands and nervously tapped the bottom of the handle on his chin.

“Yeah. I’m fine,” said Ronin. Another lie. They seemed to be piling up. “Let’s get out of here.”

Just outside of Master Kita’s class stood Grace and Cyrus. It was the last two people Ronin wanted to see.

“Hey,” said Cyrus. He had a smile on his face.

Grace didn’t say anything. She just stared at Ronin with a concerned look on her face.

Kevin pat Ronin on the shoulder as he looked to Cyrus and Grace. “I’ll meet you guys in the pub.” He focused on Ronin. “Don’t sweat what just happened. Rob’s fine.”

Ronin nodded. Kevin headed down the hall.

“What’s he talking about?” asked Grace.

“Something weird happened in class. It’s no big deal,” said Ronin in a cold tone. It was obvious he was withholding information.

“Okay.” Grace folded her arms. Her face grew solemn.

“So Grace tells me you need some time away from all of this,” said Cyrus.

Ronin flashed Grace a dirty look but her focus was guiltily at Ronin’s feet. She betrayed his trust. He couldn’t stand the thought of her talking to Cyrus about him.

“A bunch of us are going to the movies tomorrow night. Normally they don’t allow first years to leave campus, but they will let you go if you are with me,” said Cyrus. He put his arm around Grace. Ronin’s blood boiled.

“So what do you say?” asked Cyrus. “How about a little R and R?”

“R and R?” asked Ronin. He almost couldn’t stand looking at either of them. Grace’s beauty just furthered his resentment of her.

“Rest and relaxation,” said Cyrus.

Everything about Cyrus irritated Ronin at that moment. He wanted to tell them both to go jump off a bridge. But an idea came to mind. It was just the chance he needed. Maybe the only chance he’d get, seeing as how they didn’t let first years off campus. It was his chance to take Ryan’s letter to O’Sheas Pub. Maybe not the smartest or safest plan, but it was the only option he had left if he wanted to find the out truth about his parents.

“Okay,” said Ronin with a fake smile.

“Okay then,” said Cyrus. He walked up and playfully slapped Ronin on the back.

Ronin wanted to break his arm, but not really. He was conflicted. The guy was just so darn nice. He hated himself for being jealous.

Cyrus continued, “Tomorrow then. We will head out right after your last class.” He nodded to Grace then looked back to Ronin. “This will be good. Give you a chance to clear your head a bit. I’m happy you are coming.”

Nodding, Ronin forced another smile.

“Okay guys,” said Cyrus. I have a staff meeting.” He kissed Grace on the forehead. “See you later tonight.”

As Cyrus disappeared down the hall Grace stepped close to Ronin. He stepped back.

“I’m worried about you,” said Grace.

“Don’t be,” said Ronin. “I’m fine.” He nodded to Grace and decided to head to Bub’s Pub. As he walked away he turned to see Grace standing alone staring at the stone floor. Mrs. Kinney popped into his mind. She would be disappointed in him. He stopped. As mad as he was at her, his heart ached for her sadness. He couldn’t stand to hurt her feelings. The anger dissipated and a calmness came over him.

“Are you coming or not?” asked Ronin. He smiled. This time it was genuine.

Grace’s eyes fired to him. Her face brightened up. “Yeah.” She hurried to Ronin’s side. She bumped him with her shoulder. He returned the gesture. They both laughed. “I thought you were mad at me.”

“Sorry,” he said. “Just a rough last couple of days.” He bumped her again and chuckled. “Nothing a pint of Bub’s famous cider can’t fix.”

“And maybe a game of blind-folded darts?” she asked. “I’m up, four games to one.” Pretending to throw a dart, she added, “One more win and you owe me a round of cider.”

“Wait a second. That last win didn’t count. Kevin bumped me. Remember?”

“That’s you story, huh?”

They both laughed.

As they headed for Bub’s Pub, Ronin grew silent. The letter, he had to get it but he didn’t know how. Without Mr. Wetstone’s key there would be no way to get inside his living quarters. After all, it wasn’t like he could pick a lock or anything. And there it was. The answer was simple yet seemingly impossible. He was going to have to steal Mr. Wetstones’s key. A feat that, if caught, would surely earn him an expulsion or worse.

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