After the funeral, the students were dismissed from lectures for the day and free to spend their time as they wished. The academy gave everyone the afternoon off to help distract them from the grim reality of the murder.
As Kael and Zaros strolled through the academy's grounds, laughter echoed across the courtyards. Groups of students sat together in the meadows, chatting or playing games, seemingly oblivious to the recent tragedy.
"It's strange," Kael said, watching them with a distant look. "Something as simple as a free afternoon, and suddenly everyone forgets the fear they felt just hours ago."
Zaros shrugged. "Like I said, the vice headmaster knows what he's doing. People can't live in fear forever. If they feel safe, they act safe."
Kael's eyes wandered toward the gates, where two knights in shining white armor stood guard. "The fact that the Order's knights are stationed at every corner of the academy definitely helps with that feeling of safety," he said, his tone calm but dripping with sarcasm.
Zaros raised an eyebrow and gave him a sidelong glance. "You don't sound too fond of them. Why?"
Kael hesitated for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "It's not that. I just wonder why they're here at all. The knights of the Order only move when a Word has been spoken, but that doesn't seem to be the case this time."
Zaros frowned. "How would you know that? Maybe the professors just don't tell us everything. If a Word was involved, they'd want to keep that quiet to stop rumors from spreading."
"Could be," Kael admitted quietly. But why do I have the feeling that no Word was involved? If one had been used, I would have felt it. That strange pull, like when Professor Nora demonstrated the Motarith. No, there's more to this than the professors or the vice headmaster are admitting.
After that, they both fell silent. They continued walking along the stone paths winding through the academy grounds. They were surrounded by laughter, sunlight, and the scent of autumn flowers. For a moment, the world seemed calm again—almost peaceful.
Then Kael stopped.
A faint rustling came from the bushes to their right. He frowned and turned his head toward the sound. "Did you hear that?" he asked, lowering his voice.
Zaros tilted his head and listened. "No...what are you talking about?"
Kael couldn't help but smile at his friend's ridiculous pose. "You should get your ears checked," he teased. But he stepped closer to the bush anyway.
He brushed the branches aside and peered into the tangle. A falcon sat there, white flecked with black, its eyes dark and sharp as carved stone. Majestic, Kael thought. Then his smile vanished. One of the falcon's wings hung at an odd angle, its feathers ragged and stained.
Zaros, who had come up beside him, exhaled softly. "That's terrible," he said. "A free bird, destined to die because of a broken wing."
"No," Kael replied immediately and quietly. "I won't accept that. Destiny can be changed. Even for a bird." He bent down carefully and, with practiced gentleness, slid his hands beneath the falcon's body. To his surprise, the bird did not struggle. It stared at him with inscrutable calm, as though recognizing that Kael meant no harm.
"Wow," Zaros breathed, watching the falcon settle into Kael's arms. "He's calm with you. Unexpected. He trusts you." He looked at Kael, half-awed. "What should we do? Should we take him to the infirmary?"
"No," Kael replied, his gaze still fixed on the falcon. "The infirmary is closed, and they won't open for anything that isn't an emergency. Besides, I have a feeling this bird wouldn't let anyone else touch him." He met Zaros's eyes confidently. "I'll bring him to my room and nurse him back to health. When we meet Lia at sunset, I'll ask if she has a cream or potion that could help."
Kael gently ran his fingers over the falcon's head. Weird. I can feel something, some kind of connection. It's warm and familiar, as if this bird already knows me. Maybe it's because we're the same. Both of us are wounded and searching for a way to heal.
His expression softened into quiet resolve. "I promise," he whispered. "You'll fly again. No matter what."
Kael turned to Zaros. "I'm heading back to my room. Want to come along?"
Zaros shook his head with a faint grin. "Nah, I've got an appointment later. I'll meet you there." He waved and walked down the left path toward his dormitory.
"See you," Kael called after him. Then, he carefully adjusted the falcon in his arms and began walking toward his own dorm.
The campus was calm now, the laughter of students fading into the distance and being replaced by the soft rustle of trees and the rhythmic sound of Kael's footsteps on the cobblestone. The falcon remained still, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings as if he understood every movement.