Offer of Redemption

Part three





"Aw dude c'mon don't give up! I'm sure it was just a mistake."

"I wish. I really do, but there's nothing I can do. Any minute someone's going to come in here and ask me to leave."

"What justice is this? You have been a good friend and from two days of meeting you, I think a good man. Such expulsion is outrageous!"

"Thanks guys, I really appreciate it but... I'm forsaken. I really don't think there's anything I can do."

"Naw man we're gonna complain! This is totally unfair!"

It was touching to have such good friends. Most other squires wouldn't dare stick their neck out for anyone else in the institute because of the cutthroat competition. Many feared those with powerful connections, like Dylan, would be able to convince the higher ups to retain or even expel anyone who dared raise any issues against the institutes administration.

"Guys. I'm really grateful for the support and the offer. But I can't get you guys into trouble on my behalf. I'm sure Dylan is just itching for an excuse to get you guys expelled. If I'm forsaken by the Gods there's not much even the headmaster can do anyway."

"If you require our assistance on anything Antonidas, we will be here." Roland said, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks guys really. It's great to have such good friends."

"Anything for you bro." Melvin joined in putting his hand on my other shoulder, "We're gonna work this shit out together."

As if fate were out to prove him wrong, just then Sir Andrews walked ominously into the room. We stood at attention, with Roland bumping his head against the ceiling in his haste to straighten up.

"At ease!" Sir Andrews commanded. "Leave us. I must speak to Antonidas alone."

"Yes sir!" My friends saluted and left, both giving nods of good luck as they exited the room and closed the door with a soft clicking behind them. My dorm room suddenly felt small and claustrophobic with Sir Andrews dominating the room, even while wearing a tunic instead of his normal Runite Platemail. I looked around the room for something for him to sit on but found none.

"No need Antonidas," He said, obviously noticing my plight. "I shall stand."

"Sir, what happened?" I blurted out. "I didn't do anything wrong I swear."

"I believe you Antonidas. However I am not here to offer you an explanation. I have talked to the teachers and headmaster. Unless you have been consorting with the powers of the Abaddon, which your stellar discipline record highly disputes," He paused, as if waiting for me to reveal that I did in fact use demon magic. Seeing no response he continued, "Instead I come to offer you a job. An agent came down to see your trial and has been greatly impressed by your skills. He's offered you a job at his agency."

"What agency is that sir?"

"The MSIB."

"Mystical Species Indexing Bureau? I'm sorry sir but I'm not going to be some scientist dragged away to foreign lands to catch some mystical toad."

"Just hear his pitch Antonidas." His eyes softened from their normally steely appearance. "Listen Antonidas, I'm sorry but there's nothing left here for you. I tried my best but the school has decided to 'politely' ask you to leave." His teeth ground. "With compensation for your school payments of course."

Suddenly looking defeated, he seemed to deflate slightly and I saw distinctly more of my Godfather than my combat instructor in him. "I'm sorry Anton. I really am. I promised your mother I'd take care of you before she passed away and..." He trailed off. I could even hear a slight noise from his throat, as if he were suppressing a sniff or some other show of emotion that would break is hardened facade.

"With your dad away, I feel it's best that you just leave with the agent. It's a good job, has good pay and... they need someone of your caliber."

"To catch frogs? Why would they need a pala..." I broke off. "Me. Why would they need a combatant like me?"

"Hear him out and you'll see." Sir Andrews straightened up, his brief moment of softness gone. "I must go. He's waiting outside for you. Please make the right choice Anton, a young man of such skill should not be wasted."

He turned slowly and opened the door, his huge silhouette blocking the light coming from the doorway. Just then he turned and I saw something twinkle near his eye, halfway down to his cheek. Could it have been a single small teardrop? Or maybe just my imagination.

"And maybe come back an visit me someday after your adventures." He added. Then, without another word walked away.

I sat heavily on the couch in the room. My mentor gone. My career over before it had begun.

"I guess I could go back to the house, maybe find a job as a bank guard or security officer at some mall near my house." I thought.
My empty home, with only servants and happy memories. And yet, I still wanted that sense of adventure that had spurred me into joining the institute in the first place. The wonder and excitement of seeing foreign lands. I had made up my mind. I walked through the door and sat down on the common-room sofa opposite a man in a finely made, probably handcrafted suit. He was tall and handsome, with an air of intellectual prowess about him.

"Antonidas Tarren I presume?" He extended his hand which I shook it. "I'm offering you a job I haven't offered in a long time."

"To catch mystical ferrets in a sunken city near the poles?"

"I like your sense of humor Mr Tarren." He smiled lopsidedly. "However I'm not offering you the job of field officer. I'm offering you," He leaded forward and lowered his voice. "A very special position. One that will allow you to act as a peacekeeping force much like that of a paladin. Just... more."

"What are you offering exactly?"

"I would tell you Mr Tarren, but then I'd have to kill you."

I chuckled. "I like your sense of humor Mr..."

 He leaned back again and his voice returned to it's normal volume. "Ellisar. Call me Mr Ellisar."

"Well Mr Ellisar. I'm in. When do I begin?"

"Right now." He smiled in the same, slightly cute, lopsided manner. "You have to save this institute from it's destruction."

Just then an explosion rang out near the main hall of Taz-madan. I got to my feet and without looking back broke into a sprint in it's direction.






Hey people of the internet!
Sorry for the late update. Been a busy week but I will try to keep posting even during the Christmas season!
MoP