Going to Academy
Ren is unconscious, curled in a corner. His wrists are chained lightly, more for tradition than safety. His breathing is shallow. Two lower-ranked servants sit across from him, arms crossed.
Servant 1
Why are we even wasting a carriage on him?
Servant 2
[scoffs]
They say he’s ‘important.’ Doesn’t look like it. I’ve seen plague rats with more life in their eyes.
Servant 1
Experiment freak. Should’ve just buried the lab with him in it.
Servant 2
Need to drag him to the carriage now.
Outside the underground facility, just before dawn. The sky is gray. A black Academy carriage waits with a single driver on standby. Those two servants drag Ren forward, barely conscious, his feet dragging on the dirt.
Servant 1
Careful with it. Council said not to bruise him more than he already is.
Servant 2
Doesn’t matter. Look at him—like a wet leaf. He won’t last a week.
They shove Ren into the back of the carriage like discarded laundry.
Servant 1
Honestly, waste of a carriage. Should’ve shipped him in a crate.
Carriage driver
[from the front, calm but firm]
That’s enough.
The servants blink, taken aback. The driver’s eyes are sharp, serious.
Carriage driver
Council said to deliver him in one piece. That includes his dignity.
Servant 2
[muttering as they walk off]
Dignity? With that thing?
Servant 1
You’ll see. The Academy will rip him apart.
They leave. The door closes. Inside, Ren stirs faintly but doesn’t open his eyes yet.
Carriage driver
[murmuring, almost to himself]
Poor kid… whatever you are, I hope you make it out.
Carriage driver
* starts the carriage *
The carriage rocks gently. Ren stirs. He flinches as if in pain, blinking against the sunlight peeking through the curtains.
Ren Alderis (MC)
[softly]
…Where…
The driver, hears the whisper through the front window. He leans back slightly, offering a small smile.
Carriage driver
You’re awake. That’s good
Ren Alderis (MC)
[voice trembling]
W-Where… are we going…?
Carriage driver
To the Academy. You’ve been chosen to study magic, little one.
Ren Alderis (MC)
[confused, eyes wide]
…Study? But… I’m not… I didn’t do anything…
The driver doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reaches behind his seat and slides a small paper-wrapped bundle through the window.
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