novelzi Chapter 133: The letter
Chapter 133: The letter
As I took in the sight of the other masters, their attention fixed on the entrance as the drumming sound grew louder still.Each of the masters seemed to wear an expression of guarded expectation, their eyes locked on the entrance as they awaited the arrival of whatever – or whoever – was causing the strange commotion.
As the drumming grew louder, its rhythm beating a tattoo in the air, the other mages remained oblivious to its presence, their training continuing without pause as they focused on the tasks at hand.
But as the sound drew nearer, its rhythm echoing through the air like a pulse, the first signs of awareness began to flicker across their faces, their eyes widening and their movements slowing as they began to sense the strange disturbance that had so captivated the masters.
With a sudden, thunderous sound, a horse burst into the training ground, its hooves striking the earth with a force that shook the ground beneath them.
The rider, clad in armor and wearing a look of urgency on his face, guided the horse to a halt, his hand tightening on the reins as he swung himself down from the saddle, his boots hitting the ground with a dull thud.
As the rider scanned the group of masters, his gaze sweeping from one to the next in
With the eyes of the academy upon him, Master Jared carefully unfolded the parchment, his hands steady and his expression unreadable as he revealed the message within.
Like a single ripple in a still pond, the motion sent a wave of anticipation through the crowd.
Master Jared's eyes lifted from the page, their gaze sweeping across the crowd of assembled students and masters as the letter was lowered to his side, his expression grave and his demeanor solemn.
As he met the expectant gazes of those around him, the air seemed to compress, the tension in the room reaching a fever pitch as he prepared to speak.
Master Jared shifted his gaze from the assembled masses to the other masters standing beside him, their faces solemn and their eyes grave as they, too, awaited his next words.
And then, turning back to the crowd, his gaze sweeping across the sea of anxious faces, Master Jared's voice rang out, the weight of his words adding a gravity to his voice.
"There will be a slight break in lessons while we masters discuss," Master Jared announced, his tone authoritative but quiet.
He said it in a quiet voice because he knew that the other masters had enhanced hearing and they would hear what he was saying with no stress.
As Master Jared's words sank into the air, the other masters nodded in understanding, their faces grave and their eyes focused on the task at hand.
Turning to their respective classes, they addressed the students with words of reassurance, their tones soothing and their gestures measured as they sought to quell the rising tide of curiosity and anxiety that had begun to spread through the ranks of the students.
As the last of the masters' assurances faded into the air, their forms shifted, their bodies turning towards the palace's gates, their footsteps quick and sure as they moved to convene in a huddle.
The ring of masters grew tighter as they drew closer, their voices a low murmur of hushed conversation as they pored over the contents of the letter, their words lost to all but themselves in the echoing silence of the training grounds.
The silence of the academy hung heavy in the air, the only sound the faint shuffle of feet and the hushed whispers of concerned students as they watched the masters emerge from their huddle, their faces grave and their expressions taut with worry.
As the masters stood before the assembled students, their faces pale and grave, it was Master Aco, the bald master with the thin white beard, who stepped forward, his frame small and lean, his movements precise as he cupped his hands in front of him.
The sound of Master Aco's voice reverberated across the training ground, its volume unnatural and amplified as it carried with ease to the farthest reaches of the gathered students.