INTIMIDATION

The students carried their luggage through the airport lobby. Jalon had to bear the weight of all four suitcases because the boys who had assisted him in loading them into the bus did not accompany him. Some of the flight attendants felt sorry for him and offered to assist him with his luggage.

They walked through the congested airport, and some of the passengers in the lobby who were waiting for their flights recognized them. Others ran up to them and offered to carry their luggage, while others requested photographs and pictures.

“All right, that's enough guys, we're here for the trials, not for show,” one of the professors stated, calmly asking airport security to keep the others from approaching the applicants any closer. They finally made it outside the airport, where a luxurious traveling coach was waiting for them. They were about to start packing their belongings when Norval noticed something.

“Hey, Jalon, take a look.  Isn't that the same kid you mentioned earlier? That kid from Seolara?” he replied, pointing to a taxi at the end of a line of parked cars on the sidewalk. His fellow candidates' attention was drawn to the direction he was pointing, and they noticed the small boy. Security surrounded him, and a lady in spectacles held a cup of juice. Now and again, the kid would take a sip and return it to her. When he observed the candidates in the other end of the parking lot, the rest of the enormous men were busily packing the cab with his stuff.

He gave the lady a signal and began strolling over to the candidates. As he approached, his stance was odd, and his bow-legged legs made him appear smaller. He didn't intimidate any of the candidates; granted, he was only fourteen years old, but based on his reputation, the candidates expected him to be terrifying when they saw him. He appeared to be a normal fourteen-year-old entitled kid, contrary to popular belief.

“So, you're Ithea's candidates?” As he approached them, the child said, "I've heard a lot about you."

“As for you, we've heard a lot about you as well. My name is Norval, and I'd like to introduce myself..” Norval extended his arm, hoping for a handshake in return. The toddler casually brushed aside his hand and walked over to Luciana.

“Luciana. The princess of Ithea. I've also heard a lot of things about you. In fact, I could call myself your admirer.”

Luciana knelt and stared the child in the eyes. It was difficult for her to keep a straight face, so she burst out laughing.

She mocked the boy's height by rubbing his head and saying, "I anticipated you to be taller."

“Wait a minute! My size does not bother me in the least. I would have been your groom by now if it weren't for the legislation prohibiting marriage between races. My father is friends with yours,” 

“Excuse me, but you're a tad too young for my liking. Luciana pointed to the lady holding Eadmer's juice box and remarked, "Oh look, your babysitter is calling you." Under their breaths, Jalon and Norval chuckled. Eadmer looked at them with a raging hatred in his eyes.

“Everyone underestimates me. We'll meet on the field of war. We'll see who the small youngster is there!” he exclaimed, stomping his way back to the cab. The other candidates couldn't stop laughing at his outburst.

“Are you sure this is the person I'm going to fight?” Luciana had inquired.

“All right. Despite his childishness, he has an unrivaled record of success. So, if I were you, I wouldn't underestimate him,” Jalon added, trying not to laugh.

They ultimately boarded the coach and set out on their journey.

MEANWHILE

“Are you sure about this?” Mr. Starkridge enquired, his fist slamming on the table.

“Sir, yes. Cecily has told Judy everything, including the poisoning of Nelanian,” “What should I do sir?” inquired a voice on the other end of the line. So I just let her go?”

“Of course not, you knucklehead. She has the potential to put us all in grave jeopardy. Do whatever you can, and do it discretely. Judy Ben Mor must not get out of that house alive,”

“Yes, sir,” 

Mr. Starkridge hung up the phone and slammed it against the wall. It blew up into a million pieces and showered down all over the office. He then pushed a stack of folders and papers that had been on top of his table to the ground.

“If king Vonner finds out I'm dead, she can't ruin this for me.” Mr. Starkridge thought to himself, "I need to get out of here as soon as possible."

IN ETHEL'S RESIDENCE

“So you're saying the school administration and the king were responsible for everything?” Judy was the one who inquired. She had started the interview by taking down everything she heard on her notepad, but as the narrative became more detailed, she had entirely stopped writing and all she could think about was how that story could be true.

“Everything I've said is completely accurate. Cecily finished her coffee and added, "We were all in that office when we faced the school director."

“I... I'm at a loss for words. All of this seems too unbelievable to be true. Though I am aware that the king is capable of such an act. He's been involved in various scandals in the past, and he's not who the public thinks he is,” Judy responded.

“So, what are your plans?” Cecily enquired.

“We have to put a stop to it. This must be communicated to the rest of the world, and we must take steps to ensure that no one else is harmed. I'm going to tell the whole tale. I will not leave any facts out, and if I receive confessions from the other candidates, this will suffice to show everything. First and foremost, I must locate Nelanian. He must seek assistance before it is too late. “Are you aware of his whereabouts?”

“I'm not sure. I assumed he had returned to Rhaizen Gales' family, as he had previously lived with them, but I called their place and he was not there. He wasn't supposed to be back there in the first place.”

“I'll alert my sources and tell them to keep an eye out. If they see him, I'll let you know, but for now, I need to acquire all the information I need before I leave,” Judy explained.

A man emerged from a side door to the room's right, carrying a pot of hot coffee and a few mugs. He walked right through Cecily and over to Judy. “Shall I interest you in some coffee, my lady?” he asked, placing the mug on the coffee table and opening the coffee pot.

Judy replied, "Yes, thank you." After tilting the coffee pot, a hot stream of coffee poured into the cup, filling it to the brim. The man then began to walk out of the room with a small bow.

“HOLD ON! Don’t drink that coffee,” Cecily shouted at Judy loudly enough for the servant to hear.

“What is it?” Judy inquired, perplexed.

Cecily remained silent. “Hey, come back here,” she said as she twisted on her seat to face the servant.

The servant stayed motionless for a few moments before returning his attention to the two.

“What is your name, I've never seen you before?” Cecily enquired.

“Miss, my name is Robert.” He tried to sound calm and collected as he replied, “Robert Golding.”

“This is the first time I've seen you. And I'm familiar with all of the servants in this area,” 

“Miss, I got recruited last month. So I'm still new here,” 

“One month. That's strange. You've only lived here a month and have no idea what the house rules are. First and foremost, that mug in which you offered the coffee. It's an antique from the hallway's utensil cabinet; no one ever uses the utensils in that cabinet. Furthermore, you are wearing perfume; the house regulations clearly stipulate that no servant should wear perfume when reporting to work since the smell of perfume irritates my aunt. Finally, you're dressed in a groundskeeper's attire, and groundskeepers don't offer coffee; only maids do. So I'm going to question you, “Who are you?” once more. Cecily said as she stood up.

Judy re-set the mug on the table and gripped her purse. She removed a vial from one of the purse's pockets. The potion in the vial was a safety precaution in case she was in danger. She would drink it, and for the next fifteen minutes, she would be immune to pain and injury.

The servant swiftly turned to the two ladies and hurled the coffee pot in their direction, attempting to flee. It whizzed by Cecily's head and smashed a few books on the shelf. The boiling liquid splattered on the books. Soon after, it began to burn through the paper as if it were acid.

Sparkles happened to be napping on her mat near the entrance as the servant was heading for it. She awoke to see the servant rushing violently towards the door and leaped for his leg instinctively. The man let out a loud shout and slapped the dog across her face as she dug her teeth deep into his leg.

Judy took a quick step away from the scorching books and swallowed the entire vial she held in her hands. Cecily took out another vial from her pocket in her robe and ran awkwardly towards the door since she was still in her flip-flops. Sparkles yelled out in pain as the man booted her in the stomach without remorse, releasing her grip on the foot. He started limping out of the mansion, heading for the gate.

“Quick, close the gate! Press that button now, and keep an eye on Sparkles!” Cecily replied as she stumbled out of the house, pointing to a button at the front door that had a speaker over it. Judy smashed it in and begun beeping, she looked outside and saw the gate gently closing. When the man arrived at the gates, they were already closed, so he decided to climb over them. However, as he began his ascent, a vial was thrown at him, and it exploded square in his face.

He began to lose his vision as a dense cloud of pink dust burst over his face. He quickly lost consciousness after throwing his body back down on the ground. Cecily dashed over to him in her flip-flops, another vial in her pocket. She drank the concoction, which gave her incredible power, allowing her to raise and pin the unconscious man to her shoulders. He carried him back into the house and hurled him across the floor, careless of his safety. She dashed back to Judy's side, checking on Sparkles.

“Is she all right?” Is she in any pain?” Concerned, she inquired.

Judy reassured Cecily, “I don't see any bruises or cuts, I guess she's just in pain, but she'll be fine.”

When the other servants and butlers heard the ruckus, they dashed downstairs. Cecily noticed them and yelled at them.

“Quickly! Tie this man up and call auntie down here. RIGHT NOW!” The servants reacted rapidly, scattering in all directions. Sparkles was picked up by Cecily, and the two of them walked back to the fireplace with Judy.

“The coffee had been laced with something. Judy, he was going to kill you!” Both of them watched as the chemical ate up the books on the shelf. Judy instinctively grasped her throat, imagining how it would have felt if her throat was being corroded instead of the books.