Unlocked 8.5 (Keeper of the Lost Cities) Read online

Page 8


  1 out of 10

  One detention assigned.

  I think my plan might be working! I haven’t gotten any disciplinary reports on Keefe for months (aside from this one)! Though, sadly, I do think part of that is also because Keefe has found a particularly well-hidden ditching spot. Still, we’re almost to finals!

  —Dame Alina

  LEVEL FOUR VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DITCHING THE UNIVERSE

  According to a report from Lady Belva, Keefe was discovered missing halfway through her lecture.

  1 out of 10

  One detention assigned.

  I still can’t figure out where Keefe goes when he ditches (and this time I had the gnomes do a full search of the campus.) But I’m sticking with my plan of minimally reacting to these infractions in the hope that this will finally be the year that Keefe doesn’t pull off any dramatic pranks!

  —Dame Alina

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DISRESPECT FOR ACADEMY PROPERTY. ALSO BREAKING AND ENTERING.

  For the official report: Somehow Keefe got past the new locks on my office door and put reekrod in my desk.

  7 out of 10

  Till the end of midterms.

  I knew this had to be Keefe! I just didn’t have proof, until he bragged to Fitz Vacker within earshot of Lady Galvin. And I know I’ve been trying not to encourage him—but I had to change my locks (again!) and add other security measures. Plus, I have too much to deal with now that Sophie Foster is a prodigy. (The amount of questions I’m getting about her is ridiculous.)

  —Dame Alina

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DITCHING THE UNIVERSE

  According to a report from Lady Belva, Keefe was discovered missing during the middle of her lecture. And when she went searching, she found him in the Mentors’ private cafeteria, eating an entire platter of butterblasts.

  1 out of 10

  One detention assigned.

  I’m starting to think I should ask the Council to let me replace Keefe’s Universe session next year, since it’s far too easy for him to sneak away from a session taught in the dark. I doubt they’d approve my request. But it’s nice to imagine.

  —Dame Alina

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DITCHING SESSIONS AND OTHER DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

  5 out of 10

  None.

  I’m not going to bother documenting all of the reports I’ve gotten about Keefe’s recent behavior (or any of the other prodigies currently acting up.) Nor am I allowing any punishment to be assigned. The plantings for Sophie Foster and Dex Dizznee were only a few days ago and everyone needs more time to process their shock and grief—particularly Keefe, who seemed inconsolable when I saw him in the Wanderling Woods.

  —Dame Alina

  LEVEL FIVE VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DITCHING THE UNIVERSE

  According to a report from the gnomes, Keefe was found in the Mentors’ private cafeteria again, covered in butterblast crumbs.

  2 out of 10

  One detention assigned.

  First day of sessions and Keefe’s ditching again. I definitely should’ve tried to get him assigned to a different session. But the Council’s been busy since Sophie Foster and Dex Dizznee returned. I still can’t believe anyone would capture children—and I don’t want to think about what Sophie and Dex endured. Our world is changing.…

  —Dame Alina

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DISRUPTING STUDY HALL

  According to a report from Sir Rosings, Keefe was talking to Sophie Foster during detention—and made a “sassy” reply when Sir Rosings called them out. When Keefe continued to talk, Sir Rosings gave them both detention. (Keefe apparently looked excited by the prospect. Sophie less so.)

  1 out of 10

  One detention detention assigned.

  Honestly, this seems a somewhat minor offense, considering the theatrics Keefe usually pulls. But I respect Sir Rosings’s decision.

  —Dame Alina

  Update: Keefe’s detention (and Sophie’s as well) was postponed a day after he injured his hand in Elementalism while trying to bottle a tornado. (Sophie apparently had some trouble in her inflicting session as well.)

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DISRUPTING DETENTION

  According to a report from Lady Cadence, Keefe and Sophie Foster were repeatedly caught talking during detention and earned extra punishment.

  2 out of 10

  One additional detention assigned.

  I’m not a fan of Lady Cadence’s attitude toward her position as a Foxfire Mentor. But she’s volunteered to supervise the majority of the year’s detentions. And given the punishments she’s planning (I hear today’s involved curdleroots!), I think she may be able to curtail Keefe’s behavior.

  —Dame Alina

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DISRUPTING STUDY HALL

  According to a report from Sir Rosings, Keefe was talking to Sophie Foster and Dex Dizznee—and when Sir Rosings warned them to stop, Keefe threatened to fill Sir Rosings’s desk with sparkly poop. Punishment was assigned to all three prodigies.

  2 out of 10

  One additional detention assigned.

  I suppose I should be concerned about how many detentions Keefe has accrued in his first week of sessions. But… I can’t bring myself to care. I think something is going on with Alden Vacker. His children have been absent all week and there was some sort of commotion at the Opening Ceremonies. But every time I’ve asked the Council for information, they’ve denied my request.

  —Dame Alina

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DISRESPECT FOR THE PRINCIPAL

  For the official report: Keefe took it upon himself to slip Sea See into my tea and turn my eyes teal.

  10 out of 10

  A month of detention assigned.

  Thankfully, Kesler Dizznee was able to give me an antidote before orientation, so no one saw my altered appearance. Keefe claims he turned my eyes “Vacker Teal” to help me celebrate Alden’s remarkable recovery—and while I am exceedingly grateful that Sophie Foster was able to heal him, such a tribute would be seen as highly inappropriate, given my history with Alden. I also can’t allow Keefe to think it’s okay to slip elixirs into my food/beverages.

  —Dame Alina

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DISRUPTING DETENTION AND DISRESPECT FOR ACADEMY PROPERTY

  According to a report from Lady Cadence, both Keefe and Sophie Foster were caught placing effluxers wherever they wanted, rather than following her explicit instructions.

  8 out of 10

  One additional week of detention assigned.

  I’m sure Keefe was placing his effluxers in places where other prodigies would set them off (or maybe I was his target—I wouldn’t be surprised). So I’m glad Lady Cadence stopped this. But I can’t say I’m thrilled that she convinced the Council to add effluxers to the campus in the first place. I find it hard to believe we need protection from ogres!

  —Dame Alina

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DISRUPTING DETENTION AND DISRESPE
CTING A MENTOR

  According to a report from Lady Cadence, Keefe and Sophie Foster were acting completely inappropriately during detention, and their behavior led to her getting sprayed in the face with musk-tang.

  8 out of 10

  Full Disciplinary Report given.

  I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with this “Full Disciplinary Report” Lady Cadence gave me. I think she’s hoping I’ll start expulsion proceedings. But Sophie is far too vital to the Council, given her ability to heal minds—and I’m not in the mood to deal with Lord and Lady Sencen. So I’m just going to leave them to their current punishment.

  —Dame Alina

  Update: I can’t believe I’m writing these words, but… I’ve been elected to the Council! I NO LONGER HAVE TO DEAL WITH UNRULY PRODIGIES. The new principal will be Magnate Leto (the former Beacon of the Silver Tower).

  —Councillor Alina

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  ORGANIZING A PROTEST

  According to reports from numerous Mentors, Keefe has been coordinating a walk-out to protest the Council’s decision to make Sophie Foster wear the ability restrictor designed by Dex Dizznee.

  1 out of 10

  None.

  For the record, I share Mr. Sencen’s issues with the Council’s treatment of Miss Foster and see no reason why Foxfire prodigies shouldn’t hold a protest. If the Councillors think I’ll use this position to promote their agenda, they’re going to regret appointing me as principal.

  —Magnate Leto

  Update: Mr. Sencen has been absent from Foxfire (along with Miss Foster, Mr. Dizznee, Mr. Vacker, and Miss Vacker), and the Council has asked me to notify them immediately if he returns. No explanation was given as to why (though rumors abound that these kids have run off to join the Black Swan).

  —Magnate Leto

  Second Update: According to a letter from the Council, Mr. Sencen had been officially banished from the Lost Cities and expelled from Foxfire (along with Miss Foster, Mr. Dizznee, Mr. Vacker, and Miss Vacker). Apparently these kids will be attending Exillium from now on.

  —Magnate Leto

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  Third Update: The Council has notified me that Mr. Sencen’s banishment has been lifted and he’ll be returning to Foxfire (along with Miss Foster, Mr. Dizznee, Mr. Vacker, and Miss Vacker). Hopefully that’s the end of this nonsense.

  —Magnate Leto

  Fourth Update: Mr. Sencen has been absent from Foxfire again—and if rumors are to be believed, he’s joined the Neverseen. But surely there’s been a misunderstanding…

  —Magnate Leto

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DESTRUCTION OF ACADEMY PROPERTY

  According to a report from Miss Foster, Mr. Sencen set off a device in my office, shattering the majority of the windows in the glass pyramid.

  20 out of 10

  None.

  Mr. Sencen remains absent, making punishment difficult to issue. And this does appear to confirm his involvement with the Neverseen. But I suspect there’s more to the story.

  —Magnate Leto

  Update: The glass pyramid has been rebuilt. Foxfire is also teaming up with Exillium for skill lessons. And Mr. Sencen has yet to return to campus. The Council is pressuring me to expel him, but I see no reason, (particularly since everyone should be focusing on the upcoming Peace Summit in Lumenaria).

  —Magnate Leto

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  Second Update: Foxfire’s midterm break was extended after the tragedy in Lumenaria, and… I’m grateful to have the time to adjust. There’s so much to do… and I’ll be so much more limited now.… But I’ll find a way to manage. In the meantime, it should be noted that when the academy resumes sessions, Mr. Sencen will be returning, and no disciplinary action will be taken against him.

  —Magnate Leto

  Third Update: Sessions still haven’t resumed. But Miss Foster brought Mr. Sencen to see Elwin for treatment after Mr. Sencen received several serious wounds during a sparring match with King Dimitar. Apparently, one result of the match is that Keefe will now have Princess Romhilda serving as his bodyguard, which will likely cause tension on campus. Preparations will need to be made.

  —Magnate Leto

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  ASSAULT ON ANOTHER PRODIGY

  According to numerous reports, Ro stomped on Shayda Adel’s foot to punish Shayda for attempting to trip her.

  10 out of 10

  Apology required.

  Technically, Mr. Sencen wasn’t involved in this incident. But since his bodyguard was, it’s going in his file. And for the record, I completely understand Ro’s behavior. But I can’t condone harming another prodigy. I’ve ordered Ro to apologize during orientation.

  —Magnate Leto

  LEVEL SIX VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  Update: In an effort to contain the story of the Neverseen’s recent brutal attack on Mr. Vacker and Miss Foster, I’ve asked Mr. Sencen to spread the rumor that Miss Foster and Mr. Vacker are away on a mysterious assignment. Elwin also reports having to repeatedly chase Mr. Sencen away from the Healing Center.

  —Magnate Leto

  Second Update: At Ms. Ruewen’s request, I’ve given Mr. Sencen permission to visit Miss Foster in the Healing Center. (Apparently Miss Foster’s morale needs a boost.) Keefe may have untraditional methods, but he does ease Miss Foster’s worries and generally improves her mood.

  —Magnate Leto

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  Third Update: According to a report from Elwin, Mr. Sencen was involved in the recent destruction in the Healing Center—but apparently it happened during a skill lesson that went awry. For that reason, I’m simply noting the incident here, rather than creating a disciplinary report. It should also be noted that Mr. Sencen brought Miss Foster to the Mentors’ private cafeteria for butterblasts.

  —Magnate Leto

  VIOLATION

  SERIOUSNESS

  SENTENCE

  PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

  DISRUPTING LUNCHTIME

  According to a report from Lady Galvin, a number of prodigies began emitting unpleasant gaseous noises midway through the lunch break and had to race to various bathrooms. No proof has been recovered, but the general consensus is that Mr. Sencen slipped Gurgle Gut into their lunches.

  5 out of 10

  One

  week of detention assigned.

  As far as I can surmise, every prodigy affected by Mr. Sencen’s prank had recently been gossiping about (or hassling) Mr. and Miss Vacker about their eldest brother—which is why I’m limiting his detention to a week. I cannot allow such behavior to go unpunished. But I refuse to deny the motivation.

  —Magnate Leto

  Update: Foxfire has been placed on an extended hiatus after the traumatic events during the Celestial Festival. Sessions will resume as soon as the Council determines that it is safe to do so.

  —Magnate Leto

  REGISTRY FILE FOR Tam Dai Song

  KNOWN ABILITIES: Shade

  RESIDENCE: Unclear. Possibly Solreef. Family home is Choralmere.

  IMMEDIATE FAMILY: Quan Song (father), Mai Song (mother), Linh Song (twin sister)

  MATCH STATUS: Unregistered

  EDUCATION: Current Foxfire prodigy

  NEXUS: No longer required

  PATHFINDER: Not assigned. Restricted to Leapmasters and home crystals.

  SPYBALL APPROVAL: N
one

  MEMBER OF THE NOBILITY: No

  TITLE: None

  NOBLE ASSIGNMENT: None

  SIGNIFICANT CONNECTIONS: Fealty-sworn member of the Black Swan; former Exillium Wayward; former captive of the Neverseen

  ASSIGNED BODYGUARD(S): Elidyr (dwarf) and Opher (dwarf)

  AN ALTERED FAMILY NAME:

  Technically, the Song family’s last name should be Tong, since that was their original surname. But Tam’s great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother started calling herself Lady Song and registered her daughter with Song as her surname. Apparently the choice had to do with Lady Song’s notoriety as a composer—and since music has remained a dominant profession in the family (Tam’s mother and grandmother are both particularly well known for their compositions), the name Song has continued to be passed down.

  SIBLING CONFUSION:

  Tam was registered at birth as a twin (to his sister, Linh). But his father (Quan Song) later claimed that his children were actually a year apart in age. Tam and Linh refuted that statement—and since Quan had no proof to back up his claims, our records remain with Tam and Linh listed as twins.

  FEARED POWERLESS—THEN TOO POWERFUL:

  Most likely, the reason Tam’s father tried to convince everyone that his children weren’t twins was because Tam and Linh were facing judgment, gossip, and low expectations (since many in our world fear that children from multiple births will end up Talentless). Yet, ironically (and surprisingly), the Song twins actually manifested early. It’s hard to pin down their exact ages because of their father’s dispute over their inception dates, but it’s quite likely that they were some of the earliest to manifest in our world’s history. Both Tam and Linh already had special abilities before taking their Foxfire entrance exams. But instead of being celebrated for that remarkable accomplishment, their abilities caused a different kind of fear—particularly in the case of Tam. He manifested as a Shade, and Shades commonly garner suspicion and mistrust. Once Linh’s intense hydrokinesis caused her to become the Girl of Many Floods, many began to wish that the Song twins had been Talentless after all.