Lynn

That same morning, across the bay, in Donaview, the heir to the Declan family, Lynton was waking up. Often, this was his favorite part of the day; a moment of peace and solace before the various tutors, servants, and other attendants started to bustle him about and make him do things. Already, he felt the heat of the day ramping up. Often, he wished that he could live in a more regular home with open walls, wide views to the sea, and a constant breeze blowing through. A breeze would be awfully nice right now. The manor he lived in wasn’t the biggest on the island or even in Donaview, after all, his father was only 2nd Magister. This guaranteed the Declan patriarch a seat at the council table but at the lower end and without a triumvirate vote. Still, according to his father, the manor was very ‘cultured’, and the building was just right as it was. Solid walls, small glass windows, grand staircases, and plenty of hidden doors that servants (and occasionally Lynn) used to vanish and reappear somewhere else.

With some sort of supernatural servant’s sense, his manservant, Auxlus had divined that he was awake and bustled into the room. With practiced efficiency, he opened the door to Lynn’s closet while greeting the still groggy Lynn. “Good morning master Declan, your father insists you look your best today” explained Auxlus as he shuffled through the row of uncomfortable clothing that lined his closet.

Oh no, he used the full ‘young master Declan’, that means I’m in for a treat. Lynton and Auxlus had developed their own code about important things in the household over the years. ‘Important things’ was mainly the mood that Father was currently in. Informal addresses such as ‘Lynn’ or ‘Lynton’ meant that everything was smooth sailing while the full ‘young master Lynton Askelemar Declan’ might as well be the storm bells signaling an immediate evacuation order due to the presence of some large saltwater monstrosity attacking the town from the bay.

The ‘master Declan’ that Auxlus had used indicated a medium level of threat. Most likely, his father was impatient, or otherwise annoyed that his son wasn’t already awake, dressed, and at attention beside him. Well let’s get moving then. Wouldn’t want to keep father waiting. With a modicum of grumbling, Lynn rubbed the last dregs of sleep from his eyes and went over to Auxlus who’d laid out a stifling semi-formal outfit with long sleeves and long pants for him. Lynn groaned. It was already easy to tell that today was going to be hot and wearing long sleeves and long pants was going to make him burn. Delaying would be of no use though. Lynn exited the oversized door to his room and followed his servant’s unspoken instructions in the form of an extended arm directing him downstairs and to the dining room.

Lynn took the grand staircase two steps at a time (because he knew his father didn’t like him doing that) and proceeded to the ornate dining room. Catching himself at the entrance, he stopped, bowed, and uttered “Good morning father”, before straightening back up, casting his gaze about the room, and noticing that his father had a visitor. His father and the visitor were dining at the head of the long table with his father holding the prime spot and the older man seated beside him and to his right. To his left, was an empty place setting that was presumably for him. As Lynton approached, his father found a break in the conversation and with charismatic ease, introduced Lynton to his guest, “Ah good morning my son, nice of you to join us” Turning to the elder gentleman, he gestured and explained, “Elder Scholar Brelelian, may I introduce my son : Lynton Askelemar Declan.”

Remembering his manners, Lynton bowed briefly before taking his seat and starting to pick at his food. Why was there a scholar from the Keep in his dining room for breakfast? Lynton continued to eat, mostly toning out the conversation his father and the guest were having. It wasn’t hard to decipher exactly what the patriarch and the scholar were talking about Still, Lynn didn't bother; mostly because it was so dry and boring. Who cared if some councilmember supported some decree or the vice supervisor of something had been opposed to some ruling? Lynton could never understand how his father spent all day talking about, what to Lynton, amounted to essentially nothing.

Suddenly the conversation shifted, and his Father’s body language indicated that Lynton was now included. His father continued, “So scholar Brelelian, can you give my son any advice on excelling in school and more importantly the exams?” This seemed almost rehearsed. Without missing a beat, Brelelian turned to Lynton and intoned “In order to excel in academic pursuits and in turn, achieve high scores on the exams, I can recommend several preparatory programs that will give Young Master Lynton every advantage there is to have before entering school.” Now in an inquisitive tone, he asked Lynton “Tell me, Lynton, are you a proficient reader? How is your writing?”

Lynton, respectfully replied, “Scholar Brelelian, I’ve read several diverse books already and father has started me on transcribing the Core Declaration to practice my penmanship.” Brelelian seemed pleased and expressed this, “Excellent, Excellent, that means your tutor won’t have to start from nothing!” Seeing the questioning look in Lynton, Lynton’s father picked up the conversation, “Ah yes, Lynton, Elder Brelelian and I have thought it best to organize a tutor for you. Lessons will begin this afternoon.” Lynton was momentarily shocked. A tutor? Why didn’t he tell me about this before? Breaking out of his momentary paralysis, his father’s political training kicked in and Lynton mechanically replied with “Thank you Father and scholar, I’m sure a tutor will be greatly beneficial to my further education. I await the lessons eagerly.”

Now that Lynton’s conversational obligation was fulfilled, Magister Declan exhaled in satisfaction, turned to Scholar Brelelian, and continued his previous conversations about council intrigue. Lynton mechanically continued to spoon his breakfast into his mouth while considering his new predicament. More work—gah! Lynton already had ‘lessons’ from his father which mostly involved his father telling Auxlus to tell Lynton what to do and occasionally checking his work. He always gave him the most boring things to do. The most recent, transcribing the Core Declaration, was especially tedious. The Core Declaration was a thick tome which contained the primary legal framework that the government of the island, and by extension his father, operated under.

Now Lynton had to spend his day transcribing, learning propriety, practicing his flute, and then attending lessons with his new tutor. When would he have free time!? All his daily activities were so cultured. Auxlus taught him how to dress properly, how to behave with propriety, and how to act in a cultured manner. Even his flute practice had been inspired by his father’s desire for Lynton to be more cultured—and playing a cultured instrument was something that every cultured member of high society should be able to do. Lynton sighed. I should try toto convince father to let me attend something that’s not so ‘cultured’ for a change.

A couple hours later, Lynn was getting antsy in the stuffy house. Auxlus, who’d spent the last hour trying to make Lynn memorize the correct order in which eating utensils were to be used was also starting to get frustrated. He’d raised more than one Declan child and could recognize that this was going nowhere fast. The kid needed to go out and move. He only wasn’t sure how to broach this topic with the Patriarch. Maybe he could argue that physical exercise was a key part of being a balanced and well-rounded person? That sounded convincing enough for now. Leaving Lynn to his own devices for a spell, he located Sir Declan in his ostentatious office and knocked. A brusque “Enter”, a deferential bow, and a quick “Sir” later, Auxlus had the full attention of the Declan patriarch.

“What is it Auxlus. Is Lynton not doing as he’s told?”

“No Sir, Lynton is behaving just fine. I’ve come here to suggest another matter in furthering his education as well-rounded and cultured individual.”

The patriarch raised his eyebrow and asked, “What are you suggesting?”

“I believe young Lynton has reached the age where he is ready to participate in an organized physical activity. His energy requires an outlet, and I believe that with some exercise interspersed between his regular lessons, he will take to his lessons more readily.”

“Is that so? Hmm yes, well Benjamin was around his age when he first started on the competitive swim team… Very well. Have Lynton choose a sport from the school’s list and have him present his case for attendance to me during dinner”

“Sir?”

“What is it” Sir Declan snapped.

“Tonight, you already have dinner plans at the governor’s estate”

Sir Declan relaxed again and absentmindedly gestured while continuing, “Right, right, very well, then tomorrow morning he shall present his choice.

Auxlus retreated from the office with another bow and a quick “Sir”. Finding Lynton absent from the dining room, he tracked Lynton down to the yard where he was hastily trying to roll up the legs of his pants. Lynn wasn’t quite fast enough, Auxlus saw that Lynn’s pants were muddied up on the knees. With a guilty look, Lynn stood still and slowly brushed off the now muddied knees.

“Master Declan, it seems you’ve tripped and fallen in the yard again” admonished Auxlus.

“Sorry Auxlus, it was just soooo boring learning about all the spoons and forks” Lynn pouted.

“Well on the subject of being outdoors, I’ve spoken with your father and he’s agreed to let you choose a sport to attend.” Seeing Lynn’s hopeful look, Auxlus continued, “and no, you can’t pick something crazy like spearfishing or delving. Only school-approved sports are allowed for you to choose from.” Lynn’s hopeful smile fell a tiny bit but then he asked, “Can I see the list?” The pair returned to the house and began to pour over the list of offerings.

Swim team? No. Canoe team? No. Racquetball? No. Interpretive dance? No way! Lynn already knew what he was going to pick. If his father wasn’t going to let him participate in any of the extremely dangerous fun sports, he’d have to pick the most fun sport from the list. Easy choice. Diving school. Unlike most of the other sports, diving school itself wasn’t a sport but it was the prerequisite for many of the underwater sports and it was the most dangerous of the school-approved sports. Lynn wasn’t exactly a thrill-seeker or enamored by the idea of risking his life underwater, but still, by picking the most dangerous activity was did have certain merits—namely sticking it to the man.