The headmaster’s office was a small wood lined room with a simple desk. The older man sat calmly in a large leather chair, and combed his breaded while listening to Jolm talk. The well dressed teacher had just arrived to give the noble boy’s side of the story.

Orn seethed as he listened to the nobleman twist what happened, despite not having seen any of it. Only Kao quietly reminding him to be silent kept him from interrupting the man.

“I just left the young nobleman with the healer. If that is not enough that he is forma n illustrious family, I must remind you his father is one of our largest donors. What will he say when he learns one of the rabble was allowed to hurt him? Will the other great families allow their children to stay when it is learned that even teachers are not safe?” he gestured to his cut sleeve. “You must expel this boy and hand him over to the king’s justice, if only for the sake of the academy’s reputation.”

“Tetric,” the headmaster glared at the quiet teacher standing in a corner. “these two stories I just heard are very different. You were clearly too useless to stop this, but I hope you at least know the cause. For your sake you better.” The last few words hung ominously over the room.

The teacher who’s only skill seemed to be his ability to be ignored flinched then muttered something.

“Tetric grow a backbone and speak up!” The headmaster snapped, and slammed his hand on the table.

At the headmaster’s yell the teacher's back went rigid. “It … is as the boy said. The other boy drew his blades first and insulted him. He even yelled at me to approve the duel.” The teacher then immediately turned away from Jolm, clearly afraid to meet his gaze.

“Tetric is a coward, clearly he is afraid of the little monster. You surely would not be thinking of accepting the words of a coward and a mad peasant.” The noble said to the headmaster, his arrogant façade showing its first cracks, “You would take their word over that of a nobleman?”

“I am noble.” Orn objected, “My father is Count Blackthorn.”

He large man snorted and dismissed Orn’s words with a flick of his hand, “Count Blackthorn? There is no such county. I do not know what lies they have told you headmaster, but I know every noble family that has been to court in more than a decade. No such family has ever been announced I assure you.”

The headmaster’s shoulders slumped as he sighed. “Jolm…” exhaustion showed in the headmaster’s voice.

“You cannot truly be thinking he is the son of some noble no one has heard of.” Jolm was incredulous.

“Shut up!” the headmaster snapped. Then continuing in a low growl, “I have had quite enough of you questioning me. In fact I am seriously considering whether you are fit to teach about noble houses when court and balls seem to be your only source. For the love of the goddesses the royal register holds the list.” The headmaster gestured vaguely to his left. “There is even a copy in our library.”

The headmaster leaned back in his chair as the large teacher half sputtered with barely contained rage. “This will be the last time I will educate you on a matter that you should be aware so listen closely. You may not know that name Blackthorn, but I do. More so, before the goddesses I swear the king does. That ‘unknown noble’ was elevated from a knight to a count, by the king himself. So if you choose to go behind my back to complain to him, know that he will not take kindly to you questioning the boy’s nobility. He might take it as a personal affront to his authority.”

“I would never question his majesty's authority. I merely have never heard of such a nobleman at court,” Jolm suddenly looked a bit pale, but pressed on. “However, I do not see how such an important and loyal noble would not attend to his majesty at court.”

“Perhaps it is because his territory is on the far side of the kingdom. Or perhaps is because its border is not only disputed by the Empire, but stretches from the sea to the fortress of Wall itself. By your expression I think you understand what could keep him occupied.” The headmaster emphasized his next words. “Not recognizing him on site is understandable, but to have never heard of such an important family is unacceptable. I do not want another error of this kind. Therefore, I am canceling your classes until the first break. Use this time to review the register of arms in the library. Now get out of my office.”

The large teacher’s face seemed torn between concern and anger. Despite this, he nodded and withdrew for the room quietly.

The headmaster rubbed his temples with a hand and slowly let out a breath. Then he turned to Orn, “I would not looked so relieved if I were you. Despite my pleas, the king has refused to stop student’s carrying weapons, or ban duels. This means I cannot punish you for the duel, hurting another student, or even nearly attacking a teacher. But your father's title means little to me, as I answer only to his majesty.”

“The fault for the duel and its results are with Tetric for approving it, and I assure you no duel will ever be approved again,” the headmaster glared at the now shaking teacher in the corner then continued. “But, duel or not, you caused a scene and made a nuisance of yourself by scaring your fellow students. You also addressed a teacher disrespectfully. I am confining you to your barracks for a week. There you will work at the behest of the barrack’s leader. You have also earned your barracks field rations until the first break.”

“Additionally, every student will be banned from all but your academic classes for the same period. While this is not a punishment specific to you, it is one that also applies to you,” the headmaster stared into Orn’s eyes until Orn looked away. “It should go with out saying but I want there to be no misunderstandings. If you are involved in another altercation I will take the matter directly to his majesty to decide your fate. Do you understand?”

Orn nodded, “Yes, headmaster.”

“Good, I will not have a repeat of the violence that was allowed to exist under my predecessor,” he paused to allow the words ot sink in. “Now do you have any questions?”

“What will the other boy’s punishment be?” Orn replied hoping to hear it would be worse than what he given.

“That is not your concern. I promised to make an example, not so you can gloat over his suffering,” the headmaster then made a dismissive gesture. “If that is all that concerns you, I may not have been strict enough with you. Tell your head boy of your punishment, on the way back to your barracks.”

Orn turned to leave but stopped a the doorway struck by a question that had not occurred to him until then. “How did you know who I am?”

“I had the misfortune of being a new teacher when your father was here. You resemble him greatly, though you lack the arrogant bearing I could never beat out of him.” the headmaster paused before continuing. “Return to your barracks and have your shoulder looked at.”

“Tetric close the door after the boy,” the man’s icy tone was enough to spur Orn through the door and into the hall.

The large uniformed boy leaned against the wall at the end of the hall, and stood at Orn’s appearance.