The days after the Solstice event were quiet. In the short time until the break, teacher’s quizzed and tested students to see how they progressed. Those who failed were told where they were lacking and “encouraged” to work on their remedial studies over the break. For knight students, that meant a break studying under Tack, though Orn doubted the teachers knew that.

But, if you proved you were at an acceptable level, you were sent to enjoy the break. This let Orn out of his classes early. All of them except Madam Bode’s class, where she refused to evaluate them until the last possible day.

As he waited for her review, Orn watched her tap out a beat with her fan for a pair of dancing boys. Despite the time he spent around her, Orn was unsure what to make of the Teacher. One moment she was inspiring terror while chastising a boy for falling short of her expectations, and the next she was almost giddy congratulating a boy for getting the timing right.

“That is enough for the day,” Madam Bode called from across the room. “Everyone, gather round.”

Orn and the other boys made their way to the matron. As they were the furthest from Madam Bode, Orn and Adles ended up in the back of the group.

“As I am sure you all know the long break begins tomorrow,” she said slowly watching several boys repeatedly glancing at the door. “This is likely the last class you all have before the break. I held you for as long as I did to ensure you are ready for the break. Unfortunately, many of you where you should be.”

This elicited groans from the group of boys.

Madam Bode cleared her throat, and the room when silent. “Unlike your other classes there is not a test for this class. You will pass or fail during a ball hosted by the King himself. This is not a matter of your standing in the Academy. If you fail there you will damage the reputation of your family worse than if you were expelled. So if I feel you need to continue dancing, you will dance over the break. I will send letters to your guardians to ensure you are doing just that.” She paused and her eyes swept over the crowd.

“When I call your name step forward. I will tell you if you are progressing successfully, and what you need to improve,” Madam Bode then began to call out names. One by one, boys walked forward, and Madam Bode spoke to them. The boys would then head for the door, excited or dejected based on Madam Bode’s evaluation.

As the matron worked her way through the boy’s Orn noticed Adles was clearly worried. What could he be worried about? Orn thought to himself, knowing that Adles was the best in the class.

The boy before Adles nearly jumped for joy as she told him he was exempt. The boy thanked her profusely before making quickly for the door. She shook her head as she watched the boy almost run through the door.

Then turning back to Orn and Aldes she sighed. “And now for the troublesome children. “

Orn and Aldes looked at each other. Orn could see Adles was as confused as he was.

“Yes, I mean you two,” she shook her head, “I had to make sure the two of you were last so we could speak privately.”

Orn had thought it was just because they happened to be in the back, but could not understand why she felt they were troublesome. Adles was the best in the class, everyone knew it. Orn knew he was not the best but he was not the worst.

Adles was apparently of a similar opinion, “Madam Bode, I do not understand. I thought we had managed the dances very well. Orn seems to know them as well or better than I do. “

“Oh I quite agree Mr. Adles. You and Mr. Orn know the steps and timing better than any other student in class. I dare say that the two of you,” she pointed her closed fan at them in turn, “will be the best dancers in our wing of the fall gala. The problem is not your dancing. The issue is you both hate it, and it shows. “

Orn blinked in confusion. Orn knew that his distaste for dancing showed. Adles though….

“Do not look quite so surprised. How long do you think I have been teaching?” she asked looking quickly between them.

Orn paused and really considered Madam Bode. He could not guess how long she had been teaching. He also struggled to even guess her age. How old is …?

A pair of smacks resounded in the room.

Orn and Adles both put their hands on their head where Madam Bode’s closed fan had hit.

“Really, you two. You should never ask a lady her age,” Madam Bode looked down at them with an indignant expression.

“I did not ask,” Orn said, wondering what the fan was made out of. It hurt.

“You were thinking it,” Madam Bode said curtly, giving them both a glare.

She sighed in exasperation, “Mr. Orn you move like you are dueling your partner. I half expect you to draw a blade at any moment.” Orn shrank under her gaze. “I had such high expectations on the first day. That was the only time I have seen you even slightly enjoy dancing.”

Then she turned to Adles, “And you follow the steps like clockwork automata, and your movements are just as soulless.”

Her expression softened. “It is fortunate that the other boys do not realize it. The thought that both of you are better than them, and at something you hate, would make several of them give up completely.”

“But if they do not know…” Adles did not get to finish the sentence before the sound of her fan snapping shut cut him off.

“I am not worried about the boys,” She replied glaring at Adles.

“But you just…” Orn barely tried to dodge the fan. Or at least he thought he had as it clipped him. Then as he stood stunned she hit him harder. The hits stung but not nearly as much as the first hit had.

“That is for thinking you could avoid punishment,” she said with a smirk, before her expression turned neutral. “No, I am not worried about you boys. Fortunately, you are all too dense to notice such things. My concern is for the girls at the gala. Imagine those poor young women. They practice for this ball for years. It is their introduction to noble society. And what do I have to give them? A clockwork toy, and a sharp edged tin soldier.”

Orn and Adles both wilted under her gaze.

“At least you have the decency to feel bad about it,” she said a bit more softly. “I cannot require you to practice without the other boys getting suspicious. So you are excused for the break. Maybe the time away will let you come pack in a better state of mind. But you need to think about what it will mean for your partners if you stay this way. You may go now.”

Without another word she turned on her heel and strode out of the room.

Orn made for the other door, idly rubbing the spot he was hit. “I cannot believe you dodged that.”

“Not well enough,” Orn said grimacing and taking his hand away from the stinging spot on his head.

“No, I mean I cannot believe you were able to dodge at all. I could not even see it coming when she hit me,” he put his hand on the spot where he was hit. “It still stings.”

Orn nodded, “My mother was the same way with her fan. I mange to dodge her when I know it is coming, so I thought I could here too,” Orn shrugged. “Apparently, I was wrong.”

Adles gave a noncommittal grunt, “it sounded like it hurt.”

“It did. She also hits a lot harder that my mother does,” Orn thought back to the way the other boys in the class would jump at the sound of her closing her fan. “No wonder everyone else is so jumpy.”

Adles laughed, and Orn realized it was one of the few genuine smiles he had seen the other boy make. It looked like a mask had been removed. Orn immediately understood what the matron meant.

“What?” Adles asked stopping in the doorway noticing Orn’s expression.

“I just realized what she meant. You really are just pretending,” Orn replied still shocked. “You look like a completely different person.”

Adles deflated. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only if someone sees you truely happy.” Orn replied, “I have been your dance partner for most of the semester, and I never noticed before.”

“Please do not tell the others,” Adles asked his eyes closed. “I...”

“Sure,” Orn shrugged.

Adles opened his eyes, surprised by Orn’s immediate response.

“It is not as if I talk to anyone in class,” Orn could not keep his curiosity at bay. “But, why, do you hate it so much? You clearly practice a lot. And I thought your family was famous for your parties.”

“I do not hate dancing. It is…” Adles had a conflicted expression, “I hate having to do it all the time. It was fun at first, but then I had to do it all the time. Then there are the new dances…” He paused before continuing in a half whisper. “They look ridiculous.”

Orn stared at him.

“See, you do not understand either,” Aldes deflated further as he spoke.

Orn laughed. “Are you kidding?! That dance you all did the first day was the strangest looking thing I ever saw.”

“So, you do not like them either?” Adles voice was hopeful.

“I was in terror that Madam Bode would make me try to do that. The regular dances are bad enough, but that would have been torture,” Orn shivered at the thought. “We do not have to do them though and we do not dance any more than the other boys.”

Adles shook his head, “As soon as I leave here, I will end up being asked to show the other students. It is all I seem to do. Show them this, teach them that,” Orn could see the resignation in the other boy’s face.

“Then why not tell them no?” Orn asked.

“I…” Adles hesitated. “I wish I could.” Adles sighed, “I have to make connections. My family… It is all they will let me do to help.”

Orn watched Adles shrink back into his shell. He was not sure what to say. There was clearly more going on, but Orn felt he should not push.

“Thanks for listening though,” Adles said after a moment. “It is nice to know at least someone feels the same way.” With a small smile Adles excused himself.

After the two boys parted ways, Kao appeared. “It looks like you made a friend.”

She stepped in front of him and gave him a searching look. “Who are you and what have you done with my knight?” Stepping out of his way she smiled and elbowed him gently.