"If you meet Layda Marrows, and if you get a chance to have a conversation with her, please ask her politely to consider re-joining my campaign. We all really miss her."
That was what my brother, Aledon, told me last night. He had been the Dungeonmaster of the Third Level Society, and he was running his yearly re-election campaign. I've heard many things about the Third Level Society. And I was excited that I would finally be able to join once I arrived; I had been questing in Cray Fenton's dymensional plane over the years leading up, but I knew the Third Level had more to offer.
Nevertheless, I had no idea what his message meant. I pushed that out of my mind and focused on the present though. I was here at North Kempton Airfield, in the early hours of the morning, waiting to board the traditional airship, Commencement, bound for Cabotton University. I barely knew anything outside of North Kempton. Sure, in my eighteen years of life, I've traveled places, even outside of Remikra. But I've lived in North Kempton this entire time, even if I moved several times within the municipality.
But all that was about to change. Today was the beginning of moving week.
Then I get to have regular classes in the famous Greenhouse at Cabotton University, I thought to myself excitedly.
My excitement grew as I made my way toward the colossal airship, a majestic vessel coated in silvery gray and adorned with the large letters "COMMENCEMENT" in silvery blue. This was virtually the last commercially-operating airship in the Greater Circlarian Realm; gyroplanes have been the norm everywhere else. But the Commencement has always been a tradition among Cabotton students from the Kempton area. For freshmen like myself, boarding and riding the Commencement was a mark of becoming, almost like an initiation. Except, Cabotton University is a modern institution, one whose cultures and traditions are strong but not in a way that compromises academic integrity.
My thoughts turned back to the Cray Fenton Circle, where I had been partaking on prep-quests for the past year and a half. My concern has been with Cray Fenton, himself, for the past year or so. His age never stopped him from being present in the community. He was always at dinners, celebrations, events, and the like. And he was always an active guide with me and other quest-takers, especially in the beginning. But over the past few months, his presence had begun to falter. He, for example, never showed up at my birthday celebration back in April. Also, a lot of people, including my brother, mentioned that he had not been responding a lot to OCEA messages.
His close friend, Meona Bell, who's been like a grandmother to me, assured me that Cray was simply taking more rest more often in order to preserve his health. I've understood that his age and known health issues had been slowing him down recently; but nonetheless, he has been a beloved member of the community. Thinking of Meona's assurance had brought some comfort to me, though, as I started up into the high-overhanging belly of the large airship. It was just the little confidence I needed to step aboard.
After ascending to the passenger deck, I glanced down at my ticket and proceeded to my assigned seating room. Here like all the others, were four seats, two facing two, with the window to the outside across from where I entered. At one of the window seats sat a woman a few years older than me, with dark brown hair extending down to her shoulders. She had on an outfit that meant business: a green shirt over which draped a black outer shirt, as well as a black, business skirt and black leggings. This would be the first time I made conversation with a Cabotton student, as a Cabotton student myself. Impressions were paramount.
"Good to meet you," I started, extending out my hand. "I'm Maxima..." Suddenly, for no reason at all, I felt an urge to not mention my last name.
Cocking her head slightly, the woman returned the handshake. "Maxima...," she started. And when I did not reply, she raised her right eyebrow for a moment, then continued. "Well, I'm Sara March. I'm from a little town in Torch County. I started Cabotton four years ago, but I'm back for post-grad studies in the field of Sociology."
"I see....Well, I'll be over in the Greenhouse with my plants..."
Sara raised her one eyebrow again while I continued stumbling over myself. Just then, one of the attendants, a guy my age with red hair and freckles, walked in the seating room, asking "Which one of you is Maxima Tangreen?"
"That would be me," I replied.
"There was, uh, a misprint on the tickets. You're actually supposed to be over here, if you can follow me."
While I followed the attendant down the corridor of similar passenger rooms, I ruminated over the fifteen-second conversation that happened between me and Sara. It felt like an eternity though. Not only did I stumble in my attempt to make a good first impression as a Cabotton student...she was, admittedly, someone who I would have considered for a date...like a romantic one.
"Don't be an idiot," I said aloud through gritted teeth, putting my face in my palms.
"Sorry? Something wrong?" asked the attendant I was following.
"No. Sorry...just talking to myself."
Like the first room I was in, the second was occupied only by one other passenger: a woman with short, dark-blonde hair, glasses, and prominent front teeth. She introduced herself to me as Monika Rhodes. I had never heard of her before but she told me she was from neighboring Kempton, had completed her studies in psychology at Cabotton University, and was now returning to the University for her graduate studies.
"So you're just starting out?" she said to me after I told her a little bit about myself. "And my friend Sara tells me you've met her so far?" she added, indicating her comm tab.
"Coincidence," I said with a nervous chuckle.
"Oh believe me, Maxima. We are quite the tight-knit community here. Everyone you meet will know each other. Anyway, of all the people here, Sara, I feel is the most intelligent...except perhaps maybe Meghan Wen. Have you heard of her yet?"
"Not quite."
"She's about half our height, plays piano, a lot of stuff from memory I hear. But she is absolutely the sweetest person you'll ever meet. Nothing but words of wisdom and encouragement from her...and then there's Layda Marrows."
"Oh.." I suddenly remembered the message from my brother last night. But like with Sara, something compelled me to not associate myself with him, hence the reason I had also kept my last name from Monika.
"I see you've met Layda, too, at some point?" Monika asked me, appearing to have read my facial expression.
"I...uh..." Then I made up a small lie on the spot. "I heard her name mentioned right before I came aboard."
"By who?"
"I mean, I'm quite new here so I wouldn't be able to name anyone. Also, I wasn't looking at them."
"We are all family, you know...I mean in a practical sense," Monika began to assure me. Just then, the flight captain came on to the PA and announced our departure. We took a few moments to gaze out the windows as the Airfield and summer-like landscape of the fields of Nintel began to fall away slowly, becoming ever-more illuminated by the brightening gold of the early morning sun.
I looked back at Monika after this and made, what I feel at this point, was my first bold move: turning the aforementioned subject on its head. "So this Layda Marrows," I said. "What do you know of her?"
Monika laughed. "What do you mean? She's on the same ship as Meghan Wen, figuratively speaking. She's my bestie aside from Sara. Like I said, we are a tight-knit community here. Are you familiar with the Third Level Society?"
"I mean who isn't?"
"Exactly! We all are. Myself, Sara, Meghan, Layda....I think the only one who isn't is Karyanna Dwemmer. But Karyanna is a close ally. And she is quite the interesting individual if you get to meet her....In any case, my avatar is named Tera. She's a superior spellcrafter now spending most of her time in the Rope-Age communities of Planet Arturia proper, doing what no one else is doing: nature preservation."
"I see."
"Believe me, it's a lot more interesting than simply replanting trees. I could go all day talking about it but your combat skills have to be higher than expected. Regardless, I suggest joining the Society first thing when you arrive. Then you can join our group. I guarantee, we can protect and train you regardless of your abilities...and it would put you ahead of Karyanna Dwemmer....I always harass Karyanna for never joining the Society. She's a close ally though, and she is all for Library of Circlaria integration and Portal Links..."
"Portal Links..." I began. "Not quite familiar, I'm afraid."
"Of course," Monika replied. "It's quite an abstract concept, something to do with traveling between the dymensional planes. It will all make sense once you join. Now back to Karyanna Dwemmer..she is someone who inspires me, actually, very much up there with Lora Kotimer. And you know who that is, right?"
"The Headmaster? Of course. I've heard a lot about her."
"Indeed you have. She is only one of the best Headmasters in the history of this University."
"I mean she is famous for establishing the Cabotton University Darkfire Curriculum..."
"After decades of oppression by previous Headmasters," continued Monika. "Also, the University used to have Standard Exit Exams, which Kotimer did away with. Right after that, and this was all about ten years ago, she ordered the University to add the Schools of Darkfire, Gyro-Engineering, Dymensional-Planecrafting, and Aerospace. Then she called for more Waltmann Schools in Ancondria. Then she had the University build the Schools of Psychology, Theatre, Education, and Trademarking; that was two years ago by the way. And as I speak, she is trying to make Cabotton University a Global Academy like the one in Silba.
"I honestly could go on and on, Maxima. But she truly is the best thing to happen with Cabotton; that's why she has a tendency to get re-elected. She won by 75 percent of the vote five years ago. And she's certain to win again next year. She's going to be Headmaster till retirement, very much like the late Martin Cross....Of course, that is not to say that there aren't those who, shall we say, fail to understand. And I'm talking about the Conservatives, especially the ones who pretend to be Liberal.
"Keep an eye out for Maggie Terreth, for example. She's another outspoken member of the Society, and claims to be an avowed supporter of Kotimer. However, I did hear her take some skeptical views on the Campus Renovation Projects, like the one with the Darkfire School being added. She also seems skeptical on the Waltmann Schools being built and sounded a tad favorable on keeping the Linbraean Credit Line open. Maybe I am wrong but she seems like a closeted Conservative. And you can't really talk sense into people like her; so it's best to avoid those types of people if you wish not to attain a reputation of being a 'drama queen,' which is the last thing you'd want in a place like Cabotton.
"Then there's Bernard Weyne. He's a bit more soft-spoken, and I can tell he's not as enthusiastic about Kotimer as everyone else. He gave a simple yes on the whole Kotimer thing every time I spoke with him; but some of us have heard him talk out the side of his mouth, pursed lips I call it, some skepticism on the whole Renovation too, even talked smack on the Global Academy agenda."
"I guess differing opinions are the perks of a democratic society, institution..."
"True, I guess. But then there's common sense," continued Monika. "I mean, even the Dungeonmaster could use a bit more of that. And don't get me started on Aledon." At that statement, I glanced down at my hands but it was enough for Monika to notice. "You look a lot like him, by the way," she added, putting her hand on her chin. "Are you two related? Now don't lie to me. And trust me, I promise I will not judge despite what I've said."
"Well, he is, admittedly, my very own brother," I replied. I thought a moment before telling the truth, considering the consequences. I was concerned about getting caught up in unwanted drama over being associated with Aledon publicly, especially around Monika. And I guessed correctly had some things to say about him. Whether she really was hostile or was using endearing humor on the subject just now, I did not know....But at the same time, I knew that eventually it would my relation with Aledon would come to light; and I did not want to be called out by Monika for dishonesty. All in all, I just was not sure what was going on at this moment.
"I forgive you," Monika laughed. "Unfortunately...I don't know if you've been in touch with him since he started school or if he left you in the dust...but he's been influenced by that one interesting figure, a guitar player named Otto Worren, who I just noticed is on board with us, by the way." Monika continued in a lower voice. "Otto's been unapologetic about siphoning off Society Members in joint standalone dymensional planes. And to have a Dungeonmaster, himself, in league?" Monika's voice turned slightly darker and quieter. "It's a catastrophe waiting to happen....I mean, I understand your brother means well, but I, quite frankly, am worried about the Society. I mean, will there be a Third Level Society at Cabotton University ten years from now? That's what I keep asking myself."
All I could do was glance down again.
"I do run my mouth, don't I?" continued Monika, patting my hand. "Yes, that was a lot of information for your first day, a lot of stuff leaving you stunned....I get it. Not to mention, pretty upsetting stuff about your own brother. But rest assured, that's one thing we seem to have in common: our thoughts on Dungeonmaster Aledon?"
"I...uh...I guess so," was all I could say.
Monika leaned her face closer to mine. "Here's what we can do. I think we should meet up...like...every week. And I presume you're roommates with him?"
"Yes."
"Of course you are. They always put siblings together at Cabotton University. That's the default policy, at least....Anyway, I want you to casually observe your brother. Be friendly with him like normal, or as friendly as you two are normally with each other. But I want you to do me a favor and observe him. Say nothing to him about your association with me....I am under the impression that he hates me....Be close with him, and Otto especially. Make note how often they talk with each other, what they say to each other. Anything regarding the 'Standalone Movement,' as they call it themselves, report back to me. It's a long story, the network I've built up over the years, but we do have a plan to save the Society. We've simply been missing an insider. Layda Marrows could have been one but Aledon saw her for who she was and effectively pushed her out of his little circle.
"I mean," Monika continued, leaning back in seat and putting her hands behind her head. "You can choose to go with your brother on things. I understand. But you're effectively putting your head underground for doing that...and you're possibly opening yourself up to dangerous 'fringer politics.'"
"Let me think on it," I butted in politely.
"Oh of course, dear," said Monika with a polite smile. "I think it's pretty obvious though."
With that, I excused myself to proceed to the lounge and stretch my legs. It was a miracle when Monika produced a book, saying that she would be reading in the meantime. I absolutely needed to get away from her for the moment.
I went down the corridor to the lounge and cafe. This section was a large room the entire width of the airship, with windows on both sides. The right side was for the coffee and snack items while the left side was occupied by a group of sofas facing either inward or out the windows. There were about five or six people here but the one who drew my attention was an older man sitting on a sofa along the window nearest to me. He bore a black cap and glasses, and had a long, reddish-brown beard that went down to his chest. He glanced at me, stood up, and shook my hand. "You must be new here," he said to me. "Otto Warren is my name."
"Maxima Tangreen," I said, returning the handshake. My previous anxiety over revealing my last name had very much worn off by now. "I take it you know my brother, Aledon?"
"I don't know him personally but I know the name. He's the Society Dungeonmaster....Me? I'm just a fifth-year guitar major. Not into the whole organizational thing like Library of Circlaria or the Portal Links. I'm all for the standalone planes though. In fact, I'm building my own, though I haven't named it yet."
"I'd like to see it some time."
"Not sure when it will be ready yet. A couple of friends and I meet once or twice a month and do a little at a time. Might be years before it's completed."
"Indeed," I replied. "Going back to you and my brother though, I'm surprised that what you're saying is a tad different from Monika's narrative..."
"Oh dear," Otto said, putting his face in his palm. "She's on board with us, isn't she....I do advise you to take everything she says with a grain of salt. I'm ashamed to admit that she is my former partner...and let me emphasize the word former. She initiated the break-up with me, but by then, I welcomed her decision with open arms. She's been nothing but talkative, as you can tell, trying to recruit me on her...obnoxious...social schemes, telling the truth in a way that suits her pseudo-liberal narrative. And don't get me wrong; I wouldn't touch the Cabotton Conservatives with a ten-foot pole, especially Arnold Stamp."
"Arnold Stamp," I repeated. "Name rings a bell."
"Yes," Otto continued. "Please avoid him like the plague. He's one of those ultra-capitalist Conservatives. And he's a lot more dangerous than people like Monika may think. That's the main issue I have with her. She calls herself a Liberal, very much like Headmaster Kotimer. But she, like Kotimer unfortunately, is blissfully ignorant of the very real dangers lurking in the wings of the University Council Building. Monika's had a bad brush with me, as a result, and has also had a bad brush with your brother, Aledon, if the rumors are true."
"Hmm," I said. "I don't ever recall Aledon mentioning her before."
"Maybe the rumors are false. Or perhaps he was too embarrassed as to having dealt with a personality like hers. I certainly would have been...Anyway, speaking of Aledon, even though I'm not exactly a big fan of his, I would take him over Monika for Dungeonmaster. She's running against him this year, by the way, if you haven't heard. So he might use your support."
"I haven't been so much in touch recently with him," I admitted. "I've been rather busy preparing for my own start at the University. But he is my roommate this year, so I will definitely make up for it."
Otto patted me on the shoulder. "Whether you do or not...my avatar group could use some assistance. We'll talk more later, but basically, we're a pirate group looking to disrupt things on Arturia proper, all for a good profit."
Seeing that Otto intended to have some alone space again, I got up from my seat with a friendly wave and wondered down the corridor, deciding in the end to check out the viewing deck on the other end. Walking toward me, however, was Sara March, accompanied by a shorter woman with long blonde hair who seemed around my age. Sara gently stopped me in my tracks. "Couldn't help but overhear that conversation with that guy over there," she told me. "I just need to caution you: Aledon may not be the brother you know and love thanks to him..."
The other woman gave a polite gesture for Sara to stop her conversation. "Easy now," she said. "This is a freshman, about forty-five minutes into her Cabotton experience. Let's give her a chance to think and observe."
"Whatever..." said Sara with a nod as she strode off toward the lounge.
The second woman stayed behind and turned toward me with an outstretched hand. "Meghan Wen is my name," she said, with an unusually quiet and gentle voice. "Yes, I am of Provan descent. No, I'm not a Lykian insider."
"Oh I wouldn't have speculated," I said, feeling myself blush.
"Not to worry," said Meghan. "Just a little side humor on my part....Anyway, I overheard that you are Aledon's sister?"
"I am. The name is Maxima Tangreen. I will be spending most of my time in the Greenhouse."
"Well met, Maxima." It appeared to me for a moment that Meghan was smiling a bit but perhaps I was just getting my hopes up. "And I will tell you this: If you were looking for a quality-education alongside talented peers in an environment of healthy competition, you will find that Cabotton was a very good choice to have made."
"Indeed."
Meghan glanced back down toward that lounge. "In any case, I gotta get back to Sara before she starts getting any jealous ideas, if you know what I mean," she said with a wink. "Meet me after we land. If you're interested, we could catch some dinner at the Slack....That's the common dining area on campus, by the way." With that, she turned and left with a wave.
For the rest of that flight, I wandered around a bit, checking out the deck and milling around the lounge and cafe. For a few stretches of time, I was sitting in my seat and glancing out the window toward the hilly landscape a mile below. Sometimes Monika was there but we did not make so much eye contact or conversation. We were both distracted with other things, thankfully.
I, for one, was distracted with thinking of Meghan Wen. Was she so opposed to my brother as Sara and Monika? If so, why is she so keen on getting to know me, knowing that I am the sister of Aledon Tangreen? Also, is she as attracted to me as I am to her? She insisted on meeting with me afterward, after all. But at the same time, she seems inseparable from Sara; maybe they're just friends...
And then came my anxieties over being a Cabotton student thus far. Maybe I am wrong in siding with Otto and my brother. But at the same time, Monika seems overly pushy. Also, how much of a distraction from my studies in Horticulture would my involvement in the Third Level Society be? Should I even consider changing my course of study to dymensional planecrafting if I am so fascinated with dymensional plane engagement?
But then I would be breaking my commitment my Maple-of-the-West tree, the one I planted six years ago in front of the old Galleston Farmhouse. I felt so proud, having contributed to environmental restoration efforts. There was also my garden back home, the one I've had for just about as long.
"No," I said to myself after Monika walked out of the seating room. "I must continue to tend plants."
It was shortly after lunchtime when we arrived at Gentry County Airfield. I disembarked and looked around the indoor platform hoping to find Otto and Meghan. I was one of the last people off the aircraft, though. So they were probably already at the University. With my stuff in tow, I boarded the next cable trolley, which would take me from the Airfield to the North end of the University. Looking around, I could see no sign of Meghan or Otto; so I went straight to Suite 323 in Fleming House. My brother was not there yet, so I spent a few hours unpacking.
It was right before dinner when my brother walked through the door.
"Almost a year and a half since we saw each other and I do apologize for that," he said as we hugged. "Happy to have you here!"
And so we talked. We talked about my exciting prospects. "You are in good hands," Aledon assured me. We then talked about his time here thus far, as well as a lot of matters related to Library of Circlaria.
Library of Circlaria formed in February 1349, integrating the Third Level Society with the loosely-organized chapters of Peter Quora and Cray Fenton. In September that year, Rebecca Mackwell became the Dungeonmaster. In the month that followed, she heralded the beginning of what was called the Portal Link Initiative, which began enabling avatars to travel from any portal in Arturia to any portal to mock-Circlaria and vice versa. Although the list of accessible portals was limited at the time, there were plans to add more. And there was anticipation, in the distant future, for avatars to open portals via mobile devices. Portal Link establishments have been occurring in multiple phases. Around that time, Phase I had a limited number of portals, only in the major cities. Phase II, completed four years ago, added to that list. That was Aledon's second year; and Mackwell was re-elected Dungeonmaster at that time. The Third Level Society Caucus voted for Phase III to start in January 1354.
For a brief moment, Aledon got up and returned with two cups of coffee, one of which I accepted. Aledon continued. "Yes. I was curious about the Portal Links as much as I presume you are; and I felt, early on at least, that Rebecca Mackwell was a decent Dungeonmaster. Although, I did have respect, and continue to do so to this day, for those Traditionalists who were questioning the Library of Circlaria merger."
"I was speculating a little, recently, on your stance over that," I said. "I was skeptical, though, because Monika was the one who told me, and she said that you and Otto were close; then I met Otto, and he said differently."
Aledon gave a nod. "Yes, I know them both, though not so close as our roommates; and you will meet them tonight, by the way....With that being said, you mentioned that you met Monika Rhodes."
"Yes...unfortunately..."
"She is, what I would call, a healthy rival," Aledon explained. "We certainly have had our disagreements. We did, admittedly, have a romantic fling that did not quite work out. Long story but that is why Otto and I are not quite as close with each other as we used to be. I will say that Monika, at least, supports a lot of the things that Kotimer is doing. And at least isn't hostile to the Darkfire Community like others at the University are..."
"I thought that sort of thing was in the past..."
"Oh believe me. There are some straggling Conservatives left here. And actually, there's this individual named Arnold Stamp, though you might not yet have heard of him."
"Otto told me."
"I see," Aledon continued. "Well, Monika is not giving as much concern to that as perhaps she should. Stamp did, after all, call our Society a 'society of witchcraft.'"
"What kind of rationale would someone have to believe that?"
"Absolutely none," said Aledon. "But really, there's none needed. All you need with these people is emotion. These are the ones that didn't quite make the rungs with the Honors Program, which I actually feel is tad unfair to some people with differing abilities. Believe me, Maxima, I'm avoiding Stamp like the plague. But I'm concerned because at the end of the day, we humans are creatures of emotion not logic. And if a man like Stamp is growing an emotion-driven base, and it seems he is, then democratic institutions like this University should be prepared for what may come. Because this is, without a doubt, something that would destroy us."
Taking a moment or so to process what was told to me, I took a long sip of my coffee.
"I would not let this matter consume your time here at the University or your studies, though," Aledon assured me. "Yes, I feel that our community, especially the Flagstaff, should be more vigilant. But that is a job for the community, not for the individual. In fact, I will put it like this: Do your part when the occasion arises."
Not much else was said that night. We went our separate ways as I went to the Slack to hopefully find Meghan or Otto, to no avail. Aledon had other errands to do and, as I write, has not yet returned. The aforementioned roommates are out and about as well. So here are my thoughts:
This new chapter in my life is exciting. I've met new people, both good and bad. I'm excited to start classes next week in the Greenhouse. And I am eager to join the Third Level Society.
I feel that, perhaps, Aledon exaggerates some fears on occasion; for he's done it in the past. And I feel that he is doing it now over Arnold Stamp. Surely, Stamp could potentially be a threat, but I feel that this community is educated enough. With that being said, I do remember reading about a certain individual named Walter Scott Mason, who almost became the Prime Minister of the Old Retunian Republic. He was an ultra-nationalist who sought to rid Middle Remikra of the Darkfire Community, a vile agenda indeed. And it was only a certain electoral institution in place at the time that prevented him from attaining the Prime Minister position, because he did have more popular votes. Such voters were voters encountering unimaginable economic hardship, and were driven solely by emotion.
So I guess it's a question of how many people here feel "left behind" academically, and how far behind they feel. I think it's more than what we all hope for, but less than we fear; after all, they sound like followers of "fringer" politics.
I need to sleep now. So I guess I will simply follow Aledon's advice: focus on my studies; focus on the Third Society. And when the time comes that I need to do my part, either to stop or survive anything adverse to come, only then will I do so.