gnosis

Three times the fowlbeast has flown past the window. Perhaps it had already flown past many times before Gnosis noticed it.

The fowlbeasts of Kjerag build their nests in the mountains. The adults leave their nests before the sun rises, foraging in human lands.

The cold climate has made them strong and sturdy.

Track the flight of a fowlbeast, and one will find that they traverse half of Kjerag in the span of a single day.

At least, that is what the books at home say.

Let's continue from where we left off yesterday, then.

The institutions of Kjerag share certain characteristics with Victoria.

The three clans are analogous to the grand dukes of Victoria, while the Vine-Bead Court performs some of the functions of the king.

By understanding Victoria's institutions, you will gain a greater understanding of where the two systems are similar, and an even greater understanding of where they are different.

Do you concur, Master Enciodes?

I think I know what you mean.

Kjerag's institutions are built upon faith in Kjeragandr. Therefore, despite the similarities with Victoria's institutions, they are fundamentally different.

As written in the 'Kjeragandr', the three clans formed a covenant with Kjeragandr to lead the people. The mantle of authority is merely an insignificant reward.

On this point, the relationship between the three clans and the Vine-Bead Court is fundamentally different from the relationship between the Victorian dukes and the king.

Excellent, Master Enciodes...

Gnosis pays no heed to the exchange, letting his mind wander and imagine the fowlbeast outside the winding gliding on the winds.

These fowlbeasts are smart creatures. They are waiting for leftovers from lunch that the kitchens will throw out soon. The Silverash food is among the finest in Kjerag, after all.

After they have had their fill, they will fly towards Lake Silberneherze, frolicking on the meadows there, or interact with the burdenbeasts basking in the sun.

If they are lucky, they will be thrown a scalecis or two by the fincatchers on the ice.

When the sun sets in the west, they will return to their warm nests and put an end to a productive day, like someone who has just finished a hard day of work.

This concludes today's lesson.

We will have our regular short quiz now.

Gnosis stares at the quiz paper. He finds the questions even easier than a fowlbeast finds looking for food.

His mind wanders to how fowlbeasts live their entire lives between looking for food and sleeping, interposed by the occasional territorial conflict, day after day, year after year, until they die.

It seems almost like there is some kind of law governing it, because the fowlbeasts of Kjerag do not appear to ever think about flying beyond the mountains.

Time's up.

I had two questions that I wasn't sure about. What about you, Gnosis?

I—

Let me guess, you finished ages ago.

Hm? Some of your answers are different from mine—

Now, now, Master Enciodes, Master Gnosis grew up in the Edelweiss sea of books.

Your advantages lie elsewhere, do they not?

Is that supposed to console me?

Put it another way, the higher Master Gnosis's academic achievements, the more help you will receive as the future head of Clan Silverash.

Very well.

Shoot, I need to meet Matterhorn. I'll be going.

Of course.

Say, Gnosis—

One moment, please, Gnosis.

Did you need something, Enciodes?

Oh, er, it's nothing important.

Here's your last test back.

Full marks, as usual.

Your grades are spectacular, Gnosis. You're the brightest student I've ever seen.

Thank you.

I can already picture you on a bigger stage when you study abroad in Victoria.

Patriarch Olafur's study abroad policy is practically tailored to you.

But this supposed signature of your father's is forged, isn't it?

I'm guessing you didn't think you could keep it hidden forever. Your family will eventually find out, after all.

But the longer it takes for them to find out, the better your chance of making this a done deal.

This is the best you could do.

But it's not enough.

I...

Tell me, Gnosis, what do you think of Kjerag after learning about Victoria's institutions?

Don't worry, this is a private conversation. You can trust me to keep a secret.

It's backwards and inefficient.

What do you think about Enciodes, then?

...He will be a respectable leader.

But i don't understand him.

What don't you understand?

His sense of duty, like he was born to lead Kjerag.

Ah, good. You're even more radical than I thought.

It appears that knowledge has given you more questions than it has answers.

Kjerag is clearly too small for you, Gnosis.

I don't know.

Don't fool yourself. You would forge your father's signature in order to study abroad.

You want to get out, don't you?

My father would never agree.

Your little trick won't work. But I can help you.

I can act as if I never noticed. I could even pretend to have seen your father and gotten his consent for you to study abroad.

Why?

Because you're like me.

I'm on your side, Gnosis.

Friends help each other. I helped you. Now I need you to help me with something.

Hey.

Hm?

Gnosis!

Enciodes? You're back?

I was going to ask you to come along, but then you had to stay late.

Go along where?

The first train that Father purchased from Victoria is making a test run today. Do you want to watch?

Why me?

Hm... because we're classmates?

Plus, aren't you interested? It's a train! Kjerag's first ever!

I—

'I'm not interested. I'm going home.'

The words die in his throat.

He could imagine what awaits him back home.

His mother preparing dinner, waiting for his son to bring good news about his studies.

His father buried in his research in a sea of books, with eyes only for the millennia of Kjerag history.

He probably does not know what time it is. He probably does not remember what his son is doing.

When he reads something that excites him, he will call out to his son, then his wife will tell him that his son is studying with the son of Master Olafur.

He would mutter a response and continue with his research. By the time his son came home, he would have forgotten what he wanted to say.

He would talk nonstop at the dinner table about what he discovered that day, and what he would discover the next.

To Gnosis, his father is like a drowning man stretching out his hand to tell his son about all the mysteries hidden in the lake.

If that is the case—

Well? What's the answer? Are you going or not?

...I'm going.

That's more like it!

Shh—