Friday.
7:15 A.M.
The Valecroft Estate was already bustling with activity.
Gardeners were pruning the hedges around the fountain in the center of the courtyard.
Housekeepers were polishing the marble floors.
Chefs were preparing breakfast in the large kitchen, and clerks were organizing appointments in the administrative building.
Despite appearing like the home of a king the mansion was run with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine.
Not that anyone but Edward seemed to notice it this morning.
He was on the balcony of his study, sipping at a cooling cup of coffee.
Two security guards were chatting at the front gates.
Edward watched them for a moment before he spoke.
“Arthur.”
His butler appeared almost instantly.
“Yes, sir?”
“Tell the eastern patrol to switch places.”
Arthur blinked in surprise.
“They haven’t done anything wrong.”
“I know.”
Edward glanced at the grounds for a moment, his expression unreadable.
“They’re becoming predictable.”
Arthur nodded, understanding the unspoken words behind his employer’s orders.
“I’ll inform them this morning.”
Routine was a comforting thing to him, creating patterns that were easily followed…
and therefore exploited.
Edward only knew that because he made sure it never happened.
Inside the dining hall, breakfast was already underway.
Leon was passionately discussing the various reasons why cereal should be classified as soup.
Grace finally gave up trying to stop him.
Iris said nothing, as she usually did.
It hadn’t changed much since school had let out for summer, apart from having to deal with Leon.
Sam walked into the room a few minutes later.
“Morning.”
“Morning,” said Sam, nodding at him.
Leon looked up at him hopefully.
“Settle this,” he said, gesturing broadly at Grace.
“Cereal.”
“Soup or not?” Sam sat down, taking a sandwich from the plate in front of him.
“It’s breakfast,” Leon said, frowning.
“That’s not one of the options,” Sam countered.
Claire would have said something, but Leon clearly wasn’t finished.
“I don’t know why I keep asking intelligent people.”
Edward arrived shortly afterwards.
As always, his expression was carefully schooled to show no emotion.
Someone meeting him for the first time that day would never have guessed at the letter that had been waiting for him when he returned home less than forty-eight hours ago.
Only Sam seemed to notice something was off, as Edward didn’t have the briefcase he almost always carried with him.
The drive to Blackthorn University was uneventful, aside from Arthur’s strange parting words.
“Master Sam.”
” Yes?”
“Lord Valecroft asked me to remind you.”
“About what?”
Arthur smiled slightly as he handed him the keys.
“To enjoy university.”
Sam looked at him for a long moment.
“…That’s all?”
“That’s all.”
It was somehow not.
As soon as he saw the university gates, Blackthorn University’s courtyard appeared before him, the autumn air smelling of damp leaves.
Students were gathering in small groups, chatting amongst themselves before their morning lectures began.
Ollie was waiting for him by the steps, holding two paper bags.
“There he is!” she said cheerfully.
Sam walked over.
“What happened?”
“I bought breakfast,” said Ollie.
“…Congratulations,” said Sam.
“No, I accidentally bought two.”
Ethan arrived at that moment.
“You accidentally bought a feast fit for a king.”
“I panic when people ask me questions,” said Ollie
Claire arrived next.
“You ordered without looking again?”
Ollie nodded proudly.
“Exactly.”
Mehjabeen crossed her arms.
“I’ve never seen anyone lose money with such enthusiasm.”
“I call it optimism.”
“It’s financial incompetence.”
Sam took one of the sandwiches.
“Thank you.”
“…That’s it?”
“You expected more?”
“I expected suspicion.”
“I know you’d never poison me.”
Ollie smiled.
“…That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said.”
Claire immediately cut in.
“Or the lowest standard of friendship imaginable.”
The group chuckled, and for the first time in a while, five university students enjoyed each other’s company.
Sam’s first lecture finished just before noon, and as the students filtered out of the lecture hall, Professor Holloway called after Sam.
“And your friends as well.”
The five of them turned to face him.
“I have a request,” said Professor Holloway.
Ollie immediately whispered to Leon, “If this becomes homework, I’m leaving.”
“I’m sure it won’t be that difficult,” said Professor Holloway, smiling.
“ThePsychology Department is hosting an inter-university symposium next month.
Claire’s eyes lit up.
“A competition?”
“In a way,” said Professor Holloway.
“The university was hoping to send along one team…”
A hush fell over the group.
“…You’ve worked well together as of late, and I thought you five might be interested in representing Blackthorn.
Ethan shot a questioning look at Sam while Mehjabeen merely frowned.
Claire looked delighted, but it was only Ollie who asked the question that had been burning at the edge of everyone’s minds.
“…Do we get free lunch?”
Professor Holloway burst out laughing.
“Indeed.”
“I’m in.
“You didn’t hear the rules yet,” said Ollie.
“I heard the important part.
Even Professor Holloway had to hide his smile behind a hand as he said,
“I’ll leave the details to next week.
In the mean time…”
think about it.”
As the five of them walked away, none of them saw the woman standing on the balcony on the second floor, her gaze fixed on Sam.
She was neither a student nor a teacher, dressed only in a simple grey coat and carrying a leather-bound notebook.
Her sharp eyes watched him, and his friends, for a long moment.
She made a small notation on the page before tearing it off and folding it once.
Subject has formed a stable support network.
She placed it in her pocket before vanishing into the depths of the building, leaving the five young men to their own devices.
TO BE CONTINUED….