They streets were swarmed with people… The lamp, the hawkers underneath, the swaying in the middle of the street and instruments on who's rhythm the crowd juggles each legs fills the air with a festive mood. It was a common occurrence, a daily ritual of sort for the Laborers to fill the pub and shower away their day's earnings while the aristocrat gambled away in the upper floors. The church bells tolls, mourning the loss of what it could have and in unison jingled the bells of the carriage bumping at every corner of the muddy street. The capital never changed, houses remains same decrepit hanging onto the nostalgia of it's residents, the treasure plundered in past collect dust. There is no glory left for the old men. The whip and kick comes down hand in hand, the horse pushes through with head held unnaturally high, gasping for air from its mouth. Theovan came forward to loosen up the reins, he monitored all other carriages. Diligent and vigilant against the swarms of drunkards as his comrades fool around the Lady in a outdoor cafe.
"I am sorryyy." cried Krodh as Lady Ludmilla pulled his ears.
The feeling of irritation made her twist his earlobe even further, "To think the one month of night studies will turn out to be such a waste of time, once we return back I promise to flay you alive." Even in the capital rarely one can see a fine lady loose her composure like this thus many onlookers debated about what crime the poor lad has committed.
Theovan returned with their carriage he found Koshechka snoozing away on a the table while Isaac leaned back and staring at the sky, an expression of tiredness floated over his face. Meanwhile Bracknell stuffed all the muffins on the table.
It was a three hour journey back to Witwood village where the villa is. The ladies sat on the front seats while the gents sat facing them on the opposite. No one said a word, Ludmilla looked outside from her window absentmindedly and then said, "Isaac and Koshechka tomorrow if any one of you by chance draw Krodh as your opponent, please forfeit immediately."
Both of them nodded in reply, Isaac not so enthusiastically. There was no room for an argument to be made.
The silence prolonged until Isaac in his frustration blurted out "Why do we always have to clean his ass whenever he messes up."
Krodh glared at him.
"What!? I really needed those books…" retorted Isaac.
Ludmilla clapped her hands and said, "Don't worry Isaac I've already thought of a punishment, you can make sure he will suffer aptly."
Krodh was silent, he wanted to jump off the carriage and scream through the woods, attract all the wild and get devoured alive by them.
The awkward conversion made Theovan's skin crawl, he changed the subject, "Koschechka how much do you think you will get?"
"If the professors aren't being stingy then full marks is not out of question." replied Koschechka as she rubbed her eyes.
"I see, extremely well done, as your senior I am really proud of you" Said Theovan who's chest swelling in pride.
"And now for my hard work I will reward myself with a little sleep."
"Ok, will make sure to talk slowly, goodnight."
"Zzz"
Theovan looked and Isaac and asked, "How about you?"
"If only there was no question on history and philosophy..." Grumbled Isaac, "I prefer to write all my answer in simple and direct sentence but this subjects require an entire wall of writing to even attract attention. The exams of this so-called higher institution can never measure human intellect properly, even while solving problems you ought to present the process for some godforsaken reason." Isaac seemed agitated.
"I see"
"Not only that, for you see….." Isaac kept on blabbering. Theonov wished he had conversed with Krodh instead. He glanced at the lady directly in front of him, not speaking word and seemed calmer than usual. 'What was she thinking? What is she planning to do? what does she interpret the world outside the window as?' Theovan wondered. Even after all this years she is still a mystery he couldn't solve.
The rest of the journey was spent in silence, the only thing that they could hear was the ringing bell and the crackling sound of the cookie being eaten by Bracknell. The owl called somewhere in distance so did the wolves who follow the light. Theovan peaked into darkness the wildlife that dwindled, each plant burned down by the curse of human perseverance. Every tired soul went to sleep as soon as they reached the mansion.
Theovan woke up early, today was Bracknell's shift of preparing the breakfast. He decided to go to the kitchen to check on her. In his way to the kitchen from the hallway Theovan caught glimpses of a figure standing in the lawn in an unhuman position. Alarmed he cautiously made his way to the figure while gripping his wand.
In the lawn he found Krodh standing on one leg with his other leg tried to stably hold his wand.
Theovan was amused by such a scene he assumed that a vengeful spirit might have taken over Krodh, slowly he approached him from behind and said," what are you doing Krodh? Did Lady Ludmilla performed some type of lobotomy on you, last night?"
Krodh taken by surprise fell on his back, upon seeing the speaker he immediately jumped up and said, "I nearly had a heart attack Theovan! and also how rude! Its nothing like you imagine I am just trying something innovative."
"How so? Firing spells through legs seems inconceivable. Just because our feet have nerve endings doesn't mean you can utilize them."
Krodh shook his finger "It pains me hear unimaginative opinion, I think I am capable of doing it, even pull a surprise, It will definitely be a key in winning today's battles."
"well then.." Theovan walked to the Oak tree broke a branch and equipped it on his free hand," How about we test the idea of yours?" he pointed the branch.
Krodh would've taken this challenge as a mockery if it were anyone else, but he the man in front of him was serious. He smiled, while cracking his neck he said, "Make sure to keep up with me old man."
"Yeah, Yeah whatever." Theovan took his stance
They sparred for the entire morning.