WARNING: Graphic Content
Madam Nadia.
It is Friday, the fifteenth September.
Given that Friday is a half day, we could accommodate a visit from the Necroforce Recruiting Arm. Looking through my list, there was one person qualified both by merit and recommendation. Allan Dunkelberg.
Well, it is not strange he was dropped off by some higher ups at the time of his arrival saying he was the child of some military personnel but why Maelstrom? I was warned not to dig into anything as I may attract attention I may not be able to deal with so I did not bother and it looks like this is where our paths diverge.
"Ethel," I call out as I look at the time on the old grandfather clock, thirty-one minutes after nine.
"Yes Madam." Ethel quickly replies with a curtsey as she enters my office.
"Where is Allan? He supposed to have been here two hours ago."
"Mr. Hedge was not around so I had to look over meal sharing and morning chores. I was able to go check on him." She responded halfheartedly. It's not like she did not know that she would be compensated for the extra work so why all the fuss. You never know with some people. I want to ask what happened to Mr. Hedge but it is nnot out of character for him to something like this.
"Please Madam, if I may add. You know how Allan behaves and you know privacy is not needed to perform the rites…"
"And what exactly do you know about them?" I ask in a stern voice startling her as I rise on my feet. "The possible hour is soon going to pass and because of your incompetence, we may lose him. Shut up your mouth and go call security and bring them down to his room and make yourself useful for once."
I stand I watch her leave as I hold my stance given how fast I stood up, my head fills like it is spinning. I don't know how many more passing rites I can issue. I muster some strength and walk myself to his room. If he cannot come to me, I will come to him as long as it gets done. "He cannot be fed and sheltered by Maelstrom and leave without the rites!"
The hallways are empty as most children have left for school. I walk to his room with my entourage ready for whatever we would face there, you never know with these youngsters. When we arrive, I don't bother knocking as I twist the door and let myself in to see the occupants are still in the room.
"What is going on here?" I ask as I see the eight boys still in their rooms. "Are you not meant to be in school?"
"Actually, I am done with school." Brady quickly adds after my question.
"And the others?" I ask. "If it is so, only you and Allan are meant to be in the room."
The room is silent as they stare at each other trying to device an excuse.
"We wanted to tell Allan good bye" Allan's bunkmate, Yaagnar explained. "And Yaagnar too."
"Ah, Yaagnar, I already saw him yesterday and he performed his passing rites as a child of Maelstrom which Allan has been avoiding." I say as I stare into Allan's eyes.
" I am not a child of Maelstrom, I have a name, Dunkelberg. I am Allan of Dunkelberg from the House of Zylaris. I don't need your name." Allan said as he looked at me in the eye, saying all this without batting his eye. It would have come as a surprise to me but he behaves like this from time to time.
"The House of Zylaris is a forgotten name, it would wise of you to take Maelstrom given you let down your stupid pride for a name that carries no authority. Bless me, I do not know of a House called Zylaris." I say as I stand my ground.
" I would not take your name but I will forgive the sin of your ignorance." Allan replied with guts!
"Who do you think is backing you? You were dropped off as a child, an orphan in need of food, shelter, a home, Maelstrom took you, nurtured you, gave you what no one else to give. For that I have the right as the current head of this house of Maelstrom to initiate you into this family not as a child but as a servant.
To pay the debt you owe of all these years you have been nurtured you must pay back.
Pay with your life, for without Malestrom you would be dead on the street.
Pay with your loyalty for with Maelstrom you had a place to call home.
Pay with your tongue for Maelstrom fed you when you were left to die.
Pay with your heart for Maelstrom's loving heart, nurtured you!"
I started the rite as I saw Ethel and the others spread around the room in formation and said the rites with all the strength I could muster. As I said it, I looked at the boy who was still standing, untouched.
He does not honour Maelstrom, so I will have to call upon her authority, one way or the other, he would have to bow.
I close my eyes as I ready myself for the next step, stripping my thumb off its nail and letting my blood drop as I stood at the door. "I call upon Maelstrom, mother of the astray. Come again, for there are still astray for harvesting." The room turned dark as a strange wind started blowing not from the window but the door that faced the corridor filled with doors to other rooms.
'Where was the wind coming from?'
My legs started shaking as I could not hold the call for long. "Oh, Maelstrom, mother of the astray, give me strength to carry this rite!"
Narrator's POV
Her eyes turned hollow as she stood in an awkward manner, her knees buckled against each other, shoulders falling to her right side as her eyes seemed to scan the room while her head supported it self on her chest.
It was obvious this was not Miss Nadia but what ever was there was out for something they all had in common.