Then next morning he was awoken by one of the elder students to begin his chores. He had just begun his duties by scrubbing the dock when a small boat arrived. Soldiers disembarked first. There bore a standard he had never seen before but that was a secodary mystery compared to that of one of the creatures that emerged from a large wooden crate. It was the size of a full grown man with blue skin and bald head. It had a sinister intellect from his eyes. There were others that accompanied the creature. An Elf garbed in black, another Elf who stood with an air of nobility, and human who carried himself much like that of a thief. Master Corwin greeted the soldiers and and the band who seemed to be treated much like prisoners . The blue skinned creature and Corwin seemed to have much to speak on. Loward made his way inside and inquired about the visitors with one of the other students.
"That's Vrid Krege, fucktard," replied Duroth. Duroth was the young man who had been urging Jonas to kill Loward. "Vrid used to think he was hot shit when he was here years past. Fuckin troll was always up to no good and had a sadistic nature that would make most demons cringe. From what I hear, he's being deported to the Byzantine Empire because he plea bargained out of a death penalty"
"So that's why the soldiers are with him." Duroth gave gave Loward a sharp punch to the ribs.
"Listen with your ears and not with you mouth, Fucktard. I'm not like that pussy Jonas, I've killed before. The only reason you breath the same air as I is 'cause the Master deems you worthy to study here." Loward rubbed his sided and wiped some of the tears from his eyes. "If you keep your mouth shut and pay attention you'll get far. Do the opposite and you'll end up like that blue bastard you were so interested in. Now get your ass back to you chores before I give you something to cry about you pussy." Loward returned to his duties and didn't speak for the rest of the day. Not out of fear from Duroth's threat but he was more afraid of a repeat performance from other students. From a general view of their expressions he could tell they did not like him being there. During the evening lesson Master Corwn made it a point to critisize and belittle Loward at every chance he could get. It was almost as if he was receiving his punishment for injuring Jonas and making a mess.
"Jonas," he thought. "Where had Jonas been?" Loward had not seen him all day and he was not present during the lesson. "Had Jonas been expelled? Surely that could not be the case. Perhaps it may have been. Master Corbin seems to be a taskmaster who tolerates little." His thoughts strayed as sleep overtook him.
The next few months were not as kind as his first full day at the academy. Loward received nothing but gruelling tasks and harsh punishments from the Master and students alike. His lessons were varied in a wide selection of curriculum and soon the months seemed to pass as though it were all a dream. Loward had thought of leaving the school but he had no money or supplies; even if he did where would he go. A full year had gone by and he had almost come to hate everything within the halls of his "home." He was summoned to the private study of the Master to have a talk about his attitude.
Corwin's study was a library which had an upside down tower jutting through it. Some studets say that it was originally an accident created by the Master's initial studies that he decided to keep as a reminder of playing with unknown magics. Loward was impressed by the size of the library and for a brief moment received a flash on memory of his previous mentor. His had been months since he had even thought of Lourde Brownshue. Seeing this library reminded him of how his mentor spoke of his exile and a green flash of something familiar. His remeberance was interrupted by Corwin.
"I hope you are falling asleep already, boy. I wouldn' want to bore you." He looked at Loward with a smirk intonating his sarcasm. "You're wondering why you are here and that would be a good place to start. Why are you here?"
"Because you want to continue my lessons in humility sir?"
"When did you get such a smart mouth? I guess a year of constant hell wasn't enough to break you and I applaud that. Not many have the will to remain defiant yet eager to learn as you have."
"This was a test?" Loward's tempeture began to rise. He was angry at the thought of a years worth of humiliation being orchestrated in some manner to manipulate him. "To what end sir?"
"I want to see the green fire again."
"What?" Loward's confusion made it apparent to Corwin that he had no idea what he was talking about.
"When we first me I saw a spark in you that I had only read about in books. They say that those born with the witch's mark or that of the sorceror can manifest a green flame which holds the secrets to creation." You have that flame, boy, and I aim to learn its power." Lourde had been a soreceror and was training Loward in the sorcerous arts. Was this green fire the culmination of his teachings?
"I'm not exactly sure I know what you are talking about, sir. But I do know a little about sorcery." With a wave of his hand he began to manipulate a quill with his power and for the first time he saw it. A green flame enveloped the quill as it moved through the air and landed hovered before him. It was his newly learned ability to see auras that was showing him this fire but he had a feeling he had seen it before.
"Amazing. How dow you do it, boy? More importantly can you instruct me in the basic priciples like you mentor has shown you?"
"Why should I?" It was a valid question. Loward had been subjet to much harshness while in attendence at the school.
"Because you haven't repaid me for my hospitality, lycanthrope." A wide eyed expression crossed over Lowards face. "Yes, I know that you bear the curse and how you have worked hard to stifle the urges of the wolf's blood in our presence. How do you think the others would react if the were to find out? Disfavorably I assure you."
"I can always leave here y'know?"
"And go where? You have no friends, no money, and not a clue of what world you're on."
"I'll take my chances." Loward left the study. He marched to the front door of the school where a large figure stood. "Out of my way, Duroth."
"Not trying to stop yah, Fucktard." He tossed Loward a backpack. "You'll need supplies to survive out there."
"Why are you doing this?"
"You will find out soon enough." He approached Loward and placed a hand on his shoulder. With a smile he violently thrust his knee into Loward's stomach. As Loward fell to his knees coughing he felt a pat on his back. "Don't forget what you learned here, Timmy. It might just save your life." Loward slowly stood to his feet and strapped on the pack. He looked back only once as he walked along the river towards the City once known as Citadel.