Marta POV
Marta had her face buried in her hands while sitting on the table in the kitchen area. Her worst fears had come to pass, and she knew Ash's days at the orphanage was on borrowed time.
Marta looked at the unopened letter bearing the crest of Vesperia's royal family on the wax seal sitting on her desk, though she already had an inkling what of what was to come. She stared out the kitchen window, taking in the smell of woodsmoke and herbs lingering in the kitchen, mixed with the contrast of the crisp refreshing smell of green foliage and blooming flowers carried in through the window by a slight breeze.
She took the sights in for a minute as she cleared her head, before reaching over the kitchen table to crack open the wax seal. The sound of sliding parchment rubbing on each other as she removed the letter from the envelop and unfolded it was unusually loud in her ears. She then proceeded to read the letter, expecting most of the contents to be about the usual tri-annual evaluation happening, except it was not.
*By His Majesty's pleasure, and under the seal of the Office of Royal Affinity Inspection
To the Matron of the Riverside Orphanage, in the Barony of Hollow's Reach, by hand of Crown courier.
Matron Marta,
I am directed to give you notice that the Crown's customary inspection of the children under your charge has been brought forward from its appointed season. I shall present myself at the gate of the orphanage upon the morning of Braeloth, the second day of Aelthar, in this year 1191 since the Closing.
By recent decree, the scope of the inspection is revised. Where past examinations concerned only children of the awakening years, nine summers to twelve, the present cycle shall extend to every child of seven summers and upward within the orphanage's care, whether the core has yet awakened or no.
To this end, the Royal Mage-Wright's Office has consigned to my use an evaluation orb of improved craft, designed to perceive latent affinity within the cores of the unawakened. The instrument is not in every case infallible; you are advised, however, that its findings, where positive, are deemed sufficient by the Crown to warrant action.
Children found upon examination to bear affinities of military rarity or strategic worth shall be enrolled in the Royal Pre-Awakening Cadet Programme, established this year by His Majesty's Ministry of War. Such children shall be conveyed thence to a Crown academy at the Ministry's expense, and there prepared in body and discipline for service in His Majesty's host upon the awakening of the core. No charge or burden in this matter shall fall upon the orphanage, nor upon the Barony.
You will see that all children of seven summers and upward are present and clothed for examination upon the morning of my arrival. A roll of their names, ages, and parentage where known shall be readied in advance, and tendered to me at the gate. Absences, whether by illness, errand, or any cause whatsoever, must be accounted for in writing and bear your hand.
His Lordship the Baron of Hollow's Reach has been notified of this inspection by separate writ, and his magistrate stands ready to render such assistance as the office may require.
Pursuant to His Majesty's pleasure, and for the welfare of the realm.
Given under my hand at the Office of Royal Affinity Inspection, this Drevenar, the twenty-fourth day of Sevryn, in the year 1191 since the Closing.
Halric VennRoyal Inspector of AffinityBy appointment of the Crown of Vesperia
Marta just chucked the letter aside and started sobbing quietly, afraid to alert the children playing out in the backyard. The letter was worse than she thought — she thought Ash would have one more winter before the next evaluation, but it would be barely two weeks before the next evaluation.
What's worse was that they will be reducing the age limit, and requiring early enrollment. There was just no way to get Ash out of being evaluated. Her thoughts went to all that Ash had done for the orphanage. Hunting beasts for food when the stipend was cut, creating those things that kept everyone warm during winter, and even teaching everyone how to make soap.
Even without the additional food, just the coin from selling soap to the baroness was more than enough to keep the children well fed and comfortable. There were just the biggest of Ash's contribution among other things. All the only recompense that he's getting for all his contributions was military enrollment.
Marta knew that Ash was meant for great things. The talent he showed in mastering magic was just unheard of, coupled with his early awakening. He would be a huge asset to the military, and with the way Ash is constantly pushing his own progress, she knew that keeping Ash out of danger was not feasible. She had only wished that he had more of a childhood, and that he had more time of his own before he was dragged into war.
She suddenly heard footsteps, and before she could compose herself, Thal walked into the kitchen. Marta quickly turned away, wiping the tears away, trying to hide that she was crying.
"Marta?" Thal said in a panicked voice "Are you crying? What happened? What did Ash do this time?" too quick to put the blame on her troublemaker sibling.
"It's nothing dear, it was just pollen blowing into my eyes. Were you looking for me?"
Thal's eyes went to the letter left opened on the kitchen table. Even though part of the wax seal was broken, she recognized what was left of the insignia to hazard a guess where the letter was from without reading it.
"Is this about the upcoming evaluations, are they bringing it forward?" Thal grabs the letter to read it.
"You're worried about Ash isn't it? You're worried they'll discover he's awakened with some rare affinity"
"What?!? What are you saying about Ash, don't go around saying that" Marta said.
"Oh come on! He hasn't exactly been discreet about it. Everyone knows, its only a matter of time before people in town talks if he keeps this up" Thal argued.
Marta just looked dumbfounded, either by Thal's outburst or that Ash was not as discreet as she had hoped.
"But isn't this visit a little earlier than usual? And why are they suddenly trying to prepare kids so young?" Thal wondered.
"It's likely due to the war in the East, there have been rumors that things are escalating. Hence the country is probably shoring up their efforts, to get any elite troops they might have ready earlier." Marta explained.
"Then there's nothing we can really do, I'm sure Ash will adapt, as sad as I am to see him go" Thal said melancholically.
"Or he could run away" Marta suddenly said.
"Noo! You can't tell him to do that, won't you get into trouble with the inspector? What if they took you away as well. Think about the other kids!" Thal said.
"You don't know that for sure, I've managed this place for a long time. They might look the other way, I'll just say he escaped on his own" Marta countered, already thinking of excuses she could use.
"Noooo! Why does Ash get special treatment?!? He should just own up if he can help the country" Thal cried, worried about the possibility of losing Marta. "What if they took you away and sent someone else.." tears rolling down her cheeks.
Marta stood up and gentling embraced Thal. "It's alright child. It'll be alright, but I believe the decision should be up to Ash. He's done a lot of help everyone, its only fair we give him the opportunity to make the decision for himself"
"But.." Thal wanted argue again but Marta just put a finger on her lips "Shhh, leave this with me. Ash will be coming home soon. Promise me you won't say anything when I tell him the news"
Thal just nodded quietly, not exactly happy with the decision but choosing to respect Marta's decision. They could hear the front door opening just as they calmed down.
"Speak of the devil, that can only be Ash returning from town"
"Hey Marta. Oh Hey Thal! What's up? You two have a look..." Ash said cautiously.
"Have a sit Ash, I have some news I would like to share with you." Marta said, beckoning for Ash to take a seat at the table.
"Thal, do you mind getting something for us to drink?" Marta said, gesturing for her to prepare some flower tea that they dried themselves.
"Err... ok.... what's going on? You're scaring me" Ash said as he sat at the other end of the kitchen table.
"The Royal Inspector will be arriving at the beginning of next month" Marta said in a flat tone.
"Uhh... ok.... I still don't understand what's this about. I won't be nine yet. Isn't it better? Since it means it might be a while before they come back again" Ash voiced his confusion.
"They are testing all kids seven summers and up, testing affinity of pre-awakened kids to enroll them earlier incase its the type of affinity the military needs." Marta shared the rest of the details, watching Ash's face for his reaction as the message landed.
"Ohhh..." Ash said, realizing the implication of what Marta just shared. Thal placed three cups on the table, then took a seat herself. Marta just gave her a look, urging Thal to leave but Thal just ignored her.
"Ash dear" Marta said as she got up and took a seat beside Ash. She held his hands which made him look up from the steam rising from the cup. "If you want to leave, I can understand. You're more than capable of making a living on your own. You don't have to stay for the evaluation"
Ash stayed quiet for a minute, eyes going back to the tea cup as he was deep in thought. "Let me think about it." Marta had the look of worry in her eye, which made Ash misunderstand what she was worried about "Don't worry, I will tell you before hand if I do plan to leave. I'll make sure the orphanage has everything they need either way"
"That's not what I was worried about dear..." Marta said trying to explain. Ash just slips his hands out from Marta's and gave it a gentle pat. "Let me sleep on it"
Marta just watched as Ash got up to leave, steps echoing through the roof as Ash went upstairs. Thal was about to get up when Marta quickly added "Not a world child of what we said"
"Fine" Thal agreed grudgingly, heading to the backyard instead.
Later that night, Marta was heading downstairs to the kitchen to get some water before bed when she heard voices from the kitchen. She stopped, noticing that it was Ash's voice.
"... the crap. Out with it. What is it that you did not say earlier this afternoon" Ash confronted someone.
"What do you mean?" Marta could hear Thal's voice getting defensive.
"I saw you freeze up when Marta suggested I run away. What is it that she's not saying?" Ash asked again.
"I don't know what you're saying" Thal feigned ignorance.
Good girl. Marta thought internally, though thinking that Thal's acting need more work.
"You know exactly what I'm saying. I trust you of all people to give me the unfiltered truth" Ash pleaded to Thal's inner voice.
"Fine, I'll tell you" Thal relented.
Noooo.. Bad girl, bad girl! Marta screamed internally.
"What Marta left unsaid was that she'll likely get in trouble if you ran away." Thal said.
There was silence from Ash, probably waiting for Thal to fill in the blanks.
"They might replace Marta with someone else at the orphanage. Marta might get sent away. And I've heard not all care takers treat the kids well. The town folks always praise how well Marta takes care of us compared to some of the other ones.." Thal continued, almost starting to ramble.
"It's ok, I've heard enough" Ash interrupted "Don't worry, I'll be here for the evaluation, even if it means joining the military"
Marta could hear Ash approaching the kitchen door and she quickly sneaked back up to her room. Afraid to let Ash discover her eavesdropping on their conversation.
Later that night, Marta laid on her bed with sleep eluding her as she worried about Ash's future.