Chapter 9 - Part B

Remy joined in, "First off, though we divide you up by Hand, Heart and Head, and though we will have some competition between the three groups, we expect coordination and support among the three." and Tristan nodded.

"I expect that Donna told you about the rules and regulations regarding dining?" Cece tilted her head in query and Tristan murmured a "Yes." "Good. As for duties, you've seen groups of three carrying out several tasks already, right?" And again Tristan nodded.

Agatha continued for Cece. "You've only seen a few tasks I believe, like the chandeliers and the gates. You'll find out your duties ... from Donna I dare say. I think since you two hit it off so well, we'll assign you two together, and wait to find your third."

Tristan looked down for a moment then asked, "Can Tiny be the third?"

Cece replied. "Unfortunately, apprenticeship to the smithy will devour much of his availability. To work out a schedule will take too many resources to coordinate and thus prove impedibility."

At Tristan's bewildered look, Remy explained. "Tiny will be too busy." "OH! Okay." and both Remy and Agatha chuckled. Remy dug an elbow into Cece's ribs. "Translator extraordinaire!" and Cece just muttered.

Agatha then turned serious. "Tristan, there will be some girls here who... might not appreciate your background."

Remy harrumphed at Agatha, "Hmmph! Seriously, you and Cece both need lessons in direct talk!" She turned to Tristan, "She means that some will not take kindly to sharing a classroom with a slave girl. We prefer that you resolve these issues yourself, but if you find that it affects someone else, or it affects your studies enough to be disruptive, then you may seek us for advise."

"So, there's fighting?" Tristan wondered briefly if she would need to protect Tiny. Cece spoke up with a little frown on her face. "Well, officially no. But the three of us are aware that sometimes, conflicts need to be resolved on a physical level and if we try and stop that, it may escalate beyond our abilities to help ease a resolution."

'Also," Agatha added with a twinkle in her eye. "We use a bartering system here. For example, you are on gate duty but you have extra homework. You may decide to barter services, goods, etc for someone to take your duties. Another example is," She shot a look at Cece who just muttered, "Working the lifts."

"Lifts? What are those?"

"In the other two arches, in the middle of a staircase, there is a square wooden plank with the four corners tied to a pulley system. We have three girls assigned to each 'lift' and while it's recommended that you walk up the stairs, some find - " Again, Agatha looked over at Cece "the climb somewhat harrowing. So, barters are set up between the lifters and the lifted. I find the most amazing barters at times."

A look of realization transformed Tristan's face. 'OH! Is that why Cece came out of a different stairwell?" Both Remy and Agatha rolled around in laughter and nodded at her.

Afraid to laugh, Tristan looked out at the vista and suddenly yawned. Agatha stood up and bustled Tristan up into the folds of her clothes. "C'mon you, let's find you a bed and look over those wounds. I see the one on your leg is still bleeding. If you don't watch it, you'll be confined to bed until it heals."

Tristan's eyes closed as soon as Agatha had scooped her up. The warmth from Agatha's body enveloped her in a cocoon of security that she hadn't experience since... since when? She murmured her gratitude and fell fast asleep.