Harrison, Islay, and Harper took their place on the grass, sprinkled among the others. Harrison grinned at me, unrolling a piece of parchment he used during our lessons, and so did Arlo and Fletcher. Asher remained at the front with us since he’d been taught by Evie a long time ago. Willow and Evanna had learned together when they were kids.
I silently hoped that Willow would be done with her royal things soon so Kingston could join us and continue learning. He was the reason I was doing this in the first place. In the past, he’d denied himself learning how to read and write because he believed it was not his “purpose”. As far as he was concerned, he was born to be a warrior and that was all he should be. Kingston was here to protect Evie, so he accepted that as his only value.
The thing was my instinct was never wrong. Reading people had always been my strength, and everything in me said he was still punishing himself for the role he once played in Raithian’s cruelty. That needed to end, and I was going to do what I could to help him see he was meant to live and be happy.
He was worthy of so much more.
Of course, getting him here was always a struggle, but he was learning too… begrudgingly.
“We are going to have to divide the class in two,” Asher pointed out, bringing me out of my thoughts. “The ones who’d been attending already know the letters, but the ones at the back will start today.”
“Yeah, we’ll have to,” I agreed.
“I can take the new students if you want. Start teaching them the alphabet,” Imogen offered.
“That would be perfect. We’ll need to get them more paper and something to write with.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” With a nod, Asher left the area.
“Okay, everyone. For those of you who are new, Imogen will take some time with you for the next few classes to teach you what the others have already learned. That way you can all get up to date and be on the same page soon. Don’t worry, you haven’t missed much. We’ll begin by learning the letters, what each of them is called, and how to recognize them. Letters are symbols in a way, so they are easy to learn, I promise. We are also going to give you all paper and pencil so you can start recreating each letter on your own.”
Movement to my left called my attention, and I noticed Nikau Battlesky, Lachlan’s cousin, stopping to talk to Asher. My muscles tensed when Asher nodded in my direction, sending him my way, and apprehension spread through me like wildfire.
To be honest, I hated feeling that way. My instincts didn’t sense any bad vibes from the man, and he’d helped us rescue more slaves from the Crimson Fortress—risking his life in the process—but I was so used to Lachlan’s assholeness that I wasn’t sure what to expect from his cousin.
The apprehension I felt was mirrored on Nikau’s features while he approached, deepening the lines at the corners of his eyes that said he was much older, and hopefully wiser than Lachlan. The prominent gray streaks running through his brown hair, and the cracks along his rough skin spoke of a man toughened by years of unimaginable hardship.
He seemed older than Kingston, which meant he had also been there during the Uprising. Although I wasn’t certain if he stayed to protect the slaves or because he still believed in Raithian’s “cause,” he helped those oppressed by tyranny in the end, so he at least deserved the benefit of the doubt.
“I hope you don’t mind that I came tonight,” he began, seeming uncomfortable. “I heard you are teaching anyone who wants to learn how to read and write.”
“Yes, I am.”
“I would like to learn too, if you’ll accept me.”
Yep. I was an ass. The man was here because he wanted to better himself, and here I was, thinking Lachlan had sent him to spy on me or something. Paranoid much?
“Of course, anyone is welcome,” I offered with a small smile, gesturing to the grassy area where the others had settled. “Take any place you like; Imogen will help you get caught up with what the others have learned so far.”
Relief briefly cut through his hardened expression, and he nodded. “Thank you.”
Glancing over his shoulder, he signaled to a group of men I hadn’t seen waiting on the corner—Lachlan’s usual crowd. I tensed again, watching them all sit together towards the back.
Sighing, I faced the class again. Only time would tell what they really wanted from me.
“Okay, it is time to check your homework,” I announced. “I know it has been a few days since we were last here, but that just means you had more time to practice.”
Grinning when the others chuckled, I began to walk along the first row, taking the parchments handed to me where they had been practicing the letters. Their calligraphy was rough and uneven, but they were doing it. They were forming letters on their own. Pride coursed through me as I returned the pages.
“Well done! You are going to continue practicing until you can write them easily, without looking at the example, okay?” Receiving excited nods, I went back to the front. “Today, we are going to learn which letters form your names and how to write them.”
“Sorry to interrupt but look who I found.”
My head turned towards Asher to see him carrying a large basket while a couple walked behind him. Instantly, I recognized who they were. I had met Hans and Olivia at the market where they worked on leather for personal items other than clothing, jewelry, and even paper. She loved creating handmade flower paper, made naturally with leaves, petals, grass, and such.
Their stall was very artsy, and Evie always stopped by it when she visited the market. They made the fancy paper Willow loved to use.
“We thought your class might need more than just pages,” Olivia offered, taking something from the basket when they stopped before me, and Asher set it on the ground. “We made journals for you.”
Wow. “Really?”
Glancing down, I accepted the journal she offered, admiring the workmanship. The leather was as soft as silk, moving easily with the journal as I untied it and unrolled it to open. A silhouette of a majestic set of mountains was engraved at the front. The mountains that housed our Hidden Kingdom.
“I engraved it myself,” Hans proudly announced, bringing warmth to my chest.
“I can tell. It’s impressive.”
“I hope we brought enough,” Olivia added, nervously holding her hands before her as she looked at everyone around us.
“Because we were wondering if we may join too…” Oliver paused, squeezing his wife’s shoulder.
“That sounds great to me. Asher, can you help them share the journals with the others?”
“I can definitely do that.”
My gaze followed them while they moved through the growing crowd, someone else handing pencils to those already holding their new journal.
The spirit of unity and camaraderie was strong among them, not only then but during the class as well. Especially when Akasia showed up with two of her boys from the kitchen, bringing drinks and pastries. All of the sudden, our gathering was a guitar short of a party, but this was exactly what we needed to protect. It was so natural for our people to be there for each other.
They cared for each other’s wellbeing, not because it brought them any kind of personal gain, but because they honestly respected and valued one another. Everyone mattered here; everyone was worthy of respect… The human world could learn a thing or two from them.