Lessons

Nathanos was led to a small chapel in the side wing. It was not large. Its style was exactly the same as the churches found in every human city, only much smaller, with no flowers to decorate it. Still, it had been swept clean, and the benches were arranged neatly.

"This is the chapel," Kana said, turning to look at the children scattered about. Some of them were even interested in the carpet on the steps. "Starting today, you will learn here how to comprehend the Holy Light with devout hearts."

"What is the Holy Light?" the lively little girl Kasha asked.

Kana was pleased by the question. "The Holy Light is extremely important to Lordaeron. The King hopes that all the people of Lordaeron will embrace the Holy Light. Its holiness will guide everyone toward the light."

The children present nodded after hearing this, but Kana noticed that Nathanos was standing at the very back, his eyes fixed on a painting on the wall. It was a portrait of Archbishop Alonsus Faol.

Sunlight spilled into the chapel and fell over Nathanos until a shadow covered his back. Kana recognized the newcomer and said happily, "Children, come meet your teacher."

All the children turned to look at the figure, who was even taller than Kana. But he was not human. He had long golden hair and pointed ears, wore a purple robe set with gems, and held a wand like a magician's baton.

"Let me introduce him. This is Lord Kaishius from the magical city of Dalaran. As you can see, he is somewhat different from us, because he is an Elf."

The little ones all crowded around him, shoving Nathanos to the back. Clearly, this was their first time seeing an Elf, and they had many questions. Kaishius seemed to have encountered this sort of thing many times before, and he handled their "enthusiasm" naturally.

"Your ears are so long. Can you hear sounds from very far away?"

"Not exactly, though my hearing is indeed quite good," Kaishius answered.

What he meant was that his good hearing had nothing to do with his ears.

Nathanos's expression remained calm. The other children might have been somewhat confused by Kaishius's words, but he understood them easily.

"The books say Elves all live in trees!" one child said mischievously, making the other children burst into laughter.

"Not exactly. We have cities of our own, cities as prosperous as Lordaeron. The rumors you heard about us living in trees were probably spread by those Dwarves who enjoy joking around. Not everything they say is true."

"So... some of it is true? Then this... rumor... has... some factual... basis. Only... some of you... live in trees... right?"

That halting manner of speaking, coupled with the profound meaning behind the question, stunned both Kaishius and Kana. They stared at Nathanos from front and back. From Kaishius's perspective, Nathanos was breaking out in a cold sweat, as if speaking those words had drained all his strength.

But why? Why would this child ask such a question? The Elf was momentarily at a loss for words. Though he knew how to answer this unusual-looking child, Nathanos's gaze did not seem curious. It seemed more like a thirst for knowledge.

"Yes," Kaishius finally answered after a long while. "The Elves who live in trees are known to the world as Rangers. Rangers are the guardians of the Elven kingdom, and none can match their combat abilities. They are commanded by the Ranger-General."

Ranger-General was a military rank of extremely high status.

Information entered Nathanos's mind once more.

Gray Maynes raised his hand and asked, "Mister Elf, may I ask whether humans and Elves can marry?"

The question left Kana and Kaishius somewhat incredulous, especially coming from a child under ten. Nathanos gave Gray a thoughtful glance from the back.

"Well... Elves live many times longer than humans, but there have been cases of Elven ladies marrying humans."

Gray Maynes was delighted to hear that. He patted his chest and promised everyone that he would marry an Elven girl someday. Kaishius smiled faintly. He admired Gray's resolve, but Elven girls would only marry humans of status and standing.

"Perhaps you will realize your dream," Kaishius said. Then he looked at the young faces he would be spending the next two years with. "Now, let me get to know you. What are your names?"

The children introduced themselves one after another. When it was Nathanos's turn, Kaishius narrowed his eyes at him, and the other children followed his gaze.

"What is your name?" the Elf asked.

"Nathanos Maris. It is a pleasure to meet you, Instructor Kaishius." It was the longest and most polite introduction of all the children. It also seemed to be the most fluent sentence Nathanos had ever spoken.

Kana let out a long breath. When Nathanos had stammered through his question earlier, she had thought the child had a speech impediment. Now it seemed that he had simply been too nervous.

"Then, Nathanos, where is your home?" Kaishius gave this special introduction a special response. He had merely nodded at the other children, but this last little fellow interested him. Was he the child of some noble family? Yet his clothing did not look the part.

"Sodril River. Marius Farm."

"Uh!" Kaishius's face stiffened. A country child from a farm? The answer was truly surprising. Had Lordaeron's education become this widespread already?

After a brief silence...

"All right, now we know each other." Kaishius stood up. He was truly tall; perhaps all Elves were this tall. "First, let me explain your lessons. I will be responsible for teaching you the written language you need to learn. Human language is not complicated, and you all already have a foundation in your own language."

Kana nodded and took over. "I will teach you the way of the Holy Light. This chapel will be your classroom."

Kaishius and Kana went over more details, including when classes would begin, when they would rest, and so on. Once everything had been explained, their families were waiting outside to take them home. Everyone except Nathanos. He sat alone on the steps outside, watching the other children get picked up. He also noticed Gray and his father invite Kaishius to join them. They were chatting happily.

"Didn't your family come?" Kana walked up behind him. Nathanos turned to look at the smiling nun. The answer to her question was obvious.

"Why are you smiling at me?" Nathanos asked.

Kana sat beside him. "I smile like this at everyone. It is what I have come to understand from the Holy Light."

Nathanos shook his head and looked at her with dark eyes. "What I want to know is why you only smiled at me during roll call."

"You were watching my expressions the whole time?" Kana looked at him in surprise, then explained, "I was the one who delivered you when your mother gave birth to you, child. I witnessed your arrival in this world with my own eyes. When your uncle Jonathan heard that I was conducting this selection, he came to find me afterward. He hoped I could give you a chance."

Nathanos remained seated without saying another word. He stayed until dusk. Kana asked him several times where Jonathan lived because she wanted to take Nathanos home, but the little boy only kept shaking his head. Kana was helpless and could only stay by his side.

When the sun sank behind the spires of the Capital City, Nathanos finally stood up.

"Where are you going?" Kana reached out and grabbed him.

"Home."

"You'll get lost. I'll take you back, but you have to tell me where your home is."

Nathanos wrenched himself free and ran toward the crowd in the street. Kana tried to follow him, but he vanished without a trace like a monkey in the forest.