“Really?” I say into the phone receiver. “Oh no. Your poor family… You talked to her? … She said it would end? … How’s your score? … That’s awful … I know they play together … No, my score is fine…” I look down at my wrist and see the 92.70 LM score. “Well I know they're almost old enough to go to Camp Tarnak. I was already planning on sending Zith, but this just proves it for me.” I look over and see my son walk in through the front door, tossing his bag aside. “Oh, he just walked in, I gotta go. Varkh Etern!”
He walks past me and into his room and I go through his bag to determine if there has been any cross contamination. His books all look normal, but then I see it. An intricately folded note from Lyra, I take the time to unfold it and read its contents. “Zith, I don't understand this bio question. Can you help me?”
My mind races with what that impure girl could have been talking about. I crush the paper in my fist and head off to his room. “How was school today?”
He doesn’t answer beyond a simple grunt, but I remain undeterred. “Did anything happen at school today?” I attempt to have him come forward with the truth himself. But again he says nothing. “You will answer me when I speak to you Zith!”
I stood by the door, and he turned to look at me, his head tilted. “Don’t look at me like a umbric pup! I raised you better than that! Now come, sit at the table with me.” He just freezes. “Come here! I’m not going to yell at you, I just wanted to talk. I heard Lyra got in trouble at school today.”
He finally comes over and sits down. I grab his hands and cradle them gently. “Be honest with me. How do you feel about Umbrics?”
He looks confused, “I mean, I get we shouldn't talk about them. I just don't understand why.” He speaks like he’s trying to figure out the right words.
I glance at my wrist, and see my 92.68 score. My jaw tightens as I prepare what I’m going to say next. “This is serious. You don't understand why? Why what?”
“Why, if they're so evil, are they everywhere?” He now looks serious.
I let go of his arm with one hand and reach over to grab the Camp Tarnak pamphlet. “I’m going to be sending you here for a deca-cycle Zith.” A look of fear flashes across his eyes and he opens his mouth as if he’s about to protest. “You will do this Zith, or you will not be allowed back at school. Do you understand me?”
He lowers his head. “Yes, mother.” I pat his hand and send him to his room. I did the right thing. He will learn how to properly care for the Ascendancy before himself. This is my duty.
