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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 9.3, Legacy

Alvis didn't feel comfortable having Brother Jessen leave his side. Not only did the Coyote provide martial support but he had been an important emotional support for the young Fire student as well. The Shepherd-Husky had long since lost count of insane events taking place in his life and that number continued to grow. Since being forced to leave the University Alvis constantly thought about what it would be like to return to the hallowed halls but when reality finally took hold the actual experience was nowhere close to what he'd imagined.

Roland led their little procession to the front of the large, cedar chest he guided toward the University. The chest was positioned on a small metal frame with wheels attached at the bottom for easy transport but it was heavy enough that Alvis had to help by pushing it from behind. The Mutt had a hard time avoiding the fact it contained Joshew's remains and the more he tried not to think about that the more it invaded his mind. They had traveled from the inn where they'd been staying to the boulevard that ran right in front of the University without a word.

Finally, once Roland came to a halt he made a very simple announcement. "Help me with the chest and I'll stay with it at the top while you come back for the wheels."

Not really knowing what to say or even if there WAS anything appropriate Alvis simply nodded and spoke meekly. "Oh... okay."

Ever since he could remember Alvis had a degree of uncertainty and unease when it came to interacting with most of the senior scholars at the University. Other than the fact that he was merely an apprentice there was never really an reason for it but suddenly speaking with Roland he had a perfectly valid reason: the Wolf-Dog had lost his lover and Alvis was helping him to transport the body into the University... where they would most likely encounter men who meant them harm.

Alvis' life was in danger as surely as Roland's but the apprentice's lover was still alive while the scholar's was not; there was no outcome possible where Roland would be left whole. As if somehow being able to read what was on the Mutt's mind the Wolf-Dog about faced and let out a deep breath. "No sense just sitting here... let's get going."

Alvis took careful hold of the handle on his side of the chest and gripped the bottom of the heavy wood container with his other paw. He counted off a quick "one, two three" before they both hoisted it up and off of the rollers. From there Roland began the long 'hike' up the two dozen stone steps that led from the roadside to the two sets of large, double doors which provided entry into the main hall of the University of Progressive Thought. Despite the number of scholars ascending and descending the steps beside them not a single individual bothered to help.

It didn't particularly surprise Alvis, especially since a cedar chest was the traditional way for a scholar slain in the field to be returned to the University for 'processing'. The young Mutt didn't know the full details but it had something to do with the oils from the cedar wood keeping insects out so the treated body would remain fresh longer. Despite the chest, Alvis had a feeling that it wasn't wholly successful because his eyes were watering from the stench of... he really didn't want to think about it. Roland had assured the group that he had handled the details of preserving Joshew but Alvis had a hard time believing that an untreated body could smell any worse.

They had just arrived at the top of the stairs when a callous Hedgehog attired in a professor's robe addressed that very same concern, moving his paw to his muzzle in disgust. "Good GOD man... did you forget to treat the body?!?!"

Alvis half expected Roland to start screaming at the man but the Wolf-Dog did a respectable job of keeping control of his temper. "We did what we could with what we had. We're going to stop here for a moment; my companion has to go back down the stairs for the--"

The Hedgehog raised a paw to stop him, "No you don't... Daniel!"

A Panda wearing the light blue robe of an Air scholar in training was immediately at the Hedgehog's side. "Sir?"

The Professor pointed at the metal frame and wheels they left at the bottom of the steps. "Go down to the street and get the chest's wheels for these gentlemen."

The Panda moved quickly to comply. Alvis was content to remain silent but apparently Roland wasn't. "I don't recall having seen you in any classes or lectures, Professor."

The Hedgehog pulled at his robes, smoothing out the lapel on his left breast to reveal his badge of office and his name; he was a Professor of Air studies. "I recently obtained the position after the restructuring. I assume you've been out in the field awhile, Mr....?"

Roland snorted. "Silverfang... Roland."

The name caught the attention of several other people on the staircase and their previous mild interest grew to distinct interest; Alvis saw a few of them run off ahead inside as the Panda finally reached the top of the steps, setting the chest's rolling frame next to the container. "Done, sir."

The Professor waved him off, all the while staring at Roland. "Good. Thank you, Daniel... that will be all."

The Wolf-Dog stared right back at the Hedgehog. "Thank you for your help, Professor."

The robed man continued standing in their way, looking down at the chest with a paw still over his nose. "Perhaps it may be rude of me, but I am curious: who are you returning home?"

Alvis saw the fir on the back of Roland's neck raise faintly but the Wolf-Dog maintained his composure. His answer was simple and to the point. "Joshew Helix. Fire Science Scholar."

The Hedgehog nodded thoughtfully. "You are an Air Scholar, Mr. Silverfang. I can tell. Hmm... and you? You're a Fire Scholar, are you not?"

It took a moment before Alvis realized the professor was addressing him. "Huh? Oh... uh... yes, sir... er-- apprenticed, actually... I was supposed to be earning my tassels after--"

The man held a paw up to stop him. "The Fire Science department is currently taking a hiatus."

Alvis was taken aback. "H-hiatus?"

Roland forestalled any further questions. "He was also friends with... the deceased."

The Hedgehog chewed on his bottom lip. After a moment he stepped to the side, covering his nose again with his paw. "Very well... alright then. Report to the postmortem department on the double before your shoddy work begins to smell up the place. As soon as you're done there this one needs to leave campus grounds."

Alvis winced inwardly when the professor pointed his way. He'd worked long and hard to be able to achieve the status of Fire Scholar; if the department was 'on hiatus' how could an entire wing of the University go unused? It just didn't make sense. Roland continued to move things onward, speaking up even while Alvis' brain was trying to comprehend all of the developments. "Yes, sir."

Once they wheeled the chest in through the double-doors Alvis expected to feel better but when he had a chance to gaze around the entry hall he immediately realized that things had changed. The many tapestries usually heralding the numerous fields of study had been removed from the wall, replaced entirely by what looked like a modified version of the Air Sciences symbol combined with the seal of the university itself. Scholars mulled about on their way to or from some important projects and all Alvis could see were the light blue colors of Air scholars; something was decidedly wrong.

The two came to a stop half-way to the side hall that would take them to their destination. Alvis realized that he hadn't heard what Roland had said. "Uh... wh-what?"

Roland huffed. "I'll take it from here... go up to the second floor so you can do your thing."

The 'do your thing' comment meant signaling to Alarice and Inigo but it was spoken in vague terms so nobody else would catch on. "What about Joshew?"

"I'll take him to the central depository. It's something I need to do alone."

Offering no objection Alvis headed toward the stairs. The Mutt didn't think twice about Roland's request but he later came to wish that he had.