Hold Your Head High

   “You called for me, Your Highness,” the man asked.

   “Sammy, this is Rico,” Luella said, gesturing to me. “Rico, this is Sammy Kroll, the Royal Tutor here at the castle. The Royal Tutor is in charge with the education of the children in line for the throne. He’s taught me for years so I think he’ll be a perfect tutor for you.”

   I looked him up and down, and Sammy just gave me a gentle smile. The greed in his eyes had vanished just as fast as it appeared.

   “Rico is going to attend Gruteth Academy next week,” Luella explained. “I’m asking you to forget my lessons for the time being and give him your full attention. Are you able to teach Rico what he needs to know given the time frame?”

   Sammy bowed, putting his arm across his chest. “Of course, Your Highness. There is no one other than me in this castle suited for the task.”

   Luella smiled. “Let the word spread about his existence in the castle. While you do that, I will deal with my uncle.”

   Sammy frowned. “Are you sure, Your Highness? You know he…favors half-beasts.”

   A shiver went up my spine.

   “That’s why I’ll stop him before he can do anything,” Luella said. She opened her mouth to say something else, but then closed it. “Never mind. Sammy, I put Rico in your care today.”

   Sammy sighed. “I’ll do my best.”

   He bowed, turning and walking back to the door. I looked at Luella who just gave me a smile.

   Go on, she mouthed.

   I bowed, quickly following Sammy who was holding the door for me. I followed him down the hall, and I noticed people starting to whisper. I cowered behind Sammy, but he stopped, looking at me.

   “Stand up straight,” he said, patting my back. “As the first half-beast to walk through these halls, hold your head high with pride and honor.”

   I nodded, straightening my back and holding my head in the air. Sammy continued walking, and we were nearly at the front of the castle when Sammy turned to open a set of double doors. He walked inside, and I followed, but only took two steps in before stopping to look at where we were.

   Bookshelves were in rows in the room, a staircase on either side of me leading up to the second floor which had just as many, if not more, books. There was a table in the center of the room, three chairs on either side of it.

   Sammy chuckled, shutting the door behind me. “Do you like it?”

   I nodded several times, going over to the table to prop my bag in one chair while I sat in another. I was still amazing at the amount of books in the room, not even noticing Sammy reaching for my tail until I felt his hands touch it.

   I jumped up, nearly knocking the chair over as I put distance between myself and Sammy.

   “I’m sorry!” he exclaimed, putting his hands up. “I’m so sorry! I just couldn’t help myself! Your tail magnificent!”

   I relaxed a little, cautiously walking back towards the chair. “I try to take proper care of it. Last night I was able to wash it properly for the first time in two weeks.”

   “Two weeks?!” Sammy exclaimed, horrified. “You poor thing! How did you survive without bathing for two weeks? Were you able to eat? Drink? How sharp are you teeth? What is the farthest distance your ears can pick up sounds? What about your nose and scents? Is the distance the same? Please, tell me everything!”

   I leaned back as Sammy grabbed my hands and leaned towards my face. His eyes were sparkling, and I realized the greed in his eyes was a greed for knowledge, nothing physical.

   Sammy noticed what he was doing, quickly letting go and stepping back. “Pardon my outburst. Please, take a seat.”

   “Do you study half-beasts, Sammy?” I asked, sitting back down at the table.

   Sammy went over to sit across from me, resting his elbows on the table and his head on top of his intertwined hands.

   “Ever since I was a child I was fascinated by half-beasts,” Sammy explained. “They’re physical appearances are similar to humans, but their actual biology and psychology are closer to their animals. For example, half-wolves can go one to two weeks without eating and be fine. Since you’re still young, I can tell you’re a little malnourished.”

   I tried to cover myself under the baggy shirt.

   “Humans are ignorant and arrogant and stupid,” Sammy said, clenching his fist on the table. “All we do is fight among ourselves while half-beasts have almost no conflict at all. Humans are nothing more than dirt compared to the majestic half-beasts that occupy the forests and wild lands. And our king-”

   Sammy stopped himself, clenching his teeth. He took a deep breath, held it, and slowly exhaled.

   “Never mind,” he said, his calm and gentle persona returning. “Let’s start with our first lesson. Can you read or write at all?”

   I nodded. “I learned a little from the other half-wolves in my hometown. They didn’t know a lot either, but did what they could for me and the other kids.”

   “Do you have an example with you?” Sammy asked. “Or can you write something for me now?”

   I reached for my bag, pulling out the letter to my parents safely stored in a inside pocket. I clutched it in my hand, reaching over the table to hand it to Sammy.

   “I wrote this the day,” I gulped, “the day my hometown was killed by humans.”

   Sammy stopped unfolding the letter, looking at me. “Are you sure you want me to read this? I can have you write something else for me if you wish.”

   I shook my head. “I wrote it before the humans arrived.”

   Sammy looked down at the letter, then back at me. He folded the letter back up, handing it back.

   “Wait here while I fetch some materials from my chambers,” he said. “When you really want me to read the letter, hand it to me with confidence.”