Dom read a few more, recognising a couple of more people. One that surprised him was the fact that Florence Chan was included. He didn't understand why her family were included, but suspected his Aunt had ideas on her families successful business empire. Dom however had no interest and had swiftly turned away. He had felt slightly disappointed when he hadn't seen either Claire or Alice, his thoughts being that either their families weren't key enough or his Aunt didn't have the necessary connection. He suspected it was the latter, as Claire's family were more influential than Florence's in his opinion. A part of him wanted to share this information with Andrew, just to see his reaction when he let him know he could become married to Florence, not that she would accept it either, in her opinion Dom was an orphan of low birth.
At one point, Dom paused what he was doing and looked up at Jessica, catching her eye as she finished reading a page of her folder, that included histories, tactics and other things that interested her.
"How is the reading going?" She asked Dom, a kind smile on her face.
"It's going well!" Dom replied quicker than he should have, before rushing his words out. "I am just reading some history on the Roman's."
"Don't get me started on the Roman's!" She laughed, before Dom looked down at the page, and then back at Jessica. She was about to continue, but they were interrupted by the Driver Hector.
"We will be pulling over for a quick break shortly, before heading straight back down. I expect us to arrive by nightfall." He stated, whilst Captain Stirling mumbled something to him, having been awake for a few hours reading some notes of his own.
Dom turned back to the page once more.
[Jessica Moon, part of the new blood of the Western Kingdoms and the quickly rising Moon family. Nineteen Years Old, Extremely Intelligent...]
Dom closed the folder quickly, not sure what he thought after seeing the picture of the girl in front of him in the possible options from his Aunt. He didn't know much about Jessica's back story, but now he was aware that she was someone from a prestigious family in the Western Kingdoms. He had decided against reading on for now, feeling it disrespectful to discover her back story without asking her directly.
.....
The sun was beginning to set by the time they finally arrived back at Port of Rothwell. The car pulled up in the car park beside the Church, whilst Captain Stirling escorted them back through the town towards the Yacht The Shepherd. The town was much quieter now that it was evening, and the wind was much stronger, with larger waves crashing against the walls of the port. The only people around were those stood outside the local pub, who were huddled together as they spoke. The Shepherd stood tall in the weather, as it rocked slightly with the crashing waves.
"Be careful as you board." Captain Stirling had ordered them, having greeted the guards who were waiting at the dock for them, they were wearing black raincoats over their suits, prepared for the weather to get even worse. Dom felt that he was finally leaving the Isles of Britainy, as the weather it was famous for arrived.
Dom grabbed the railings and headed up the ramp towards the ship, with Jessica close behind him, using him larger body shape to protect her from the wind. Captain Stirling followed them up, carrying a large box over his shoulder with ease. The contents of the box were both Dom and Jessica's folders that had been provided by the Hidden Peaks.
Once onboard, they were greeted by one of Lady Annabel Howards crew who directed them to the cabin beyond and towards the area where they had eaten on the first night. Dom was tired from the travel, and was happy to be back onboard The Shepherd, even if he knew it would be a rough nights sleep. In his mind, he reminded himself that tomorrow he would hopefully be back on the mainland and not far from his final destination at Central University.
They were soon seated inside, with a small amount of food having been laid on the table for them. In the centre were some strange looking cakes, with a bowl of raspberry jam and a bowl of cream beside them. Captain Stirling quickly grabbed one, cutting it in half and placing a spread of cream on it, before then putting a spread of jam on it. He took a bite and closed his eyes in enjoyment.
"I think jam goes first." A voice said from the door, as Captain Kelly appeared with a smile on his face.
"You would say that, but Scone's are cream first." Captain Stirling snapped back half heartedly.
"Scone's aren't pronounced so they rhyme with gone, they are pronounced so they rhyme with cones." Captain Kelly laughed.
"Is this is how you greet a friend?" Stirling stated, unimpressed as he took another bite of his scone.
"Of course, I am much nicer to my enemies. I also expect you put milk in your tea first as well?" Captain Kelly teased, receiving an unimpressed grunt back from Stirling. He then turned to Dom and Jess with a light smile, "Welcome back, Lady Howard will join you shortly, we also have two other guests that have arrived and I'll have them brought here shortly. How have your travels been?"
"Long and tiring, but it's been a great few days." Jessica replied kindly, taking some small cakes from a tray that were called French fancies. Dom also tried one, finding it very sweet.
"I'm just excited to get back to the mainland." Dom laughed, "I think the weather is due to change soon."
"Very soon I suspect." Kelly replied seriously, "I am just waiting on instruction from the Lady on if we are going to brave the waves tonight or risk waiting for a potential storm tomorrow. Don't worry though, The Shepherd is a great ship, she'll be fine regardless."
Dom hadn't been worrying until that moment, but now he felt that maybe he should.
...
They ate and chatted about the Hundred Peaks and their onward journey for a while. Both Captain Stirling and Captain Kelly would be attending the Central University as guest lecturers. Captain Stirling would be attending as a Swords trainer in the Physical Education Studies, whilst Captain Kelly would be attending as a fitness coach. Both with different real purposes of protecting the students in Captain Stirling's case, or protect Lady Annabel Howard in Captain Kelly's case.
After eating and talking for around fifteen minutes, the doors opened and Dom was pleasantly surprised to see who had walked in, albeit a slight bit confused as the choices that his Aunt had made.
"Sit beside Captain Stirling for now please." Captain Kelly explained as Stephen Knight and Rosie Cole both walked in, having journeyed with Dom and Jessica when they departed the Mainland a few days earlier. Captain Kelly introduced Captain Stirling to them both, explaining that the two of them would be giving them lessons in the future. They both wore the Hundred Peaks uniform that they had been given upon arrival and seemed a bit nervous at the situation.
Stephen and Rosie both seemed to be acting slightly more professional than earlier, and the room was quiet until Lady Annabel Howard joined them a few minutes later. She was dressed in a comfortable suit and sat at the head of the table.
"Good evening to you all." She began as Captain Kelly filled her a glass of red wine. "It was just a few days ago and we were arriving here on The Shepherd. Frustratingly, four of the students I took with me, I am returning! It almost feels like a wasted delivery trip."
She paused for a second, seeing that some of the nerves from Stephen and Rosie had dropped at her joke, whilst Dom and Jessica smiled in response to her.
"I have spoken with the Captain of my Yacht, and she has decided to depart tonight, so we will most likely be moving within the hour." She continued, "I expect us to be back at the mainland by early morning tomorrow, as long as the winds are in our favour. We shall then depart to Central University where you will all be studying for the next couple of years. Once we arrive at the mainland, we will separate in to different vehicles to arrive at different times. This is to cover any connection you may have before you arrive."
She didn't explain what she meant by that, but Dom believed that they wanted to keep the fact they were all members of the Hundred Sword Peaks of the Isles of Britainy a secret, especially that Stephen and Rosie had been dispatched as Student Guards, rather than any other reason.
"Dominic will be staying at accommodation that his friend has purchased by the inner lake, we have acquired a nearby estate, where Jessica will be based, this has been funded by your family. Rosie, you will eventually be staying with Jessica, your back story is that you have been awarded a scholarship based on your martial and military skills, which are both true. Rosie will be studying in the Military section of the University, and will have many opportunities to both study under both of the Captain's here, as well as perform your separate role as a guard to Dominic and Jessica. Our intention is for the two of you to 'meet' and become friends, so that Rosie can move in with Jessica." She explained, whilst looking at Dominic with a hidden message as she said it. "Stephen, you will for now be placed in general scholarship apartments, where the majority of students who are on a scholarship are based. You have also been granted a scholarship in the same group as Rosie, with a similar task. You and Dominic are expected to create a similar friendship so that you can move in with Dominic and his friends."
Stephen gave Dom an apologetic look as Annabel explained the situation to them. Dom understood the look, as he himself was not sure how he felt about the whole situation. He was grateful that Stephen and Rosie had been sent though, as he had made a small friendship with them both on the travels and knew he could get along with them.
"In each of the vehicles used for transport will be a change of clothes, for Stephen and Rosie, there will also be cases supplied with spares and some other items so that you merge well in to the Central University society." Annabel further continued, "You have both been granted with an extremely impressive and lucky opportunity, that many older students at the Peaks would wish to have. Make the most out of it, you will be learning from two of the best Swordsmen at the Peaks, as well as creating key ties for your future."
"I understand the opportunity and I won't fail you." Stephen replied seriously, nodding his head at her, before turning towards Dom and nodding at him. The look in his eyes was slightly subservient and it made Dom feel uncomfortable.
"I feel the same way Lady Howard." Rosie replied, her usual jovial voice more measured as she shared a similar look towards Dom.
Jessica watched how they both looked at Dom when the information had been shared, her intelligent mind calculating the situation, not expecting guards for first year students at the Peaks.
"Fantastic." She laughed, clapping her hands together, before grabbing her glass and taking a big sip of wine. "Let's finish here and get some rest, I suspect it will be a long night. Hopefully you will be in a proper bed on the Campus within the next day or so."