Location: Tardide Village - Master Rainer's School
Time: Days 550-554 | Telia: Days 40-44
Realm: Telia (Mission World)
The converted barn smelled of fresh straw and old wood, morning light streaming through cracks in the walls to paint golden stripes across the floor. Master Rainer stood at the front, hands clasped behind his back, watching twelve children file in with expressions ranging from terror to cautious hope.
His school. His students. His second chance.
"Sit anywhere you like," he said gently, gesturing at the rough benches someone had arranged in rows. "There's no assigned seating here. Just... find a place that feels comfortable."
The children hesitated, unused to choices, unused to adults who spoke without commands or threats. Eventually, they shuffled to seats—some alone, some in clusters, all watching him with wariness learned through hard experience.
