Chapter 19: To Wignut
Irwin was scarfing down as much food as he could, which, in his case, meant a lot. The only sounds were those of eating and the occasional scraping of a chair. Besides that, a charged atmosphere hung in the large room. The six groups that would be leaving today were sitting off to the side, but even the other youths seemed tense.
Irwin tried to ignore it as best he could, but he felt small and weak. Something tapped his foot, and he looked up to see Greldo stare at him before very carefully slipping some bread into his pocket.
Right, that might not be a bad idea, Irwin thought.
A few moments later, he'd stuffed as much bread and cheese in his pockets as they would hold without showing it.
Maybe they will give us food on the way? he thought.
He had barely finished the thought when the massive main door was shoved open, and Mouldir stomped towards them. His face was pulled into a scowl, and something about him made Irwin's skin crawl. It wasn't just that he looked angrier than usual; there seemed to be an aura of crackling energy around him.
"Common portals have started spawning like lice on a stray, and we need to get them closed before we get overrun," Mouldir boomed as he looked around.
"I know most of you haven't held a weapon and that you were all expecting more training, but there's no time!"
Irwin looked around to see the youths who hadn't been in the advanced class look around in confusion.
"All of you are going to have to help! That includes you," Mouldir shouted, waving at the entire room. "Get out there and move to the person holding a sign with your room number. They will get you to where you need to go. Now move!"
One of the nobles that hadn't been in the advanced class rose, his lip shivering.
"My lord, do you mean all of us?"