“Scott, you and your sister, are both of Viridis heritage but are aligned with House Maria; why?” Mr Jenson asked.
“Our father was from Viridis. He moved to Maria to be with our mother. Because we inherited most of our shifter genetics from our father, we are classed biologically as Viridis. But we were born and raised in Maria,” Scott answered.
“And do you feel more connected to your House or coven?” he asked.
“Our House,” Mhari answered for them.
“You. Percy, is it?” Mr Jenson asked, pointing to me. “Your coven is Flores, but you’re wearing House Borealis colours. Why, and do you feel most connected to your House or coven?” he asked.
“An intrusive question,” Edward sputtered angrily beside me.
“My apologies, young man,” Mr Jenson replied mockingly. “This exercise shows the complexities of relationships within the Borealis Kingdom. I believe Percy’s answer, perhaps more so than any other, will demonstrate the complexities. Percy, if you do not mind answering, please go ahead.”
I looked around the class and all eyes were on me.
“You don’t have to answer, if you don’t want to,” Edward whispered next to me.
“I never had a House before Borealis,” I began. There were a few muffled sounds of confusion.
“Interesting. Percy comes from the outskirt communities. They are small groups of people that live on the edges of the kingdom. They do not claim allegiance to any House. However, they pay taxes to the House which owns the land they are settled on. In recent generations, the outskirt communities have largely been left to their own devices. What House territory did you come from?” he asked curiously.
“Maria,” I answered.
“The outskirt communities recognise their covens and clans, do they not?” he asked, and I felt like I was being interrogated.
“Yes and no. I know I’m of Flores, but I have no inroads to Flores, no living family. We recognise our covens and clans for the traits they provide us—my magic, for example. We do not have familial bonds outside our immediate family and the community,” I explained.
“So, if you met another Flores witch, you would not feel compelled to place them above another witch, for example the friend you sit beside?” he asked.
“No.”
“Now that you have a House, do you feel connected to Borealis more so than the community you come from?” he asked.
“This questioning is unacceptable,” Edward spoke up, beside me.
“It’s okay, Edward,” I told him, and he looked at me worriedly.
“Yes. My allegiance is with the Princess and House Borealis,” I answered confidently, and I heard Edward exhale next to me in relief.
“For most servants, their coven or clan match their House. Occasionally, they don't due to marriage or movement, but all feel some connection to both. Take Viridis and Maria. It is common for those of Viridis heritage to be of House Maria or the opposite. This has resulted in a close alliance between the two Houses. The kingdom has six major houses and many minor Houses. The relationships between each House can be complex and nuanced. The political structure of The Borealis Kingdom is how we maintain order between the Houses and peace within our borders. It was not too long ago that we warred amongst ourselves. This class will help you all to understand the basics of that structure and its important role in all our lives,” Mr Jenson explained.
“Are you okay?” Ana whispered.
“I’m okay,” I told her, but I felt a bit like a caged animal, an oddity that Mr Jenson found fascinating.
“We call the major Houses such, as they hold a great deal of power, they are large in number, vast in land, produce highly valued goods and are the largest contributors to our economy,” Mr Jenson began and walked over to the board at the front of the class. The rest of the class consisted of learning which Houses were generally allies and who historically quarrelled. I did my best to pay attention, but it was not something I found particularly interesting.
“Percy, can I please speak with you for a few minutes?” Mr Jenson asked as he dismissed the class.
“We’ll wait for you outside,” Ana told me.
“Do you want me to stay with you?” Edward asked, while glaring at Mr Jenson.
“It’s okay. You guys don’t have to wait on me, but I’d like it if you did. You don’t have to stay with me Edward. But sit with us at lunch?”
He nodded. “I’ll wait with Ana and Harris outside the door,” he told me.
I walked to Mr Jenson, who leaned against his desk.