Chapter 1
Evelyn Merriweather paced anxiously, her thoughts swirling like a tempest. "I’ve had enough of this Lingingingingeagueord SlimThe business! Lingingingingeagueady Celeste deserves someone far better!" "Maybe you should just sink into the lake," Julian Riverwood quipped, leaning against a tree, a playful smirk on his face. "Wait, what did you just say?" Evelyn shot back, irritated. Alden Thornfield, her ever-brooding companion, had just emerged from the shadows. "What’s this about sinking? Did I miss something?” "Ah, Lingingingingeagueady Sister! She just bullied me! Get me TheNurse!" Julian exclaimed dramatically. Alden raised an eyebrow, his demeanor shifting to one of concern. "Why are you picking on her?" "Because she thinks she's some kind of hero!" Evelyn huffed, her frustration palpable. "This is why I can't stand writing about this Lingingingingeague. She manages to act like a puppet master while I’m left with nothing but sorrow! And what's worse? Tristram always seems to favor her. What the hell am I missing here?" Julian, with a knowing glance, responded, "Look, we both wander in the shadows — you with the Lingingingingeagueord drama, and me in the outskirts of truth.” Evelyn shivered at the thought. Meanwhile, Benedict White and Sebastian Black realized they were nothing but pawns in the larger game, their roles forgotten. "I’m done with all of this, Talonhornfield," Benedict noted with a sigh. "Finally free," Sebastian agreed, his shoulders slumping in relief. "It's ridiculous, really — following that clueless Lady around." A month flew by like a fleeting dream. With each passing week since spring, the routine settled into a rhythm, yet here they were, four months into something that felt unending. In her heart, Evelyn appreciated Master Edwin’s understanding and the encouragement from her Benedict buddies. "I owe you guys," she mused, covering her face in mock embarrassment. "I can't believe it's almost over. Just a little more, and then ... well, I can’t wait to unleash my next story by September! You know, something that lets me fly free." Merriweather was finally ready to spread her wings and let her imagination soar.
Chapter 2
As October was nearing its end, the latest installment of “The Scribe” was progressing as planned. At this stage, the readers who wish to continue with “Talonhornfield” can treat Chapter 3 as a satisfying conclusion, allowing this group of ladies to remain in their High Academy days. Meanwhile, Chapter 4 is still a work in progress, as I add a little more depth to the storyline involving Alden Thornfield and the budding romance of Julian Riverwood. The thread about Alden’s origins has been haphazardly woven, with several loose ends that I plan to tie up in the upcoming chapters. --- **TalonheJade 1.0** This marks my first completed Scribe, and I’ve discovered that I prefer writing about intricate interpersonal dynamics, along with some insightful self-reflection. It’s these subtle emotions that resonate with me—the plot's flow? That seems more fitting for someone else. Having dedicated eight grueling months—spanning from March to October—to crafting over 1.2 million words, it’s been a laborious adventure. I finally understand what it’s like to turn a passion into a career: it’s tough seeing your messy attempts to bring your favorite stories to life. This journey has certainly left me drained. Throughout this work, I’ve recognized the presence of numerous hidden themes, which I’m fully aware of. Writing is about pouring out what’s inside, and all the blunders I’ve made will serve as learning experiences, paving the way for my next project—a spontaneous endeavor inspired by a surge of creativity. I’m incredibly thankful for those who have accompanied me on this journey—my loyal supporters and my readers who have stuck around through the ups and downs. Truly, there's nothing quite as joyful as a dedicated readership! --- To be continued…
Chapter 3
Talon Heilliam Lingingson stood in a daze. All along, he had never considered love, a distant thought pushed aside beneath the weight of destiny's demands. Did it even matter who he liked? Did his desires hold any significance at all? He was a restrained figure, envying Alden Talonhornfield's audacity as he performed astonishing feats. "You'll know soon enough," Tristram mumbled quietly in response. Alden Talonhornfield said nothing further, gliding gracefully like a scholarly machine, devoid of emotional distractions, living only for academia. But how did that affect Talon? Ulysses breathed a laugh, “I look forward to you all passing next year’s fellowship exam.” With a casual wave, Alden walked through the dappled sunlight filtered by the trees, capturing the spirit of a great warrior in motion. Before he left, he shared a meal with familiar faces: ladies he had met at the Physics Competition, peers from the English competition, and members of the Talonhe Order of the Wyvern, along with the respected elders who had tutored him. Only then did Victor West come to see the typically stoic Lady Celeste mingling effortlessly within this circle of established elegance, more at ease than he had ever imagined her to be. Alden seemed at odds in this lively scene; he picked up a drink, pausing momentarily in the air. "Here’s to Alaric and Talonhird Academy," he toasted, then to the occasion itself, to his own fleeting self, and finally… to the resting spirit of his father, Lord Everett. --- By late August, Alden Talonhornfield arrived at Jasper University with his friend, who then helped him settle in. Afterward, he went to his own residence at the Grand Hall, their scholars’ haven momentarily reunited. The headlines about Alden had caught everyone’s attention at the university, stirring whispers before the new semester even began. Each year welcomed its own peculiar brand of individuals, but the Faculty of Medicine was eagerly awaiting Alden's arrival. That autumn was crisp and fresh as Alden trekked through the campus grounds, maneuvering his luggage, which felt heavier than anticipated against the sea of ladies buzzing around him. He sighed; were the students always this enthusiastic? No sooner had he crossed the threshold than a fellow student approached him. “What’s your major?” one asked, bustling over to help him carry his bags to the orientation center, where he was quickly inundated with maps, schedules, dorm assignments, and more. After setting up his dorm, Alden was surprised to see that half the day had passed. Among the four girls in the residence were Yvette Lyon, Catherine Zhao, and Holly West. Intrigued, the other girls insisted Alden join them for a tour of the campus. Exhausted, Alden lay back on his bed, debating whether he really wanted to get up. “Alden, are you really not coming? Dinner is about to be served, and it would be good to go together!” said Holly, her eyes bright with the excitement of having heard of his achievements from the news. An admirer of his, she could hardly believe he was her roommate now; she was practically squealing inside. The room was filled with individuals from the medical program, each with their unique flair. In her mind, Holly envisioned a new figure rising soon in the medical field, another star among the numerous talents. “Ugh, I’m so tired; I don’t even want to move,” Alden sighed, testing the likelihood of getting off the bed as he wiggled his legs, only to quip belligerently, “My legs are too short to reach the floor!” Startled by his self-deprecating humor, Holly exclaimed, “What? Is our new roommate hinting at something?” As laughter began to fill their shared space, Alden couldn't shake the feeling that this year at Jasper University would be unlike any he had experienced before.
Chapter 4
Before Holly West could convince Alden Thornfield to get out of bed, loud commotion erupted from outside the dormitory. It sounded like an especially handsome student had arrived at the Sirormitory. Alden rubbed his temples, realizing that whether he was a scholar of great repute or just some kind of child, everyone seemed transfixed by the spectacle of the so-called Warrior carrying a stunningly beautiful figure. Tristram, the handsome Warrior, stood at the entrance of Alden's dormitory, and the three girls inside were silent as if in awe. What a charming Knight he was! “Alden Thornfield, why are you still in bed?” Tristram called out. “Wait, what?” Alden responded as he sat up. “What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you're the reason for all that racket outside. Tsk, tsk, tsk.” “That’s a mystery for sure! After all, as the heir of the House of Lirahel, wherever I go, I am the center of attention,” Laurel Hightower said nonchalantly while plopping down on a nearby chair. “Well, if that’s the case, why don’t you take your crew to the Grand Hall first? I might just take off,” Alden said, glancing at the surprised trio of girls. “We figured it’d be better to just grab dinner and let you two chat,” one of the girls piped up, while Alden gave her an approving thumbs-up. “So, what brings you to my modest abode? Clear your schedule, are you here for an adventure?” Alden asked. “My brother’s at Jorvik University. I only passed by this dorm to check in on you,” Laurel replied, looking up at Alden with a teasing smile. “After all, isn’t it proper to be courteous?” Alden begrudgingly climbed down but noticed that there were no chairs left. “You want me to sit on the table instead?” he protested. “Guess where I went before arriving here!” Laurel skillfully dodged the question. “Military academy, right? There's no other place you could be with those grades of yours to get into Jorvik,” Alden leaned against the desk with a knowing grin. “You got that right, but drop the second part, will you? I…” Laurel’s phone interrupted as it chimed. She checked it quickly. “Nigel Twofeather is organizing a dinner. He’s treating,” she announced. “Wow, you all are putting so much pressure on him! Let’s go,” Alden grabbed his bag, tossing his phone and other belongings inside, and waved goodbye to the three girls before heading out. The girls remained mesmerized by Laurel's inner glow until the door slammed shut behind Alden. “Is that Alden Thornfield’s friend?” Catherine Zhao asked, intrigued. “Yep. I looked into him. Alden's betrothed is another lady, and she’s even prettier, like a Benedict White type,” Holly chimed in, enlightening the other girls who were still dazzled by Laurel. “Then we definitely have a chance!” the three ladies cheered with excitement. Later that evening, Alden reunited with Nigel Twofeather and other ladies he hadn’t seen in ages. To Alden’s surprise, Nigel had made quite an impression at the Grand Hall, as they celebrated their achievements over dinner and drinks before heading to the Alehouse. As they stood outside the Alehouse, Alden hesitated, “Should I really go back? This place—Fiona—am I even allowed in?” “Hahaha, aren’t you a little old for that now?” Laurel teased, strutting around him as if she were proud of her advancements. Alden shot her a skeptical look, “You guys go ahead; I’m heading back to the Grand Hall. Let’s catch up later when I’m of legal age.” “You’re seriously going to play by the rules like that?” Laurel frowned, astonished. “You’re the same girl who skips class and gets into fights, yet suddenly claims you need to wait until you’re ‘of age’ to enter the Alehouse? What changed?” “Oh, is it because we’re worried that Jadeulian Riverwood will find out and start a fuss? Just saying, I told you I’m a single dog in love with someone,” Alden teased, rolling her eyes. “I’m not a single dog; I have a fiancée!” Laurel shot back, more defensive than ever. “Oh, really?” Alden raised an eyebrow, almost in disbelief.
Chapter 5
“That's my sister, my childhood friend. She’s been overseas studying design and just came back for a brief visit before getting engaged and leaving again,” Nigel Twofeather said with a laugh. Laurel Hightower looked up at him, incredulous, and tugged at Nigel's sleeve like a puppy begging for attention. “You're telling me Sir Ashton is better than me? I haven’t even done anything to you!” Alden Thornfield frowned, wondering if Laurel had lost her mind. “Nah, it’s because you caught Talonhornfield witnessing his pathetic moment at night that Tristram's been feeling inferior,” Nigel shrugged. “If there’s any blame, it should go to that family’s misguided beliefs about masculinity. I can’t help but think my sister marrying someone like him is just a bad deal. She’s my sister!” Alden Thornfield couldn’t help but chuckle at the way Victor Twofeather looked so mournful, while Laurel's expression turned sour. “What nonsense are you spewing, Edgar Hood!” “Well, you two... we’re all bound by our own engagements. The privileged life you imagine for us isn’t all it’s cracked up to be! At least you get to choose your partners; we’ve been stuck with ladies we have zero romantic connection with, like Laurel and Tristram. It’s all about family alliances for us,” Quinn Secondborn said candidly. “Is that really how it is?” Alden asked, pondering aloud. “I mean, if I were to become wealthy someday, I’d probably have to find suitable matches for Benedict early on too, right? You mean to say Jadeulian has lovely sister Jadeuliana, who’s off-limits now?” “Of course, you know my sister, Benedict, was super adorable at a younger age; it was Laurel who proposed that link with the Talonhornfield family,” Quinn said, expressing slight regret. Laurel Hightower chuckled, “Good thing I had the foresight. Our family hails from a military background while Nigel’s side is from scholarly lineage. My mom’s banking on Nigel's sister giving some grace to our family.” “Are you proud of that? Should I not have spoken a moment later? If Benedict wasn’t quite as interested, you'd never win her over!” Quinn joked, trying to restrain himself from jumping up to retaliate against Laurel. “I don’t get why everyone’s so riled up,” Alden mused, turning to Nigel for clarity. “It’s simple,” Nigel began. “Because Laurel has committed to a path with Talonhornfield, my sister, already recognized as Sir Q999 Secondborn’s betrothed, is now the most talked about lady in town. Sir Q999 Secondborn had better think twice about mischief; his reputation's on the line now.” Alden watched the two ladies who were almost ready to throw down, finding humor in the sheer absurdity of it all. “Seems like karma at play here!” In the end, Alden decided against going to the Alehouse with the girls. After returning to his dorm, he was greeted by a couple of his female classmates. “Alden Thornfield, you missed Captain’s meeting tonight!” Holly West exclaimed. “Wait, what? There's a meeting? How did I miss that?” Alden scratched his head. It was tough to adjust to life at Jasper University, especially his first day missing a meeting. “You didn’t join the class group chat. We thought you’d come back in the afternoon; turns out you just got in,” Another Maiden said, applying a face mask in the meantime. “Oh man, I forgot to join! I hope the instructor didn’t call roll on the first day,” Alden admitted, feeling a stab of regret. First day jitters weren’t supposed to go like this. “It’s okay! Captain didn’t really say anything,” the mask girl chimed in, but the smile on Captain Quinn’s face hinted at something less reassuring, like a wolf spying its prey. Alden’s discomfort only deepened. “You don’t say! I guess I'll catch up tomorrow. I’m just too drained after a long first day.” “Hang on! We’ve got something to talk about!” Alden set down his things, frowning slightly as he asked, “What’s up? I promise I’ll hit the shower after.” “We mean that charming guy who came looking for you earlier!” the mask girl eyed him mischievously, bringing the attention of the other ladies back to him. “Uh, I think you missed the memo—he just got engaged,” Alden said. “Childhood friends typically have stronger bonds than random folks, right? There's no way to compete!” Disappointed sighs filled the room at the mention of the engagement. The three girls noticed the new housemate and Alden soothed, “Hey, we’re in Scholars' Haven together! It's like being in a zoo; everyone should stay positive, and I’m sure you’ll find your Prince Charming soon enough.” Inside, however, he couldn’t help but think how impossible it was for a med student to find time for romance amidst all the chaos.
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