Chapter 2

The majority of the kingdom of Regventus's cities and villages were constructed of rings.The size of the town determined the number of rings.Typically, the rings varied in class and function.Clarton, Kyle's home village, had three rings.The Viceroy and other extremely wealthy families resided in the inner ring.Shops, workhouses, and a few places to live for the poor made up the middle ring.Most people who worked at the edge of the forest lived in the outer ring, where the main stables were and Kyle lived.Apothecaries, farmers, and others who preferred to live outside the town's main hub were among these individuals.The majority of people would not live in the third ring because they were afraid of the open forest at night. However, there was ample space and decent housing there.

Kyle didn't know why individuals in Clarton dreaded the woods.He had spent many summer evenings at the forest's edge and many happy days riding horses in the trees.He liked to watch the fireflies blink as the sun set and listen to its sounds.Kyle refuted the rumor that the forest was home to magic people.If magic ever existed, then it was long ago.He had no experience with magic.There was a rumor that warlocks, witches, and other magical beings lived in the forest and bewitched, robbed, and even killed anyone who came across them.Kyle believed that it was all nonsense and myth.Danin always maintained that ignorant superstition and custom prevented most people from living in the third ring.

In the third ring, Kyle liked to live.The people there were friendly, easygoing, and hardworking.Kyle saw Jeremia and Luci working in their garden as he walked toward the community center.He saw Mick smoking his pipe outside his small store.He walked by people he knew doing nothing extraordinary.Although Kyle appreciated the simplicity of life in the third ring,

Kyle was walking by the large tree near the community center when he noticed someone he didn't know.A short distance away, a tall man with dark hair that reached his shoulders and a wide-brimmed hat was leaning against a small tree.He appeared to be studying Kyle, his head tilted to one side.Strangers appearing in the third ring were not exactly out of the ordinary.There were a lot of strangers passing through town to rest, and Kyle didn't know many people from the other rings. However, this man stood out because of his apparent interest in Kyle.

When Kyle stopped walking and looked at the man, the hairs on his arm started to stand up.Kyle could make out the man's dark brown eyes when the man raised his head.Kyle could swear that the air around him had changed as the stranger gave a crooked smile.After that, Kyle heard a loud noise behind him that sounded like someone had slammed a door right in front of him.A group of birds that were feeding on the ground took off when he turned to look.The man was gone when Kyle quickly glanced back to the small tree, leaving him to wonder if he had just imagined him.

Kyle considered going to the small tree to see where the man had gone, but he realized there was no need for him to continue his investigation.Why was it important that someone he didn't know was passing through town?Why was Kyle feeling so uneasy?Kyle decided that it would be best to ignore it.He didn't want to be late again as lessons were about to begin.He wanted to sit near Katniss so he could possibly have a brief conversation with her before lessons started.

Kyle entered the community building to take a look around the large room.There were numerous uses for this straightforward wooden structure.A council of townspeople from the third ring met once a month at a large table at one end to discuss the third ring's business, hear complaints, and decide who had broken the law.For a holiday or festival, the building would occasionally be packed with tables, food, and dancing.Pumpkins, wheat, mead, and merrymaking would soon fill the building for Harvestide, which was just a few weeks away.It was set up for lessons for the youngsters of the third ring today, as it is on most days.Tables were set up in four areas, each for a different age group.When Kyle looked to the right, he saw Katniss alone seated at a table in a chair.

Kyle walked toward her while nervously ruffling his hair and smiling.Isolde Finn had been known as Katniss to him for as long as he had known her.Even before they were old enough to take lessons, they had met.The blacksmith, Katniss's father, was always at the stables.As her mother passed away during childbirth, Katniss was her father's pride and joy.Kyle had quickly developed a friendship with Katniss because they were roughly the same age. He had taken her to see the horses numerous times.The friendship had changed recently, and it was stupid of Kyle to find that sometimes he was even nervous around Katniss.They were, after all, identical, weren't they?

With her light blue eyes looking down at a book on the table, Katniss had her blonde hair tied back with a ribbon.Katniss was an avid reader who devoured books whenever she had free time.She didn't notice Kyle sitting next to her because she was too busy reading.

"Hello, well.After inserting a small bookmark into her book and closing it, Katniss commented, "Look who is actually on time today."

I rarely arrive late.Which book are you reading?

“My father recently purchased a brand-new book for me at the market.I really don't want to argue, but I believe this is the first time in the past month that you haven't had to sneak in quietly because lessons have already begun.

"Well, it's a busy time of year, and I'm already almost finished with lessons,"

Katniss asked bluntly, "You don't plan to continue with Advanced Lessons."I assumed Danin advised you to.You will undoubtedly be recommended for Advanced Lessons by the ring council.You have never caused trouble and have good grades in the class.

I don't really see the point of it, and I am aware of my circumstances.I probably have more time to learn more about how to run the stables.

However, Danin is not elderly.He might keep running the stables for a long time.Will you remain a stable boy throughout your life?asked Katniss as she brushed her hair lightly.

The kingdom has more stables than just Danins.I'm confident that if I follow Danin's advice, I can find something in a small stable in the second ring, a great house in the inner rings, or even the next town over.

"Are you considering leaving Clarton soon?"questioned Katniss with a scowl.You had not previously mentioned it.

"I'm just trying to stay open to my options."

“Exactly, so why don't you stay where you are and take more advanced lessons?Who knows, you could find something different you need to do.You could be a healer or an apothecary.You're savvy, Kyle.To waste it at the stables seems regrettable.

To argue, Kyle opened his mouth.

“Don't get me wrong,” Katniss said, gesturing with her hands in a receptive manner.Nothing prevents anyone from running the stables.I can't think of a better man than my father, who works as a blacksmith.Danin and Jane are decent people, but Kyle, you're so young and brilliant.Why are you rushing to make a decision about your future?Why not look into other options?Advanced students have the ability to acquire apprentices in the second and even first rings.Some say that some even go to Aurumist to study.

Kyle let out a small snort.I would never want to enter the Aurumist.

"Kyle, are you really not interested in seeing the largest city in our kingdom?You don't want to see the palace or the great kingdom library, do you?Katniss asked with a lot of doubt in her voice.

“Aurumist sounds nothing more than trouble and a group of self-centered individuals.Although the library may be fascinating, do you really believe that anyone like me or you would be permitted to even come close to it?The majority of Aurumist, I'm sure, is nothing more than a filthy, crowded place.You can't possibly want to go there, Katniss.

As her shoulders sagged, Katniss sighed, "Well, maybe not, but there are other places to go and other things to do other than the stables and being a blacksmith."

Kyle laughed and said, "I doubt anyone thinks you will be a blacksmith, Katniss."I don't have the foggiest idea.My favorite job is in the stables.Danin has been so kind to me, so it makes sense.Choosing something else would appear to be insulting.

While preparing her quill and paper for lessons, Katniss said, "But he wants you to do the Advanced Lessons."

"Probably Jane is doing that," I said.

“Maybe, but if you promise to think about it, Kyle.even if you only give it a shot after midwinter.You could test it out until seed time this spring to see if you like it.

Kyle exhaled.He didn't want to let Katniss down.Certainly not with that adorable little pout on her face.Okay, I'll give it some thought.”

Katniss grinned and moved her shoulders a little proudly, as if she had won a small battle.

"Will you walk me home?"As the lecturers and teachers of today entered the room, Kyle inquired.

“Of course,” Katniss replied with a wink.

In response, Kyle grinned.He settled in for an afternoon of lessons, completely forgetting about any anxiety he had felt earlier.

Despite the fact that the boy was almost a man, the term "boy" seemed odd to Jareth.Although he was still young and a little lanky, his height and build were already almost complete.Jareth was curious about the boy's mental development.Did they hold out for too long?They had agreed to wait until at least his sixteenth year, so it didn't matter.He was to have a youth, an opportunity to grow up unobtrusively in security.They couldn't wait any longer because it was said that the kingdom was becoming more and more influenced by the ancients.The time to get ready was now, and the time to strike to retaliate was quickly approaching.The boy was essential, and he would have to begin discovering who he really was.