Midterm exam results

Everyone aside from Guy was shocked as Alicia took the top spot in the exam rankings. The rest of the rankings fell into a predictable order as second place was Guy, third was Madeline. A little further down the list found Olivier at the twenty-seventh place, Doreen Leon at the thirtieth place and then to Claude's amazement he wasn't dead last this time. He cried out, "I'm not last! I'm not last!"

Sir Évreux hid his face and said, "That's only because I am last." He balled his hand into a fist and said, "Swordsmanship! Yes, with my swordsmanship grade, I won't be dead last in the class!" He quickly ran over to the swordsmanship board to find his name on the list. First place was Guy de Montfort. Second place was Claude de Rouvroy. Third place was Madeline Celeste d'Aumont. Fourth place was Alicia de Foix. He moved his finger down the list and found Olivier at the thirteenth place, Doreen was a little further down and then in the middle of the results his own name. He cried out, "This is impossible! I am one of the knights of this kingdom!"

Olivier walked up and put a hand on Sir Évreux's shoulder, "I am guessing they graded you a little harder because of that fact, Sir Évreux." He sighed and said, "You'll have to live down on Earth with the rest of us mere mortals until you can produce some results."

They turned and looked at the smiling faces of Alicia, Guy, and Madeline. Sir Évreux said, "They really are incredible, aren't they."

Olivier nodded and said, "They really are, any one of them could be thought of as a once in a generation genius, and our kingdom has all three at once."

Sir Évreux looked over and asked, "Which of them is the biggest monster?"

Olivier looked at Sir Évreux and gave his trademark goofy smile, "Alicia will take a small territory and grow it into something amazing." He pointed at Madeline and Guy who seemed to be bickering at the moment, "Those two may very well found their own kingdom together."

They walked over and heard Guy say, "... And it's Montfort."

Claude was standing between the two and Alicia was holding on to Madeline's arm giggling. Olivier asked, "What's the commotion about?"

Madeline said in a very cold tone of voice, "Lord Molester was looking at her chest." Madeline pointed to the low cut top Alicia was wearing.

Guy looked outraged and said, "I was just finding Olivier's name on the list!" Guy thought to himself, 'crap, I really was looking at her chest, but that outfit practically threw them in my face, I have to just keep lying or I am dead here.'

Madeline frowned as she held her arms across her chest not looking at Guy anymore. "Alicia, you should watch yourself around Lord Molester, I hear that he was also known as 'Groping Guy' and 'Guy the Masher'."

Guy stomped his foot and pointed at Madeline, "You just made up that last one!"

Madeline turned red and then spouted back, "Just like you made up that line about looking for Olivier's name!"

*****

At lunchtime things were back to normal and everyone started talking about what they would be doing over to the winter break. Sir Évreux smiled and said, "I have to return to territory, it only has a small village, but I have to make sure that the brigands are cleaned out and that the roads are open."

Claude nodded and said, "My father and I do the same this time of year."

Guy smiled and said, "I haven't decided what to do yet."

Olivier nodded and said, "I'd like to have your help with a project if you are available, Madeline, you can come as well if you like."

Alicia said, "I have nothing to do this year, my family can't afford to have me home. Something happened with my older sister, so she used our spare money to return home."

Claude quickly asked, "Would you like to come to see the Rouvroy territory with me? My father could use the help of a good sword, that is, I could use your help."

Everyone started to laugh and then Guy said, "Just be honest, you horse's ass. He wants to spend time with you, Alicia, just go." Alicia blushed but not quite as hard as Claude.

Claude blurted out, "Olivier, just remember to keep 'Groping Guy' away from the lady servants so Madeline doesn't accidentally cut off the Montfort line before they are even married."

Doreen snorted loudly causing everyone else to laugh even harder. Doreen smiled and then said, "I'm going to see Lady Baux's family. She meant a lot to me, and I wouldn't feel right if I didn't see her final resting place." Everyone nodded at her words.

The Doctor said, "I plan to spend the break in town."

Guy asked, "Why are you here?"

"Research." The Doctor explained as he took a drink from a bottle that looked like one of the potion bottles from the clinic.