On the day before the last day of school, Mr. Barbour gave out his class grades. He congratulated everyone in Nari’s class for passing and hoped to see them again next year. He called an assembly of his eighth grade history classes. He gave awards for those who showed excellent performance and stuff like that, if you get what I mean. Finally he made the speech (as if he wouldn’t) that was actually interesting.

“If any of you midgets remember, as if you ever did or ever will, I have five classes in the eighth grade and I promised you guys a trip at the end of the year. I also promised that only the top ten in the entire eighth grade will accompany me to the central part of our country. There we will spend a week touring the city’s historical cites including the grand palace of Placenia.

“Now I have the list with every name in the eighth grade who takes my class right here.” He produced a piece of parchment that was about three feet in length. “Your grades are here too.”

Everyone started fidgeting. Not because they didn’t know their grades, but because they didn’t know everyone else’s grades.

“ I will callout the top ten in full names as to not confuse any person. Samuel Phineas made top scores with 97.6%; Phillip “Phil” Cassel second with 97.2%; Nari Hackson with 96.82%; Michel Sharburne with 96%; Tania Gloris with 95.6%; Yukurio “Yuri” Matakasmi with 94%; Diann Whilms, 90%; Rhianna “Rhea” Temuasri, 89.96%; Davis Ralfes with 86.432%; and last Julia Manson with 82%. Congratulations! The listed people are the top ten and will join me on a wonderful adventure. Thank you all, good luck, and have a great summer. The students that I listed should come to me during lunch break.”

Nari couldn’t believe that she was one of the chosen ones. She was so happy. Tania Gloris, who was Nari’s best friend since forever, was thrilled.

“Aren’t you excited! This is the first time I was ever on the top ten list!” Tania exclaimed.

“Yes, oh won’t Marilla be thrilled!”



Later, Nari raced home even before the final bell stopped ringing. Marilla stiffened when she saw Nari race up like the world was on fire.

“Nari dear, what is this?”

“Oh Marilla, I’ve been chosen!” Prancing around like a puppy.

“Chosen? For what? Nari? Speak up Nari. Don’t frighten me for Goodness’ sake!”

“I’ve been chosen!” Nari shouted. She twirled around and around until she had to retire in the grass. 

“Nari can you please tell me what on earth is going on?”

“Mother I’ve been chosen.”

“Yes, I hear that, but chosen for what?”

“I’ve been chosen to accompany Mr.Barbour to the Senseia.”

“Is anyone else going?”

“Oh yes, all top ten are going.”

“Top ten?”

“Yes, do you know what that means?”

“What?” Marilla raised a knowing eyebrow.

“I’m one of the top ten! Oh Marilla aren’t you glad?”

“Yes, of course! Of course I am my dear.” They laughed together as Nari thought how proud Marilla was.



The following Monday, Nari was seated next to the neighbor's boy who was to drop her at the station.

“Nari, Nari! Hello, over here!” Tania hollered. Nari’s best friend waved them over to a group of kids and the giant, Mr. Barbour.

“Hey I’m glad you finally came. I’ve been lonely. How are you?” Tania said.

“Hi. Oh really. Well, thrilled and to be honest, a little scared, aren’t you?”

“Sure. And how are you cutie.” She eyed the neighbor’s boy. He mumbled a “fine’’ at her bid Nari good-bye and scurried away.

“Well, what’s up with him?” Tania wondered.

“Nerves.” Nari made up. Mr. Barbour was handing out boarding passes. 

At last a huge black snake came charging down the railroad. As it passed the group, it wailed loud and long. 

“Yo people this is our train! OK everyone! Stay together!” Mr. Barbour trumpeted. They all crowded together and filed into two conjoining compartments. After they settled in, the train left the station with supernatural speed. Mr. Barbour gave them a while to breathe and enjoy the view. Then he began one of his drawling speeches as he did when he was sleepy. He started out by asking if they knew anything about where they were going. Everyone knew something of course.

“O.k. Today we begin to go into the northern part of our nation Placenia. Seven years ago it wasn’t divided into the five providences as it is now. It was merely the North, the South and the Central Valley. Nowadays, what used to be the North consists of the northern Feto, Senseia, and Estern. It also includes the providence of Clique. The South is now the southern parts of Feto Senseia, and Estern, plus the area we live in, Zetin.

“Well, now we all know, or at least, we all should know, that we will be entering Senseia, more commonly known as The Center.” He pulled out a map. 

“We are here.” His forefinger stabbed the paper. “Our destination is here.” Again the finger jabbed the map so harshly, that Nari wondered how the poor thing could survive it. He shoved the scroll away and produced an old faded photograph. It showed a huge grand-looking structure overlooking a lake. “This is the main attraction of our tour. Behold, the grand castle of Placenia, The Grand Castle of Esmeur. Does anyone know the history of this castle and/or who or what Esmeur is?’’ He asked. Samuel raised his arm.

“Yes, Samuel.”

“Well, sir. The fourth King of Placenia, King Esmeur designed the castle but died before he got a chance to construct it. His son, King Alfren built it and called it The Grand Castle of Esmeur in his father’s honor.”

“Well-said Mr. Phineas.”Mr. Barbour was slightly impressed.

“Wow.” Nari was fascinated.

“Jees Nari, why do you even listen to that old crackle nut?” Rhea sneered after Mr. Barbour left.

“Because I think it is interesting.”

“Yeah, but how can you stand it?”

“Stand what?”

“That voice that goes on and on and on...”Rhea closed her eyes signaling defeat.

For the rest of the train ride, Nari gazed outside with Tania and they both exclaimed over the land that was still their own country yet looked like as if it was as foreign as the moon.

As they were about to pull into the station, Mr. Barbour stepped in the compartments and announced, “Welcome to the city of Flores. Before we step foot on central soil I would like to introduce you to Librarian Fabian. He will be one of our guides around the city. He also offered to give us a tour of his library and I expect you to be on your best behavior however uncomfortable it may be.” He eyed Rhea especially, who was already beginning to pout. He gestured at the door and a tall man entered the compartment with such dignity that group of teenagers had the impression that they were in the company of a superior. Nari looked the librarian in the face and gasped out loud.

“I know you!” She cried. Fabian raised an eyebrow. Then a second body in scribe’s clothe slipped inside and started whispering into the librarian’s ear.

“I know you too!” She exclaimed.

“I think not.” Nari had never seen Mr. Barbour so angry or flustered before, not even in his temper tantrums. It scared her.

“Ah Nari come off it. You probably just saw a face similar when you were doing a bit of ‘light’ reading.” Rhea snickered. She finger quoted the word light.

“Oh Rhea, just leave her be. Come here and bother me.” Davis teased and beckoned Rhea to his side. He was the only one she ever let boss her around and the only person she’d ever listen to. Mr. Barbour looked relieved somewhat and did not press the subject.

When they finally got off the train, they entered a station that was filled with grandeur. All the students stared wide-eyed.

“Children, welcome to...” Fabian began.

“…La Saton.” Ended the scribe.

Fabian spun around to see who talked and looked mildly surprised when he saw that it was obvious that it was the scribe.

“I don’t think that you introduced yourself to these people, have you?”

“No sir, I haven’t.”

“Well then, go on.” He urged the lad on in a fatherly manner. 

Then with a change of attitude, the scribe spun around and announced, “Oi, you have before you the pleasure of meeting the library’s royal scribe. I was and am called by a few names but you now know me as Nijim, the Scribe of Lidia, the grandest library in the Capital of Placenia, the Home of the Brave.” He ended with a low bow.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Mr. Barbour cut in, “Can we get going now?”

Everyone laughed together as the librarian and the royal scribe lead the way out into the Center.



“How much time do you think he’ll give us?” Julia asked Rhea.

“I don’t know, I just hope it’s long enough for me to freshen up.” Rhea answered. Fabian lead them to their hotel and told them to take a brief break from all the stress of traveling and pressure, and the nausea, and all the other things that traveling brings. Some people, (for example Rhea) were hoping he meant about three hours, which was enough time for a partial makeover which they call, beauty rest, and other people call total bullshit. Normal people, (such as Nari) couldn’t wait to continue the adventure. 

During their two-hour tour of the center of Flores, they saw wild things that seemed to be from somewhere as far as the sun, and things that they might have never guessed that they wouldn’t turn corner and see home. Finally, after hours of walking they retired for the day.

“Everyone should settle down for tonight. You can talk, make up, and bla bla bla, but please go to bed before one o’clock in the morning, for tomorrow will come soon enough, and it will be a very long day.” Mr. Barbour told them.

Nijim showed them to two common rooms and pointed out the dormitories. Then everybody rested and talked how their day went. Nari got stuck in one room with Rhea, Davis, Yuri, and Tania. Once they were sure that there were no “grown ups” in the room, Rhea and Davis started to make-out in a corner which left Nari, Tania, and Yuri to talk in peace by the empty fireplace.

“So how did you like the city Tani?” Nari asked.

“Oh it was just fine bookworm, but if we don’t stop walking everywhere I think I’m gonna die.” Tania answered seriously.

Yuri snickered, “I would really not say that in front of Michel, Tania, if I were you.”

“Why?” Tania looked genuinely confused.

“OH, I was just saying, ‘cause I’m pretty sure he would do some damage if…”

“Yeah he’ll kill himself if you die.” Nari chimed in.

“Guys!!!” Tania flushed pink as she registered in what they were telling her. “I really don’t think he likes me!”

“YES, HE DOES!” They chorused.

“You didn’t know?! I will never ever, ever believe that as long as I live.” Yuri scoffed.

“Nuh’ah. I didn’t.” She shook her head in disbelief. “Well...now almost everyone is paired off.”

“Wait so you will say yes?” Yuri asked and at the same time Nari said, “No I’m not!”

Tania answered both remarks one after the other, “Maybe Yukurio. Nari I said almost everyone.”

They all laughed. And after they calmed down, they retired into their separate quarters and slept the rest of the night away, waiting to find out what the next day would bring.