My stomach felt queasy as I looked down at Paige's still body. I felt numb, and suddenly less hungry. I shot Kenswick one last murderous look, then stood up.

"I'm not hungry anymore," I said, pushing in my chair. Dedrick and Tobin followed in suit. I walked to my room and waved Arter away with my hand. He obviously hadn't heard the news yet. I felt as if I was in a dream, drifting in and out from reality. Then I would remember Paige and the cold shivers went up and down my spine. Kenswick must be really serious if he wanted to murder to succeed. For the first time in my life, I felt stuck. There was nowhere I could escape, nothing I could do to run away from the problem. I would either die by Kenswick's hand, or risk the small chance of stopping the Thief of Alleys. Tobin turned off the lights, and pretty soon he and Dedrick were sleeping soundly. I couldn't. I opened the window and sat on the ledge, feeling the cold air whip past my face as I stared out into the night. Finally, after much thinking, I came up with a conclusion to my problem. I would have follow Kenswick's plan. 

Arter woke me up with lots of shaking. I groaned and pulled the pillow over my head. After a restless night, I didn't feel up to the task to do what Kenswick wanted.

"Sir Ky, wake up this instant," scolded Arter, "Master Kenswick has planned much for today. You have lessons on fighting, equipment, gangs, reading, horseback riding, and decoding messages." Arter sighed, and looked crestfallen. He apparently just learned about Paige. I groaned and rolled over onto my stomach. Suddenly, I felt the blanket of warmth surrounding my legs stripped as Arter pulled the sheets and comforter off my sleeping body. After stealing my pillow and literally dragging me out of bed, I finally listened to him. 

Arter laid out my clothes, A velvet vest with a silk shirt underneath and trousers, a tan color. Compared to yesterday's clothing, this was dressed down. Compared to my usual clothes, I felt like a king. Once we were all finished dressing, I followed Tobin and Dedrick down the marble staircase to the dining room where we ate last night. Even entering the room made me feel sick. I glanced at the spot  where Paige had fallen, but not a trace of blood, nor material was left behind. 

"Welcome," greeted Kenswick as we entered the room. He was sitting at the head of the table again. Laid across it was heaping stacks of pancakes, fruit, and some sort of bread that looked delicious. "Dedrick, over here," gestured Kenswick to his right, the best position. "And Ky, over here," pointed Kenswick to his left. I didn't know what I did right, but it made Kenswick happy. Tobin gave me  a sour expression before he sat next to Dedrick. 

"Now," continued Kenswick, "Your servants have already informed you your schedules. In ten minuets you have your first lesson. Remember, the more you learn, the larger the chance you have to defeat the Thief of Alleys and become the largest legend that has ever come to Grandeen!" Tobin asked him a few questions about the lessons, and seemed to mop up everything Kenswick said, like it was sacred. Dedrick tried to listen, but I would catch him dozing off once in a while. I, on the other hand, found no point in pretending to pay attention to boring conversations, or trying to impress nobles. I ate my breakfast, which tasted like heaven, and went to the first lesson, reading.

Our teacher was Professor Thomlin. He was a thin, tall man with long gangling arms. Gray, shoulder-length hair hung over his craggy face adorned with a pair of spectacles. I instantly disliked him. Call it a gut feeling. He first asked us our reading levels, to see what he needed to teach. Going undercover, it was important to know how to read. I could care less. 

Tobin's hand shot strait up. "My aunt taught me how to read and write before I was sent to the orphanage." Tobin declared proudly. He received an approving nod and praise from Professor Thomlin. 

"I know some letters," said Dedrick uncertainly. When he noticed the upset look on Professor Thomlin's face, he added, "but  I can read some words too." 

"What about you Ky?" asked Professor Thomlin.

"I know the basics," I responded coolly. "But it was pretty boring, and I probably forgot it all." That made Professor Thomlin mad. He went right to work, starting with the letter A. I yawned, put my legs up on my desk, and fell asleep. I woke up to a furious Professor Thomlin, who gave up on me after I refused to pay attention. I didn't want to obey Kenswick and bend to his will. This was my act of defiance. The moments I did pay attention, I learned more about the two other boys. Tobin was definitely the smartest of the three when it came to memorizing useless facts, but I wondered how he would do in the physical classes. Dedrick, the opposite, was slow, but I could tell by the way he moved, that he was going to excel in anything physical. 

As class ended, Professor Thomlin handed us books and instructed us to read them. I threw mine in the trash as I left and walked to the next class, wondering how much worse it could get.