A couple of weeks later, Lewis is escorted through the dark stone corridors toward the Phoenix Company dormitory, his injured shoulder still secured beneath its sling. The Housemaster walks beside him, while the doctor’s written instructions remain firm: no sport, no unnecessary exertion, and frequent rest.
Parsley
There you are. We kept your place exactly as it was, though Edwin has been guarding the best pillow rather fiercely.
Parsley stands from the nearest bed, smiling with unmistakable relief. Edwin shifts aside at once, while Martin, Will, and Tom clear a shelf and make room for Lewis’s books and folded bedding.
Edwin
Your books are here, and your blanket has been aired. You need not do anything except lie down and let us bring things to you.
Martin
We have altered the routine a little. Nobody leaves for lessons without checking who needs notes, books, or company.
The Housemaster watches the arrangements, then gives a measured nod. No one cheers or crowds Lewis; they simply draw him into the ordinary movement of the room, preserving his dignity as carefully as his shoulder.
Will
There is a letter on the table for you, Lewis. It came this morning, and we left it unopened. Would you like one of us to read it, or would you rather keep it until later?
“Lewis settles in to bed and asks if someone can read it too him.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
With careful help, Lewis lowers himself onto the prepared bed and settles beneath the aired blanket. His shoulder aches, but the room’s familiar voices make the effort worthwhile.
C. S. Lewis
Could someone read the letter aloud to me, please? I should like to hear it, but I would rather not handle it yet.
Will
Of course. I shall read it exactly as written, and we can stop whenever you wish.
Will brings the envelope to the bedside and opens it carefully. Parsley sits near Lewis’s good hand, while Edwin adjusts the pillow without being asked.
Will
It is from your mother. She writes that your father has sent his thanks to our families, and that the Christmas arrangements are proceeding properly.
Will
She says both Parsley and Edwin are welcome, provided their parents agree, and that the house will be ready for books, fireside cocoa, and as much rest as the doctor requires.
Will lowers the page. No one reaches for Lewis or answers for him; they simply remain close, giving the letter’s ordinary kindness room to settle.
✓ Quest Accepted
Accept the Phoenix Company’s welcome without resuming ordinary duties
“Lewis smiles and asks Will if he would send a letter back for Lewis? Thanking her? His writing arm is still in the sling.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
C. S. Lewis
Will, would you write a letter back to Mum for me, please? I should like to thank her, but my writing arm is still in the sling.
Will
Of course, Lewis. I shall write exactly what you dictate, and send it through the proper post when you are satisfied with it.
Will fetches paper, ink, and a pen, setting them on the small table beside the bed. Parsley remains near Lewis’s good hand, while Edwin adjusts the pillow beneath his elbow.
Will
I am ready. You may dictate slowly, and I shall read the letter back before it is sealed.
C. S. Lewis
Tell her I am grateful for the invitation, for arranging everything, and for making Parsley and Edwin welcome. Tell her I love her.
Will
I have it. I shall add that you are resting in the Phoenix Company dormitory and that we are taking proper care of you, unless you would prefer otherwise.
Will reads the finished letter aloud. Lewis approves each line, and Will folds, addresses, and seals it before carrying it away to be posted.
Quest Complete
Accept the Phoenix Company’s welcome without resuming ordinary duties
“When Will returns. Lewis invites him, Tom, and Martin to share about themselves. He hasn't had the chance to get to know them while he had been in the infirmary.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +1)
Will returns from posting the letter, wiping a trace of ink from his fingers. Tom and Martin are nearby, sorting books and folded clothes for the evening.
C. S. Lewis
Will, Tom, Martin, would you tell me about yourselves? I have not had the chance to know you properly while I was in the infirmary.
Will
Gladly. I am Will, and I like keeping things orderly, though I am learning that order matters less than knowing whom it serves. I hope to study history seriously.
Tom
I am Tom. I am fond of rowing and repairing things, particularly bicycles, though I am better at mending than racing. I should like to travel beyond Worcestershire someday.
Martin
I am Martin. I prefer books, walks, and ordinary conversation to most school competitions. I have been glad to help here, because friendship ought to be practical.
The three boys settle nearer the bed, no longer merely attendants arranging Lewis’s recovery. Their answers leave the room open for more questions, and the evening’s conversation begins gently.
“Lewis asks them why they joined Pheonix Company, and what they think of the school and the boys in it?”
SUCCESS (Great Oratory, rolled +1)
C. S. Lewis
Why did you join the Phoenix Company, and what do you think of the school and the boys in it?
Will folds his hands over his knee, while Tom glances toward the orderly shelves and Martin studies the familiar room. Their answers come without hurry.
Will
I joined because obedience here is often treated as proof that a boy has no conscience. The Company lets us serve one another without surrendering judgment.
Tom
Malvern has good books, good buildings, and some decent masters, but it trains boys to admire power. Too many older boys repeat cruelty because it was done to them.
Martin
I joined because friendship here needed rules strong enough to protect the quiet boy as well as the bold one. The boys are not all wicked, Lewis. Many are frightened, and some are waiting for permission to be kind.
Will
The school is neither wholly rotten nor safely good. It is a place where decent boys can become cruel, unless someone teaches them that authority must answer for itself.
“Lewis nods and says that he agrees with the assessment. Everybody deserves the chance to be better. And many are only waiting for it. He asks of they have had any problems at Malvern themselves they need to tall to someone about? Lewis has nothing but time right now while he heals.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
C. S. Lewis
I agree. Everybody deserves the chance to become better, and many are only waiting for someone to give them that chance. Have any of you had troubles here that you need to tell someone about? I have nothing but time while I heal.
The invitation changes the room’s easy conversation into something more deliberate. Will looks toward the door, then back to Lewis, while Tom and Martin exchange a guarded glance.
Will
I have had trouble with a Blood who keeps assigning me errands, then claiming I performed them badly. I have obeyed the rules, but the rules seem to bend whenever he wishes.
Tom
A prefect struck me last month for answering slowly after rowing practice. I reported it to no one because I thought the complaint would become another punishment.
Martin
I have not been beaten, but I am often left out of games and made to carry things because I dislike shouting. It is not dramatic, yet it makes every day smaller.
Will’s composure tightens, Tom studies his hands, and Martin speaks more quietly at the end. None of them withdraws from the question now that it has been plainly offered.
Will
If you truly have time, Lewis, I should like help deciding what belongs in the Company’s record and what ought first to be raised privately with the Housemaster.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure a fair hearing for the boys’ grievances
“Lewis says he would gladly help them figure out what to record and what to tell the Housemaster. But first he says he would keep talking to them about these things. He wants to help them as a friend, not just a members of the company.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -3)
C. S. Lewis
I should gladly help you decide what belongs in the Company’s record and what should be told to the Housemaster. But first, let us keep talking. I want to help you as a friend, not merely as members of the Company.
Lewis shifts against the pillows to face them, and pain catches beneath his sling. The doctor’s warning is quietly vindicated, though no one mistakes the cost for refusal.
Will
Then I shall begin with the errands. I have kept the dates and instructions in my head, but I have no witness except the Blood himself.
Tom
My beating was witnessed by two rowing boys, though I doubt either would speak unless protected. I am more afraid of retaliation than of the record itself.
Martin
My exclusion is harder to prove. There is no single incident, only the repeated message that I am useful for carrying things and unwanted afterward.
Will
The errands should go in the record if we can list them precisely. Tom’s assault belongs with the Housemaster now, but Martin may need help deciding what remedy he actually wants.
Martin
I think I want the Housemaster to know, provided I am not made to perform misery before him. I want the carrying to stop, and I want a fair chance to join the games.
“Lewis asks Martin if he has any other issues beside the exclusion and being made to carry things? That is remarkably tame compared to the Blood's reputation.”
SUCCESS (Good Perception, rolled -2)
C. S. Lewis
Martin, besides being excluded and made to carry things, is there anything else troubling you? That sounds remarkably tame beside the Bloods’ reputation.
The question is gentle, but Lewis’s shift has tightened the sling against his shoulder. A sharp pain makes him go still, and the doctor’s warning becomes an immediate, concrete cost.
Martin
There is one other thing. They sometimes send me to fetch younger boys, then laugh when I try to bring them into the games. They call it a joke.
Martin
I have kept quiet because saying it aloud makes it sound important, and I was taught that my discomfort was not.
Will
That is not merely exclusion, Martin. They are using you to make other boys feel unwelcome, then making you carry the blame for it.
Tom
And it gives them a reason to watch who comes near us. If Martin is willing, I would stand with him when he tells the Housemaster.
Martin
I am willing. I want it recorded as a pattern, but I want to say it myself, without being treated as helpless.
“Lewis smiles and says he has heard that before. Wanting to say it himself means Martin is finding his courage”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -1)
C. S. Lewis
I have heard that before, Martin. Wanting to say it yourself means you are finding your courage, not proving that you are helpless.
Martin’s guarded expression loosens. He sits straighter, as though Lewis has returned the matter to its proper owner: Martin’s own voice and choice.
Martin
Then I shall tell the Housemaster exactly what happened, and I shall say what I want done. I do not want anyone speaking over me.
Tom
I will stand beside you, but you can lead the account. If they ask questions, I shall answer only for what I witnessed.
Will
I can record your words afterward, Martin, and read them back to you. Nothing goes into the Company’s book unless you approve it.
The arrangement settles naturally around Martin’s consent. The room’s attention no longer makes him its subject; it becomes the support he has chosen while preparing to speak.
Martin
Thank you. I was afraid courage meant becoming loud enough to resemble the boys who frightened me. Perhaps it can mean standing plainly instead.