Breakout the Cake

Breakout the Cake

Zelnard had a small room he shared with Jabar. It had a window that looked directly out onto the vast Central Ocean and the Thalorian Sea. Occasionally, as on this moment, he would spy a fesealon launching itself from the rocks, but as they were not common in Argent Isles it was a rare sight. “They are so free to do whatever they want,” he said to Jabar who had been his roommate since he was brought to the Monastery some five years ago. “I wish I were that free. To swim all night, go where I please, eat what I want.” “You would have to catch something first,” Jabar reminded him. “Freedom means no food and maybe no bed.” “Well at least I wouldn't have to have any more seaweed cheese.” It was his eleventh birthday, and not a single cake or treat had been in sight for the last six years. The monastery elders, with all their wisdom, had somehow overlooked this most important celebration. “Can you believe it, Jabar?” Jabar smirked. “It’s a monastery, Z. I don’t think cake is high on their list of priorities.” Zelnard paced the room. “Then let’s make it our priority.” Jabar lowered his book. “What?” “We’re sneaking out.” The room fell silent. “The night markets in Crystal Quay are in full swing and I bet we can find the best cake there.” Jabar's eyes lit up. “Now you're talking.” “We’ll have to be careful. If old Ferson finds out...” “He won’t.” Zelnard grinned. “We’ll be back before dawn.” Just then, without so much as a knock, Dunstor pushed open the wooden door. “What’s this Jabby?” He stared at the boys with a curled lip. “Going somewhere?” The boys froze. Their secret plan suddenly seemed a lot more dangerous than it had only moments before.

Thy Quests Why is Zelnard willing to risk sneaking out of the monastery for cake, and what does this reveal about his personality?