~ Institution of Thorns ~
A fortiori - With yet stronger reason
The high class manor sat on a gently rolling slop in the prime of Archadoon's residential section, tall iron spiked stone walls gracefully swooped around the grand building that had once be the home of a very wealthy family. Ivy crept up the sides of the walls, softening the iron spikes and harsh cut stone, brightening it with its green foliage. Inside a handful of men walked, huge dogs held on leashes as they strolled the perimeter. The thick and spiked collars marked the dogs as guardians of the structure and the men, clearly their keepers adorned in light leather armor.
Children of all ages and races hurried about the garden and lawn shifting from class to class, all wearing long dark robes covering their bodies from shoulder to foot. They all moved elegantly, like they were rulers of the world. Nobility or noble brats some would say. The cost of getting into the Institution was a hefty fee, enough to make a few sweat. It wasn't basic skills they taught here, but careers.
The
Institution of Thorns, itself, was three stories tall and had two wings. The children stayed in dorms provided for them, meals were given to them three times a brightening, and they were clothed and equipped. Many could not see this, after all, the gates to the school were always closed. It was rare that anyone ventured in or out and if one managed to ask any of the students where they came from they would only reply,
"From the belly."