//------------------------------//
// At the top of the Ivory Tower 
// Story: A gem in the sand 
// by KVEverfree 
//------------------------------//

He didn’t know how long he laid there, but he suddenly awoke feeling sore, but otherwise alert. The nurse had stepped out, and it was almost silent. He swore he could hear a faint hum, almost like the static on a radio, but more subdued.  As he looked around the room, he noticed that a scroll had been placed on the desk a few feet away. He knew what it was, and his stomach dropped. As if drawn by some unseen force, he rose up from the cot and steadily trotted toward the scroll. Unfurling it, he read the ornate horn-writing;
Dear Mr. Cyrus Saddlesore,

It has come to our attention that you were involved in an altercation with another student. We are currently in the middle on an investigation and have already questioned several eyewitnesses. We request your presence in the Academy Board office immediately before dinner so that you can share any pertinent details that can help us reach a responsible administrative decision.  Understand that anything you say will be held in the strictest confidence.  
We hope that we can make a sensible resolution to this conflict.
Warmest Regards,

Ink Blots, Senior Secretary, Celestia’s Academy for Gifted Unicorns

Cyrus looked at the clock. It was just past 5.  Dinner started at 6. 
“Damn it all to Tartarus!” 
“You want to say that again?”
Cyrus wheeled around to find the nurse standing nearby. He lowered his ears in embarrassment. 
“No, I’m sorry, ma’am.”
The nurse gave him a bemused look, then trotted over toward the letter. Without asking, she levitated it with her magic, and gave it a cursory glance. 
“Looks like you gotta get moving, do you need any help?”
“No, thanks, I know where the office is.”
“I guess I’ll check you out, you look mostly alright. I’ll give you some pain pills just in case.”
She levitated a bottle into Cyrus’s saddlebag. It was odd how he hadn’t noticed it before, but maybe somebody had brought it up after the fight. He muttered another thanks and set off toward the office. There was nopony around as he ascended the staircase. There was nopony in all the flights he took to reach the office. He was started to get a little tired mostly because the office was located at the top of a long spire. That was probably one thing he didn’t like about Canterlot. Maybe a Pegasus wouldn’t have trouble getting there, but was it really necessary to have all these ornate spires? At least put in a gem-powered elevator. 
“Finally” he wheezed as he reached the door. He nudged it open and trotted in. 
It was deathly quiet, just like the rest of the darn spire. The receptionist looked up from her cheap romance novel and lazily pointed her hoof towards an adjacent door.  He braced himself and went through the door. 
“Ah, yes please come in Mr. Saddlesore. Have a seat will you ?”
The speaker was a stately stallion with a grey beard and waistcoat. His cutie mark was obscured by a round desk which he and 5 others sat at. 
Cyrus sat at a simple stool, encircled by the imposing bench where the Board were staring at him.
“ I assume you know why you’re here?”
“Yes sir, its because of my uh, altercation.”
“That’s correct. I heard you had to go to the nurse today. In fact, we have a statement from her, but I think now would be a good time to say, in your own words, what happened.
“Well, I was walking in the hall after lunch when my roommate, Jarir, attacked me. He was mad at me for something I didn’t do. I didn’t want to fight, but he charged me and knocked me down. I got him off me eventually, and then Amir helped me to the nurse station. Did you talk to him? He saw the whole thing.”
“What was he mad at you for?” This was another stallion asking, ignoring his question.
“He thought I was spreading rumors about him, about, um, personal matters” Cyrus blushed a tiny bit and tapered off.
“And did you do anything to provoke him?”
“No, I try to avoid him whenever possible. I didn’t even see him all that day, and its not like I talked to anybody.”
“So you didn’t see him at night, then? What about you two in the same room?”
“Well, sirs, he got mad because I had come in when he was, uh, with company. I stayed with a friend.”
The Board glanced at each other knowingly. Cyrus thought he saw one smirk.
“Not to worry, there’s nothing wrong with your behavior in that aspect. It happens to everypony sometime. Maybe next time notify the hall director, son.”
“I’m not in trouble for that, then?”
“No, you don’t have to worry. This is not a punishment board. We just are here to discuss an incident and help keep students safe. Speaking of which, are you feeling alright?”
“Yes. Jarir got me in the head and stomach, but I feel better now.
“That’s good to hear. We are so sorry that you were hurt. We try to keep an open and welcoming environment for all our guests. 
“When do I learn what happens to me?”
“That will come in a few minutes, when we convene. We will ask you to wait in reception for a bit. I think we have all we need to hear, but one more question if you would.”
“Yes?”
“Who was the friend you were staying with?”
Cyrus hesitated slightly, remembering Dusty’s fear of breaking the rules, but figured it would matter little.
“His name is Dusty Scroll, and I stayed at his apartment after Jarir kicked me out.”
“Ah, I see.  Just wanted to know that you are indeed making friends. That kind of thing is important to us Equestrians, you know.”
“I understand.”
Feeling a little bit awkward, Cyrus got up and left the room. He made his way back to the reception desk, where he shuffled a bit under the indifferent gaze of the secretary. Now that he was no longer in a daze, either from hunger or from injury, he was bored out of his mind.  It must have been 10 minutes before the Board speaker entered the room. He had a neutral expression, do doubt from years of dealing with difficult situations like this. 
“Mr. Saddlesore, the Board has concluded that you had little to no fault in this unfortunate altercation. We have taken steps to deal with Jarir, and while I cant tell you exactly what is to happen, I advise that you stay at a friend’s tonight.”
“Thank you so much, sir. I have just been so worried about the whole thing.”
“And don’t worry about missing classes, I’m sure the professors will understand the dilemma and give you some leeway. I’ve seen your grades anyway, and you seem to be doing well regardless.”
With that, the garrulous Board member turned and left. Cyrus continued to walk down the accursed stairs. He Hoped he would see Dusty at dinner, so he could ask to stay again. He was relieved about the situation, but felt slightly off put by the airy nature of the Board.