I turned to face her, my hands never releasing their hold on the cold door handle. I wanted to cry out in frustration as escape was within my grasp, literally, if I could only open the stupid door. It wasn’t even locked and I still couldn’t open it. I looked over my shoulder at her ice cold stare and felt that this truly was the end.
Closing my eyes, I prayed for a quick and merciful death, but opened them at the last second. Movement caught my eye.
“STOP!” a clear voice commanded.
I watched the blue fireball stop a hand span away from my face. I sat mesmerized as it danced and fluttered in her open palm. Breah’s eyes blazed angrily, she swallowed and slowly closed her fingers and the ball shrank until it was the size of a fly and then disappeared.
The ugly tapestry of the hunter and the horse on the wall began to move. A small, feminine hand pushed it aside, and a beautiful woman with red hair and blue eyes stepped from behind it. Her dress was of the finest blue silk and a cloak covered her shoulders. It wasn’t until I saw the circlet upon her brow that I realized I was being addressed by the Queen.
Queen Lilyana left the alcove that was obviously her listening room and Commander Meryl followed close behind her. It struck me that I had seen her before when I first came to the school. And that I had seen her leave Lorna’s office. She must frequently sit in on the Adept Council’s discussion protected from sight by the tapestry. In fact, she probably was there on every occasion. No wonder Breah would shoot nasty looks at the tapestry when no one was looking. But it didn’t explain why the Queen was here now.
She stood before me and I began to fidget, uncomfortable in her presence. Her voice was neither soft, nor uncertain. “You won’t hurt me, will you?”
“No, ma’am, I mean, your Highness,” I stumbled on the words, still reeling from being in the presence of royalty.
She smiled sweetly at my ignorance. “Do you plan on harming anyone here in Calandry?”
I shook my head so hard I could hear my teeth rattle in nervousness.
“I have heard what all you have had to say and I don’t take this decision lightly. I really do believe that because of these unfortunate changes in circumstances, we have no other choice but to keep her here. I’m sorry, Thalia.” She looked grim. “You leave us with no other alternative. You must stay here permanently until we release you.” The tic in her jaw lessoned as a grin escaped from between her lips. “Or until you graduate from our training program.”
Chapter 10
My jaw dropped toward the floor in disbelief. This was the last thing that I expected. My heart felt like it was trying to escape my chest and the fingernails of my hand maintained a death grip on the door handle so I wouldn’t slide onto the floor in a faint of relief.
Glancing at Lorna to be sure that I had heard right and that my life wasn’t forfeit, I saw a look of satisfaction in her eyes and a hint of mischief. The ever intimidating Adept Pax Baton was nodding his head in agreement, while Breah sniffed in disdain, tracing a stain in the wood of the table with her dainty nail. Her actions shouldn’t surprise me, but somehow they did. Maybe it was because she was the youngest member of the Adept Council and, being young, she tended to wear her emotions openly on her sleeve. Or maybe it was because she felt she had to prove herself to them and was wary of anything that would cause problems. And to her I think I posed the biggest one.
I was beginning to feel wary of Kambel. I wanted to stay as far from him as possible for I had a feeling that if I walked past him he would poke me with a stick just to see my reaction and response time and then record it. That thought alone made me shudder. Cirrus, I had mixed feelings about, his help in the marketplace showed he was a caring person but I couldn’t find any faults with him, which made him seem too perfect.
“That settles it, you will enroll in the training program and start to learn everything you can from the teachers about your powers and how to use them,” Adept Lorna smiled, secretly excited about the Queen’s decision.
“You can’t be serious, Lorna. That would be unwise; you are going to teach her the secrets of the Denai? What if she runs straight back to the Septori? This could lead to the end of the Denai!” Breah had finished pouting and was up for another round.
“But what if you are wrong?” Adept Lorna turned on Breah. “What if she is the answer? What if she is the future? Maybe she can help us understand why we are going extinct.”
“We are not going extinct! I happen to come from a long line-,” Breah started.
“Oh shut up, Breah!” Adept Kambel spoke up. The room became still as everyone stared in astonishment at the small Adept, who until now had never raised his voice.
A small twinkling laugh erupted from the Queen, followed by more laughter from Lorna.
Adept Kambel looked around at the shocked faces of Pax and Breah, and nervously cleared his throat in embarrassment. “I think Lorna is right. We are going extinct, and if we can’t stop the Septori, then they will create more like her. It’s best if she helps us as much as she can by understanding her abilities to the fullest. Maybe then we can know what we are up against; as long as she promises to not hurt or endanger any student against their will.”
All I could do was shake my head since I was still in shock that Kambel stood up to Breah. I guess taking a few classes wouldn’t hurt, as long as I could control myself and not hurt anyone either.
With the Queen’s decisions made, I was ordered once again to go and pack my belongings so that I could be moved into the student wing of the Citadel; with a warning to never intentionally harm another Denai student.
Lorna nodded to Pax, then grabbed my elbow and led me out the door into the hall. Unbelievably, the door opened for her without her even touching it. Proof, that she was probably the one holding it closed.
They weren’t done discussing me I was sure, and they never even mentioned the attack with the dogs. But in their mind that was considered a small problem that Commander Meryl could deal with. They were more worried about the fact that there was now a potential for others like me if they didn’t find the Raven and stop his experiments.
The training program at the Citadel was established by the Queen because the Denai were slowly disappearing from the world. The Queen who was loved by all had a special place in her heart for the Denai, particularly. This gave the people of Calandry a skewed view of the Denai. They called them the Queen’s pets, and I had heard the slur whispered often enough on the streets.
Lorna had led me toward my rooms but stopped when we were almost there and spoke quietly to me. “Thalia, it would be better if you didn’t tell anyone about what happened to you. Try to fit in and don’t draw attention to yourself.”
“How do you want me to do that?” I asked.
“Pretend to be a Denai.”
“You want me to lie? I look nothing like you!” I scoffed loudly. Almost too loud, since Lorna winced and looked around. My head spun at what she wanted me to do. I was unsure about this; I didn’t want to deceive anyone. I was already an outcast as it was. And how was I to fit in? All of the Denai were beautiful, some more than others, but I knew that I fell short in that category. By my looks alone, no one would believe I was a Denai.
“Yes, do what you must, but hide what you are from the others.”
“But what am I? How can I pretend to be a Denai, if I’m not? How do you expect me to live this lie and attend classes and not participate? I don’t want to hurt anyone any more than you do. In fact, I would take it all back if I could.”
“I’m sure you will figure a way to practice, without harming anyone?” She looked at me slowly. Her eyes trying to convey what she couldn’t voice.
My head was reeling with hidden meanings and implications. “But you heard the rest of the Adepts, I’ve been forbidden, without their consent.”
Adept Lorna’s eyes softened and she whispered as if to herself. “Exactly, without their consent; I’m sure there is someone you know that is crazy enough about you to help you
, if you let him. Just don’t let the others know. But you need to practice.”
“NO!”
Lorna’s eyes blinked at me in surprise. “What do you mean, no?” She hadn’t expected me to argue with her.
“Exactly that. No! I refuse to use Joss that way. I will find another alternative.” I was beginning to hate myself.
“Fine, do whatever you want. I was only trying to help you,” she snapped.
“No, I think you are trying to use me too. And I won’t have it.” I stormed off. Not even caring where I was headed as long as it was away from her, away from everyone. It was too much; the politics, the schemes, the lies.
I wandered for hours until I ended up back at my room. I was actually sad to have to say goodbye to it. And even though I would be transferred to what would be my third room since my stay at the Citadel, I had felt the most at home here, with Avina’s bright chatter to break up the quiet depression I could send myself into if I wasn’t careful.
I moved to the closet and removed my few belongings and felt a moment of alarm as I realized I didn’t know where the gift I bought for Berry went after the attack.
My hands flew to my pockets and found them bare. I conjured a picture of it lying in the street being trampled by the horses and I felt my heart plummet. I slowly closed the closet door holding my possessions when I caught something sitting on my pillow. On closer inspection it was the satchel I had thought lost. Oh, Avina! Thank the stars; she must have picked it up.
Forrest announced his arrival with a quick rap on my door. Depositing the pouch gently in the basket on top of the rest of my belongings, I paused quickly and scribbled a note to Avina, explaining that I was being moved into the student wings and not to worry that I hadn’t disappeared. I was worried she would return to see a barren room and fear the worst had happened to me. Maybe it would have been better if I hadn’t made it out alive. Quickly I pushed those negative thoughts aside.
Grabbing the basket of my belongings, I carried it out the hallway and followed Forrest to my new room.
Since my duties never included housekeeping, I never ventured into the housing wing for fear of running into Syrani, but I was taken aback immediately by the difference. The servant’s halls were simple and useful in their placement. Nothing extravagant was needed. As soon as I entered the student’s wing, I noticed the opulence of a runner lining the hall, adding a feeling of warmth to the stone floor.
Forrest stopped at an end room and opened the large wooden door into what I first thought was another meeting room because of the vastness of it, but then on closer inspection realized it was to be my room.
The room was huge with high vaulted ceilings, and being that my room was the end of the hall it was the largest. Windows filled my room with light and looked out onto the quiet rolling meadows of the gardens and horse’s field. I could hear running water from the fountain below and the sound was soothing. The room had the largest bed I had ever seen, covered with a down comforter in a soft, pale blue color with a sturdy, dark trunk at the end of the bed. The walls had simple, pale green paisley wallpaper. A sturdy, wooden desk and bookshelf aligned one wall while a fireplace with a plush, blue reading chair was on the other. The window seats were adorned with pale yellow pillows. A small table and chairs were tucked away on one side with rugs covering the floors and a large armoire completed the room.
I was frozen in awe, and had to look at Forrest to make sure he had taken me to the right room. It wasn’t just a room; it was living quarters. Of course, I shook my head in realization, this is where I would live, study, and eat for the next few years. The Adepts would want to make their students as comfortable as possible. The room wasn’t overly extravagant, just large. And since there were so few students, I wouldn’t even have to share. I thanked Forrest again as he left, bobbing his head, and I turned the big key in the lock. I put my belongings in the trunk and headed toward the window seat.
The other students would be heading for a noon meal but I decided to skip the meal altogether. It would be too awkward with too many questions and I wasn’t ready to face Joss. It was too soon to go from serving breakfast to having servants. Letting everything from the past couple of days sink in, I stared out the window at the countryside and wished to be wholly human again.
Chapter 11
When my growling stomach finally forced me out of my rooms, I darted to the kitchen to grab some food, thankful that it was still the weekend and classes would resume tomorrow. So the place was deserted, almost. Taking a peek into the kitchen, I saw Donn tending the fires and laying out the bread to rise for tomorrow. Breathing a sigh of relief, I entered and sat at the kitchen table and waited for him to notice me.
“Ahh, so the prodigal has returned.” He smiled and pushed a tray of leftover meat and cheese toward me with a loaf of rye bread. Cutting the bread in half, I put a couple slices of ham and cheese between the bread and took a bite. “Sorry, Donn, things have been kind of weird lately,” I said, sucking my fingers dry of the sweet ham’s juices.
“So I heard. Believe me, Tearsa has been on the rampage since it happened.” He turned his back to me and pulled out a cup and pitcher with yellow-pink liquid. “Try this; it’s my new recipe. He poured me a cup and my eyes went huge at the blend of sweet and sour taste. I coughed a little in surprise. Pounding my back with his meat cleaver of a hand, he asked, “Too much?”
“No, it’s perfect,” I replied to his obvious delight. “Why is Tearsa upset?”
“Well, she’s in a quandary; you went from kitchen help to permanent guest overnight. Your status has changed. She is in charge of making sure you have everything you need, but at the same time she resents it. “
“I’m still the same ol’ Thalia.”
“Yeah, but now you’ll be making new friends and ordering us around instead; almost like you turned traitor.” This was the most that Donn had ever said to me, but one remark did sink in.
“I’m not a traitor!” I took my plate over to the wash bin and started washing it.
“No, but you will be so busy with your new life that you will forget your old friends.” He brought over a towel and handed it to me to dry off my dish. “Just don’t forget about us.”
“Never, Donn. I will be here many nights sneaking food out of your pantry.” As I said it, I reached my hand to the bowl of fruit on the table as he grabbed a spoon and playfully whacked the back of my hand.
“I’ll be looking forward to it.” Donn studied me and frowned. “I’m surprised. Most Denai gifts appear at a much earlier age. You’re what, seventeen? You must be a late bloomer, or something.” He had no clue how close he was.
“Or something,” I mumbled under my breath and waved goodbye.
Leaving the kitchen I saw the door for Berry’s rooms and I remembered her gift. Running back to my new room, I grabbed her gift and brought it to a delighted Berry.
“I’m so excited!” She bounced in place with pleasure. “I can’t wait to see what colors I can come up with. It’s so much cheaper to dye my own material than it is to purchase it. You must introduce me to this Ruzaa.”
“I will, I promise you. The next opportunity that we have, we shall go together.” I told her a shortened version of everything that has happened in the last couple of days and she sat wide-eyed with disbelief. When it was time for me to go, she ran and gave me a couple of her old outfits to wear now that I wasn’t a servant and told me to visit often.
Walking back to my room at the end of the hall, I noticed that my door was opened and slightly ajar. Feeling a hint of trepidation I peeked into my room and looked around and didn’t see anyone. With a sigh of relief I went to my armoire to hang up the clothes. When I opened the door, a body dressed in black flew out of the armoire screaming.
Chapter 12
The attacker grabbed me and knocked me to the ground. Letting out a yell, it was soon squelched as the wind was knocked out of me from the force that landed on my stomach. I tried to pull free from the weigh
t pressing down on me and struggled to push the attacker off, when I heard giggling. Looking closer, I saw that it was nothing more than Avina in her kitchen uniform.“I so scared you!” she cackled. “You were white as a ghost.” Jumping up she put her hands on her hips triumphantly.
Regaining my composure, I leaped toward my bed and grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at her head.
“MMMPHFF!” she said as it hit her full force in the face, knocking her braid sideways until it landed on her head in a comical fashion.
With a wild gleam, she raced toward the window sill and grabbed a cushion which started a round of pillow war until we ripped one of the pillows and a spray of down feathers flew around the room. We looked like half-plucked chickens when a loud knock on the door came.
Still laughing, I opened the door to see Syrani with blonde hair piled high and a fake smile plastered on her face. Her face turned annoyed as soon as she saw me.
“Well, I’m surprised to see you here. I hope the new student isn’t going to have you whipped for destroying their room?”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, pulling a stray feather out of my hair. Avina ducked behind the door so she could peek through the crack and spy on Syrani.
“Well, I heard that there is going to be a new Denai. I came to introduce myself to him and to offer a private tour. Do you know when he will be back?” Her smile was plastered on her face again.
“Umm, Syrani, I think you’re mistaken. The new student that is enrolling isn’t a boy.” I wondered briefly if this was the tactic she used on Joss. Offering to be the tour guide and latching herself onto him. If that was the case, she was in for a surprise.