Page 5

T he late summer air stifled the carriage as Lilith and Cyrus set out north, shortly after dawn.

Lilith rested her cheek against one of the windows, she pulled out a simple fan from the pockets of her plain cream dress and wished for a speedy ten hour journey.

Her father sighed and pulled at his collar.

“This won't do.” He raised his hand and created an orb of ice.

With a quick incantation the orb floated in front of them and started spinning.

A gust of refreshing cool air filled the carriage.

“They go to the trouble of creating a vehicle propelled by magic that requires no horse or driver, yet they scrimp on the comforts of magical temperature control.” Cyrus shook his head.

“We've only recently started integrating magic into our everyday lives. You should give this more credit.” She grinned at her father. “Will we be making the journey in one day?” Dread and anxiety had been consuming her for several days prior. She was not in any particular rush to get there.

“We will stop at a couple of inns to stretch our legs, but we should be able to get there by late afternoon.” He looked at his daughter and sensed her anxiety.

“You will be fine, Lilith. You are more than your magical capabilities. You are not defined by their strength. Don’t forget you’ve inherited my intellect. ”

Lilith chuckled and then looked at her wrists. “I wish I had Arlen or Jasper there for guidance.”

“It will be a good chance at forming your independence, though I hope you do not forget to send us letters every once in a while.” Cyrus squeezed his daughter’s hand. She rested her head on her father’s shoulder. The rocking motion of the carriage lulled her to sleep.

Gentle nudging brought her back to the present.

They stopped for a late lunch and carried on.

Her journey to Skilheim was the furthest she had ever ventured.

Aside from a trip to the capital – Vanguard – when she was young, she had very little opportunity to see the beauty of the kingdom.

Lilith stretched her arms in front and peeked out of the window.

Rolling green hills, meadows of wildflowers and crystal clear blue lakes.

It was all breathtaking. Towards the end of their journey, they were surrounded by a lush, thick forest of evergreens, and every once in a while, she would spot large mountain peaks between the tips of the trees.

As they got closer to Skilheim, the trees gave way to a clearing.

Here, Lilith could see the rolling waves of Haform Sea battering against rugged white cliffs and, further out, distant islands covered by white fog.

The ancient fortress jutted out from the jagged mountain side.

The main keep of the castle backed onto Skilheim Mountain and it was surrounded by gigantic stone walls.

Two large towers with pointed spires were situated on either corner of the walls to make a large inner ward or courtyard.

Centuries ago, it would have once contrasted the greyness of the mountain range, but the once tan stones were weathered by the harsh northern climate and were now covered in a thick layer of lichen and ivy.

For some reason, Lilith held her breath as she passed through the arched gate.

The inner ward was sparse, housing a large grassy field.

Parts of the walls had crumbled, with long ropes of ivy growing around the surrounding arched corridors.

A gravel road led them straight to the front of the keep and their carriage stopped in line with the others.

“This is where I leave you. I will quickly have a word with Lord Helmer, and then I’m afraid I have to go.” Cyrus' eyes etched with exhaustion as he gave his daughter one last hug. His unruly, tawny brown hair looked like it had a few more streaks of grey.

Lilith exited the carriage and followed the procession of other students. There were a few staff that were unloading and organizing the carriages. Lilith gave one last glance back at her father, but he had already disappeared amongst the crowd. She was on her own.

A mammoth of a woman with sleek white hair and old, black leather armour herded the students towards the main keep.

It was an incredibly tall building with pointed arched widows, decorated with ornate tracery and stained glass.

A bell tower supported by buttresses was attached to the building.

Lilith squinted to make out the fine detailing of the carved stone.

She could barely make out the deteriorated stone sheep mounted at the top of the bell tower.

“Welcome students. Please keep order and find a spot to stand in the main hall. New students, line up in front of me.” Lilith joined a long line of other first years.

As the last of the carriages pulled away, she marched the new students into the keep.

Beautifully carved tan stone and old chestnut brown timber made up the hallway of the castle.

Ancient paintings and worn tapestries were mounted on the walls.

The damp sea air fogged the glass windows, blurring the outer landscape.

The lady led them to an empty classroom.

A weathered wooden bookcase sat in the corner stuffed with leather books and scrolls.

At the front was a large fireplace that was already lit, giving off a gentle glow that washed over the worn dark walnut desks.

“Find a seat.” She stood in front of the fireplace and waited for the students to sit and quiet down.

“I am Mistress Rhodes. I’ll be in charge of your year.

Unlike other academies, you will not be sorted according to your abilities.

At Skilheim, we expect strength in all fields.

If you do not meet your year’s expectations, then unfortunately, you will be dismissed and sent home.

” This set off some murmuring among students.

Lilith's hands were tensely gripping her dress.

Lilith scanned the faces and smiled at a golden haired woman.

She smirked back at Lilith. Mistress Rhodes cleared her throat.

“You will be following the same schedule.” She waved her hands and papers flew from her desk to each of the students.

Your first term will focus on expanding on what you should already know.

There will be a physical and mental training component, as well as core subjects that include: Elemental Incantations, Restorative Mana, and Theory and Tactics.

There was a knock on the classroom door and in came an athletic looking man with wavy black hair and dark skin.

His eyes were the colour of honey and they beamed with confidence while he surveyed the new students.

Next to him stood a woman with curly, crimson red hair that was tied up in a messy braid.

Her cobalt blue eyes were striking against her porcelain white skin.

They each wore a simple, long black tunic that was tied at the hip by an embroidered leather belt and thick, dark brown pants.

Their uniforms were completed with sturdy, charcoal black, leather boots that looked weathered from use.

“Fang. Timons.” Mistress Rhodes nodded to them both and turned to the class. “Men follow Fang to the men's dormitory, ladies follow Timons. I will see you all this afternoon. Good luck.”

The students stood as one and sorted themselves behind their respective leader.

Before leaving the class, Lilith took note that there were seven women and ten men in her year.

The red haired woman led the ladies past the entrance of the classroom and headed for a corridor on the left side of the courtyard.

As they were guided to the dorms, she felt a quick tap on shoulder.

Behind her grinned the golden haired beauty.

“Felicia.” The lady stuck out her hand and waited for Lilith to shake it. Her long gold locks cascaded in soft waves behind her back and her sun kissed hand felt soft to the touch. She was curvy and tall like Lilith.

“I’m Lilith.” She greeted the happy looking woman. Lilith's anxiety grew as she continued to follow the group of ladies. “There’s not many of us,” Lilith whispered to Felicia.

“Actually, I didn’t expect to see so many in our year.

When my brother came through, there were only ten in his class.

” Felicia leaned in closer. “Of the ten, only six made it past the first term. Skilheim doesn’t usually see much enrolment since they’re more selective in who they allow to attend.

Nothing compared to the masses that go to Ardaven. ”

Lilith thought back to her brothers’ experiences.

They mentioned having forty or so students in their year with no mention of people leaving mid-term.

Lilith replied, “I suppose this impending war has much to do with the rise in registration here. Families feel safer sending their kids further north. Away from the possible threat.” Felicia nodded in agreement.

She opened her mouth to reply, but the leader, Timons, began talking.

“Don’t count yourselves lucky or safe from danger.” Timons glanced at both women. “The training is grueling. Your first four months here will test your courage. You learn to survive or you fail.”