Page 9

E xhaustion could not begin to describe what Lilith felt.

She and the other ladies lazily made the journey up the women's tower and into their dorm room.

Lilith made a sour face at the thought of climbing the stairs to the top.

They passed a few other students who smirked, knowing what they just endured.

“It’s Tamara and a guy named Quynn,” announced Verrona. “They’re the only ones not back. I wonder what happened?”

“Probably slipped on some ice.” Meira remarked.

“Let's not speculate,” Juniper added, as she walked off towards the wooden staircase. Eventually they tumbled in, each falling to their beds.

“We stink.” Meridith lifted her armpit and gave it a sniff.

“Well, I’m heading to the third floor to bathe.

” She groaned as she got up to grab a few toiletries and a change of clothes on the way out.

The other women followed. Lilith remained behind.

They will ask questions about the runes.

She let out a frustrated groan. Maybe there’s individual stalls?

Would they pick on me? Laugh? She caught a whiff of her body odour and gagged.

Defeated, she grabbed her things and made her way to the third floor.

It could not have been a worse outcome. Every single women from all the other years were packed into the washroom.

In the centre was a steaming large bath with a stone edge.

Off to the left side was a row of toilets in private cubicles.

On the right, a line of spouts with small barrels placed underneath.

Her year occupied the right side, quickly sudsing and washing their bodies and hair with water from the barrels.

A few of them finished and made their way into the steaming bath.

“Don’t just stand there, newbie. It’s kind of creepy!” hollered a woman from one of the upper years.

Well, this could not be worse. Lilith walked to the furthest corner on the right. She dumped her things on the floor, took a deep breath, and turned to face the corner. Stripping off the lower clothes was easy. She went to pull off her layered tops and immediately heard some gasps behind her.

“Holy gods, Lilith. Those are some serious tattoos!” chuckled Meira.

“Very unexpected,” Meridith added. This drew more stares.

Lilith turned around, exposing the full view of the runes.

Okay. They may not know about runes. She said a silent prayer and sauntered over to a spout and barrel.

Her fist clenched around her bar of soap.

She casually started to lather up, but felt the presence of someone standing behind her.

“Runes. We’re learning to identify them,” said the voice behind her. “Suppress?”

Lilith rinsed her hair. Keeping calm, she turned to face the barrage of onlookers. Her ears turned pink, but her face remained neutral, even slightly bored .

“Yes. It’s a traditional rite of passage in my family for females.

Suppressing a part of our magic forces us to train our strength in other domains.

The runes will be removed when I graduate.

” These lies slipped casually off of her tongue.

Lilith hoped that this explanation would satisfy their curiosity.

The hesitation increased her anxiety. It was clear these women were suspicious, and for good reason.

This school breeds competition, and forming wise associations are integral to one's survival.

“How strange, but the principles are honourable. Power comes so naturally for some and this practice teaches you to humble yourself.” It was Juniper who spoke.

She was usually quite reserved. Juniper's eyes were watchful, but perceived Lilith with new found respect.

Lilith gave her a grateful smile. That seemed to diffuse any tension in the room.

Lilith joined the others in the bath. The warm water felt amazing on her sore muscles.

Several of the women in her year let out a blissful moan, which caused a couple higher year women to laugh.

“You look worse for wear,” a beautiful dark skinned woman said, genuinely sympathetic.

Her ears were pointed and she wore her curly hair short.

“The first week was the worst. As the run becomes easier, the physical training becomes harder. It is harder for those that are not naturally gifted with the speed and gracefulness that some of us possess.”

“I can understand. As a siren, our strength lies in our powers of persuasion and seduction. I feel out of my element in terms of the physical strain. It might be bold to ask, but what are you?” Verrona questioned.

“It is bold, but I am used to it. I come from a distant land overseas. My ancestors were impressive warriors, brought here by some former lord. I cannot say we have a name for what kind of “creature” we are. There are stories of other types of pointed eared creatures. We simply exist beyond the confines this kingdom.” There was a harsh tone to her response.

“I didn’t mean to offend,” said Verrona.

“I am not offended. I just carry the bitterness of how my people are treated here.”

“Danai, the tension in here is too much. We have come here to relax. Come now, you are among like-minded individuals. Round ears or pointed, you have proven yourself a capable equal. At least with the prince as your ally, you may influence how your kind is regarded.” Iris said with a good-natured demeanour.

She turned to face Verrona. “It is unusual to see a Siren so far from your home. Your homeland is on the fringes of the forbidden lands in the south, isn't it? It must be difficult to be away, while your family’s security is so fragile. It’s a shame the king has not sent enough resources to provide a more permanent form of aid. ”

“You are right, our numbers are quickly dwindling. Our homeland is a place of fertility to our people. We cannot wander or move to new territories without long term repercussions,” Verrona explained.

“If your numbers are low, why are you not home?” Meira probed.

“It’s actually the male species that carry our young. I was given special leave. But I will have to help build our numbers when I return.” Verrona blushed, making her purplish skin glow. She looked more enticing.

They finished soaking in the tub and changed into their nightwear. “I cannot wait to sleep,” moaned Meira. The women laughed.

Mistress Rhodes waited outside the entrance to the hall after the students were finished with breakfast. She walked them to the courtyard and made them form a circle around her.

“Close your eyes and take a deep breath,” she instructed them.

“I want you to feel the energy being pulled into your body as you complete your run. Fuel your muscles with mana in every movement you make. Propel yourself forwards. With this run, try to maintain a steady flow of mana. You have one and a half hours. Those that fail will have to run the course again.” Mistress Rhodes helped them practice several times before sending them off.

Okay, flow magical energy through my muscles.

Lilith closed her eyes. She could hear a few of her classmates take off already.

Focus. Slowly breathing, she felt the pull of her magic and directed it through her body.

From her toes through to her fingers, the spark of energy reached all corners of her body making her feel lighter and more agile.

She felt mildly confident as she tested a short sprint and flew forward.

All too quickly, she lost her hold of her magic.

She cursed silently and watched more of her classmates take off.

She spied other years making their way towards their morning classes, pausing to watch the new students.

Focus, Lilith. Again she closed her eyes and called to her magic.

It was a strain to maintain the constant stream of mana.

The ground seemed to hum underneath her as she pulled more energy and dispersed her mana through her body.

Weightlessness settled through her muscles as she started off towards the pathway behind the castle.

The fading stonework and foggy windows blurred as she glided across the courtyard.

With unnatural grace, she raced past the first several markers that wound up through the switchbacks and passed some other classmates that had clearly given up on using magic and resorted to normal running.

She made it to the treeline of the forest before her magic dwindled.

Nausea raged through her and she paused to throw up behind a tall tree.

The idea of having to do this again fueled her motivation.

Her waning pool of energy reserve was nearing the end, but she surged what she could through her veins.

Every stride became a balance. She would only filter enough for her to move forward.

Running at this speed unlocked new sensations.

The air was cooling as she ascended further up the trial, but it didn’t bother her as it had done before.