The next morning I woke quickly, got out of bed, and went over to the window. The sun was shining, and it was a crisp spring day. The sleepy, deserted town of last night was now a colorful, bustling place. I opened the wood-framed window, and, from my window seat, I could see everything that was happening in the streets below.

Different colored stalls and traveling vendors had parked their wares at various street corners, which led out from the town square. The main street was busy, noisy, and full of people haggling over prices and carefully choosing the best items.

Some of the men were dressed in dull, old clothes and looked like they were going about their daily work. There were women in dreary, homespun wool dresses and linen bonnets, who were chatting away at street corners with baskets filled with fruits and vegetables hanging on their arms. Children dressed in patched, ill-fitting clothes, many looking very poor and underfed, were running about in the crowded streets.

There were shops and multicolored outdoor stalls selling all kinds of delicious-looking fruits and vegetables, flowers, and even pots and pans. There was also a small group of entertainers who were putting on a show for the people in the town square.

I washed my face and dressed quickly. Aunt Serena had already left the room, and I wasn't really sure what I should do. Should I wait for her to come and call me? She hadn't said anything last night, so I decided to go check on Erien. Or at least I told myself that it was Erien I was searching for. He wasn't in his room either, and neither was Rafe. I warily went downstairs to ask the friendly innkeeper where everyone was. They were probably having breakfast. But why hadn't they woken me?

The main room of the inn was bustling with life and full of diverse people. A few long tables and benches were arranged round the room. No one took any notice of me, and I sat down at the nearest table. The smells of freshly baked bread filled my nostrils, and I realized that I was absolutely famished.

Over by the window, three extremely loud men were drinking something green and frothy from big wooden mugs, which they flailed around in the air while talking. A middle-aged woman with two children was sitting on the bench next to them, and she seemed to be having a very hard time trying to get her wailing offspring to eat. A few others still wearing their cloaks had sat down and were quietly eating breakfast, but Aunt Serena and Erien were not there.

The innkeeper saw me and hurried over. "Apologies, my lady; the others didn't want to wake you, and the countess said she would be back soon. Would you like something to eat?"

I nodded. My heart started beating faster. Where had Aunt Serena gone? Surely she wouldn't leave me stranded and ride off? I shook my head and laughed at myself for being silly.

The innkeeper brought over a basket of fresh bread with a bowl of freshly churned white butter, a whole honeycomb on a wooden plate, and a small pot of a red berry jam, which was delicious. He also produced a big bowl of freshly picked strawberries and with it a jug of thick yellow cream. I ate furiously; everything was delicious, and who knew when I would get my next meal?

I was just finishing my third helping of strawberries and cream when Aunt Serena and Rafe came back to the inn. A few of the people in the inn looked over at us, but quickly resumed their own business. Aunt Serena sat down next to me, but Rafe stood. He didn't take off his cloak, and he still had his hood on.

"Did you have a good rest?" he asked me nonchalantly. He looked like his mind was somewhere else.

I nodded. My mouth was still full.

"Have you finished your breakfast?" Aunt Serena asked me. "We should get going. It's still a long way to Evolon."

"Where's Erien?"

"Seeing to the horses," said Aunt Serena.

I nodded again, took a piece of buttered bread, and got up.

Rafe turned to the innkeeper. "I have something I want you to do for me, Bumbletree," he said softly.

"I am always at your service, milord," he said.

Rafe nodded and gave him a sealed scroll. "See that it is delivered to our mutual friend," he said simply.

The little man nodded back and tucked the scroll into his apron pocket.

I was curious. Mutual friend? Who was this mutual friend, and what was in that scroll? I decided to ask him later, when he was in a better mood. At the moment both Rafe and Aunt Serena looked very preoccupied.

"I would advise you to take the old road," said the little man to Rafe quietly, as I put on my cloak. "The king's road has blue cloaks patrolling all the way south."

"Blue cloaks?" I asked, turning to Rafe.

Rafe nodded. "The King of Eldoren's elite guard," he said. "We will keep to the inner roads."

Aunt Serena nodded, agreeing with him. "But why are the blue cloaks here? The king is in Neris," she said.

The little man lowered his head and nodded. "Yes, he is, my lady. But there is something else you should know." He paused, looked around and said, "The Shadow Guard have been seen prowling about these parts. There were six of them seen just north of here last moon tide."

"Six!" hissed Aunt Serena, horrified.

The little man nodded. "They say that the Shadow Guard have been roaming the southern lands more frequently now. They have even been seen as far south as the villages in the valley. They seem to be searching for someone, a girl. Supposedly with long, jet-black hair and eyes like a cat," he added and looked at me for a second before he turned back to Aunt Serena. "That's why the blue cloaks are out in full force; the Shadow Guard have to be kept in check."

Rafe was quiet. "I will send a raven to Silverthorne to keep a watch," he said finally. "Thank you for warning us."

Aunt Serena thanked the innkeeper while Rafe paid him, and I popped a few blueberries into my mouth. I followed Aunt Serena and Rafe to the stables, which were situated at the back of the inn. Erien had already saddled the horses, and they were ready and waiting when we arrived there.

We rode through the crowded morning market. The tiny streets were paved with cobblestones, and some were simple, rough mud paths, which were now littered with people and livestock. I saw some pigs wallowing in the mud outside a small house that looked like it would fall down with a sudden gust of wind.

We passed through the town gates, which were now open. Oxen-driven carts, filled with fruits, vegetables, and bags of what looked like grain, were rolling in at a leisurely pace, driven by farmers who had come a long way to the town to sell their goods. Numerous people, chickens, and dogs rushed about the horses' legs, and I had to struggle to keep my horse from being startled.

They had a ship waiting for us on the river. It looked a bit like a pirate galleon, but smaller and better suited for river travel. We got off our horses, and Aunt Serena's guards led them onboard and below deck where the horses were stowed. The crew started scurrying around the deck, getting ready to raise the anchor and unfurl the sails.

"This is where I take your leave," said Rafe.

"But I thought you were supposed to escort us all the way to Evolon," I blurted out without thinking, as usual.

Rafe smiled, his lips curving slightly. "I have done what your uncle wanted. You will not be recognized now," he said. "Your Aunt Serena's guards will escort you from here. I assure you, you shall be quite safe."

"Why did you tell the innkeeper that we would be traveling by the old road?" I asked.

"Always helps to be careful," he said, "just in case anyone recognized me."

I nodded. What else was there to say?

"Till we meet again," said Rafe, spurring his black monster of a horse into an easy canter and riding away towards the forest from which we came.

15.

The Academy of Magic Aunt Serena and I had a comfortable cabin aboard the riverboat, with two beds that were attached to the walls on opposite sides of the room. In the center lay a rough wooden table and large, unwashed windows lined one side of the cabin. It took us three days of peaceful sailing down the vast Pinebrook River to reach Neris, the capital city of Eldoren, which was situated on the coast of the Stardust Sea. The whole journey, I sat in my cabin, brooding about Rafe. Why didn't he come with us? I was also upset that he didn't say a proper good-bye. What if I never saw him again?

We got off near the northern gate and rode our horses into the sprawling city. I was getting more used to sitting on a horse for longer journeys, and my legs and arms had stopped hurting so much, although my butt was still a bit sore from the rough leather saddle.

Neris was completely different than Greystone. It was not a small town or a village; it was a huge, walled, bustling city. It was situated in a comfortable bay with hills and woods flanking two sides. The Pinebrook River ran through the center of Neris, and numerous narrow stone bridges connected the two divided parts of the city.

At the edge of Neris at one end, beyond the city walls, mounted on a pristine white cliff like a crown to the magnificence of the seaside city, lay the towering white walls of the Academy of Evolon.

Far in the distance, right on the other side of the city-its walls glistening in the midday sun-lay the impressive Summer Palace, the seat of the kings of Eldoren. It overlooked the azure sea of the Bay of Pearls, with the hills to one side and the splendor of the city to the other.

As we rode through the city, I was amazed at what lay before me. I noticed that there were more merchants and traders here than in Fairlone. Shops and street-sellers were everywhere, selling an assortment of items. There were jewelry shops, dressmakers, candle makers, glove shops, booksellers, locksmiths, bakeries, tanners and rope makers, comfortable inns, and whitewashed taverns.

Large stone houses were connected by a network of streets and broad avenues. Some were enormous and two and three stories high. Elegant shops and spacious inns lined the crowded streets. The town square was full, and the docks and warehouses were bustling with people. Sandy, white beaches with splendid towering white cliffs adorned the seaside city of Neris. Erien explained that on this side of the river were the mansions of the nobility, and the inside of the houses were massive, extravagantly done up, with beautifully manicured enclosed gardens and courtyards.

We rode through the wide streets and over one of the narrow bridges to the other side of the city. Here the houses were made of wood, smaller and more cramped together, with small cobblestone paths, which crisscrossed into alleyways that led to run-down houses. Parts of this side of the river were still respectable, where the merchants, traders, and shopkeepers lived. The shops here were more down-market, I noted. There were blacksmiths hammering at their anvils, taverns, and brothels with prostitutes selling themselves on dirty, deserted street corners. Here most of the streets led down into darker alleyways where drunks languished and the garbage was not swept up.

Erien explained that this was the old town of Neris. Many years ago the city was just a small fishing village, and slowly it grew into an unplanned town, but always on this side of the river. Then the mages came and built the Academy of Evolon, and soon the little town became a sprawling city. The king of that time, Dorian the third, built the Summer Palace here, as he wanted a home by the sea.

"You see," Erien was saying, as I slumped on my ambling horse, "the original king's palace is Caeleron Castle, situated north of here in the hills. The court moves there during the winter and returns to the city for the summer. It is the height of the season in Neris, and there are balls and parties held by all the nobility during summer and the harvest season. In the winter, most of the nobility leave Neris and return to their country estates, which are situated all over Eldoren."

I nodded. The life of the Eldorean nobility sounded very exciting and glamorous.

"So, do you have a house here in the city?" I asked Erien.

"Yes, of course. Elmsdale House is all the way on the other side of the city, near the palace," he said. "Mother will be staying there this summer. During holidays, we can leave the academy and go and stay there with her."

I smiled at that. I was looking forward to spending time with Aunt Serena and Erien at their house, and it would be nice to get away from the academy when we had time off from school. It was also comforting to know that I had somewhere to go.

We rode up the side of the hill to the lofty white walls of the Academy of Magic. Once inside the academy gates, I was amazed at how beautiful it was. An immense walled complex, Evolon was like a little village of its own. Within the walls of the school, beautifully maintained gardens and shaded paths surrounded the academy on all sides. Courtyards with fountains and terraced gardens stretched back down to the cliff and the sea.

Serena took me to meet the Mastermage of Evolon, Elial Dekela. The mastermage's office was in a beautiful, two-storied, white stone mansion with large, arched windows. Aunt Serena knocked on the stout door. A strong, stern voice bade us enter.

Elial Dekela was a small, aging man with long, salt-and-pepper hair tied back neatly in a ponytail. His sharp black eyes were deep set under bushy white eyebrows, and delicate spectacles rested precariously on his hooked nose. He looked like a very demanding teacher. He got up from behind his smoothly polished mahogany desk and came over to greet us.

"My lady," he said, bowing politely to Serena first, then straightening and turning to me. "So, this is Rory!"

Aunt Serena nodded. "Yes, and I want her to get settled in with as little fuss as possible. You understand how important it is that she not draw much attention," she stated.

"I understand completely. I'm glad we had a chance to meet before you started your studies here, Rory," said Professor Dekela, using my new name. "I am quite sure you will be happy here."

"It's imperative that her true identity remain hidden," said Aunt Serena to the professor, much to my surprise.

They didn't tell me that the old professor knew who I really was. How much did he know? Did he know I was a fae-mage?

Professor Dekela just nodded, walked over to the shelf and took down a scroll.

"This will help you get acquainted with the school and its rules and regulations, and it will also give you an idea about the grounds, in case you need some help getting to your classes," he said, handing me the old scroll. "I will send for you soon, so we can have a little talk after a few days have passed and you have had a chance to settle in."

I took the scroll and thanked him politely.

"Your aunt will show you to your house," said Professor Dekela. "She knows it well, as your cousin Erien has been here for a year already."

I followed Aunt Serena to my dorm house.

"Where did you go to school, Aunt Serena?" I asked while we walked down the flower-lined paths. The sun was setting, and I wanted to get settled in as quickly as possible.

"I was homeschooled," answered Aunt Serena.

"But why didn't you go to Evolon too?" I asked, confused.

Aunt Serena smiled, but I could sense sadness behind it. "Although I am born of a magical bloodline, I am one of the many not gifted with the magic of the mages."

I was stunned. I had never really thought about asking Aunt Serena about this. I always assumed she had magic like everyone else. It was going to take a while for me to get used to this world. There were so many things to remember and learn.

Finally we reached my dorm house. It was a fairly large stone house with ivy and creepers running all over the walls. It had a large gated garden and a picket fence with a sign that read, "Mulberry House." It was charming and quaint, and I was quite sure I would be happy here.

"This is where you will live for the year," Aunt Serena said. "Do not let the other girls convince you to break the rules. They do that to newcomers here sometimes. Professor Dekela is very strict about how you conduct yourself on the school grounds."

"How much does the professor know?" I asked Aunt Serena before we went in.

"He knows enough to keep you safe, but not everything," said Aunt Serena.

"But I thought Uncle Gabriel said not to tell anyone else," I said. "Too many people know."

"The mastermage only knows who your parents are," said Aunt Serena softly. "He doesn't know about your powers or the amulet. My father felt that it was important for the professor to know enough to keep an eye on you and see that you are safe. The Dekela family is a staunch supporter of your father. He will not betray you."

I nodded understanding and gingerly climbed the steps up to the large, white, stone house, which was to be my home for the next year.

My dormitory was full of girls of all shapes and sizes. It was buzzing like a beehive when I got there, but when I entered, everyone stopped to look at me.

The new girl!

I looked down at my feet. I hated people looking at me and talking about me; it made me feel very awkward.

A third-year girl in blue mage robes showed me to my room, which was situated on the first floor of the house where the first-year mages lived. Aunt Serena left me to unpack after a quick farewell hug.

My room was cute and airy, with a big window sporting green and yellow curtains. Two white, wrought-iron beds covered with comfy, white blankets with sunflowers embroidered on them, two wooden cupboards painted white, a matching chest of drawers, and a fluffy green rug completed the room.

I stowed the trunk that Aunt Serena had given me under the bed and put the rest of my things in the drawers and cupboard. I wondered who my roommate would be. Whoever it was already had her cupboard full and had taken the top two drawers of the dresser. At least she had left me the last two.

After I finished unpacking, my roommate walked in. She was the same age as me and also in the first year. She had long, wavy golden-brown hair the color of fresh honey and was wearing green robes over thick tights and a long, white shirt belted at the waist.

"I'm Vivienne Foxmoor," said my roommate, taking off her robes and flinging them over a chair, "and you are?"

"Um, Rory," I answered. I felt like kicking myself for hesitating.

"Hi Rory," said Vivienne bouncing herself on her bed, which was by the window. "Where are you from? What house do you belong to?"

When I looked flustered, she elaborated.

"What's your family name?"