‘I still just can’t believe it.’

I dropped myself on my bed, only now reminded that the aching in my ribs was still existent, and held the envelope in front of me to examine it for I believe the third time that day, until a paw softly pressed on my belly.

‘Oh, hey Boë. You here?’ I asked. A soft purr answered my question, and shortly after a weight pressed down on me, causing the pain to emerge some more. ‘Oof, dear, would you mind it a little?’

She just looked at me with those big blue and green eyes of hers and continued to turn around to make herself comfortable. When she’d finally laid down and I’d petted her for a while, I reached for the envelope again and inspected it. The slightly blue parchment was smooth under the touch of my trembling fingers. I followed the violet decorations to the other side, where the envelope had been locked with a stronger violet seal. Slowly but surely, I opened it and the first two lines revealed themselves to me once more:

 

Ehrynn Frostthorn, you have been invited to study at Arthyrell Academy for Fairies and Magic under the guidance of Headmistress Elowen Faewood as of the commencement of…

 

✿

Almost a week had passed since the accident in the Nevadoran forest. Life had resumed the way it always had in the Frostthorn household. Our cozy little house was always in a state of peace and quiet, even on a day like this. With Hazel playing a game of Leavines with her two best friends, Juniper in another meeting, Astra doing her usual round of plant-watering and Anthea playing a pleasant tune on her ukulele, it was as though nothing had happened at all - and nothing was about to change.

I myself was sitting on my usual spot of our moss overgrown couch, sketchbook on my lap but unable to move the pencil between my fingers. Mindlessly was I staring out the window while my hand caressed the little white ball of fur curled up next to me. I had already gathered everything I needed for the trip to the Academy that very morning, yet there was this unease about me I couldn’t shake off nor place.

The tip of my pencil was just about to collide with the paper when the door creaked, showing an out-of-breath uncle Juniper still in his formal attire. ‘They’re here!’

All feelings of distress seemed to be left behind on the couch as I made my way out of the house. When I got outside, I slowed down to take a look up into the sky. The spaceship I was hoping to see was nowhere in sight, and neither could I catch a glimpse of movement in the field besides the faint rocking of flowers in the wind. My heart sunk back into the state it had just left, ‘till an all too familiar voice sounded from behind me.

‘Was it illogical for us to park in the back garden?’

‘Al.’ I sighed under my breath. I turned around and almost threw myself around the shoulders of my blue haired friend. ‘It’s so good to see you again.’ I said as I pulled them closer to me.

Alex just stood there, stiff as always when they received any form of affection. ‘Likewise.’ was their slightly awkward reply. ‘Is this the proper greeting on Silvea?’

I just smiled at them once we let go. ‘You’re doing fine, don’t worry.’

‘Well then, if it isn’t professor Mekanis.’ Uncle Juniper swung his arm around the shoulders of the short man. ‘I take it the journey here was successful? I didn’t expect any less from the best Mech&Tech teacher Bethoran Academy has ever seen. Couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather trust to escort my beloved daughter and niece to Arthyrell. You sure you don’t want to stay overnight though, it’s still a three day journey from here…?’

The professor gently pushed my uncle’s arm away and brushed the dirt he had left off the blade of his shoulder. ‘Do not stress yourself, I would gladly accept your offer had I not had any business to attend to ere the start of the semester.’

Juniper raised an eyebrow. ‘Surely, you could stay for a cup of tea? It’s the least I could do. I believe Astra has already lit the fireplace.’

Professor Mekanis checked his watch. ‘Well, if that is the case, I cannot refuse, now, can I?’

‘My thoughts exactly.’ Juniper winked at Alex and me. ‘Shouldn’t you be changing by now?’

‘Oh.’ I looked down just to realize I had yet to put on my clothes. ‘I suppose… Alex, have you brought your uniform? I’d love to see!’

Alex gave me a single nod. ‘Positive.’

‘Com’on, then!’ I took their hand, pulling them inside, up the stairs and all the way to the room I shared with Anthea. I grabbed my uniform from my bed, where I had laid it while I had been packing in the morning. I took a moment to feel the fabric slide through my fingers before I started changing out of my nightgown.

When I was done, I turned around to see Alex struggling to get their tie right. They had put their glasses down on the bed and were clearly having trouble seeing what they were doing. ‘Let me help you.’ I went over to them and finished tying. Then I reached for their glasses to give them back to them.

They took them from me, put them on and blinked a few times before their gaze went to me. ‘It suits you.’

‘You think so?’ I took the fringe of my skirt between the tips of my fingers and turned around. ‘It’s a little short, I think. But I love it.’

Suddenly, a hat in a similar colour to my skirt appeared in my hands. ‘You should put this on.’ a voice sounded from behind me.

‘Is this…?’ I turned around to see Anthea leaning in the doorway, already dressed up and good to go. ‘This isn’t what I think it is, right? An, I can’t. Just turn it back.’

‘School regulations say you can wear any accessory as long as it’s properly coloured, now you’ll have no excuse not to wear it anymore.’ Anthea moved over to us. She let her arm rest on my shoulder. ‘I won’t change it back, you know, you’ll have to learn to do that for yourself. It’s basic Magic. You’ll be fine.’ She gave Alex a slight nod. ‘Hey Mekanis, nice uniform.’

‘Thank you, Frostthorn.’

‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I was helping father with our luggage. See you.’ She walked out of the room before I could say another word.

‘An…!’

‘She is right, you know.’ Alex said cautiously.

‘I know, Al, I know. I have to let go. I’m trying…’

✿

‘We’re all set.’ Juniper declared when Alex and I joined the others in the field, all dressed in normal clothing again. Astra immediately took Anthea into a tight embrace and pulled me into it as well.

‘Promise to look out for each other, you two.’

‘We promise, mom.’

I had to fight back the tears in my eyes as they welled up. I’d never been good at saying goodbye and this was no exception. ‘Promise.’

We met up with the professor inside of the ship, who, from the look of it, was busy listening to an incredible story.

‘...and then I will take them all out with my incredible fairy power, the whole lot of them! And then Arthyrell Academy will be safe.’

‘I see.’ Professor Mekanis lifted Hazel from the control panel she was sitting on. ‘I bet you will become a great fairy then. But you will have to enroll at the Academy first. Do you think you can be patient for a few more cycles?’

Hazel bit her lip. Her finger was supporting her chin and she looked upwards for a good second or two, clearly in thought. Then she nodded. ‘Yeah, I can do that.’

‘Great. Patience is the first thing you need if you want to be a good fairy.’

Anthea cleared her throat. ‘Ahum, professor?’

‘Oh, right, look at me.’ Mekanis said, putting his goggles back on. ‘I was just listening to this wondrous story and forgot all about the time.’ He checked his watch again. ‘It is about time we leave, too. Has everybody said their goodbyes?’

We all nodded.

‘Just a minute.’ Juniper objected. ‘Hazel, would you go back to your mother?’

Hazel ran off right away. She turned around once more to say ‘Bye!’, a farewell that was met with a collective response from everyone in the ship, then left the spacecraft.

Juniper turned to us. He motioned us to sit on one of the little benches and kneeled down in front of our small group.

‘I just want to say that Astra and I are so proud of you, the three of you. It isn’t easy to follow your heart and the path you three are taking is one of many challenges, but I know you are capable of far more than you realize. Just be true to yourselves. Remember, we are here for you. And proud of you, always will be.’ There was a faint shimmer in the corner of his eye, it vanished when he blinked.

‘Well-said, friend.’ Mekanis agreed. ‘I could not be prouder of my son and his friends.’

Alex clenched their hand around mine. A silence fell upon us as Anthea, Juniper and I exchanged short glances, ‘till my uncle broke the stillness. He patted Alex on their shoulder, smiled and left the spacecraft.

When the professor started up the motor, our own silence was finally broken. ‘You’ll have to tell him some day.’ Anthea tried, her voice dim so the professor wouldn’t hear us.

‘Impossible.’ Alex was trembling. ‘I- do not know how.’

I let my head down on their shoulder. ‘It’s alright, Al, we’re here for you.’

✿

The first two days went by in the flutter of wings.

Professor Mekanis got the spaceship into the air under loud complaining about the many many trees he had to dodge, but soon forgot all about it as he explained how he had come up with the design of his craft in vivid detail and how he had built the thing from scratch with a couple of students- alongside an occasional suggestion from Alex to fill in lost words.

It had been a special project during the professor’s time at Bethoran, to make up for the lost portal system between the planets. I remember Alex and I asking him about it during our stay on Bythrith, but Mekanis had always refrained from elaborating on that part, insisting we’d learn about the portals soon enough and in a more clear way than he could hope to achieve.

The craft itself reminded me of mostly anything on Bythrith, designed to be efficient above all else. It was a huge contrast compared to the Silvean style I had gotten used to these past months, but the lack of frivolous plants and patterns brought an ease along with it that got me used to it in seconds.

We ended up spending another hour or two listening to Mekanis’ work before Anthea subtly changed the subject to the Academies.

‘Professor?’

‘Yes, Frostthorn?’

‘I’m sure these two would like to know more about the Academies. They’re familiar with the common distinction between them- Arthyrell being for fairies, Bethoran for those who prefer not to rely on Magic, Graefthyn for witches and Dalthera for those who have yet to seek a path- but what I’ve failed to explain to Ehrynn is what really distinguishes them. It’s hard to believe the division is this stereotypical.’

The professor blinked a few times. ‘Ah, very well. As I am sure you are well aware, Bethoran, where I teach, is the second Academy to be founded in the Realm of Magic- first being Arthyrell- directly followed by Graefthyn and Dalthera.-

‘Arthyrell guides those who seek to learn light Magic - young girls, also known as fairies for their ability to form wings from the energy they channel, although fairies come in many a form and with many differing abilities.-

‘Bethoran teaches those who prefer to rely on weapons or technology as opposed to Magic, this includes but is hardly limited to non magicals. In fact, most students do possess some form of Magic, even if faint.-

‘Graefthyn helps those who take more to the dark arts - witches, wizards, alchemists, artificers and warlocks alike, more commonly referred to as just “witches”.-

‘As for Dalthera, being the smallest one of the bunch it is specifically designed to aid those students who have yet to discover their path.-

‘The Academies rely on potential, the unexplored magical traces of young students in their developing cycles as a magical being- and an Invitation is sent to younglings from all across the Realm of Magic who have a natural talent in one of those three paths, or those who do possess this potential but have yet to figure out what to do with it. Does that answer your question?’

I raised my hand. ‘How do they know what path suits the students? I mean, do they ever make mistakes?’

‘Experience.’ The professor slowly let his eyes cross the room, stopping briefly when they reached each of us. ‘The Academies have been around for hundreds of cycles, in my days I have never once seen the system falter.’

Alex opened their mouth, but held back and looked down. Then they looked up again, directly at their father. ‘Is it… possible to transfer Academies?’

Mekanis raised an eyebrow. ‘Not to my knowledge. I have never heard of such a thing taking place. But you need not worry about that, Alexan, you are perfectly suited for Bethoran.’ He patted Alex on their head and went over to the control panel. ‘Now, please try to keep yourselves entertained for a while, I will make sure we do not run into trouble… or at least try to.’

✿

While the first two days were filled with stories from the professor and a couple conversations about classes, the third day went by in a more quiet sense. By the time night fell, all had been said and only the anticipation of our arrival was left.

As such, after dinner, I had found some time to pull back to the benches in the rear of the ship, taking my sketchbook along. From my spot, I could still hear the voices of Anthea and the professor, but still I felt relieved to have some peace and quiet.

I had planned on doing a quick doodle before night time, but upon opening my sketchbook I came across the sketch of the mysterious girl from my dream. I hadn’t actually gone back to it after that night, but now that I saw it again, I was struck by a chill and a vague familiarity I could not so easily shake off.

A pull on my sleeve drew me back to the present. ‘Pixie for your thoughts?’

I was startled, but eased when I saw who it was. ‘Al…’

Alex sat down next to me. ‘Is this the girl you referred to earlier?’

I nodded- and sighed right after. ‘I just don’t know who she is. This is the first clue I’ve come across in weeks and it doesn’t really add up with anything I’ve come to know so far. I think I’m at a loss here, Al.’

Alex took a closer look. ‘You mentioned she was a fairy, right? Is it possible you end up meeting her at the Academy?’

I took my gaze from the paper to look at Alex- the thought of meeting her at the Academy had not even crossed my mind before. I guess I had been too occupied figuring out what it all meant to stop and think about the more practical side. While I had never said it aloud, I admired Alex’ more logical approach to everything- it sure wouldn’t have hurt me to be a little more down to the surface at times.

I watched as they continued to inspect the sketch, silently- and maybe unsure of what to say. Or maybe I did have something on my mind but saying it aloud would make it so… tangible. But then again, it was Al, so I could as well...

‘Al…?’

‘Uh-hm?’

‘Will you still help me figure this out…? I mean, while we are both studying at different Academies and all…’

They stopped inspecting, tilting their head slightly toward me to give a simple but effective reply: ‘Of course.’

I let my head down on their shoulder as I had done so many times before, feeling the warmth of their arm and the comfort that came along with it. ‘I love you, Al.’

‘I love you, too.’, they whispered, while softly letting their own head rest on mine.

And as we sat there, eyes closed and weary from a long journey, we both fell asleep.

✿

‘Bye!’ Anthea waved when the aircraft flew right up into the sky, causing her various bracelets to tinkle as they bumped into one another.

‘Bye, Al!’ My voice barely even made it over the sound of the roaring engine, even while I was shaping my hands like an amplifier. I just continued waving in the air ‘till they were out of sight.

When the ship had fully sunken behind the endless rows of trees in front of us, my hand sought Anthea’s. She took it and squeezed it reassuringly. ‘Nervous?’

My voice broke a little as I said ‘More than I care to admit.’, but I was able to keep it somewhat steady. She didn’t answer, just half smiled at me, a gesture that had a vague familiarity to it though I didn’t exactly know why.

Without exchanging another word, we advanced in the direction of the Academy. Anthea took the lead. She had studied there before - so she guided us through the forest without problem. I myself was, to say the least, enchanted by the glittering of the trees in the forest and the presence of more magical energy than I had ever felt - and we hadn’t even reached the Academy itself yet.

✿

It was about a fifteen minute walk from the clearing in the forest we had landed on, which wasn’t all that long, but with that unbearable bumping in my chest I’d rather have been there a little sooner. I really thought I was going to faint for a good second.

It turned out to be all worth the wait. In front of us, the Academy towered like nothing I had ever seen. I had to clutch Anthea’s hand even tighter to take it all in. The castle was magically sparkling in the softest blue tone I had ever laid eyes on, causing the violet accents to stand out and create a pleasant harmony of colour. I was entranced by the humongous windows, the passages between the towers, the huge stairs and that oddly placed clock right between the two pillars surrounding the front gate. But the real eye catcher was the opening around the entrance, shaped like a pair of traditional fairy wings. It was - magical.

‘Name?’

I shook my head, suddenly pulled back to reality. ‘Excuse me?’

A severe looking lady, hair tied in a bun, was looking at me from over her glasses. ‘Your name? I don’t suppose I’ll find you under “Miss Daydreaming”, will I now?’

Anthea stepped in for me. ‘Frostthorn, professor. Anthea Frostthorn, I’m here to resume my Path.’

‘Frostthorn, you say?’ She examined Anthea. ‘Ah, yes, Astra’s daughter, I remember you, she’s told me you’d be arriving again soon. Examplorary student, your mother, if I remember correctly she and her friend got through classes just fine together. Inseparable, the two of them. If you’re anything like her, I’m sure you’ll make it to be a great fairy.’

She then seemed to notice I was still there. ‘And who might you be?’

I was startled. ‘M-m-me?’

The professor rolled her eyes. ‘Who else, would you think?’

Anthea placed her hands on my shoulders when she noticed how I shrunk because of the remark. ‘This is my cousin.’

‘Eh- Eh...’ I took a deep breath. ‘Ehrynn Frostthorn.’

The lady lost grip of her writing feather. It fluttered down almost elegantly. For a moment, she just stared at me with terror written all over her face, like I was some kind of ghost or an anomaly that was not supposed to occur. She let out a sigh in an attempt to regain herself, blinking rapidly, looking about anywhere but at me. ‘Excuse me, you can go ahead now.’ She waved us away.

Anthea just shrugged and continued walking while I was nailed to the ground. It took me a while to get myself loose and catch up with her. ‘What was that all about? Who was that? Why was she staring at me like that?’

She had opened her mouth and was just about to answer my flood of questions, when a voice called out over the school sight: “Attention to all first class’ students, you are hereby requested to gather ‘round the stairs in the Main Hall for your Initiation at 10 o’clock sharp.”

Anthea wrapped her hand around mine. ‘Come on, we should go ahead. I’ll answer your questions on the way there.’

We made our way up the stairs leading to the main entrance. My, did I wish I could keep standing in the doorway just for a little while only to take in everything I saw inside. The light that fell through the windows lit up the stair railings in the most beautiful way, leaving a warm glow behind in the high-ceilinged room. The different stairs seemed to go everywhere at once, which left me in an amazement I can not find words for. I kept trying to figure out how exactly the many hallways were connected to one another, but every effort to do so left me more confuzzled than when I started out.

I was just wondering whether I’d be able to find some time to draw this most interesting piece of architecture when Anthea pushed me behind one of the pillars.

‘That woman you just saw was Mirana Stirling, Head of Discipline. I don’t know why she froze the way she did but I don’t think that’s normal, I’ve never seen her like that before.’ She paused, shook her head. ‘No, I haven’t. But that’s not important right now, we should focus on your Initiation.’

‘What’s that all about anyway? It wasn’t mentioned in the letter, was it?’

Anthea looked away, silently, as though to show she did know, but thoroughly wished she didn’t.

‘An…?’ I asked.

She looked up, smiled, took my hand and made her way further into the Hall. The message for first class’ rang out over the school grounds again, this time ebbed away by the walls of the Main Hall we had entered.

We were two of the first students to arrive in the Main Hall, probably because professor Mekanis had dropped us off earlier than needed to be able to arrive at Bethoran in time for his meeting. I believe he deemed it of the utmost importance.

The Hall was fairly empty, except for a few students scattered across the enormous space.

My attention was caught by an elderly woman in a long, flowy skirt sitting on the far left side of the stairs in the middle of the hall, sipping tea from a small teacup, one that she put back on a saucer magically floating in midair. I noticed she was wearing gloves- I remember thinking how odd it was to see such a thing in the middle of Summer.

She then seemed to notice us, as she raised an eyebrow and patted the stairstep next to her.

‘Excuse me,’ I squeaked, ‘are we- is this where we’re supposed to be gathering?’

‘I suppose you could say so.’ The lady confirmed as we sat down next to her. I could sense a magical presence emitting from her, a warm and comforting presence I was sure I’d felt before- somewhere, somehow.

‘It’s always a pleasure to take everything in on the first day of the new semester, don’t you think?’ She inquired.

I nodded. My eye fell on a shimmering pendant around her neck, a frivolous “H” adorned on the cold silver.

I shook my head before I would find myself entranced again. ‘I- uh-’ Looking for words, it came to me that I hadn’t introduced myself yet. ‘My name is Ehrynn Frostthorn.’

‘I know.’ She smiled at me.

‘You do?’

A cough interrupted our little chat before she could answer. The three of us looked up to see the highly raised eyebrows and pressed together lips belonging to Stirling.

The brown haired woman just smiled and tilted her head, staring at her with eyes wide open. She even made a questioned sound. ‘What seems to be the matter?’

A hint of irritation came through in Stirling’s voice as she asked: ‘Aren’t you supposed to give a speech right about now?’

Anthea and I looked at each other. I formed the word “Speech?” with my mouth, she just laughed silently behind her hand.

Still smiling, the lady stood up and, as she let her teacup float after her, answered: ‘Oh, I suppose so. Guess I should get going then. I am the headmistress, after all.’ She paused for a second just to giggle. ‘You girls just make yourself comfortable here. No need to stress yourself in a crowd, dear.’ She winked at me.

I stared in utter amazement as she made her way past Stirling to the middle of the Hall. ‘How does she- Wait, were we just talking to headmistress Faewood?’

An didn’t even try to cover up her laughter anymore. ‘Yup.’

Stirling let out a deep, heavy sigh and burrowed her face in her hand afterwards. She waited ‘till the woman had passed her and lowered her voice to a whispering level, as if she was speaking to herself rather than us: ‘If I weren’t around to keep things in check here at the Academy, nothing would ever get done even remotely on time, now, would it?’

✿

‘Dear fairies and fairies-to-be, my name is Elowen Faewood and as headmistress of this school I welcome you all to Arthyrell Academy for fairies and Magic.’ was the opening line to the lady’s speech.

The entire Hall had filled itself with chattering young fairies at that point, but the noises soon faded as Faewood began her speech. Admittedly, I was very glad not to have to stand in the crowd since my hands had already been trembling as we arrived- though almost imperceptibly- and it had only gotten worse as more students gathered.

Anthea took my hand and squeezed it softly. ‘You’re doing great, sweetie.’ She whispered.

Faewood waited for the buzz to fade. She cleared her throat and continued:

‘Ahum- In order to graduate from the Academy, one must follow a course we call the “Path of Blossoming”. Now, I know what you are thinking- you’ve only just arrived and this weird lady here calling herself the headmistress is already talking about your graduation, but let me just run you through some important things.-

‘The journey towards becoming a Major Fairy takes up the first three courses of your Path. These three courses are subsequently divided by Determination, Courage and Reflection, whereas the cources that follow, although optional, focus on Guidance and Sacrifice. They lead you down the road to become an Ethereal Fairy- though I do realize that’s something I shouldn’t keep you busy with right now, as I’m sure you’ll find out about all of this soon enough.’ A half suppressed laugh followed, I believe she found it all quite amusing.

‘Anyway,’ she continued, ‘what I really want to be talking about is the very first course- the course of Determination- since that is the course you’ll be entering now.-

‘Over the... uhm... course of the past few weeks, you have all received your Invitations to enter the Path of Blossoming. However, in order to do so you must pass an event we call “the Initiation”.’ Another wave of chatter forced her to take a short break. ‘Now, I know this may sound scary to some of you, but believe me when I tell you this is only to get you acquainted with your fairy partner. You need not worry about potential dangers, this is not an exam and Stirling and I will be monitoring you every step along the way.-

‘Now, enough with the boring talk. Please follow us outside.’ She made a small gesture Stirling’s way and let her take over.

‘All right, if you all would be so kind as to place your luggage here and follow me-’

✿

Before long, we had all gathered in a half-round circle that stretched itself from the edge of the forest, around the professors in front of us and back to the edge.

I held on to Anthea’s hand, standing as close to her as possible in the midst of the group. I wanted to take a look around, but my eyes were fixed to the ground. I took a few deep breaths, only able to snap out of it when Faewood started speaking again.

‘As I said earlier, the first course is all about Determination. This is the cycle where you look deep into yourself and ask yourself the question: “Why do I want to become a fairy?” What is your reason? Your drive? The very cause for which you want to risk- for going down this road might be more dangerous than you realize right now- your life, your spirit- and the very concept of who you are?-

‘Are you ready for this journey? Have you thought about how long it will take? Are you planning to follow only the first three courses or do you want to take all five- even if it may take you the full extent of seven- ten- fifteen cycles to do so?’ Faewood waited, the weight of the questions circling around like sudden clouds on a sunny day. Silence was all she was met with.

I was stunned. Of course I’d thought about most of this- the dangers, being so far from home for so long and why I want to be a fairy- but hearing it like this? Did she really expect us to have all of these answers prepared?

Faewood grinned. ‘I don’t expect you to have the answers to all of these questions right now, hex, not even ‘till the end of this cycle- or later, if you need more time. But now that I’ve got your full attention, let’s just start small.-

Today, all I’m really asking of you, is to find someone among these now still strangers to share your Path with. We’ve prepared a- task- of sorts- to help you find your fairy partner. Stirling?’

The Head of Discipline gladly took over from Faewood. ‘The goal is to magically save yourself as we-’, she stopped to look for the right word, ‘drop- you into the forest. The first person you come across in the woods will be your fairy partner and roommate for the first three cycles- but first you’ll have to make your way back to the Academy together.’

One of the fairies raised her hand. ‘Professor, what exactly do you mean by “dropped” into the forest?’

Stirling smirked. ‘Exactly that. Most of you are able to fly, they’ll be fine. As for the others, well, it’s not forbidden to help one out.’

My heart skipped a beat. Were they really about to drop us like that? What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t even get in touch with my Magic if I concentrated long enough, let alone when I was falling about somewhere in midair. Not to mention my fear of-

A poke in my rib made me look sideways. ‘We’re uneven.’ Someone hissed.

I squeezed my eyes in surprise and raised my eyebrows. ‘What?’

Some girl with pitch black hair and funky glasses was looking at me. ‘We’re uneven.’ She repeated. ‘Ab here just counted.’

‘Who now? Wait, she counted the lot of-?’ My sentence broke midway as I found my balance thrown off by a sudden shift in grounds. The dirt and leaves I had stood on seconds before had made way for a bright, almost golden platform of kinds, shaped like a star, that lifted me off the ground. In a flash, I caught a glimpse of a magically glowing Stirling. I wanted to clamp on to Anthea’s arm but soon discovered she wasn’t by my side anymore. ‘An?’

‘Please keep your calm, girls.’ Sounded Stirling’s voice. ‘Faewood and I will be surveilling everything from down here. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Enjoy the ride.’

✿

The platform lifted me up into the air until I was floating high above the forest - heart racing, body all clenched, breath unsteady, trembling all over - that was about the situation I was finding myself in right then and there.

I tried not to look over the edge of my little platform, already dizzy enough at the thought of being so high above the ground.

I brought my hands together, concentrating and attempting to create at least something that would break my fall - slow me down somehow - but all I got was sparks and a vague lime green aura enveloping my shaking hands.

A feeling of nausea filled me when I realized - I wasn’t able to access my Magic… again!

Maybe someone could help me? I took a look around. Fairies had started dropping down one by one. None of them were even close enough for me to call out to them! Deep breaths, I reminded myself. I closed my eyes, hands still in front of me, and was about to take the first deep breath when I felt the platform beneath my feet disappear. Letting out a shriek, I opened up my eyes again but pressed them shut when I felt the prickling of upwelling tears- and I instantly lost control of the little sparks I had managed to create and…

I fell.

~❀~