Lura Syllana
Chalia finishes the first book of Terel’s and, for the first time, she’s speechless. She won’t even talk about it. She hands the book over to Ochilysse and moves on to the next one. What could possibly be so outlandish that it gets a reaction like that? Or like Charinva? I need to know the secrets within those books. I’m dying to read them.
In class, Voborrie is a little intense when it comes to helping. She’s a bit vocal and brash when she tries to help and teach. Fortunately, this level isn’t too difficult. What is taught isn’t hard to grasp. So, when we are finally ready to take the test to move on, we all pass with ease.
Unfortunately, both Chalia and Charinva make it to level ten, which means Chalia has to move out of the Novice dorms.
I sadly help her pack her things. And, unfortunately, there isn’t much to pack since most Novices don’t have many possessions. I help her carry her things to her new dorm room in the Accepted quarters. One which she gets all to herself. It’s rather small, a bit smaller than the one we shared, but she doesn’t seem to mind.
“I’m going to miss you,” I say, desperately holding onto my tears. Life with Chalia was better than anything else I’ve had. She truly felt like a sister to me. She smiles and hugs me tightly. “Don’t worry. I won’t be far, and soon you’ll join me. You and the others have been rising through the ranks so fast. It’s nearly as fast as Charinva. Just be patient, and soon you’ll be right next door. I know it, and soon we’ll both become sisters together.”
I look at her and wipe away the few tears that escaped, nodding. “I can’t wait.”
“Now, come to me once you finish reading the books. There’s a lot I want to talk to you about.” I nod and give her another hug. Then I make the lonely track back to my empty dorm. It feels so dark without her. I can’t help but wonder who I’ll get stuck with. What if it’s a noble? That would be the worst.
A knock at the door and I walk up to answer it and see Melyis standing there, clasping her elbow as she stares at the floor. “Hey.”
She looks up and bites her lip. “I was wondering since Chalia had moved out if I could move in? My roommate also just reached level ten, which isn’t all that bad since she was rather… Hard to live with.”
I nod. “Of course, you can move in. I would like that very much. I was just thinking about who I would end up with as a roommate and I’m glad it’s you. The last thing I want is to get stuck with a noble.”
She smiles. “Well, I’m glad you’re happy. You’re one of the few friends I’ve ever had. You, Chalia, Ralodan and Biremeril. I’ve never had friends before. I never imagined having friends would make me so happy. Please tell me if I am being too forward, but I think of you as a sister I never had.”
“Aww, thank you. I feel the same way,” I say before I realize I have pulled her in for a hug. She is so sweet and sometimes a bit naive. But I remember seeing the scars all over her back, and I can’t imagine how anyone would ever want to hurt her.
I help her move her things into the room, which is hardly anything at all besides the robes she’s been given and some books she’s taken out of Charinva’s library. For not being very good at reading, she’s become quite the scholar.
After she is settled, we join Biremeril and Ralodan in getting some of our hours knocked out. So far, we’ve managed to get six to eight hours done a day, and we’ve knocked out over two-thirds of the hours required. It helps when you do them together. Today, we all head to the kitchens to help cook and prepare the food. Then we get to eat real fast before we help clean up.
Ralodan and I wait for the other two to finish their tasks out in the hall, which gives me time to finally ask him what I’ve been wanting to ever since the High Father’s sermon. “Ralodan… Can I ask you something?”
He nods with a smile. “Sure, you can ask me anything.”
I look down at my feet and shift my weight back and forth between my heels and my toes. “Back during the High Father’s sermon, you… Did you…. Did you feel anything?”
I look up to meet his eyes, and his face grows hard. He nods. “I felt something I didn’t like. I don’t know what it was. There is something about him that makes me suspicious. I don’t trust the High Father.”
I wish I could tell him about the Brothel. I only nod my head. “Did you see everyone else and how they responded? It was like they were entranced by his words.”
He nods. “I think he is using some kind of spell of some sort. Not any source that I can make out though.”
“Why do you think it didn’t affect us like everyone else?” I ask.
“I don’t know why it didn’t affect me, but I’m sure it didn’t affect you because of that ring you wear,” he says, pointing at my hand.
My eyes go wide as I grasp my hand, feeling the invisible ring. “You can see that?”
He nods. “For whatever reason, I’ve always been able to see what shouldn’t be seen. Like that ring on your finger. I know I shouldn’t be able to see it, but it glows so brightly. I can tell it gives you some protection from whatever gives the High Father power in his words. Don’t worry, though, I will not tell anyone about your ring.”
“Thank you,” I say with a smile of relief. When Melyis and Biremeril arrive, things stay quiet between us.
“So? What took you two so long?” I ask with a smile.
“Oh, just Zarlatha Arcaneseeker needed assistance,” Biremeril says.
“What he means to say, Zarlatha convinced him to do all of her work,” a tall, a rather broad woman with short hair and long ears, interrupts.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Ralodan says, giving Biremeril a smile. “Biremeril has a good heart and helps everyone.”
“More like he’s soft,” the girl says with a laugh and walks out.
“Who is she?” I ask.
“Oh, her? That’s Ilethana. She just likes to give me a hard time,” Biremeril says, his eyes avoiding everyone else’s as he scratches the back of his neck. “You shouldn’t tolerate it,” I say. He only shrugs.
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