Chapter 1
The walk home was gloomy. The twilight lit sky was covered by the dense mass of trees that surrounded my hometown. But even then, the sun still managed to shine brightly on the forest floor.
My closest friend, Phinexa, was walking beside me. She was shorter than me by only a few inches, had golden blonde hair and shining purple eyes. She, I knew from school, was stronger than she looked. She's 15, a few months younger than me.
Shale, my little brother was trailing behind us. He was short for his age of 10, and only four feet tall. He wasn't fast, but he was cunning. His hair colour was close to my long golden chestnut brown, and our eyes were the same golden topaz. He's six years younger than me, but I didn't really care. Once I was out of school with Phinexa, we were on our way to Dragonmouth, a grand city on the other side of the deadly mountain range known as Oerg Urthic, or the Death Mountains, and I knew my brother wouldn't be able to come.
We were approaching the centre fountain of Harping, which is the name of my hometown. The leader, or also known as Nurthen Foldrea, stood by the fountain, which was close to her home in the centre of the city.
We looked and saw what was a commotion. Truth be told, when there is a meeting, everyone in Harping gathers by the centre fountain, and that means everyone. Today, well almost everyone was there in Harping, and that meant something big. News doesn't usually come this far north into the Glanring Bolfik, or the Mysterious Forest, and when we elves hear news that needs to be spread, it's like the whole city would know by the end of the day what was going on.
"What do you think is going on Arriana?" Phinexa asked me as we stood still in our tracks.
Shale came up behind us, and being stupid, tried to stand in between Phinexa and I. "Move over! I can't see!"
Then why don't you go around us? I thought.
An idea clicked in my head. "I don't know, but let's find out!"
Phinexa tuned her head to me; her violet eyed gleaming in excitement. Shale was still trying see what was going on.
I set off in a brisk run that came up to a full sprint. Of course, I saw Phinexa almost pass me. She was the fastest female runner in Harping, and they automatically put her on our school's running team.
It became a race to beat the crowd, but every time I put one foot down, three to five more elves surrounded the fountain. We should've gotten closer before we began to run.
I felt my shield bounce on my back and my sword hit my side. I was thankful I was wearing the scabbard and my sword was sheathed, because it was sharp. I thought back to the numerous times I had "accidently" caused these accidents to one of the students in my calisthenics class at school with my sword.
Phinexa was like my twin. She had her sword and shield on her. Shale, who was panting behind us, had his sword, or to me, a long dagger.
By the time we were actually at the fountain, most of the 6-8 foot tall adult elves made it seem impossible to get to the front. I heard Shale press a pout. I could already tell that he wasn't pleased that the older, more adult, elves made it to the fountain before us. But it wasn't his fault he was shorter than normal.
"Excuse me, but could you let us through?" I heard Phinexa ask an adult elf.
He turned to us. When I saw him, he looked to be close to eight, maybe even nine feet tall, which was close to three or four feet taller than me. "Sure," he replied, "But try not to lose each other." He stepped aside to let Phinexa, Shale and I through the mass of bodies.
Try not to lose each other? I thought. How could we lose each other in a crowd?
We pushed through the growing crowd, and in the process, got some very angry complaints.
I looked to the sky, and the sun, I noticed, had gone down a fair bit. Mom I going to be so mad at me and Shale for being late when we get home.
I glanced at the sky a few more times, and the last time I glanced, I saw a pixie fly above my head. I stopped moving and looked behind me. Phinexa and Shale had the same eager expression as me.
We began to push through the crowd a lot faster, gaining more complaints as we went, but we wanted to see the pixie. Usually when something other than an elf is in Harping, it means big news, and a pixie, well that meant the biggest news of all.
When we were finally at the front of the crowd, Phinexa got into her defensive position, which means she was gripping the hilt of her sword until he knuckles went white. I did the same; gripped my sword hilt, but light enough that at least my hand wouldn't hurt later on. Only Shale, who was standing in front of me, had the most trouble staying still, at least until he saw the pixie and his jaw dropped.
"Elves calm down!" the pixie yelled. Her high pitched and musical voice echoed into the forest beyond the city walls.
I looked at her closely. I had never seen an actual pixie before and I wanted her image burned into my memory. Sure she was beautiful, but I definitely didn't like her like that. I was an artist, and she was the next picture I was going to draw.
The pixie herself shone, and I mean shone. The glow that radiated off of her was white and I noticed a small gem that hung around her neck. The glow was coming from there. I guessed it was a snowgem.
I looked to her clothes, which were also white. They were made of the small down feathers from birds and I saw that small but beautiful sparkles were on her clothes. They glowed in the light of her gem. The sparkles, I thought, probably came from her wings. There were sparkles there too. She reminded of me when I was young and I claimed I wanted to be a pixie.
She turned to my direction. I heard Shale take in a breath. Her hair was blonde, almost white, and glistened with sparkles. Her eyes scanned the crowd; they were a very deep teal blue. Probably counting how many elves are here, I thought.
"Calm down!" she yelled again. There was a small but noticeable tone of frustration in her voice. She cleared her throat. "Quiet down!" she shrieked.
Everyone stopped talking.
"Thank you." She paused. "My name is Snowstorm and I bring important news, news that has to do with magic."
Magic? I heard people murmur, though many were startled. I saw out of the corner of my eye that Phinexa just kept looking at the pixie, her expression unreadable. Even Shale didn't move in front of me, which was a shocker.
I turned my head around, my neck getting stiff from remaining in one place. What I saw from the other elves was shocked and curious expressions, and I heard many whispers, most of them "Can that be true? Magic, in Alladatria?"
"Why would you bring us news like that?!" and elf cried.
Yeah, why? I thought. It doesn't make sense. Could there really be magic in Alladatria? I thought it was banned many years ago.
"Our town is a quiet town. Now everyone will be worried for their own health and safety!" the same elf continued.
"Just listen!" the pixie Snowstorm cried. I could tell she was getting more frustrated and aggravated by the minute. "The news may b startling, but it is something all of Alladatria needs to know." There was too much strain in her voice. "And you should know this! I am a messenger pixie! My news to you is that you need to be aware of silver particles. We pixies don't make silver particles as we fly, but gold dust. I'm not afraid of these 'silver particles' but I do need a sample of them to see if they hold dark magic in them."
There's a difference between good and dark magic? I opened my mouth to actually ask that question, but thought better of it. I didn't want to get into any trouble, but this seemed like something I would love.
The pixie said some more things, but my thoughts were on magic and what the difference between good and dark was.
I felt someone tap my shoulder. I looked and saw Phinexa. "The crowd is almost gone. Do you think we should talk to the pixie?"
I didn't know what to say. Sure I was the leader of our group, but to talk to the pixie would mean an almost-instant death from my mother.
"I don't know. My mother will be furious at me and Shale if we do," I said. "But I'm sure if we do, we could get more information from her."
"Alright."
Phinexa started walking towards the pixie, and I saw Shale trailing behind her. I might as well go. It's no use to avoid the trouble I'll already be in. I started walking towards the pixie almost automatically, my hand still gripping my sword's hilt.
Phinexa was the first to speak. "We heard the news. What do you mean by silver particles?"
That question was racking my brain, but I kept my mouth shut.
"I mean dust that is made of one hundred percent silver," Snowstorm replied. I saw her grip a small pixie sized dagger at her hip, and she looked at us funny when she saw me staring. She looked at us more closely and saw that all of us had swords, and I saw that she relaxed. She must have thought of us as travelers. "Who are you three? I didn't see you in the crowd." She continued to pack her small bag that was out of a folded leaf.
"I'm Phinexa. This is Arriana----" Phinexa pointed to me "----- and this is Shale, Arriana's brother." She pointed to my little brother.
"Nice to meet you," Snowstorm said as she put a small scroll into her pack.
Yeah, nice. Shale and I are in for it now from our mother, I thought. I knew I was going to get into trouble, especially since it was already dark out. It was still light enough to see and get back home, but I still knew I was going to get into major trouble.
Snowstorm looked at the sky and turned to us. "I won't be able to fly any farther tonight. Do you think I could stay at one of your places?"
Nurthen Foldrea came up to us. "Do you know what an honor that would be to you if the pixie stayed here?" she asked us, her voice heavy from fatigue.
"The honor would be high, I presume," I replied.
Foldrea nodded. "That it would indeed Arriana."
"But what is honor if you cannot share it with many?" asked Snowstorm. "You seem to have misplaced the word Nurthen. I think you meant to say 'Do you know what praise you will receive for taking care of our greatest guest?'"
Nurthen Foldrea looked to the pixie. "You have a vast knowledge. I will speak to you in the morning wise pixie."
"Of course," Snowstorm replied with grace.
Foldrea left with her main guard following her.
"You can stay with us," I heard Shale say to Snowstorm, which brought my wandering thoughts to a close. "Mom would love to have you over!"
I felt a deep urge to smack my brother for being as stupid as he was. And I thought he was to be cunning. "Shale! You know mom and magic. They don't work well together!" I turned to the pixie. "I'm sorry for my outburst, but our place isn't the best place to go. I know that pixies are the only beings allowed in Alladatria to use magic and mine and Shale's mother doesn't tend to like magic. Maybe Phinexa can have you rest at her place."
"Of course you can stay with me Snowstorm," Phinexa replied.
"Good. Maybe one day you can see my home. It is quite beautiful," Snowstorm replied gratefully. I saw her flash us a quick smile.
She must be happy, I thought.
"Come on then! And fly fast, because I'm the fastest runner here in Harping!" Phinexa exclaimed in her I'm-going-to-beat-you voice.
I watched as Phinexa started running onto a trail that only she and I knew about, with the pixie following behind her.
I started walking home with Shale. I couldn't help but keep looking at the sky. What if what the pixie said is true? That there is magic here. That wouldn't be good.
"What are you thinking about?" It was Shale.
"I was thinking about what mom will say and about what the pixie said. Mom isn't going to be too happy when she finds out that a pixie caused us to be late getting home."
"Oh," Shale said. "Why are you going to have to tell mom? I mean I could. I don't see why it has to be you."
"She always asks me for explanations. Haven't you noticed?" I got curious.
"Nope, but maybe she trusts you more than me. I mean, you never have lied to her of Father. It makes sense she'd trust you more."
I never thought about my mother being like that. I knew I couldn't lie, but why did my brother have to bring that up? I knew for sure he wasn't being himself today. "I never thought of our mother like that. Why did you say that Shale?" My inner curiosity was gnawing at my brain.
"Well, you have some of the best marks in school, you work hard at home and you never lie or cheat. Face it, you're one of those goodie-goods. It makes sense when you think about it."
I thought about what Shale said and I figured he was right. Everything he said did add up. Ok, now I take what I thought back. He is cunning! "I guess you're right. It does make sense when I think about it."
We continued to walk in silence. I could hear our feet hitting the dirt road it was so quiet. We were quite familiar with the silence. We were never really close. Our brother-sister relationship was always at a minimal. We hardly ever interacted, except at school.
When our house came into view, we both ran. The night's air was starting to get cold on mine and Shale's skin.
When I reached the door, I pushed it open silently. I stepped inside. We always came through the back door. The back room was warm and numerous lanterns were lit. I saw a figure by the back window, sitting in a chair, wrapped up in a blanket.
I walked into the room and took my shoes off. Shale followed behind me. He closed the door, but he did it to the point where the figure heard us. When the figure stood up, I instantly knew it was my mother Sapphire.
A sound of reassurance escaped her mouth as she ran to us and embraced Shale and I. "Where have you two been? I've been so worried!" she cried between sobs of relief.
"Mom! We're fine. You can let go now," I said. I made my voice sound ruder than usual.
My mother got the hint. She let go of us and said, "You must be hungry since it's so late." My mother was so considerate of us. It was a wonder she was so respected. She got her name from the sapphire colour of her eyes, but I knew there was more to the meaning behind her name; I just didn't know what.
"I'm starved!" Shale exclaimed. I heard his stomach growl. I sighed. "Can I have a cookie?"
My mother shook her head. "I'm sorry baby, but we're out of cookies. Do you want some honey on toast instead?"
I heard pounding footsteps from upstairs. "Sapphire! Are Arriana and Shale home yet?" It was the booming voice of my dad Arnvin. He was tall, and I mean tall. He grew to be over 8 feet tall; taller than average. He had soft eyes, but firm hands, as did all carpenters did. That's what he did, and it suited him well, since we lived in a forest home.
"Yes, honey, they're home," Sapphire said. Her voice was too sweet for my liking. She could be really overprotective some days.
I tried to sneak to the living room while Shale went to get his and his toast. At least, that's what he says.
I sighed. My mother was a lot like me. She was an avid reader and a partial drawer. She was only eight inches taller than me, that was until I grew again.
I made it to the living room, but my mother got there before me, like she read my mind. I sat down in a chair. My mother sat down beside me and I felt the hair on my arms stand up. This wasn't going to be good.
"What took you so long to get home?" she asked me. She looked at me funny, as if she knew the answer. I knew she didn't; she didn't like big news.
Damn! Why did she have to ask that question?! I thought. I sighed. "A pixie." I forced the words out of my mouth even though it was a simple and clear answer. It was simple, the answer, but my mother, I knew, would take the conversation to another level. I tried to stay calm, but the calming exercises I was taught didn't do much help.
I watched as my mother's eyes glowed at the word pixie. She absolutely hated magic ever since the day of her parents' death. "How could you have talked with a pixie?!" she yelled. I heard a knife drop on the floor in the kitchen.
Yep, I'm in trouble. Dammit! I thought. I took in a breath. "Mom, calm down. The pixie was a messenger pixie. She came to tell us a message about 'silver dust.' She will be leaving tomorrow morning. No need to worry." I took in another breath. Too late on that last line, I thought to myself with more than just frustration.
I looked back to my mother. There was relief in her eyes, though I knew that she wouldn't be sleeping well that night. She turned her face away from me. "Thank you for telling me," she said just above a whisper." I knew she was in pain. "Now get some sleep. School starts early tomorrow." She got up and went to the kitchen to tell Shale to get to bed. I could hear his protesting.
I sighed and got up. Typical of my mother, I thought, harsh one minute and somber the next. Why does she make things more complicated than needed? I climbed the stairs and went to my room. I grabbed my small bucket and watered some of the plants in my room. I changed into my nightdress and crawled into my bed. I was happy. My bed and nightdress were warm against my cold skin.
I sighed again. "What a productive day. Slow at school and fast when I get home," I told myself. I stared at the ceiling. I couldn't stop thinking about the pixie. Finally, when I thought I wouldn't get to sleep, I grabbed my coloured charcoal and a firm piece of writing fabric from the bedside cupboard drawer.
I sat up; my back against my feather pillow and my knees up. I placed the fabric on my blanket-covered-thighs and began to draw the pixie. I drew for a good while, and when I was at least halfway complete the picture, sleep decided to tackle me. I set the picture and the charcoal sticks on my night table and lay down. Slowly, I felt my eyelids get heavy and I passed into the first dreamless sleep I had in many months.
In the morning, I saw Snowstorm talk to Foldrea and then leave to warn other cities. I got my school bag ready and grabbed my blue tunic. I had my pale blue cloak on over top my nightdress. I went out the back and walked to the stream I usually bathed in.
The water was warmer than usual as I slipped into the stream. I grabbed the bottle of tree leaf juice from where I set it on the small sand bar. I poured some of the thick leaf juice and rubbed in on my arms, legs and torso.
When I got out of the water, I grabbed a small towel out from under my clothes and dried myself off. I got dressed in my blue tunic and walked home, feeling refreshed.
When I opened the door, I smelled the breakfast rolls my father was making. I went upstairs to my room, belted on my sword and strapped my shield on my on my back.
Before I went downstairs, I grabbed my school bag and tossed in my extra schoolbooks. After, I went downstairs and walked into the kitchen. I smelt the air. "Mm, those smell good," I said.
"Good morning Arriana," Arnvin greeted. It was common to see my father in a good mood as he cooked.
"Good morning," I replied. "Are the rolls done yet?"
"There are some on the table that I just finished cooking about five minutes ago. You'd better hurry or you'll be late for school." He continued to work on the next batch of roles.
"Thanks," I said. I walked to the table and grabbed a roll from the basket in the table's centre. I ate it without bothering to sit down.
I looked outside, and saw that the sun was just rising. One hour until school starts, but it's mandatory to get there at least 45 minutes in advance. If we leave now, we can just make it on time.
I heard Shale come down the stairs. I grabbed a roll for him and rushed to the back door. "Here," I said and gave my brother the roll.
He nodded. He took the roll and grabbed his shoes. "No point in putting them on."
I nodded. I opened the door and ran outside. I heard Shale running behind me. I turned onto a side road and walked the rest of the way to Phinexa's house. It was a habit to pick her up because she lived near the school. It was also because her house was on our route to the school, making it easier for us to get her.
I knocked on the door. I could easily hear Phinexa bustling around to get the rest of her things. We waited patiently and soon the door opened.
"Sorry," she said. "I got up late." She closed the door. I knew her mother was already working.
We were able to walk the rest of the way. It was uneventful as usual. We caught up with the other students as we walked. The most usual thing that happened was the guys. Ever since I was a little kid, all the guys moved away to let Phinexa, Shale and I pass them. I was considered the charm of the group. I knew I didn't need someone to love, but as for the guys, I couldn't tell. My mother always told me that my beauty was a gift from the heavens, but I thought I was lucky to charmed the way I was.
When we were finally three-quarters from the school---- at least another five minutes of walking---- I felt shale flinch at my side. I knew what this meant. It meant the school's worse gang of elves came out. They weren't a problem for me, but for Shale, I didn't know. He wasn't one to share secrets.
When we finally reached the school, we parted. Shale went to first class and Phinexa and I went to our first class. We still had another 45 minutes till the first bell, so that was when we studied. We sat down and pulled out our books. Phinexa began to write down study notes and I continued to read the next chapter in the course.
When the sound of the metal bell echoed through the school, our teacher entered and I put my book away. He passed around a booklet made of deerskin. The deerskin paper was thin, but firm, and it accepted the ink from my quill eagerly.
"You have this hour to finish the exam. As soon as I turn the hourglass, no one is allowed to speak, and if someone does, I am taking their exam. You know that you will not pass if that happens. Am I clear as to what is expected?"
"Yes, Mister Magira," I said in unison with the class.
"Alright. Begin." He flipped the hourglass, and I began to write my exam on battle tactics in Elven History. I was good at my history, so it made sense when I was the first one finished. Phinexa was second. She looked to the hourglass and I followed her gaze. What? A whole half-hour left? I might as well go to the library. It's a good thing that only two students are allowed at a time to go out of the classroom. I looked to Magira.
"Sir, may Phinexa and I go to the library? I have a few things I need to return."
Magira nodded. "I wouldn't doubt that. You two are the top students in the school. Go ahead."
I grabbed Phinexa by her arm. She got the memo.
We exited the classroom and walked to our lockers. They were in the same section, but apart by ten or so other lockers. I grabbed my key and unlocked my lock. I opened my locker and grabbed my study books.
"Hey," Phinexa whispered. "Why are we going to the library?"
"I have to return some books and Shale's first exam is always written in the library. I want to see if he's okay. He seemed scared today on the walk to school. He flinched when that gang came out. I can't help but feel worried about him," I replied honestly.
"Alright, but I still don't understand why I have to come," Phinexa said, her tone more serious than normal.
"Don't you have books to return?" I asked. I closed my locker and slipped my key down my tunic. I let the key dangle on a thin chain around my neck.
"No. I returned them yesterday, though I see you may need help carrying all of your books. " She looked to the pile of at least six books I held.
I laughed. "Yeah, I think help would be good right now," I replied, grateful of Phinexa's offer.
She took the top three books and she locked her locker. We began to walk to the library then. "You have way too many books. Since when did you like to read this much?"
"Since I had three reports due in the one class where we're not together," I replied.
"Oh," Phinexa said. "Three? Were they due on the same day?"
"That's what I'm grateful about. They weren't. It took me forever to get them done." I continued to walk and figured we were close to the library doors.
We continued to walk in silence. We didn't want to disrupt any other exams that were going on. I hate the last day of every month. Stupid exams, I thought.
When we entered the library, we set down all the books I had taken out on the return counter. We walked around the shelves and looked at other books, though none seemed to peak mine or Phinexa's interest.
While Phinexa walked around, I went to my brother's teacher. I had been watching his class write their exam, but Shale himself wasn't there. I had a reason to worry.
"Excuse me," I said, "but could you tell me where Shale is?"
His teacher turned around. "Oh! Arriana! What a surprise," she said with delight. "Shale left about five minutes before you arrived here, He was done his exam so I let him leave for the rest of the class. Why do you ask?"
"Just out of curiosity," I replied, disguising my worry with satisfaction.
BONG!
The heavy metal bell rang above me. I knew that my teacher wouldn't be pleased if I was late for my next class. "I have to go," I said urgently. "Thank you!"
"Alright. I hope to see you soon," Shale's teacher said.
I walked quickly to Phinexa. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the library. I guess I was being rough, but I was on a panic stream.
"Hey! Can you let go? What's the rush?" Phinexa yelled at me.
I avoided the eyes of the other students that were staring at us. "We'll be late for our next class if we don't hurry, and I don't want to be late," I replied hastily.
"Nope. There's something else on your mind. Ouch! I'm going to have a rash if you don't let go."
"Sorry." I let go of Phinexa's wrist. I still walked faster than usual in the hallway to my locker to get my things ready for the next class.
"No problem, and could you slow down? I'm going to have to start jobbing just to keep up! Are you sure you're fine?" Phinexa began to sound worried.
"It's nothing," I said, unlocking my locker, grabbing my materials, locking my locker and running to my next class. I really need an in-school bag where I can put everything for every class.
"Okay," Phinexa said, though I saw the worry spread across her face.
I slipped into my seat and a few seconds later the bell rang again. There was a firm sheet of writing fabric on the top of my table. Colored charcoal sticks were in a box on my right. I sighed. I couldn't think of anything to draw for this exam, and my other drawing was at home. The thought of Shale being somewhere else than here was on the brink of my mind. Finally, I decided to draw my brother.
I let the color flow through me. I let out every emotion I felt for my brother come together in this picture.
As I set the black charcoal stick down when I finished my picture, the bell rang. Phinexa came to my side to help me clean up. She looked at the finished picture over my shoulder.
"Wow," she said in awe. "That's amazing!"
I looked at my picture. I had drawn ever contour and line perfectly and every spot of shading was to perfection. It was so well done, it looked real. "Thanks," I said quietly. I was really in a panic mode now.
We finished cleaning up and headed to our next class. We settled into our seats and began writing. There was no bell at the beginning or end of this class, so whenever someone started they sat in their seat and started writing.
About halfway through the exam, the office leader of the school knocked on the door. "Could Phinexa and Arriana come with me?" she asked pleasantly.
"They're in trouble," I heard a boy named Grath say.
That bastard. I will kill him!
I stood up and followed Phinexa out into the hall and to the office. When the woman sat down, so did Phinexa and I. She looked at us repeatedly for a while. It made me uncomfortable.
"Did Shale walk with you to school today?" she asked unexpectedly.
It took a while for me to answer. "Yes," I replied. Of course he did. I remember this morning as clearly as the school bell rings.
"Did the gang come out this morning while you were walking to school?" the woman asked.
Phinexa nodded. I could see she was just as agitated as I was.
"Did your brother come into the school as soon as you got here?"
I stood up and slammed my hands on her desk. "Yes! Now why are you asking all these question?!" I yelled.
"Arriana," Phinexa said in a warning tone.
I sat back down. I was ready to hurt someone.
"I was asking questions because I was wondering why he hasn't been in any classes since his first one this morning. If he wishes to fail, he's doing a good job at it."
"What? He didn't go to these past two classes?" I asked in disbelief.
The woman nodded.
"How though? How could he be missing?" I asked. How could my worst fear have come true?
"If I knew that answer, I would tell you," the office leader said. She didn't at all seem concerned about my brother.
My mind went into a worse version of my normal panic mode. Shale was missing? It wasn't even possible. At least I didn't think it was. The rims of my eyes started to fill with tears.
Phinexa turned to me and held my shoulders with her hands. "Arriana, calm down," she said. "We'll find Shale. Just stay calm." I could tell that even she was worried.
I felt the small tears overflow and crawl down my cheeks. "Calm?! How can I stay calm?" I yelled. "My parents will kill me if I go home and Shale isn't with me. If I go home and my mother asks where Shale is, how will I tell her the truth? I can't lie Phinexa, you know that. I just can't lie to my parents, espacially my mom." I didn't care if we were still in the office. I wanted to cry. Sure I didn't pay much attention to my brother, but he was still my brother and I couldn't abandon him.
I saw the office leader turn to Phinexa. "I can postpone your exams until Shale is found," she offered.
Phinexa nodded. "Please." She looked to me and back to the woman behind the desk. "When are we able to look for Shale?"
She looked out to the sun that just shone above the treetops. "As soon as the lunch bell goes," she replied, dismissing us.
Phinexa led me out of the office and sat me down on a bench close to the main doors of the school. She kept telling me that everything would turn out all right, but her words did little to comfort me. The only thing that was on my mind leaving the school to go find Shale.
The bell rang a few really long moments later. I got up, wiped my eyes and ran out the door with Phinexa on my heels.
