Chapter 7
Odale didn't realize it was her birthday, until she saw the thick envelope lying on her bedside table. She sat up and kicked her covers off of her.
It felt heavy when she lifted it up and held it in her hands. Odale ripped the envelope open. The letter was filled with pieces of paper. She took the papers out of the envelope and put it on her bed. Odale looked through the papers.
They were all letters, but most of them were signed by either her mother or her father, even though Marcia seemed to have written one or two of them. Then there were some that had been written by people that Odale didn't know. Where did these come from?
Odale examined the envelope closer. On the other side of it, she noticed, her mother had written a Happy Birthday!. Odale couldn't suppress a smile.
She jumped up and walked downstairs. According to the clock, it was still early, but she was very hungry. Odale entered the kitchen.
Marcia wasn't up yet, but Odale was sure that she would be in a few minutes.
She was right. A few minutes later, Marcia walked into the kitchen. "Are you up?" Marcia asked. "I was going to let you sleep in."
Odale shrugged. "I went to bed early, didn't I?" she answered.
"Of course," Marcia said. Odale ate her porridge and Marcia sat down in front of her.
"You left the letters, didn't you?" Odale said.
"Yes," Marcia replied. "But they're from-"
"Mum," Odale said, "I know."
"Do you know what they're about..?" Marcia asked her. Odale shrugged.
"As far as I understood, they're from my parents. Then some others," Odale answered. "Like you."
"Not just letters," Marcia said. "There's drawings too, like one of your sister."
"Okay," Odale said. "I don't know what to say... was that what mom was doing here?"
"It was," Marcia said.
"And Marcia..?" Odale continued. "About my Darke Week?"
"Yes, Odale?" Marcia said, "What about it?"
"I overheard you and Septimus last night," Odale replied, "You said you didn't want us to go-"
"Yes, but-"
"No, I understand," Odale said, "You don't want anything to happen."
"It's not only that... it's so much happening right now," Marcia replied, "Odale-"
"But then it might be too late," Odale said, "For Alther."
"I know, I know..." Marcia said. "Just... be careful."
"What am I not here for?" Odale hopped up. "Look, I was thinking of going to my mother's..."
"Of course," Marcia said.
"See you later!" Odale said.
On the way down, Odale met Septimus. "Happy birthday," he said.
"Mm," Odale replied, "You too."
The stairs moved down, frustratingly slow. Odale tapped her foot. "Have you bought something to Jenna?" Odale asked. Septimus grimaced.
"Not really... I forgot," he answered. "Have you?"
"Yes," Odale said. "Actually."
"Like what?" Septimus asked her. Odale shook her head.
"I'm not going to tell you," she said, with a smile. "I'm not going to say what I have for you, either. You'll have to wait and see."
"Secretive as ever, aren't you?" Septimus replied. Odale rolled her eyes
"See you," she said. "And... happy birthday."
It was late. Lorea realized that, since it was so light outside. Honey was whining, scratching the door. "Shush," Lorea yawned. "I'm going to take you out- I am. Just let me get up first."
She took a deep breath. Lorea didn't know if she was ready to meet her aunt yet. Maybe she just had to get used to the Castle... Or the Port, which she was in. Lorea supposed that it was the same. The Port just happened to be farther down. Or maybe up? Lorea didn't know much of the Castle at all. Not anything about the geography or the history.
But I'm not here for a lesson, Lorea told herself. I'm here for my aunt- whoever she now is.
Lorea wouldn't stay in the Port, she knew she should go and see her aunt. That was the sole reason she was in the Castle to begin with.
Her mother hugged her. It felt different, that day. "My baby," Cashmére mumbled. "How big you are..."
"Mum," Odale said, "Please... don't call me that."
"But you are my baby," Cashmére replied.
"Well..." Odale sighed, "Maybe. But mum, please don't."
Cashmére stroke Odale's cheek. "If that's what you wish, amica," she said. "Odale, I've made-"
"That's really sweet of you, mum," Odale cut her of, "But I can't stay for long. I need... I have an important thing I need to do."
"You'll be back tonight... si?" Cashmére said. Odale felt her stomach twist. She hated the way her mother looked at her. It was a desperate, needy look. It made her feel guilty, even though she hadn't done anything. Odale took a deep breath.
"Of course, mum," she attempted a smile and hoped that she would seem nicer than what she felt, "We've went over this a couple of times... I'll be here tonight."
"I remember that," Cashmére laughed, but seemed as uneasy as her daughter felt.
"I can stay for a little while, though," Odale said. "What was it that you made?"
Cashmére smiled and, that time, it felt genuine. Odale felt happier. "I'll show you," Cashmére said. "I must be really frustrating with everything, but-"
"You're not, mum," Odale said. "I swear. I'm just... tired, that's all."
"I suppose something sweet might cheer you up?" Cashmére said. Odale smiled.
"Maybe," she replied. "Does chocolate count as something sweet?"
Odale hurried back to the Wizard Tower about an hour later. She knew that she would be late and that Marcia would be angry, but that was just how it was. Marcia would have to deal with it. Odale sighed with annoyance. She had forgot her cloak. Not that she needed it, she didn't freeze without it, but she thought it looked weird not to have it.
She straightened her tunic and walked into an alley way, which she knew would be a short cut. Usually, she would not have walked there, as there was so many from her past who often happened to stay there. Odale looked around.
There was none. Except for one, who took her by surprise.
Merrin stood leant against a wall. "Hi!" she said. Merrin looked up and gave her a slight wave. Then he quickly put his hands into his pockets.
Odale looked at him. His hair was greasy, as usual, and hanging in wisps over his eyes. He was, to Odale's disgust, chewing a licorice snake. Odale wasn't a fan of licorice, but she smiled at him. "How are you?" she asked.
"I'm... well, aren't you still angry at me?"
"Angry?" Odale asked and tilted her head to the right. "Why would I be angry?"
"Nothing..." Merrin answered, "I mean, it just felt as though you were."
"Because I haven't been a lot with you?" Odale asked. Suddenly, she felt a bit guilty, even though she was well aware that it wasn't her fault. It was no one's fault, that was just how her apprentice ship worked. She had to work hard, she had to not-tell and lie to some of her friends because of it.
In the first few months there had never been issues, but as she grew, it had turned into an issue.
Merrin nodded, as a reply. Odale bit her lip. "Look," she said, "I'm doing stuff... apprentice stuff. But when I'm done, you, Zamir and I are going to do something together. Okay?"
"Zamir?" Merrin snorted. "Honestly?"
"The two of you are my best friends," Odale said. "And... I really need to go. I'll catch you later!"
Then, she ran of.
He didn't enjoy lying to her. She trusted him, but he knew that he couldn't tell her about anything that he was about to do. He knew from experience, literal experience, that Odale would not take it well.
Merrin had told her. Once. Some week ago, or so. She had freaked out at him, yelled and screamed. Merrin had panicked. He had cast a Spell on her, just so that she would forget what he had said.
Of course he was going to tell her, later. Under the right circumstances.
Odale burst into Marcia's study. "So sorry I'm late," she mumbled.
"That's alright," Marcia said. "Just sit down."
