Arnissa pulled her cloak tight around her and held her baby as close to her as she could as she hurried out into the crisp morning air. Though it was summer, the nights and mornings were still very cold. After the children had gone to bed, Arnissa tried to go back to sleep herself but, finding that her attempts were useless, she waited by the fire until the sun started to come up over the tops of the trees. Now she was hurrying through the grassy village, her shoe's damp with dew, towards the governor's hut that stood in the middle. She knew he would still be asleep, but she needed to speak to him before the girls awoke. Upon reaching his home, she climbed the three stone stairs to the door and knocked as loudly as she could. After a few moments, Arnissa heard a voice coming from inside.
"Coming, coming. Hold on one moment." Spoke the governor with a deep, slow voice. Arnissa watched as a very tired opened the front door, a look of shock and questioning upon his face. "Arnissa, my dear woman, what is it? Come in, come in.
"Katherine," said the governor to a very tired and confused woman, who had just stepped into the room, "Would you please make some tea for Arnissa and myself? I dare say, we could use some right now. So," said the governor, turning to Arnissa who now sat upon the couch, cradling a sleeping baby, "What is it you are in such a rush to tell me?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you at this early hour, sir, it's just that something very unexpected has just happened. As I was sleeping last night, I heard a knock on the door. It must have been around one or two in the morning, so I was fairly cautious before answering it. When I asked who it was, I heard a child's voice. She said the she and her sister had been travelling four days and needed food and a place to rest. Well, when I saw that they were alone, I, of course, let them in." Arnissa paused to say thank you to Katherine and sip the tea that had just been handed to her before continuing,
"Once the children were seated and comfortable, I proceeded to ask them a few questions, starting with their names, of course. And that's the thing that really got me...I wasn't sure If I believed them or not...It wasn't until after they finished telling me what had happened and why they were here that I knew they were telling the truth. Anyway, it turns out that their parents were murdered in a fire that also killed their little brother and destroyed their house..."
"Arnissa," Interrupted the governor, "What are their names?"
"Kestral and Kastalia Sorawin!" exclaimed Arnissa, "The Sorawin's are dead! Only their two daughters survive!"
"Oh my..." sighed the governor, " I never would have imagined...are you sure?"
"Unfortunately, yes. I am sure," replied Arnissa, "When I asked them their parent's names, they said they were Lea and Peter. Not only that, but it all fits. The house was far enough away...two daughters and one son...and Kestral said that the reason they were attacked was because 'they were too much of a risk'. Though, Kes didn't know why. She also said that they stole an object from her house as well. Neither of them had any idea what it was."
"Where are the children now?" asked the governor.
"They are at my house, sir. I have two beds in a spare room, they are sleeping there right now."
"Good," said the governor, "They are to stay with you. When they each turn thirteen, I will train them like I train all the children in this village. I am asking you to allow them to stay with you until the time comes when they decide to leave. Treat them as if they were daughters. In a few months time, once they get a bit more settled, send Kestral to me and I will tell her everything she needs to know. Until then, do not tell them of the magic that they possess, nor of the magic that Emma or any of the other people in this village possess. Their parents were right in wanting to stay hidden, and they were right in not telling them who they really are yet. It will be up to Kestral to tell Kastalia. I believe things like this are best explained by family, it's a shame that neither will hear it from their parents.
"Furthermore, no one must know who they are or even that the children of Lea and Peter are still alive. Word will spread soon enough that the Sorawin family has perished. If the men that attacked them think the children are still alive then they will surely come after them, perhaps killing every person and destroying every village they come to. I am sure that those men were more concerned with the deaths of the children then they were the deaths of their parents. Because of that, they are to take your last name and leave the name of Sorawin behind them. Tell anyone who asks that they are the orphaned children of your cousin. Make sure those girls know that this is the story they are to stick to. Tell Kestral and Kastalia that this is for their protection, and then say nothing more.
"Those men that attacked them have one purpose, and that purpose only. They wish to rid the world of magic. With or without those men, magic will die in a very short amount of time. Those of us here in this village are the only ones left who still possess the old magic. The Sorawin's were the only family left outside of here. Soon enough the children of this village will have to marry people from other parts of the world, people who do not possess magic, and so the gift will fade out. It is a terrible time that is upon us now. The men will do whatever they can to see the end of magic within their lifetime. Of course, by trying to kill those children... Had they succeeded... Well, it would have been a huge leap in the disappearance of magic, to say the least.
"For now, Arnissa, go home. I imagine that the children will be awaking shortly, and there is much you need to tell them. In a few months, I will send for Kestral. Until then, I hope you are well. If you ever need anything, please feel free to ask and we will do the best we can." The governor ended with a very solemn tone then stood up to show Arnissa to the door.
"Thank you, sir," Arnissa replied, standing up as well, "I guess I will be seeing you soon." Arnissa left the governor's hut and quickly returned home. She was worried about what all of this meant- would the men attack her village? Trying to turn her mind away from these things, she thought only of how she was going to tell the children what there future was now to be. Sighing deeply, she stepped inside her home and began to prepare breakfast.