Just a bit of warning: Any and all magic mention I took from the Wren books, since magic is rarely explained or even talked of (except for Flauvic, of course) in CCD, and this way, it's still using Ms. Smith's ideas about magic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Oria. I do not own her family. However, that which you do not recognize is all my work.

Chapter Two

Family "Help"

"Brace yourself," Mistress Jintella muttered as the servants opened the doors.

One glance around that grand room and I knew Petitioner's Court was over so my family was leading the discussion of solutions to the Petitioner's problems. The huge goldenwood tree was missing – I never seemed to be home enough to get used the idea of the throne room without it. Without meaning to, I stared at Flauvic. His golden eyes stared back at me, just as everyone else in the room seemed to. Flauvic knelt next to Elestra who knelt with Alaraec, who stooped by my parents. Both my parents watched me, I knew despite their Court masks, in surprise. Then Father stood and said, "We are honored to have you here, Mistress Jintella. But your unforeseen visit is unfortunate. We can have a room prepared for you, but I'm afraid you will have to wait."

Mistress Jintella curtsied. "Thank you, Your Majesty. But I do not plan on staying."

"Uh oh." I glanced at Alaraec who grinned at me. "Expelled again, Oria? For trying master work again?"

"Ha, ha," I began.

Elestra interrupted me, her expression warning me that she, too, wanted to tease me. "No, more likely for burning the library down from staying up late studying." That produced a few chuckles from the rest of the court.

Next to me, Mistress Jintella stood still. Her mouth was merely a thin line – a sure sign she was displeased.

"Now, now," Mother said quickly. "Let's hear what the real reason is." She turned to Mistress Jintella.

"Lord Laedin has attacked the magic school."

Silence settled over the court. The abrupt announcement caused them to glance at each other, uncertain.

"How can we be of service?" Father asked. While he had firm control over his voice, I could tell from his straight eyebrows that he was worried. "Surely the students -"

"They have been sent back to their respect countries with instructions to not use magic of any kind."

"Wha -" I began, outraged.

Mistress Jintella turned to me. "Of course that includes you."

"But I can help!"

"No." Both Mistress Jintella and Father spoke at the same time. "You will do as Mistress Jintella requests," Father continued.

Mistress Jintella glanced at me, then turned to the whole court. "As of now, the school is standing. With all the old magic protecting it, even Lord Laedin would be hard pressed to penetrate it. We have not found out his intent yet -"

"He wants revenge on Master Grenham."

Once again, all eyes turned to me.

"How do you know this?" Mistress Jintella demanded.

I winced. Wonderful. Did I tell them about meeting Felix? I glanced at my parents – their worried eyes and wary expressions – if I mentioned Felix, they would never let me out of their sight. Which meant, if I wanted to get out, I had to lie.

"Isn't it obvious?" I shrugged. "What why else would he attack such a protected place unless he wanted to hurt someone in charge of it? He can't care about us magic students."

Mistress Jintella sighed as she inspected me. She knew me well enough to know I was lying. But she dismissed it and said, "That is most likely correct. There is a connection between Master Grenham and Lord Laedin, although a very distant one."

"What would you have us do?" Father asked again.

"For now, just keep this one," she pointed to me and smiled, "out of our way. Hopefully, this will be resolved without any more destruction. The last thing us mages want is another magic war."

"You will have your hands full avoiding one," Flauvic murmured.

Everyone turned their eyes on him, but he stared reflectively at the wine glass in front of him.

Mistress Jintella sighed. "Yes, war is an unfortunate possibility."

"More like a probability," Flauvic clarified. "Lord Laedin has been passive for a long time – no doubt to plan a war."

Mistress Jintella frowned. Flauvic didn't seem to notice. I saw a glint of challenge in his eyes as he stared at Father. "No doubt he'll first move to Sartor and try his hand there first. If he fails or finds he needs supplies, what country do you think he'd turn to?"

Remalna, of course, I thought.

"Another war …" I hardly heard Mom's hushed voice.

Father gave her an ironic smile. "Aren't you used to them yet, dear?"

Mother smiled briefly. "I really don't think anyone can be used to war."

"In any event," Mistress Jintella said, bringing the attention back to us, "I suggest you strengthen your borders and expect anything." She turned to me. "And you have your orders."

"I can understand you want to curb the prenties from doing any magic that might wreck havoc," I hurried to say before she left, "but I'm a journeymage! I certainly know what to do and what not."

"That's not the point." Mistress Jintella's soothing voice and regretful eyes calmed me a little. "You are a princess. A powerful princess, especially when used as a bargaining tool by Lord Laedin."

Elestra poked Flauvic, an evil grin on her face. "As if we don't know about using princesses as a bargaining tool already."

"But how -" I argued.

"Tracer spells," Mistress Jintella answered. "He can use tracer spells to find you, if he so determined. I do belief your parents would appreciate if you heeded me?" She glanced back at them, and they nodded. Mistress Jintella squeezed my shoulder. "Remember, it won't be forever. I have to meet with Master Grenham to address the Council of Mages, but I will be back to check on you."

She waved her hand in the air, muttered to herself, then disappeared.

Once again, silence reigned over the court, not my parents. It's just like they teach us, I thought ruefully, they want us mages to fix the world, yet they hate it when we do it in front of them. Unless, I added, glancing at Mother, it's for entertainment.

Father turned to Lord Savona and broke the awkwardness. "Perhaps we should call together the border patrols and warn them of the sudden … ah … developments?"

Lord Savona nodded and stood. Father glanced at Mother who immediately said, "Court is dismissed for the day. But please, if any of you have suggestions on how to improve our borders, let us know."

Everyone stood and hurried out of the room, the noise level as high as Flauvic's tallest tree branches had stood. I winced. Flauvic wouldn't appreciate my line of thought – he hated to be reminded of his days as a tree.

"Oh, Oria!" Elestra grabbed me in a suffocating hug. "I missed you so much! It must have been awful at the school!"

I wanted to answer her, but Father's next comment distracted me.

"Flauvic, Mel, those tracers that Mistress Jintella mentioned – is there any way spells could be placed on the borders to warn us in advance of any attack by Lord Laedin?"

Mother hesitated and Flauvic didn't seem inclined to answer. "Sort of," Mother said finally. "I could work it so that we know if anyone in his army passed over our border, but that wouldn't be much of a warning."

"I could do it," Flauvic said. Mother cast a hurried glance at Flauvic. He gazed back, unfazed. I almost laughed as I remembered Elestra said in her last letter that while Mother and Father were slowly growing accustomed to her and Flauvic's impending marriage, Mother was still suspicious about his motivation and use of magic. "I could set up a border around Remalna so I would be alerted to anyone within a certain range of our border." He smiled smugly at Mother.

Mother frowned. "Why don't you set up a border around Athanarel while you're at it?"

"Give me enough time and I'll make it so anyone that walks over the Athanarel border turns to stone," Flauvic snapped.

Mother looked ready to burst, but Father's hand on her shoulder made her pause. "Perhaps you and Flauvic would like to work on this project together?"

Both of them stared at Father as if he had suddenly sprouted leaves. (Oops! I did it again. Sorry, Flauvic!)

Elestra, ever the peacemaker, strolled between the two of them and rested a hand on Flauvic's arm. "Flauvic would be delighted to assist Mother." Flauvic's wicked glares didn't faze her. "It's an excellent idea, Father."

Alaraec turned from Elestra, to Flauvic, to Mother, then Father, amused.

"Come, Meliara," Lord Savona said. "Surely you and Flauvic can work together for a short time to better protect Remalna, can't you? In fact, I'll bet you Tamara's new topaz necklace that you'll have a marvelous solution within a week."

Mother smiled faintly. "If you're so certain, then why are you betting Tamara's necklace?"

"I'd be happy to throw in my new pearl hair gem if you wish," he said, offering her his arm. "Well?"

Mother glanced at Flauvic, still unhappy, but reflective. Finally, she sighed. "Only to better Remalna …"

"Of course," Father said. "That's all I'd ask of you." He took Mother's hand and kissed it. She giggled and blushed.

But then she sighed. "Well, Flauvic, I suppose the sooner we do this, the sooner it will be over."

I glanced at Elestra and Flauvic who had been involved in a heated whisper argument. Elestra showed Mother and Flauvic a sweet smile. "Of course Flauvic is eager to start work with you." She pushed Flauvic towards Mother. They both left, eyeing each other warily.

Father turned to me. "You know I would have asked you to help with the border, but -"

I waved a hand at him, cutting him off. "I know," I said, controlling my voice so my disappointment didn't show. "I appreciate the thought."

Father kept his steady gaze on me for a few minutes, then nodded. He and Lord Savona left, leaving Alaraec, Elestra, and I alone.

"So how is it you knew Lord Laedin's motives and Mistress Jintella didn't?" Curse Alaraec. He was observant and had an unfailing memory. It would make him a great king, but a rotten brother.

I shrugged. "A logical guess."

"It's more than that," Elestra said.

"Not really." I rubbed my forehead, the day's events finally catching up to me. "I have a headache. I think I'm going to lie down for a few time changes."

Elestra nodded. "But later I want to show you the details of the ball Mother is planning for Flauvic and me. Well," she amended, "she really only sees it as a ball for me, not us both."

"Hopefully, Father's idea will help the two of them to get along better," Alaraec said.

"And what about you?" I asked him. "Is Mother planning a ball for you and someone special?"

Alaraec shrugged. "No. I'm not really interested …"

Elestra and I rolled our eyes. "And you, Oria?" Elestra said. "No one for you?"

"Plenty of flirts, but no twoing for me," I said. My head began to pound again and I turned away, picking up my sack that had fallen to the floor. "I'll see you later tonight. Right now, I think I better get to bed before I collapse."

No magic …

I stared at the ceiling, my brain replaying Mistress Jintella's words in my head.

… not to use magic of any kind …

She's trying to kill me, I thought, resigned. She knows I can't survive without doing magic. Especially for an indefinite amount of time.

I rolled over in my bed so I faced the floor. My sack of schoolbooks sat on the floor, tempting me. I sighed, stood up, and walked to my open window.

The cool night air welcomed me. Remalna was entering its hot season which meant lots of open windows and another change in fashion.

I hate Court life, I thought with a frown. All the gossip and false flattery. Magic doesn't do that to people. When it comes down to its essence, magic is so simple. Not like people. Not like Court …

I sighed at turned my gaze to the sky. Clouds covered it, allowing no starlight to poke through.

It would be perfect, if there were stars …

I pointed and mouthed a few words. I was afraid if I said them, someone would hear.

Stars shone all around me, twinkling with various strengths and colors. I nodded to myself, satisfied. What use are illusions if they aren't colorful? I snapped my fingers and the stars vanished as neatly as they had come.

I settled myself back into bed. Lady Clorentine had sent me an invitation to her ball she was holding tomorrow night. As much as I didn't want to go, our mother's are good friends, and it would be a terrible slight for me not to show up. I didn't care for Clorentine's haughty attitude, but that didn't seem to matter.

Court. I'll never get used to it.

My illusion had satisfied me and calmed me enough to sleep. After all, what harm could there be in an illusion spell?

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A/N: I just want to thank my four reviewers: Icelands, Whispers-of-Hope, FelSong, and Willow-41z. Thank you all so much!

Comments, questions, and constructive criticism much appreciated.