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

Chapter Four

Another Chance

"I assume, since you're out here alone, that this charming entertainment is not appealing to you?" Felix's slight, cocky smile and quiet voice confirmed that he did not believe he would be caught. As I watched, he smoothed his hair with his hand.

He just transferred. Why didn't I notice? Was I that distracted? I mentally cursed myself. "Why are you here?" I demanded.

Felix sighed. "No pleasantries for you, is there? I found you by using a tracer spell."

"I figured that."

"Then why did you perform an illusion?"

Why did I? It seemed all it did was cause me trouble. "I don't have to tell you."

"Did you think I wouldn't be able to find you using a tracer spell? Simply because you performed an illusion? I'll have you know I'm powerful enough to do that."

"You're not just here to brag about your magical abilities. So either tell me what you're after or I'll march right back into that room and alert my father to your presence. He'll have you properly dealt with."

Felix stared at me, amused. "Thrown into a dungeon, yes? Of course, because we both know how effective four stone walls are in keeping a mage contained that knows a transfer spell."

"You aren't adept in it yet. I can fix it so you can't use one."

Felix actually paused. Then he shrugged. "Perhaps. But after you hear this, you won't want to." He smiled condescendingly. "I want to offer you a deal. You have the potential to be a master mage. I know those Dyranarya Academy teachers refuse to let you be a master. I also know that the only reason is because they believe you are too young. Not very fair, is it? I know how much magic means to you. It's why you performed an illusion last night. You have to use magic. It's a part of you. It can't be taken away."

That was the only reason they refused! But wait … "Why should I believe anything you're saying? Why should I listen to you?"

"Because I'm offering you the one thing you want most – the chance to work on master projects. Like the ones my father is creating."

"He's planning a magical war!"

"Yes. And you can help."

"I won't! I refuse!"

"A pity, that. Because if you refuse, then I refuse to help Remalna."

"What are you babbling about?"

"If you come with me, right now, to Riebelheim, then my father swears not to harm Remalna."

"I can't trust you! Or him!"

Felix reached into a tiny pouch by his side and a circular pendant slipped out. The pendant was gold with a slim silver outline. I reached for it and he held it over my hand.

I closed my eyes and felt the pendant – for its properties and its purpose. I opened my eyes and glanced at Felix, hesitant. "This holds part of Lord Laedin's power."

"Precisely. The part of his power that wants him to take over Remalna. And if you agree to come with me, then this will become yours as our promise not to harm Remalna."

I stared at the softly glowing pendant, activated by my magical touch. "Why do you want me?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"We need your help."

"For what?"

"'Ria!"

I glanced behind Felix, recognizing Alaraec's voice. Felix vanished just as Alaraec stepped out onto the balcony with me.

"You've been here a while. Are you all right?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just wanted some fresh air."

Alaraec stood still for a minute, assessing me. "You don't look like it helped."

I slowly lifted my gaze to his face and saw his genuine concern. For a moment, I wanted to blurt out everything to him. But I caught myself just in time. I couldn't tell anyone about Felix. It would only place them in danger. Alaraec might be able to defend against a physical attack, but he was helpless against a magical one.

So instead, I shook my head. "Actually, I don't feel very well. I think I'll head back to my room and rest."

"Oria …" I glanced up at Alaraec. "Is it Clorentine? Because you know she's just jealous."

I laughed. Clorentine was the last thing on my mind now. "No. It's not about her."

"All right." I knew he didn't believe me. Just as well, I thought.

"Good night, Alaraec."

I slipped out of the ballroom, avoiding, I hoped, detection. I had left the ballroom and was headed to the Residence when someone grabbed my arm. Fearing it was Felix again, I yelped an attack spell.

It splattered against Flauvic's shield. "A little uptight, aren't you?" He released me. "That was rather powerful. Were you expecting it to be someone else?"

"Why are you hounding me?"

"Because you're getting yourself into trouble. I felt powerful magic back in that ballroom. Care to tell me what's going on?"

"No!"

"Then I guess it's a good thing I already know."

"You don't know anything!"

"Felix Laedin just told you if you didn't join him, his father would trample Remalna."

"That's not what he said!"

"Read between his lies, Oria. That's what he meant."

"I can handle this myself."

"Don't be a fool, Oria!"

"I don't have a choice!"

"I have a moral obligation to tell your parents what I know."

"Since when have you been one to mouth out moral platitudes?"

"Since I fell in love with your sister," Flauvic said, his mouth twisted into an ironic smirk.

"Please, Flauvic, don't say anything to them. I'll think of something, I promise. But I've hardly had a moment to myself since I arrived. I just need to think."

"I'll give you until after Petitioner's Court tomorrow."

"Flauvic! That's hardly any time at all!"

"You don't seem to realize how serious this is. This isn't just between you and that Felix. Remalna is at stake."

"I know that," I snapped. "That's why I'm so confused."

"And you need guidance. From your parents." He emphasized every word.

I frowned.

"Think of this from my perspective. Do you think Meliara would appreciate it if I told her she needed to keep a better eye on her child?"

"I'm not a child."

"Then stop acting like one."

"I don't know what Elestra sees in you."

Flauvic laughed. "Tomorrow. Petitioner's Court. It's not an option."

I still hadn't reached a decision before Petitioner's Court. Sitting through it was a living nightmare. I glanced from my parents to Flauvic, who conveniently ignored me, to Elestra. Elestra didn't help; she only gave me confused signs with her fan. Even Alaraec noticed and told us, with his fan, to stop fooling around. I sighed and sent one last glance at Flauvic. To my surprise, he was watching me, his face completely unreadable. Elestra whispered something to him, and he turned away.

It wasn't until a few hours after Court that Elestra came to visit me. I looked up at her from the magic book I was studying, and instantly knew something was wrong.

"Mother and Father want to see you. They both look upset."

I slammed my book shut, although I controlled my face so my anger didn't show. "Have you seen Flauvic?"

"Not since Petitioner's Court. Why?"

"If you love him, you better marry him before I kill him." I hurried out of the room.

"Oria. Oria, wait! What's going on?"

I left Elestra behind, heading for Mother and Father's private rooms, anger coursing through me in a magnitude I had never felt before. I thrust Mother and Father's goldenwood doors aside and demanded, "It's not what you think."

I stopped short when I saw Mistress Jintella standing near the door. Mother and Father stood near the window. The Nefarious Scoundrel was the only one kneeling at the table. He nodded to me in acknowledgement.

"Oria," Mistress Jintella murmured. I faced her. "Tell us what you know."

I realized too late that she was working a truthsaying spell. Before my indignation could propel me to speak in outrage, the spell took over. It forced me to rehash, in painstaking detail, my entire experience from the day the academy was attacked, to my illusion, to my meeting with Felix just last night. When the spell released me, I glared at Mistress Jintella. "I'm not a criminal that you needed to do that."

"Did you come to your parents with such important news?" she rebuked.

"I -" I glanced at Mother and Father and shut my mouth.

"You should have told us immediately," Father said. His disappointment hurt.

"Don't you trust us?" Mother asked.

"It's not that," I protested. "I can handle this. I can handle Felix. And help Remalna at the same time!"

"Giving yourself over to him would not be helping Remalna," Father said, his eyes narrowed. "I fail to see your logic in that."

"But I could take the pendant from him the next time I see him. And he's terrible at transfers. I could capture him and -"

I stopped as Flauvic shook his head. "Not possible."

My anger flared again. "That's the problem. You all think my magic is more limited than it is. It isn't true!"

"What is true," Mistress Jintella said, "is that Master Grenham and I have not given you master status because of your age. Your potential is undeniable, and no doubt one day soon you will be a master, but right now, your impatience is a large part of the reason we won't allow you to be promoted. You try too many projects that are just beyond your capabilities. It can be deadly. Not just for you, but for others. This pendant – I trust your magical feelings that it is real. Nevertheless, there are drawbacks to possessing one of them. Do you know what that is?" I shook my head. "Your magic is slowly drained everyday you wear it. Yet, you must wear it in order to protect Remalna."

"What do you suggest, Mistress Jintella?" Father asked.

She pursed her lips as she stared at me. "I will take her back with me to the Council of Mages in Sles Adran. Even though Lord Laedin is attacking there, she will be safe. I will bring her friend, Evijah, a great truesayer, and instruct her to tell me of Oria's activities. No matter how badly Lord Laedin wants Oria, I doubt he will place his son in danger to try to talk to her when she is surrounded by capable mages."

I stared at Mistress Jintella, not sure if I should be offended that I was to be taken a virtual prisoner or ecstatic at the chance to stay and study at the famous Council of Mages. After my days of being hurt and offended, I decided I needed to be excited.

I clapped my hands gleefully. "So when do we leave?"

"Immediately," Mistress Jintella said.

"And since I'm with such 'capable mages' I'll be able to work magic again, right?"

Mistress Jintella sighed. "I suppose it was unfair for me to restrict you, no matter what my reasons were. Yes, you can do magic, but only with someone present. And this will not be play, Oria. I expect you and Evijah to work."

"We will, we will. I promise!"

"That's excellent to hear. I believe they need a few extra stablehands."

My jaw dropped. "What?" Then I noticed Mistress Jintella's grin and I frowned. "Real work, right? We'll be doing mage work."

"Yes, mage work. Mostly trying to create spells."

I grinned. "Master level."

"Journeymage level."

"You're no fun at all."

"I don't think this is supposed to be fun, or funny," Father said. "Oria, I expect you to behave yourself. I'm not happy about sending you away, but …"

"You don't have much of a choice," I said before I realized I should have kept my mouth shut – aftereffects of the truthsaying spell.

"Yes, there's a choice," Mother snapped. I caught Flauvic wince. "I'm sure we could ask your friend Evijah to stay here and then you would be forced to tell us anything else that happens."

"But Felix would still try to come again," Mistress Jintella pointed out. "He will shortly know, as soon as we transfer, that Oria will not be here. Hopefully, that will delay any trouble for you." She turned to me. "I will find Evijah then we will leave. Go get your magic books." I hurried out.

I ran into Elestra and Alaraec after I closed the door. I knew from their upset faces that they had been spyears.

"How could you not tell us about something like this?" Elestra asked.

"I could have helped you chase Felix away or captured him," Alaraec added.

"No you couldn't," I said, taking the easier statement to counter. "He has powerful magic that you wouldn't be able to counter that with any sword."

"And now you're going away again," Elestra said quietly. "You'll miss Flauvic and my wedding."

I stared at her, suddenly cold with shock. "You're right. Oh, that's awful! No, wait! I'll just transfer here the day of your wedding."

"Won't that place you in danger?" Alaraec asked.

"I won't stay for long," I promised. "Just enough to see the ceremony and give you guys congratulations."

"Are you still mad at Flauvic?" Elestra asked.

I sighed. "I don't know. If he hadn't told Mother and Father and Mistress Jintella, then I wouldn't be able to study at the Council of Mages, so, no, I guess I'm not mad at him anymore."

Elestra gave me a hug. "Be careful. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

Alaraec gave me a hug as well. Then I hurried to my room and thrust some stuff into my sack. I couldn't wait to get to the Council of Mages.

I'm really sorry that it took me so long to update this time. I've got a full time tutoring job which really cuts back on my writing time. Unfortunately, this is probably going to be my only update this summer. Once I get back to college, I'll (ironically) have more free time to write. Sorry!

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Once again, thanks so much to those of you who reviewed!

Willow-41z – LOL "ambiguous guy (as opposed to the bad guy)" – exactly! I'm glad you like it so far! Please keep reading!

Icelands – Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate it. And I'm sorry about the lack of updates. I feel really bad. Please continue to read and review!

FelSong – Thanks for reviewing! I know, I know … the beginning has been slow. But please stick around – the next chapter is longer and definitely has more action!

Comments, questions, and constructive criticism much appreciated. Your opinion matters to me!