Chapter 3
The reunion
"Papa!" Aleanna shrieked and ran toward her father, throwing herself into his arms.
"My little Aleanna. When did you grow?"
" About the time that you set off for Briar."
Aleanna bit her tongue until it bled. Papa was just doing his job, she told herself when she realized that she was being spiteful. Nevertheless, her father scooped her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing and held on tightly.
"Guess who I got to meet?"
"Who, papa?"
" Brigila Brickfelt. I told her of my proud little mage and she smiled and told me that when you got your shield, you would always have a place right beside her."
" Oh Papa. You didn't!"
" I did. and Miss Brickfelt sent you this."
He held out his hand and gave her a tunic that was embroidered with her name and the royal crest. Brigila herself had written A note for Aleanna.
My Newest companion,
Know forever that from now on, you belong to the King's army and shall ride by my side as a member of my army. Practice with horse and dagger, along with the usual sword and staff. I will await your arrival at my camp when you get your shield. Make certain that you wear this tunic and you will be welcomed in with open arms.
Waiting for my freshest knight,
Brigila Brickfelt of Briar
The note would remain in her keepsake box, Aleanna promised herself. She would wear the tunic only after she had her shield and was riding her warhorse, Bæmonart, to the location of Brigila's camp. She would cherish it forever.
Putting the letter to the back of her mind with difficulty, she said "Where's mother?"she asked.
When he hung his head, she thought the worst. "No!"
She ran inside to find her mother. To her relief, she was still alive but in bad condition. She ran over and embraced her mother. Feeling the remaining Light leave her body, she looked up at her mother and saw her eyes open as the magic surged through her veins. Her eyes flashed violet then closed. To Aleanna's relief, her chest began rising and falling at a normal rate. The cold sweat that had broken out on her forehead resided. Her face regained its healthy glow. I've learned healing-craft already. I haven't even trained with it yet. I could have killed her. Aleanna trembled at the thought. Her father and Jon came running into the room. Jon, while trying to stop himself, skid on the carpet and ran straight into Aleanna, knocking her over.
"Thanks a million, Jon. Now my head and my butt hurts. How can I ever repay you?" Aleanna replied sarcastically.
"Think nothing of it. Anytime. Now what did you do?"
"I don't know! I just hugged her and some of my
Light drained. She was like this when I looked up at her!"
" I meant when you ran. You were standing beside me one moment, gone the next. All I felt was a strong breeze drift past me."
" What!? I couldn't have used my Light without knowing that I was using it. Could I?"
" We really don't know with you, Aleanna. You are really totally new to us. You have always been more powerful than most. None of the teachers know exactly what is happening to you. The only person we know who had the Light was your grandfather. "
"Thanks for reminding me Jon. I really need that while I'm worrying what's happening to me."
"Sorry. You can't pretend that it never happened though. He left behind some scrolls and tablets that may shed some light on the situation at hand."
" To his study then."
" Before we are too old to become squires."
"Your lines are always so to the point, Jon."Aleanna complained.
" That one happens to be my favorite."
" I know. You say it at least twice a week."
"Oh well. At least now I know that you're paying attention to me when I'm talking to you...Aleanna? Aleanna! Aleanna, come back here!"
Jon ran down the corridor toward Aleanna's retreating back.
"Or...at...least...slow...down." Jon panted.
" You need to run more. I run around the fief three times a day."
" You have the biggest fief for at least a fortnights journey."
"Exactly my point, Jon. Do you hear me panting?"
There was a tell tale silence coming from behind Aleanna. Jon heard chuckling from Aleanna's direction.
"You know...it's really...not that...funny."
"Oh yes it is." Aleanna managed to say through gritted teeth as Jon finally caught up to her.
"We're finally here."Jon panted.
"No one's been here since Grandfather died three months ago. Your grandmother died a month after he died. It's going to be strange going back inside. I was only allowed to go inside with him."
Aleanna moved to open the door and stopped. "Can we do it together. I'm a little afraid."
" Sure, oh fearless one. Would you like me to hold your hand as well?'
"Shut up, Jon."
They both reached for the doorknob. There was an extra loud crack and both of them were flung backwards 20 yards.
"Dang! I should have known that he would put a repelling charm on the door to his study."
" Can't you cancel it out? You being the Chosen One and everything."
"I can't do anything about it until I come into age."
When a child of the Light comes into the Holy Age, girls sprout wings and boys get tails. When this happens, they reach their ultimate potential to do potent magic.
"Any idea when this may happen."
"Soon. Chosen Ones are famed to came into the Holy Age faster than normal girls. It has never been proven though."
" Well, until then we should rest until our Light comes back. You sure that you can't break it?"
"Positive. My grandfather was the strongest mage the entire line of Le Fey mages had ever known. I'll need all of my Light to break it."