Chapter twenty-five~ Order of Learning
I woke up earlier this morning, even earlier than Sierra. Shocked to see her sleeping for once, I did not notice a parcel by the door of the tent. Only when I got up to look outside and embrace the sun, did I almost step on it and notice it.
I picked it up. It was wrapped in light blue tissue paper, and was hard as a rock. Ripping off the paper, it was a book. The Making of Runes and Stones, by Jonathan SoulWell.
“Go figure.” I muttered. I opened the book, and on the first page, there was writing.
Hope you learn lots
-M
I made a silent thanks to Matt, and put it on my cot.
“What was that you had?” Sierra’s voice made me jump, alive and cheerful.
“Thanks for startling me.” I turned around to face her, sitting cross-legged on her cot. “How did you wake up so quickly?”
“I usually get up on the same time. However, how did you get up so early?”
“I don’t know…” I told the truth.
“That answer makes sense.” She chuckled under her breath. “Did you get something?”
“Yeah.” I pointed to the book. “It’s from Matt.”
“Mmm.” She put a white, dainty finger on her mouth. “Probably for school.”
“Yeah.” Suddenly, I widened my eyes. “What time did he say that I had to be at this school?”
Sierra laughed. “Relax. It’s all figured out. Matt is going to pick you up in-“She looked at her wristwatch. “A half hour.”
“What am I going to wear?”
“Here.” She walked towards a stack of clothes on a dresser near her cot. “He gave me these clothes to give you last night.”
She handed me the robes. They were made out of a very soft material, soft and silky. It was a bright maroon color, with a tan trim. I didn’t quite favor the colors.
“Why tan?” I asked, disappointed.
“Its balance school colors.” She smirked.
“Great?”
“Just get dressed.”
Twenty minutes later, my hair was put into a pony tail and covered by a maroon hood. The hood covered half my face, only revealing my eyes. Because of that, I felt less vulnerable, and more dangerous.
Most people only need to look at my eyes to see who I am, anyways. I glance at a mirror hanging by Sierra’s cot, and I saw a glimmer of colors in my eyes. There was something else, though. Pain and fear of what comes ahead. I sighed.
I was wearing the maroon and tan robes, which felt more comfortable then they looked- and colder, which felt amazing in the burning heat.
And of course, my citrine amulet. Whenever I wore this amulet, which is all the time, I felt that I wasn’t alone. It’s as if my mother’s presence still lingers here, making my wounds impossible to heal.
Right on the dot, a swooshing sound came from outside the tent, and I knew it was Porting.
The tent door opened, and Matt appeared. Glancing at me, and then looking at Sierra. “I see she’s ready. What time are you going to be back from your appointment?”
“Six hours, at the most.” She replied, twisting a lock of silver hair with her thumb and forefinger.
“What appointment?” I interrupted.
Sierra’s crystal eyes twinkled in delight. “It’s for my writing, you see. I’m going to meet with the librarian in the Krokotillian Library, and study their culture.”
Matt smirked. “Are you sure you that you don’t want to see your little sister?”
Sierra grimaced, while I perked up in surprise. “You mean she has a sister?” I turned to Sierra. “You have a sister?”
Sierra did a little smile. “Her name is Rowan. She is Life, like my father, and she is an apprentice in the Order of the Fang. You might see her there.”
Matt looked at his watch. “We need to go, Mary. You will not obtain any pleasure being late for your class.”
I nodded. Matt held out his hand and I took it eagerly. In a moment, Matt nodded to Sierra in a goodbye, and we hurtled into colors of wind and heat.
After a few seconds, I felt my feet sink into the ground an inch deeper. Sand was everywhere and a huge monument stood in front of the scolding sun. It seemed to be made out of some kind of golden stone, almost gleaming in its age.
“Welcome to the Island of the Krokosphinx.” Matt walked forward, and in the shadows of the huge monument was a large, hidden hole. Before I could figure out what the hole was, I finally figured out what the monument was. It seemed to be a statue of a lion’s body and a lizards head, with a Krokotopian crown upon its head.
“The architecture is amazing, here.” I exclaimed, as Matt took my arm and led me to the hole. In the mist of the haze, I noticed a ladder that went down the hole. It was all so hidden; I wondered how I could see it at all.
“I trust that your school will allow you to see the entrance.” Matt examined the hole, and glanced at me. “All you have to do is climb down the ladder.”
“You mean the Order of the Fang is in a hole?”
“Yes, why?” He looked surprised at my doubt.
“If it’s a place so sacred, then why is it in a hole, where some assassin could find it?” I stated, completely lost.
“That’s the thing,” Matt smirked, “Only people who know true balance magic can see the entrance.”
My mouth went in the shape of an “o”. I stared at him suspiciously. “How do I know it’s not a trap?”
He laughed at this. “Because your Headmaster knows about this place. Why in the worlds would he send you to a trap?”
I sighed, defeated in one quick blow. “Alright. Will you be back?”
“Yes, and hopefully Sierra would be back from her appointment by the time you reach your tent. I will see you in six hours.” He turned and ported abruptly, leaving no trace behind. Perhaps he didn’t want to speak anymore.
I turned, and gazed at the hole. Matt was right; the Order of the Fang wouldn’t be a trap. How could it, if Headmaster Ambrose knows about it?
I slowly touched the ladder, and began to work my way down. The light got dimmer and dimmer, until my feet touched wood to stone.
I turned around, staring in wonder at the room before me.
It was almost like a library made out of old stone and artifacts. Row after row, there were books, harps, crowns, parchments, scrolls, mirrors, and more. Desks surrounded the room neatly, with one scroll on each tabletop. There were many large goblets full of this reddish-glowing liquid. On the walls, were torches of blue fire, flickering shadows against the hieroglyphic wall.
Flying around, quicker than a snap of your finger, shot past me; pixies. They seemed to fly randomly around the room, while some were actually reading, or studying. They were tiny little things; about the size of your hand. I wondered why they were here.
Three girls and two boys were deep in their books, reading at their desks. One other girl with light brown hair seemed to be making a potion, and a boy was reciting hieroglyphics on a piece of parchment. None of them happened to notice me.
I walked forward slowly, cautious, trying not to disturb the students. I saw another room with an arched door in the front of the library- room, and I walked gently to that door. Once there, I peeked inside, but only saw shadows. Only one fire was lit in this room.
But there was definitely something alive in here.
“Hello?” I murmured. I coughed quietly, and held on to the stone wall for support from whatever was in here.
“Come in, young witch.” The voice was dry, crackly, and a mans. However, it was gentle and kind enough for me to walk in without feeling unsafe.
I squinted in the shadows, trying to see this man. “Who are you? Are you a professor?”
“A teacher? That is everything and everyone, my dear.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Something moved in the darkness. “Everything teaches, and everyone teaches to another. It’s a giant web of knowledge, a magical connection that cannot break. In the end, it shall be a cup of knowledge, never stopping, never spilling.”
“Sounds fascinating.” I breathed out, full of wonder. It took me a second to realize that I still didn’t know who this man was.
“However.” The thing moved again. Was that him? “I cannot teach you, if one’s cup is already full.”
“You just said that a cup of knowledge could never be full?”
“Ah, yes, but do you believe your cup is full?” The man insisted.
“No.” I replied. “I wish to learn.”
“Why are you here, young witch?” The man grunted, despite my last comment.
“My Headmaster from Ravenwood sent me here to learn, sir.” I replied.
“That is an answer, but not a true one. Speak why you are here.”
Confused, I spoke, “I will speak when you show yourself.”
“I will teach when the student is ready. Tell me, what is your breaking point?”
Shocked, I stepped back. “I shan’t speak my breaking point until I know who you are, sir.”
I heard a chuckle in the distance of the shadows, all scratchy and loud. “I must learn your breaking point to make you stronger. As for my appearance, I must know you’re aware of your judgments in equality.”
“Am I being tested?” I examined warily.
“We are always being tested, my dear witch.” Then, suddenly, he emerged from the shadows. I held in a gasp, and bit my lip.
The man was a lizard. A large, crocodile-like lizard, standing on his hind legs. He wore silks of balance colors, and wore a headgear thin enough to show that he was bald. He bared a snout, with teeth poking out his mouth. “I, dear child, am Alhazred; member of the Order of the Fang.”
“You’re a lizard.” I eyed him, and wondered if that wasn’t obvious.
“Indeed I am. Now, what is your breaking point?”
I pinched my lips together, focusing on his yellow eyes. “I will not tell. I’m not ready yet.”
Alhazred bowed, and looked me in the eye. “You have passed the test.”
What test? I thought. Then I realized- perhaps he was teaching me to never fall for my weakness?
Which was what- did I even know my breaking point?
In a way, I was tired of my body being here, while my soul was secretly hiding in the back of my mind. I wish my mother’s presence would just leave, because it wont leave me alone, not letting my wounds just heal.
But the pain is too real, as well. I wanted my mother and Sabrina to come back. I had fought for their happiness, held their hand when they had cried. And for what? Death? Leaving me here, to fight for myself- which I had not done yet in my entire life? I didn’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to get rid of their faces which they haunt my once most pleasant dreams. I don’t know how to break the bond from the life that they left me behind in.
Could I tell myself, or convince that they are gone forever? If my mother’s presence was still haunting me, then why do I feel so alone?
Damn myself for such childish fears. I should know better- I’ve kept these thoughts in the back of my mind since the deaths occurred. I opened my eyes, and realized that Alhazred was watching me. Suddenly, I trusted him.
“You had a question, and I shall answer.” I decided. “Even in death, love lasts forever. That is my decision to tell you.”
Alhazred nodded. “And I agree.”
I stared into his eyes. “So, will you teach me?”
“You should do it, professor.” A young girl’s voice rung out from the entrance, and there stood a girl with dark reddish hair and green-brown eyes. She was a small thing, skinny and narrow. She looked about eleven years old.
“Why do you think, dear Rowan?”
Sierra’s sister!
“Because,” She glanced deeply into my face. “You can see the longing in her eyes. She wants to learn, professor.”
Alhazred stood there, gazing at me. “You have quite extraordinary eyes. In fact, there is something very strange with you, young witch. What is your name, child?”
“Mary Ravengem, professor.”
Rowan gasped. Alhazred’s expression never changed. “Mmm, Sylvia’s daughter. Yes, there is something quite the contrary with you, Mary. We will understand each other soon enough.”
He was the only person I’ve ever met that called me Sylvia’s daughter the first time, and not the daughter of a mad man. It sent shivers of pleasure down my spine for this to actually happen once.
He spoke again. “Rowan shall share her books with you, and you may explore this little school. Beware; however, do not try to spill your cup before it is even enough yet.”
I nodded, and began the school of the Order of the Fang.
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