In the time that I have known you I have come to be so proud of all you have achieved, and with no help from anyone except yourself.
I have made many mistakes in my life, and I cannot express how pleased I am that you dream of becoming your own person, and not beholden to anyone else.
Please, think of me kindly.
There was no signature. Ella’s hand trembled and her knees went weak. She sank down to the floor, and there were the two pieces of paper, resting next to her hand.
She picked the first up. It was bordered with glossy black lines, and the text was in the legalese of the money lenders. All she caught were the words "on account" and "tuition". With wide eyes and shaking hands she picked up the next sheet.
It was a letter of recommendation to the Academy of Enchanters.
Enrolments closed this morning, and examinations finished today. She may already be too late.
Ella had always promised herself she wouldn’t be afraid, no matter what life threw at her, yet here she was. If she hadn’t been afraid of Rogan she wouldn’t be in this situation.
Adrenalin surged through Ella’s body.
She began to run.
~
SOMEONE different sat behind the desk when Ella arrived at the Academy of Enchanters, flushed with exertion. She was a pretty girl Ella’s age with waves of auburn hair tucked behind her ears, full lips and soft brown eyes.
"Hello, can I help?" the girl said.
Ella looked around her, disconcerted to see there was no queue and the paved footpaths were uncannily quiet. "I’m here for the examination," she said, holding the letter of introduction and lender’s draft out for perusal.
"Don’t worry," the girl smiled, "you’re here early. There’s plenty of time."
Ella breathed a sigh of relief.
"Madam Foley, our administrator, will be here to take you shortly." The girl paused. "I think I’ve seen you before. Do you have a brother, who trains at the Pens? Miro, I think that’s his name."
"How did you know?" Ella’s heart was still racing, but she began to calm.
The girl blushed. "I watch the boys train sometimes, after classes. He’s very good, you know. Oh, sorry, I haven’t given you my name, I’m Amber."
"I’m Ella."
"Nice to meet you, Ella. Is Miro your older brother, or younger?"
"He’s the older, but I’m not sure by how much. Can I just ask — how does the test work?"
"Don’t worry," Amber said. "Madam Foley will interview you. How could you not know how much older he is?" she asked with open curiosity. "When’s your birthday?"
"I don’t know. Miro doesn’t either. My parents… They died, I think. Another man raised us."
"Oh." Amber looked down. "Sometimes I don’t know when to keep my mouth shut."
They spoke while Ella waited, and Ella soon found herself warming to Amber. Even as they were talking though, Ella wondered what the examination would be like. She’d heard it was difficult. What would they ask her?
Eventually an older woman came over, her face stern and hair coiled in a tight bun.
"Ah, there she is," Amber said as the woman approached. "Madam Foley, this is Ella, she’s here for the staff position."
Ella looked at Amber with shock. "No, I’m not. I’ve got my letter of recommendation here, and a lender’s draft for the fees. I’m here to enrol, and sit the entrance examinations. I want to study at the Academy."
"Amber?" Madam Foley said. "What have you done?"
Amber turned white. "Ella, your clothes… I didn’t realise. There’s not even ten minutes to go before the masters close the examination room. Lord of the Sky, what have I done? I’m so sorry!"
"Please, just tell me where to go?" Ella said.
"Here," Madam Foley said. "I’ll take you. Quickly, come with me. Amber, take her letters, and perhaps next time don’t be so swift to come to conclusions, dear. I’ll see if I can reason with the masters."
"Yes, Madam Foley," said Amber morosely.
Madam Foley took Ella by the hand and half-led, half-dragged her through a series of twists and turns, down alleys and narrow footpaths, obviously taking a shortcut to the examination room.
"Here," the woman said, opening a door for Ella. "Go inside and take a seat. There’s no one in there but the masters, and I’m guessing they’ll be surprised to see you. I’ll speak to Master Lodley for you, but I’m sorry dear, I can’t see guarantee they’ll show any sympathy. Normally each student gets three hours."
Ella nodded, entered the cavernous room, and took a seat.
~