I stared at him in disbelief. “... wha…” I started to ask him to repeat the statement, but I had heard clear enough. I went for the more important questions. “When?”
He grimaced at my disrespectful manner. “Not long.”
Not long? Not long ago? Not long from now? Ugh. Keep pushing. “Where?”
His mouth tightened. “That is council business, Elfreda. That is Juniper Fountain’s path, not your own.” He stepped aside and rolled his hand to encourage me out. “Make your way.”
I pushed past him feverishly. I started toward town but quickly recalled the previous day at the library and turned, heading toward home, until I remembered my run in with Fannie. I had nowhere to go. A pain throbbed deep in my chest as I ran for the clearing where I'd spent the day with Chevelle.
He was there, waiting for me. The pain in my chest dulled a little. Or maybe it was only overwhelmed by a new pressure. I crossed to him slowly. Junnie was all I'd had since I came here and now she was gone. I wanted nothing more of Fannie. What would I do? By the time I reached him, I knew what I wanted. I wanted to retrieve my mother’s things from the vault. I would leave this wretched place behind.
I made my stance more formal to match his. “I want to learn transfer magic.”
His mouth tightened and he turned his head, as if a half shake of no.
“You taught me fire.”
“For protection, Freya.”
“Please,” I begged. He hesitated. I didn’t know how to convince him. Was it too soon for me to learn? I knew there was an order to the spells, knew you must earn the knowledge. If you went too fast or out of sequence you could endanger yourself.
“There is no hurry,” he tried to persuade me.
“There is,” I insisted, “I am running.” I didn’t know why I chose that word, I wasn’t bound here. Leaving would have sufficed but it felt like running, felt like escape. And I knew I was trapped, someone would stop me. Yes, I was running.
I swung my head to locate a noise at the edge of the clearing behind me. Long robes… two council members. Chevelle grabbed my shoulders as he spoke in a low voice. “Home, Freya. Run.” I didn’t hesitate, I sprinted straight home without looking back.
The house seemed empty but I didn’t check, I went directly to my room and closed the door behind me. The single flame still flickered above my bedside table. As I walked closer, I noticed a package on my bed. I spun my hand and lit the room to better see. It was a large ivory box tied with tweed. I slipped the small note from under the knot.
Dearest Elfreda,
I must away without saying goodbye. I am sure you cannot understand but please trust in me. Don this immediately. –J.
I tugged at the tie and the string fell away. I took a deep breath as I opened the lid. It seemed like I couldn’t quite catch my breath anymore. I reached inside and drew out a long white gown. A dress?
I couldn't fathom her reasoning, but I knew Junnie must have gone through much to get me this package and I would do as she'd asked. Numbly, I stared at her words while I unfastened my shirt and removed my sash. The pouch I had rescued from the vault fell to the bed. How had I forgotten? I kicked off my shoes and pulled my top and pants off before sliding the gown over my head and straightening the length with my hands. I laced the corset tight at my waist and adjusted the plunging neckline as I stepped into my best shoes.
I retrieved the velvet pouch from the bed to examine the contents, but before I loosened the binding I heard a crash behind me; three council guards had busted open my door. I slipped the pouch under the long bell sleeve of the dress as they crossed the room and grabbed my arms.
Chapter Five
Trials
I stood in the center of a council chamber I had never seen before. The walls were lined with vast libraries of the earliest books and between each shelf were ornate mirrors and ancient decorations. Overhead was a great vaulted ceiling, embellished by various paintings and carvings. Across the empty space before me was an elaborate table that seated six leaders of High Council. The guards who had brought me here had released my arms and stood a few feet back on either side. Left of one were council members and as I glanced right, Chevelle walked in and stood at attention, facing the council table. I heard others enter behind us, presumably witnesses, and I wondered if Junnie was among them.