Fall of Ima (Cycles of the Lights series)

Chapter Nine

Songbird- 9743 Jeman Year

Vesper endured a week in the dungeon before Master Hector visited. He eyed her from outside the bars. Not sure of his purpose, Vesper kept silent. He contemplated for a moment, corners of his mouth wrinkling. When he appeared to have reached a decision, he asked if she'd been in contact with Master Cleodell. Vesper's wished to impart the truth, but a familiar sting grasped her spine. Not ready to join her husband in death, she lied. "No."

Master Hector nodded. "I believe you." Vesper's spirits sank. At a loss on how to signal error, she could only listen. "I'm stepping out of line, but thought I should warn you. Master Ramona and I have ... disagreed with Master Cleodell, on many things. The other Masters and I don't know why or how Ramona died in your room, but we know it's no accident. Personally I believe you were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Master Hector sighed, taking a step closer. "I fear with Ramona out of the way, Cleodell may be plotting against me and Headmaster Reynoro." He shook his head. "I confess I'm not strong enough to stop him alone. Cleodell knows this. So please, be careful. He may try to use you since you're already dragged into this."

Judging by Hector's tone, Vesper gathered Cleodell was already suspected for Ramona's murder. She hoped this meant she'd be free soon. "Master?" Vesper called as he turned to leave.

"Speak," he faced back.

The urge to voice the truth rose again, but the hex ignited even more violently. Vesper trembled against the blinding pain. Swallowing hard, she decided once and for all she wasn't ready to tempt death. Her eyes drooped. "How long will I be here?" she asked instead.

"As long as it takes for the Masters to confirm your innocence," he answered. "We know you couldn't have possibly killed her with your beginner's training. Eventually there'll be enough evidence to exonerate you."

"Do you know how long it will take?"

"Perhaps a year?" he shrugged.

Vesper's body lost feeling. When she didn't respond, Master Hector left.

"A year's too long!" she exclaimed with only the cold stones as audience. A sorrow-laden breath pushed from her chest. "What of Priletoria? Meliora must be feeling so lost." The apprentice rushed from one corner to the next, turning thoughts in her head. She needed to rectify the situation. She paused to press her temples against the cold bars, hoping it'd squeeze out some idea. Nothing came and Vesper collapsed sobbing.

Weeks rolled on. The only souls she saw were beginner apprentices delivering her food. None carried word of Ramona's investigation. Many gazed at her with fear, a few disdain. Vesper paid no mind, demanding they send for someone with authority. No one came.

She speculated on the investigation's progress. "Have they accused Cleodell yet?" she wondered repeatedly. "How am I to leave this place? Perhaps if I walk on this ground enough, I can wear through and escape," she imagined grooves forming in the stones.

Vesper knew it mattered little to the school that she was the ruler of Priletoria, a humble kingdom on another planet. They only cared to uphold their rules. Once an apprentice entered the school, they were to shed everything from their previous life. Vesper couldn't plead on behalf of her home. To anyone who'd listen, it'd merely appear as if she were trying to flee Jema.

"It's not all bad," she whispered, fighting a depression that threatened to drag her into an ocean of no escape. "I'm in the school of sorcery. I've still a chance to find the Seed of Life."

Vesper shook her head. "But my poor child. As strong as Meliora is, even she must be troubled." The thought made her powerlessness, dragging her into depths of despondency.