Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 33: Academe of Mages

[Photo by: Gezim Demolli]
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Soaring high above a sea of trees, Rathorn's noble raven had its wings outstretched as it glided against the wind, occasionally swerving from left to right. At a distance, the Academe of Mages drew nearer and nearer. The raven landed on the balcony of one of the towers. A woman with black hair was there tending to the caged ravens. She promptly took out the scroll on the noble raven's leather pocket and made her way to the headmistress' study.

"We've received a message from Rathorn, lady Moira."

The headmistress glanced at her. "Go ahead and read it, Sabina."

Unscrolling the piece of parchment, Sabina cleared her throat. "Dear headmistress, I believe a great illness has befallen my kingdom. Five people of man lie dead already. At your earliest convenience, please send us healers. None of our local healers can identify this new plague that is spreading as we speak, and no apothecary has provided a cure."

Moira replied, "Call Alyson, Bertha, and Ella here, please."

"Right away, headmistress."

As the raven master entered the hallway, she passed by Ingrid.

"What did Sabina have to say about Rathorn, lady Moira?" Ingrid asked.

The headmistress sighed. "Ingrid, you've made so much progress here in the Academe." She blinked slowly and glanced at her. "It's nothing Alyson, Bertha, and Ella can't handle. You've trained them yourself."

"Healers? Who's fallen ill?"

Stacking three pieces of paper, Moira set them aside. "Residents of man."

Ingrid moved closer to the headmistress' desk. "They said nothing about its origins?"

"All I know is that Rathorn is in urgent need of healers. And I've already selected three. The situation is handled."

With her forehead lightly creased, Ingrid glanced at all the scrolls on Moira's desk. Scrolls from all over Vaehandre.

The headmistress saw Ingrid's prying eyes. "Would you have volunteered to go if you got wind of their situation before I did?"

"I—"

Emerging from the doorway were the three healers Moira sent for.

"You called for us, headmistress," Alyson said, standing a step forward from Bertha and Ella.

Moira smiled and made a slight bow. "Alyson, yes, you are one of the best healers we have—"

Alyson glanced at Ingrid. They smirked at each other before Alyson glanced back at Moira.

"—You will be guiding the twins in their first commission."

Alyson craned her neck. "Where are we going, headmistress?"