Incessantly, the clock ticked. Each of my footfalls fell in time as I paced the enclosed space. Waiting. Always waiting.
Tick, tock. Step, step. Tick, tock. Step, step. Tick, tock. Step and turn. Tick, tock. Again, in the other direction. Samuel had long since stopped trying to abate my worries and quietly dozed in the corner. My arms hugged each other, tense and stiff, as I continued waiting.
Tick, tock—click. My head snapped up at the unlatching of the door. I nearly rushed forward to Julian; the questions untethered on the tip of my tongue. He met my eye and held up one finger, obscured by the door.
He turned back to whoever stood on the other side of the door with his quiet grin—the one that showed his teeth but didn't show in his eyes. "If you'll excuse me, that will be all," he stated with finality. "Thank you." He shut the door firmly, sliding the deadbolt at the same time the latch clicked into place.
The one finger was still held up for me as he silently listened beside the door. My cheeks puffed up; I was too antsy to continue with this waiting game. He lowered his hands with a deep sigh and gestured to me weakly. "Yes, madam?"
"Well, what did you learn?" I asked, quickly. My weight shifted to the balls of my feet, bouncing me eagerly.
Sammy began to rouse at the sound of my voice. He rubbed a loose hand across his eyes. "Oh, you're back," he murmured drowsily. "Did you find anything from that friend of yours?" He blinked the sleep away and looked expectantly towards Julian.
Julian pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment. "It's a wonder how I can forget you're related to one another."
My fingers drummed on my crossed arms, impatient as I was for the information. I cleared my throat pointedly. "Please, Julian," I urged. "It's been over a month. We need something more than whispers and rumors if we're going to keep hunting for your friend."
"That never stopped you before," he snapped.
My hands stilled and I turned a stormy glare on him—but we both quickly averted our harsh gazes on each other. I know he's right, but this is different. "This has nothing to do with the Dark Master," I retorted, weakly.
"Perhaps not directly," he admitted as he strolled further into the room, pulling an envelope from his pocket. "But, finding him will prove useful for our fight against her."
I sighed but didn't object to the subject further. My attention turned to what he brandished, instead. "So, I take it you did learn something?"
He set the envelope down on the table and stabbed at it with his finger, the light glinting proudly in his eyes. "I've done more than just learn something—this is the key to our next move."
My eyes narrowed and I moved closer to peer at the plainly decorated paper. "Our next move would be..." Pulling the paper free of the envelope revealed an invitation. "A party?" I asked doubtfully, skimming over the contents.
"Exactly," he chimed. "With this, it's a guarantee my friend will be in attendance." He peered over my shoulder and pointed to the greater message of the letter. "Just look at who is invited."
I read: All Shifter Apprentices and Wizards are to gather in attendance for the annual conference as required by the reigning Councilors of the Arts. This year hosted by Wizard Regifer Donal in his Great Hall in Enquilis. All absentees will be liable for any repercussions regarding their ability to continue practicing the Art of Shifting within the Kingdom of Mysti, as subject by the committee gathered in conjunction with the reigning Councilors of the Arts.
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Eternal Winter
FantasíaWaking up, alone in the cold and surrounded by snow with no memories of how she got there or who she even is, was not how Lyra would have wished to start her new life. Only by the guidance of the man who found her, the man who became her teacher in...
