The Mistwalker

Epilogue

On the fourth day, Milly got the news that she had been adopted by a man named Alphonse Rumford and that she would be heading to a place called Rumford Academy. Milly didn't know how she felt about the news. Shocked? Nervous? Scared. She knew how the other kids felt. Envious, jealous, and spiteful. Whatever chance she had to make some new friends was gone, even though it would have been all the same with her keeping distance from everyone.

Why had she been picked so quickly. The answer seemed obvious. They weren't going to let her get away. An academy? Milly was assured that those signs or seals or whatever Solomon called them, would get her out of anything military related. Milly wasn't so convinced about that though. She just wanted to find a stable spot, and not have her life change every week.

She left the orphanage three days later, without being able to remember a single name from the place. She spent the next two weeks going from place to place, each being a different spot in the orphanage program. The academy she was heading to was located near the center of the Empire, so a long journey was definitely in store. Other kids were with her during the constant shift to place to place, but now, Milly was the only one in the back of a long black car, going down a city she didn't know the name of.

The car pulled up to a large gate, where Milly could see a woman waiting outside. She was in her early thirties. Had olive skin and her long black hair was tied up in a bun. She wore blue glasses that brought out the color in her turquoise eyes. As the vehicle came to a stop, the car door slid open. Milly gathered her belongings, (the backpack with the sax case, a wrapped-up rifle, and the box of ammo she told people was a marble collection) and exited the vehicle.

The women standing before her smiled and nodded in greeting. "Hello, Miss Mistwalker. My name is Elize, and I'll be accompanying you today."

Milly cleared her throat. This was it, although the greeting was nice, but unexpected. "H-hi." She managed. "And... Milly is fine."

"Very well, Milly." Elize acknowledged. "I know this is quite sudden, but the headmaster would like to see you immediately. I'm sure afterwards, you'll be able to get your quarters and a possibly get a tour of the academy. Did you need help with your luggage?"

Milly shuttered and let out a long breath. If Elize notice Milly's nervousness and quite possible terror, she made no sign of it. "No, I-I won't need any help."

The gates opened as Elize said "Very well." She continued to smile at Milly. "This way then." The campus was pretty much empty, most likely with-it being Saturday. The lack of people helped really hit home the beauty of the area though. There patches of green grass and hedges, fountains scattered throughout the property. Birds chirping. The academy seemed like a nice place, yet that didn't help ease the feelings going through Milly. Up ahead was the main four-story building. There was a building set a bit farther to each of its sides, making a U around her.

They entered the main building. "The headmaster's office is on the fourth floor." Elize told her. She looked Milly up and down and came to a conclusion. "We'll take the lift."

At least there's some mercy to this. Milly thought. They rode the lift up and, made their way down the hall. They arrived at a set of doors. Elize nocked lightly and a voice came from inside. "Come in." Elize opened the door and gestured for Milly to enter. She then followed Milly in, closing the door behind her.

The office was dimly lit, with the only light coming from the setting sun peering through the windows. Yet, it was still a cozy place. There was an unlit fireplace to the left, with two couches and a table in front of it. There was a big wooden desk at the end of the room, with two comfy looing chairs in front of it and a similar chair behind it. Sitting in that chair behind the desk was a man, although Milly couldn't get a good look at him as he was silhouette in the sunlight behind him.