The Unraveling

Aielle

Aielle hated it when Nesta closed herself off. She wasn't intentionally trying to pry. She was just worried. This was the twelfth night in a row that Nesta had jerked awake. She'd been thrashing in her sleep for longer than that. If she would just open up, maybe Aielle could help her friend. But Nesta turned into a thornbush when pushed, always walking away from uncomfortable conversations.

She didn't have time to ponder the mystery that was Nesta. She had to get to her apprenticeship. Spots were highly coveted and for whatever reason, Aielle had managed to snag one of the rarest opportunities. She was apprenticing under the King's advisor! If all went well, she and Nesta might have a chance to move to Mead. Then, they would truly be living. They wouldn't have to tiptoe nearly as much as they had to in Liander.

She wrote out a quick note to Nesta to ensure she wouldn't worry about her absence. Chances were Nes had forgotten today was the first trial. Normally, Aielle wouldn't be venturing out of the house on a weekend. Not with the amount of men out of their wits on spirits. But the trials were vital to her success in the witch community. She had to do well or she would get passed down to a lesser known, not as important teacher. She had to pass. For Nes...and a little bit for herself, if she was being honest.

All her life, she'd been nobody. Just another scrawny girl dropped off at the Children's Home in Rheinelan. This was her chance. To prove that she was someone. To prove that she could take care of herself. To prove that she was just as strong as Nesta. To herself and everyone around her who just saw her as Nesta's shadow. Not that she minded. She loved Nes. But she wanted to be seen for who she was and what she could do, not for who she was with.

"Enough Aielle. You're gonna psych yourself out." She muttered a quick incantation to settle her nerves.

That was the thing with magic in the kingdom of Lisdan. It was malleable, open to being shaped in whatever way the beholder could think of. Which also made it dangerous. So dangerous that it was all but wiped out nearly two hundred years ago in the Cleansing. King Vier was the first King in two hundred years to allow witches the freedom to practice. With close supervision of course. They were only allowed to practice in Finlen; the only town with both open meadows and access to a stream. Any witches caught practicing outside of the boundaries drawn by the King were subject to death, unless given permission by him. The witch Aielle was apprenticing for was the only one to be given permission in the entire decade of King Vier's reign.

She had to impress her. The one who called herself Mathair. Mother. Essentially the mother of all witches currently alive. She alone had true power and influence. If Aielle could impress her...no. When Aielle impressed her, she and Nes would be set for the rest of their lives. Aielle would be somebody. To everyone.