The streets of the Capital were crowded as the mid-day herd made their way through the various market stalls. I smiled taking in the smell of freshly baked bread and sage incense from the temples. As I made my way through the bustling street towards the market square's fountain I shrugged off my leather jacket revealing my uniform, drawing gazes from a passer-by as my long mahogany hair hit my bare shoulders. Sitting down on the stone fountains edge I folded my jacket in half and leant my palms back against the warm surface letting the heat of the sun hit my arms.
"Amalie!"
I turned my head at the sound of my name setting my eyes on Keenan's familiar mop of red hair. Knight in training and best goof of a friend a girl could ask for, he was cute for sure, taken by my best friend and totally too close to a brother figure for me to even consider. On his arm was the gorgeous Theresa, my best friend and roommate decked out in the same uniform as me. The Cindari uniform, the uniform alerting anyone who looked our way that despite the lack of obvious weaponry we were armed and dangerous. Our kingdom of Azul was home to the finest magic schools, Theresa and I belonged obviously to the Cindari school, the school of fire.
Keenan sat to my left holding out an iced bun wrapped carefully in a thin paper.
"I know we're late, the line was longer than we thought it would be." Theresa would roll her eyes and plop down beside him, her mousey curls bouncing on her shoulders.
"Yeah, that and your 'shortcut' here ran you straight into your weapons teacher." Keenan laughed running a hand through his hair.
"I wanted to ask him for a few pointers! It didn't take that long. You're just impatient."
My turn to roll my eyes at their playful bickering as I took a bite of the flakey pastry, damn I guess I was hungry. After finishing the last bite I took the paper wrap scrunching it into a ball in my hand.
"Heads up Theresa!"
I tossed the ball over Keenan's head towards Theresa watching as she lifted her palm, a spark emitting from her hand shooting towards the airborne wrap which quickly caught fire quickly disintegrating into nothing. She'd smirk and study her nails mocking boredom, effortless for her and the long line of Cindari ancestors before her.
Keenan chuckled shaking his head. "You could have thrown away like a normal person Amalie." Theresa and I would turn to him with feign looks of shock and horror knowing full well he was messing with me.
"Normal?" I'd raise my brow at him and stand offering a hand to Theresa smiling as she took it. "Now why in Vaar's name would we ever want to be normal?" Theresa would agree with a nod and link her arm in mine.
"Have you looked in a mirror lately? Why would we ever want to be normal?" We'd turn and leave a chuckling Keenan sitting by the fountain as we walked off.
"Same time tomorrow then?" He'd call after us and I held a thumb up in response never bothering to turn my head as Theresa and I walked to the school's dorms laughing.
I'd sigh happily as we strolled up the steps slinging my jacket over my shoulder.
"You know, if I didn't know your history with Keenan I'd probably feel threatened." Theresa would smirk as I turned my head to her.
"I'm loyal to you first hun, sister's before misters. Especially that one. Trust me when you've known Keenan as long as I have you lose all romantic interest."
She'd laugh lightly. "I'll take your word for it, he's still cute though."
We'd still be laughing as we entered the main hall of the Cindari school, the elegant stone carved walls filled with students rushing to get to their lessons and lectures. A group of senior students were showing around what I could only assume was new arrivals. Fresh meat.
I waved a goodbye to Theresa and veered into the lecture hall across from the library. I'd take my usual seat close to the back of the room by the window that often distracted me from lessons. I pulled a notepad from my satchel and waited for Ms. Kildore, once respected member of the king's court for two generations. However she was known better by her students as the bitter history teacher who hated her job almost as much as the students.
Like most of the kids learning here I preferred practical lessons where we actually learnt to use magic, however I made it a personal goal years ago to become part of the Azul court or at least part of the guard. I let out a huff, history was necessary for that goal.
Ms. Kildore walked in with a stack of books and rolled parchments tossing them onto her desk with a 'thud'. One more book probably would have snapped the old woman's back...
"Welcome yet again to the class you unfortunately are required to pass if you ever want to be certified as a trained mage." She'd glare around the class before starting to pin parchment to the wall.
"Last week we started on the war for Abrowyth. We covered how our four kingdoms that make up Abrowyth were formed after said war as a way to keep the peace between the human and demon races, yes?"
The wall would display a full map of Abrowyth and it's four kingdoms, Azul, Lohc, Wyverra and Illia.
"Now. Today we will cover the aftermath of the war and how the treaty with the demon lords affects Lohc and Azul today. Miss Amalie Wright? Come down here and write the treaty's conditions."
I stood slowly and made my way down to the parchment on the wall before printing the words of the treaty onto the parchment.
...To conclude the war and ensure the peace between the human races (of Azul and Loch) and demon races of Wyverra this treaty will be implemented effective immediately.
Terms will include;
The restriction of hunting by/of both parties.
Demons may not cross into Azul or Lohc unless under the approval of an court member.
Humans may only enter the forests of Wyverra if passing through to Illia for trade.
Any who were found to be helping Safara's rebellion during the war must stay exiled to the Illian frostlands...
"Thank you Miss Wright you can return to your seat." I'd nod and walk back to my seat looking out the window, past the fields of Azul I noted the line of dark trees that marked the boarder of Wyverra. No one had seen a demon in years but even so few entered due to the high levels of bandits that enjoyed robbing merchants. Beyond the forest's and poison swamps lay Illia, a desolate land of nothing but ice, snow and mountains, where years ago half of Azul's population had been banished. Aside from the banished who were presumed by most to be dead Illia was home to hardy dwarves, suppliers of metals and weapons to any who would pay well enough for their wares.
"Now, tomorrow we will be starting our excursion to Wyverra. We need supplies that only grow in those woods and it's good experience for students. We will be escorted by the knights in training." She'd sigh and rub the bridge of her nose. "Remember, this is a dangerous trip. I will be attending with the head of the knight training program so if you have any issues seek us out. We're done for today, head back to your dorms."
