A World Above (To Be Rewritten)

Chapter 5: Gateway

The sound of wing beats filled the halls as I flew fast as I could throughout. I'd heard from Lurie that Eregon, whom I hadn't seen since I was four, was my Escort's Squire. I wondered how much Eregon had grown or if he would even recognize me.

"Myri! Careful!"

I quickly landed and slid to a halt, stopping just before ramming into a new maid.

"Karina! Oh, Lady Myribel. You're awake!" Lurie exclaimed, rushing out of the Queen's Study. "Karina, you should be more mindful."

"N-No. It was my fault. I was the one flying at Mach one." I said.

"Sorry, Mother."

"Mother"? Lurie had a daughter? How did I not know? "Miss Lurie. You didn't tell me you had a daughter."

"Oh, yes. Karina is about your age. She'd been staying with her Gran-Gran up until a week ago."

"It would appear as though I have missed quite a bit while I was. . . Recovering."

"Karina, this is Lady Myribel. She will be in your care starting today."

I suppose that was understandable. I gave a little bow, muttering softly to myself how to do it nobly. Lurie and Karina both laughed quietly in response.

"H-Hey! It's not funny!" I yelled in embarrassment.

"Lady Myribel. You don't have to be so formal with us. As a matter of fact, I want my Daughter to get to know the REAL you."

"I see. Thank you, Ms. Lurie. I would love to stay longer but, I must be on my way." The real me? Not this noble I was being schooled to be? Miss Lurie's words hung in my mind as I turned to fly off. I wanted to see Eregon as soon as I could, afterall, I'd not seen him since I was brought here to the castle. Karina and I bounded down the stairs, since the elevators were down for maintenance, haphazardly dodging between the other residents and guests within the castle.

I saw the carriage, and Eregon standing beside it, as soon as Karina and I burst through the doors.

"Eregon!" I called out.

"Bel!" He called back.

I flew down the stairs, stopping just in front of him. He towered over me even more than I had originally though he would.

"Bel, you shouldn't over do it." Eregon warned.

"I am not that same weak little girl I was then. Now? I am just, erm, petite." I'd retort, smiling sweetly.

Karina snickered to herself. Oh, Lady Myribel has a boyfriend! She must've thought. Well, joke's on her! I don't have a crush and, besides, Eregon has to have a girlfriend himself! Wait, I need to slow down. I'd decided not to question how she followed me so quickly or confirm my suspicions and continued to talk to Eregon.

"How have you been, Eregon?" I asked, bowing clumsily again.

"I have been well, Bel. You seem to have become a noble girl since I last saw you."

"Oh. N-no. I am only attending a school for nobles. . . O-On account of my magic."

"Lady Myribel. It sounds like the Royal Family plan on making you and your family nobles."

"Lady Myribel has a nice ring to it." Eregon said teasingly as he bowed.

"We have to get going, Lady Myribel, Karina."

"R-right!"

Eregon held the door while the Knight helped me into the carriage, followed by Karina. Eregon rode with the Knight up front, handling the Drakes. The Stewart family lived in a different province so we would be taking the carriage to the space port then taking a hypergate to another solar system. The Academy was on Altaea, my homeworld, with Academy Gates in other cities, linking to an overgate in the Academy courtyard. Only students and staff of the Academy were allowed to use them, but that was fine with me.