Most of Valya's classmates hated cold, snowy mornings. She always found that ironic because they lived in Ivaras. What could possibly be more cold and snowy?
Victoria was from the island regions, which was usually in a much warmer climate compared to Ivaras's year-round freeze.
Lilith's family traveled to Semoia every year where the other half of her family was.
"My uncle is an Archmage there." She explained to Valya one morning in the dining hall.
"Really? Then why are you here?" Lilith shrugged, spooning another mouthful of porridge into her mouth.
"Not sure. It's something about my dad and his job..." Valya couldn't help but be a bit jealous of Lilith and her perfect family. She had an older sister who cared about her, an older brother to spar with, and a new little brother who she could care for. And a loving mother and father. One part of Valya longed for a mother that was around, and didn't just meet with her on Sunday mornings to berate her for her appearance and accomplishments.
But Mother was great, and she made up for both the absence of a father and siblings.
"I didn't know that your uncle was an Archmage," Natasha piped up from the other end of the table. She was native to Ivaras, having lived here for generations. She didn't mind the cold mornings.
"Yep! Archmage Kader." Lilith said proudly, puffing out her chest. "My aunt was a part of another important family..." Her face scrunched in thought before shrugging. "Oh, I can't remember." Lilith smiled warmly, causing another twinge of jealousy to disrupt Valya's morning.
"If the Kaders are powerful here, imagine how important they are in Semoia!" Natasha awed.
"That's because the Archmages of Semoia have more control there," Elosie pointed out. "Lilith's uncle has as much power there as Queen Pedaiah has here."
"Buzzkill." Valya mumbled under her breath. Before Elosie could snapback, there was the sound of a bell ringing from the doorway of the dining hall.
"Breakfast is over, ladies! Please move to the Main Castrum!" The clattering of plates and silverware kept Elosie's insults from Valya's keen ears.
"She's going to put snakes in your pillow after that." Lilith giggled in her ear.
"Then I'll put lizards in hers!" Valya snickered back.
The Main Castrum was the facility's biggest and best training hall. It had a large, arching glass ceiling. The walls were decorated in the swirling, gold trim from Eimund. The floors were black and shining, meant to reflect your opponent's moves. As beautiful as it was, most of the time the polished floors were covered in torn, navy mats.
"It's too cold to have a fighting day." Lilith groaned, tucking herself into Valya's side. Valya just sighed, throwing an arm over her. Professor Auclair stepped onto the podium at the front of the castrum
"Ladies, please, quiet down." He scolded, waiting patiently for the chatter to die down. "For the rest of this week, you will be conducting research on each other. We will pair you up in groups of two. You will fight for five minutes, then take note of your opponents weaknesses. You will do this three times, and in the end, write a paragraph on what your partner needs to improve on. We will continue this every day until the experiment is over by order of the Queen." Valya's ears perked as she sat up higher, like she was trying to catch a glimpse of Mother suddenly walking out of a side closet. Lilith looked at her, noticing her stiffen.
"What is it?" She asked, watching if Auclair noticed her voice.
"What does Mother have to do with this?" Lilith only frowned, shaking her head. She didn't know either.
YOU ARE READING
As The Snow Falls
AcciónAndromeda Nightworth's attempt at a peaceful life has been unsuccessful since the day she was born. She's found solace in 3 different places in her short nineteen years of life, finally settling in a small western town named Aresburgh. Even with her...
