DARK DEALINGS: A Warlock's Legacy

10. Mold in the Garden

Already up and dressed, with sunlight barely touching the horizon, Elowen watched as the sun rose through the dorm window when she suddenly heard Lysandra rustling awake. Her new friend, shocked in surprise, took in Elowen's cosmetics, as her hair was neatly tied and she was prepped for the day.

"You're already up? I didn't expect you to be up so early," Lysandra said, her voice deep and groggy.

Elowen smiled shyly. "In my village, I was always up at dawn. There were too many tasks to tend to, and it just became a habit."

Lysandra nodded, her eyes approving. "Good. That work ethic will serve you well here." She then got out of bed and readied herself for the long day ahead. "Come along; breakfast will be ready soon. While we're waiting, we should get you acquainted with some of your sisters?"

They made their way down to the common area, where a few Witch Maidens lingered, chatting idly as they prepared for the day. As they walked, Elowen noticed a group of girls in the corner, whispering to one another as they watched her with curious, judgmental eyes. Among them was Katherine, a slender girl with a piercing gaze and an air of self-assuredness. Her crew mirrored her expression, watching Elowen with an air of superiority.

"Well, well, the newcomer," Katherine remarked with a smirk, her voice dripping with a haughty tone. The others around her stifled laughs, and Elowen felt her cheeks flush. She nodded politely but didn't engage further, knowing better than to make enemies on her first day.

Lysandra leaned in, whispering, "Don't mind them. Katherine's always had a sharp tongue. She'll warm up, or at least get bored."

Elowen stood by the laundry line, her hands methodically hanging up each freshly scrubbed linen. The early morning sunlight streamed through the garden walls, casting a soft glow over the stone courtyard. Vines crept along the cracked walls, their tendrils weaving into intricate patterns that reminded Elowen of her village's ancient tree carvings. The soft scent of lavender and herbs drifted through the air, calming her nerves as she worked.

Just as she was tying the last cloth to the line, a sharp voice cut through the morning stillness.

"Well, if it isn't the Red Queen's latest charity case," came the voice, dripping with sarcasm.

Elowen turned slowly to see a group of girls standing a few paces away, all dressed in pristine maiden gowns of pale blue and silver. The one who had spoken—Katherine—stood at the forefront, her hands elegantly placed on her hips. She had striking, angular features with high cheekbones and a pair of icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce through Elowen with cold amusement. Her hair was a cascade of platinum blonde waves, perfectly styled without a strand out of place, and she had an air of superiority that seemed carefully cultivated.

Beside her stood two other maidens, each mirroring her haughty stance. One was tall with dark, lustrous curls that fell down her back, her green eyes flashing with barely contained amusement. The other was shorter and a bit plumper, with chestnut hair tied into a neat bun and a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. They both wore matching expressions of disdain, their eyes raking over Elowen as if assessing her worth.

As Elowen met Katherine's gaze, she could feel the weight of their scrutiny, and she could feel her cheeks heat slightly. Though, she kept her voice steady. "Is there something you need, Katherine?" she asked, her tone polite but firm.

Katherine raised an eyebrow, tilting her head with a condescending smile. "Oh, we don't need anything from you, dear. We're just... observing. It's not often we get fresh faces here, especially ones from the countryside." She drew out the last word, making it sound like a slur.

Elowen held her ground, her fingers clenched around the wet cloth in her hands. She had dealt with taunts before, back in her village, but there was something particularly cutting about Katherine's gaze, like she was picking apart Elowen's worth piece by piece.