RAVENNA

part 21

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Michael and his team reached the opposite bank of the river, where the missing students stood, physically exhausted and perhaps still bearing the weight of their traumatic experience. As they moved closer, Victoria saw a figure across the river — a blue-clad man. Recognizing him, she shouted for help, her voice carrying across the water.

"Help! we're over here!" shouted Victoria.

Nicolai, from the other side, quickly shouted back, "We're here to rescue you! Just wait a moment, we'll get you out!"

Michael's heart lifted as he approached the students, relieved to see them unharmed but exhausted. "You're safe now. Let's get you home," Michael said as he embraced Marcus and Nieve. Nicolai quickly followed, hugging his brother, sighing in relief. After checking the others for injuries, Michael confirmed that none were gravely injured. They helped the survivors across and made their way back home.

Once back at the hospital, they were carefully assessed. Most of them had only minor bruises, but Ali had a fractured arm, and Hamir had contusions and multiple hairline fractures. The royal healers worked swiftly to treat their injuries.

Esme and Gabriel arrived soon after, relief evident in their faces. Gabriel immediately rushed to Nieve and Marcus, nearly in tears as he embraced them. "You're home. We were so worried," Gabriel said, his voice thick with emotion.

The Headmistress and Duchess soon entered the ward, their presence commanding the room. Security outside the gate stood at attention as everyone inside rose in honour.

The Duchess, her face filled with relief, turned to Sebastian. A smile spread across her face as she embraced him. "Thank the gods you're safe," she said, her voice soft but filled with emotion.

Nieve and the others attempted to sit up, but the Duchess waved them back down. "Rest. You've been through enough," she said kindly.

Headmistress Sybbyl cleared her throat gaining their attention, "The Council will convene shortly to take the survivors' statements. It is standard procedure following an event like this," she said, her voice steady but with a hint of concern. "As a precaution, Witches and Mages will inspect you for any traces of dark magic. We must ensure that no lingering influence remains."

The students shifted uncomfortably, the mention of dark magic causing unease. "This is for your safety," she continued. "We must make sure everything is as it should be."

Nieve, feeling the weight of her experience, nodded quietly.

"And," the Headmistress added, "your parents will be informed about the situation. They will know you're safe and well taken care of."

The students exchanged wary looks but understood. There was no escaping the formalities of their ordeal.

The Duchess then turned to the headmistress sybbyl, "The two others? How they are ?"

"First inspections say they will recover. The child Ali and Old man Hamir they belong to the village." Duchess Margeret nodded thinking something, " inform the the wardens, they all will receive treatment free of charge."

As the conversation continued, Michael entered the room, carrying a tray of soup for the students. He greeted the Duchess formally as he entered.

"Your Grace," Michael said, bowing his head respectfully.

The Duchess nodded in return. "Thank you, officer Michael for your duty. The reporters—how did they find out?" she asked, a note of concern in her voice.

"We have no idea. Someone must've leaked the news," Michael replied with a frown.

The Duchess raised an eyebrow, a hint of frustration in her gaze. "But only a handful knew of the situation."

"Yes, only a handful. But some are sneaky," the Headmistress added, her eyes narrowing slightly, implying the leak may have come from someone within their circle, possibly referring to Minerva.

The Duchess ordered tighter security to protect the students and maintain confidentiality.

With the discussions wrapping up, Michael, Gabriel, and Esme began serving soup to the students, their faces softening as they cared for those who had been through so much. The immediate crisis was over, but the weight of what had happened still lingered in the room.

Nieve POV

The days since we returned to the school felt like a blur — a strange mixture of relief and confusion, as if I were still trying to find my footing on solid ground after walking through a storm. It's been weeks since the incident at the river, and the worst of the exhaustion has passed, but the weight of it all lingers.

When I woke up this morning, I thought for a second that it was still winter — the soft gray light of early morning filling the room with its quiet chill. Then I remembered the summer that was supposed to be waiting for me. The heat of it, the brightness, the freedom... but all of that seemed far away now, behind walls of stone and silence.

As per the Duchess's orders, we at school was not allowed to talk about the real reason for our absence. The entire ordeal was swept under the rug like a nightmare too heavy to be spoken aloud. Everyone was to pretend nothing out of the ordinary occurred. So, instead, we had to focus on the lessons and our studies. Not a word about the Duskborns, the river, or the things we saw.

It was strange, the quiet, but good thing happened as well Esme became my room partner again. The Headmistress had ordered it, but it was a comfort. Esme's quiet companionship, her ability to smile even when the world felt so heavy, made it easier to breathe.

Rob and Esme had been helping me catch up with the lessons I'd missed, trying to explain the complicated concepts with the patience of someone who truly believed I could get it. But I couldn't shake the feeling that my mind was just... not there. It wasn't that I didn't understand the material — it was that my mind wasn't present.

And then the results of our midterm grades were posted. I waited, bracing myself for what my nemesis — Alchemy — had in store for me. As predicted, I got an E. Surprise, surprise. "As foretold by the stars," I muttered sarcastically. "As predicted by yours truly."

Of course, as Professor Maria so kindly informed us, anyone who scored beyond a "C" would have to come to his house for extra lessons. So here I am, standing in front of his house, wondering if I could just pretend, I got lost and accidentally end up back at the school.