Things Lost and Found (a Waglington and Mianite fanfiction)

Chapter 15

I start my online classes next week, but until then, I'm writing to my heart's content. :) I hope y'all are having a great start to the new school year! The next chapter is here!

*Donella's POV*

I retook my seat at the round cherry wood table, allowing the rest of the board of directors to process the information I had just delivered. The gathered wizards, sorcerers, and necromancers were all deep in thought, except for Seto, who was watching me from his seat to my right, brown eyes reading my expression. He was one of the only ones in the room I would count as my friend. We'd met fighting Mianite in the war. Mianite didn't care that sorcerers and wizards are totally different. In his eyes, all magic users had declared war on him with that failed assassination attempt. Strangely, Mianite actually brought the different magic disciplines together with his war. Upon catching my attention, he leaned over and whispered from inside his black and light grey hood, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I lied. He gave me a knowing look before returning to his own thoughts, leaving me with mine. They were invincible, and now they're gone.

I remained lost in thought until one of the older wizards cleared his throat. "We have all heard the report and now know what has happened to our missing wizards. The main question, it seems, is whether or not it is feasible to mount a rescue operation." The other members of the Board spoke back and forth on the topic, and the discussion quickly became heated. I'd already made my position clear; so I remained silent.

"They are our students; of course we should rescue them!"

"The worlds are too far apart to risk stranding even more of us on the other side."

"Since when do we leave apprentices trapped in a land where they'll be hunted down and tortured?"

"Would we even be able to get a team through to their side? Last time I checked, we couldn't get a message through, let alone a person."

"Rythian found a way to get back."

Finally, the talk quieted down. They seemed to have reached a majority decision. "Well then," the speaker from earlier concluded, "It is decided. Until a stable enough bridge can be formed, plans for a rescue operation will be put on hold."

"What!?" I exclaimed. I could not believe they would seriously consider abandoning the Fyre apprentices and Winter. I could see out of the corner of my eye that Seto disapproved of this decision as well.

"It is simply too dangerous risking the same fate as Waglington."

"Nothing worth doing is without risk! Or have you forgotten how I rescued you and your brother at the Battle of Red Sands?" I was standing and practically yelling at the Head of the Board now. I had personally saved his sorry rear when he'd walked into an ambush, though I'd been badly injured and lost an eye doing so. I still had the scars and the red eye to prove it.

The target of my anger looked away from my condemning eyes before saying with only a hint of apology, "I'm sorry, Donella, but this Board will not support any efforts to create a bridge spell prematurely. We need a stable connection."

I glared at those around the table who refused to meet my wrathful gaze or speak up against this unbelievable cowardice. "Fine, then. I'll go myself." I turned away from the ring of shocked faces and stormed out of the meeting hall, trying to contain my rage until the mahogany doors swung shut behind me.

Once out in the hallway, I teleported myself to my home in the arcane district of the city, not feeling like running into any more people tonight. I appeared in my private study surrounded by books and the scent of old leather. Akatena (Cherokee for "keen sighted"), my deer familiar stood a few feet away, waiting for me. She flicked one of her velvety ears at me, asking what had me so bothered. I looked into her soft brown doe eyes and sent a mental picture of the meeting and a strong sense of outrage her way. She stamped one of her front hooves in shared frustration and shook her head. She then turned and started heading for the hidden door to our basement.