The Magicians

A is for Artemis

Lucia walked through the ancient stone halls with Heather perched on her shoulder. "Is it me, or is it weird here?" Luce glanced at the black bird, "It's not just you. There's strong magic here. Old magic. Just try to keep it together, okay?" Heather nodded and leaned a bit into Luce's black hair.

Taking the slip of paper that Principal Hades had given her, Luce looked over her classes. She had "The Arts" this period, class 7709. Looking at the heavy wooden doors, she was only at 7700.

At the very end of the hall, a door opened. Looking closer, it was the door Luce was searching for. A white stag the size of a clydesdale stepped from the dark room turning its head to look at the two standing statue still in the middle of the hall.

It's ears perked up at the sight of Lucia and Heather and it began to step towards them. As it came closer and closer, Luce moved close to the wall out of its way. But it didn't seem to want to pass them, it wanted to see them. The giant creature stopped in front of Luce pressing its large pink nose to her chest as she tried to not get impaled by the enormous antlers.

The buck's coat was a creamy white, and when focusing, the pelt held pure white specks like stars dusted over his back as a crescent moon was strategically placed on his forehead.

The white stag sniffed Luce's clothes thoroughly before looking her in the eyes with his own blue ones. It backed up bowing his head before motioning for her to follow him back to where he had come from. "You aren't seriously about to follow that thing, are you?"

Luce smirked, "What? Are you afraid of a little deer?" Heather barked a laugh, "No, it's just really big for a deer. And it's white. It's said that if you catch one, it will grant you a wish." Lucia smirked, "And to think all this time I thought you had your friends take your tests for you."

The two followed the pale buck to the class door labeled "The Arts", and opened the door. Looking inside, it was just a dark room with no signs of life. The stag pushed his head against Luce's back making her stumble into the room. As soon as she crossed the threshold, a green meadow spread against a blue sky where two green and purple planets hung on the horizon.

High schoolers and younger were spread across the lush pasture sitting on blankets, painting on easels, and even practicing archery and fencing.

A young girl of about fifteen stood watching over them wearing a mossy green tunic with silver buttons that resembled crescent moons. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail that was secured with a clasp made of silver antlers.

The white buck walked around Luce and Heather and placed his large head on the girl's small shoulder. She pet his nose making him bellow in content making her smile.

Her blue eyes glanced at the girl and her raven and her smile dropped. "You're late, Ms. Damon. Please refrain from doing so again, yes?" Luce nodded, "I'm sorry, we got a little lost." The girl smirked, "So you were. But then, you always have been." Luce found herself fiddling with her fingers, "So, what kind of class is this?"

The teen looked around with a smile, "This is The Arts, Lucia. Whatever talent you have, is what this class will be. And if you haven't figured out already, I'll be your teacher. I'm Artemis." Heather barked in surprise gaining a questioning look from the goddess.

"It looks as if you know your talent. Have you been hiding all this time?" Luce refused to make eye contact, but Artemis didn't seem angry. Instead, she reached a hand towards Heather who backed up.

"Ah, a human, huh? You must have made Ms. Damon pretty upset to place a permanent curse upon you? Can you even speak?"

"Lady Artemis, a word please?" A tall boy bowed his head out of respect for the deity, and she copied the gesture in response. "What may I help you with, Mr. Samhain? And also my condolences."

A sad expression crossed his face, but he quickly covered it with a blank wall; a move Lucia knew all too well. The two retreated to a secluded area for the rest of the class, and a loud horn resonated across the meadow signaling the end of the period.

"Now what? You don't think they continue classes into the night, do you?" Heather asked. "No, it's the same as back home. Now, we find our room and probably room mate. We don't get to return home unless it's a holiday."

Heather nearly fell off of Luce's shoulder at the thought. "What?! You mean we're in a boarding school?!" Luce nodded, "Why do you think I've avoided the place for so long? I can't afford being away from home. I have...responsibilities."

Luce left the class with Heather pondering on her shoulder, and just as she rounded the corner, she hit a solid mass.

The said mass glared down at them with his blue orbs burning holes in Luce's forehead. Lucia backed up quickly, "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't see you!" The boy's hard gaze never left hers, and she squirmed under his scrutiny.

He never said a word. Instead, he turned away and disappeared into the maze of the school. "What was that all about, you think?"