Sorceress of Sentien

Chapter 12 Part 1

Jon and Nilan didn't hear her over their argument.

"Stop!" Ella said, standing up. The command silenced them. "I will go to the palace with Jon. I will continue to practice my magic. Nilan, is there any way that we can send messages discreetly? That way you can help direct me in regards to magic. I'm not going to be able to hide forever."

Nilan sighed and sat down. "There are magical messages that can be received only by the intended person. There is also mirror speaking.

"Then we utilize those," Ella said determinedly. "I feel this is what I need to do."

Jon stared at her. Ella just looked at him with a very serious expression.

"Real One..." her eyes closed. "I think I understand now."

The men looked at her. "What real one?" Nilan finally asked.

"It was another poem I read weeks ago." Ella opened her eyes and they seemed to flash with sparks. "I am the Real One. It is my name." She seemed to be in almost a trance. She wrote 'REAL ONE' in glowing blue letters on the table with her magic. "It is my name," she said again. She moved the letters with her hands so they rearranged to spell ELEANOR. "I trust my friends." She waved the letters away.

Silently she walked away. A wave of her hand and the door unlocked, letting her out of the room.

"I don't know if training will be an issue," Jon said quietly.

Nilan stared. "That was... new." He stroked his chin in thought. "Take her to the palace. I will be in touch."

Jon followed her up to her room with Bushfur on his shoulder and helped her pack her few things. She was silent and seemed a little tired, but she hid it well.

Bushfur was up on her shoulder as soon as everything was packed.

"I will send servants to get your things."

Ella nodded in silence. Jon followed her back down to the library as she said her goodbye to Nilan.

"Thank you for everything," she whispered with a hug. "I feel I will not see you in person for a while."

Nilan hugged her back. "Take care. I will learn all I can to help you."

Tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks as she turned away.

-----
My dearest Mandliora, the letter had barely begun and already Mandi wanted to vomit. I regret to inform you that I will not be able to return as soon as I had hoped. Forgive me my absence. I have business that causes me to make an additional stop.
Sincerely, Beelzor

Mandi tossed the note away. More time for me to explore, she thought. She had started looking in the library for any hint of Beelzor's plan.

For days she had examined almost every book she could find and there was not even a hint of an idea.

If only I could find his study, Mandi though to herself. She was about to set yet another book down when a poem caught her eye.

Ever cunning, use thy wits
Locate her whose name is known
Ere she finds her powers, it's
All about to come undone
Noble born world sent to bite
Obtain her with pow'r unknown
Resort to any-all antics

What does that even mean? she asked herself. She glanced at it again. With a gasp the book slid from her hand. Down the left side of the poem spelled clear as day was 'ELEANOR'. Mandi left the book where it was and ran back to her room.

Thoughts of the day of Eleanor's christening came flooding back. Everything the Head Council had said about her charge was correct, and there was so much to be done.

Mandi found a plain dress in the back of the wardrobe. She hid it under her bed, resolving to make her way to Cortus and see whether or not she could find Ella before Beelzor got to her. She knew she needed to travel south, but how far exactly was a mystery she would have to figure out as she traveled. Her heart pounded loud enough to drown out any other sound. She didn't hear the maid enter, bringing her dinner, and jumped upon noticing the woman in her room.

"Begging your pardon, Miss," the maid spoke while setting down the tray. "I did not mean to startle you.

"It is fine," Mandi said with a wave of her hand. "I was deep in thought."

The maid bowed and exited. Mandi took stock of the meal. The bread and cheese she stuffed in a large handkerchief while anything with liquid she ate.

I have to try tonight, Mandi though to herself. I must find Eleanor.

A/N: I'm sorry, but this will be the last update for a little while. I'm working on the next part, but I've become stuck in a transition scene. I'm hoping I can get past it quickly, but we'll have to see.

Comment: What do you do when you get stuck while writing? I need all the tips I can get. *hugs*

Thanks for reading!