Elemental: Heat Rising

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Tale of Two Tea Leaves

“Holly, dear!” Basil said through the bathroom door to Holly, who was fashioning her hair into one braid.

“Yes?” Holly called out, loud enough to be heard through the thick wooden door.

“Oak wants you up in the lesson room in ten minutes!”

“Ugh,” Holly groaned, rolling her eyes, “Okay!” she called back to Basil who after she could hear walk away from the door in her loud shoes.

Holly fixed her braid which was laced with a small amount of flowers she’d been forced to pick and clean from the forest.

“Hm,” she said, surprised by her actual likeness to the final result of her hair.

She put on her shoes and walked out the door, the sunset colored dress she was wearing waving in the light breeze her stride created.

She made her way up the stairs to the main tower, careful not to trip.

Oak sat on his cushion as she walked in.

“Ah, Holly,” he said, “You look very presentable. Good job.”

“Thanks,” Holly said.

“Tonight you are to be polite and show one-hundred percent respect towards all the adults in the room tonight, got it?”

“Yes,” Holly said, her stomach grumbling.

“And you will do each test they give you to the very best of your ability, is that clear?”

“Of course I would, do you think I still want to be a beginner?” She said, her tone almost annoyed.

“No, I’m just reminding you,” He replied, his tone the same as before, “And above all, keep your attitude,” his gaze intensified and his tone became heavier, “in check… Is this clear?”

“Very,” Holly sighed.

☄

The dining hall table was set up perfectly, the shining silverware placed in exact position while the platters of appetizers rested throughout the table, from fruit in it’s prime of ripeness to soft cheese aged to perfection.

Holly was ready to descend the large set of stairs to enter and serve the representative and master healer attending the assessment.

Aurora sat at the end farthest of Holly, across from Abril. The two looked presentable yet Holly could see neither had put much effort into their choices of attire.

Aurora had dirty blonde hair that fell into golden waves onto her shoulders and part way down her back. She sipped from the tea one of the castle servants had poured for her.

Abril Fatface sat across from Aurora. The Southern representative looked like she wore her usual work attire. She had gray hair that consisted of scattered dark brunette strands throughout it.

Oak sat at the end between both of them. The three made conversation, inaudible from where Holly stood.

“I probably wouldn’t care anyways,” she thought, waiting patiently for her cue to enter. The nervousness and suspense was killing her.

Oak’s eyes went to the grandfather clock on the far wall and widened.

“I’m sorry,” he said, stopping the two assessors in mid-conversation.

He stood and raised his hand towards the staircase for Holly to enter.

Holly let out a very small gasp as she realized it was time for her to enter.