The Son of Ice and Dusk

Where I am astride between two worlds

"I think it will be fitting," Vitaly said. "If it's you who draws the magic circle in the Stars Room. After all, you're the one who wrecked the ceiling last time."

I took a white piece of chalk and drew the circle like Vitaly explained. Sadly I wasn't the best at drawing geometric figures, but the result was not too bad. It closely resembled a circle, and it was nine feet wide.

Vitaly opened up a book and showed me some symbols. "Draw those symbols here, from number one to number nine," he said. "In the same position as the stars you see on the ceiling."

Well, that was one mystery solved. Now we finally knew what the Stars Room was for.

"We have a Hierophant," Jeff said, thrilled, looking at the circle. "A Jurist, and an Englightener. We only miss an Aeon."

"That would be me," Vitaly said, embarrassed. "I am an Aeon."

"So you're non-binary?" Raegan asked, impressed. "Can you create the Void?"

Vitaly hated to be bothered by impertinent questions, so he waved away those matters with his hand. "Brady and I will help Jeff and Raegan space-shift and then the three of you can enter the portal," he added.

"Seriously?" I scoffed. "I don't even get to do it?"

"Well, it's never been said we need one of each. We can have two Hierophants I guess," Brady said, which didn't make me feel a lot more useful.

"So, are we leaving this afternoon?" Jeff asked.

"No you're not," Vitaly replied. "This afternoon you're going to the herbalist's shop."

"I've been there before, to buy roots of panacea, but won't the owner report to my grandfather I went there?"

"If your grandfather hasn't come back to school to check on you," Vitaly said with a cold look in his eyes. "It's only because I sent him letters that faked that you were staying at Thomas Johnston's. You're welcome."

"You know how to fake the President's signature?" Raegan asked, eyes wide. "Can you take me off the Hand-list?"

"I'm there too, what's so bad about that?" In Vitaly's eyes, there was a mischievous gleam. "But first things first. Go to the herbalist shop and ask for the things I reserved last week. The owner, Annika Smirnov, is a friend of the family. Russian side."

When we left, Raegan said, "You know, when I lived above ground, it used to snow this time of year. I wonder if it's snowing now."

"Aw, shut it," Jeff replied.

"You know," she bit back, "You should be grateful. I've changed a lot, lately. A few months ago, I would have never thought I'd be about to space-shift with the two of you instead of showing up to the annual Winter Reunion of the Magic Senate."

"You did change," Jeff replied wisely. "A few months ago, you didn't even shower. Perhaps you would have made a different impression at the Reunion."

Raegan rolled her eyes but she didn't look offended. I high-fived Jeff.

"I can't wait to find the old woman's shop," Raegan only mumbled.

We did find the shop, but Annika wasn't old at all. She had elfin features and I couldn't really tell if she was young, or the same age as Vitaly, or neither. She had high cheekbones, almond shaped eyes and pale pink hair. She smiled at us.

"Come in! I have a few products I want you to see."

Just when I thought things couldn't get any stranger, I was in a tiny shop underground waiting to receive samples of magic potions that could cure the wounds I might get during my first quest the day after. I loved my life.