Shards of Silver

SIX

A week had passed since their arrival. The days were basic with the same schedule each day. Training had been normal with self-defense drills and attacks without hurting the other opponent too badly. Each day after a full class, each squadron would separate and leave with their mentors; each squadron beside Isren's. They hadn't seen Omar since the morning when he monitored their run.

Still, they each did their morning and evening run. After training class would end, Isren would practice attacks or go down to the stables and help haul hay into the stalls and brush down the horses. And whenever she was done with that, she would help in the kitchen with dishes or preparations.

Sometimes, Aerelle would help her or even Calvan but they would remain mostly silent as they worked. Other times, she wouldn't see either of them and she didn't care to know what they were doing as long as they still met up for their run or ate together to make sure they got their portions of food. It was hard to keep portions of food the same when Aerelle kept sneaking in more food onto her plate.

"I'm tired of doing the same attacks and defense drills," Aerelle spoke up as she finished and cleared off her plate. She waved her fork around in the air. "I want something more exciting."

Isren glanced at her. "I heard you're practicing Esteral magic today."

Aerelle's eyes glittered with enthusiasm. "We are? Did Omar tell you?"

"No, I haven't seen him. I just overheard a guard talking." Isren finished the contents of her drink and put the dishes in the sink.

"What are you going to do?" Calvan asked. Isren shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know what they want me to do. They haven't spoken to me about my...issue," Isren answered as she washed the plates and set them on the rack for them to dry. "I'll just have to wait and see."

As soon as everyone was in the training arena, Roderol launched into a great speech about Esteral magic and the rules about using it. Esteral magic, he said, had a great variety which was why the Greaters had separated them into different courts--Eclipse, with shadow and light, Ignition with fire and heat, Spring, with water and ice, and Earthen with earth and sky. Of course, anyone could change courts, but a majority stayed in the courts with elves who had the same magic or same element. Which was why most of the students in the training arena either had light or shadow related magic.

Different types of elves had different characteristics which made them easier to see which court they were from. Eclipse elves were recognized by their light or dark complexions depending if they were born during day or night. Isren, having been born at night had silver and gold eyes and brown hair. Aerelle, born of day, had hazel eyes and red hair. Eclipse Esterals, especially those of light, would have light markings on their faces whenever they use their magic for too long. Ignition elves would have tanner complexions and horns and were more resistant to the heat since their court lived close to the desert. Those from the Spring Court either had wings or had blue or green characteristics and some would have scales on their arms and face. Those from the Earthen court would have antler horns on their head and usually had brown or green eyes. But these characteristics weren't always common since different elves intermarried into other courts and some characteristics didn't show. But Isren was getting out of track and she focused back on the class.

There were two who were like Calvan, controlling and manipulating fire, and then there were a few who were water-based and only one earthen elf. The sleeveless tunics everyone wore made it easier to see which Esteral belonged to a specific element. Isren had noticed from the past few days that each person would have a similar symbol representing their element before having a unique pattern that fits each individual. Only, Isren didn't have one and she was standing off the side awkwardly as Roderol lectured them.