daughter of esmund

Twenty-Six

A/N:
Hey everybody! It's been a while I know, but remote learning has been a crazy new experience that I'm still getting used to. Also, Animal Crossing New Horizons is my new addiction. Anyways, I'm trying to find more time to write but I've always been preparing for AP exams and finals for the upcoming weeks which is the reason for my absence! Thank you for being patient! I would also like to note that this is a much shorter chapter than usual and I apologize for it but future ones should be longer. Thank you again for your continued to support and encouragement. If you enjoy this chapter please share, comment, and vote if you can. Thank you all so much!
- Joya
Word count: 1089
<><><><>

"Straighten your back Annie.."
Lucinda's hand grazes my lower back, forcing me to straighten it. I squint a bit, my eyes focusing in on the rock. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I focus on the rustle of the dense leaves of the forest from the same breeze that is blowing my ponytail to the side. I take another deep breath, and give a short nod to Lucinda, giving her a signal that I was ready. I feel her hand slide over mine before she speaks, "Repeat after me."
I nod, giving all of my focus to the task at hand.
"Et tutamen..." she says, "Opis ades..."
I take one last deep breath, focusing my energy before repeating, "Et tutamen, opis ades.."
I open my eyes in time to see the spark of a tiny blue flame, that turns into a tiny blaze of flickering blue fire, before morphing into a...bubble almost. I see Lucinda smile from the corner of my eye as she puts out her own hand, "Minima ignis.."
A small, orange blazing ball of fire forms from her hand as she propels it towards the tiny shield. As soon as it comes into contact with the blue bubble the blaze goes out, disappearing completely, leaving a tiny blackened mark in the grass from where the earth was slightly scorched. I smile and lower my hands, relaxing as the little blue bubble fades back into a blue, flickering flame before the flame sizzles out. I roll my shoulders out, tightening my messy high ponytail, before turning to Lucinda and putting my hands on my hips. Ready to hear any advice or notes she has for me.
She has a soft smile on her face as she looked at the small black mark on the ground from the small blaze to me, "I'm impressed.."
I raise my eyebrows, "Really?"
She gives a short nod, "Really," She sits down near the base of a tree, patting the open spot on the grass beside her as a silent offer to sit down, which I take. Her lips curl into a soft smile, "You seem like a natural, you were making that spell look easy..."
I give an awkward laugh, sitting criss-cross as I look down at the tall grass, "I-I'm sure I didn't.."
She shrugged, hopping to her feet before pulling me up, "I mean it, I'm honestly surprised. Those aren't easy spells to get the hang of so quickly..."
I smile and rub at the back of my neck, "T-thank you-"
"Lucinda is right."
I jump as an older voice emerges from the shadows of the surrounding wood. It's an old woman, gray hair tied back from her face in a neat bun and secured with a golden headband. She wears light purple robes, a matching scarf wrapped around her hair and shoulders. Her piercing periwinkle eyes seem so youthful despite the rest of her aged appearance. Lucinda looks at the woman almost distaste in her eyes, "I thought I told you not to bother me."
The old woman ignores the young witch as she turns to me, "You have some natural abilities Annie, I'm impressed.."
I tilt my head, "How do you know me?"
She chuckled softly, "Well, I've known your mother for quite a few years," A soft smile falls onto her lips, wrinkles crinkling a bit at the corners of her eyes and mouth, "I've seen you and your brothers grow up from a distance.."
My eyes widened, "You know my mother?"
She nods, "She's a great friend of mine," the smile falls, "I'm..sorry about what has happened."
I give a sad smile but don't reply as she continues, "I'm Hyria, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Lucinda interjects, "Mom, I asked you not to interfere with what I'm doing.."
My eyes widen a bit as I turn to lucinda, "This is your mother..?"
Lucinda rolls her eyes with a slight growl, "You could say that.."
Hyria frowned, "Lucinda, dear, I know you're not too fond of me-" She doesn't finish that thought as Lucinda growls and storms off in the direction of Phoenix Drop, hastily pulling her orange locks into a ponytail as she hurries away. Hyria sighs but shakes it off and turns to face me, "You know Annie, you remind me of someone I knew many years ago."
I raise an eyebrow, "Oh?"
She nods, "He was a great friend of mine, but Irene," She chuckles, "That was...well hundreds of years ago," she giggles, "If you can't tell I have quite a few years under my belt."
I laugh softly and nod with a soft smile. Hyria stares for a few more moments before clearing her throat and giving a small nod, "Well then, I must be on my way.." she approaches and puts a gentle hand on my shoulder, "Keep practicing, I can see a great future in magicks for you.." she gives my shoulder a short squeeze and with that she disappears off into the thick of the woods once more.
I let out a small sigh as I plop down on the grass, my fingertips dragging over each soft, green blade as I get lost in my thoughts. Now that I was done practicing with Lucinda and, I guess Hyria, I really couldn't find anymore ways to stall the inevitable.
I needed to go find Vylad and apologize to him. Well, no, not exactly.
I at least needed to go talk to him.
So I begrudgingly pull myself up off of the grass and stretch, glancing once more at the blackened spot on the grass from the fire charge before sighing and slowly making my way back to Phoenix Drop, trying to think of an excuse to not have to go talk to Vylad but...the universe kind of determined this one for me, didn't it?
I can't put it off any longer.
So as I approach the gates of Phoenix Drop I take some deep breaths and start searching, speaking briefly with those I pass, but mostly keeping my focus on finding Vylad. But I'm quickly reminded that my brother is quite the elusive type, and after a couple hours of searching I find myself sitting on the edge of the docks, bare feet dipped into the water. I give up on the search for now, but I know I really need to talk to him.
I can't be angry with my brother forever.
Well, at least I don't think I can be.
Question of the Chapter: Why do you think Annie is such a natural at protection spells and who does she remind Hyria of?