The Elixir

~Headmistress

Cassamire flings the door open just as Xara's eyes adjust to the slightly dark room. Her brother smiles cheerily and places a tray of steaming food on the wood of her table. Although he's smiling, his eyes are wary. Xara's chest pangs; it's not at all a pleasant feeling to have your own family cautious of you.

"How long have I been out?" She asks in a faint voice. The small action seems to drain the majority of her energy. The idea of ingesting food makes her stomach rumble in displeasure. Whatever came over her at the Summoning has left a bad, acidic feeling through her body.

"Just a few hours. Mum thought you would go into a coma," jokes Cassamire, though his voice is dull.

Xara's quiet for a few moments before speaking.

"You're scared of me, aren't you?"

Cassamire doesn't deny it, just looks downcast with flaming cheeks. She attempts a smile.

"I don't blame you, Cass. It's quite alright. I don't know what happened to me at the Summoning."

One of her brothers' dragoni screeches outside just before Cassamire responds. It's late now and the rain has begun to knock against the wood. Xara's always loved the constant rain; it wouldn't be Closorths without rain.

"I'm sorry, little sister." Cassamire admits, his voice heavy.

Xara puffs out a sad little laugh. "Don't be. I understand why you feel that way. Being possessed two times by the very man every person in the region fears isn't exactly a reputation you would want, am I right?"

Cassamire chuckles, more of a grumble than a laugh. He plunks down in the chair where her grandmother had sat just days ago.

"You're sure it's him?"

Xara nods. "I know it's him. I don't know how but I just know."

"I just hope they don't blame you for all this." Cassamire says wistfully, his gaze grazing the droplets freckling the window. "I know how much you want to attend the academy."

"If they expel me, at least I will know why." The words are heavy in her mouth. She wants to take everything back, wishing she had been chosen as anything but a Storm. She has a nasty feeling, pungent in her gut, that her being a Storm will only affect her in the future.

"They shouldn't, without hearing what you have to say."

"But why would they? Everything lines up, Cass. It's a precaution. Who knows if something else will happen? It's not like I have any control over it."

"They still have to give you a chance," persists her brother. Cassamire has always been pig-headed, a brash, stubborn young man and usually, Xara could empathize with him. But in this case, his words only make her feel worse. She just wants to wallow in her own self-pity, left only with her thoughts.

"I completely agree, Mr. Roffinnes," a deep, velvet-like voice pipes up from the door. Xara's head snaps up to see Headmistress Casktalon standing regally in the entrance of Xara's bedroom. Cassamire shoots her a look and shuffles around the headmistress. She looks at him with an eye of bemusement.

"I look forward to seeing you in a few days, Cassamire."

He nods, ducks his head, and dashes off, almost like a shy child. Liira Casktalon is known as one of the most fearsome, intimidating women in all the regions, and it's not hard to see why. With jet black hair and eyes to match, and alabaster skin, she has a youthful look to her. However, the deepness of her almond eyes speak of an impenetrable wisdom. But also the hint of a threat.