Sinatus

✨Chapter Eight✨

             Lily's hands tightened on the straps of her backpack, as nerves, hope, excitement, and a bucket load of joy hit her all at once, causing a small smile to curl her lips and her green eyes to widen. Her smile widening, Lily headed into the village, and Ara jumped from her rucksack and walked beside her. Wizards and witches turned to give her odd, inquiring looks, but Lily kept walking, unperturbed. A small child in a dark purple cape ran past her, followed by another. A strict-looking man in grey robes arched his eyebrows as he passed, and a small woman with a dark blue cloak across her shoulders asked, "What are you doing here?"

           She wasn't the only one, and slowly Lily's mood began to dampen. 

           "Hey!" someone called from behind her. Lily clenched her teeth. "Hey!"

           Lily whirled around, her face set into an angry frown, but that was quick to go.

           "This fell out of your rucksack, um..." said the girl in the dark purple cape that had been walking after her. Her dark-skinned hand gently held the stuffed chicken, Sammy, and she was smiling carefully. Lily returned the smile, feeling relieved and grateful as she took Sammy back and stuffed her in her rucksack.

         "Lily. Thanks a lot."

         "No problem! I'm Kaia." the girl smiled, her big brown eyes wandering to Ara, who was circling Lily's feet protectively. "Oh my gods, she's so cute! Lucami are pretty rare."

         "Really? Oh," Lily shifted uncomfortably. "I actually don't really know about them."

          "Oh, right," Kaia tapped her temple, which was covered by piles of dark brown curls. "You're a Sinatus, aren't you?"

          "Yeah..."

          "That's cool! What brings you here, then?" 

          "I want to become a witch."

          "Really? Interesting. I'm assuming you're trying to find one of our older magi, aren't you? One of the ones that would decide if you could participate in the Testamenti."

         "Uh, yeah, I suppose. Do you know where I can find someone?"

         "Sure I do, c'mon!" Kaia smiled and motioned for Lily to follow her. Lily did so, walking after her through the busy streets, hiding from the others' looks behind the taller girl. After a while she stopped in front of a large circular building and turned to Lily. Kaia whispered, "This is where Anwyyl lives. You should talk to him about the Testamenti."

         Lily was unsure why she was whispering, but replied in a low tone just as well. "Thank you so much! Uh, who am I talking to here exactly?"

        Kaia smiled slightly. "Oh, you know, only one of the greatest wizards currently alive."

        "Excuse me?" Lily's jaw dropped. 

        "I'll wait for you here," Kaia said meaningfully, pushing Lily towards the door. Ara sat down beside Kaia and gave Lily a pointed look. Lily turned and slowly approached the door, raising a hand to knock on it softly. She'd barely lowered her hand when the door swung open quietly. But there was no one standing in the doorway. Lily stood frozen on the threshold for a few moments, but then a man in long white robes approached the door, and she stepped inside. 

       "Er--hello, sir." Lily mumbled, looking up and meeting his startling grey eyes. 

       "Hello," the wizard replied curiously, stroking his long grey beard. "I must admit...I think I know why you are here, Sinatus."

      "You...do?" Lily asked lamely.

      "Ah, yes," Anwyyl nodded. "Do tell me, girl, what is your name?"

      "Lily. I'm Lily Atwood."

      "Now, Lily, why do you wish to face the Testamenti?" Anwyyl inquired, scanning her from head to toe. Lily's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

      "To become a witch, sir." she told him honestly. Anwyyl raised an eyebrow the slightest bit.

     "Is that all?"

     "No, not really," Lily decided. "It's to become a witch and to show the Sinati that there aren't any limits on the things or greatness you can achieve, unless... unless you set those limits upon yourself."

    "And you wish to show them that because..." Anwyyl trailed off.

     Lily was silent for a moment. Then she continued his sentence. "Because that's what the Sinati have done--they have set certain unreasonable limits upon themselves." As a second though, she added, "And with all due respect, sir, most wizards aren't helping with that."

     To her surprise, Anwyyl chuckled. "Yes, some people let wizardry get to their heads."

     Lily frowned. "No offense or anything, sir, but why don't you change it?"

     "Ah, yes, why don't I?" Anwyyl looked at her carefully. "Why do you ask?"

    "Well, a girl just told me you were the most powerful wizard alive." Lily told him. "Couldn't you do something...?"

     "My wizardry may be superior to some others," Anwyyl admitted dryly. "But by no means does that mean I control every wizards thoughts and opinions, does it? No, no it does not. And one alone cannot change the minds of thousands with a snap of their fingers. It takes time, Lily. Have you ever heard what it was like thousands of years ago? The wizards were so cruel, Sinati lived in hiding. We have come farther. And we may not give up."

     "That makes sense, but..." Lily, who was drowning in thoughts, couldn't finish her sentence.

     "Well then, good day." Anwyyl said serenely. "We will talk again, I believe... I shall  send the judges to find you tomorrow. And good luck in the Testamenti, Sinatus."

      "Thank you, sir," Lily nodded her head, turned, and made her way slowly outside, where Kaia was waiting for her, tapping her feet against the ground and humming a tune to herself. Ara was laying on the ground near her. She looked up and grinned when Lily approached, ceasing her humming.

       "So?"

       "He said the judges'll talk to me tomorrow!" Lily returned Kaia's grin.

       "Great!" Kaia did a jump and clapped her hands together. "You'll have to tell me how it goes."

       Lily glanced at her as Kaia started leading them back through the village. "Sure." Lily shrugged, slightly uncomfortable at the glances that were still thrown occasionally her way.

        "Yeah..." Kaia seemed to notice. "I'm sorry. Listen, we'll get you a cloak, that might help."

        "Huh?" Lily asked, perplexed. How was wearing a cloak going to help people giving her weird looks because she was a Sinatus?

        "Wizards wear cloaks. Well, robes and capes, too." Kaia explained, tugging her dark purple cloak. "But, look--Do you see that lots of kids are wearing purple?"

        Lily looked around. Many kids were indeed dressed in purple. "Yeah. But, doesn't it get hot?"

        "They're temperature regulating." Kaia told her. "Anyway, until we turn fifteen we wear purple, then the color changes, blah blah. My parents aren't home for the week, so I'm staying with my friend. I bet she'll have an extra cloak or something for you. Just saying, she's a little quiet."