Sinatus

✨Chapter Twelve✨

              Dear mom and dad,

How are you? I miss you so much. I arrived at the top of Mount Orion about a day ago. I already did the first challenge, but I failed. It wasn't fair, though. They made me brew a deadly potion, without even giving me the chance to learn about potions beforehand. I hope the next challenge goes better. So the challenge was dreadful, but I met two girls that seem really nice that I'm staying with. How are things at home? Did Ben enjoy the syrup I left on his doorknob? I sure hope he did. 

How's work going? Hopefully better than my potion-making skills. Right, I guess I might mention

               Lily's hand hovered over the paper, before she crossed the beginning of her last sentence out. She'd been thinking about telling her parents about the Vines of Mortem, but decided she would only do so if something like that happened again. But she was sure it wouldn't.

Dad, I forgot to tell you, I left the keys to the shed under the doormat. I hope you haven't been looking for them. Say hello to Ben for me. I'll see you soon.

Love,

Lily♥

             Lily folded up the paper and started writing on the second one, nostalgia for her home filling her up as she thought of her family and friends.

             Dear Sam,

Thank you so much for the chicken! It reminds me of you so much. I even named it Sammy, after you. I've already completed the first challenge, which was completely unfair by the way, and now I'm just waiting, I guess. I hope you're doing well. Bored without me? 

I met a Lucami(have you ever heard of those?) named Ara, you would love her. Also, I wanted to ask you...would you consider putting soap in Ben's jacket and salt on one of his pastries? I know you wouldn't like doing that, but I'm not home, so someone has to give him a bit of trouble. Please? 

I miss you! I'll see you when I'm back. Say hi to Elisa and the others for me. 

Love,

Lily

           "Done?" Kaia inquired as Lily folded up her paper. Lily nodded. "Okay, I'll show you what to do with those."

           "Thanks--uh, do you have an envelope?" Lily asked. Kaia shook her head.

          "You won't need one. Just write who it's for on the paper."

          "Um...okay," Lily said, mystified, as she wrote quickly on the folds of her papers.

           "Come on," Kaia got up and motioned for Lily to follow her. The two girls made their way along a bustling cobblestone path. Lily watched the doors of shop and houses opening and closing, although her eyes kept wandering up to the light purple sky. Kaia hummed a tune under her breath. After they passed a small shop filled with papers, books, and quills, she stopped in front of a small mahogany box. "Open that."

           Lily opened the box. It was empty. 

            "Put your letters inside." Kaia instructed. Lily dropped them in the box, letting it fall closed with a dull thump afterwards. Kaia nodded and placed her hand on the top of the box, fingers splayed outward. Lily heard a soft humming noise, and Kaia took her hand from the box. "The letters should appear on their recipients' door steps in a couple seconds."

            Lily's eyes widened. "That was magic, wasn't it?" she asked as she followed Kaia back down the road. Kaia nodded.

             "Very simple magic, though." she said. Lily found it cool anyway, and she told Kaia just that. Kaia laughed and nodded, tilting her head and squinting. "I suppose...if you look at it from that perspective, it is pretty cool. Ask Ivy, she finds lots of things fascinating."

              Lily nodded, smiling as a small group of toddlers ran over the street in front of them. Coming down the street towards them, Lily recognized a mop of brown hair and realized it was Ivy's brother, Dalton. 

              "Hello," he nodded to Lily, pivoted on his heel, and fell into step beside Kaia, quickly saying something Lily didn't hear. Kaia perked up.

             "Really? It's free, right?"

             "Yeah," Dalton replied. 

             "We have to show Lily!" Kaia said excitedly, causing the said girl to look at Kaia inquisitively. Kaia explained, "There's a fair today. It's like a festival, but we're not celebrating anything in particular. People set up all kinds of stalls with free stuff and food, and there's fireworks and magic tricks. You'll love it!"

             "Sounds fun," Lily grinned. "I'd love to go."

             Kaia turned to Dalton. "Have you asked your mom?"

             "No,"

             "Well, then, you should--"

             "Ivy did." Dalton interrupted, grinning, before marching off. Kaia huffed in annoyance. She and Lily kept walking, until Kaia shrugged and asked,

             "Race me?"

              Lily grinned and replied, "You bet!" causing both girls to break into a run. Their feet thundered against the cobblestones, causing people to move to the side. Lily jumped over a crate, picking up her pace, as Kaia dodged an opening door. Ivy's house came into sight, and Kaia leaped forward, slamming into the door only seconds before Lily followed, colliding somewhat painfully with the door frame. They both laughed breathlessly, heading inside, where Elora came bustling towards them. 

           "Is everything alright? I heard noise."

          "Everything's fine." Kaia promised. Lily nodded. "We were just running."

          "Good. Now, prepare yourselves for the fair at some point, we're going in an hour."

          "Yes, thank you," Lily said, and she and Kaia headed upstairs. Lily shouldered open the door to Ivy's room. The red-haired girl glanced up over the top of an easel as they entered, waving her hand, which was completely covered in multiple colors of paint. Her pants and shirt were also splattered with a fresh layer. 

           "What're you painting?" Kaia asked. Ivy, who's brows were furrowed lightly, put her finger to her lips, causing to paint to smear on her face. Unperturbed, she picked up her paintbrush and continued painting. Kaia shrugged and turned to Lily.

            "She's in high-concentration mode. Excited for the fair?"

           "Well, yes," Lily said. "If there's magic, I'm always excited."