The Last of the Firedrakes (22 page)

“That makes sense,” I said.

“Although most mages know how to heal,” Penelope continued, “it is hard to do and exhausting to the mage performing the healing. But to the fae healing is instinctive, and we are better at it than mages. It is part of the nurturing trait of the fae. That is why in Eldoren most of the healers are fae and are very highly respected within the community.”

“But then why do Morgana’s guards hunt the fae?” I asked, wondering.

“It is only in Illiador where Morgana rules that the fae are being driven out,” explained Penelope. “The common folk all over the length and breadth of Illiador have been suffering for years because all the fae healers have left, been killed, or been chased out of Illiador.”

“Why does Morgana hate the fae so much?” I asked.

“Who knows what goes on in the mind of such a twisted person?” said Penelope, grinding herbs together and then performing some sort of magic on them until the green powder turned purple. “People fear what is different, and Morgana fears the fae.”

“But how are fae powers so different from mage powers? I thought you said they were similar.” I asked.

“Fae magic comes from nature, blessed by the goddess Dana,” said Penelope. “There are five types of fae magic—earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Some fae can command two or even three of those elements, but generally most fae can command magic from only one.”

“And what is your magic?” I asked, fascinated.

“I am earth and air,” said Penelope. “My magic is more suited to healing and glamour than fighting, although I can defend myself should the need arise, and I am very lucky to be gifted with two powers. But it is the fire-fae who are the most powerful warriors, and fire-fae that command more than one element are stronger still. Fae magic does not diminish like mage magic when used a lot; it can be replenished indefinitely.”

“And those that have the power of spirit, what can they do?” I asked.

“The fae gifted with the magic of spirit are the most formidable. They are the only ones who can create portals and produce powerful glamour that can last for centuries, but they are rare.”

“So what element could my mother control?” I asked.

“Elayna was earth, air, fire and spirit, one of the most powerful and unique combinations. Controlling four elements is very rarely seen among the fae.”

“Is there anyone who can control all five elements?” I asked.

Penelope nodded. “Just one, and she is our queen and your grandmother.”

“If the fae are so powerful, how come mages rule the lands?” I asked.

“In ages past, the fae were feared and revered by all races, but over the centuries—for reasons unknown—the magic of the fae has become weak,” Penelope explained. “Most of the fae born now are either air or earth fae. Fire, water, and especially spirit fae are very scarce, and there is only a handful of your grandmother’s fae-knights left to defend her kingdom.”

I nodded. It was fascinating learning about the fae, but students had started filing in, so more would have to wait.

Healing was an eye opener. I never expected that I could use my powers to heal, and to such a degree, although it would take years of intense training to do what Penelope could do. In healing studies, we learned about different herbs and their properties to assist healing, how to combine them, and where they should be used and in what quantity. The most fantastic revelation was that I could actually learn to use my powers to heal a wound or a broken bone. It was difficult but possible, just with my will and magic alone.

If I were able to use my fae powers for healing, I would never deplete my power source. But I couldn’t take the risk of even Penelope knowing that I was actually a fae-mage. Uncle Gabriel had explained the risks. So I went about my day learning what I could.

I was eager to test my powers and see what I could really do. I knew that in order to become a fully trained mage, I had to complete four years of mage studies at Evolon. I also knew that I didn’t have that much time on my hands. The sooner I learned how to use my powers, the better. I had no idea what Uncle Gabriel had planned for me, but I needed to be ready to face whatever it was, and time was running out.

16

The Blackwaters

The next day at lunch, I asked for directions and found my way to the school cafeteria. Until then I had only eaten in my dorm house where there was always something laid out for the girls to snack on.

My eyes went wide as I took in these new surroundings. The Evolon cafeteria was the most amazing school cafeteria I had ever seen. There were no benches or wooden tables for us to sit on. Instead, a vast and beautiful garden—more like a small park—stretched across the school grounds to the edge of the woods that surrounded the city. Everywhere, Evolon students were milling around, strolling the narrow flower-lined paths and eating their food on colorful mats spread out on the grass.

It was such a lovely concept, a picnic in the park. Even the stalls that served the assortment of food were unique. Standing barrels decorated with flowers were stacked with a variety of delicious-looking sandwiches, small meat pies, breads, and cheeses. Various picnic baskets were packed and displayed on a round wooden table, and students could just pick up a ready basket if they wanted a pre-set menu.

Colorful glass balls, which hung low from the trees, dispensed juice and water. The cut stump of a massive tree served as a wonderful dessert table, piled high with fabulous cakes and mouth-watering pastries.

I filled my exquisitely carved wooden tray and went to sit down on my own under a secluded tree. I was waiting for Vivienne, who was late as usual. I had soon realized that my roommate had absolutely no concept of time at all. Last night Mrs. Richbald, our housemistress, gave her a lecture for over an hour because she arrived late for dinner.

I was busy tucking into a flaky meat pie when someone came and stood beside my tree, blocking the sun.

“You are the Silverthorne ward, are you not?” said a haughty, nasally voice.

I looked up, squinting against the glare.

A blond-haired boy, who looked like he was about my age, was standing near me with his arms crossed. I nodded slightly. I was a little stunned that someone had come out of his way to talk to me. His voice was high-pitched for a boy, and he looked very arrogant. Although he was smiling, his smile never reached his cold blue eyes. He was quite good looking, but there was something about him that made me feel uneasy.

I nodded. “Why do you ask?”

“We thought,” said the haughty boy, glancing over at his friends, who were sitting on a mat close by, “that, since you are so obviously alone, you should come and sit with us.”

I was taken aback, he seemed quite full of himself, but it was better than sitting alone, and maybe it would be good to get to know some more people in the school.

“I’m not alone; I’m waiting for someone,” I said, trying to salvage some of my pride.

He acted like I hadn’t even spoken. “I am Damien, by the way,” he said and gave me his hand.

I hesitantly took it and got up, brushing remnants of stuck grass from my robes.

“Rory,” I said, almost under my breath.

“You can wait with us,” said Damien, and, before I could reply, he had already scooped up my tray. And so I had no choice. I followed him to where his friends were sitting.

Damien sat down and gestured for me to sit beside him. A big, muscly guy moved over to make room on the mat, and he didn’t seem happy about it.

“That’s Zorek,” he said, inclining his head toward the big fellow sitting next to him. “And Calisto,” he gestured towards the girl in the group. She was blonde and extremely beautiful, but her eyes were black as coal, and I had to suppress the urge to retreat. Calisto smiled a catlike, sinister smile.

“How quaint, Duke Silverthorne’s poor orphaned ward,” Calisto said scathingly. “Damien, you do have a penchant for picking up strays. This one is the scruffiest one yet.” She eyed me up and down.

I looked down, a little embarrassed. I knew I was not a blonde bombshell like her, but I wasn’t bad looking. With my long black hair and big green eyes I thought I was quite striking, but I soon remembered I now had short, mousy brown hair and eyes the color of mud. Still, I wasn’t that bad. Was I? Obviously Calisto thought so.

I couldn’t think of a retort to Calisto’s mean comment, so I just said nothing. I think she expected a fight, and now looked disappointed that her jabs hadn’t worked.

“My sister,” Damien added, as an afterthought, as if it explained her behavior towards me. “She is in the second year here at Evolon.”

I was confused. What did they want with me? Did they really want to be friends, or was this something else? I looked at Calisto and then at Zorek. They had resumed their banter and seemed to have forgotten I was there.

“So,” said Damien, “it seems that we are in the same warrior skills class.”

“Oh!” I said. I wasn’t very good at conversation, especially with boys. I thought I had been getting better at it; obviously I had deceived myself. I was still a complete idiot when it came to these things. The strange thing was that I didn’t even like Damien, I just wanted so much to be accepted that I didn’t want to be rude.

He continued to chatter on about classes and some gossip about one of the professors. Mostly I had no clue who or what he was talking about. In a few minutes they all got up to leave.

“See you later at warrior skills,” said Damien in a know-it-all manner, as if he was merely stating a fact instead of asking me.

I nodded and waved good-bye. Calisto and Zorek didn’t even look back. I dropped my hand, embarrassed. What was wrong with me? I felt like kicking myself as I finished playing with the remnants of food on my tray.

Finally Vivienne ran over, huffing and puffing. “Sorry, sorry,” she said, as soon as she saw my face. “I was in the alchemy house when one of the students blew up the whole classroom. We had to go and help the rest of the class and take them to the healers.”

One of the girls from my dorm, the one who ignored me at the breakfast table, sauntered over. Her hair was flaming red and tied in a frizzy ponytail, but it was her massive nose that dominated her gaunt face.

“So, looks like Damien has taken a liking to you,” she said, a silly smile spreading across her face.

“He wanted to be friends, I guess,” I said, glancing at Vivienne who finally sat down next to me. She didn’t say anything, but just started eating her food.

“And you said yes, of course,” the girl squealed. “How lucky you are to get asked out by Damien Blackwater in your first week here.”

“Oh, is that his full name?” I said, scrunching up my nose. “Suits him. And no, I did not agree to go out with him. I just sat with him for lunch.”

“Same thing,” she said, sitting down next to me. “Will you be seeing him again?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “In class, I guess,” I said, hoping to look nonchalant.

“I would stay away from Damien if I were you,” said Vivienne, raising her eyebrows at me.

“Damien doesn’t talk to just anybody. He’s the most popular boy in the school,” the girl piped up. “I’m Celia, by the way. Celia Greendew. My father is a viscount, in case you were wondering.”

I wasn’t, but I didn’t say that aloud. What was wrong with these people? Did they just become friends with me because of who I knew? And was it really necessary for me to know that her father was a viscount?

“Vivienne is right,” Celia went on, tucking into a huge slice of apple pie. “Damien is a bit of a snob and very arrogant. Just because his father is a duke and his uncle is the archmage, he knows he can get away with anything.”

“His uncle is Archmage Lucian?” I said. I didn’t know that.

“Is there any other?” asked Celia, frowning.

I didn’t know what to say. I glanced at Vivienne, who was also looking at me quizzically. I felt like kicking myself. I needed to be more careful.

“Well, you should know that he and the others hate all the Silverthornes,” said Celia.

“Others?” I asked confused, looking over at Vivienne.

“Other Blackwaters. His elder brother Zorek and his sister Calisto are not to be trifled with,” said Vivienne. “They are sort of royalty in the school. Cousins to the prince.”

“They are?” I asked Vivienne, my eyes wide. I didn’t know this.

“You don’t know?” said Celia sharply. “You are the Silverthorne ward; you should know this.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. I had to be more careful with what I said. I could tell that even Vivienne was looking at me strangely, and I was sure she suspected something was wrong with my story.

“Celia,” said Vivienne to my surprise, covering for me. “She has just recently arrived from Andrysia, so it is possible that they don’t know much about the Blackwater’s in the northern kingdoms.”

Celia looked at me. “Maybe,” she said. “But soon all of Avalonia will know about them.” She moved closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I heard my parents talking, and apparently our crown prince is a wastrel. He spends his days sleeping and his nights in various unsavory taverns and gaming halls. They say that after King Petrocales dies, the Duke of Blackwater will overthrow the ruling Ravenswood Dynasty and take over Eldoren.”

“Celia!” Vivienne gasped, her voice barely a whisper. “It’s treason to talk like this.”

Celia shrugged. “Well, it’s true. Everyone is talking about it. The Prince of Eldoren is a complete rake, and he is not bothered about the kingdom at all. His father has guards following him now all the time just to make sure he comes home at night. But he somehow always manages to evade them.”

Could there really be so much unrest in Eldoren as well? I had no idea how complicated the ties were within the nobility. There was so much to learn and so little time, and I had to be careful about my story. This time I was lucky, but if I slipped up again, someone would figure out who I really was.

“Oh no, we’re late,” said Vivienne, jumping up and banging her head on a low-hanging branch.

“Ow,” she squealed, rubbing her head.

Celia rolled her eyes. “When are you not late, Vivienne?” she said tartly.