by Jessa Ford
Cora debated leaving the map. She would be able to recall it perfectly, after all, without reference. Ultimately, she folded it as small as possible and stuck it in her boot. In the event anyone searched the Headmaster’s house, she didn’t want anyone to find the map, or any maps for that matter. She replaced the remaining scrolls and the floorboard, and pushed a large stack of books on top of it. I need to leave a message for Headmaster Keenly and Dari, Cora thought to herself before making her exit. She quickly descended to the sitting room and took a piece of paper out of her bag.
Just missed you. Going stargazing. Will speak soon, CV
She rolled up her note and stuck it in the handle of the tea kettle she saw on the stove, in hopes he would see it, if he even made it back to his home. Before she opened the front door to leave, Cora slowed time again. When she was confident no one was near, she hurried to her next location. She had one more stop to make before deciphering the star map.
✽✽✽
The windows in the Vaunderly’s home were dark. Cora imagined she still had an hour or so until her parents returned from work, but she had to be sure. Stepping into her old bedroom, a wave of emotion hit her. It wasn’t so many months ago she sat in the very same room in a flood of self-pity. She thought she was a failure and doubted she had any gifts at all. How drastically her life had changed in such a short time.
Quickly, Cora scanned her wardrobe for her old school uniform. Her mother had washed and pressed the skirt, and Cora found her old white shirt with the school emblem folded neatly in a drawer. Since she didn’t yet know where the star map would take her, she decided to take the trolley to the edge of town. If anyone saw her, they’d think she was a student heading home. After dressing, Cora took the star map out of her boot. To her dismay, it was exactly as it sounded. She saw four small indications for directions at the top and in the bottom right corner the words Star Point Bridge. Otherwise, she saw a map of the night sky, with few stars standing out from the others. Cora sighed. She’d have to wait until it was completely dark to begin to understand how to read the map.
Before leaving her childhood home, Cora stopped in the kitchen. Her mother’s apron hung near the doorway, it’s blue edges starting to fray from years of use. She felt the coarse fabric between her fingers and sighed. This may be the last time she would stand in this kitchen. She imagined her father sitting at the table, his glasses sliding down his nose while he read the morning paper. Her mother, who often smelled faintly of oranges, making juice and setting pastries out for their breakfast. Cora quickly filled her bag with food—some bread, meat, and fruit. She wasn’t sure how long her journey would last. She felt the coins in her bag and wondered if she would need more. Vowing to replace them when she returned, she found the old tin above their icebox where her parents kept some savings. She took only what she needed for a few days’ trip and quickly returned the box when she heard the door open.
Cora fought the urge to embrace whomever would walk through the door, but thought better of it. Like Soph, her parents were safer if they thought she was at school. They couldn’t know about her time bending gift. She feared Nikol Delmarno would send Thought Seekers to read their minds, and she couldn’t bear the thought of what may happen if they found out her parents knew the truth. She wondered for a moment if she would ever be able to tell them about it. In a flash, she left out the back door and made her way down the street, refusing to let herself look back.
The trolley was crowded and Cora was able to ride undetected. No one even bothered to turn in her direction. If she was going toward Arvendry, as she suspected based on the faint outline of the Caslyan Empire on the map, she would need to leave out of the southern gates of Telgria. It would take a little over an hour on the trolley, but it would leave her more exposed and on the complete opposite side of the city she should be in, according to the school emblem on her shirt. Instead, Cora decided to leave through the Northern gate and follow the wall to the south. On foot it would be well into the night before she arrived at the other side of the city. Each entrance to the city was well-guarded, but the walls were left relatively unsupervised. It was the best she could do for now. She shrugged, content as she could be with her plan, and waited for the last stop.
Though people kept to themselves on the trolley, she couldn’t help but pay attention to snippets of conversations around her. “Did you hear about the attack on Starbury Academy?” an old woman behind Cora asked the young man sitting next to her. She didn’t catch his response, but the woman’s voice grew louder. “It’s Nikol Delmarno. I heard he’s back. I heard he caused the explosion and is holding people captive at Starbury.” The mere mention of Nikol’s name caused a shift in the air. Some visibly kept their heads further down, while others began speaking and shaking their heads. A nervous hum had come over Cora and she eagerly awaited her stop. She kept her head down as she exited the trolley, and walked swiftly toward the gate. No one paid her any mind as she passed through the tall opening in the wall. She walked along the old worn path, her feet the only sound in the darkness. The only clue as to her location were the footprints her boots left in the snow behind her.
SEVENTEEN
Dari LaFore rummaged around a small room, desperate to find what she was looking for. She knew she needed to be at the school, but in her old age it was easier for fear and doubt to stake a claim in her mind. She hoped Xavier and Cora had made it out; Xavier knew the plan after all. She thought back to their last conversation about what they would do if Nikol ever came for Cora, and sighed.
“You have to make sure you both get out safe, Xavier,” Dari pointed a finger at her assistant. “I’m getting her out, Dari. We agreed we had to keep her safe.” “It matters a great deal to me, and it would matter to her.” Dari narrowed her eyes. It was unlike her to lose her temper, but he was being unreasonable. What was the point if they lost one of the Time Benders in the process? “I understand, but if it comes down to it, I have to make sure she’s safe. She didn’t ask for this.” Dari threw her hands up, “Neither did you and neither did I. Cora agreed to this, just like you did. I need to make sure you’re both safe, but it would raise too much suspicion if I disappeared along with you. I’m not asking you, Xavier, I’m giving you your orders.”
Xavier didn’t budge. “We both know when they come for someone they will tear this school apart, and then the next, and then the next, until they find who they’re looking for. We just have to make sure Cora isn’t the one they find.” Xave’s voice grew louder with conviction as he spoke and Dari conceded. He was right; Nikol would send hunter after hunter until they found the Time Bender. They would need a sacrifice, and it was obvious Xavier cared too much for Cora to allow her to even know it was a possibility. She would need to keep a closer eye on him to make sure his feelings for Cora weren’t clouding his judgment.
Certain she would drive herself crazy with worry, Dari rushed back to Starbury. The school was buzzing with Telgrian authorities and headmasters of the other schools. Juniper Sniels stood out amongst the crowd, guiding authorities this way and that. Dari had half a mind to go up to her and accuse her of what she knew to be true. Martin had resumed his role as the frazzled old man he appeared, and stood by consoling students and their families. Dari knew he was surveying everything around them. At least, she thought, this meant the hunters had fled. The damage had been done, for now.
Dari appeared next at the library and her heart sank. The entire front door and half of the first floor was caved in. She walked briskly toward a government official who was taking notes near the entrance. “Excuse me,” she held out her hand, “I’m Dari LaFore, the librarian. I’ve just arrived from off campus. Please, what information can I provide?” The official looked much more cheerful than one should, given the current situation. “We have all we need, ma’am. Glad to see you’re unharmed.” “Don’t you need a list of any exits, workers, general traffic? To help with the injured at least…” Dari trailed off. The official simply smiled. “Haven
’t’ you heard? As of now we haven’t detected any injured students or staff, save for one boy who was seared by a Light Wielder. It’s a miracle.” Any lingering fear Dari felt had subsided. Xavier and Cora had gotten out, then. There was still hope.
✽✽✽
Cora neared the School of Growing and pulled the map out when a street lamp leading to the school’s entrance provided enough light to read. Cora studied the map, looked up at the sky, and then back to the map. If she remembered correctly, the map seemed to almost directly adhere to the main road leading to Arvendry. She was certain that was her destination after mentally comparing the star map to other maps of the Caslyan Empire she’d seen. At least she could follow near the road; traveling the road directly didn’t sound like the safest option at that moment. Luckily, the further from Telgria she traveled, the warmer the weather would be. She should be fine to sleep outside if she walked through the first night. She would walk as far as she could until exhaustion overtook her.
It didn’t take long for Cora to find the main road. The only route out of Telgria followed the river for a time. It was a risk, because if anyone was searching for a Time Bender outside of Telgria, they’d start with the main road, and even possibly a few miles in either direction. With the river on one side, she didn’t have many options if she’d need to flee. Cora walked, letting the stars guide her through the dark. Her progress was slow. Each noise caused a panic to rise within her, and she slowed time to make sure she wasn’t being pursued. It slowed her down significantly, but it was worth it for peace of mind.
When the first rays of light dotted the morning sky, Cora was sure her legs would cease to work. She had no way to gauge how far from Telgria she’d traveled. She’d only stopped to rest a few times since she lost sight of the city wall. The scenery had become more densely covered with trees, which would provide shelter while she rested during the day. Cora intended to clear a space with a view of the main road if her eyes would stay open long enough. Traffic on the road had picked up as the night turned to morning, and she stopped slowing time for each small noise, which is why she didn’t take notice of the wagon slowing as it approached her.
At first, Cora didn’t think the voice was directed at her. It sounded like children. She nearly leapt out of her skin when a small hand tugged on the sleeve of her coat. She instantly slowed time and looked down to see two large brown eyes staring at her. A child, barely taller than Cora’s waist, looked up at her. Not two feet behind was a slightly older child with the same brown eyes. Their parents, Cora thanked the heavens, were standing next to a wagon on the road. There was no way of knowing whether or not they were coming or going.
Cora considered her options. She could bend time and escape the family, leaving them all utterly confused. It would be good fodder for stories for years to come, she imagined. Or, she could stay and see if they were headed toward Arvendry. If anything, she may save herself a day’s worth of walking. Looking past the parents, Cora didn’t see anyone else stopped on the road. It was not likely Nikol would employ children or families, at least not yet. She decided to take the risk.
Cora returned time to a normal pace and ceased walking. As soon as her magic stopped buzzing, she heard a small voice shout up at her, “Miss, please stop!” The child grinned up at Cora; a tooth in the top row was missing, and she had two giant dimples on either side of her face. Cora couldn’t help but smile back at her. “May I help you?” she bent down to talk to the child. The sibling arrived next and chided the younger child for tugging on Cora’s shirt. “It’s no problem,” Cora laughed it off. “My parents are wondering if you’re in need of a ride,” the older child added, “they said it isn’t safe on the road because of something that happed in Telgria.”
Cora had to keep from celebrating. “Well, that depends on where you’re headed.” She smiled sweetly at the elder child, who looked bored. “Arvendry,” the girl shrugged and turned back toward the wagon. “Are you going to Arvendry, too?” The small child was still grinning up at her like a fool. “It just so happens I am,” Cora dusted her skirt off and slung her bag back over her shoulder. “Come with us, then.” The child held out her hand for Cora who took it tentatively.
Cora was relieved to see the children’s parents looked just as inviting. “We’re Marta and Beau Coffert,” the mother held out her hand. She smiled and Cora saw she shared the same two dimples as her daughter. Her husband was gruffer, but mumbled a greeting and held out his hand for Cora to shake. “Thank you both. I’m Dari, by the way,” Cora’s voice shook slightly when she threw out the old librarian’s name. She figured the last thing she should do was let anyone know her identity.
Cora answered a few questions about her travels, telling the young couple her parents lived in Arvendry, and she was simply studying in Telgria. After what happened at Starbury, she didn’t feel safe staying in the city with no family, so she left straight away. The woman looked so empathetic Cora felt a twinge of guilt over her lie. Cora offered to pay the family for taking her to Arvendry, but they wouldn’t have it. They shuffled some of their belongings in the back of the wagon and made room for Cora. She sat with her legs dangling off the back. Her feet ached, and she willed herself to stay awake; however, she drifted off as the wagon bumped along.
When Cora opened her eyes, the sun was high in the sky and she was sweating. The weather had turned from cold and gray to bright and sweltering. “We’re passing the road to Hulsgard,” the younger daughter sat near Cora, lining up rocks on the floor of the wagon. Hulsgard was dusty, dry, and hot. Cora wondered what it would be like to live in a place so different from what she knew. A cloud came over her, as her mind shot to her parents back in Telgria. Did they know about Starbury? Did they think she was missing? She wished she had enough control of her magic to travel like Xave could. Then she could at least check on them. She just wasn’t confident she’d make it to her destination without veering too far off course.
Cora pulled the star map out of her boot. If they were close to the turnoff for Hulsgard, it meant they were already half way to Arvendry. It was just short of a three-day journey by wagon, which meant they were about a day away once the sun set. She placed the map back into her boot quietly and watched as the little girl tried stacking her rocks, growing more and more angry each time they fell with the slightest jolt the wagon made.
The wagon finally slowed as the sun began to turn the sky a haze of gold and crimson, and Cora heard a distant hum of voices. She froze time and stood to look out over the front of the wagon. A group of four other wagons were pulled off the path, and Cora could make out a handful of individuals standing around a small fire. She fought the urge to flee, and reminded herself that no one knew who she was or more importantly, what she was. She took a deep breath and released her surroundings. The wagon lurched forward, as if nothing had interrupted the uneven turns of the wheels.
As soon as the wagon stopped, Cora watched as the little girl’s rocks tumbled out of the back. She jumped out after them, gathering them in her skirt. The older sister left the wagon, too, and ran to join the other children that were gathered around the fire. Cora hesitated and slowly jumped down after the girls. She joined Marta and Beau as they neared the group at the fire. No one said much, but offered what they had. Marta, Cora noticed, placed a loaf of bread on a rock. Beau had a gallon of what Cora assumed was not something intended to quench thirst. She stood near the back, smiling politely, but never allowing her gaze linger so that she could avoid any conversation.
Cora ate little that night. For one, she had nothing to offer and felt bad taking more hospitality from strangers. She also didn’t want to get comfortable. It was possible she would need to leave at a moment’s notice. When the sun had finally set, a cool breeze caused her to wrap her arms around herself. It was strangely comforting. After living her entire life dreading the cold, she was surprised to find she missed it. She did, however, move closer to the fire. She hadn’t packed anything for cool nights in her haste to leave,
and her coat was still in the wagon.
The fire was warm and inviting. Too warm, she noticed, for the size of it. She imagined someone had fire stones. Light Wielders often sold fire stones, because they could withstand the heat of their fire. They warmed quickly, and held their warmth better than any kindling could. Many Telgrians coveted them for the cold nights, and colder winters. Travelers, too, found them quite useful. Cora tentatively stretched her fingers out over the fire, pulling them in every so often to keep from burning.
Two others joined her at some point near the fire. She saw the shadow of their faces in the flames and she nodded her head to acknowledge them. “Coming or going?” one of them, a girl near her age asked. “Going,” Cora kept her gaze on the flames dancing in front of her. “Hopefully not to Telgria.” The girl’s companion, a tall skinny boy, faced Cora. “What’s happening in Telgria?” Cora willed herself to keep her voice even. “You haven’t heard?” the girl looked at her wide-eyed. “No, I um…I left after some violence at one of the schools. No one told us what happened, and my family called me home.” “It’s all anyone can talk about on the roads. Nikol Delmarno is back. He attacked that school. He’s looking for a Time Bender.” Cora was thankful the boy had mentioned Nikol. The shiver that escaped her would look like a reaction to hearing his name.
“How can you be sure it’s him?” Cora watched as concern fell over the boy’s face. The girl, too, appeared just as worried. “There are hunters all over. They’ve been stopping wagons on all the roads leading out of Telgria. We were stopped this morning,” the girl trembled and the boy put his hand around her shoulders protectively. Cora nodded slowly, her guilt threatening to eat her alive. These two were clearly terrified, and Cora knew she was partly to blame. She turned around to glance back at the Cofferts. Marta and Beau sat a few feet back from the opposite side of the fire. Their younger daughter made shadow puppets and leaned back against Marta’s legs. The older daughter talked with Beau, both throwing their heads back to laugh. If any hunter stopped them and found Cora…she knew what she had to do.