by Jessa Ford
In the place we first met as fast as possible.-C
She left the note with the open locket upstairs on top of the dresser so he would understand. She was certain he would be as perplexed as she was when he saw the locket.
Cora began to contemplate the best route back to Telgria when she heard a crash downstairs and slowed time without thinking. Holding everything around her at bay, she slowly crept down the stairs to investigate as her heart beat faster and faster. To her relief, the source of the noise was the wind. A strong gust had blown one of the wooden shutters through the window. Cora looked at the funnels of wind and dust suspended in air outside of the house. She was amazed people in Hulsgard could survive in this sort of environment for long periods of time.
Without thinking, she pushed at the wind with her magic and saw she could move it. Cora stepped outside and closed her eyes, concentrating on the forms around her. She saw each piece individually and dismantled them with her mind. She pictured the windstorm moving farther away from her, from the town. She felt the familiar buzz in her limbs as she worked, a reminder of what flowed through her.
When she opened her eyes, she gawked. The sky was bright again, so much so she had to squint in the harsh sunlight. She surveyed the horizon and saw no hint of a windstorm. Pleased with her growing control over her magic, Cora ran back into the house and mentally charted the way back to Telgria. She didn’t have time to waste. She hoped Xave would show up quickly and find her note. She realized they had no idea what he was walking into in Arvendry. She hoped he would show up at all.
✽✽✽
Xave Zellows crouched below the Star Point bridge and listened for any unusual sounds above. He froze time as he made his way toward the tunnel, only releasing his control when he reached the familiar door of his mother’s bakery. To his surprise, the lights were on and it seemed like business was bustling as usual. His heart dropped. She should have left, he thought to himself and entered the building.
His mother was not behind the counter, but a stranger in her place. Turning toward him, Cora’s brown eyes met his stare. Not exactly her eyes, he realized, but an older version. Mrs. Vaunderly, Xave smiled to himself. Dari and Martin must have taken precautions with Cora’s family. The older woman nodded to him and then whistled. Behind her appeared a man slightly shorter than Xave himself, with wire rimmed glasses and the same bronze colored hair as Cora. Vindel Vaunderly beckoned to Xave, “We have your delivery ready in the back if you’d like to take a look at it before we load it up?” Xave didn’t miss a beat and nodded his head in agreement, cutting through the line of customers to head back to the kitchen.
When they were out of eyesight, Xave began, “Where is Malen?” Cora’s father chuckled in response. “She said you were intense.” He pointed toward the stairs, “She left some instructions for you in your room. She said you’d know where to find her. Vindel Vaunderly, by the way.” He held out his hand and Xave shook it. He turned toward the stairs and Cora’s father asked, “Do you know anything about Cora? Have you seen her?” His face was clouded with concern. Xave smiled, “Cora is safe, Mr. Vaunderly. I give you my word.” Cora’s father clasped Xave on the shoulder. “I’ll hold you to that, though don’t expect her to make it easy for you.” Xave smiled to himself, tempted to tell her father how familiar he was with Cora’s stubborn tendencies.
The first thing Xave noticed when he stepped through the doorway was Cora’s tattered bag on the bed. Her old school uniform was inside, along with a school notebook. The notebook was filled with forms detailing Cora’s personal information from school. Xave wasn’t surprised. He figured she had grabbed anything that could lead someone back to her parents’ home if they searched the student living quarters at Starbury. At the back of the notebook was a page folded over and Xave found what he was looking for. The words fish market appeared in his mother’s handwriting. She knew his mind would drift to Cora as soon as he saw her bag. He stood to leave and saw a figure blocking the doorway.
Cora’s mother stood in the space, an uneasy look on her face. “Is she--” “She’s fine,” Xave interrupted in an attempt to calm the woman’s nerves. “She’s far from here,” he assured her. Cora’s mother sighed. “The headmaster at Starbury told us we can’t know her involvement, but if there’s any way we can help…” Xave took the woman’s shaking hands in his. “Stay here and do whatever my mother and Martin told you. It will keep both the two of you and Cora safe.”
Genevieve Vaunderly swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. “She’s the most important thing I have, you know?” She looked at Xave with the kind of look only a mother could make. Thinking of Cora and how much it pained him to leave her, he suddenly found himself hugging her mother. “She’s grown quite important to me, as well. I’ll put her safety first, I promise you,” he vowed. Cora’s mother hugged the tall boy back, and made space for him to move past. “May you both be safe,” she watched him walk down the stairs and wiped a rogue tear from her eyes.
✽✽✽
Xave appeared seconds later in the busy port on the south side of the city. Arvendry was surrounded on three sides by water; one by the river and the other two by sea. The south port had direct access to the sea and as such, the largest market for seafood and other goods. It served as the Caslyan Empire’s only access to foreign trade. As a child, Xave’s mother often took him to buy exotic spices and goods for the bakery. He used to run back and forth behind the merchants’ stalls while he was waiting for her. The familiar corridors and smells of the market brought back memories of being with his mother, memories of a time before he understood what evil existed beyond his small world and his mother’s loving arms.
Turning down the twisting rows he moved further and further toward the center of the market, stopping at a rickety cart advertising pastries. He ordered two and sunk back into the shadows, watching the hustle and bustle of the market around him. “You never could resist those,” a voice spoke quietly from behind Xave. He smiled. Malen stepped forward and placed a hand on her son’s arm, her gray eyes peering out from the shadow. “You have to leave Arvendry,” Xave did not turn to look at her. Instead he kept his eyes on the crowd. “I know,” his mother sighed, “but I needed to tie up a few loose ends first.” “How soon can we leave?” “Just waiting on you.” “Are you ready then?” Malen nodded and they took off toward Hulsgard in an instant.
Upon returning to the Windy Watchtower, Xave entered and saw the same woman from the restaurant was now seated behind the check-in desk. “Back so soon?” “I’m looking for my wife,” he hoped she remembered him, though it had only been a day. “Ah yes, she set out for a house south of here. Have you not heard from her?” The woman studied him quizzically. “I had some business to attend to just outside of town first.” She merely nodded and described the same road she assumed Cora left on.
Xave thanked the woman and left. As they made their way out of the town’s main road, Malen shared more details of what Xave and Cora had missed after their departure from Telgria. “Martin coordinated the transport of Cora’s parents. They left under the premise of a medical need in Arvendry, as far as any of their coworkers or friends are concerned. They don’t know what Cora is doing, but they know it’s imperative we don’t mention her in order to keep her safe. They’re smart, so they suspect it has to do with her gift. She wrote to them about being approved for another Reading and then nothing happened. They got suspicious.” Xave was eager to find Cora and let her know her parents were safe. He was eager to find her at all. It was strange to miss her, stranger still to be able to admit it to himself and not feel so conflicted.
Xave and Malen were fortune to have clear weather as they followed Cora’s path. It made it easier to spot the old farm house. When they finally reached the house, Xave hurriedly pushed the door open and saw one set of footprints—Cora’s. There was no other sign of her, much to his dismay. Malen entered silently and began searching the rooms. Xave knew by the lack of a second set of footprints th
at Cora had left of her own free will. He also knew if she left without him she had must have had good reason. Convinced there was nothing downstairs, Xave and Malen climbed the creaky staircase to the bedrooms. They glanced at the child’s room with two small beds and a dusty pile of toys. The other room seemed a better place to start.
Atop the dresser sat a piece of paper with something Xave couldn’t make out from the doorway. As he neared the dresser he spotted a necklace on the paper, which was clearly meant to be found. He read the note and smiled, though a small drop of concern permeated his mind. Cora was on her way back to Telgria and he had no knowledge of the situation she would be approaching. Xave looked closely at the locket and opened it. He was not at all surprised to see the face smiling back at him; he supposed he should have guessed it himself. “Did you find what you were looking for?” Malen placed a hand on her son’s arm and stared at the locket. “In more ways than one. We need to get to Telgria. Cora’s already a day ahead of us.”
At the mention of Cora’s name Malen paused and looked at her son. The information had been eating away at her for some time, and it needed to be shared. “There’s something you need to know about Cora before we return,” she began. Xave’s eyes flashed to his mother and he waited for her to continue. “I ran the tests on her blood. I think I know why she evaded a magical reading.” Xave could tell his mother was approaching the topic with great care, which worried him, “Is she in danger?” Malen lowered her gaze to the floor. “If my hypothesis is correct then Nikol Delmarno could turn out to be the least of her worries.” Xave’s blood ran cold. In all the years he’d been aware of his gift, his mother had stressed to him what a threat Nikol Delmarno would be if he returned. It seemed as if all the evil in the world was confined to just one individual.
Xave couldn’t fathom what discovery would make his mother downplay the threat Nikol presented, much less what Cora could possibly have to do with it. “What did you discover?” His voice wavered ever so slightly. Malen motioned for Xave to join her as she sat on the edge of the bed. “I think Cora was able to pass her Reading undetected, because the magic in her blood was, or is, competing for dominance.” “Competing?” Xave didn’t understand. “Cora’s blood tested for every magical gift,” Malen’s words echoed off the empty walls in the room and neither she nor Xave spoke for a few seconds. “How is that possible?” Xave's mind was spinning.
Malen continued to explain the science behind her discovery and what it meant for Cora. Generally, magical blood held different proteins than regular blood, so it was easily detectable. Cora possessed the markers for each kind of magic. Her levels probably fluctuated so much it was hard for any one type of magic to retain dominance and manifest without intent. It was a medical anomaly; no one else on record had ever possessed more than one magical gift. “So, you see,” she turned and looked empathetically at her son, “not only will Nikol Delmarno use her for whatever he has planned, but anyone with mal intentions or even anyone seeking advances in knowledge or science will take advantage of her. She’ll become the most coveted resource in the entire empire.”
Xave nodded slowly as Malen asked, “Have you noticed anything unusual when she’s time bending?” Xave thought about the last few months, hoping something, anything would spark his memory. “I’m not sure,” he answered hesitantly. Malen reassured her son. “She’s strong enough to handle it.” “I know, it’s just…” Xave couldn’t put into words how he felt. Malen nodded, understanding, “You care for her.” Xave nearly whispered, “For most of my life I only had you, but now with Cora…it seems like a great risk to allow someone into your heart when the world is falling apart around you.” Malen put an arm around her son, as she understood all too well what it was like to love someone who seemed fated to leave
TWENTY-SIX
Cora entered the library undetected and slowed time. They had already begun repairs, and it was nearly back to looking like the library Cora knew so well. It should have felt strange being back at Starbury, and in the library at all; but she was too angry to think about those things. Dari turned from a stack of books behind the desk, knowing full well who would make such an entrance. “I was wondering if you’d return,” she looked up at Cora. “I had to.” Cora walked slowly toward the desk, her tone cold as ice, “How could I resist meeting the infamous Eldri Arafo?”
Cora stared down the old woman in front of her, and her eyes shone bright with anger. Dari remained calm and met Cora’s stare. It was clear she wasn’t shocked at Cora’s discovery. “How did you find out?” “It doesn’t matter. Why didn’t you tell us? More importantly, why didn’t you train me? You’re the only person who can truly help us!” Cora threw her arms up in protest. Dari suddenly looked tired and sighed, “It isn’t so simple, but I suppose that’s a story for another time. We need to get you somewhere safe; Nikol’s hunters are never far.”
Cora didn’t budge, “I need to wait for Xave.” “He’ll join us where we’re going. Every minute you spend here after you release time will be a minute wasted to get to safety.” With that, Dari took an old book out from the shelves in front of her. She placed it under the bell on the front desk, the spine facing outward. It was a children’s book, a story Cora remembered from her childhood days.
The story followed an explorer from Arvendry. He was lost at sea and presumed dead. All along he had discovered, quite by accident, a hidden island where the people breathed air, but could also survive beneath the ocean. They had a kingdom underwater and he lived out the rest of his days, happy and hidden. Dari appeared at Cora’s side. “I promise you, he’ll know where we’re going.” She finally placed the closed sign on the desk and gestured toward the door, “I’m going to take us this time.” She reached out for Cora’s hand.
Instinct told Cora she could still trust Dari, despite the lingering feeling of betrayal. She grasped Dari’s hand and time sped up instantly. For a fraction of a second, she saw the library go back to normal. Then, both women were in the sitting room of what she assumed was a house. There were no windows, though candles provided enough light to see. The room was cool, but not uncomfortable. “Where are we?” Cora turned around to scan the room. Behind her was a set of stairs leading lower into the building. She didn’t see the door through which they’d entered. Dari smiled, “Welcome to my hidden kingdom.”
Even though she was reeling, Cora couldn’t help but smile in return. “Like the book,” she said. “Exactly.” Dari pointed toward the ceiling, “Though instead of an ocean, I’ve taken you to a forest.” The forest, in actuality, was where Cora had once come to train with Xave. Years earlier in preparation for Xave’s real work, Martin and Dari decided they would need a safe house, in the event they were discovered or Xave looked into the wrong disappearance. Along with one of their Builder friends, they hollowed out the base of a tree and created a fortress beneath the roots.
“So, you see,” Dari said, “he’ll know exactly where we’ve skipped off to. Care for some tea?” She turned to descend the stairs and Cora silently followed. The lower level spanned a large space. They entered into a fully functional kitchen. Two hallways angled off to either side. “Bedrooms,” mused Dari. Beyond the kitchen was a large table with space for nearly 20. "Just in case we have a real emergency and everyone needs to evacuate,” Dari explained. Cora snorted. “And exactly at what point will we be in a real emergency?” Dari’s eyes simply sparkled. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
While waiting (or hoping in Cora’s case) for Xave’s arrival, Cora recounted their travels since leaving Telgria. She left out a few personal details, but finally explained how she was able to find Dari or Eldri’s home and that the locket connected the pieces for her. Dari laughed at that detail. “So, Lara gave away my greatest secret after all?” Cora looked at her in confusion and Dari simply said, “My sister, Lara.” Cora thought back to the inscription on the back of the locket. “EA and LA,” she pondered. Dari nodded, “Lara owns the Windy Watchtower. She wasn’t just your waitre
ss, though I suppose she’s always liked to play many roles.”
Cora’s eyes widened. “That was your sister?” “My one and only. She must have thought I sent you when you mentioned me. She’s one of only three people who knows my secret in this whole world,” she paused and looked at Cora, “four now with you, I suppose.” Cora was dumbfounded. The women had a slight resemblance, she surmised, though Lara was much taller. “She was always a bossy older sister.” Dari sat back sipping her tea and shared some details of her life. “She took after our father in both appearance and personality. They were very practical and hard working. My mother on the other hand…” Dari closed her eyes and paused for a moment. “My mother was a dreamer. If I had to guess, I would bet my magical gift came from her. She never said anything one way or the other, but she didn’t make me hide it like my father did.”
Cora sat up, intrigued by Dari’s history. Dari continued telling an abridged version of her story, including the death of her mother after succumbing to illness when Dari and her sister were still young. “After that, Lara and I were inseparable. Our father stayed out working until dark, sometimes not even coming home. He became a ghost. Lara and I dreamed how we’d leave that house, and then one day my father never came home.”
“We finally had the chance we’d been waiting for. Lara walked into town the next morning and got a job at the Windy Watchtower. She worked until she could afford to send me to Telgria to receive an education for my magical gift.” “But you left the School of Magic,” Cora gripped her tea cup with both hands, engrossed in the story. “I did,” Dari exhaled, “but that, too, is a story for another time.” Cora sat in thought until she started drifting off to sleep, all of her time bending finally catching up to her. Dari pointed her in the direction of the bedrooms and Cora opened the first door she stumbled upon. Inside a small light illuminated a bed and a table. Cora lay down on the bed, allowing the softness of the mattress to swallow her up. She fell asleep instantly.