3

Two days we were on the road to the Highlands. We got there while their Midsummer Festival occurred. So many stands were open with toys, trinkets, and delicious foods. My mouth watered as we passed the food vendors and up to the exquisite-looking white marble castle.

"Ah Magic Master, Gabriel Hill! A pleasure to meet you in person," said an older gentleman who met us at the gate. This man looked at me and smiled, showing rows of crooked yellow teeth. His face had seen a battle or two. There were many small scars that covered parts of his face haphazardly. He was wearing boiled leather armor, a sword at his side. "And this must be Jonah's apprentice to the title of High Wizard!"

Master Gabriel pushed me forward. "Matilda, this is Sir Harry. He is the head knight of the Highlands' mighty army," he said.

I bowed politely and shook his hand. It was calloused and firm, a knight's hand. I could see old scars that riddled his hand and fingers, just like his face. "An honor, sir knight."

Harry smiled at me and shook my hand. "To you as well, Matilda. Please call me Harry. Now come! Their Majesties are waiting for you!" He leads us inside and to the throne room where the King and Queen sat. The throne room was bright from the white marble that surrounded them, even their thrones were made out of the polished rock. The colors of their crest were all around, dark green, lined and highlighted by silver. We kneeled on the rug before them and bowed, then stood again. The rug was the pine needle color with silver thread running through it like the silk of a spider, a spiderweb.

"You must be Magic Master Jacob Long's star pupil; Matilda of the East," spoke King Richard.

I nodded and stepped forward, gulping down the nervous lump in my throat. "I am, your Majesty. I am most honored to be chosen as your next palace wizard." I announced.

"My dear, you must know something," The Queen chimed. "You are not the only one chosen. A boy, your age is also training to be my palace wizard. We need two for any threats of the next war."

"What? Your Majesty, with all due respect-" Master Gabriel was cut off by King Richard.

"We are aware of what you are about to say, Magic Master; it is not normal. But with the help of you and High Wizard Jonah, the two pupils will rise and give our mighty army strength." he declared with his great booming voice.

"Then I will work alongside my fellow wizard," I replied to the king before my dear friend could argue. I must admit, though, I felt disappointed. I was hoping that I would be the only one. I thought that I would be the only one to become the Highlands' mighty High Wizard.

"Wonderful! Then let us meet your Adviser and your comrade."

With the king's word, two males walked into the room. The elder one, I knew, was Jonah, the Grand Master. The younger boy was my fellow wizard. I bowed to the older man. When I stood straight, I looked at his face. His beard was white but long and magnificent. His eyes shone with wisdom and kindness. He seemed as excited to teach me as I was excited to learn from this man.

"Grand Master, I am honored to be your successor. I am Matilda of the East, student of Magic Master Jacob Long." I said, as brave and mature as I could.

The old wizard smiled kindly at me. "I am happy to teach any student of Jacob Long, Matilda of the East," he said.

I moved, so I was in front of the boy. He had thin wire-rimmed glasses, big doe eyes that were the color of honey, soft features, but his jawline was strong. I stuck my hand out to shake his.

"I am Micka of the Highlands. I am proud to be your comrade in our journey to become High Wizards." He said, shaking my hand in a solid grip. I could tell he had rehearsed this. His handshake was firm but gentle.

"As am I, Micka." I smiled at him and turned back to the king and queen, who were smiling at us.

"Tomorrow, you will begin your studies with Sir Harry, Grand Master Jonah, and Magic Master Gabriel Hill," the king declared. "Off with you now. Go enjoy the night!"

Grand Master showed us to the Tower. This structure was where we learn and live, he told us. I got the room to the right of Grand Master, while Micka got the left, and Master Gabriel's was right next to my own. I unpacked slowly, missing the scent of my old home. As I put my things in their appropriate places, my mind drifts, playing back memories of the manor.

"You better get to sleep, young wizard. Studies are hard to concentrate on when you are tired." Gabriel said, breaking me from my daze. I pulled out my nightclothes and put them on.

I yawned and nodded at my magic Master, getting under the thin cotton blanket. Fit for Midsummer in the Highlands.

Usually, I would beg him to stay up late. I would have wanted to go out and join the festivities that the Highland's had to offer. But I couldn't bring myself to. "I know, Master. I do plan on sleeping tonight."

"Good night, Matilda."

"Good night, Gabriel."

As he left my room, I laid in my bed staring at the ceiling. I was overwhelmed with everything, coming to this new place and meeting all these new people. People that had high expectations of me now. I tossed and turned for hours, but I just couldn't force myself to sleep. I looked out the window and up into the sky. Gray clouds were billowing over the sky, the wind blew through the trees in strong gusts. A storm was on the way. I sighed and slid my feet into my slippers, wrapping my robe around my body. When I was little, a Forest Witch was training at the manor in Whitebridge. Before a storm like this, she would meditate. When I asked her why she did it, the girl explained that it helps settle the soul. If she was going through some troubles, she would wait until the storm and pray to the Seven Gods. It was their way of showing they were upon you.

I braced myself against the heavy oak door and pushed it open. Once the door was cracked open enough, I slipped my body through it before closing it again. I tiptoed passed Master Gabriel's door and down the corridor to the stairs. I could feel the wet, humid breeze of the summer storm waft through as I made my way down the spiral staircase. The candles on the walls cast shadows as they flickered in the wind, making the feeling of the empty stairs ominous. I shook off that feeling as I found my way down the hall, feeling the breeze get stronger. I found myself outside, in the garden under my window. The hedges were cut into soft, symmetrical shapes, the flora was exotic and it's sweet perfume was swept up in the wind. Through the garden was a cobblestone path, lined with small garden lamps. I followed the path for a moment, finding a polished stone bench. It was by a lily pond with a small waterfall. The trickling sound of the waterfall, the smell of the flowers in the garden, and the soft 'whoosh' of wind in the trees was enough to make me feel at ease.

I sat on the bench with a relieved sigh and crossed my legs. Closing my eyes, I put my fingers together and pulled them apart one-by-one. I cleared my mind and imagined only a small flame being passed from one finger to another; pointer, middle, ring, pinky, ring, middle, pointer. I focused myself on my meditation, letting the sound of water and wind fill my ears.

Then I felt felt something cold and sharp poke the middle of my back, pressed menacingly into my spine. My eyes sprung open and my hands went up, lighting into a full inferno. The sharp weapon pressed harder into my back.

"State your name, little girl. Why are you out here and so late?" They asked. It sounded like a man, he was young. I felt the tip of the weapon press harder, it stung and I winced. It was going to be bleeding. "I said speak, girl."

"M-my name is Matilda. I'm the apprentice of the High Wizard. I-I couldn't sleep and there was a storm coming, so I came to the garden to meditate." I said hurriedly. I looked at the ground. My fire had illuminated our silhouettes. It made him look seven feet tall, broad shoulders. This man looked huge.

I felt the sharp weapon leave my back, the stinging remained. I let go of my breath, feeling as though I could breathe again.

"I'd be careful coming out at night, especially by yourself, my Lady." I heard him growl. "Not all are accepting of your kind here."

I let my hands down, the flamed extinguishing. The only light left were those of the lanterns. I felt the man lean closer from behind me, over my shoulder. I was frozen in fear, paralyzed on this stone bench. Out of the corner of my eye, I looked at his face. His hair was chin length and jet-black, it covered the half I could see. I could feel his hot breath through my robe and in m

"Next time you're out here alone, you better pray that it's me who greets you with the point of a knife to your back. A pretty Witch like you would sell for a hefty price somewhere dangerous." He whispered into my ear. I could hear the sickening glee in his voice. "So if I were you, I'd get back into that pretty little castle and go to bed."

His presence over my shoulder left and I stood up quickly. I didn't know what to say to this man, he terrified me. "Y-yes, thank you." I choked out.

I turned around to see who the man had been, but he was gone. As the realization hit me that the man had vanished, thunder boomed through the sky and rain started to pour. I ran as fast as I could back the way I had came. My heart pounded so hard in my chest that I feared it would pop inside my chest. I slipped going up the spiral staircase, hitting my knee on the hard marble. I stifled a cry in pain as I climbed up the rest of the stairs to my bedroom. Once I had shut the door, I felt as I entered my safe haven, like the man from the garden couldn't enter here. I shed my wet slippers and robe, wincing at the pain in my knee as I climb into bed.

Questions ran through my mind about what happened in the garden. Whether or not the man was real, or if I had imagined it, or what could happen to me if I come across him again. I closed my eyes, finally exhausted. I would see that man again and I didn't know if I wanted to.