Chapter 5

The crisp fall air, tinged with the scent of autumn leaves and wood smoke, drifted through the open window of Lilly's room, carrying with it the distant hum of the market. The vibrant sounds of merchants calling out their wares and the murmur of excited shoppers stirred Lilly from her slumber. Bolting upright, she threw off her covers and raced across the hall to Stephen's room, the anticipation of the market's opening giving her energy.

Without hesitation, she tugged at Stephen's blanket, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Get up! Get up! The market is open!" Her enthusiasm was barely contained as she shook him vigorously.

Stephen groaned and rolled over, burying his face deeper into his pillow. "Mmm, lay off, will ya? I'm tryin' to sleep..." His voice was muffled, and he sounded more annoyed than awake.

Lilly wasn't deterred. "Come on, you know you want that fresh meat pie from Syly's bakery. He'll be saving one just for you..." Her teasing tone was irresistible.

Stephen's resolve crumbled as he sat up, yawning and stretching. "Alright, alright. No need to twist my arm," he said, rolling out of bed and inadvertently knocking Lilly onto the floor. She laughed, brushing herself off and getting up to follow him.

The town square was a vibrant spectacle of colors and sounds as they arrived. It was bustling with activity—vendors shouting out their specials, children running with sticky fingers clutching candy, and the rich aroma of freshly cooked foods wafting through the air. Lilly quickly directed Stephen to the bakery, where he eagerly grabbed his stash of meat pies.

With a quick wave, Lilly darted away from the bakery, navigating through the throng of market-goers. She slipped past a grizzled man hawking exotic spices from the south, the scent of cumin and coriander mixing with the crisp autumn air. She continued past the bakery, her eyes scanning for her favorite stall.

As she jumped over a puddle of muddy blood near the butcher's stall, Lilly's attention was caught by a fleeting figure brushing past her. Startled, she gasped and clutched her arm. Looking down, she noticed a small, glowing mark in the shape of a golden rosebud on her wrist. It shimmered briefly before vanishing. Confused and a bit shaken, Lilly glanced around, but the figure had disappeared into the crowd, leaving her with an unsettling feeling.

Shaking off the odd encounter, Lilly pressed on toward the end of the market, where the gem stall was located. The stall was nestled between the fur vendor and the apothecary. The glittering display of gems and crystals caught her eye, their colors dancing in the light.

She wove through the crowd, her fingers lightly brushing against the fur hanging from the neighboring stall. The textures of the various pelts were rich and varied, but Lilly's focus remained on the shimmering gems. Her fingers moved with a delicate grace as she trailed along the hanging crystals, the play of light making them sparkle enticingly.

As she approached the gem stall, a familiar voice greeted her. "You look more like your Ma each time I see you," Annabeth, the middle-aged vendor, said warmly.

Lilly smiled back at her, her thoughts momentarily drifting to her mother. "Thanks, Annabeth. I hope to see her again someday."

Annabeth's eyes twinkled as she watched Lilly's gaze settle on a bracelet partially hidden under a pile of clear quartz. The bracelet seemed to capture and reflect all the colors of autumn—amber, smoky grays, and hints of shadowy black. Lilly gently pulled it into the light, mesmerized by how the colors played together.

"That, my dear, is the Cairngorm," Annabeth said, her voice filled with a touch of reverence. "See how the colors shift, like smoke dancing around the fire? It's also known as Smoky Quartz. This piece offers protection, guidance in the shadows, and good fortune. Consider it a late birthday gift."

Lilly's eyes widened with gratitude as Annabeth slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. The cool touch of the metal and the comforting weight of the gem felt reassuring. With a quick, heartfelt hug, Lilly thanked Annabeth before slipping away through the crowded streets. As she made her way home, the bracelet seemed to glow softly against her wrist. The day's excitement and the odd encounter at the market mingled with her thoughts. Despite the bustling energy around her, Lilly felt a sense of calm and anticipation. The festival that night promised to be a highlight of the season, but the strange mark on her wrist and the gift from Annabeth suggested that the day held deeper significance than she had anticipated.

Nestled among the stars, the full moon bathed the worn path leading into town with a silvery glow. Lilly and Stephen strolled side by side, their arms linked in a gesture of camaraderie and excitement. The cool breeze tugged at their clothes, guiding them toward the festival with whispers of laughter, the sizzling of grease-spitting fires, and the distant strains of lively music. For a few precious moments, they allowed themselves to forget about the Council and their often ominous presence.

As they approached the town square, the scene before them was a vibrant tapestry of celebration. The shadows of young children danced joyfully around the crackling bonfire, their giggles mingling with the smoke in a lively, carefree tango. The vendors' booths had been cleared away, making space for the arena that would soon become the focal point of the evening's events.

Lilly and Stephen observed the older children preparing for the competition. Most of these teens harbored grand expectations of being noticed by the Council, hoping to prove themselves worthy of training in the city. The pressure was palpable, especially for those like Lilly and Stephen, who had carefully crafted their mistakes to stay just below the radar. The arena's silence fell like a heavy curtain as the music ceased abruptly, drawing all eyes to the oversized stage at the edge of the arena.

A dozen figures in navy blue cloaks with purple stitching stood in formation on the stage. The crowd buzzed with curiosity and anticipation, their whispers rising in a murmur of speculation. From behind these figures emerged a man draped in a royal purple cloak adorned with intricate blue symbols. The cloak signified his status as a Master Magician of the Highest Order—one of "The Seven." His rare appearance at the games was a cause for excitement and surprise.

Armadeous, the Master Magician, surveyed the crowd with a discerning gaze. His sharp eyes lingered on the twins, sensing the unusual power they possessed. He made a mental note to keep a close watch on them during the games. With a commanding gesture, he raised his hand, palm outward, to silence the crowd. The murmur of whispers gradually faded into a tense quiet.

"Tonight!" Armadeous's voice boomed, carrying across the square. "We test the young spirits standing before us!" He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. "These games will prove who is worthy to train in Escurades Academy! Only those strong enough, smart enough, and cunning enough will serve the Council." His gaze swept over the ranks of magicians behind him. "BEGIN!"

At his command, the dozen magicians stepped forward, their low chanting forming a harmonious hum that filled the air. Their hands moved in swift, fluid motions, casting spells with blinding speed. The ground beneath the arena began to rumble, and structures morphed and shifted, creating a maze of obstacles that the potential recruits would soon face. The crowd watched in awe, their faces lit by the dazzling display of raw magical power.

As the magicians finished their casting, the arena fell into a tense silence. The youngest potentials, bubbling with excitement, eagerly moved to the edges of the arena, ready to tackle the challenges ahead. Stephen leaned closer to Lilly and whispered, "This isn't like the other years."

Lilly nodded, her eyes fixed on the stage. The stakes felt higher than ever.

"Potentials!" Armadeous's voice rang out again. "In your hand, you will find your assigned buildings." With a flourish of his hand, colored cards appeared in the potentials' hands. The younger participants were quickly ushered into the front row of buildings. The remaining groups were divided by age, with Lilly and Stephen joining the older group sent to the back row of buildings. They entered a small, one-story structure that resembled a one-room schoolhouse from the outside. Inside, it was spacious, holding endless potential for the first set of tests.

Above the arena, a severe-looking woman joined Armadeous in the observational balcony. Her lips were pressed into a thin line as she observed the proceedings. "What interest does the Council have in this tiny farm community?" she asked, her tone laced with skepticism.

"Only the Council needs to know the answer, Gavina," Armadeous replied calmly.

Below the balcony, the oldest group of potentials lined up along the far wall. A petite woman with an air of elegance glided onto the platform. She glanced up at the balcony before giving Armadeous a deep bow.

"Levonia," Armadeous acknowledged with a nod.

Levonia turned her gaze back to the potentials, her eyes sweeping over them with a mixture of assessment and curiosity. "Most of you are familiar with the testing today," she began, her voice crisp and authoritative. "In case you are as incompetent as you look, I will repeat the agenda once." She paced the platform, her movements deliberate and commanding.

"Each of the three buildings will contain a series of tasks to gauge your magical abilities. Everyone will advance to the second set," she continued, pausing to make sure her words were sinking in. "Those who succeed in the final tasks will compete for advanced training."

Levonia twirled her index finger around her thumb, performing a graceful gesture that seemed to imbue the air with energy. A long stick with a piece of chalk materialized in her left hand. With a fluid motion, she began marking out the floor into three distinct sections. Her movements were precise, almost as if she was dancing with the chalk. The potentials watched in rapt attention as she worked.

In less than a minute, the final mark was made, and the floor began to glow softly. Tables laden with apples and peaches appeared in the first section, accompanied by empty baskets. The potentials' casual clothes were replaced with identical smudge-gray uniforms. 

Levonia's voice cut through the silence, her tone firm. "The first task is to separate the fruit without touching a single one." She clapped her hands sharply, and a parchment unrolled, displaying the details of the challenge. "We begin with Christoff, Georganio, Francine, and Rebekah. At your table, you will find your options for completing the task."

Christoff, with his calculating eyes and short, precise haircut, took his place at the first table. He moved with deliberate efficiency, using subtle hand movements to direct the fruits into their respective baskets. The apples and peaches obeyed his commands, rolling smoothly into place. Once the task was completed, Christoff manifested a chair and sat down, observing the others with a detached interest.

Lilly watched with a mixture of curiosity and irritation as Georganio approached his table. His tall, muscular frame was often admired by others, but to Lilly, he was more like a pesky gnat—persistent and bothersome. Despite her irritation, she couldn't help but feel a pang of concern for her friend.