The girl’s eyes widened but she pulled her large trunk, bowed to my mother and stepped through.
Legacy, Taz, and I were the last in the room. My father nodded toward the portal. “Stay out of trouble you three.”
I smiled, wrapping my arms around his torso. “I’ll miss you.” I moved to my mother and squeezed her tight. “See you for the fall festival.”
She kissed the top of my head. “Make us proud, my dear. I love you.” Just before I stepped through the portal, Mother said, “Madison and Jordane are already there. They’ll escort your group around the property. And Bindy will be there sometime after lunch.”
When the portal closed behind me, a weight settled on my shoulders. Standing outside the gates of the academy grounds, I looked at the guards. Three men and one woman. The men on the left side wore Hesstian colors of blue, white, and gold. On the right, the man and woman wore red and black, Delhoon colors. The sun was rising, still a few hours from noon, but the temperature would’ve suggested otherwise. With it being summer and further south than I was used to, it was much hotter in this location.
Our group moved through the high gates, and I spotted my grandparents at the head of the group, leading the way.
Legacy took in a deep breath. “Now that we’re here, I’m a little nervous.”
The fumbling of my stomach agreed. “Me too,” I murmured and we followed the group forward.
My grandfather being magic-born, looked young and strong for a man of nearly seventy. I called him Papa. He pointed toward the stables to the right. “Beyond that are the gardens and orchards. You can see the trees from here. If you go to the edge of the property to the west you’ll find the farm animals.”
In the distance the cows roamed. This property was at least three miles wide and more than that deep. The academy was a town of its own.
He continued, “To the north behind the building are the archery ranges, sparring grounds and an outdoor arena. There is even a lake that a small river runs into, which is why we chose the location. We needed a nearby water source.”
When we reached the ten-foot high front doors of the academy, they were pulled open from the inside where more guards awaited, and a group of about thirty professors gathered to welcome us. They all wore maroon-purple robes, and each had a badge on their chest signifying which kingdom they belonged to. These would be the academic professors. The skills or fighting instructors wore more practical attire for their lessons. With her hands behind her back, my grandmother Madison, said, “From here you’ll be shown to your dormitories and then everyone will gather at noon. Most of the other students have already arrived.”
Taz leaned over, “I thought we were the first group.”
“So did I.”
Perhaps overhearing, Madison said, “Most of the other groups don’t have the luxury of a portal. They’ve traveled here on foot or horseback. So they’ve been coming in over days.” Madison lifted a hand into the air. “Girls you’re with me. Boys, with Jordane.”
I was used to the grandeur of the castle at home, but everything here was brand-new to me. The paintings on the walls were artworks I’d never seen. Beautiful creatures, and depictions of battles between our kingdoms. A blue dragon soaring among white puffy clouds with a rider on its back. The majority black furniture placed decoratively was ornate. And of course, new cats wandering about. Sir Gideon, a rather offensive but fun, black and white striped cat, who happened to be my favorite, refused to come. His exact words were, “I will not be a servant to the foreigners.” Apparently he was also prejudiced.
Madison led us through winding hallways before we stopped at the bottom of three sets of stairs. At the base of the center staircase a crimson phoenix symbol was worked into the shiny stone floor and on each step leading up. “This is the Delhoon girls’ dorms,” Madison said. “To the right are Hesstia’s, and the left, Collweya. You are not allowed to enter the other kingdoms’ rooms. You are not allowed to enter the boys’ dorms on the other side of the academy. These rules are set in place for the safety of all students. Violate them and you’ll be sorry you did.” Her serpent-like gaze swept over us.
I observed the golden crossed swords symbol of Hesstia and the black Dragon for Collweya a moment before we were led up the steps. Just like in Delhoon there were two girls to a room. Nothing luxurious, two beds, two sets of dressers, two bedside tables, a large mirror, a single chair and a closet. Madison called out room partners and Legacy and I anxiously awaited to see if we’d be together again. “Legacy and Visteal, you’re in eleven.”
We smiled at one another and hurried to our room. I threw myself on the soft bed and looked up at the ceiling, noticing for the first time that it had been spelled to look like the outside sky. The clouds even moved, and a set of birds soared.
Already unpacking her trunk, Legacy took out a handful of clothes. “Do you think there will be dances here with all the students?”
“That would be fun,” I said watching a “v” of geese fly across our ceiling. “How many students do you think are here?”
“Well, in Delmar there were seven hundred, so I’d guess about the same. Maybe more with three kingdoms attending.”
We talked and put our things away until a cat strutted through the small opening beside the door. “Good day, ladies,” the long-haired, snowy white cat with shockingly green eyes said. “I am Atticus, and will be your attending cat. If you should need anything, I am quite often nearby.”
Back in Delhoon our cat was usually Ophelia. Apparently she didn’t come with us.
“Hello, Atticus,” I said. “You’re beautiful, if you don’t mind my saying.”
“Oh, I do enjoy a good compliment,” he said and flicked his tail. “You two are both nice-looking humans.” He hopped up onto my bed. “You must be the princess.”
With a smile, I said, “I am. My name is—”
“Visteal, I am aware.” He looked across the room at Legacy. “And you are?” His slightly disparaging tone wasn’t missed. As if he wasn’t impressed after meeting me, the princess. This behavior was typical of a cat, I doubt my cousin was offended.
“I’m Legacy.”
Atticus tilted his head. “Well, with a name like that, your parents must have high expectations for you. I hope you can live up to the task.”
“You and me both,” she said with a chuckle.
“You will find your schedules should arrive at any moment.”
As if he’d conjured them himself, two envelopes slid under the door. Closest, Legacy picked them up, and handed me the one with my name on it. I peeled it open and read:
Class schedule for Visteal Magnevera Exavior
Fifth year spells—Professor Tessam
Leadership—Professor Gilfor
History and Customs of Collweya—Professor Hardock
Advanced Swords—Professor Magnevera. Which would either be my Papa or Madison.
War Strategy—Professor Kyndel. This class was only for students who wished to have a place in the military leadership. Someone who aspired to be a warlord or an apprentice of a warlord or in my case, a queen.
Advanced Nordan Language—Professor Fero. I was already fluent in Heshan which was what they spoke in both Collweya and Hesstia. Nordia was south of us, an outlaw land with many different dialects depending on the region.