The Witch of Storn

Chapter 4

"We're here."

Rey wanted to roll her eyes at the very unnecessary statement coming from her father. She could tell, couldn't she? After all, the carriage had stopped. She couldn't bring herself to care though.

Wherever 'here' was, suddenly she wanted absolutely nothing to do with it. Her stomach felt like a volcano about to erupt, and her shoulders were tight and uncomfortable. All she wanted to do was throw open the doors of the carriage and run away. To where? It didn't matter, anywhere but here.

Instead she forced a clearly fake smile onto her lips and followed her father out of the carriage, feeling her doom approach with every step she took. She wasn't too nervous to appreciate where they ended up though.

The carriage had passed through stately golden gates before the horses stopped in front of a fountain topped by a wise stone scholar with a tome in one hand and the other hand outstretched, palm facing the heavens. As they walked by the fountain to the buildings ahead she got a closer look at the statue. It had a bronze plaque nailed to its base which read 'IN HONOUR OF FERNAND TEORIL, FATHER OF THAUMATURGY'.

Thaumaturgy? Isnt that just a fancy name for magic?

They left the statue behind soon, and Rey forgot about it as soon as she caught sight of the school. It was a grand affair; turrets and towers poking into the clouds, trees and bushes carved into weird shapes all around, statues and gargoyles standing guard. The school building itself was enormous, like a cross between a castle and a palace. Directly in front of the school stood a low rectangular block of marble. On it was carved the words:

WELCOME TO CARDINALIS, ACADEMY OF THAUMATURGY.

Rey stared at it with a frown before her father turned back to her, calling her name. She answered and walked over to meet him by the imposing doors that led into the school. Even when she was trying to be comfortable, something would always come up to remind her that this was not where she belonged. So magic was real, huh?

She tuned back into her surroundings at the loud voice which made her ears ring.

"Announcing His Highness, the Duke of Storn, High Lord Illyrian il Tsaen! Announcing Lady Rhaenar il Tsaen!"

Rey discreetly rubbed her ears as she passed the out of breath guard, granting him a subtle glare that he didn't even notice, too busy bowing and showing in 'His Highness'. She walked behind them, noting the silence. There was no one who responded to the announcement except the receptionist behind her desk, standing and making a hasty curtsey to the Duke as he walked by.

Where is everyone?

Even outside she had seen no students on the grounds - it was like a ghost town. The only people apart from their party of three that she had seen so far were the receptionist, a janitor and some guards. All of whom had given her intense and curious looks as she passed. She was sure it wasn't her status as a Duke's daughter - no, there was something else? She couldn't say what it was, but it gave her a very bad feeling. At this point she could already taste the vomit in the back of her throat. Rey forced the sour feeling down and looked around.

The school was big; she had seen that from the outside. It looked much bigger from the inside though. It also felt familiar; as they came to the end of a corridor which split into two, Rey could instantly tell that they would turn to the left. The passageway down the right didn't seem to hold any importance.

Another thing I know but can't explain? Just wonderful.

So where was it that they were going? Rey desperately wanted to ask, but every person she had met so far seemed to assume she already knew what was happening, where she was going, or what she would be doing. It made her itch to scream. She just wanted to stop short and throw a tantrum, wailing and kicking until someone explained everything to her. The best person to do so would have been that being, but Rey didnt think she would be getting anything from that being any time soon.

Finally they stopped at a small, inconspicuous door. Her father and the guard turned to her and she raised an eyebrow.

Now you want to pay me some attention?

She thought wrong.

"Lady Rhaenar, the trial will begin shortly, after the chimes ring, so please wait here."

After the chimes ring? What chimes? Where are they? She was really getting confused now.

The man continued, oblivious to her distress.

"You will hear your name soon after. Please make your way through that door," he gestured to it, "when that happens." He turned to the duke. "Your Highness?"

Her father turned to her. He looked like he had something to say, but all he did was pat her hair reassuringly. She frowned at him for messing up her haircut, but accepted it anyway. The support was both needed and appreciated. As she watched the two men walk away, leaving her alone in the slightly dim corridor, she felt even worse than she had at the beginning of the day. It was as if everything she had felt so far was a simple warm-up, and the main events were only just beginning. Her sight blurred and she took a step back, wobbling precariously. She threw an arm out to regain her balance and touched the wall. Gently she leaned towards it until her forehead touched the cool surface of the wall.

Rey repeated her mantra, breathing in and out deeply. Soon she felt better again. She pushed off the wall, stumbling a bit but finally standing straight. The sight of the door made her dizzy again, so she put her back to it deliberately, looking at the corridor she had come from. It was a more welcoming sight than the door behind her, a thought that made her curious.

Why do I feel like I should do anything but go through that door? Whats on the other side?

It didn't help. It only made her more eager to leave this place and go far away.

Soon, Rey. When whatever this is over, you can get out of here. Just calm down.

Still didn't help. Finally she concluded that since her entire being thought this was a bad idea, it was better to follow her gut. She had always been a staunch follower of her instincts, and they had never led her the wrong way. So she took a step forward, away from the door and into the corridor.

The chimes rang out. From somewhere in the building they rang, causing the walls to vibrate and echo with their tinkling. Once, twice, on and on, finally stopping after the twelfth chime.

Rey froze.

Her shoulders felt tight and heavy. Was that the weight of the world upon them? Later she would recall that moment, and if she could, she would have run back in time to tell herself to run. It wasn't the weight of the world. It was her doom, fast approaching.