Launi wasn’t sure what to think. They think I can defeat the dark mages? I didn’t even know I had magic until today. How do they expect me to do it? And why have they been testing me, spying on me without my permission? That, more than anything else, unnerved Launi. She didn’t like the idea that the mages believed they were so powerful and important that they could interfere with her life without consulting her. What would have happened to those children had I not found them? Would that little boy have been safe? Launi decided she’d rather not know.
They had reached Glandria’s home. Her mother whispered a spell under her breath and brushed a hand across the wooden door. There was a soft click and the door swung open.
“Welcome to my home,” Glandria said, stepping aside to let Launi enter.
Launi stepped inside hesitantly. It was dark, the only light came from the open door, which allowed Launi to see the edge of a table that appeared to be covered with herbs.
Glandria followed Launi into the cabin, immediately moving to open the shutters. Light streamed in and Launi saw that she stood in a small room. A fireplace was built into the wall to her right, a cauldron hung over the blackened logs. The table was indeed covered with a variety of plants, bowls, and bottles. There was a doorway on the far wall, Launi could see the corner of a bed through the open door.
Glancing around her, Launi saw Glandria staring at her nervously. Catching her eye, her mother looked away.
“I’ve been waiting for this day for so long, I’m not sure what to do… What do you think?”
“Of your home? It’s nice, very cozy,” Launi said which was the truth.
“Why don’t you sit down? I’ll get a fire going. Are you hungry?”
Launi knew she should eat, but the excitement of the past few hours had ruined her appetite. “Maybe later? A fire sounds great, though.”
“Can you tell me,” Launi asked. She sat at the table, watching her mother move about the room. “What the other tests were?”
“The first one was the children in the woods. The second was your encounter with the shifters. We corralled them toward you, but kept a mage nearby in case you were in need of assistance.”
“The man from the shadows,” Launi said with understanding. She placed her hands on the table.
Glandria nodded. “Yes, one of the instructors at the school. In disguise, but a mage nonetheless.”
“What were the shifters testing?” Launi thought it was rather risky to send five shifters after the girl you thought would help you end dark magic.
“They were testing your courage. We wanted to see how you’d stand up in the face of danger. You passed with flying colors.” Glandria had finished with the fire and came over to the table to sit across from Launi.
“And the third test?”
“The storm at the mountain pass. It was designed to test how far you would go for those you love and those you believe you can help. You passed that one as well. If you hadn’t you would have turned around.”
“You were protecting me then too,” Launi said in sudden realization. “That’s why none of the lightning came close to striking us. It was landing all around us, but never came close enough to harm us.”
Glandria nodded and smiled. “You’re very observant.”
“I thought it was weird at the time, but chose to just be grateful that it hadn’t hit us or the tree we were under. That’s also why there wasn’t a storm on this side of the mountain or on the pass. It wasn’t a natural storm, was it?”
“No, it wasn’t. Some of our strongest mages made and controlled the storm.”
“Wow.” Launi stared down at her hands and tried to make sense of everything she had learned. Her mother was sitting across from her, alive and healthy. She had learned that she had carried a powerful magic within her for her entire life and never known. The realm’s mages had been testing her over the past few days, without her knowledge, to see if they could bring the magic out in her, so Launi could help them defeat dark magic.
“Are you alright?” Glandria asked sounding concerned.
“Yes,” Launi said softly. Then looking up from her hands and said more strongly: “I’m just a overwhelmed and tired. Do you think it would be alright if I slept for a little while and let my brain catch up?”
“Of course it is. You can use my bed.” Glandria rose; Launi followed suit. She was led to the bedroom and told to sleep as long as she liked.
“I’ll be out in the main room when you wake. Sleep well, Launi.” Glandria closed the door behind her, leaving her daughter on her own.
Sitting down on the bed, Launi removed her shoes. She lay back on the pillows and closed her eyes. She hadn’t realized until now just how exhausted she was and how much she’d missed her bed. The last thing Launi heard before she drifted off into a dreamless sleep was the sounded of Swift moving around outside and the crackle of the fire in the other room. With a sigh, Launi fell into darkness.
I recognize that you needed the observation of the storm being only in that one area . This scene is filled with free breathing.
I’m glad you liked it 🙂
I’m going to have to catch up on this – nice writing! 🙂
I hope you’re well
Thank you! I hope you’re well as well!