As the procession thinned, sparing Two the sight of its more unsightly members, she found the time to admire the scenery.

Two had expected something, to exist beyond the wall. Perhaps a shanty for all the slums misplaced dwellers, or those too poor to live in city proper. Instead, there was only a space for vehicles not permitted in the city and those awaiting inspection.

The rest was rolling green split by the gray road that stretched like a river into the horizon. Then there was the sky, unobstructed and unbounded. In that moment, she realized she’d never seen the pure horizon. It had always been muddled by the city’s silhouette. Those were the first things she noticed and they stole her breath the moment she did.

Then came the little wonders; the air tasted richer and deeper and seemed to carry emotions all on its own. Along with new scents and old ones shown in an unfamiliar light.

The city had vegetation but nothing like the expanse of grass and shrubbery that disappeared into the distance. Each turn of the wheel brought something new, from the bee that buzzed into the carriage along a current of mirth, to quiet contentment that oozed from the grassed lazing in the sun.

It was strange and underwhelming in a way she couldn’t help but love. And as she drank in the world and the myriad essences that mingled with the mundane, a question came to mind.

“Why does it feel so different?” she whispered, unable to hide her wonder.

“That would be the spirits, at least in part.” She didn’t turn to Igni. Half because she couldn’t bear to tear her gaze away, half because of the stupid expression she knew was on her face.

“We have spirits in Spes Nova.” Abery comment. Wonder cleared his nervous voice, leaving tons of ecstatic amazement.

“Yes but you forget about Spes Nova. The city has a spirit and it prevents others from entering. Leaving man-made or tames spirits to fill the space.”

Two thought back to her childhood. Where a storm had fallen upon the city. Where wind and rain had danced under their own command. “Unless something forces its way in.”

“So the records say.” A Smile lit Igni’s voice.

She realized she was half out the window, and forced herself to sit back and enjoy the scene with a little more restraint. There was so much she didn’t know and each day seemed intent on remaining her.

But, as her eyes followed the arc of a bird in the distance, she couldn’t help but think some mysteries weren’t so bad.

***

To her surprise the hours did little wear her wonder. If anything they melded into contentment that let her enjoy every new sight without worry for what was soon to come. She could even enjoy Igni’s and Lux’s idle chit chat. She still remembered the pain, not that the essence that occasionally stung her heart would let her forget, but it was something she could push to another day.

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So it was that when the procession turned onto a side path and then disembarked into a clearing filled with tents, she found her mood light.

The sun hung high but the abundant trees and numerous streams kept the air cool. It was a wonderful place.

It also quite distinctly lacked an academy.

“Abery, I’m not seeing an academy.”

The mousy servant fidgeted gaze flickering widely about the place. As if staring hard would materialize it. “It should be here Miss Lancet arranged our journey.” She sounded hopeful.

“Is the governor the kind of person to complicate things for her amusement.” That hope died quickly.

“Yes, Ma’am.” His fidgeting intensified.

She considered looking for answers but a glance at the several dozen tents and people loitering about watching the last of the procession arrive postponed that idea. The avian wearing the fearing styled into the three black feathers killed the idea.

Included in her weeks of study were the basics of the noble houses. The Salen’s symbol was composed of two dagger-like feathers surrounding a broad feather, the collection joined at their stems. Upon noticing the avian and how their eyes searched the carriage she casually leaned back into her seat and out of view.

She didn’t think they’d try anything here, and they’d done nothing in the previous weeks but Lancet had given no indication her role as bait had changed. And done nothing was very far from would do nothing.

The presence of others did however provide evidence that this wasn’t all a setup. Only Lancet being annoying for the sake of it.

“Igni do you know what’s happening.”

“I do but,” she glanced at him. His wings their way through a little face even as his expression was restrained to a light smile.

She took a moment to burn the image into her memory. “But,”

“But I think you two will have more fun I don’t tell.” Two exchanged a glance and found his trepidation replaced with anticipation. Anticipation an answer would surely spoil.

“Fine,” she sighed.

Lux smiled curiously at his brother. “You’re chipper.”

“I am,”

“And you didn’t want to come!” Two braced for a heat wave that thankfully didn’t come. Though she noted a flare in his emotion. Happiness she would guess but she had trouble pinning down the emotions of angels. The subtleties of emotion tended to be overpowered by the dominant scent.

Mist in Igni’s case and somehow light for Lux.

“Thanks for convincing me, I’ve met and learned from many interesting people. I look forward to what comes next. What about you?”

“Me,” if Lux’s grin brightened any more two worried she’d go blind. “I look forward to spreading my wings and doing things. I haven’t had many opportunities to do either, and that city was restricting.”

The pair talked and added to the list of questions she had for Igni. Chief among them, where did they come from? Stories said they came from the sky, but she doubted angels just loitered in the clouds.

In time the final carriages trickled into the clearing. Soon after as the sun reached its apex, a change occurred.

A small sensation, like something had just slid past her. Expert, it didn’t touch her skin, but the insubstantial thing she was just beginning to feel, her soul.

Cautiously Two eased up and peered out the window. Abery, who had never stopped looking, noticed her and doubled his excitement. The clearing was changing and it defied logic.

As if the spirits of old were dissatisfied and decided to tie up. Things were shoved aside tents streams, trees even people, but it was done in such a way that nothing was harmed. Space itself had moved and freed space was more space. The clearing expanded impossibly making room for a lone mountain topped by a citadel.

A dirt path came from the citadel’s gaping gate and slinked down the mountain’s jagged heights. On that path, stood a stone wood shack and a single person stood.

A titan of a man. Stacked with enough bulging muscle she thought it might slip through his tan skin. Two short horns poked through the mane of dark hair billowing from his scalp and face.

The portions were comically small on his on his massive form but she knew that to be a trick of perspective.

“Come students and students to be.” He sounded like he ate rocks for breakfast. He pulled a booklet and pen from his pocket and began tapping his feet. “We don’t have all day.”