CHAPTER 14

RED HERRING

Ahhhhh, it’s no good... What a harrowing turn of events…

I seriously don’t think I can crack open this case without… Without what exactly? I’m not sure. But it seems I’m missing some vital part to translating mom’s ledger.

Her book on ciphers mentions keys that will aid in deciphering such puzzles. However, there are so many types and combinations possible, that it’s almost impossible to figure it out without the person who created it. I’ve tried so many documented types, but mom was no amateur. There’s no way she’d use a well-known key for something so important, huh?

Whole moon-cycles have passed like this. Continuously throwing myself into my work, lessons, and studies. There isn't a moment I spend not reading or moving about.

At least I’ve convinced dad to allow me to begin horse-riding. Claire is so gentle and beautiful and swift, I often think the Colvaires used magick to breed her. The beautiful creature is white and marred with black spots, donning a luscious mane of obsidian hair.

Speaking of which...

Correspondence with Leila over the past constellation-cycle has been spotty. Of course I didn't respond for four moon-cycles when I was bedridden with heartache. But after my recovery, I wrote a letter of apology. She responded with such enthusiasm that I'm wholly sure the infrequent letters aren't because Leila's mad.

Hmn, well she did mention how she's having a hard time adjusting and keeping up with the University’s workload. Perhaps it's due to that.

Regardless, it's a little disheartening to hear from her less. But if I were to be honest… Even though it’s still a while away, excitement is grappling at my insides. Soon, I'll be a student at Harthrow University!

Imagination running rampant, I envision great intellectual debate! Wondrous and fantastical academia! Brilliant professors and peers! I’ll also get to see Leila again! Although I’m not very close with Nott and Sol, it’ll still be nice to see them -

I rerun some of our past encounters in my mind.

Hmn… Probably.

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I shake the distressing thought away.

Oh, I hope I’ll get to meet many new, interesting people from different species! It would serve me well as experience for my eventual inheritance of the manor. A shiver of excitement runs through my spine at the thought of being ordained by the royal family and holding the same esteemed position as dad.

Well, that’s much further down the line. For now, my two main goals are making good relations with my fellow peers and learning a whole lot!

Thinking such things, sunlight peeks through the shrub I am sitting underneath. It is still a bit chilly out, but it is in the beginnings of spring and I will be turning nine soon. With all these restless thoughts, it’s impossible for me focus on the book I’m holding. I place it down and instead play around with branches and half-melted snow in my fingers. Letting my mind wander this direction and that.

But as soon as there’s a lapse between thoughts… Even though it’s such a calm day out and my mind is abuzz with excitement, for some reason, there’s a crestfallen sensation humming in the back of my head. Hastily, I crowd it out and replace it with anticipation.

Red poppies litter every crevice, one, two, hundreds, they all reach upwards and sway in the windless night. A dark moon keeps wary vigilance over the field, no stars, no clouds.

Slowly, my existence crawls through. As I get further in, they tower above me. Further and further inwards.

Dark sap weeps out from the filaments.

Drip, drip.

It oozes thickly onto the ground and pools.

A spark. Lightly it spreads, catching more and more. Quietly igniting before engulfing it all into flame. Everything is burning.

Eyes flutter open, my heart feels calm but I notice there’s a wet, sticky feeling all over me. Sluggishly, I look down and see my nightgown is soaked with sweat.

It’s still dark out. I don’t want to wake the help at this hour to clean this… A-actually isn’t this rather embarrassing!? I’m already almost ten and yet…

B-but I can't just fall back asleep like this either…

Walking over to the bath, I begin wiping myself down with a wet towel and change. Already, the apparitions fluidly seep out.

Crawling into bed, I try hard to remember what I dreamt of earlier. But all I’m left with is an image of everything dyed red and a calmness that contradicts my earlier damp clothing.

“Aeya?” A soft voice calls me.

My head turns towards the doorway where the voice comes from. A boy, younger than I by a constellation-cycle or two stands there. His hair is a pale, almost white, gold. His cheeks are pink and full, the rest of his skin ashen in the moonlight.

For a second I don't recognize the figure. With upturned eyes, it's a blanched hazel. More colorless, yet also more green than should be possible.

“Ah, Noel. What's wrong?”

He inches closer to my bed, “I had a nightmare... Can I sleep with you?”

I smile at his pleading eyes and motion for him to get into bed. “Of course.”

He seems visibly relieved and jumps on, crushing half my body under sheets. “Hey, stop that. You're heavier than before!”

Pouting, he grabs onto my arm and snuggles in.

Mmn, my little brother sure is adorable.