"What in the world..." I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I reached out to touch the shimmering light. But before my fingers could make contact, it vanished into thin air, leaving nothing behind but a sense of bewilderment in its wake.

As the boys exchanged knowing glances, Caleb called out into the hallway, his voice carrying a sense of familiarity and reassurance. "Elyse..."

A moment later, a pale, slender figure peeked through the doorway, her presence ethereal and otherworldly. Her features delicate and refined, her hair a cascade of shimmering white that fell in loose waves around her shoulders. Her eyes, the color of purest ice.

The boys offered the girl a warm smile, their eyes twinkling with affection as they welcomed her into the room. "You can come in," Caleb said gently, his tone filled with reassurance. "They're friendly."

With hesitant steps, she entered the room, her movements graceful and fluid, like the gentle sway of a willow in the breeze. I watched in awe as the young woman approached.

Caleb offered me a warm smile, his gaze softening with fondness as he introduced their friend. "This is Elyse," he explained gently, his voice carrying a note of affection. "Don't be surprised, she doesn't speak."

Elyse nodded shyly in response, her movements almost ethereal as she glided across the room to join us. She wore robes of white and blue, the colors of the sky and sea, and a circlet adorned with a single blue stone rested atop her head, its light catching the soft curves of her face.

Despite her youthful appearance, there was something about Elyse that defied easy categorization. Though her face held the delicate features of a girl, her eyes held a depth that spoke of wisdom far beyond her years. The way she carried herself, a quiet confidence tinged with a touch of sadness, hinted at a life already filled with hardship and experience.

With a curious gaze, she studied Kass and me, her white eyes reflecting the soft glow of the ball of light she once again conjured.

The light danced around the room at Elyse's command, casting playful shadows across the walls as it flitted from one corner to another. However, its mischievous antics led to an unexpected mishap when it knocked over Finn's water goblet, causing him to grumble in annoyance.

Finn shot Elyse a mock glare. "Hey now, watch where you're sending that thing," he chided, his tone teasing despite his feigned irritation.

In response, Elyse let out a soundless giggle, her laughter echoing softly in the air as she continued to manipulate the ball of light with practiced ease.

Marcus chuckled as he watched Elyse's antics, shaking his head in fond exasperation. "You know, sometimes I think she enjoys causing trouble more than you do, Finn."

Finn grinned mischievously, raising an eyebrow in mock offense. "Hey now, let's not get carried away," he retorted, his tone playful as he leaned back in his chair. "I've got nothing on our resident ghostly prankster."

As Kass and I exchanged bewildered glances, I finally voiced our shared question. "She's a ghost?"

Elyse responded immediately, vigorously shaking her head and waving her hands in denial. Then she reached up to ruffle her own hair, gesturing towards Marcus to provide the explanation.

Marcus offered a reassuring smile, understanding our confusion. "No, she's not a ghost," he explained patiently. "She's just an elf. Very pale."

Elyse nodded enthusiastically, pointing to her unmistakably pointed ears as if to confirm Marcus's words.

"And very much alive."

Elyse, eager to clarify further, pantomimed a beating heart with her hands, her movements animated and expressive.

The conversation drifted back to the playful antics of Elyse and her mysterious light ball. Caleb interjected with a gentle reminder. "Just so you know," he began, his voice carrying a note of caution, "Elyse... she's a sorceress."

My eyes widened with curiosity as I absorbed his words. "A sorceress?" I echoed, my voice filled with wonder.

Caleb nodded solemnly, his expression serious as he continued. "Yes, she has a way with magic," he explained, gesturing towards Elyse with a sense of reverence. "That light ball? That's just one of her many tricks."

Elyse offered us a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she twirled the light ball between her fingers with practiced ease. I watched in awe, my mind buzzing with questions and excitement at the prospect of learning more about Elyse.

His voice dropped lower, taking on a conspiratorial tone. "And not just that," he said, his gaze flickering nervously towards the windows. "She was a scholar at Aethelwald."

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The name sent a jolt through me. Aethelwald Academy. The very same academy I'd spent countless nights reading about, filled with forgotten lore about magic. The books spoke of a time when magic thrived, a place of learning and wonder. But according to the faded inscriptions, that time had come to a brutal end.

"Aethelwald Academy?" my voice barely rose above a whisper, yet it held a tremor of disbelief. My gaze darted between Caleb and Elyse, the playful sorceress suddenly seeming shrouded in a veil of danger.

"Yes," Caleb confirmed, his voice grim. "I'm sure you know of the terrible fate that befell it," he trailed off, his jaw clenching.

I didn't need him to finish. The books spoke of the King's paranoia, his ruthless purge of anyone who dared dabble in magic. But the details etched onto the worn pages were far more horrifying than I could have imagined.

The Academy wasn't just shut down; it was desecrated. Scholars, some of the greatest minds the kingdom had ever known, were slaughtered without mercy. Others, deemed 'useful' by the King's twisted standards, were forced into servitude – their magical talents used to fuel the crown's war machine or line the King's pockets. The most horrifying fate, however, befell the women – twisted into instruments of the King's depravity, their magic used to control them as much as it was to amplify their 'gifts.'

The worst part, the book spoke of a chilling silence that followed the massacre. The remaining scholars, those deemed too weak or unimportant to be of further use, had their tongues barbarically cut out. A final, symbolic cruelty to ensure they could never weave a spell, whisper an incantation, or defy the King's absolute control ever again.

Dread pooled in my stomach. If Aethelwald was where Elyse came from, then she wasn't just defying the King's ban on magic, she was a survivor of a horrific event, a living testament to the King's cruelty. Being a sorceress wasn't just a parlor trick; it was a rebellion, a target painted on her back. The playful light display seemed a far cry from the kind of power that would incite such a violent response from the crown.

Kass and I exchanged hesitant glances before looking over at Elyse. Elyse nodded subtly before gesturing to her tongue and making a cutting motion with her hand.

A heavy silence settled over the room as we absorbed this revelation, our hearts aching for Elyse and the story behind her voicelessness. Caleb cleared his throat, his expression sympathetic yet guarded.

"It's... a long story," he began, his voice gentle. "But suffice it to say, Elyse has faced hardships that most can scarcely imagine. For now, let's just say that she communicates in other ways."

Elyse offered us a small, reassuring smile, her eyes shimmering with unspoken gratitude for our understanding.

As the evening wore on, we found ourselves sharing stories and laughter around the dinner table. Kass and I recounted our adventures in the forest, from our narrow escape from the King's soldiers to our chance encounter with Finn and Marcus.

Elyse listened intently, her eyes bright with curiosity as she observed the animated conversation unfolding before her. Suddenly, she interjected, her hands moving in a flurry of gestures that conveyed her excitement.

The others watched in amusement as she pantomimed various aspects of our story, her movements fluid and expressive despite the absence of words.

Kass and I burst into laughter at Elyse's antics. "She's quite the storyteller, isn't she?" I remarked between giggles, my eyes sparkling with mirth.

The three boys nodded in agreement, their smiles warm with affection for their silent companion. "She's got quite the imagination," Marcus added, his voice filled with fondness as he watched Elyse continue to weave her tale with nothing more than her hands.

As the night grew deeper and the conversation lulled, Caleb turned to Elyse with a gentle smile. "Elyse, would you mind getting the girls' beds ready in the women's living quarters?" he asked politely.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Elyse simply snapped her fingers, and in an instant, the task was done. Kass and I exchanged surprised looks, marveling at the speed and ease with which Elyse worked her magic.

Curious, we made our way to the women's dormitory to inspect our new sleeping arrangements.

Following Elyse down the hallway, we couldn't help but notice another door ajar opposite the women's quarters. Curiosity gnawing at me, I peeked inside. A strong, manly musk wafted out, instantly identifying the room as the men's dormitory. A glimpse revealed a masculine space, the specific details obscured by the dimness within. The scent alone conjured images of well-worn leather, aftershave, and maybe even a hint of sweat – a stark contrast to the floral and linen-scented haven we were about to enter.

The women's quarters were a room furnished for both comfort and function. Plush rugs softened the wood floor, and a large mirror on one wall offered a place to check our appearances. A door stood ajar, revealing a bathroom with a large wooden tub. A small iron hearth jutted out from the wall, its purpose clear – heating water for various needs.

Our eyes drifted to the four beds tucked into the corners. Two displayed the telltale signs of recent occupation – the crumpled sheets and indented pillows whispering of slumber. On the nightstands beside these slept-in beds lay contrasting clues about their inhabitants. One held a jumble of well-loved books and a collection of gleaming silver jewelry, hinting at a scholarly soul with a penchant for adornment.

The other presented a more rugged picture – a worn leather-bound map and a well-used knife lay side-by-side, while a pair of leather boots had been kicked off carelessly and rested on the floor.

The remaining two beds, in stark contrast, boasted pristine bedding, the untouched sheets and pillows promising a night of undisturbed sleep. Large wardrobes stood sentinel beside these beds, their imposing size hinting at ample storage space.

"Wow, that was fast," I remarked, my voice filled with awe as I sank onto the mattress, relishing the comfort beneath me.

Kass nodded in agreement, a smile playing on her lips. "Looks like we're all set for the night," she said, casting a grateful glance towards Elyse, who stood by the doorway with a satisfied grin, her hands clasped behind her back.

I gestures towards the fourth, unmade bed in the room. "Who sleeps in this one? We haven't seen another woman around."

With a playful wink and a gesture that seemed to say "Sleep now, you will see," Elyse plopped down onto one of the beds, leaving the fourth unoccupied.

Kass and I exchanged puzzled glances, curiosity piqued by the mysterious gesture.

But Elyse only grinned enigmatically, her lips curled into a knowing smile as she made no further attempt to explain. Instead, she simply gestured for us to rest, leaving us to wonder about the secrets that lay hidden within the walls of our newfound sanctuary.