Sharna had been shooed out of the house by Adelia, without any further explanation of what had happened with her bubble. Adelia had said that she needed some time to think and Beau had only shrugged at her when she looked to him for an answer.

Sharna decided not to head straight home, the sunshine had helped her earlier and she hoped its effects would have a similar effect again now. She silently checked with Quinn about which direction would take her towards the river, and started heading it that direction, admiring the gardens along her path.

Further up the road she came to an intersection, turned right and continued on until she came to a bridge. It was a beautiful old, dilapidated stone bridge with a seat on either side. Sharna smiled when she saw it, she settled into one of the weatherbeaten seats and leaned over the side of the bridge, looking into the water.

She instantly pulled back, Quinn? She asked hesitantly.

I know, came back the immediate reply, I could feel it too as soon as we got closer to the water. Sharna kneeled next to the seat and leaned over the water again and Quinn continued - I couldn’t feel this when I scanned the other day, we must need to be closer to the water.

A strong sense of mana emanated from the flowing water, it felt different to the ambient mana that Sharna was used to and didn’t seem to be freely available for use. She looked furtively around her, there was no one in sight, so she tried to send her perception out towards the water but it couldn’t pierce the surface so she drew back.

I can’t feel through the water, I think the mana may be too concentrated - Sharna sent to Quinn. I guess we know why there are so many interesting gardens around here.

But the Tusy River isn’t like this, Quinn replied, this is something new.

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It’s still beautiful here, Sharna sent back as she stood and brushed off the knees of her pants to sit back on the bench.

Sharna rested her chin on her hands as she leant on the railing and watched the leaves floating along with the current; she could ask Myra and Anna about the river later. The weather was still and balmy, and Sharna felt the peace warming and soothing her spirit.

Maybe she was just a person who was better off alone?

Everything happening around her was so messy now, and difficult. She felt fatigued from constantly shocking everyone in her vicinity with anything that she said or did.

Deep down, Sharna knew that this wasn’t the case.

She remembered spending time with her grandmother, and her tutors. They hadn’t made a big deal out of everything new that she did or discovered. If they had been surprised at her abilities, they had kept it to themselves, or encouraged her to push her limits further still.

In the past, using her magic, exploring its limits and possibilities, had always felt exhilarating to Sharna. She missed her grandmother’s support, and protection, and she shivered despite the sun’s warmth.

“Are you alright, dear?” Sharna straightened at the sudden voice and spun around. An elderly lady had approached while she was lost in her own thoughts and was now peering at her with some concern. The stranger looked momentarily surprised as she caught sight of Sharna’s face, and then her face softened into a smile as she looked at Sharna with recognition.

“I know you.” The old lady came closer, “is it okay if I join you?” Sharna nodded and looked at the newcomer with curiosity as she came to sit beside her on the bench.

“I’m sorry, you must have confused me with someone else, I only just moved here and haven’t really met anyone yet.” Sharna spoke kindly, but the woman just chuckled and patted Sharna’s knee.

“You wouldn't recognise me dear, we’ve never met but I certainly recognise you. Has anyone ever told you that you are just the spitting image of your mother?”

Sharna looked down at her hands, “I’ve heard that, yes.” she replied and then turned to look at her again, “who are you? And how did you know my mother?”

“My name is Clara Hatt, I was great friends with your grandmother for a long time, she even named me the elder for your mother when she was born.” The smile that accompanied Clara's words was bittersweet.

Sharna swallowed, “I’ve never heard of you, why haven’t I heard of you? I didn’t know that my mother had an elder..” She trailed off and then continued, “have you heard about my grandmother?”

Clara’s eyes filled with sadness, “yes, I was so sorry that I couldn’t make it to her funeral, but I don’t travel too well these days,” she tapped her cane significantly against her right leg. As she continued, a note of venom leaked into her words. “Also, I loathe the rest of your family.”