Vivian was seated at the table in the kitchen along with Cyrus and Peri. Cyrus kept glaring at Peri who seemed oblivious to the hostility aimed at him. Dixie was seated in an armchair near the fireplace and Sith, the woman with the tail, leaned against the wall and studied Vivian, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.

‘Firstly, thank you for taking care of Ebion.’ She gestured towards the three-tailed cat of Vivian’s head. ‘When I gave him to Peri I wasn’t sure if I would get him back alive.’

‘Well that’s hurtful,’ Peri said, slumped over the table.

‘So, why don’t you tell me your story Vivian, because I am sure there is one if you somehow ended up with this group of misfits,’ Sith said.

‘Well, it was around three weeks ago…’ Vivian started.

She recounted everything that had happened to her from the time she left her home until the present. As she spoke, Sith did not interrupt nor did she show any signs of surprise or curiosity. That is, until she reached the part where she claimed to have spoken to the druscans, at which point Sith held up a hand to stop her. It was this point that she realized that her nails were actually sharpened claws.

‘He said his name was Rayne?’

‘Yes.’ Vivian frowned. This was the second time someone had expressed surprise at that name. ‘Is he someone important?’

‘Are you telling me that you can speak with the druscans?’ Sith continued, ignoring her query.

‘Yes I can… Why?’

‘It’s nothing.’ She waved off the question. ‘Continue.’

‘There is nothing much left to say. After that we came here and, well, you saw the rest.’

Sith did not speak for a while as she turned over all the information she had received in her head.

A girl with almost no mana was able to blow away an entire squadron of Sentinels and talk to the druscans. Not to mention…

Sith eyed Ebion who was perched on Vivian’s head.

…she got Ebion’s attention… This girl is not ordinary.

‘That stygian wolf you spoke of,’ Sith spoke up after a moment. ‘Where is it?’

‘It’s following us from a distance,’ Cyrus said. ‘It never approached us but just watched from the shadows. It is probably just seeking shelter from the Hunters. It will come out eventually.’

Sith nodded. ‘Alright, now that I have heard your story what is it that you want from me?’

‘Well, the Council will not accept her easily as it very hard to determine that she is a mage,’ Peri cut to the point. ‘We were hoping you could help us sway them.’

Sith tapped her chin with a long, sharp-clawed finger in contemplation. ‘You’re right. The Council will not accept her easily. Putting aside the fact that her aura is weak, from the way she speaks I am guessing she is not nobility either. This place partially runs on the funding provided by the families of the noble children send here. Even with her ability to speak to the druscans, it is not enough. To let her stay-’

Dixie snapped her fingers. ‘What if we give her work?’

‘Huh?’

‘Put her to work like the goblins. She can earn her keep that way,’ Dixie explained. ‘Vivian, you said you came from a farmer’s family. So you must know something about farming.’

‘Yes, I used to help my father and brothers in the fields. The whole family did.’

‘What do you think?’ Cyrus asked. ‘Do you think it will work?’

‘Hmm, the idea has merit… even though it came from the gassy hog-’

‘Who are you calling a hog huh?!’

So the gassy part is true? Vivian thought, but wisely kept it to herself.

‘It could work. As long as she is paying for her stay in some way, the Council should not have any problems in letting her stay.’ Sith gazed at her. ‘Add to that the fact she can talk to druscans and the strange way her power works, we should be able to convince them.’

‘She can only work part of the day though,’ Peri said. ‘She is a mage, so she’ll have to undergo training. That is compulsory.’

‘She probably won’t be paid for her work since it is being taken as her contribution to the system,’ Dixie added. ‘I doubt they will provide her with accommodations either.’

‘She can stay with us for the time being,’ Peri said. ‘The attic is free so she can take that.’

‘We can pay for other expenses, on a loan of course,’ Cyrus said. ‘She can pay us back later. Right… Vivi, what’s wrong?’

‘It’s nothing.’ Vivian dried her eyes. ‘It’s just that, you don’t have to be so concerned about me… but you are, even though you barely know me.’ She made a poor attempt at a grin. ‘Bringing me here was more than anyone would have done for me.’

Dixie ruffled her hair. ‘Don’t be so morose. Just think of it as helping out a fellow fugitive. We scratch your back, you scratch ours.’

‘We’re all in the same boat now’ Cyrus said. ‘Outcasts, fugitives, criminals. We have to help each other… because no one else will.’

………

‘She said his name was Rayne,’ Cyrus said. ‘That cannot be a coincidence.’

‘I believe it’s not,’ Sith said. ‘Do you think it might be him?’

‘I don’t know. However, as long as she’s here, we may be able to find out.’

Cyrus and Sith glanced at Vivian who was standing outside in the bright sun. Deciding to pursue the matter at a later date they joined the redhead outside. Peri stood yawning beside her, but he gave them a knowing look as they joined them. He had tried to escape into the covers of his bed but was thwarted by Sith who gave him a sickly sweet smile that send him scurrying outside.

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‘You’re the one who found her,’ she nagged. ‘And the only one who saw her use magic. We’re going to need your testimony.’

They decided to walk the rest of the way to the city, rather than cramp themselves in the back of Cyrus’ wagon. Ebion resumed his position on Vivian’s head. Cyrus was once again seated in front of his wagon along with Dixie. He planned to head for the market as soon as they entered the city. Dixie had opted to venture into the city and promised to meet up with them once it was over.

‘I am not really all that comfortable around those snobs. Besides I am using your face right now… Given their brain capacity it might be a bit confusing for them to see two of us.’ She winked. ‘Good luck.’

‘You could always change your appearance and join us.’

Her suggestion was promptly waved off.

The small group slowly cut through the fields, heading for the city in the distance. Though Vivian was hoping to fly on a broom or a carpet, this wasn’t too bad either as she could now see those goblins up close. They were quite short reaching only up to her elbows. Their ears were slightly pointed and their green skin was wrinkled. As any other normal person whose knowledge about magical creatures was limited to folklores and stories, she expected them to either have a raspy or nasally voice. However, what came out was a deep, velvety tone that did not match their appearance one bit.

‘The harvest was quite good this time,’ one of them said.

‘I’ll say,’ another agreed.

Well, I did not expect that… Vivian thought, not realizing that she was staring at them and that they had noticed her intense gaze. Fascinating.

‘Vivian, keep up,’ Sith said. ‘And stop staring at them. It’s quite rude.’

Vivian snapped out of her trance to see that several of the goblins nearby were staring back at her.

‘I’m sorry,’ she apologized her ears burning. She bowed quickly, which made the cat on her head hiss in annoyance, and ran to catch up with the others. She could hear snorts of laughter behind her and she felt her ears grow even hotter.

The city was a bustling mess and every single thing Vivian saw was followed by a series of questions which was either answered by an exasperated Peri or a patient Sith. It was late in the afternoon and the marketplace they were passing through was packed with people. Not just people, but goblins, sprites, dwarves and other creatures she could not identify. There were shops selling flying brooms and carpets, enchanted robes, grimoires, scrying mirrors, cauldrons, protective amulets, storage rings, pets and so much more. Small balls of different coloured lights floated around which Vivian quickly discovered were fairies when one of them flew close enough for her to squint and see a slight figure with wings through the bright light. She kept swivelling her head so fast, her attention jumping from one attraction to another, that Ebion almost fell off once.

At an intersection near the edge of the marketplace, Cyrus and Dixie left saying had some work that they need to do. Vivian waved them farewell before continuing ahead with Peri and Sith. They moved out of the market and into a quieter area.

‘Mirran is divided into four rings,’ Sith explained as they walked. ‘The outermost area is the farmlands. The second ring is the market, which we just passed through. The third where we are now is the residential area. The fourth one is the Council building.’

Vivian nodded along. ‘So if this is the residential area, why are you and Peri living on the outskirts?’

‘Well, I am the caretaker of the Druscan woods. Also, I prefer to live away from the bustle of the city. As for Peri, well it’s quite obvious he’s not a mage. So he cannot live inside the city, even though he has contributed a bit-’

‘A bit?’ Peri asked incredulously. ‘I believe I have done a little more than just a bit. Do you know how many brats I had to rescue and bring here? How many hours of sleep I had to sacrifice? Oh, and they never made it easy. Those-’

‘What about Cyrus and Dixie?’ Vivian asked, quickly cutting off Peri’s impending tirade. ‘Why do they not live here?’

‘Ah, that is a story for another time,’ Sith said. ‘Let us just say that there is something those two want to do that requires them being outside the city.’

‘…Alright, if you say so.’

The area was quiet, having just a few people out. A pair of well-dressed girls walked past them. They took one look at Vivian and burst into giggles, clearly mocking her rugged appearance. Vivian clenched her teeth and did not respond.

‘Ignore them,’ Sith said. ‘This place is filled with people like those. I am afraid you will face a lot more ridicule in the days to come.’

Vivian smiled. ‘Don’t worry. I faced the Sentinels, didn’t I? It’s going to take a lot more than giggles and finger pointing to bring me down.’

Peri snorted. ‘With that attitude, I am betting that you will get into trouble the very first day of school.’

‘I bet that she will be in trouble for the entire first week of school,’ Sith said. ‘But then again, what’s so wrong about getting into a little trouble. We used to do it all the time.’

‘This school you keep talking about,’ Vivian said, hoping to change the subject. ‘What is it?’

‘It’s a school for new mages such as yourself,’ Peri replied. ‘It’s a place where you will learn to use your magic.’

‘The training course consists of various disciplines,’ Sith explained. ‘You will have to have a basic knowledge in all of them. Later after the four years of training you can choose what you want to specialize in and choose your profession accordingly.’

‘So it’s like going to a normal school.’ Vivian laughed nervously. ‘Will there be any reading involved?’

‘Oh, right. You probably don’t know how to read, do you?’ Vivian shook her head. ‘Well, that’s alright. We have two months before the school year begins. That is plenty of time to learn.’ Sith gave a dangerously sweet smile. ‘I will make sure of it.’

Vivian gulped. Maybe I should ask someone else… like Peri.

Peri had turned his head the other way, clearly trying his best not to get involved in the conversation.

I have been abandoned!

They had walked past the houses and were now standing in front of the three-storeyed council building. The tree in the centre towered above the building, its branches spread out wide, casting it shadow over the building and its surroundings.

‘That is a very big tree,’ Vivian said.

Peri rolled his eyes. ‘You don’t say.’

‘It’s called Denaski’s Tree,’ Sith explained. ‘It was planted by the founders of Mirran ninety-three years ago. To this day it has watched over us, holding up the barriers that protect this city from the outside world.’

‘Mages really do name every single thing,’ Vivian muttered.

‘Let’s get this over with.’ Peri yawned. ‘The sooner it’s done, the better. My bed awaits.’

‘How can you still be tired?’ Vivian asked, both incredulously and slightly impressed. ‘You have been sleeping for a week.’

‘My body is at its optimal state when I’m in a horizontal position.’

‘How can you say something so ridiculous with a straight face?’ Sith asked.

Peri shrugged ‘It’s a gift.’

‘It’s a curse,’ Sith snapped back.

People greeted Sith as they passed by and she replied in kind. They walked into the entrance hall and climbed the impressive marble staircase to the third floor. Right in front of them was a set of double doors embossed with gold.

Sith turned to look at Vivian. ‘Are you ready?’

Vivian was not but she found herself answering, ‘Yes.’

‘Peri and I will go on ahead. He has to give his statement first. Then they will call you in. Don’t be nervous. Just answer the questions as they are asked and you will be fine.’

Vivian nodded nervously before rounding on Peri. ‘Please do not make a mess of this,’ she warned him. ‘My life is on the line here. I swear, if you-’

He cut her off as he patted her head like one would a dog. ‘It’s cute that you think you can threaten me.’ He turned to Sith. ‘Shall we go?’

Peri knocked and pushed the doors open. The two of them entered and the heavy doors slammed shut behind them. Vivian paced in front of the hall, biting her fingernails. People who passed her by in the corridor stifled their laughter at her show of anxiety. Silently cursing them in her head, she continued pacing. She could hear muffled speech from within, but for some reason her sharpened hearing couldn’t pick out the words.

Probably some kind of magic…

About a half hour later, a man poked his head out.

‘The Council has called for you.’

Nervousness took a firm hold of her as she took a deep, calming breath before she followed him inside.