Hounds Rising
The Journeyed Path

“So, he really is the Archmage!” Ana said, her eyes wide with excitement.

Myla put her things away in her shared bedroom and came to the table. Grabbing an apple, she yawned and then took a bite.

“Where would I sleep?” Ana asked.

Myla looked around the room. There was a room for her and her sister, then one for Mr. Muffins, one for Rhokhishi, and a small door that had been Gisela’s. The doorknob had disappeared from Gisela’s room, and she assumed it was locked off to anyone except Gisela or Leaf. Like how the doors had appeared on their first night, she guessed Gisela’s room would eventually disappear.

“Not really sure how it all works, but the rooms appear when we need them. I’m sure yours will come by tonight,” Mr. Muffins answered.

“Well, maybe I can start in the kitchen then. Where would that be?”

Rhokhishi pointed over to a small hallway. Myla had seen Leaf disappear down that way multiple times, and food would appear on trays and carts. Curious to see what it looked like as well, she stood up, and they all walked over to a wooden door.

The door seemed simple: plain wood with a brass doorknob and no lock. Mr. Muffins opened the door and found nothing but a brick wall on the other side.

“That’s strange. Maybe you have to will it into existence like the rest of the tower,” He wondered aloud.

Mr. Muffins closed his eyes briefly, opened the door, and looked inside again. Instead of just a brick wall, a small access had appeared, with a small plate of fish dumplings sitting on a plate tucked inside. He grabbed the plate, took one to his nose to smell, then took a bite.

“I don’t know what that says about my willpower, but it’s something.”

“Maybe you can’t command it that way. Maybe you need to ask for something more broad,” Myla pondered aloud.

She walked over to the door and closed it. She let her eyelids fall and tried to think about something more vague to fit the idea.

Take me on the journey you want to show me, please. She thought to herself and tried to push her thoughts at the door.

She turned the knob and opened the door. Instead of a brick wall, it was a black void of space. She took a step forward and felt nothing on the other end. Deciding to trust it, she stepped in.

She found herself in a hallway made of wooden panels. It took her a moment to realize she was back at VerdantKnoll. Myla wasn’t sure if she was really there or just seeing the space, but she walked forward carefully.

Down the hall, she saw an open door and heard someone speaking. She approached the doorway and saw a dwarven man with red hair pulled tightly back into a braid. Dean Galmin Brightfound turned from his students and looked at Myla.

“You’re not supposed to be here right now,” He stated matter-of-factly.

She nodded, turned around, and opened the door across the hall. She stepped in and found herself walking through the front door of the Archmage Tower. She saw Ana, Mr. Muffins, and Rhokhishi still looking at the dark space Myla had just passed through. Quietly, she walked back up to them.

“Well, that was fun,” She said loudly, causing Rhokhishi and Ana to jump and turn around to face her. She smirked at her prank, then closed the door.

“This is so weird…” Ana said.

Ana turned to the door, closed her eyes, and opened the door again. The space on the other side turned a misty purple, and she stepped in. Myla waited a moment, then heard Ana’s voice.

“I found the kitchen! Come in, guys.”