Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 5

Greta

Verdant pastures sway gently on the warm sea breeze. It caresses gently on my wheat-colored skin as I gaze at the merciless sun. It reaches its highest point over the clear blue sky.

We were informed by letter to meet on the plains of Sundancer University as soon as the sun was at its highest; one week before the first day of autumn.

To say that I was shocked to receive an acceptance letter from the prestigious school was an understatement. I was given a full ride scholarship from a mysterious sponsor. Room and board also paid in full. I don’t remember ever applying. I should be grateful in a way, seeing that I have no home.

Arriving here was no small feat. Sundancer University was on an island that was a couple of weeks’ worth of traveling if you were to go by boat. After receiving the letter, I left my home before pre-dawn. Living on the outskirts of Melancholy Forest made it somewhat easy to safely walk down to the docks. People rarely settled here in Aetheia because of it’s notorious reputation. Witches and beasts of Aetheia have always been considered the weaker species after said species sided with chaos in the Apocalyptic War.

Seeing a few boats by the docks meant I was in luck. Around this time the storms are horrible, another reminder of the damage caused after the Apocalyptic War. Luckily there were seamen that needed to make a trade within the island that houses the University. They were preparing to set sail against the merciless sea when I headed their way.

And now, here I am. Gathered amongst the pure-blooded as if I had a right. I stand towards the back of the small crowd while they point towards the cloudless sky. I try to avoid as much attention as possible. It’s a shame to feel guilty about one’s parentage.

A distant rumble sounds from the sky. Looking up, there’s a white iridescent figure in the sky. Sharp intakes of breaths occur within the crowd. They point excitedly towards the bright figure in the sky.

“Oh my god, look!” a young woman exclaims

“It’s him!” shouts another, excitedly

They wave their hands towards the rider as if the rider could see the little blots on the vast plains.

“Alright, alright! Settle down now!” a femine voice shrills from behind me. A woman of average height waded through the crowd of students. Her presence commanded respect as she stood at the center of the crowd. She was a slip of a thing with ice-blue eyes and stark white hair. Her icy glare scanned the sea of students until they landed on me. Her gaze seemed to see through me and held heavy disapproval before continuing to caption the attention of my fellow peers.

Neighing sounds from the distance, and observing closer, a dark splotch in the sky comes near. The loud creaking sound draws attention to the others as it fastily approaches.

“We will begin the tour after the carriage delivers our last student.” says the frigid woman with a sneer.. Looking towards her direction, a scowl marrs her otherwise beautiful face as she continues. “This student is not to be trusted. Any friendship thought to be established with will be deeply frowned upon, and you yourself, will be considered a traitor as well.”

What has this person done to offend this rigid woman? Who is she to judge a person based on appearances is sorely unfair. She hasn’t given this stranger a chance to establish a foundation within the university before tainting the minds of the new students. She just painted a target on the stranger’s back.

The carriage lands towards the back of the crowd at a distance with a not so gentle thump. A nickering sound draws my attention to chestnut-hued Pegasi standing tall, their coats seem to soak in the sun’s light. Their large plumaged wings give a gentle stretch before being tucked at the sides. Considering the condition of the metal carriage, it looks like this person was of importance. Its polished black metal seems to absorb the sun’s rays. A commotion comes from within the dark carriage.

Suddenly the metal door swings open and a slight commotion ensues. Next thing I know, a rather short woman takes down a large brute of a human male. I’d laugh if the atmosphere wasn’t so...weighty. Another male, an elf it seems, aims a gun at her head and says something incoherently. After this slight altercation she leaves her victim alone on the ground making her way towards us. Her hands are bound in...Vitality cuffs. She’s a prisoner. What could this woman possibly have done to have precautionary measures taken? And why was she sent here?

“Where the hell is this stupid school?” she asked, annoyed.

A shocked gasp was let out through the group. You either were bold or wanted a death wish to speak ill of such an elite school. Sundancer University was not for the weak. It was said that it was originally built for Otherworldly young adults so they wouldn’t have to be afraid to hide their true nature from humans. This was pre-Apocalyptic war, of course, before humans and Otherworldly beings had a peace treaty. But now, it’s reformed to a military school of sorts. Those sponsored -or highly recommended- could still graduate with a sensible degree, but you’d also have to spend a certain amount of years in service. Most apply as a Hunter or Taskmaster. It’s a challenge to even go through the many obstacles to meet the requirements before becoming either career choice, so many drop the course work and apply for other courses. Children of higher status were sent to the university to prove worthy of their family namesake, or be disowned -and sometimes killed- if you dishonored it

Bottomline, she’s already lowered her survival rate here, as well as a prospect at making connections. I could tell by the permanent scowl between her thick black eyebrows that she gave zero fucks.

“Your comments are unwarranted, I suggest you keep your mouth shut if you are to step foot in Sundancer University.” sneers the little woman.

The prisoner lets out a snort.

Yep, she definitely wouldn’t last long.

The young woman holds the other’s gaze defiantly, silently. No one spoke for the longest time, until a student cleared her voice.

“Excusez-moi, Prévôt Ritenour?” a young female asks as she steps out from the crowd. Her adenoidal accent like lilting music to the ears, she appeared angelic. Her fair skin and blonde hair that curtains her tall, lithe figure. Her conniving green eyes were the only telltale sign she was no angel. “Perhaps it’d be best if I lead the tour to the rest of the new students while you deal with this.” She recommended with a slight venomous stare at the prisoner before turning gazing back at Provost Ritenour.

Provost Ritenour’s eyes lit with approval. “That would be ideal, thank you Miss Fleur. Your reputation is starting to precede you.” she showered her with the compliment as she continued, “Be sure to show the new students their rooms as well as what to expect for tomorrow.”

Walking out from the crowd, she heads further into the rolling plains. I can hear her inhale a slow breath as she raises her hands and exhales as she lowers them.

The female prisoner lets out another obnoxious snort and comments. “What is this, a magic show? Make sure to say abracadabra with all your might, and maybe we’ll get somewhere.” she adds with a motion of jazz hands.

Someone in the crowd snickers as Provost Ritenour whirls on the balls of her feet at the prisoner. Her eyes lit aflame in fury as she made her way towards the carriage where the female prisoner and her guards still stand.

The Provost gives a slight nod and the elvish guard makes a slight hand gesture. The female prisoner kneels down while gasping out in pain. Looking up towards the Provost, her eyes give an otherworldly glow before swiftly fading back to a dark brown. I blinked twice to make sure what I saw wasn’t of the imagination.

Her eyes...

But surely I was mistaken in what I saw? Why would they bring her here? What game were they playing?

Suddenly Provost Ritenour staggered back in shock...and fear. I wasn’t the only one to witness this.

I’m close enough to hear the Provost bend down and whisper, “Consider this a warning. You will stay quiet for the time being.” Straightening herself, she dusts away invisible wrinkles from her dress before walking back to the open plains.

Raising her hands towards the sky, her breath slows as she whispers incoherently on the wind. Slowly, her hands glide down, as does the scene before us. An invisible holographic shield shimmers in and out of existence, revealing a forest of greenery and a ginormous mountain touching the endless blue sky in the distance.

“Come along children,” she says with a wave of her hand, “your future awaits.” From then on, she lets the tall bombshell take the lead.

A well trodden path is revealed as we walk through the forest. Conifer trees block the sunlight as we delve deeper into the greenwoods. The prisoner ends up at my side with her guards closely at her back. Observing closer, she’s indeed very short. Her head barely meets my chest and her clothes are torn and reeked of dirt, grime, and sex.

Interesting.

I could tell she was a pretty female underneath the grime. She had a button nose and soft jawline. Her thick eyebrows downward in a scowl as she catches me staring.

“What the fuck are you looking at?” she snarls.

“Trying to figure out why such a young soul carries so much hate in her heart. What are you?” I ask, curiously.

She studies me, her right eyebrow cocks up “Does it matter? I’m practically an enemy of the state. What I am doesn’t concern you or anyone else for that matter.” After this she says nothing else, so we walk in an uncomfortable silence.

The ginormous mountain appears closer the deeper we get into the forest. It isn’t just a mountain, doorways and caved in windows appear within the mountains. Dragons, Pegasi, and other Otherworldly steeds seem to swoop in and out the mountain tops in ancient rhythm. Shades of blues, and golds, and whites frolic and prance with the wind. The students gasp in wonder, like little children seeing a small kitten or puppy for the first time. Their wonderment brings a small smile to my lips as I bask in enjoyment with the crowd. Even the little prisoner’s frown lightened, if for a short time.

“This is where I shall leave you, children. May you strive to be your best!” Provost Ritenour joyously calls out before making her way to the back of the crowd.

Her admiring eyes disappear as she comes towards me and the female prisoner. She lets her hate bleed through her eyes as she sneers at me before turning to the female prisoner.

She casts a baleful gaze at the prisoner as she spits, “You. Come with me.” and walks in the opposite way of the mountainous school.

“Come along fellow classmates,” said the angelic student with the last name Fleur. “I’ll now begin our tour. I’ve come here plenty…”

I tune out our new tour guide as we continue a trek to the University. Giving one last look at the prisoner, I hear a chime like voice whisper to my ear

Welcome home.