SHADOWS OF SORCERY | Part 4 | “Shadow of Truth” | 1,271 words
The dirt path gradually turned to cobblestone toward the end of the forest. Sunlight broke through the treetops as the sun rose higher into the sky. The scenery felt a lot more heavenly as Elora neared the end. It had been over an hour since she left her dormitory. She regretted not taking her bike, but going by foot meant less people noticing her absence. Which meant less questions.
“Elora!”
Her friend Imogene Heron stood in the distance in a bright yellow dress, waving nice and big. Imogene always had so much energy.
Elora traveled the rest of the way to meet her. In less than a minute, they exchanged hellos and how are yous. But before Elora could get another word in, the calm look on Imogene’s face slipped.
“Oh my god,” she said, “something happened to you. I can feel it. It was on your way here… Oh my god! Someone almost killed you!” Imogene clasped both hands over her mouth. “And you’re exhausted. Oh my goodness. You should really come inside and rest. Your healing magic is working overtime.”
Imogene set a hand on her shoulder, ready to be the best caretaker there was.
“It’s okay. I’m fine,” Elora gave a dismissive wave.
Yet the deeply unsettled look on Imogene’s face remained. She couldn’t unsee the attack. She was ambushed by an academy student with short grayish blue hair. He wore a hoodie with the school’s vine leaf symbol. And a more gothic, edgy styled sweatpants with red zipper patterns.
Elora had been in grave danger, and here she was, completely burned out. Still healing. Even her firelights hovered around her weakly, the poor things. Imogene crossed her arms.
“I want to head back before noon anyway. Before anyone notices I’m gone.” Elora said. “Let’s just get started.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Elora,” Imogene said, shaking her head, “you’re always making me look like a bad host.” She made a face, but then a twinkle grew in her eyes, “But don’t worry; I’ve already planned a mandatory snack break for your treatment, so it all works out.”
Imogene wore a large pair of round glasses, and the way the sun hit them, her personality seemed even brighter. Elora offered an amused smile and followed her along to the field by Imogene’s house. It was lined with rows and rows of tall, stacked boxes. As they approached them, Imogene came to a stop.
“Alright, just the hat for me,” she said. She closed her eyes and conjured the shape of a beekeeper’s hat. It appeared first in the form of a dark purple light, and then the tan and gray colors of the sunhat slipped over it—including the netting.
Elora motioned to do the same, but as she fashioned the shape, her hands trembled and the purple light shattered as if it were glass—the shards crumbling fast into specs of dust and vanishing.
“I can’t.” Elora said. “Everything is going to healing.”
Without another word, Imogene formed the hat and the suit for her. Elora’s firelights dispersed as the magic worked its way around her, but they returned after the beekeeper’s suit’s white fabric rolled out. After that, a couple of them settled on her shoulders and snuggled in for a nap right then and there.
Elora held a hand over the fuzzy creatures as she ventured into the bee yard with Imogene. Walking slow to make sure they did not fall. But as she fell several steps behind, she sighed.
“This would be a lot easier if you could just send the honey.”
“Unfortunately, the bees are very choosey.” Imogene said, forcing an apologetic smile. A moment passed before she went on, “But they do like you!”
A few bees were already buzzing through the air, mingling with her firelights. They danced together in chaotic loops and Elora couldn’t help but smile at them. With that, Imogene proceeded to one of the hives. She formed a tool in her hand and went to work prying off the first box on top.
“It’s Elora!” Imogene whispered excitedly to the hive. “She’s come to visit again!”
Elora merely smiled as she waited to meet and greet the bees.
It took quite some time for Imogene to harvest the honey, even with her magic at hand. After almost an hour, they moved inside to the sunporch. That’s when Imogene directed Elora to a chair. It was a straw chair with a yellow, white polka dotted cushion. Eccentric enough to match Imogene’s tastes. Imogene disappeared into the kitchen while Elora took a seat. She figured she might as well sit back if all she had to do was wait.
Her gaze soon drifted around the sunporch. The sunshine-shaped chair pillows complimented the room’s yellow wallpaper nicely—which was covered in daisies upon daisies. It was all so cheerful.
And peaceful.
Over the next few minutes, Elora fell fast asleep with her head on the table. The rest of her firelights landed around her lap and nearby chairs to drift off too. Very much welcoming a good morning’s sleep.
About an hour later, Imogene appeared with a shiny silver tray of baked goods. She cleared her throat, quietly, yet loudly enough to catch Elora’s attention. And after startling her awake, she set the tray down on the table before her.
“Sorry,“ she said shyly. “But look! It’s snack time!”
Elora straightened a little. The wobbly feeling of sleep was still there. Lingering. Her firelights lifted into the air sleepily too, hovering up and down slow.
"Oh, this is really a lot,” Elora said.
The silver tray was filled with plates of cinnamon buns, cake bread, little sandwiches, tiny pudding cups, and vanilla wafer cookies drizzled in honey. It was all coated or flavored with honey in some way. There was even a steaming cup of lemon and honey tea to the side.
"It should last you a while,” Imogene said. “Plus their ambient magic has had stronger healing effects lately, so that should help with the poison too.”
Elora nodded and took one of the wafer cookies. She munched away, savoring its sweetness and debating what she should try next. It all looked so delicious.
Time went on and the two talked while they ate. Imogene sipped away at a cup of tea, a warm smile in her eyes throughout the conversation, but at one point, Elora paused. Nothing about Imogene’s expression had changed, but Elora suddenly sensed something different.
Elora set her sandwich down. “You’re still worried about me staying at Regents Academy of Magic.”
Imogene suppressed a guilty look. It was true. She wished Elora would quit her academy studies. For her own good.
“Someone almost killed you today. Of course I’m worried!”
“He wouldn’t have tried me on school grounds,” Elora said. “Besides, he doesn’t even remember what happened now. I’ll just make sure to watch out for him.”
“But who else do you have to watch out for?” Imogene asked. “How do you really know who you can trust?”
Elora raised her teacup before flashing a cheeky smile and taking a sip. That was her answer to Imogene’s question—the honey’s ambient magic. Hive mind magic. Mind reading would certainly help her figure out who to trust.
“Oh, but that all wears off.” Imogene said disappointedly.
“You did make me enough to last a while.” Elora winked.
Imogene sighed. “I can’t win with you, Elora.”
Elora smiled and sipped her tea. The honey treats were enough to calm Imogene’s mind for now. But she insisted that Elora would have to come back and visit again soon in that case. And Elora agreed.
