Sevael shifted in the carriage, halfway between bored and anxious. Fendril had promised her over and over that everything would be okay, even though he couldn’t be there, and that the interview process was easy.
With a small sigh, Sevael settled back into the velvet cushions and decided that, no matter what, she could handle this. She fought to break away from her mother and come to Aurora. She had dealt with the snickering and odd glances from the other fairies. She could do anything.
Even sitting in an otherwise empty carriage for hours on end. Sevael knew her father had been too busy to go, but going without anyone had turned the trip into the most boring experience of her life. Since the entire country of Dorikva was shrouded in protective magic, the Faerie Gates were only able to send her to the edge of the country. As much as she had wanted to ride one of the winged horses – pterippus, she had been told – to the school, the stablemaster had deemed it too dangerous for an untrained rider to take one.
Sevael knew the stablemaster had been right, but that didn’t make her any less bored. Maybe I should have waited for someone else to come along. Maybe I could have made a friend. Too late for regrets now. After a few minutes of silent grumpiness, she decided to take a nap.
When the carriage rolled to a stop, Sevael jerked awake and looked around. Light still filtered through the window, but it was… dimmed. Is it already dusk? However, when she moved the small curtain aside, she saw that the flat plains the carriage had been moving through had been replaced by towering trees that blocked out a lot of light.
In front of the carriage was a massive wooden gate, and attached to the gate was an even bigger stone wall. There were muffled voices from outside, but Sevael couldn’t make them out. Just as Sevael’s curiosity was getting the best of her, there was a deep rumble and the carriage started moving again.
The contrast of the school grounds to the untamed forest just outside the wall was stark. The lawns were dark green and lush, perfectly maintained. Towering buildings made of polished marble and lined with gold dotted the courtyard, imposing and beautiful at the same time. Only a few people were present, tiny in comparison to their surroundings, which disappointed but didn’t surprise Sevael. Everyone was out for summer break, so it made sense that the school was all but deserted.
The carriage stopped again, this time in front of the building in the center of the courtyard, and the driver silently opened the door for Sevael. “Headmaster Frost will see you now.” The man said gruffly. He reminded Sevael of a weasel with his sharp eyes and sharper temper and lacked any bit of friendliness.
Sevael quietly thanked the man as she slipped out of the carriage before hurrying to the building. After a moment of indecision, she opened the front door and stepped inside.
Even after spending over a year in the living home of the Fairy Tree, Sevael was utterly unprepared for the sheer presence of magic. It electrified the air, making the hair on the back of Sevael’s neck stand on end, and she could sense the overwhelming force all around her.
“Please, do not stand in the doorway.” A clipped voice called out.
Sevael blinked, looking up. “I’m sorry, I-” her voice was cut off by an impatient huff. A woman – if that’s what you could call her – was tall and willowy, with almost translucent skin. Her eyes were completely black, but they were the only parts of the woman’s body that weren’t a shade of green.
“You’re still standing there.” The woman said, clearly growing irritated. “You cannot stand in the way of doors.”
“Y-yes, um, ma’am?” Sevael said the words quickly, not quite sure how to address the woman, and darted to the wall. She mustered up a smile, hoping the woman would be kind now that she wasn’t breaking the rules. “I’m looking for Headmaster Frost.”
The woman didn’t smile back. “Fourth door on the right, with the moon insignia.” With those short, clipped words, she practically stormed away. Sevael stared after her, her mouth dropping open in astonishment. She’d never been treated so briskly. Is everyone so… rude?
Sevael took a deep breath and stood taller. King Narcisse helped me get here. I won’t let him or my father down. Even if everyone is a jerk.
The door the woman had mentioned wasn’t too far down the long corridor and Sevael found it easily. It was made of dark oaken wood, as were all of the doors, but this one had a silver crescent moon insignia that spanned across the entire door. It was a masterpiece of work, on par with the fairy weaving Sevael had desperately wanted to learn.
As soon as Sevael put her hand on the silver doorknob, the door swung open silently. The room inside was warm, lit golden by the large window that dominated one of the walls, and decorated in white and gold.
For a moment, Sevael was stunned by the sheer feeling of peace that emanated from the room. It reminded her of a meadow on a clear summer night, with the stars shining overhead.
However, Sevael’s reverie didn’t last more than a few heartbeats. “May I help you?” A voice that sounded like clear water asked.
Sitting at the desk under the window was a person that Sevael couldn’t quite decide if they were a man or woman. Their hair was a pearly white color and reached down to their waist, though their face was youthful and pale, with clear blue eyes. After a moment of silent debate, she decided he was just an effeminate man.
“Well?” The person prompted again, his voice filled with kind amusement. “Did you come here just to stare?”
Sevael gasped at her own rudeness and gave the man a small bow. “I’m sorry! My name is Sevael. Sevael Wiseri. Are you…?”
“Headmaster Frost.” The man stood and motioned to one of the plush chairs in front of his desk. “Take a seat. I’ll make some tea.”
“Um, you don’t have to-”
“I insist.” Headmaster Frost gave Sevael a kind smile. “I find that a nice cup of tea helps to soothe the nerves.” He walked to a small table and, with a single touch, lit a small fire under a kettle.
“You can cast silently?” Despite her nervousness, Sevael felt a bit of curiosity light within her.
“Of course.” Headmaster Frost was selecting herbs from a small shelf. “What kind of tea do you like, my dear?”
“Uh, peppermint, if you have any.”
Headmaster Frost nodded, then continued on. “You can only cast while singing, isn’t that right? It was one of the notes in your file.”
Sevael felt her cheeks heat up a bit. Does he think I’m weird? The other fairies certainly did. “Uh, yes, but I… I want to learn silent casting too. I know my magic isn’t as good when I sing, but I just can’t help it. When I try to cast silently it just goes a bit wonky or nothing goes right and-” She abruptly cut herself off when she realized she was rambling.
There was a sound like wind chimes and it took Sevael a moment to realize it was the sound of the headmaster’s laugh. “‘Good magic’ is a subjective term.” He said calmly, not even a hint of mocking in his voice, and placed a small plate of fluffy-looking biscuits on the desk in front of Sevael. “If it makes you happy, well, isn’t that good magic?”
“I… I guess.” Sevael’s nerves began to unravel, put at ease by the kindness in the headmaster’s voice and his gentle aura. “I was always told that only strong elementalists could cast silently.”
“People say things like that to make themselves feel better.” Headmaster Frost replied. “I wouldn’t put too much stock in what a prideful person says. After all, a peacock will always tell everyone his feathers are the most colorful, even when they’re not.”
Sevael felt a smile rise to her lips. “I don’t think a peacock would appreciate you saying that about him.”
“I’ve met plenty of peacocks, and, let me tell you, they’re all the same.” The headmaster said in amusement.
With a giggle, Sevael picked up one of the biscuits and took a bite. It was like biting into a cloud – soft and wonderful. “Oh! This is delicious!”
“It’s marzipan.” Headmaster Frost said. “A wonderful dish from Uramora that will most definitely spoil your appetite. I can’t resist it, however, so I always have some on hand for myself and students.”
“It tastes like macarons!” Sevael said as she took another bite. A smile tugged at her lips as she remembered her father telling her not to eat too many sweets. She had sadly agreed, but later that night the lovely White Beast had given her a bag of chocolate candies anyways.
“I see you like sweets too.” The headmaster laughed softly. “Don’t let Ms. Bebb know or she’ll be blaming your sweet tooth for every injury or sickness you get.”
“Ms. Bebb?” Sevael asked curiously.
At the sound of the kettle whistling, Headmaster Frost returned to it to pour two cups of tea. “Ms. Bebb is the head nurse here. She just left before you came in. I thought you would have seen her.”
Sevael blinked. “The, um, the green woman?”
Headmaster Frost laughed again. “Yes, I suppose, though I wouldn’t call her that to her face. She’s a dryad, a species native to Dorikva.”
“Oh.” Sevael took another bite of the sugary treat as the headmaster placed a cup and saucer in front of her. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Headmaster Frost sat down across from Sevael. “Now, I suppose it’s time to get on with the interview.”
Sevael sat straighter, the tension returning to her chest. Time to get serious. This may be what keeps me from being admitted.
The headmaster sat back in his seat and sipped the tea, his crystal blue eyes resting on Sevael thoughtfully. “So, tell me, what’s your favorite color?”
Sevael stared at the headmaster for a long minute before blurting out her answer. “Um, light pink!” After a moment, she blinked. “… is that part of the interview?”
Headmaster Frost smiled. “I find that the simplest questions often reveal the true nature of a person. Parents like to coach their children on the best things to say, or the students themselves will prepare for hundreds of important or thought-invoking questions.”
It made sense to Sevael. She smiled and picked up her teacup. “What does my favorite color say about me, then?”
“You have a bright outlook on life.” Headmaster Frost said. “A trait I like in my students. Would you please describe yourself in three words?”
“Um,” Sevael set her tea down, “I guess… kind. And, well, forgiving…” she paused, fidgeting with her fingers, “and smart, I guess.”
“You have a good opinion of yourself.” The headmaster commented.
Sevael felt her cheeks began to burn. “I also have some bad traits!” She blurted out. “I, uh, don’t always think before speaking-”
“I never said it was a bad thing, Sevael.” Headmaster Frost laughed a bit. “It’s always good to see something positive inside yourself. Many people will go their entire life worrying about the bad without pausing to consider the good.”
“You have a lot of wisdom.”
“I’ve lived a long life.”
Sevael picked up her teacup again. “… do you mind if I ask you a question?”
“Of course.” The headmaster smiled. “After all, this is an interview. It would be unfair for me to ask all the questions.”
“What… what are you?” Sevael asked. “I mean, I know you’re the headmaster and all, but I’ve never seen someone like you before. Your aura is very… calm. You look like an elf but I get this feeling… you’re not.” Her skin began to heat up again. “Oh, Mother Earth, that was rude. I’m so sorry!”
However, Headmaster Frost was laughing. “No, don’t be sorry. Curiosity is a good trait in a student.” He picked up his teacup and took a sip, going quiet for a moment. Sevael was starting to feel nervous again before he finally continued. “You’re right. My appearance is that of an elf, but my true form is not. Can I trust you with a secret?”
Sevael nodded. “Of course!”
Headmaster Frost set his tea down and offered Sevael his hand. She noticed his fingers were long and graceful, unmarred by life. Like porcelain. As she took it, she felt the world rush and sway around her, like she was caught in a wave.
The headmaster stared calmly back but his image was flickering. One moment he was there and the next a graceful white creature stared back at her. It took a moment, but Sevael slowly recognized the pearl-colored coat and graceful silver horn.
As Headmaster Frost let go of her hand, Sevael fell back into her chair. Her breathing, which she hadn’t even realized had turned ragged, slowly evened out again and she was able to take a sip of her tea to calm her heaving stomach.
“I’m sorry.” The headmaster said soothingly. “I know looking through an illusion can be extremely taxing on the body.”
“You’re a unicorn,” Sevael whispered as the effects of the spell wore off.
“I am.”
“Why… why do you hide it?”
The headmaster sipped his tea, his eyes clouding slightly. “There are people in this world who believe my kind are animals, just as they believe your people are nothing more than tricksters. Taking the appearance of an elf tends to make things easier.”
“Why did you tell me, then?”
“You have the aura of someone who is very trustworthy.” Headmaster Frost said. “And, after all, we’re not so different. I’m not what I look like, and you aren’t who you say you are. At least, you’re not from here, are you?”
Sevael’s heart stopped. He knows. He knows I’m not from Aurora. He’s not going to let me in. What if he sends me back? Or worse – sends me back to mother?!
The headmaster just smiled. “Don’t fret. Where and why you were born matters not. All I care about is your character and your heart. Sevael, do you honestly believe Dorikva is the right place for you?”
Sevael couldn’t help but sit straighter. “Yes! I do. I’ll do whatever it takes to stay here.”
Headmaster Frost opened a drawer on the desk. “That’s good. To be honest with you, I already made my decision before you arrived. Narcisse has a high opinion of you, which is rare for someone who’s always stuck in a mirror.”
“King Narcisse isn’t like that all the time.” Sevael couldn’t help but protest. The king had been so kind to her since she’d arrived and it felt wrong to let someone talk about him behind his back.
“Narcisse and I are old friends.” Headmaster Frost smiled as he placed a package on the desk and pushed it towards Sevael. “I know he can be a bit, well, narcissistic. This is for you.”
Sevael gingerly took the box. “For me…?” She opened it slowly as if was about to disappear. Inside was a scarlet red cloak made of smooth silk. “What-”
“It’s your uniform.” The headmaster said. “As I said, I already made my decision to let you into the school. I trust Narcisse’s judgment.”
“Why invite me then?” Sevael looked up from the cloak. “Was there something you wanted to make sure of?”
“Not really. The ICMEA is very strict on who gets in and who doesn’t. When students don’t meet enough entrance requirements, I invite them for an interview.”
Sevael frowned. The ICMEA, as she recalled, was the International Council of Magical Ethics and Affairs. “Aren’t you in charge? Why do you have to listen to other people?”
Headmaster Frost smiled, though it seemed a bit sad. “I have the title of the headmaster, and it gives me some power, but I rarely get to make any important decisions. The ICMEA employes powerful magic casters of all varieties to keep people in line.” He shook his head. “What am I saying, I shouldn’t be burdening you with these thoughts.”
Sevael offered the headmaster a smile. “No, it’s okay!” She lifted her teacup, only to find it was empty. “I mean, I’m here for the whole day, after all.”
“That’s true.” Headmaster Frost laughed. “But why don’t you go take a tour of the school instead? I can have someone take you around the campus and you can have dinner at the dining hall. You’ll have to sleep in the guest quarters since none of our dorms are ready, but they’re just as comfortable.”
Sevael stood and bowed slightly. “Thank you!” She turned to leave but paused. “Um, tomorrow, do I have to take the carriage?”
“I don’t see why you should have to. Is there a reason you ask?”
“I- um, I wanted to see if I could ride a pterippus back?”
Headmaster Frost smiled calmly. “I will see what I can do. We have very gentle pterippi here. I’m sure there will be one fit for you.”
Sevael broke into a grin. “Thank you! A-again!”
The headmaster nodded and turned his attention to the paperwork at his desk. “Of course. And Sevael? I look forward to seeing you this autumn.”
As she dashed out of the room, Sevael’s grin only grew more. She couldn’t wait for the autumn to come.