She woke up, the same way she always did. The sun shined through her thin curtains and filled the room with a warm light. Trisphyra was now twenty four years old and the council had started to grant her the first few steps of independence. Her morning routine was now her own to care for. It felt strange. Time had gone by so fast for her. Twenty years was nothing to an elf. Guprix had surely kept her busy during her first decade of magical training. However, he'd grown frustrated. It didn't go at quite the pace he was hoping for. The magic didn't come easy to her, even with the trinkets of Luna'Celesia. Tension grew tighter with each lesson and Trisphyra dreaded going to his lessons at times.
She yawned and rubbed her eyes as she sat up from the bed and went over to the mirror. She'd grown into her more tall and slender figure and her hair had turned from white to a more light bluish hue. It hung across her thin shoulders. She tilted her head and pulled her long locks to the side. Maybe she should try doing something with it?
Her eyes went to the chest at the foot of her bed. She rarely opened it. It was filled with clothes and jewelry which was supposedly hers, yet she couldn't remember the faces of the ones who gave it to her. She clutched the moon crystal hanging around her neck still to this day. It had taken a lot from her to put it on, nineteen years ago, but having something from her family felt good now. What else could she find?
There was a knock on the door, "My Lady, are you ready to leave?"
Broken out from her thoughts, she stammered with a soft, light voice, "Y- Yes, I'm sorry! Be right with you!"
She quickly swung the chest open and dug through the heap of fabric resting inside. It was difficult to not pause and inspect all the gowns her hands touched. Eventually she found a dark blue dress with silver embroidery at the hem. She pulled it over her head and tried it on. It was like it had been made for her, hanging perfectly over her shoulders.
Trisphyra gazed into the mirror. It felt as if she was looking at someone else.
"Lady Lathalas!" The voice yelled from out the hall.
"Sorry!" She quickly brushed her hair and opened the door. Outside waited a tall, tan, wood elf and a dwarf with red beard, both wearing Arathorn armor. The elf sighed merrily and shook his head, "Never the morning person. I pray for the day we can escort you to your lessons in time, my Lady."
"I'm sorry, sir. Cailu. I got a bit distracted." Trisphyra stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind her, "Morning, sir. Rakus."
The dwarf nodded her forward, "Get a move on, lassie. Your Master is waiting for you. He's in a particularly nasty mood today."
"Oh, no. For what reason?" She asked as they began to walk.
He laughed, "It's anyone's guess. Doesn't take much to sour that leaf-head." He sneakily pulled Trisphyra down to his height and whispered, "But I hear there's trouble on the outside."
"What sort of trouble?"
"Enough of that!" Sir. Cailu ordered, "Tell me, how's your progress, my Lady?"
"Well…" She was about to answer but stopped as she met the gaze of a group of students, dressed in their classic blue robe attire. They all immediately looked away and whispered amongst each other. Trisphyra swallowed. Having the Elder Council and guards at her side at all times had made it difficult for her to make friends or get in contact with any other creature at the school. There was never enough time for it and she felt that most students looked at her funny, as if there was something wrong with her. So she kept to herself.
"Well, what?" Cailu asked.
She broke out of her thoughts, "Yes, it's going okay. Master Guprix has taught me a few simple cantrips that I can conjure with ease now."
"Oh!" Rakus exclaimed, clearly excited, "And what spells would that be, lass?"
"Well, I…" She thumbled the fabric nervously in her hands, "I can create small sources of light and… I can make a small flower bloom and… I'm pretty close to being able to control water… almost."
The guards looked at each other awkwardly. Trisphyra lowered her head. It's not like she wasn't trying, it just didn't come easy to her. Having Guprix and the Elders looming over her didn't help either. Sometimes she felt like she could be crushed by all the pressure. It was hard to not look at the other students in the upper levels and feel jealous of how excited and happy they all seemed to be. What was she doing wrong? Everyone was being so harsh on her, except for some of the guards like Cailu and Rakus. She wondered what it was like to train in the lower grounds.
"Perhaps I'm more suited at being a warrior like you two." She forced a smile.
They both burst out laughing, "I don't think you'd like it down there, my lady." Cailu tried a tear from the corner of his eyes.
"Why not? I've never been down there."
"It's just a bunch of rough and dirty muscle heads." Rakus chuckled.
"Aren't you both from down there? You're not dirty."
"That's because we're not trainee's anymore, my lady."
The dwarf picked at his elven friend, "You just got your armor a few years ago, boy."
"Boy? You're half my age!" The wood elf corrected.
"Yes, but you elves are considered whelps til your one hundred. How old were you again?"
"A hundred and thirteen. By that logic, that makes you a pup too, sir dwarf."
"Sixty three is no puppy number!" He argued.
Trisphyra shrugged her shoulders and smiled, "At least you're both much older than me."
The dwarf's eyes narrowed, "How much?"
"I'm twenty four."
His eyes went wide, "That is a wee pup, alright."
"Is this what the trainee's fight about as well?" She asked them curiously.
"HA! The young ones might. The older ones fight over silly things like pride and glory. That's why it takes a while to become a knight by Arathorn's standards. You need to show skill and discipline."
"Are you a knight, sir. Rakus?"
"No. Like I said, it takes a long time of practice."
"We're here." Cailu stopped in front of a room. They'd been walking up into one of the higher towers of the main building. The classroom was located further away from the other halls and provided a silent space for those who needed it.
Cailu pointed inwards, "He's waiting for you."
Trisphyra thanked them with a curtsy and entered. The room was filled with empty chairs and desks. Guprix was facing out one of the windows next to the board where the teachers write. She walked up to her usual seat in the front and center. A few minutes passed and Guprix hadn't turned around to face her. Uncertain on what to say, she apologized, "Forgive me, Master. I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long."
"Light the candles, will you?"
She looked around in confusion but soon saw the various candles he'd placed around the room. Trisphyra immediately felt anxious. She hated when he started the lessons with a test like this. Depending on the result, it would set the stage for the rest of her lesson, and seeing how he already was troubled, she didn't want to make it worse.
With a deep breath, she reached out her hand and concentrated on the energy within her. 'I can do this.' She encourages herself. It wasn't the first time. Very often when she attempted to perform her magic, it was as if she was reaching a lost limb. She knew it should be there but it felt like a void inside her. It took all of her concentration before lights flickered away from her fingertips and found their way to their separate candles. Trisphyra leaned back in relief.
"You wear yourself out. I can hear you breathing." He turned to her.
She held the air inside her lungs for a moment, trying to play it off, but the look from her Master was enough, there was no point in hiding it, "I'm sorry. I'll keep practicing."
"What's all this?" Guprix walked up to the desk, pointing at her dress.
Trisphyra suddenly felt a bit embarrassed and wrapped her arms across her stomach, "It was in my family chest. I thought it might help."
Guprix rolled his eyes, "How many times do I have to tell you, dear? When I explained it was your mother's trinkets that awakened the magic I wasn't talking about-"
"My elven mother." She disclosed, "I know."
He knelt down beside her, "Then why do you insist on torturing yourself with this?"
"Why do they never write to me? I've been waiting ever since I was old enough to realize they were missing. Do they want nothing to do with me? Is that what it is?"
"I can't answer on their behalf. All I know is that they sent you here. They want you to focus on your training." He stood up, "Come now, perhaps we should begin with some history before we do some more spellcasting?"
"Thank you, Master."
He smiled and went over to the board, beginning to write various names.
"Last time we went through some of the founders of Arathorn and who they were. Can you repeat them for me, please?"
"Ishan Ibarin and Bemere Erstina founded the school in the year… eight hundred and ninety, ten years after they'd helped defeat the Unchained together with the Sapphire hands."
"Go on."
"Bemere died in the year two thousand fivehunderd and twenty three, leaving Ishan Ibarin to be the only living founder left." A thought hit her, "Does that mean you knew her, Master?"
"A little. I studied under her for a few years."
"What was she like?"
Guprix smiled as he thought back to his youth, "She was elegant, yet powerful. Everyone loved and respected her." Seeing how they got off track, he cleared his throat, "Keep going."
Trisphyra tried to remember, "We talked about Mikozio and Hulibela Wargrip, who brought the centaurian and dwarven armies together and formed what is now the lower lever of the school." Trisphyra couldn't help but ask, "Did you know them too, Master?"
He laughed, "Oh, no. They passed long before I ever became a student. Do you remember when?"
"Uh… Somewhere between thirteen-fourtheen thousand?"
"Correct. Many of the founders lived far longer than what's commonly known for their respective races, but then again, they were no ordinary creatures."
Trisphyra couldn't help but feel impressed as her thoughts traveled to Master Ishan. Merely a human, yet he's lived for nearly two thousand years. What sort of powerful magic must he possess to be able to do that?
"What about Esmond and Drencios?" He continued.
"Esmond Orphic and Drencios Molvo were both mages. Orphic created many spells known today, such as the invulnerability spell and Molvo helped defeat the void serpent, Shazza. He also served the empress Zem Ayla." She paused, "I think that was all."
"Very good. That leaves us with the remaining two of the eight founders."
He wrote two names on the board.
Lyndis Dayra and Shalei Azure.
"You recognize their names?"
Trisphyra shook her head.
"That's because these two rarely spent any time at Arathorn once it was built. Shalei Azure was a water-born and an expert swordsman. Her ability to control the water whilst using her greatsword proved immensely powerful in battle. She was a nomad who traveled far and wide until she just disappeared one day. Master Ibarin was the last person to ever see her. That was fourteen hundred years ago."
Trisphyra was taking notes, "What happened to her?"
"No one knows. She just disappeared into the very lake that resides down below this school. I for one think she's dead." He turned to the board, "Now, you better pay attention cause I think you'll like this one. Lyndis Dayra, died in sixteen o five, acted as Arathorn's scout, much in the same way the members of the Elder Council do today. She made relations with other kingdoms and high lords around the world, trading knowledge and artifacts alike. She was able to do so thanks to her very unique relationship with the silver dragon Ildria."
Trisphyra froze. Did she hear him correctly? She raised her hand as Guprix was speaking, "Um… Could you tell me more about Ildria, Master?"
He rolled his eyes, "Youngsters. The mere mention of dragons has you jumping out of your seats. Very well, she's an ancient silver dragon with a wingspan of over a hundred and sixty feet, or so it was the last time she was spotted. Dragons never stop growing but no one has seen Ildira since the death of Lyndis. I assume you're going to ask me why?" He peered at Trisphyra who nodded eagerly in response.
"They were always described as free spirits, never lingering too long on the ground. Upon Lyndis' death, in grief, Ildria took her body before she could be buried and vanished."
"They must've had a very strong bond." Trisphyra admired.
"Silver dragons have always had good relations with elves and humans, but Ildria was different. Few would dwell on the ground for as long she did as she awaited Lyndis. It's because of her you see the symbol of a silver dragon on Arathorn's shields and banners."
"And no one has seen her?"
"Some claim to have seen a gargantuas silver dragon flying across our skies from time to time, but it has never been proven."
Trisphyra wondered how much she should ask, "How… old do dragons get?"
"Well over a thousand years."
"I see." She looked down in her notebook. She remembered that night. Part of her had started to believe it truly was a dream but now she wasn't so sure anymore.
She sensed Guprix approach from the corner of her eye, "What is it, Trisphyra? I can tell something is on your mind." He placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked up and met his gaze. He had a soft expression on his face, which rarely happened. She wasn't certain of how she felt about him. In one way, he was her teacher and a strict one at that, but on the other hand he'd been the closest friend she'd ever had, almost like a father figure in some ways. She sighed, "What are the chances Ildria would be hiding in Elandorr?"
"Very unlikely. Our magical borders would've sensed if a creature of that size was entering the area."
"But… She was here when the school was built, perhaps she knows how to-"
"Without Master Ibarin knowing about it? Where are these ideas coming from, if I may ask?"
She hesitated, "Nineteen years ago… Remember when I told you I saw a dragon outside my window?"
"I'll say the same things I said to you back then; That's impossible."
"But the description fits perfectly!"
"Trisphyra-"
"A dragon with silver scales so large it blocked out the entire window!"
He pulled her up and led her to one of the windows. They could see the majority of the school's upper levels from there. Guprix pointed to the middle of it, "Somewhere in there is where your room is. You mean to tell me a dragon of enormous size was able to sneak past both guards and students on all other floors without so much as leaving a mark or sound, all in an effort to peek through your window?"
He let go of her, "I know of a few students who'd make up stories like that but not you. I thought you were smarter than that."
Trisphyra simply stared blankly at the view, "I'm sorry, Master. I must've been mistaken." She knew it was a mistake to tell him. Her Master was only interested in one thing and that was to develop her magic. Her connections to anything else was useless cause it wouldn't give him any credit. Defeated, she sat back down at her desk.
"You know why I'm hard on you, Trisphyra. You can't afford to be distracted."
"I know, Master."
He took a deep breath and tried to regain his composure, "Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"
"What is it that has you troubled?"
He blinked. Trisphyra smiled shyly, "I can tell when something is one you mind."
Gurpix turned away. She dared to push a little further, "Has the council been at you again?"
"It's nothing you need to concern yourself with, child. Tensions are growing around the world and the Elder Council are looking for any way to improve Arathorn's defenses. A new member is to be added."
"Who? What kind of tension?"
"Like I said, you don't need to worry. You won't be seeing much of him anyway. Therion Norkas is to be installed as vice commander to help the General. On a positive note, Arathorn's army is growing and needs more hands to handle it."
"If it's positive, then why do you seem upset?" She questioned.
"As your teacher, I'm not allowed to say. We have other things to worry about, such as this." He bent down behind his desk and placed a bowl of water on top of it, "Your future is more important to me right now." He leaned forward.
Trisphyra walked up to the bowl, "What should I do?"
"Whatever you want, as long as you're the one in control."
She placed her hands around the cold metal surface of the bowl and closed her eyes. Once more, she dug for that essence inside of her, trying to lure it forward. She thought about the dragon and what an amazing creature it is. She imagined being as free as Ildria, roaming the skies, free to go wherever she wanted. It felt as if a small spark lit inside of her. Trisphyra opened her eyes and looked down on the water. She watched as it took shape, floating out of the bowl in the form of a winged dragon. It hovered just in front of her face. Guprix held his breath as he watched.
Trisphyra dared to lift her hands and cradled the shape. Instinctively, she breathed out and the water froze, leaving the dragon looking like an ice sculpture. She caught it in her hands, staring in disbelief at Guprix. He smiled in approval, "There's that focus. Again!"
She wasn't sure what had clicked, but the cantrip just got easier and easier. Guprix was shining the entire lesson, even urging her to look up new spells he suggested to her, many surrounding how to manipulate the elements, which was the easiest and most basic form of magic. He kept it to non harmful spells but Trisphyra was still as excited.
They both lost track of time and what was early morning soon turned into noon. Trisphyra had to sit down, sweat was pouring down her forehead.
"Are you sure you want to stop now?" Guprix asked. She was too out of breath to answer.
"Careful not to break her, Lombard." A voice entered the room. Trisphyra's eyes darted to the source, she recognized it. She hadn't seen him in years but his deep voice was difficult to forget. "Yvonus?" She tried to stand up with shaky legs. He approached and embraced her, laughing, "Little one. You're not so little anymore."
"Where have you been? It's been years!"
"I'm sorry. Things have not been easy out there. I've been forced to travel a lot across Emteria. There was simply no time to visit, but I'm glad to see you're doing so well."
"Is this only a joy visit, Proudstride?" Guprix asked sternly.
Yvonus looked up from Trisphyra to the older elf, "No. I came to collect you, Lombard. You've been summoned to the council hall."
He sighed, "Well, I guess we'll have to end our lesson here then, my dear. You're free to go."
Trisphyra looked to Yvonus, "Will I see you again before you leave?"
"Most certainly. Go now. Enjoy your break."
She nodded and left the classroom.
"Are you always this hard on her?" The council member asked.
Guprix shrugged, "We had a breakthrough. One must strike when the iron is hot."
"She's not a tool for you to gain favor with." Yvonus growled.
The two men stared at each other. The elf's eyebrow twitched in anger, "Everything I'm doing, I'm doing for her."
"Remember my warning, Guprix."
"You have my respects, Proudstride, but you've been gone for quite some time. Don't come back here assuming you have authority over her. I'm her Master now."
"I don't care about authority." He hissed, "I only want her to be safe and happy."
Gurpix frowned, "And what makes you think she's not?"
"It's hard to see any joy when she's shaking like a leaf."
Trisphyra was hiding just on the other side of the door, hearing everything. Shaking like a leaf? She tried to hold herself together as she walked away down the stairs, looking down at her feet. She had to get stronger. She couldn't take feeling so powerless. She only needed to practice more, then Guprix and the council would be happy. They'd see she didn't need all the constant protection.
In her haste down the stairs she failed to notice there was another person approaching and they both knocked into one another. Trisphyra fell off her feet.
"Oh, I am so sorry." A man apologized, "Lady Elor-" He choked.
Trisphyra looked up at him, it was Ilpherean. He was staring at her with wide eyes, as if he'd seen a ghost, "Lady Trisphyra? I did not recognize you at first! You have grown so much."
He lended out his hand and helped her up. She blushed, most did when talking to the spirit born. He had this otherworldly quality to him, a perfectly slim face with beautiful golden hair almost floating across his shoulders. His gentlemanly demeanor didn't help either.
"Lord Ilpherean." She did a curtsy, "It's been a long time. Did you almost mistake me for someone else?"
Now it was his turn to blush, "I just recognized the dress you are wearing. It was your mother's, yes?"
"I'm not sure. I think so. I found it in my family chest."
"You look beautiful in it."
"Thank you."
He cleared his throat, "You will have to excuse me, my lady. I am headed to see the council."
She hesitated as he walked past her. His steps faded away slowly. No, she had to ask.
"My lord!" She yelled after him. He came back down, "Yes?"
"You knew my family, didn't you?"
He sighed, "I did, yes, for a time. I have not spoken to them in many years, however."
"Would you know of any reason why they haven't written?"
It took a minute before he answered, "I am afraid not, my Lady."
"Do you think they're alright? Has something happened to them?" She stammered.
Ilpherean grabbed her hand, "Why do you not write them yourself?"
"I've tried. Countless times. They haven't responded to a single one."
He tensed. Something was up and he could only suspect what it was. As convincingly as possible, he smiled reassuringly, "I will see what I can do about it. On my next expedition I will head to their home and figure this out."
She snuffled, "Thank you."
"Go on now. Take your mind off of this. Leave it to me."
He let her go and watched her disappear around the corner. Poor girl. This was what he was afraid of. He needed to take this up with the council, along with the other bad news he carried with him.