The months that passed after Venna left were much easier on me than the time that led up to Lizabeth's execution. My mood improved every day and slowly the hallucinations about Lizabeth became quieter and then less frequent until they finally stopped altogether.
It wasn't all smooth sailing as I was still on edge for the first few days after everything ended. I lashed out at my mother once at her insistence that she be allowed into my room after I had an episode. I later managed to apologize but we were awkward around each other for a short time afterwards.
We did eventually make up and our relationship actually improved even though a line between us had to be drawn. I honestly believe that I may come to love my mother one day.
Noah of course was easy to get along with. We played games, I helped him with his lessons when he had questions, and he asked about what Venna had written that day. He gave me more to talk about with Venna as well thanks to his sometimes tactless remarks. She told me that Noah's words made her mom laugh and she really wanted to meet this ball of energy one day.
I still worried that he wouldn't be able to tell how much I cared about him as I could see his sometimes sad expression when I wasn't showing things on my face. I tried to say it with words since I struggled to get it across with my actions. He would often nod and accept it even though I could tell he still had doubts. He was a smart child.
My father was different. At best our relationship could be looked at as that of distant relatives and he did well in respecting my wishes to keep it that way. We maintained everything at a professional level and talked mostly about my studies, goals, or any requests he had of me. Our interactions were always brief and to the point but we managed to express ourselves clearly. I think I share more in common with him than my mother. I don't admire that about myself and I choose to think that it's mostly due to 'training' and not because of who I am by birth.
I studied the materials and practiced any circles that Mage Reginald instructed me to do to prepare for my Tower and Academy exams. He said he believed I was ready now but he wanted to drill the basics into me as that is where most arrogant potential Magi failed when they tried to be admitted. I was confident in my abilities, though I was still incredibly nervous.
I continued my sword training with Sir Verret as well. He started adding spars with the soldiers who worked on the castle grounds and had free time during their training. When he was satisfied with my performance there he began adding in sessions with the lower ranked knights. Everyone appeared happy to assist me and no one seemed to look down on me or hold back during our spars. I was surprised to learn that many soldiers and even some of the knights were impressed with my duel and wanted to help me learn more.
With that the nearly four months passed in the blink of an eye and the date for the Tower exam was looming over me.
Mage Reginald and I worked out a plan to get me out of the manor and safely to the Tower without being noticed. Everything relied on timing and the cooperation of the few people I was close with.
Rebecca would assist by getting me some maids clothes that would fit, adjusting my makeup to hide my more prominent features, and getting a wig to hide my hair. Mage Reginald told me that there were magic circles that could do similar things but most higher nobles had circles serving as security measures that could detect that type of magic. It was best in my case to use the old-fashioned method.
Mage Reginald had arranged an inconspicuous carriage through the Magi Tower to meet me at the servants' entrance and take me there.
Sir Verret would ensure that no guards would question my presence or stop the carriage to inspect it. He also would be my escort after we left the grounds as it was still safer to have a trained knight with me due to my status.
There would be no way to stop my father from realizing I was gone and the consequences afterwards might be harsh. We hoped that he would keep my disappearance a secret and only try to search for me subtly. This might give us time and make it easier to stay low, at least until I complete the test.
Everything had been planned out before the day for me to leave had arrived.
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"Are you prepared to leave?"
"Yes Sir Verret."
"Don't speak after you leave this room as your voice is very distinct. Not many of the servants know you thanks to your reserved nature but we don't want to risk it."
"Of course."
"Wait ten minutes after I leave. You'll be on your own but you've memorized the path you're to take so there should be no issues. I won't be present to help you as I have to ensure your path forward is clear. Stay on the sides of the hallways and never approach the center unless you need to make your way to the opposite side. You're to follow the path a servant would take and your instincts might try to lead you to where you're used to walking. Treat it like a basic sword drill that you need to learn to defend yourself. If you are recognized nothing will protect you so just surrender and accept your fate. Is that clear?"
"Yes Sir Verret."
"Rebecca you will follow ten minutes after the Young Lady has left the room and find a different way around the grounds to meet us at the carriage."
Rebecca straightened her back and met Sir Verret's gaze head on. She nodded quickly to express her understanding and then followed up with the same response I've been uttering.
"Yes Sir Verret."
With that he swiftly departed.
I turned my attention to Rebecca to express my gratitude.
"Thank you for helping me Rebecca. I know that the consequences for this might not be light but I will defend you when this over."
"I will accept any punishment that I might receive for this. I'm thankful that you gave in and let Sir Verret accompany you for your safety though."
"All three of you argued with me that it was foolish to not do so. I had to concede and I'm not foolish enough to ignore the risks I was taking. I will listen to others when they can clearly point out why I'm being unreasonable."
"You're still stubborn sometimes, m'lady."
"We'll definitely have to work on your training as a maid when we return. You're getting a little conceited about your position."
She paused and stared at my face for a while probably trying to see if I was joking. I'm not Venna but sometimes I do try, it's just that because of my expressions a lot of them fly over peoples' heads. It's even caused a few misunderstandings and now some of the servants think I'm particularly hard on mistakes. Rebecca usually understands me though. Usually.
"It's difficult to tell but that sounds like a joke. I'll still endeavor to be respectful. At least in public."
Now that we've grown more comfortable with our positions our exchanges often have a more relaxed atmosphere, just like now.
"It's time for you to go m'lady. I'll meet you at the carriage at the arranged time."
"Thank you again Rebecca."
"This isn't a farewell m'lady. Get going."
I listened to Rebecca and then opened the door to nervously poke my head out and verify there were no servants around.
After ensuring it was clear I approached the side of the hallway and began walking toward the arranged meeting area with my head down. I had to go through a few servants' entrances so my presence in the manor would be minimized, lowering the risk I might run into someone in my family. My father tends to ignore the servants but my mother is particularly sharp when it comes to these things.
Everything went smoothly though and I didn't even pass many other servants on the way. At the carriage both Rebecca and Sir Verret were waiting for me. Mage Reginald was also there to see me off. We had told him not to come as it was already risky to have Sir Verret and Rebecca make there way here.
"I'm just here to say good luck and then I'll be out of your hair."
"Alright Mage Reginald. We need to leave now so that we can put as much distance, and time, as possible between now and when the Duke notices the Young Lady has left."
Sir Verret began encouraging everyone to get moving, indicating to Mage Reginald that we were on a time limit.
"Thank you for your well-wishes Mage Reginald. I'll be sure to make you proud."
His nose wrinkled up in disgust upon hearing me utter his name. I'll never get tired of that reaction.
"I'll always be proud of my best pupil. I have little doubt you'll succeed but even if you don't I will carry my tutelage of you with pride."
We all entered the carriage and I watched him wave as the rocking movements of its wheels began to indicate we were on our way out. This is the first time I'll be leaving the manor on my own. I'm nervous and excited about what's ahead of us.
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Although it took us a little over a week the journey itself was uneventful. We saw no bandits, there was no attacks from corrupted beasts, and we never got lost. I shouldn't wish for us to encounter trouble on the way but I couldn't help but feel like I was cheated by some of the books I had read.
I had two days to register, with the exam being held on the third day. There would be two components, a written test on possible circle formations using only the runes that are instructed and then a series of trials that would test your ability to respond quickly to a given scenario. Each test would only last about an hour.
I still had to hide my identity while in the town that was built around the Tower but I wouldn't be able to once I registered so we would be waiting until the last minute of the last day. I couldn't risk being seen and taken by any of the Duke's men before I could test.
I still wanted to look around so I did my best to convince Sir Verret that I would be careful. He, very reluctantly, agreed. Rebecca and I remained dress as minor noble's maids after having him purchase some dresses that were made from less expensive materials. It was easier to hide as something that we knew.
As we walked around I was amazed at everything I saw. The crowded market square with the shouts of street vendors, the main street lined with the more expensive shops, and the fountain near the center where the Tower was the most visible kept me entertained. There were even Magi doing a small show at the Fountain. Using just a few magic circles they managed to create water dragons that flew through circles of flame and birds made of wind that would carry messages to the crowd. It was amusing even if the circles weren't very practical.
With my curiosity sated, and still no strange events of muggers or thugs approaching me, I returned to the inn to wait for the test date. I'm really disappointed in some of those books.
The next day, two hours before the last bell, Sir Verret escorted me to the site dedicated to testing prospective applicants. The line was incredibly short at this point as only those who were late or studied until the last minute would show up now. Mage Reginald said that some Magi would look down on you for not being punctual but for the most part it wasn't considered during the exam.
I wasn't wearing my disguise anymore because no one would simply believe that a humble maid had the exact same name as the renowned princess of the House of Arkesh. Our house name can only be used by the main family as branch families would often take on titles and names that were bestowed by the Duke or the King. So my hiding was over.
My figure drew the attention of anyone who took the time to even glance at me. The deep burgundy hair indicative of the Marquis Brighton and my striking violet irises with flecks of silver showing the heritage of Arkesh were obvious now. I carried myself with poise and grace because, even if I had done this against my father's wishes, I still didn't want to bring shame to House Arkesh.
I signed up and was immediately shown to a room that had been set aside for the written portion. There were a few other applicants who had come in before me and were waiting for the test proctor to tell them to begin.
Collecting a test paper and the provided pencil I made my way to one of the empty single desks. There was a magical divider around each desk to prevent any cheating and allowed the instructors to see in but not the applicant to see out. I found the pseudo isolation actually comforting as it kept me from being distracted by the curious gazes of others.
I answered all the questions as quickly as I could, only struggling on two but still managing to think of an answer that might work with the limited runes they provided.
When I stood up to indicate that I had completed the test the divider surrounding my seat disappeared and a runic circle moved my papers to the front desk. I noticed that no one else had completed theirs yet but they had no way of knowing I had finished. Was I too hasty in answering the test?
There's no point in dwelling on that as the paper has already been submitted. I moved on to the next area and sat down to wait for the proctor.
The examinees slowly began to trickle in as they completed their written portion. Those that arrived not long after me, and there was only a few, seemed confident in their results. Everyone else had pale faces or expressions of doubt. The longer it took someone to arrive, the worse their face looked.
I expected the next portion of the test to be a trial that would test my physical abilities as well as my knowledge of runes and circles but it was much simpler than that. We were placed in booths that had a half-wall with an opening that looked directly down a lengthy narrow hallway. In front of the half wall and attached below it, just out of sight, was a target. Our goal was to protect the target as increasingly difficult runic circles would try to attack it. Every time a new set of circles would form they would slowly move forward. When the target was hit, even a little, you were finished.
I managed to block a total of thirty seven circles before a set of four joined circles released several targeted and delayed attacks of differing elements. I blocked a good portion of it but a hit was still a hit. I'm not sure how my competition did but I was happy with my results even if I didn't pass.
Sir Verret escorted me back to the inn when my test was finished, where I was met by my father and several knights.
My freedom was over.