Before her the mountains, which were sharp-edged like the teeth of a predator, pierced the settling sun, and among the highest and steepest cliffs was Eryndor Academy, an ageless bastion. Rhea Frost swelled with the anticipation of magic as she walked the steep winding pathway toward the gates of the academy. The evening hours came upon her, stretching away from her body like they were being drawn by the mountain itself, Rhea advanced.
At the end of the path were the academy; and modern iron gates, each depicting emblems of the six elemental houses; the houses of fire, water, earth, air, shadow, and storm. The surface of the gates radiated faint, magical energy but its general effect was both welcoming and warning.
As she leveled toward the gate Rhea momentarily looked into the perfect polish of the gate for her reflection. Her striking silver-blue eyes turned into a worry. The sunk–in tortoise brows of Rhea were framed within her black hair which was normally stretched back and tied up; however, after the exhausting travel, remained loose, many strands scattered in the wind, as it climbed along the mountain slants. In comparison with her black robe which made her even fairer, Rhea was sulking in the heavy wool as the fittings of the garment hugged her slim physique. Rhea, it was true, had always been of a wiry build but leaner, and tougher than her frame suggested when there was a need for one to be so bearing a power as dreadfully unliked as that she harbored.
Inhaling steadily, Rhea put her palm on the gate. At the very instance the fingers of her hand touched the freezing metal, the engravings became animated with a brief glow right before the gates jerkily swept open, allowing Rhea to step inside Eryndor Academy.
Inside the gates was an expansive courtyard that had a flooring of interlaced square tiles of black and white, the patterns of which made dizzying visual images whenever one stared at it for a while. The structure of the academy was built of rough black stones that looked as if they were cut from the mountain where it stood, and the pathways were lined with lamps that flickered and cast moving shadows on the walls.
A couple of pupils stayed on the outskirts of the courtyard; their muffled voices carried away by the breeze. Rhea knew they were watching her critically and was all too aware of their intent stares. She returned their looks without flinching, keeping every sign of her vulnerability at bay. Why she was in this place was a riddle, one she did not fully get, but she wasn't going to let it hover above her.
Breaking the stillness, someone spoke. "You must be the new Convergent."
Rhea faced the voice, a girl with silver hair and scrutinizing eyes. She wore a small grin, arms folded while carelessly resting on a pillar. Her skin was dark and without blemish, and her eyes were mischievous but deep at the same time.
"Name's Lena," the girl said after a short pause and turned her head to the side. "House of Storms. I would have said that it's a pleasure to meet you, but somehow you seem to be the type of person who will not quite last for long."
Rhea arched an eyebrow at the last statement, wondering whether it was a compliment or an insult. "Rhea. House of…" she started but stopped when she remembered that she had not been given a house. She possessed both stone and shadow which was a rather bizarre combination. Which house could even possibly keep her?
"Ah," Lena said, a glint of mischief in her eyes, "Undecided, I hear you. Well, Eryndor does enjoy a good mystery." She unstuck herself from the wall with fluidity and grace and offered Rhea her hand. "Come on. You will want me to help you. And, not to mention," she said with a playful smile, "the other houses are a bit more… over the top."
Rhea took her hand and Lena ushered her across the courtyard, along one of the side corridors. The atmosphere crackled with magic, a low thrum emanating from the stones beneath them that reverberated in her chest with the cadence of a heartbeat.
They passed students who had embellished their robes with pins or sashes showcasing their respective houses. Red for Flame, blue for Tides, green for Stone, silver for Winds, black for Shadows, and violet for Storms. Rhea watched as a few of them muttered under their breath while passing her, avoiding her gaze when she turned to look at them.
Lena directed her up a circular staircase to the student quarters, which encircled a huge room that was filled with many candles and the images of several great Convergence wizards – mages that apparently passed their trials, graduated, and became free to use their powers.
"Your room's up here," Lena said, stopping in front of a wooden door that had a small, engraved symbol on it – a rough piece of rock that was almost covered in darkness. "I suppose they managed to depict both your elements in one picture."
Rhea caressed the design with her fingertips and could feel the magic resonating inside it. Her two elements were present within. The weighty, firm one of stone and the light, fluid one of shadow. A weird mix it was, one which seemed to bother other people, but she didn't yet know why.
"Thank you," Rhea immediately addressed Lena.
"Oh! come on", Lena shrugged looking all too pleased. "It was nothing. It is for you to thank House Storms." That was after another pause as she looked at Rhea with a serious look. "But you should be cautious. Eryndor is not as it looks. And the people are not any different."
And before Rhea could inquire concerning their meaning, Lena offered a wink and turned around, going down the staircase. Rhea gazed at the retreating girl, intrigued with whatever else was there in the girl other than the playful side. There was a feeling that Lena was concealing a great deal.
Rhea pulled the handle of her bedroom door to open it and walked into the room. It was a small room but it was nicely designed and had walls made up of stones made of heating materials with a single window stationed directly at the view of mountains. The room only had a simple arrangement of a bed, desk, and wardrobe, but the tiny silver mirror hanging on the wall was what galvanized her attention on all corners of the room.
She moved toward it slowly, too, looking at the surface to see herself in it. Her own silver-blue eyes met her gaze, with strange emotions resting behind them. She had always been told that she took after her mother – albeit less fiercely for motherhood's eyes had a softer tint. Her father had insisted that Rhea's irises resembled a mountain's peak, chilly and implacable at dusk.
Rhea fingered the framed peculiarity of the mirror and felt a faint shimmering beat - as if a magic pulse or aura dwelt under her skin. The silver seemed to shine and for an instant, a vision enthralled her – a shadowy stone column with engravings on its surface; the vision was of a column somewhere deep in the midst of darkness. The vision faded away as fast as it had appeared, forcing her back to face her normal reflection.
A knock on the door interrupted her line of thoughts. In the doorway stood a tall man with a look of steady intensity and penetrating scrutiny directed towards her. He wore the mantle of one of the teachers and his sash was made of the colors of stone.
"Rhea Frost?" he inquired with a deep, resonant voice.
"Yes," she said, lifting her spine.
He shook his head and gave her a sidelong glance that was barely mild. "I am Master Caelum, the most important teacher on stone magics for you. Orientation will take place in the Grand Hall tomorrow at dawn. Be on time."
Rhea nodded and diverted her attention back to him, noting how he studied her with an almost unwelcome zeal. His gaze lowered to her eyes and for some reason she felt that he recognized something from the look on his face, even if he kept his mouth shut.
"Your bond with the shadows," he spoke, choosing his words carefully. "It is… something quite rare here. Be wary. People who play with shadows tend to get trapped in it." Rhea held his gaze, the resolve in her eyes unwavering. "I know the dangers, Master Caelum."
He nodded his acceptance of her explanation. "Very well. Rest, and prepare for what lies ahead. Eryndor does not tolerate weakness." He then faced away from her and walked out of the chamber, the sound of his footsteps fading could be heard from the corridor.
Rhea secured the door behind him, thinking furiously. She was after all there, inside the Eryndor Academy, amidst people with abilities as powerful and uncommon as hers. And still she felt as though she was at the brink of a vast cliff, peering down into an unfathomable depth.
Tomorrow was the day. The day when she shall finally start her training. And with it, the questions she bore all her life- her powers, her family, the very purpose of the academy might be answered.