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Thessa turned to see the female staring at her. “Hi?” she asked it like a question, screwing her necklace back together.
“Hi, I’m Leora, Leora Saint Jamith. What’s your name?”
“I’m Thessa.”
“You smell divine, I love lavender.”
Thessa tucked the pendant underneath her tunic. “Thank you, but it’s not meant to be perfume.”
“I see that,” Leora answered. “Well, you’re welcome to rest, I just didn’t think you could over this tumultuous tale—” Leora cocked her head towards the males while widening her eyes.
“I suppose you’re right.” Thessa extended her voice across the cabin. “It’s hard to relax with all this jabber about sea serpents.”
Rhetter stuck his tongue out at Thessa.
Thessa countered with the same.
Leora and Noam cackled.
On their journey south, Thessa learned more about Leora, while tuning out the males. To her relief, Leora had no problem weaving their conversation.She said she was from Captiva, a southern port city on the eastern continent which specialized in trade. Her father was in the business of exporting steel—Thessa smiled at that part—and her mother owned a small business for naming stars.
Silver lined Leora’s eyes at the first mention of her parents. She gave endless details about them, especially their love for each other.
Leora went on to say that during her final semester at Chrisnol Academy, northern Gravenport’s private boarding school, she received a letter from her parents. They’d sent word to expect their arrival at the local dock in time for her Commencement Ceremony.
“I wasn’t sure why it was taking them so long. I thought maybe the trade winds slowed their trip. I know Elemental captains are only so strong, but my dad would’ve tapped into his power. He could’ve helped.” Leora went on to tell Thessa she thought they’d still make it in time, that they’d be there when she walked across the stage, and their vessel was just late. The way Leora had explained it, Thessa could tell hope was still radiating inside her.
Leora continued, “After the ceremony, I ran in circles looking for them, but they weren’t there. I found the chancellor and told her they were missing. I told her to find them, to do something!”
Leora took a deep breath before starting again, in a quieter, more somber tone. “She relayed my message to city guards, who investigated with local dock workers. There’d been no record of anyone with my surname arriving in any of Gravenport’s docks for months.”
Thessa sighed. “I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do or say.”
Traveling by sea for trade, school, or leisure was common, but despite all forms of magic, the seas were beyond the control of their goddess. They were as formidable and unpredictable as their ruler and god, Poseidon.
Without access to her family or accounts, Leora had the same options as any other orphan once they completed secondary school. A work-and-board ticket. The program was established in Andera for any witch in need, like them.Leora’s chancellor had arranged for her private transport to the Central Divinity early this morning.
“I accepted the ticket because I wanted to escape, at least for a little while. I sent a letter to my aunt across the seas, and I’ve been praying.” Leora placed a hand over her heart, “Praying my parent’s vessel will find a dock … and that they’ll find me. And until then, here I am.”
Thessa couldn’t blame Leora for running or longing.
Despite the shadows of grief dancing under Leora’s eyes, she said, “The goddess has helped. I’m working toward replacing my sorrow with hope. Hekate guided me to this very seat, next to you, to Mabelton.” Leora patted the upholstered bench beside her hip. “I know the goddess has her purpose for me.”
Hours into their ride, the horses whinnied as the carriage slowed. Thessa peered out her curtain to see soldiers, indicating they’ve arrived at the checkpoint between the northern and southern territories.
5
LECTURE NOTES FROM SPELLCASTING AND CURATION:
A pentagram must be drawn in one continuous stroke and contain the spellcaster’s blood. For best results, apply the mixture directly to the skin above the heart.
Thessa blew out a sharp breath aimed for the stray hair tickling her eye. Her hands were preoccupied under the suds, as they had been for the past few weeks. Professor Shovak would’ve laughed had he known she traded her calloused, soot-coated fingers for pruned, supple things.
Kitchen duty was not what she’d envisioned as her future work placement, but it turned out there was a hierarchy for preferred positions in Mabelton’s work-and-board program. The tradition was that newcomers received housekeeping roles.
The days had been monotonous, and the weeks had passed slowly. Work wasn’t difficult, but it was laborious.
Leora had been assigned laundry duties so they hardly saw each other, despite being roommates. The house matron had taken easily to Leora, and the two witches roomed across the hall—Ivy and Beatrix—were always knocking for her. Thessa wasn’t sure what life in the townhouse would’ve felt like without her; she’d been a beacon of good energy.