Chapter 3
Corinne lifted her hand and lowered it about five times before she finally knocked on the door to the High Priestess’s private study. An airy “Enter” sounded from within, and Corinne stepped inside, bowing quickly.
“Corinne, dearest,” Mother Creita said, standing from her desk in a fluid movement, her white and gold robes billowing around her. “I was just going to send for you.”
“You were?” Corinne asked, her feet heavy as she accepted the High Priestess’s invitation to sit at the chair before her desk.
Mother Creita followed suit, steepling her fingers in front of her nose as Corinne awkwardly adjusted the sword now at her hip.
“I’m sure today was a shock,” she said, her green eyes sparkling with understanding.
Her silvery hair was braided around her head like a crown, gold ribbons woven within. She, like many of the older Lightguards, aged more slowly than those without Helaera’s gift, but a few lines still peppered her beautiful face, a testament to her wisdom and experiences.
“I…” Corinne swallowed hard. “I am not ungrateful, Mother Creita, just…I want to make sure it wasn’t because of my…upbringing.”
“I worried you would think that,” Mother Creita said. “You have done remarkably well for having come to the monastery later than what is usual. You have overcome the circumstances of your childhood and hidden that past well. You’re exceptional, Corinne, and your assignment should reflect that.”
That damning pride rose in her chest again, and Corinne tamped it down. She didn’t know what the right response was, so she remained silent, and Mother Creita leaned back in her chair.
“The truth is, the Priestesses and I changed your assignment only this morning,” she said. “When we received word from Vytanos that the prince’s life has been threatened by Nightrenders.”
Corinne went rigid, blood freezing in her veins. “Nightrenders? Have they breached the Boundary?”
Mother Creita shook her head. “None who bear the dark magic themselves. But somehow a message made it through to the royal family. The safety of the Crown is paramount. We offered to assign guards to the king and queen as well, but they insisted we not call too much attention to it. We must, however, protect the heir of Ashera at all costs, and I would trust no one more with this task, Corinne.”
The knot in Corinne’s chest loosened, some of her disappointment fading. It wasn’t an assignment that would have her gazing at the seas or standing in the mountains every day, but Vytanos, she’d heard, was a beautiful city, the castle a marvel of their forebears’ ingenuity.
“I am honored by your faith in me, Mother Creita,” Corinne said, bowing her head.
“I’m glad to hear it.” The High Priestess stood once more, and Corinne did the same. “You report to Vytanos immediately. They will want you on duty as early as tomorrow morning.”
Corinne blinked. She had to leave now?
“The Attendants have already begun packing your things and preparing your horse.” Mother Creita went on, oblivious to Corinne’s dismay.
“You’re already fully dressed in your armor, so no need to change.
You may visit the dining hall before you depart, and I suggest you eat something—the journey to Vytanos is a several-hours’ ride. ”
She approached Corinne, who schooled her face into neutrality as the High Priestess took her hands.
“The royal family and nobles of Ashera are used to luxury and indulgence,” she said, sniffing.
“This is the first time they have allowed a Lightguard to be at court. You will not only provide protection, Corinne, but also be an example of how the Goddess wishes for us to live our lives. May Helaera guide you, child.”
“Goddess willing,” Corinne replied, forcing her voice not to tremble.
She bowed to Mother Creita again before taking her leave. Every part of her wanted to sprint back to her room and lock herself inside, but she kept her pace at a brisk walk until she found Vera waiting just outside the sanctuary.
“How did it go?” Vera asked, almost jogging to keep up with Corinne.
“I have to depart as soon as possible,” Corinne said, her voice hard.
“What?” Vera grabbed her arm, forcing her to slow down. “Why?”
Corinne stopped just as they reached the entrance to the dormitory.
“I don’t know if I can say,” she said quietly.
Vera’s face hardened. She glanced around to ensure no one would overhear before stepping closer to Corinne.
“Is this about the Nightrenders’ attempted breach of the Boundary?” she asked.
Corinne’s eyes widened. “You know about it?”
“They informed us earlier, before I came to retrieve you for the ceremony.” Vera frowned. “But what does that have to do with the prince?”
“There was a threat to his life,” Corinne said. “The royal family expects me there as soon as possible.”
Vera stared at her for a long moment.
“This is…this is such an honor, Corinne,” she breathed. “To entrust the heir’s safety to you against the threat of those shadow-wielding heretics.”
It was an honor. So why did Corinne feel so dismissed, so pushed aside?
“Mother Creita told me to eat before I go,” Corinne said, heading up the stairs. “But I don’t think I could eat right now if I tried.”
And, if she was honest with herself, she couldn’t bear the stares that would certainly follow her in such a crowded space.
Vera lingered at the base of the stairs, her eyes narrowing.
“What?” Corinne asked, pausing on the landing.
“Go get your things, and I’ll meet you outside the dining hall.”
“Vera, what are you—?”
But Vera had dashed off already.
Corinne sighed and climbed the next flight of stairs to the second floor.
The Attendants had indeed already packed her things, which wasn’t much, in truth.
A brown knapsack sat neatly on her immaculately made bed.
She peeked inside quickly to make sure they’d included her most precious item—a gold ring inlaid with opals along the band.
She pressed her lips to the cool metal and placed it safely back in her bag between an undershirt and her favorite pair of pants.
She wasn’t allowed to wear jewelry as a Lightguard, but they were kind enough to let her keep the ring that had belonged to her mother.
Memories of the night she’d died sometimes still plagued her nightmares, but Corinne had been ten years old at the time, and the terror had mostly faded.
The Lightguards were her life now, her family, her purpose, and she owed them everything.
They’d embraced her and trained her for fifteen years, and now it was time for her to repay that debt.
No tears. No feeling sorry for herself. Corinne hoisted the pack onto her shoulder and glanced around her room one more time.
Would a new little light mage arrive soon to claim this space for the next fifteen, twenty years?
Would they be an orphan, like many of them were, or brought here by parents with teary but dutiful farewells?
She hoped whoever they were, they weren’t a latecomer like she’d been. With a bracing inhale, Corinne turned and headed back outside.
Vera looked close to bursting with excitement when Corinne arrived at the dining hall entrance, smiling widely. Several Lightguards passed them, glancing at Corinne as they stepped inside. The noise from within grew and then faded once more as the doors closed.
“I’ve been given permission to ride with you to Vytanos on my way back to my post,” Vera said. “I can’t stay, obviously, but I figured it would be nice for you to have a—”
Corinne cut her off with a fierce embrace, and Vera returned it, patting her back.
“I grabbed a few rolls and two apples,” she said as Corinne released her, holding up a small travel pack. “Since you said you couldn’t eat now.”
Gratitude warmed her, and she couldn’t help a small smile. “Thanks, Vera.”
“Don’t mention it,” Vera said. “Come on, we ought to get going so you can arrive before nightfall.”
Just as Corinne’s belongings had been packed, a horse was indeed saddled and prepared for a journey. She was a gorgeous dappled gray mare who huffed when Corinne patted her neck.
She and Vera rode through the monastery, their horses’ hooves heavy on the dirt beneath them.
They passed by the main courtyard on the path leading to the exit, more wisteria climbing the limestone walls, and finally rode by the training grounds where younger classes of future Lightguards honed their skills.
A boy shot an orb of light at a dummy several feet away, and his companions cheered him on. An ache formed in Corinne’s chest.
As much as she’d wanted a post outside the monastery, she would miss this place, with its high walls and chiming bells and everyone united under a single mission.
A Lightguard stationed at the gate whistled, and the portcullis rose. The path into the forest stretched ahead of them.
The path to Vytanos.