"Eve of the Solstice" by Morgana Shee

Eve of the Solstice
by Morgana Shee
Part 2

        Morgana and Vulpecula strode out into the sunshine of a Findahl morning. The sky was a beautiful shade of pink and the air smelled of lavender. Morgana didn't know where they were going, but she knew she had to get as far away from Elwyn and her tea as possible. When Elwyn tried to act like a Finderlais, something was wrong.
        Morgana looked at Vulpecula beside her and said, "Do you think I'm going to do alright today, Vulpecula?"
        Vulpecula smiled at her as best a vixen could and said, "You'll do fine. I'm sure you'll win enough matches to even receive a Gold Staff!"
        Morgana pondered this. A Gold Staff, a real Gold Staff. She had only heard of people winning them. She had never seen one used before. They were the third most powerful of the Staffs behind the Black, owned my Darion Beldar, and the Red, the one Cadal was hoping for. To win the Gold Morgana had to win as many fights as she could. They were physical fights, but ones of cunning and sorcery. The better sorcerer would win. The games were presided over my one of the Weerul Council members, but today was extremely special. Darion Beldar had traveled all the was from Penia to oversee the games. He would most certainly judge the Gold Class, the one Morgana was in.
        Morgana swept up her skirts and walked faster. Beside her, Vulpecula gave a grunt, " What is wrong, Morgana? Do we have to walk this fast?"
        Morgana kept walking, "Vulpecula, I'm very nervous. I only hope I can beat Thia. She's been getting better as her sorcery."
        "But, mistress," said Vulpecula, calmly, "You are one of the best sorceresses in Weerien. Perhaps in all of Findahl. You have what it takes to wield the Gold Staff. You'll do fine if you just calm down."
        Morgana slowed. The morning was becoming warmer. They had come upon a fork in the rode. One path led to Weerin and the other led to Cadal's house. Since she was going to be taking the past to Weerin soon, Morgana decided to go visit Cadal and his mother, Talia.
        Vulpecula lagged behind which was odd for her. Morgana turned around to wait for her familiar when someone grabbed her from behind.
        Strong arms came around her waist and held her fast. Morgana's breathing quickened as she tried to turn around.
        "Morgana. Good morning!," said the voice behind her. It was like the wind blowing. The voice wrapped itself around her and tightened until she gasped. Seizing the moment, Morgana spun around to see her attacker.
        He had pale blue hair that shone in the morning sun like icicles. His eyes were the same color as Elwyn's hair: silver. He had a beautiful smile spread across his lips and a look in his eye that made Morgana shudder.
        "Hello, Aurin," she said, trying not to sound surprised. Every time she looked at him, he managed to take her breath away and he knew it. Aurin Silvereye was a Quislai, but not like other Quislais. He was quite intelligent...and was also a womanizer.
        "What brings you down this road, my lady?," he said, still grinning at her, "I thought the Circles were that way."
        Morgana smirked, "I'm going to visit Cadal if that's any of your business. Elwyn as at Fell Andred if you want her."
        "Who said anything about Elwyn?" he replied, his smile fading. Good, a sore subject, though Morgana. He needs his spirits deflated.
        Vulpecula came up beside Morgana, "Aurin, every Weerien knows that you have been courting Elwyn. You two are practically inseparable." She swished her tail madly.
        "Were inseparable, Vulpecula," said Aurin, emphatically, "We are not together anymore." His smile returned as he turned to Morgana. "I have my sights set on other women."
        Morgana scowled. Now Aurin was after her?! What was Findahl coming to? "I have to get to Cadal's now, Aurin. He's expecting me." It was a lie, but it was needed.
        Aurin bowed dramatically and said, "In that case, I shall see you at the Circles. It was a pleasure." He took Morgana's hand quickly, before she knew it, and kissed it. His lips lingered there as if trying to lock her scent into his memory.
        Morgana wrenched her hand free from his silky hands and scrubbed it off. Aurin laughed and disappeared.
        Vulpecula snorted, "Hmpf, Quislais. They think they know everything."
        Morgana chuckled at Vulpecula and started down the road again. Fell Forge was just ahead. Morgana could see it's beautiful limestone walls glittering in the sunlight. She was overtaken by memories. Cadal learning his first spell as Morgana watched in awe. Morgana skinning her knee on the marble steps and Cadal helping her up. She had grown up with him and now was their moment of truth, their once in a lifetime chance to win a Staff. After this, life would become less carefree. The winners of the Staffs must take on apprenticeships at Weerin ultimately to receive a seat on the Weerul Council. Morgana herself didn't want to be associated with those wind-bags, but it was a great honor and she would accept it.
        As Morgana and Vulpecula reached the steps in front of Fell Forge, the door opened for them. "Morgana! What a pleasant surprise!" The woman was slightly taller than Morgana and had the same beautiful grey eyes as Cadal.
        "Good morning, Talia! Is Cadal still asleep?"
        Talia Forge smiled sweetly and said, "He's been up since sunrise. I told my son that he was going to wear himself out, but he refused to believe me. I think he's down by the pond if you'd like to find him."
        Morgana smiled, "Thank you, Talia. I'm sure Cadal will do fine today. I still can't believe he made it into the Red Class, though. He's up to quite a challenge."
        Talia rubbed her hands on her apron, "That he is, Morgana. But Cadal is a very hard worker and I think he might just receive a Red Staff today if the time is right."
        "Yes, he just might," said Morgana, scratching Vulpecula's ear.
        "I'll make you some tea, Morgana and for you, Vulpecula, a pot pie!," said Talia, grinning. She knew Vulpecula loved pot pie, not matter what was put in it.
        Vulpecula trotted off with Talia and Morgana made her way around the house. Fell Forge was quite large for a Weerin castle. Cadal's father Cannon had built it when he married Talia. Cannon's brother Calain had also helped, but it still took three years to finish. But Cannon only lived in the house for six months for he was killed by the Wild Hunt two days after Cadal, his first and only son, was born. Morgana had been heart-broken the first time she heard the whole story. Talia had been so in love with Cannon, ever since they were children growing up together. She thought that if Morgana and Cadal grew up together they would marry too, but that looked like it wasn't going to happen.
        Morgana saw the pond before she saw Cadal. It was a brilliant blue, a reflection of the mid-morning sky. The wind played gently on it creating soft waves. Morgana heard a small pop and turned to see red smoke going up into the sky. A young man with hair the color of wine was smiling at his achievement.         "Cadal!," called Morgana. He turned and smiled at her. His grey eyes blazing with triumph.
        Cadal ran over to her, "Did you see that, Morgana?! I did a smoke spell in a very short amount of time! That will surely get me extra points today. How are you, my dear?"
        "I'm wonderful, but I'm also nervous. I was put in the Gold Class and to top it all off, Darion Beldar is judging it! I'm so scared that I'll make a fool of myself." She bowed her head.
        Cadal reached for her chin and brought her face up to his. He gently laid a kiss on her forehead, "You'll do a fantastic job, Morgana. And I'll be there cheering you all the way."
nbsp       "Oh, Cadal," said Morgana as she threw her arms around his neck. He replied by wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly. Morgana buried her face in his wine colored hair. Sandalwood. She would always remember that smell. She loved it. It was Cadal.
        Cadal detached her arms from his and held her out at arms length, "You are so powerful, Morgana. I know that you will beat your Class. Especially Thia Pendrial. You're the best sorceress there." He then turned back to the herbs he had spread out on the grass. He picked up a beautiful luminescent bud and carefully gave it to her.
        Morgana's eyes widened, "Malthrum! Where did you find this?!"         "From the edge of a Chaotic Zone. It's the most powerful healing herb in all of Findahl, and the rarest. I want you to have it. You may be able to save someone's life today." His grey eyes twinkled.
        "Thank you, Cadal." She put the tiny blue bud in her pocket, "Your mother said that she was making tea for up. We should go inside and help her."
        Cadal beamed at her, "A wise decision, my dear. You are so kind and caring, Morgana. I'm so glad that I'm able to call you my friend." With that he turned and started up for the house.
        Morgana watched him go up a little ways before she started up herself. As she watched his form glide up the slope, she wished she could have said how she felt about him.

Part 3