The rest of the morning raced passed Ethana at an alarming rate.  She broke her fast with Sophie in the guest bedroom, and then asked a few of the maids to help her with the young girl.  Sophie was to be cleaned, her hair cut, and her nails trimmed.  She also had Cipriana, measure the young girl for clothes.

Cipriana, though only thirteen years of age, was one of the most accomplished seamstresses in the household.  She made all the servants’ clothes and helped Ethana and Anne when they needed a few gowns made in a hurry.  When going to ask the Cipriana for her assistance, Ethana was more than certain the girl would jump for the opportunity to come up with four pretty dresses for their new ward, and much to her delight, she was not mistaken.  For at least two and a half hours, Sophie and Cipriana went over dress ideas as Ethana sat back to write up the week’s menu.

With dress designing and menu creating complete, Ethana felt she should discuss the matter of education with Sophie.  With Henry’s assistance, Ethana and Sophie were able to sit outside by the creek.  The sun was hung high in the translucent blue sky and the air was clean and fresh.  “Sophie,” Ethana breathed in the warm scent of honeysuckle, “can you read?”

Sophie blinked her shock.  She had no idea they were coming outside to discuss reading.  Truly, what was the point of existing under the happy sky if you weren’t going to enjoy it?  “Yes… well, no.  I mean, I can read little words.  Laveda taught me some.”

Hoping that was enough to satisfy Ethana’s question, she looked back at the creek.  She watched the foam form over the stones and wondered if the water was cool or warm.  She closed her eyes and listened to the sweet trickle and the murmur of the stream.  She loved everything about being in the sun and so close to nature.  She felt free.

Ethana watched as Sophie seem to drink in her surroundings.  She took notice of every flower, and every tree.  She feasted on the air itself and began to glow in the sunlight.  She looked as if she had never before felt the sun’s long and loving fingers. Before now, Ethana hadn’t given much thought to the way Sophie lived her life. She began to wonder just how long the girl had been cooped up in the brothel she called home.  Perhaps, the lessons could wait another day.  Feeding the soul was just as important, if not more, than feeding the mind.

Ethana smiled, and leaning back in the grass, decided to show Sophie how to spot animals in the clouds above.

Haru could not believe what she was reading.  A letter from Anne?  Surely, she should run to Indira immediately, but then what of this girl?  Should she carry her along to Indira as well, or take her to see Ms. Godwin?  Oh, what should she do?

“Ma’am, I don’t mean to be rude, but will ya take me or no?  I’m sure I can find the way on my own.  But it’d be nice if ya’d at least point the way.”

Haru looked at the girl but didn’t really see or hear her.  A few more moments passed before she spoke.  “Do you know Anne de Ranger?”

“Nope.  I know ‘er family though.  They’re takin’ care of my sister.  Nice people they are.”

Puzzled by her answer, Haru was even more confused than before.  Her head began to throb slightly and knowing her indecision would only make it worse, she decided to take the girl to the teacher.  Besides, it wasn’t as if she couldn’t go to the de Ranger’s afterward.  “I shall show you the way.  It isn’t too far off but can be as difficult as Minotaur hunting if one takes a wrong turn.”

Laveda hadn’t the slightest idea what a Minotaur was or why anyone would wish to seek one, but as she and Haru made their way through town, she began to think the animal was either very elusive or merely difficult to locate.  There were so many twists and turns to be make, and at every turn, a new row of shops; she had no idea how she would find the school again once they arrived.  At first, Laveda tried to remember the names of the stores or boutiques where she would need to turn, but after the fourth or fifth turn, though she remembered their names, she no longer remembered whether she was to turn left or right.  Clearly frustrated, now, and a bit scared, she looked back the way they had come and urged her brain to recall the lost information.

“Um… miss,” Haru called to her.  When Laveda appeared not to have heard, she then cleared her throat.  “Eh-umm, miss… Laveda.  Please follow; we are almost there.”  With the turn of yet another corner and a stroll down a rather short street, they came to a stone wall with a narrow wooden door no taller than six feet high.  Next to the door was an old beat-up wooden sign which read ‘Open this door and soon you will know, the larger world and the keys it holds’

“This is the school,” Laveda asked her companion with a skeptical sideways glance.  When Haru didn’t reply, Laveda began to mumble to herself.  “Made of stone… no windows… one little door?  Looks more like a prison te me.”

“Shh!  I am trying to listen for the riddle.”

“Riddle?”

Haru raised her hand to silence the girl; just as she did so, a beautiful male voice wafted down to them from above, “I’m everywhere you are.  And everywhere you go.

But only those who seek me, will ever truly know.”

The voice was melodious and dripped of honey sweet.  Never before had Laveda heard such a lovely masculine voice.  She looked to see where it had come from, but there was no one on the street with them, and she couldn’t for the life of her see so much as a hole in the wall from which someone could see them.

When man had finished his rhyme, there was a silence unlike any other.  It was as if even the wind dared not provide an incorrect reply.  Nervously waiting, Laveda tried her best not to breathe too loudly; afraid she would not be allowed to enter.  Suddenly, an even lovelier voice fluttered gently on the air as a butterfly rising and falling on the breeze.  In the beginning, Laveda had no clue where it was coming from, but then turning to ask Haru revealed the source.

“You are everywhere I am

And everywhere I go.

I do plan to seek thee,

I truly wish to know.

I think you are knowledge

And if that be the key,

Please do allow the entrance

Of my guest and me.”

Haru’s beautiful soprano soared to the top of the brick wall.  Laveda, enchanted, glanced around to see if the other person would reveal themselves.  However, when something did occur, she was slightly disappointed.  She wasn’t exactly sure what she expected, but when the small wooden door flung outward, and there was no sign of anyone, she was a little put out.

“Well, here we are,” Haru gestured to the door.  “We must not dawdle; I have a shop to run.”  She then, quite gracefully in her floor length sage dress, crossed the threshold of the school.  Laveda followed, tentatively.

Upon entering, Laveda saw several acres of land with a huge building in the center.  The grass was a wonderful emerald and was slightly rolling in the breeze.  There were not many trees or flowers along the outer rim, but as one looked to the building, they could see that there were many weeping willows, and a few other trees Laveda could not name from this distance.  The magnificent building was made of the same stone used on the outer wall they’d just entered.  It had two grand towers and a winding drive leading to the front.  Laveda had seen sketches of the royal palace and though it too had towers, this building seemed warmer, more inviting than the royal abode.

Haru was moving toward the small dirt road before them and began to wait.  She knew upon entering, the academy would be notified, and a carriage would be sent.  Normally, when school was in session, the keeper of the gate would open the door to all of the students.  Inside the students would see a great line of carriages, each waiting to carry its share of pupils up to the school.  Now, however, during its season of closure, a visitor would have to answer a riddle in the way which it was given and then wait for a ride.  Standing patiently, Haru watched Laveda and smiled at her awe of the place.

Laveda could not believe such a place existed.  She knew now she would have never found it on her own, and if perchance she had, she wouldn’t have been able to answer a riddle to get inside.  She looked again to the wall behind her and tried to find the person who had asked the riddle.  She couldn’t see any holes in the wall, nor could she see anyone sitting atop the stone barrier.  Trying to uncover the magic which could hide an entire person from view, Laveda nearly missed the soft sound of horse hooves on the path.

“Come Laveda,” Haru called. “Here is our ride.”

Laveda turned to see a carriage no different from the ones seen every day at the market, black with four wheels and one driver.  There was absolutely nothing extravagant or special about it whatsoever.  To be truthful, she thought to herself, she had seen more impressive carriages at the dock.  Shrugging off this bit of information, Laveda climbed in, after her guide.

As they wound their way up the path to the school, the carriage gently rolled passed a play area, and then a small stream.  Feeling as though she were a tour guide, Haru, pointed out these features as well as a few others to Laveda.  “The stream runs through this area and provides irrigation for the many gardens of Constantine Manor.  It also provides us with water to drink and clean.”

Not wishing to feel stupid, Laveda dared not ask what Constantine Manor was, and therefore remained silent.

“If you look outside the window to your left, my right, you might catch a glimpse of the amphitheatre.  It is just behind the manor.”

Slowly but surely they made their way up the path and the drive to the front of what Laveda now knew was called Constantine Manor.  When they climbed from the carriage, they stood before an immense stairway which swept down from two very large wooden doors and an enormous porch.  Haru took Laveda lightly by the elbow, and together they climbed the steps.