The walk to the Auditorium was thankfully uninteresting and minus a few people wanting to pet Tashi- who were kindly told no- we got there without much struggle.

Tashi led me to a seat that was out of the way when he didn’t see anyone he or I knew, then we sat and got ready to wait for everything to start. 

Today was the first day for new students and returning ones, as well as brand new teachers that graduated two years ago. Today was also for sorting First years into their Towers. 

Today the main four cardinal Towers were being filled. StoneRose Academy had a total of 32 Towers for every point on a compass rose, because at any given time the Academy housed over a million people for any number of reasons.

But the most important event of the school year and of a young Magic Users life was; The Familiar Summoning.

I smiled, fighting a full body wiggle, rubbing behind Tashi’s ears to calm myself. This was so exciting! A Familiar of my very own!

Would they be big? Tiny? Furry? Smooth and scaly? An Original Creature? A Sub race? Would they get along with Tashi and Trixi? With me?

All around the room there were excited whispers and speculation on what would be Summoned. And it wasn’t just the new students but the staff too.

Because a Familiar was a part of your magic essence, a part of you. Some older families all had the same Familiar and used it to mark their family house. While others had a wide array of creatures that could be called, like in the old days. The first Witches and Wizards before other races could all practice Magic, when you had to go out into the world and form a bond or contract with an animal of Magic origin. Of the three ways to Summon, that one wasn’t in use unless you came from a really old family.

I wonder who or what I’d Summon? 

A hush fell over the room.

“Students, the Tower sorting will begin.” A voice called out, and the authority in her voice had even Tashi sitting straight. She must be the Crone. I realized. “Now remember, unless there are extenuating circumstances, you can not change Towers. Not even if your best best best friend is in a different Tower. You can’t change rooms unless all students in that dorm are in agreement or a staff member moves you. You can be moved in cases of emergency or in cases of state emergency where the townspeople will be brought in for their safety. Otherwise, keep your complaints to yourself.” 

She clapped her hands and a rush of power filled the room. Students oohed and awed.

“Going on, come up to the stage when your name is called then stand with your Tower group. Abell Armellia.”

Names were called down the list and students grew more and more excited. 

The Seiðr or as it was once called True Magic, it thrummed in the air, wrapping itself around me like the warmest hug. It bounced about like an excited child or a fawn in a meadow, boundless and free.

And it was here- always here- only no one was there to see it, to understand it, to remember it. 

A gentle caress stroked my cheek, a soft but firm reminder that I was not among that list. I couldn’t help my smile as I waited for me to be called, even if my nerves were starting to get the best of me.

Soon we got to the ‘M’s’.

“Nyx Manchineel.” The Crone called.

And just like that the excited atmosphere of the Auditorium shifted and with it the whispers started again. 

The once calm Seiðr, cracked like a whip through the air, my hair standing at attention, my ears ringing as the power felt like it was being sucked towards me as the Seiðr rushed to my aide against the scorn and hate that circled my name like a plague. 

Stiff upper lip. Momma always said, though now she sounded a little like Aethusa’s voice.

So I stood tall, taking Tashi’s lead, with a soft: “Up, Tashi.” 

Reeling in my emotions as best I could to try and calm both my own magic and that of the Seiðr, I stuffed everything into a box and closed it tight to deal with later.

Tashi stood with practiced grace leading me forward, placing himself between me and the students, with me by the back of the seats in the row in front of us. 

Between Tashi (who was used to the bullies) and a much calmer Seiðr, they guided me over legs purposely left or thrust in my way, and past unseen obstacles both magic and non. 

Only once did Tashi give a short sharp bark and a hip nudge which I knew meant someone had tried to make a grab at me. Fluidly I adjusted my stance, my stride, my grip on his lead and extended my white cane. While the Seiðr rippled out like a wall to stop the unwanted touch and we made our way from our seat down the aisle and up to the main stage, with the rest of the students of my group, the ones I’d be sharing a dorm Tower with while we studied here for the foreseeable future.

I walked with my head held high, no longer cowering like they expected, not hiding in a shame that was not mine to bear, a gentle expression on my face. I did all of this even as the whispers grew loud enough for me to hear. As they wove and wormed their way under my skin.

“She’s the Cursed One.” Someone said rudely.

“The Cursed Witch.” Another added on. 

“You know she’s one of His descendants.” Came the not so quiet remark behind me as I passed.

“I heard she was blinded because of His sins. And now can’t see the world He almost destroyed. I think it’s less than she deserves. She shouldn’t be here at all.” 

And they got worse, built in their crazy gossiping frenzy. Lies built on lies, fears built upon misunderstandings, jealousy grown through and through with envy. Even all these years later they were all the same, regardless of age or knowledge. I knew each word and lie and yet they each took a blow at my battle-worn armor.

“She’s a threat to my and everyone’s safety.”

“Yeah! Didn’t you hear what she did in her last school?”

The Seiðr crackled on its own in anger. 

Don’t let their words touch your heart. Papa told me as he often shielded me from their cruel words or their more commonly thrown objects. Once their words reach your heart they’ll have won, don’t let them win, Nyx. Don’t let them take you down.

I won’t. I promised, going up the short stairs with Tashi. I’ll show them I can be more than their words.

Once I was in the right spot thanks to the Seiðr's gentle nudging, I clipped Tashi’s lead to my belt loop then retracted my cane, leaving my hands free. I removed my hat, bowed at the waist with my hands palm up, arms half extended out, left leg bent, back straight.

I knew the Crone, the Maiden and the Matron were all bowing back to me as was tradition, before they each straightened and stood. I held my bow. 

“Nyx Manchineel, we recognize and accept you, into this Academy along with those that call it home.” The Maiden spoke softly but her voice was amplified for all to hear her decree.

My head dipped a tiny bit lower in acknowledgment. “As I recognize and accept you and this Academy and those that will call it home.” I answered back.

“Stand and join your group.” The Matron, stated to my right.

Dipping my head again, I stood replacing my hat feeling the brim flop slightly downward, there was a small chuckle from the Maiden. Oh for the love of Grim.

Tashi once again led the way and I was happy that all of my training for this moment showed that he knew what to do.

Going to stand with the group, I knew they had stepped away from me, the distance vast but not unknown to me. 

Stiff upper lip. I repeated.

“Trixi Moonchild.”

My head tilted up at the name, as the Seiðr thrummed again, its boundless energy contagious and joyful and I fought to keep the joyful smile off my face.

Trixi was here, xe were in my Tower group…. I let out a breath. Everything would be okay then.

Trixi made xyr way up the stairs, the slight bouncy skip in xyr step known, familiar and loved to my ears. The familiar tinkle of xyr earrings, the familiar spark of xyr magic as it brushed against my skin.

Xyr voice strong, confident and sure as xe said the words of Acceptance, for all to hear.

“Stand and join the group.” The Matron said back.

And now the skip in xyr step was clearer as xe made xe way straight to my side.

“Hiya, Starshine.” Xe whispered gleefully. I could practically see xyr beaming smile.

The Seiðr chimed and it always left me questioning how no one could hear something so loud, something so profound.

Smirk sliding into place at xyr silly- cherished- nickname for me. “Hey, Moony.” I answered back.

Xe touched my pinky with xyr own, curling- holding me- grounding me. Xyr presence calmed the Seiðr like it always did. 

Tashi sat obediently, even though I knew he couldn't wait to greet Trixi himself. But he settled for putting my lowered hand on top of his head.

More names were called to the stage but my focus was quickly stuck on Trixi and xyr calming magic as I wove it around me, making Trixi snort lightly when I gave a bit of a former tug.

I lost myself in xyr magic and the touch of xyr Elven homeland.

Steps approached in front of us, three sets, snagging my attention. One gliding across the floor, one slow but steady and the last one with a limp that was missable if you didn’t know to look for it, or if you couldn’t hear it in my case. That meant it was the Maidan, the Matron and the Crone. 

“Students of the Northern Tower,” The Crone began. “today many of you turn seventeen within the next few minutes as many more do throughout the month, as tradition you will be Summoning your Familiars. This is a sacred ceremony to our culture and those that came before you. As many of you know, a Familiar is an extension of yourself and the embodiment of your magic and Soul. 

“Your Familiar will take the form that best mirrors that. It may be the same as your family houses or it might not be. There is no wrong Familiar. And no there is no way to change what they look like unless your Familiar is capable of Transformation. Understand that they are real and living. They eat, they feel, they grow. Under no circumstances are you to abuse them or harm them. Any news of this will result in your immediate expulsion from the Academy forcing us to Act. You’ll be stripped of not only your magic but your Familiar.” She stopped speaking but I had the impression that she was glaring at those gathered to let her point sink in. “If you understand then students of the Northern Tower, when you’re ready, begin Summoning.”

All around me excited students began channeling power and calling forth their Familiars, cheers and over eager voices rushed my sensitive ears. The Seiðr sparking, bounding around the stage as so many peoples power coated the area.

“Ready, babe?” Trixi asked, nudging my hand.

A stupid flushing heat rose to my cheeks. “Yes, you go first. I don’t want to take the chance of anything happening to anybody.” I said even as my own power longed to be freed from its restraints.

“Oh, good point.” Xe hummed thoughtfully. “Well, I’ll tell you when everyone’s about done.”

“Thank you.” And stepped back from them. Exactly four feet back. 

“Right-ho!” Xyr power spiked washing over my skin like sunlight coming through the trees. Like warm soup on a cold day. Like sitting in front of a crackling fire with a good book. Warm, pleasant and safe. 

I knew by xyr pleased little hum and the happy ripple of xyr magic that was added a moment later, that xe had successfully Summoned xyr Familiar. A second later a crack sounded and xe gasped.

“Oh! A Brownie! Well hullo you.” They greeted each other happily.

When done welcoming xyr Familiar, Trixi nudged my hand again and I took that as the go ahead that everyone was distracted with xyr own Familiars and that I could start to summon mine. 

Patting Tashi’s head, he took note of my ‘stay here’ signal while I lifted my hands, cupping them together in front of me.

Now the hard part.

My power wiggled and squirmed within my ironclad grip, within the shackles and behind its bars. Concentrating I slowly unclenched the tight hold on my magic. Ignoring every single rule ever drilled into me since I was old enough to understand- keep it hidden, keep it under control- and I let go so only a tiny- tiny fraction was freed. 

Just a little itty bit. That couldn’t hurt anybody.

My magic and the Seiðr flared, wild and alive, fighting for full control, fighting for a freedom I couldn’t give to either side.

Reflexively, I clamped my hold back down, snuffing my power like a candle wick. 

You're too dangerous. 

Too untrained. 

Keep a better hold on it or you'll kil-