Page 13 of Elemental Affections

“You’re really good at this,” Dae said. “The university must love you.”

Eunny gave an uncomfortable shrug. “I have help.”

“Take the compliment, Eun.” Dae stepped into the carriage before her friend could point out that Dae, too, was terrible at accepting praise.

The trip by horse, even one pulling a carriage, went by quickly with the road drying out. Dae marveled at the weathered gray walls and metal-reinforced wooden gate as they passed through Sylveren’s entrance. The university’s courtyard opened up to a large, castle-like main building capped by a silvery dome. Paved streets ran in either direction, skirting decorative gardens and creating thoroughfares of residential-looking buildings and distinctly themed quadrants. One area held a cluster of towers, while another encompassed a building of blue and gray bricks and the white and gold stained-glass windows denoting a House of Syvrine, the Goddess of Light. Farther out was a grouping of greenhouses situated around a multilevel wooden house that itself grew up, out of, and around a massive Valley maple tree.

Dae peered around, curious to know which of the buildings housed the water magic department.

Eunny stepped down from the carriage and turned her face toward the stiff breeze. She breathed in deep. “I know we’re just up the road, but I swear the air feels different here.”

“How long will you stay?” Dae asked as she retrieved her bags.

“Just enough to make the delivery and show you around however much you want.” Eunny carefully stacked her crates on a small handcart. “Otherwise, I’ll see if the stables will let me take one of the ponies back to town.”

Dae followed Eunny toward the main building’s entrance as her friend explained the varied modes of transportation between the school and town. She noted the location of the stables and learned that, while many made the couple of miles trip on foot, one could rent a horse and ride or go by carriage for a modest fee. Business between the university and Sylvan was consistent enough that one could find a ride going either direction with little fuss.

After leaving Eunny to trundle off to the grovetenders’ greenhouses, Dae made her way into the main building. Registration went smoothly, Dae confirming her scholarship information and first term’s schedule. The young man handling her paperwork gave her a map and reminder about housing payment being due at the end of the week before moving on to the next student.

Tucking away the bud of anxiety spawned by his comment, Dae followed signs to the mailroom, more to familiarize herself than from expectation of having received anything.

“Key or magic?” the clerk at the desk asked.

“Um…” Dae hesitated before offering up, “Magic?”

The clerk checked a logbook, then held out a small stamp pad. “Just your thumb, please. You’re box five-hundred sixty.”

Pressing her thumb against the pad, it came away with a light dusting of translucent, glittery powder. Dae found her assigned box, though sheepishly had to ask for instructions on how to open the thing.

“Spark of light at the keyhole.” The clerk demonstrated, rubbing thumb and forefinger briskly together in something like a snap, a small crackle of golden light bursting from their fingertip before winking out. “Only a spark, though. Too much magic messes with the locks.”

Flustered as she was, it took Dae two tries, but she managed to call a pinpoint of light close enough to the keyhole to trigger the unlocking mechanism. The dust on her thumb vanished in a puff of glittery smoke as the small mailbox door, no taller nor wider than the palm of her hand, popped open to reveal a single letter. Dae stared at it, surprise morphing into a bubble of hope. The timing might’ve worked out if the letter had traveled from Central on one of the faster boats. Itcouldbe from her parents, agreeing to transfer some funds. Perhaps her financial woes were all for naught.

Dae’s budding hope was immediately dashed upon seeing the university logo embossed on the envelope’s back flap. She grumbled to herself as she went back outside, dragging her bags while trying to read the letter. It was ridiculous to have thought that her parents would have a change of heart so soon, or for Calya to have discovered anything like empathy. She was annoyed at herself for having hoped for it and annoyed at how crestfallen she felt. Her family had shown how little regard they had for her wants and dreams. Dae knew this yet still cared too much, even as she tried to convince herself that she didn’t.

The letter was brief but immediate in its effect, the rain and wave emblem of the water department driving out Dae’s morose thoughts. The note was written in small, precise script, inviting Dae to meet once she was settled. Signed with a simpleM. Vaadt.

“What’s that?” Eunny waited outside, her empty handcart tucked under her arm.

“An invitation to meet Professor Vaadt.”

“A scholarship meeting?” Eunny asked as she wrestled away Dae’s bags and put them on the cart.

“I’m not sure. It just says welcome to Sylveren and to come by when I’m free.” Dae perused her orientation paperwork. “Where is Vanas House?”

“That’s where you’re rooming? Nice. Most of those units are singles, upper Adept levels and early Magister’s. It’s next to the Grove,” Eunny said, leading the way past the greenhouse complex to the wooden buildings built in harmony with the huge tree. It was an ethereal maple, the likes of which Dae had never seen, with leaves in a variegated mix of red and gold. They appeared to give off intermittent, tiny dots of light that floated up before dissipating into the sky. Dae had never wished more for a knack for earth magic and an excuse to live in the beautiful tree.

Eunny helped Dae find her room—a clean if spare single unit with a plain bed and desk—and then gave her a quick tour of Sylveren’s main campus.

“The Dome is adminnie on the main floor, core Initiate levels classes on the upper levels. The Towers are all the elementalists, except for earth, since they have the Grove. House of Syvrine is light; the Den is the basement levels below it, and that’s the shadow set. Residence halls scattered around.” Eunny pointed out each department’s area as she spoke.

Dae’s head spun as she tried to keep track, scribbling notes onto her campus map. Her hand shook slightly as she made the annotation for the Towers. If all the elements were there except for earth, would she see Ezzyn? Pass him in the halls, or … gods, Eunny had said Magister levels were in Vanas House as well. If they were neighbors—

You’re here to study. Calm yourself.

“Want me to help you unpack?” Eunny said, drawing Dae’s attention from her addled thoughts.

“I’ll be all right.” Dae gave her a weak smile. “You’ve done so much for me already. I think I’m going to head back and have a mild panic.”

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