*34*

We were given a week off for the solstice. Mystic rented a couple rooms at the local tavern, one for me and one for her and Fenin. Crae didn't join us, but had sent a couple gifts with Mystic to deliver. At the moment, we're enjoying a nice meal before opening the gifts. My room was provided with a small shrubbery, some twinkling lights gifted from the Fairies and some odd trinkets adorning it.

"Kyrene," I looked up, trying to focus back on the conversation. "You're spacing out again."

I sighed and pushed my plate aside. "I'm sorry, Mystic. I'm not really in the mood..."

"I bet we can change that." She smiled softly and set my plate aside. In its place, she set a small box before me. I carefully opened it and gasped.

Inside, nestled in some velvet fabric, was a pure white gem. I slowly pulled it out to examine it, feeling the soft energy it gave off.

"It's beautiful."

"It's a Healer's Stone," she explained. "From how it was explained to me, it amplifies the energy of healing spells. Of course, with your staff to help keep you from over exerting yourself, it can focus on providing a stronger healing aura."

"I'll add it to my staff as soon as possible." I set it aside as another box was set before me. A small oval disk sat at the bottom of the box. I pulled it out and examined it, finding a delicate latch. With a click, it opened. Two figures danced around a mirrored surface as soft music accompanied them. I stared, amazed, as the figures moved about the surface.

"That's one of the more popular songs composed in Fucrya." Fenin said as I lifted my gaze from the figures. "I was able to get it enchanted and put into a music box. So long as the lid is open, the song will continue to play."

"Thank you. It's gorgeous." I gently shut the lid and set it next to my gem.

"Um..." I looked up to see Mystic holding an object wrapped in plain brown paper. "This one's from him."

I hesitantly took it and looked it over. It's rectangular, kind of book shaped. I gently peeled the paper back and stared at the dark leather cover. The leather cracked as I opened the book to the first page.

"A Guide to Effective Healing: Spells, Potions, and Antidotes."

"Oh, that's a good one." Fenin leaned in to get a better look. "There were only ten copies made before the author passed. How did he find one in such great condition?"

I brought the book to my nose and sniffed. "It smells new, like it has never been touched before."

I clutched the book tightly to my chest. Erixsys was my teacher for healing when we were under the academy. Now that's he's gone, I can use this and the knowledge I already have from the healers to strengthen my healing magic. I might be able to get Striker's help with his new healing potions.

"Can you, um... tell him thank you for me?"

"Of course." Mystic said as I pulled out my gifts for them. I gave them each a seed from the tree I had been growing as well as a pendant forged with a small spell. I've moved up so fast in my magic lessons that I have been put into the second highest classes the academy offers. There, they've shown us how to infuse different items with magic to use for in case of emergency events. It's a long, taxing process, but I was glad to get them done before the break.

I've also been taught by Kriela that some Orelie are able to extract memories and in a sense copy the memory to keep on a smooth surface, be it a mirror or inside a locket of sorts. I held the small box to my person for a few extra moments, thinking about the memory.

It's the very first moment I cast my first spell and how happy and excited I was. I've put it in a small mirror to give to Crae. I originally wasn't going to give him anything, but it was done before I could realize what was happening.

I held it towards Mystic. "And... and this is for him."

"Are you sure?" All I could do was nod as she took it from me. "I'll be sure to get this to him. Anyway, let's get back to the festivities! The city is hosting a huge festival and we don't want to miss it." We gathered our winter wear, me tripling the amount, and headed out to join in on the fun.

The whole city was full of music, dancing, and merriment. It amazed me how some people could go around with only light layers of clothing. They didn't seemed bothered by the cold as they drank, danced, and praised the sun when it came out from behind the clouds.

I lost Mystic and Fenin in the crowd a couple times, but I wasn't always alone. I met up with Myla and Striker a couple times as the celebration reached an all time high. The streets were packed and we could hardly move through all the bodies to explore as much as we could.

I don't think I ever stopped smiling.

Even when the sky decided to open up and drop a snow storm on us, no one made a move to head inside. Myla and I caught a couple snowflakes on our tongues. We did eventually find a decent sized opening where we could stretch out a bit.

"Heads up!" Something wet and cold plopped into my face. I used my fire magic to slowly melt it off as Striker held his stomach, trying and failing to hold his laugh.

I popped my neck and held my staff out. "Oh, it's on."

"Wait, hold on! Magic is cheating-!" I conjured a large ball of snow over his head and dropped it, effectively turning him into a snowman. He shook his head to clear it, glaring at me.

"Not... cool..."

"Really?" I leaned on my staff. "Snow is pretty cold."

"Oh, ha ha! Very funny! Please let me out!" He grunted and wiggled as best he could to try and escape his snow enclosure.

"Hm, I don't know. Should I, Myla?"

She wheezed as she tried to compose herself. No words escaped her mouth as she shook her head as her loud laughter echoed around us. "Sorry, looks like a no."

"That's not fair! She can't even breathe because she's laughing so much!"

"Say you're sorry."

"I was just trying to have fun!" Myla fell to the ground and began hitting it as she laughed harder. Tears were starting to run down her face as her whole body shook. "You're not helping my case, Myla!"

I sighed to myself. "I probably should let you out. Having a cold is not fun." I used my water magic to slowly maneuver the snow off his body. He wrapped his arms tightly around himself once he was free, shaking slightly.

"I-I don't know ab-b-bout you guys, b-but I could go f-for a warm drink."

Myla took in a gasp of air as she stood shakily on her feet. "Yeah! Y-yeah, that sounds great!" We found a shop a little ways from the large crowd of people. There was a bit of a line, but we were able to get to the front fairly quickly.

"Th-three warms drinks, p-p-please." Striker set some money on the counter as the clerk smirked.

"Too much fun in the snow?"

"Payback," I said as I twirled my staff. "He got me in the face, I got his whole body." The clerk shook their head and prepared the drinks. A couple moments later, they were handed to us. The first sip was heavenly. I felt a surge of warmth fill my body as whatever was in the drink made me forget about the cold. Striker had already downed half his drink before I even got three sips in.

"Oh, yeah." He sighed heavily, a small puff of air coming from his mouth. "That's the spot. I feel better already! Anyway, I really was just trying to have fun. It's called a snowball fight."

"You got my face." I rubbed my still sore nose. "It hurt."

He chuckled. "Sorry about that. And sorry for nearly making you pass out from lack of air."

Myla waved him off. "Honestly, it was the greatest thing I'd ever seen."

"Glad I could make your day." We found a place to sit and listened to the celebrations around us. Despite how much I hate this cold weather, it is definitely something I can get used to. The people and the fun make it worth it. As long as I have this drink, I'll be perfectly fine.

"What even is this?" I asked when I got to the halfway point.

"Fire root tea." Striker replied. "It's taken from the trees near Sogath and brewed for about fifteen minutes or so. There is a way to steep it faster, but only a few people know how. That guy who sold it to us knows, but he won't tell me. I've been asking for three years now! I guess he doesn't want to give up his secrets."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out." I gazed out at the crowd and spotted Mystic and Fenin. She waved enthusiastically, motioning for me to follow them. "Hey, I have to get going. I'll see you both back at school!" I grabbed my staff and smiled at the pair as I took off.

Just as I reached Mystic, I glanced back and gasped. The two of them were locked in a kiss, one hand on each other's face. My smile grew as I remembered the Visions I had of them.

"Friends from the academy?" Fenin asked.

"Yeah, and I think my Visions are starting to come together." I let them have their privacy as we headed back to the tavern. We spent the rest of the day warming ourselves by the fire place and drinking more fire root tea. By the time night had fallen, I was exhausted from the various games Mystic and Fenin had us play with many others who were inside to escape the snow. I slept through most of the morning the next day and decided it would be best to stay indoors.

I stared out the window, noticing that the streets seemed even more packed than yesterday. As the sounds of the celebrations grew louder throughout the day, I read through my new healer's book. I left myself notes in the margins for topics to come back to later and to ask Vaeri about next time I see her. I'm learning so much more than I ever could have imagined with this book. Whoever wrote this must have been an exceptional person and extremely skilled with healing magic.

As I turned a page, my sleeve rolled up a bit. I froze and stared at the brand. Crae will need to feed soon. I bit my lip and tried to keep myself from shaking with fear. He'll probably ask for it the next time we meet. How much will he take? If he does it next month, he would have gone three months without my blood.

I took a breath to steady myself. He knows not to take too much. Even with all this magical energy flowing through me as I strengthen myself in magic and physique, he should be able to control himself. When he's done it before, I've been in a weakened state. Will this time give him a super boost in power? Will he be able to control himself?

"No, stop thinking like that." I quickly covered the mark. "He knows better. He knows how much I can handle. If he wanted all of my blood, he would have done it long ago. Everything will be fine."

I glanced back out the window, seeing snow starting to drift onto the crowd. "I hope..."