“Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in.”

- Leonard Cohen, Selected Poems 1956-1968

‘Let there be Light, Creation and Manipulation of positive Energy’ Alea saw through the eyes of her small spider Cecily and read the notation in her schedule again. When she was stressed she always saw the halo, caused by the slight imperfections at the corners of the lenses. Rainbow colors and distortions ringed her sight and she felt a headache coming on.

She put the spider on her shoulder again and the view shifted with it. She had long since grown accustomed to it, but it was still vexing that when she turned her sight to the left, she only saw her neck and head. To have a better vantage point, she would often take the spider into both hands and move her accordingly. At the moment she was still tired from the barrage of sound and people, so she walked a step behind Lorelle who would protect her from the worst of it.

She had come to like the meek, blonde-haired girl. She never would have associated her with a murderous plot targeting her life and with each passing day grew more sure of her innocence. But better safe than sorry.

The spider turned and saw Mr. Brache, the bodyguard assigned to Max following at a distance. She nodded, reassured, and continued walking.

She went up three flights of stairs and when she reached the third floor she was too winded to continue. She normally did not leave the house; '...on good days,' she added internally.

Lorelle looked at her worriedly. “Shall I ask if you can have a seat somewhere, do you need a drink? I have a bottle of water with me.”

She waved the concern away and then nodded. “I can't be late for the first lesson. Please, let us continue.”

“It's not that far if the map is to be believed.” Alea looked up and saw the blonde girl that had been eyeing her in class. The one with the ringlets- Alea thought it looked good on her.

“We have not met yet, I am Alexandra von Stetting. Pleased to make your acquaintance. “

“My name is Alea von Graufurt.” Alea said reservedly. “I would be grateful if you could show us the way.”

Lorelle looked a bit hurt at that but kept her silence.

The girl fidgeted a bit and then she could not contain herself and asked. “My parents once talked to me about a prodigy of light magic. Was that you by any chance?”

Alea rubbed her small forehead. “I cannot think why that would have been talked about. I was nothing special. I have a bit of a headache, please let us get to the classroom first.”

“Sorry I did not realize.” Alexandra was silent afterward but looked a bit downcast.

Alea began to feel guilty. She slowly raised her hand, hesitated, lowered it again. “Sorry, the pain is making me ill-tempered. I thank you for your forbearance.”

The blond girl seemed to regain her spirits and went ahead until they reached a door that she opened. Behind that door was a room open to the outside with the wall opposite to the entrance replaced by a row of columns and behind that a balcony. The sunlight bathing the open space was contrasted by the relative darkness of the corridor. They felt the wind blowing and the sun shone brightly.

A small woman with beautiful features that seemed ageless, stood with her back to the balcony. The light made her hair shine like an angelic halo, it had the same golden tone as the two prominent siblings'. Her long fingers played with a strand of hair that put to shame the most exquisite golden thread. Her shadowed features nonetheless shone with an inner light and her eyes were pupilless, like molten gold. Her smile was sharp and without warmth, white, perfect teeth glinting. She wore clothes of white embroidered with golden flowers at the hem, sleeves, and neck. An old brocade sash in red and gold clasped her waist.

She silently pointed where about a good dozen students were already standing or sitting and chatting quietly. There were benches pushed against the walls and the floor seemed to be made of thinly cut and polished rose quartz. Symbols and lines adorned this precious material.

The walls showed murals depicting Gesserach and his court. There was also a portrait of the goddess Saressa, the Phoenix that renews itself, the Source of all Flames teaching the first men the secrets of the forge.

The balcony was facing to the east and they could see over rolling hills and forests, villages and the great river, the other houses and buildings of the academy spread out before them.

After waiting a bit three more students arrived. The golden siblings were two of those. A soft murmur went round the room. The teacher raised an eyebrow and nodded a greeting. The first one she had given since Alea got here.

“It is time.” The lady in white gestured and some runes glowed around the door before dimming again. “We don’t want to be disturbed by late-comers.”

“I am Heloise Yvaine of Margrinar, Professor of the tower of light. And it is my duty to educate you as to the uses and possibilities of the sphere of radiance.”

She gestured and a ball of light gathered above her hand.

“Light magic is mostly benign to those not of the darkness, but there are some dangers I have to bring to your attention. Pure light is not meant for mortal eyes, and there is always the problem, even with healing magic, of losing your sight. I have here some protective goggles that will shield you until you are able to do this on your own." She gestured towards an open chest sitting on a low table, the glint of glass and metal could be seen inside.

"You might have heard about affinities, and might wonder if you would become resilient to the effects but this is not the case with the higher elements. Some take umbrage at the use of that word, but time, spatial magic, and light, yes even the dark magic of void are simply more complex than earth for example. Time will make you age more slowly as if protecting you from its ravages but other effects will not be mitigated. Spatial magic shields from distortions such as a translocation spell gone wrong. Light protects against the dark and vice versa. They don’t accustom the user to its more deleterious effects.” Her tone changed little as she went on to explain.

“I would first like you to demonstrate what you have learned outside the academy. Later, when you leave take one parchment from the table beside the door, it will contain a written test. Please return that the next time we meet.” She looked a bit bored saying that. “Each of you- Take a pair of goggles and put it on, then we can start.”

The students took the contraptions consisting of a leather band with two lenses framed in metal. Alea abstained. It neither would have fit Cecily nor would it be necessary.

“My dear cousins, I think it best that you begin." She grinned. "Carl if you would.” She motioned the golden-haired youth who stepped forward. “Begin when you are ready.”

Arrogantly tossing back his hair, he spoke resonant words and with a sweeping gesture gathered the light from the balcony in his left hand pressed and drew a thin line of glowing force until he held a sword made of light in his right hand. Runes that were changing by the second flickered in the blade. He looked at Heloise, challenging her.

“A very passable sun blade.” She nodded. The boy looked angry at the dismissive tone, his dark eyes flashed. “I look forward to your continued efforts. Lieseleta, how is your seal of light?”

The younger girl furrowed her brows and took a step forward before incanting a complicated spell that build a wheel of glowing runes in front of her. As she neared completion she seemed to commit an error and the runes dissolved in discharges of blinding light. The lenses grew dark as the flashes intensified. The professor chuckled. “Still the same I see. Next time a bit more effort on the Zyor and Clon runes.”

Lieseleta hung her head and stepped to the back. The muscular woman that was her attendant looked like she had to keep her temper in check.

Thus it continued. No one was good enough and the rare praise was lukewarm at best.

Then it was Alea’s turn. She put the spider up on her shoulder and began to gesture, her words and mannerism precise. The light that was always with her dripped from her hands and formed an eye made of countless runes. She gestured. A beam of light flashed and a screen of force activated to stop it from damaging the wall.

“Well done. Arun's searing Eye, it lacks a bit of flair but makes up for it in reliability.”

“That was really good,” Alexandra whispered as she looked at her with glowing eyes. “I never got farther than the precursor, Arun’s searing light. You made it look so easy.” Alea saw with the eyes of her spider that Lieseleta and the Prince were also looking at her with interest.

“Ms. Stetting, you are next. Please keep your attention to the front.”

The blonde girl went to the front and seemed to pray for a moment before she began to cast a spell. The syllables called light from the balcony and an arrow formed of golden light grew into being before it flashed from her hand and hit the same screen that had stopped Alea’s spell.

“The Golden Arrow, how nice. The signature spell of my grandmother. I give full points for flattery and a passing grade for execution.” Yvaine nodded seemingly amused.

Alexandra went red in the face and took a step back, arms folded protectively before her chest.

After everyone had showcased some of their magic, many were unable to do more than creating a light of differing intensities, they each took a piece of parchment and were sent on their way.

Throughout the testing professor Yvaine kept her ironic smile. This seemed to further infuriate Carl the second prince who left in an obviously bad mood.

Lieseleta walked beside Alea as they left and said, “I did not see you at court before but I know Demavar von Graufurt, is he your father?”

“No, that is my uncle, he did not have the blessing of children.” She chose her words carefully and hesitantly.

“Oh. My apologies for assuming. If you have some time in the coming days I would like to invite you to a small get-together with some other noble ladies. Alexandra, you are obviously invited too.” The last was spoken to Alexandra von Stetting who was walking on the other side of Alea. Lorelle followed with the attendant of the princess a few steps behind.

Alea nearly blanched at that but replied softly, “I would be most delighted.”

Lieseleta smiled. “I will let you know when I know the exact date.”

Alexandra nodded, “Thank you for your gracious invitation, I will be there.”

The princess then quickened her steps and caught up to her brother. They spoke, with the prince becoming more curt and overbearing by the moment. The corridor was empty but for Alexandra, Alea, and the brother-sister pair with their respective attendants. Finally, the prince made a cutting motion with his right hand and spoke a few angry words before dismissing Lieseleta rudely. With a look of deep hurt on her face, that she took pains to hide, she hurried towards a side corridor. Her attendant followed her lead.

Alea looked a bit conflicted, then turned towards Alexandra. “I will take my leave. We will see each other tomorrow.”

The blonde girl looked as if she might protest then thought better of it. “I wish you a pleasant evening. Until tomorrow!”

Alea then walked briskly into the side corridor that Lieseleta had taken. ‘What am I even doing!?’

She nearly missed it, a door to her left stood slightly ajar. She heard soft voices one of which sounded hesitant and soft. Motioning for Lorelle to wait, she gathered all her courage and knocked. The voices fell silent. Heavy steps neared the door which then was pulled open.

The dark-haired female warrior stood in the doorway, “My lady is indisposed, I must ask that you leave.”

“Jera, who is it?” Came the voice of Lieseleta.

“It’s Ms. von Graufurt, your highness.”

The silence stretched on.

“Let her come in.”

The room was a smaller classroom that had not seen use for some time. Chairs and desks were put to the side and the windows were closed with drapes. A spell formula was still visible only half-erased from the blackboard. It seemed to be a spell of the school of Air.

Lieseleta sat on a chair she had pulled over and was leaning on a desk. She looked downcast.

“Alea. Why are you here?” There was a note of suspicion in her voice. “Did Carl or Yvaine put you up to this?”

Alea nervously stroked Cecily her spider. “No one asked me to be here. I don’t know what came over me…I will be going, excuse me.”

“Stay, please.” Lieseletas eyes softened she looked much older than her sixteen years. “Even with your blindfold, you show too much of your emotions. Come here.” She gestured towards another chair. “Jera, please close the door. We don’t want any more visitors.” she grinned a bit.

“I...don’t have the best opinion of people who don’t treat their family as, well, family.” Alea hugged herself nervously.

“I understand. You have bad memories of similar situations. I am sorry you had to witness that. Carl and I, please keep that to yourself even though it is no secret, we were once close. But he was given as a hostage to the people of the south. For years he lived in Ark Vendrad, their capital city. He does not seem to appreciate me much anymore.” She laughed at that.

“And because of that, I lose all the decorum they beat into me with a golden stick. So that a near stranger,” she smiled apologetically, “feels bound to come to my aid.”

“My brother and I are still close, so I can empathize,” Alea said softly. “If he turned his back on me I would be devastated. I am so glad to have finally found some friends, but my grandmother and Max are all the family -all the close family- I have left.”

“It has been the duty of the second-born son, since ancient times, to serve as a hostage to the surrounding greater nations. Be it Sur Kesh or the nation of the Cyclops to the west, Nar-Holm. The snakes are seen as the lesser evil, giants are...very difficult to live with. Did you truly want to comfort me?” Lieseleta looked at Alea inquiringly.

The small girl bit her lip and then slowly nodded. “I really wanted to. You seem like a nice person even if I did not know if I could, help I mean. But my new friends have given me much to think about. Mireille is so courageous. She would never hesitate in such a situation, Alyssa would also help without question, and I wanted to be more of a person I could admire or like. If that makes sense.”

“I think that is a very good explanation and an admirable goal. I would also like to be someone whom I could be glad to know.” the princess smiled and seemed less depressed.

“I would like to be your friend if you want me to?" Alea nodded, using her own head this time. "But be careful of my brother...it is not only indifference, but he is also actively hostile and I don’t know why!” The last brought some tears to her eyes which she furiously wiped away. “Sorry. I think we should adjourn. But thank you for listening, and being there. I would not have thought that it would be you, my first school friend.”

She smiled at Alea. “But sometimes an opportunity is all such things need.”