Servitori, North Province
Jazmine wondered for the thousandth time how she had landed in this mess. Had she been a bad daughter? Is that why her mother and father had sent her away with two very rude and angry strangers? Was she being punished for all those times she didn't listen to her parents' warning? Ever since they had left Mangevind, neither Celena nor Yelena had spoken to her except to give commands. Any attempts at conversation had been ignored, and one time she'd been told, rather forcefully, to be quiet.
She'd given up after that. Miserable and homesick, she sat on her horse and desperately tried to think of happier times. Anything was better than the stony silence among the three of them.
"Halt!"
Startled by the deep-voiced command, Jazmine almost tumbled from her horse, which came to a jarring stop.
She glanced fearfully at the group of guards who surrounded them. They all looked angry.
"Can I help you, Gentlemen?"
"Ma'am, we need to see your identification papers before we can let you pass. It is by order of Lord Novo Mestre that you comply."
"Really? So, Lord Sangue Senhor has finally died?"
"Yes, several months ago. Now, your papers, if you please."
"Oh, very well." Yelena reached into her saddle bag and pulled out two small rolls of paper, and handed them to the head guard.
Several minutes of tense silence passed before he handed the rolls back and waved them through.
Jazmine dearly wanted to ask what was going on, but Mistress Yelena's scowl kept her silent. Her thoughts tumbled about, and she wondered if she'd ever get to go home again. Their group remained quiet until they stopped at a large, blue inn and were greeted by a man with a fancy jacket and pants.
"Get down, Child, so that we can go in."
She blushed, forcing her thoughts to remain on what was happening in front of her, and dismounted. Obediently, she fell in behind Celena, who gave her an encouraging smile. It didn't really make her feel any better. Mistress Yelena took the lead, pushing open the door and blowing inside as if she owned the place. She took them down a long hallway and to the eating room that was full of people, laughter, and food.
Jazmine noticed that no one seemed to care about their arrival as conversation continued to swirl in the air about them. Maybe Mistress Yelena wasn't as fearsome as she first thought. The mouth-watering smell of stew and fresh bread made her stomach growl, and she promptly forgot about her worries.
"We'll get food in a moment," Celena whispered in her ear as Mistress Yelena halted and exchanged words with a young serving girl.
The girl nodded, disappeared into the crowd, and came back with a giant bearded man.
"Yelena! Well, well, the world must be coming to an end!"
"Only you would be so bold, Umfeliz. Of course, after dealing with this crowd, I can see why you're manners have vanished," she retorted.
The man's deep belly laugh startled Jazmine, and she scooted closer to Celena, who stared at their teacher and the newcomer intently.
The man peered over at them, and Jazmine tasted fear. She didn't want anyone to look at her. She stepped behind Celena, who scowled at her.
"I swear, Yelena, you keep bringing mice with you every time you come."
"Mice might be small, but many of them are a force to be reckoned with. Now, Umfeliz, food and rooms, in that order, please."
"Your wish, Mistress of Wind, is my command. Come, only the best for you!"
Umfeliz threaded his way through the crowds and into a back room. It was not as well-lit as the other room, and Jazmine flinched when she stumbled into Celena, who had stopped. That earned her a glare, and she fought back tears of frustration. She was tired, hungry, and unhappy.
"Jazmine? Jazmine!" Celena hissed at her.
Jazmine blinked, realized that everyone was staring at her, and averted her gaze. She mumbled, "Sorry," and hastily sat in the seat that Umfeliz pulled out for her. Dinner was served, but the food might as well have been dirt. Her hunger had fled, but she ate anyway under Mistress Yelena's watchful gaze.
Finally, after another long time of silence, Mistress Yelena rose, and they followed her to their room. This time there were three beds instead of two, and Jazmine was glad. She wouldn't have to share a bed with Celena. The older girl liked to hog the covers, and Jazmine was often left shivering from the cold.
"Make sure you sleep. The snow is almost here, and we still have four days of travel to Fortegul. You need sharp minds and rested bodies. Hurry, into your night clothes."
They scrambled to obey and, without a fuss, Jazmine gratefully slid under her sheets and was asleep before she could even think about it.
***
Jazmineeee!
Huh? Was someone calling her name? She blinked and screeched in fear. She hastily backed up, tripped, and fell on her butt. How in the Veil had she ended up on a mountain top?
"Somebody, help!"
Childofair,whydoyoufear?
She scrambled to her feet and peered about frantically for the person behind the voice. She was alone. No one was with her. Fear ate at her, and she didn't stop to try to calm it. She had to do something, and now!
"This is a dream. This is a horrible, horrible dream," she hysterically muttered. "I'll just wake up. Yes, that's what I'll do."
Whydoyoufear?Youareair.Flyfarandhighsothatnofearmaytouchyou.
She wasn't listening. Spinning around, she ran. If she could just get off this mountain, everything would be fine, and she'd wake up.
Suddenly, a gust of wind slammed into her, sending her flying backward. She hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of her.
Standfirm,ChildofAir.Donotletfearconsumeyou.
She gasped, pain surging up her wrist. She curled into a ball, cradling the injured wrist to her chest. This time, she let her tears flow. She wanted out of this nightmare and now!
Youarenotworthy,ChildofAir.Goandlearnthewaysofbravery.
"I don't understand!" she wailed.
Youwillbegone!
A blast of wind smashed into her, sending her rolling. She tried to stop herself, but there was nothing to grab on to, and she was blown over the ledge. She shrieked as she fell. Jazmine closed her eyes and prayed to the First Ones to save her as the wind whistled in her ears.
***
"Jazmine! Jazmine!"
The stinging slap to her cheek brought her fully awake with a choked scream. She stared wide-eyed at her glowering teacher and a concerned Celena.
"I've never met such a cowardly Air user in all my life. You are a disgrace with this pathetic behavior!"
"Mistress, don't you think you're being a little bit harsh?"
"Harsh? Maybe Jazmine isn't the only one who is a disgrace to the Wind Seeker title."
Celena stiffened, and Jazmine felt bad. The other girl had only been trying to stand up for her. She couldn't let Celena take all Mistress Yelena's fury. Rubbing at her eyes, she interrupted them.
"I'm sorry, Mistress Yelena. You are right, I am a coward. I will really try hard not to be that way. Please, can we all go back to sleep? I will be quiet."
Mistress Yelena's piercing gaze bore into her until Jazmine squirmed.
"Very well. Back to bed. If you wake us again, you shall be punished."
"Yes, Mistress Yelena."
With one last stern glare, Mistress Yelena returned to her bed.
Jazmine turned to thank Celena and froze at the other girl's expression. Celena flushed, naked fury burning in her eyes. She glared and turned away, climbing into her bed and throwing the sheet over her head.
Jazmine pulled her blanket up and snuggled under it. She had to be imagining things. There was no way Celena hated her, right? They didn't even know each other enough to like or dislike one another. She shook her head. She really was being silly. Closing her eyes, she forced herself back to sleep.