The palace bells were still ringing their first slow chime of dawn when a small door in the servants' wing swung open. Out stepped Princess Elara, hood drawn up, hem of her cloak already darkened with dew. She clutched a satchel of books against her chest and walked quickly, head down, like a thief in her own home.
Padding at her heels came a grey rabbit with a twitching nose and a small white lamb whose eyes seemed far too alert for such a docile creature.
"Another dawn lesson?" the rabbit muttered, just loud enough for animal ears. "You're obsessed."
"Shh." Elara cast a nervous glance at the shuttered windows above. "If anyone sees me they'll tell the steward. This is supposed to be embroidery hour." She led them across the lawn to a half-hidden gazebo wrapped in rose vines. Inside, the marble floor was scratched with faint circles, remnants of earlier attempts. She dropped the satchel and drew out a leather-bound grimoire. "Today I'm going to try the water shield again."
To Elara, Alex was only a trembling lamb.
To Alex, this was an opportunity. He crouched near her skirts, eyes fixed on the glowing runes. That pattern again… the third mark loops like a spiral. If I copy that tonight, maybe I can form a shield too.
"You're mad to practise without a teacher," Thistle said, hopping onto the gazebo rail.
"I can hear you, you know," Alex murmured back in the animal tongue, a tiny bleat disguising the words.
"I wasn't talking to you," Thistle hissed. "But since you're here, don't try anything stupid."
Elara stood and drew a circle in the air. Water rose from the pond beyond the roses, coalescing into a thin film that hovered like a mirror between her and the rising sun. Sweat dotted her brow. "Come on… hold, hold…" The shield wobbled, collapsed into rain. She sighed and sat back on her heels. "I'll get it next time."
Alex tilted his head, committing every movement to memory. Interesting. She pulls from the pond, not the air. That's the trick. He pawed the grass to hide his excitement. Tonight, when the halls were dark, he would try shaping the same shield in his little underground nook.
Elara closed the grimoire and pushed a strand of hair from her face. "Why can't I get it right? Father's court magicians make it look so easy…" She reached down and scratched behind Alex's ears. "At least you're quiet," she said, smiling faintly. "You're my good-luck charm, aren't you?"
Alex bleated innocently. Inside, he was already planning his next move.
Thistle twitched his whiskers. "Luck, she calls you. Hah."
The princess glanced at the brightening sky and hastily packed up her book. "I have to get back before the steward notices I'm gone. Come on, you two." She pulled up her hood and started back toward the palace, lamb and rabbit trailing obediently.
None of them noticed the single blue feather caught in the rose thorns — the kind worn only by elven scouts — drifting gently to the ground as they left.