Private Tales Beyond These Walls

Maester Ulman of Feä's Martial Pursuit and Magical Application class bid her aside one day. He offered some small praise for her progress, to which Feä returned humble gratitude, and then he proceeded to his main point.

"You strike me as a more adventurous student—that is, adventure being worthy of you."

"What do you mean?"

Ulman placed his hands on his hips and gathered his thoughts; he had surmised of Feä her peculiarities, namely how she was quick and intuitive in some regards, and simpler and lacking understanding in others. Her wits were of a particular nature.

"The College offers many paths for growth and learning. There are many, of course, who prefer study, and a certain degree of mastery, before they challenge the world. Some would rather wait fully until their course here at the College is complete. Some seek no adventure at all, and this even is to their strength, as they might excel at lore, scholarship, advising, and all such things. But some, Feä, some of our students not only learn best by practical experience, but seek it." He swept his hand out toward the perimeter of the College grounds, as the class took place outside in a courtyard. "These walls are not a boon to them."

And struck was Feä by this last part. She had been surrounded by walls nearly all her life—walls not necessarily of physical make—and rarely had she enjoyed freedom. Yet she knew deeply her dependence on structure, on walls, and she despised it. In the familiar, in the known, in safety, could no liberation be found. And though the unfamiliar brought with it trepidation, this she knew she needed to conquer, else ever would she live within her father Arunwë's design.

So Feä nodded to Maester Ulman, and she said, "And they are not a boon to me."


Feä trembled with excitement, a small and eager smile gracing her visage, as she packed her things for travel. Maester Ulman had given to her a list of possibles she might want to bring, and she attended to these, sourcing what she did not yet have through purchase while out on pass in the city. And she called from memory her long journey with her Mentor, their travel over the rough lands her would-be slavers had taken her—and here was the font of happiness behind her smile. Truly she had never been more free, more engaged in wonder, more loving of life, than during her journey with her Mentor, and this field assignment called forth a delightful echo of that.

She was to be paired with an older student, a human, Bliss Gradimir. Maester Ulman said that this was quite standard, and that even those students (and graduates) who were more seasoned did still prefer the surety of company, both for acquaintance and safety. Feä did not mind it all. Though she was often shy and inward of nature, rather would she travel into the unfamiliar with a companion.

They were to meet with Professor Istra Lejeune, who would have for them the details of their assignment. But Feä endeavored to meet with Bliss early, at her room—if indeed she was there.

So with her pack set, she wove through the halls of the Dormitory Wing of the College, sea of a doors and labyrinth of corners it was. At last she arrived at the room of Bliss Gradimir.

And she knocked on the door.

Bliss

Feä when she heard the raised voice of Bliss through the door stood in apprehension, fearing some mistake on her part. But it was nothing of the sort, a mere false impression, and Bliss (Feä did have the correct room) immediately apologized.

"All is well," Feä said softly in response.

An invitation followed.

"I would welcome tea. Thank you," she answered, and she stepped into Bliss's room and shut the door. And she stood for a moment there, just a step beyond the precipice of the door, hands clasped reservedly before her, and she in her curiosity (and mild confusion) just had to ask, "Are you bothered often by first year idiots?"



Bliss

Calixtus. Like many of her fellow first-years, she knew at least the name, though she had not been properly acquainted. Bliss had a strong impression of him, but Feä resolved to let the man speak for himself, if and when they ever should meaningfully cross paths, and thereupon would Bliss be vindicated or nay.

Feä sat when the offer was extended, and her pack she set on the floor beside her. She listened attentively as Bliss continued. In her fourth year, she said. Stars Alight! To Feä it seemed quite the length of time—and she missed not the irony of thinking this, being of elven blood. But her own years were few, and the novelty of the College accorded with it days which seemed longer than those days of living under the House of Mindalië.

Sorry...I'm talking too much.

"I mind not at all to listen," she said politely. And indeed, to listen was to learn.

Bliss explained then a simple art, and the mere idea of it had Feä baffled at first, but then possessed of a small wonder by the time Bliss finished.

"Oh! I did not even conceive of such...ingenuity. Of my Maesters and their lessons, I follow their word as closely as I can, for even that can prove challenging. A skillful deviation therefrom is remarkable. I fear many ceramics of my own would have been ruined, should I have ventured as you have."

Bliss

Bliss expressed a desire which resonated with Feä, though she knew it not until that very moment—to be someone more dangerous than she otherwise would have been. What would her life be if she was only possessed of that which her body alone was capable? Mayhap she never would have learned at all that she had the spark of magic within her, had it not been for the harrowing ordeal with the raiders, her kidnapping, and her Mentor.

If you wish...perhaps I can teach you some things about magic...

"I would like that," said Feä, and she like Bliss's shadow brought then her own cup to her lips and sipped of the tea.

"Maester Ulman believes I am fit for adventure, if I choose such. And your wisdom, I think, is paramount. Though I have lived within Elbion all my life, I know that beyond our walls lurk many blemishes upon the beauty of the world. The danger must be met."


Bliss

"Yes. I have ensured that I am prepared," said Feä of her pack. She sipped her tea again, thinking a bit on what Bliss said of wards; Feä's own gift of magic, though it felt more intimate and familiar to what she was learning at the College, would not and could not protect her against all the myriad perils of Arethil—this something Maester Ulman made clear to all his students. He preached versatility, Maester Ulman, for one could not directly prepare for everything, but the greater one's set of skills, the more one possessed a hedge against the dangers of the unknown.

Feä flushed for a moment as a new thought came to her, and she smiled shyly, a touch guiltily, as one finding humor in irreverence. A small giggle nearly escaped her, shoulders hitching, but with a touch of her fingertips to her mouth she caged it.

"Would...Calixtus have shown here unready?"

He did seem a cause for much vexation, and it was the place of the learner to make ready for the lessons of the teacher.

Bliss

It had seemed to Feä that annoyance crowned her relation with Calixtus, and ever did it reign, but as her answer unfolded it was not so. The mirth of Feä which had meant to poke fun at the young man drained away, and even did it seem uncouth to her then, a wrongful indulgence. Mayhap annoyance did intrude from time to time for Bliss, but it wore no crown, and seemed but a part in a relation which held a greater breadth than any could first intuit. And so Feä listened to Bliss with warm reception, unseriousness departed.

She placed her elbow on the table and settled her chin into her palm.

"How many students have you tutored? You accord yourself in a manner much like our Professors and Maesters—it must be many, and this ere you have completed your fourth year! I find it astonishing."




Bliss