Setting her candle down, Vi gravitated to a suspiciously cylindrical present wrapped in Solaris blue and Imperial gold. She recognized her brother’s script on the card.
The Senate had never let her brother come north to visit. They’d argued that having both heirs in the hands of former enemies of the Empire was far too great a risk, making a huge deal of it every time it was brought up. So while her mother and father had visited, Vi only knew her twin through letters and portraits.
Vi unwrapped the delicately embossed paper, exposing the contents within. As expected, it was a document tube. Even on her most bitter day of the year, Vi found a smile. Only a map from her brother could do that.
Carefully sliding out the parchment, she unfurled the delicate blueprint.
“The Solaris Castle—Rose Garden,” Vi read aloud, then set about finding an open spot on her shelves to pin the sketch among the others her brother had sent her of the castle in Solarin.
The bookcases were so cramped that not even shadows could squeeze between the spines—packed to the brim with manuscripts of all shapes and sizes, scrolls, and stacks of papers. Pinned on the outward facing edge of the shelves were maps, some created by professionals, others drawn entirely by or embellished with her own hand. In the swirling lines of ink and charcoal were countless stories of places she’d never get to see, and yet, felt like she somehow knew.
Places that she longed to someday visit… if she only ever had the chance.
Vi found a relatively open spot, tacking the blueprint in place by its top corners so she could lift it to still access the shelves behind. Her fingers trailed the lines of the architect’s skilled hand, and she silently thanked whatever nameless artist her brother had found this time.
Returning to her table, Vi skimmed over the gifts from her parents, Aunt Elecia, and Uncle Jax. They were of predictable shapes, mostly books. It made a singular, strange-looking parcel stand out all the more.
It was wrapped in black silk and nearly feather-light. A small black envelope had been slid under the black ribbon, fastening it together. Vi undid the knot at the top, lifting the letter and affirming her suspicions.
Black was a peculiar color in the Empire. No one wanted to associate with it… unless they were a Sorcerer.
On the back of the envelope was a silver seal: a dragon curling in on itself made a perfect circle, split in two and off-set. It was called the Broken Moon, and it was the symbol of the Tower of Sorcerers.
She slid her finger underneath, gently tearing open the letter.
Dear Vi,
Forgive my informality in addressing you, but you will always be a dear child to me as I have been by your mother’s side since long before you were born. I was there waiting as she delivered you and your brother. I held you when you were a babe. And your mother is still one of my dearest friends in the world, confiding in me all the pains she feels at your absence.
I have only ever known and loved you as Vi, nothing more or less.
When your mother was seventeen, she began to manifest and was Awoken to her powers with the help of your father. She has consulted me with her worries surrounding the fact that your powers have yet to Awaken. I have told her not to fret, and will pass on the same advice to you. I believe in you, Vi.
That statement was nearly enough to make her stop reading and throw the letter in the trash.
Not to worry, that was easy to say by someone across the world who knew nothing of her. What could this man possibly understand about her struggles with her magic? Vi doubted he had been born into a long line of illustrious Firebearers, only to have his magic be nothing more than a cheap parlor trick.
Still, curious about the package, and already halfway through, Vi kept reading despite herself.
I would like to offer this token to remind you that magic has an odd way of finding us when we need it most.
It has been in my possession since before you were born. Many years ago… when the world was at its darkest, and hope seemed all but lost, your mother found the strength to overcome overwhelming odds and be reunited with her power, thanks to this. I’ve held onto it for years as a reminder to never give up, no matter how impossible a situation I may find myself in.
Now, I think you may need it more than me. Perhaps it will help you find your magic, as it helped rekindle your mother’s after her channel was forcibly closed.
Your friend who cannot wait to meet and teach you,
Fritznangle Chareem, Minister of Sorcerery
Her eyes lingered on the word “teach.” There was nothing to teach. He’d said it himself, didn’t he? That he understood her magic had yet to fully Awaken?
Still curious, Vi looked to the parcel, unwrapping the silken scarf to reveal a small, silver necklace.
“A locket?” Vi lifted it, squinting at the chain. She couldn’t place where she’d seen the links before, but was certain she had. There was an undeniable familiarity about it. The chain fastened around a loop at the top of the locket where there was a small button she depressed. She stared at the plain face—white with black numerals. “A watch.” Vi continued to stare at the hands, but they were still. “A…brokenwatch?”
It was certainly an unexpected gift. Her father had been known for his love of watch-making, a fascinating art that was said to have originated in Norin. Perhaps this had once been a gift from him to her mother?
Vi snapped the cover closed. In the motion, her spark leapt from her fingers unbidden. The arc of white-hot lightning crackled around the watch, engulfing it, and for a brief second, there was something there… but her attention was immediately stolen by the second arc of flame—which landed on her drafting table.
