66 – 50 + 7 = 23
There were “X”s next to each equation.
Did that relate to her in some way? Was this part of some kind of code, tied to the Gallic alphabet or something? Oh, what if LBB was Gallic?Le Beurre Blanc? Why didn’t she pay better attention to her Gallic tutor?
She was losing it.
“Ceri, are you in here?”
Ceri snapped the journal shut, hoping Ana hadn’t heard it.
“Ana?”
“Yeah, it’s me. I woke up and saw you weren’t there. I figured I’d try to find you before they sent out the search and rescue team again.”
“I’m okay,” she said. She hoped no one else had noticed she was gone yet. “Just a little indigestion. I’ll be out soon.”
Godsdammit, she was lying again.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I’ll leave you to it,” said Ana.
Ceri heard the door swing shut.
She opened the journal again. She had made it to the night of the meteor shower.
Her pulse raced as she read.
Friday, 9 days before Autumn Term
Entry 3
I’ve just returned from one of the most remarkable experiences of my life. But hold on. I’m getting ahead of myself.
LBB agreed to assist me with my research this very evening. I couldn’t believe my luck—to be able to record observations not just of the enchanted objects, but of a magic wielder themselves on the same night? I couldn’t have asked for more.
The night, however, was almost over before it began by two separate circumstances of objects nearly falling on me. That makes twelve total over the summer. I’d say we’ve gone from strange coincidence to unmistakable pattern at this point. After some trial and error, I seem to have narrowed the culprit down to either the doll or the locket. I haven’t been able to identify any pattern in the falling objects themselves, nor can I make any determination about how or why the objects fall, just that they seem to invariably do so on days where I’ve interacted with the doll, the locket, or both.
The second circumstance afforded a rare opportunity: LBB saved me (and perhaps herself) with her magic. Oh, but if I could have measured it! The force of it was astonishing. The branch practically disintegrated when she sent it careening from us.
(Of course, the danger to LBB was unforgivable. I must be careful to avoid handling the doll or locket in her presence or when her presence is anticipated. The idea that something could happen to her on my behalf? No research is worth such a cost.)
When we reached the observatory, I had expected to be most excited about the meteor shower or measuring the objects, but the promise of LBB—the potential of her power, of course—was on my mind more than anything else. I must have said something clumsy to her because she took off, quite literally! I’d heard of the Loegrian monarchs, of course. (Who hadn’t heard tales of the dragons of Loegria’s court?) But to see it in the flesh? I’m convinced if Gallia had been ruled by dragons rather than elves, the monarchy would not have been abolished at all. No one would have dared defy such power.
She returned to me with little explanation, but knowing myself, I was not owed much of one.
That stung to read. She hated that he felt he was at fault for her little outburst. She would have to find a way to apologize for it once they found him.
I began to realize my error as I set out the blanket. I had planned to make my observations alone, and with no time to secure more materials, I had to make do with what I had on hand. The blanket was far too small for us both. I should have offered it to her, but I didn’t. I know why I didn’t—no need to document that here.
“Yes, you did need to document it here!” Ceri muttered. “Stupid elf.”
We took the initial measurements per the table above. Note how high the reading is for even such a small bit of spellwork. Perhaps the trick to the enchantments is that they are sustained by a low level of magic over a great period of time.
The entry went on about his magic theory for some time. Ceri skimmed ahead.
When we went to lie down on the blanket, well. How should I put it? As a student of ‘Lectrics, I feel equipped to say there was a spark between us. Perhaps it was merely the camaraderie of doing important work together. Despite my efforts to be objective, research can bring out a great deal of emotion in me. I undoubtedly read too much into that moment—
He hadn’t.
