Jace stepped out of the academy building. The stone steps rang beneath his boots.
Only a few students remained in the courtyard. Small groups lingered near the archways, arguing over their Trial results.
Jace moved through them without stopping.
Jace’s satchel hung over his shoulder, the leather brushing his collar as he walked.
A warm tension built in his chest.
He kept it contained, focused on the moment.
He crossed the courtyard gate.
“Jace.”
He turned.
Cali pushed off the pillar.
Dust clung to the hem of her coat.
She closed the distance in a few quick strides.
“What took so long?”
Jace kept walking toward the road beyond the academy grounds.
“The faculty had questions.”
Cali walked beside him, eyes fixed on his face.
“What kind of questions?”
“About the pedestal, they wanted to know more details.”
“Of course they did.”
They passed through the outer archway.
Wind crossed the open road beyond the academy walls. Wagon ruts cut through packed dirt where merchants traveled each week.
Jace slowed.
A carriage stood near the roadside, black wood panels framed by iron fittings.
Two horses stood harnessed at the front, heads lowered.
Two guards waited beside the wheels, academy colors draped across light armor.
Cali noticed the carriage at the same moment.
Her pace stopped.
“What is that doing here?”
The carriage door opened.
A man stepped down.
He walked toward them with careful steps, standing tall. A long dark robe hung from his shoulders, and the academy seal was pinned at his throat with a silver clasp.
Cali shifted half a step forward.
The man stopped several paces away.
His gaze settled on Jace.
“Jace Lorrin.”
Jace met his eyes.
“Yes.”
Cali rested a hand on her hip.
“And you are…?”
The man inclined his head.
“Envoy Talven of the Academy.”
Cali did not move aside.
“What do you want with him?”
Talven reached into the fold of his robe and withdrew a folded document sealed with dark wax.
He held it out toward Jace.
“Here is your authorization.”
Jace stepped forward and took the paper.
The wax seal showed the academy’s crest.
He broke it with his thumb and unfolded the document.
Neat lines of script covered the page.
Academy sponsorship confirmed.
Immediate escort authorized.
Cali leaned closer, reading beside him.
She tensed, her shoulders going rigid.
“This says he leaves now.”
Talven kept his hands folded before him.
“That is correct.”
Cali lifted her head.
“You expect him to leave without warning?”
“The Academy has extended formal sponsorship.”
Jace folded the document and looked back at the envoy.
“Why now?”
Talven’s gaze remained steady.
“The Trial has concluded. Candidates chosen for academy training begin their journey without delay.”
Cali stepped forward.
“Most people receive notice. Families prepare. They pack.”
Talven turned toward her.
“Most have the time, but this time it is limited.”
Jace held the document between his fingers.
“You were waiting outside the academy, as if you expected me.”
“Yes.”
Cali looked between them.
“You knew he would be selected before the Trial even ended?”
Talven studied her.
“The academy prepares for several possibilities.”
One of the guards shifted beside the carriage wheel.
The leather of the guard’s armor creaked.
Cali turned back toward Jace.
“You cannot just leave.”
Jace looked down at the document again.
The writing stood out clearly on the parchment.
Academy sponsorship and travel is authorized.
Instruction guaranteed.
He folded the paper again.
Talven gestured toward the carriage.
“Transportation has been arranged.”
Cali leaned forward.
“You cannot expect him to ride away without saying goodbye to his family.”
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Talven paused.
“The carriage allows space for two passengers.”
Cali blinked.
“What?”
“You may accompany him.”
Wind moved across the road. Dust lifted from the wagon tracks.
Cali looked toward the carriage.
Then back to Jace.
“Did you know about this?”
Jace shook his head.
“No, I am just as surprised.”
Her eyes searched his face.
“You still want to go?”
Jace watched the road for a moment.
“Yes.”
Talven remained still.
He waited, patient and unmoving.
Jace lifted his gaze toward the envoy.
“How far is the Academy?”
“The capital.”
“What is the travel time?”
“It takes two days.”
Cali turned toward the town behind them.
Smoke rose from chimneys along the roofs. Narrow streets wound between familiar buildings.
This was home.
She exhaled.
“If I go with you… We'll tell Mom tonight.”
Talven inclined his head.
“The carriage will stop once before nightfall.”
Cali looked at Jace again.
“Well?”
Jace handed the document back toward the envoy.
Talven accepted it and tucked it into his robe.
Jace adjusted the satchel strap across his shoulder.
The leather shifted against his coat.
“I’m ready, as long as we make a stop at home.”
Cali watched him for a moment longer.
Then she turned toward the carriage.
One of the guards stepped forward and opened the door.
The hinges moved without sound.
Jace approached the step and climbed inside.
Two benches faced each other inside the carriage.
Talven entered after him and took the seat opposite.
Cali stepped up and slid onto the bench beside Jace.
The guard closed the door.
The wood settled quietly into place.
Outside, the driver snapped the reins.
The carriage lurched forward.
Wheels rolled across packed dirt as the horses pulled them down the road away from the academy.
Jace leaned toward the window.
The academy gate passed behind them.
Students still lingered beyond the stone archway.
Then the building disappeared from view.
Cali sat beside him.
“You know, you could have told me.”
“I had no idea this was going to happen.”
“You still look like you expected it.”
Jace watched the road pass beyond the window.
“I expected something, but not this.”
Talven rested his hands on his knees across from them.
“The academy does not extend sponsorship lightly.”
Cali’s eyes moved toward him.
“Then explain why he received it.”
Talven studied Jace.
“The Trial identifies candidates suited for structured study.”
“That tells me nothing.”
Talven shifted his attention toward Cali.
“The academy trains individuals capable of advancing the discipline.”
“You mean alchemy?”
“Yes.”
Cali leaned back against the bench.
“You could have sent a letter.”
“The Academy prefers efficiency.”
The carriage rocked across uneven ground.
Jace kept his gaze on the road.
The town appeared ahead in the distance.
Roofs clustered along the main street. Smoke drifted above them.
He felt that same warmth build in his chest again.
He kept it contained.
Talven’s gaze moved to the satchel strap across Jace’s shoulder.
“You brought reading material.”
“Not intentionally, but yes.”
“What subjects?”
“It is a tome on alchemy.”
Talven nodded once.
“Preparation proves useful.”
Cali watched the envoy carefully.
“You speak like you already know him.”
Talven looked toward her.
“The academy studies candidates selected for sponsorship.”
“So, you have already studied him?”
“We review the Trial records.”
“Did you watch the Trial?” Cali asked with a frown.
“Yes, I did.”
Jace shifted slightly on the bench.
“The pedestal paused,” Jace said quietly.
Talven’s gaze returned to him.
“It apparently did.”
“Does that matter?” he asked, mostly to himself.
Talven folded his hands.
“The pedestal responds to many factors.”
“That still doesn’t explain anything,” he said, frowning.
Talven held his gaze.
“Your classification will remain, Alchemy.”
Jace leaned back slightly.
“Then the hesitation does not matter.”
Talven did not answer.
The carriage rolled into the town road.
Merchants stepped aside as the horses approached. Wagons shifted toward the side of the street.
Cali leaned toward the window.
People stared as the carriage passed.
Academy seal.
Guards.
Talven looked toward Jace again.
“You do understand what the Academy’s instruction offers.”
“It offers opportunity,” Jace responded with a smile.
“That is correct.”
“It also offers an obligation,” Jace continued.
“Also correct,” Talvin smiled.
Cali turned from the window.
“You speak as if he already belongs to you and the Academy.”
Talven answered without hesitation.
“The academy only invests in talent.”
“And expects repayment,” Cali responded quickly.
Talven took a slow breath.
“The Academy requires contribution.”
The carriage slowed near the central street.
Talven lifted one hand.
“We will stop here briefly.”
The horses halted.
The driver climbed down from the front bench.
Talven looked toward Jace.
“Collect what you require before we head to the capital.”
Cali opened the carriage door before Jace moved.
She stepped onto the road and turned back toward him.
“Come on.”
Jace followed her down the step.
The town surrounded them with familiar sounds. Doors opened along the street as people noticed the academy carriage from the capital.
Talven remained seated inside.
Cali started walking toward the smaller streets that led to their home.
Jace walked beside her.
“Why did you not argue?” He nudged her shoulder.
“What is the point? You had already decided.”
Jace nodded slowly.
“I sure did.”
She glanced sideways.
“You always decide faster than you should.”
“I decide fast when the opportunity exists.”
“If you refused, would you have regretted it?”
“Yes, I would.”
Cali slowed near the corner where the road split.
“I am still coming with you.”
Jace nodded.
“I expected that,” he said with a small smile.
They turned down the narrow street leading toward their house.
Footsteps echoed between the buildings.
She pushed open the door before he reached the step.
Inside, the familiar room welcomed them.
Wood table.
Two chairs.
The small shelf of jars along the wall.
Cali moved quickly toward the back room.
“Mom, we're home, we have news!”
Jace stepped inside and moved toward the shelf where his satchel had rested earlier that morning.
He removed his class books from the shelf and slipped them into the satchel.
His fingers brushed the leather cover of the tome.
Snake Bite.
He closed the satchel again.
Cali returned with a small bundle wrapped in cloth.
“I think Mom is at the market.”
Jace lifted the satchel strap across his shoulder.
“Then we will have to leave a message.”
Cali grabbed a piece of parchment from the table and scratched a few lines across it with a quill.
She placed the note in the center of the table.
“We will have to explain when we return.”
Jace looked around the room once.
That warm tension returned to his chest.
He kept it contained.
Cali stepped toward the door.
“Are you ready?”
Jace followed her outside.
They walked back toward the main road where the carriage waited.
Talven still sat inside.
The guards stood beside the horses.
Cali climbed into the carriage first.
Jace followed.
Talven closed the door behind them.
The driver returned to the front bench.
Reins snapped once.
The horses moved forward.
The carriage rolled through the town street.
Buildings passed slowly on either side.
Cali leaned back against the bench, looking at Jace.
“You realize this is going to change everything.”
Jace watched the road through the window.
“Yes, it will.”
The carriage reached the edge of town.
The buildings thinned.
The open road stretched ahead.
Talven looked toward Jace.
“The academy expects diligence.”
Jace met his gaze.
“And it will have it.”
Jace watched the town disappear beyond the road.
