At first, she'd written back eagerly to her family. It was different not receiving their words as soon as she was used to.
Many of her letters had ink shielding some words that may distract. She was surprised when she found her family was set to travel the Noblas Veiros.
She didn't think the magi would want her to know. She was meant to be free from distraction, yet the thought excited her, leaving her wondering if they would get to touch the Amari Alcazas.
The first unreturned letter was one of her asking when they were to leave. The first moon passed.
Each day she waited, yet none had come. By the second moon, she wrote because she felt they had forgotten her in their joy for the journey. And when no letters returned, that became true to her.
By the third moon, she wrote because she knew they wouldn't forget her and felt they were gone. Hawking yet again appeared without a returned letter.
She wanted to believe the magi were just keeping her letters, yet she was always the first to see Hawking arrive. Even if she wasn't the first to touch the letter, she was the first to know it had come.
"I need to talk with Magi Maro," Salīa said firmly.
Magi Maro was the head of the three magi on the council.
The eldest, with a long silvery beard that touched his knees, warm amber skin, and ever-changing eyes. He always held his hands as if he were about to pray. It was he who'd pass the final word.
"Dear," said Magi-mioa Lali with her whispery voice. "He will return once the sun sets. Now for your lesson."
"No lesson," Salīa said, clenching her teeth. "I need to leave now."
Magi-mioa Lali shook her head, yet her doe eyes looked upon her worriedly. It wasn't for her to decide.
The magi were men, and they were those who ruled the council and taught most of the lessons.
For some decisions, the magi-mioa would be called on for their thoughts as ladies. They also taught Salīa to channel into her femininity.
Usually the lessons were long, as she 'wasn't that much of a lady.'
For rarer occasions, the magi would also accept counsel from the magi-mi, the chosen young students of the magi. Their duties were likened to squiring.
"Now," Magi-mioa Lali offered her arm. "Our lesson, dear."
Salīa couldn't argue.
There was no way out until Magi Maro returned.
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