School of Mages

This is my entry for Fennec's Anything contest
Gwen nuzzled her father’s cheek. “I’ll be okay.” She promised. Iftar looked at her doubtfully, worry filling his yellow gaze. Gwen knew it must be hard for him, sending his only daughter to The School of Mages. Especially after his late-mate had died during her career as a mage. But thankfully he knew how much she wanted to go.
Gwen breathed in her father’s scent one more time. “Bye.”
She could feel her father’s lurking presence as she bounded along the path toward the towering den. She slowed her pace when she neared, admiring the school in all its glory. She had heard that it was made by humans but she never imagined it was this large. The place was made of stone bricks, and the main entrance was large enough to fit a horse. Long towers were built into the four corners of the den.
She realized she was gaping at it and quickly padded forward, her raven black fur pressed firmly against her lean frame.
Gwen joined the group of cats that crowded the entrance waiting for the welcoming speech. A few more cats joined the crowd and Gwen counted all of the new cats including herself. There were twenty altogether.
Several minutes passed of them talking amongst themselves before a oriental shorthair emerged from the den’s entrance. “Welcome!” The cat voice was sharp, definitely feminine. A hush fell over the group as the shorthair continued.
“I am Onla, your headmolly. I would like to start by saying thank you for coming to our wonderful school! To start off your first school period, you will be assigned a guide who will show you around the school-” A few cats on her right side nodded. They must be the guides. “-They will then drop you off at the testing area, where you will complete several tests to see what your element is. For those of you wondering what a ‘element’ is your guide will explain to you before the test. Now step forward when your name is called so your guide can take you around the school.”
Onla began calling names. Gwen was one of the last cat’s to be called but she didn’t mind. When she padded forward a cream molly separated from the guides. “This is Emmi, she will be your guide.” Gwen bowed her head respectfully to both mollies though she couldn’t keep her tail from twitching in excitement. The cream molly-Emmi- looked down at her in amusment. “Follow me.” She lead Gwen through the entrance and into a large room. Tapestries hung from the den walls showing picture’s of human’s in hard gray fur pointing flat sliver sticks at dragons. “Beautiful isn’t it?” Emmi asked looking at Gwen with almond shaped hazel eyes.
“Yes.” Gwen breathed. “I know how you feel. The first time I stepped in here my guide had to drag me out by the scruff.” Emmi chuckled seeming to relive the memory. Although she didn’t mean it that way, Gwen didn’t have much trouble leaving the room behind.Things didn’t get any less magnificent from there. Painting of humans who Gwen guessed had been important decorated the hall walls. “This is the water district.” Emmi told her.
“ Is that one of the elements?” Gwen asked. “ Yes. I do need to tell you about those don’t I.” It was more of a statement but Gwen nodded anyway. While they toured, Emmi launched into a explanation. “There are six elements. Water, air, fire, earth, light, and shadow. When you start your training as a mage, your tested to see what type of element you work best with-”
“What do you mean by ‘work best with’?”
“-Like my element is earth, which makes air spells quite difficult for me,” Gwen nodded. It was quite confusing but in a way it made sense.
“And you live in you strongest elements district, taking your main classes there.” Emmi was silent for the rest of the tour beside the ‘this and that’s’. Gwen figure it was to let her process the overflow of information.
I wonder what it was like when mom went here…
“Emmi?”
“Yes?”
“Have you heard of a cat called Bona?”
Emmi was silent a moment seeming to recall. “Yes, I have. What about her?” Gwen glanced up at Emmi. “Bona was my mother.” Emmi looked at Gwen with surprise. “You’re that Gwen?”
Gwen gave her a quizzical look. “You knew my mom?”
Emmi stared forward her eyes growing misty for a moment. “She was my best friend.” There was a sadness in her voice that reminded Gwen of Iftar when she asked him about Bona.
Before she could ask her about her mom they stopped. “We’re here.” Emmi announced.
Gwen followed her gaze toward a large hall where a tabby sat in the center. “ Good luck.” Emmi hurried off before Gwen could say anything else.
Gwen’s eyes followed Emmi until she turned the corner and was out of sight. Shaking out her fur she padded into the hall. The tabby looked up from some papers on the carpet. “You must be Gwen.”
Gwen nodded. “Are you the tester?”
The tabby smiled. “Yes, I’m Minin, your tester.” He was a stocky tom with yellow eyes and a white underbelly.
“Ready to begin?”Gwen closed her eyes and let out a deep calming breath. The first chapter in my legend begins now.
“Definitely.”
Minin nodded and closed his eyes. The hall melted away, and the testing began...
Category:Literature
Category:Brightslate's Magnificent Junk