Emma, still in her wolf form, perused the woman standing at akimbo, watching her with suspicious eyes. The woman was beautiful, interesting with that eyes of hers. Eyes of an eagle. She must be a gatekeeper then.
That thought resonated true in Emma’s being. This was the gatekeeper of the academy. She gently turned, such that her face was now looking at the woman directly.
Stern. That would be another adjective for the gatekeeper. Emma thought, knowing that the woman had seen her, maybe since she had entered the forest.
“What is your name? State your business.”
Emma shifted on her paws. Could her wolf talk out loud? She needed to shift. But she came with no clothes. Walking around naked wasn’t appealing with her. She had to communicate with the woman in some other way.
Emma made a quick decision as soon as a certain idea dropped in her mind. She lowered herself onto the ground, gently allowing her unconscious friends to slide off her back and onto the cool stones of the courtyard. With a nudge of her nose, she roused Prescott, who groggily stirred awake, subtly transferring strength and vigor to the squirrel.
Prescott blinked in confusion, then recognition dawned on his face as he saw the imposing figure of the academy, then realization as he saw the gatekeeper. Emma stepped back slightly, giving Prescott room to compose himself.
‘She is the gatekeeper.’
‘I know.’ He shook himself to reawaken his mental paths, and to stir up his magic, before ambling toward the woman who now had the mixture of curiosity and confusion on her face.
With magic, Prescott touched the mind of the gatekeeper whose eyes widened for a fraction. Luckily, she was adept to his innocent touch, free from malicious intent, and let him in.
“Who are you all? Why are you here?”
Prescott retraced his steps to Emma, and touched Annabel whose face was onto Emma’s paws. He softly turned her almost face to the gatekeeper.
‘Annabel led us here. We are here to train. Or rather she is here to train.’ He touched Emma as he made the last statement. ‘She is the one from the Heybalik Prophecy.’
Emma didn’t know what Prescott was saying to the woman, since the squirrel had cut her out of the path, maybe to have it easy winning the trust of the gatekeeper. But seeing the widening of the woman’s eyes as she beheld Annabel; as the woman’s mouth dropped open in shock when the latter’s eyes landed on her again, this time examining her wolf, she knew that her friend was making progress.
Howbeit the gatekeeper scrutinized them for a moment longer, then nodded curtly.
“Follow me,” She commanded, turning on her heel and leading the way through the massive gates.
As they entered the academy grounds, Emma’s senses were assaulted by the grandeur and ancient aura of the place. The architecture was reminiscent of old-world elegance, resembling a castle straight out of a vampire legend. Towering spires reached towards the sky, adorned with intricate gargoyles and weathered stone carvings. Ivy climbed the walls, weaving a tapestry of green against the aged gray stones.
Inside, the corridors were dimly lit by flickering torches that cast dancing shadows along the walls. The air was cool and musty, carrying the scent of ancient books and polished wood. Paintings of past academy leaders lined the walls, their eyes seeming to follow Emma and Prescott as they walked. The latter had transferred Amelia and Annabel to Emma’s back again.
The academy’s interior was a labyrinth of winding corridors and spacious chambers. Massive wooden doors led to classrooms and libraries filled with ancient tomes and arcane artifacts. Emma marveled at the stained glass windows depicting scenes of magical prowess and historical battles.
They finally reached a grand hall with a vaulted ceiling adorned with intricate murals depicting the academy’s illustrious history. A large oak table dominated the center of the room, surrounded by high-backed chairs.
“Here, students and the teachers gather for meals and discussions. It’s the only room bug enough for you too. There’s enough space. Wait here, let me get the council.”
Emma watched as the gatekeeper left them in the grand hall and strolled away.
‘Didn’t know gatekeepers were still a thing.’ She had chosen to communicate through mind paths, because she wasn’t sure if the walls here really had ears.
‘They are always a thing. Aren’t you going to shift, Emma? You don’t expect to create a mind path with the council, or do you?’
Emma huffed. ‘I’m not with clothes, Prescott. You want me to talk to them while being naked?’
Prescott shook his head. ‘You are part ancient. You can shift, while holding an imagery of the clothes you want to wear. If you do so, you can shift and still be in clothes.”
Emma remembered Aiden’s lessons to her about her mind reading gift. It wasn’t much different from what Prescott was saying. She could do it.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and pictured herself in human form. She imagined wearing a simple yet comfortable outfit: a casual top and baggy pants. With focused intent, she commanded her wolf form to shift, harnessing the innate magic within her.
Slowly, a tingling sensation washed over her body as her fur receded, replaced by smooth, human skin. The transformation was seamless, and when Emma opened her eyes, she found herself standing upright, fully clothed as she had envisioned. A sense of relief and accomplishment flooded through her. She withdrew inward, turned to her wolf form, now beside her in the ethereal bond they shared, and silently expressed her gratitude for its cooperation.
‘You’re welcome, Emma.’
As she gathered herself, Emma’s attention was drawn to the gatekeeper, who was now accompanied by two imposing figures who exuded an air of authority. They were undoubtedly the rulers of the academy, their presence commanding respect and attention.
Emma’s thoughts raced as she studied them. What role did these rulers play in the academy? She sensed a depth of knowledge and power emanating from them, and she knew instinctively that they held the keys to unlocking the mysteries and potential that lay ahead.
Mixed emotions swirled within her curiosity, anticipation, and a hint of nervousness. This was a pivotal moment in her journey, stepping into the realm of the academy and its inner workings. She felt a surge of determination to prove herself worthy of their attention and guidance, to learn from them and harness her abilities to their fullest potential.
Emma took a deep breath, steeling herself for the interaction to come. With Prescott’s support echoing in her mind, she approached the rulers with a respectful nod, ready to introduce herself and her companions.
“Hello, I’m Emma. Emma Makonel.” There was a flicker of recognition that flashed through the eyes of the rulers. She knew they had recognized her father’s name. Hopefully, it will be for her good.
“My friends need help. I need help too.” Her voice was steady and her gaze unwavering, conveying her readiness to embark on this new chapter of her life within the ancient and mystical walls of the academy.
The two men that had come with the gatekeeper watched her and then her companions.
“Is that our Annabel?” The taller one asked, pointing with his eyes to an Annabel that was yet unmoving. “What happened to her?”
“A dark mage attacked us.”
Emma saw the fear that was quick to flit through their faces. She hurriedly calmed them down. “But I was able to defeat him, and he was unable to follow us here. You have no cause to worry.”
The two rulers exchanged glances. “You battled a dark mage and won?”
Emma nodded. “Please, my friends don’t have much time to leave. His magic is sustaining them, and he needs to rest too.”
Their eyes went to Prescott then. Emma knew from the unbelief in their eyes that they have never met a talking squirrel too, never mind that the gatekeeper must have told them all that had transpired.
“Alitha, take them to infirmary. Make sure they are taken care of. Liyah might have a fit though. Her precious daughter is home.”
Alitha, the gatekeeper. Liyah, Annabel’s mother. Emma stored the information in her head.
She watched as Alitha walked up to Annabel and Amelia, and with extraordinary strength lifted the two to her shoulders which were just as broad as hers. Emma couldn’t stop the opening of her mouth. She had the same body frame, to an extent, with the gatekeeper. Well, she could see why the latter had been entrusted with the position. Strength of a lion. Eyes of an eagle. What else was there? How were the other students? Which other gifts were given by the gods to the rare humans?
“Emma Makonel…take a seat. The others will be here soon.”
Emma nodded, before bending down, and picking up Prescott. Her friend had decided to stay with her, for this interrogation. She was grateful for it.
“Tell us about you, and the life you have lived up till now.” The shorter elder asked, as they sat on the heavy chairs.