Red Skies: Introduction of Fiona

The carriage finally stopped. Fiona quickly sat back in her seat and straightened her dress. One of her stature was to sit still and not be seen by the public while riding – even when you were six years old. But the new sites and smells had been too hard to resist, and as soon as her traveling companion had fallen asleep, Fiona lifted the corner of the window curtain and watched the world as it they traveled. It had been filled with people, and then slowly became more green and wet with the morning dew. 

The jolt of the stop woke Ms. Lumpins and a frown creased her wrinkled face as she watched the child straighten her garments from their obvious disarray. One might have thought that the woman was old, yet she was barely a quarter of a century old. Fiona and her cousins assumed that the governess looked ancient from all the worrying and scolding she practiced daily on the children.

A knock on the carriage door signaled that their servant was about to open the door. As he swung it open, he looked down at the ground and stood at attention. Fiona sighed inwardly. This was the custom when any of the servants were around her, for they were to never look her in the eye. She hated that rule.

“Come your hi–… my lady. We mustn’t tarry.” Ms. Lumpins accepted the servant’s hand and stepped down from the carriage. Trying hard not to bite her lip out of sheer nervousness, Fiona followed her outside. The servant offered his hand, eyes still on the ground, and gently held it as she stepped down. Forgetting her place for only a moment, her jaw dropped at the vastness of space around the buildings. Having been born and raised in the middle of the city all of her short life, she had never experienced such…. freedom. The main school building itself was rather unimpressive, being plain and shaped like a ring. The buildings were much more grand and awe-inspiring back home. At least that’s how many had described her home to her. For a second, sadness threatened to overtake her.

Snapping back to reality, she turned and saw Ms. Lumpins glaring at her and motioning her to follow. Even the governess couldn’t touch Fiona unless the child permitted it, so the woman had stood there fuming silently while her charge had stood there gaping at their surroundings. So what if the child had never been away from home? She could still act her title! Giving curt nod as Fiona fell into place behind her, Ms. Lumpins proceeded to the gate outside of the school.

Miss Trena's School of White Magic was renowned institution and catered to only the highest children of nobility and royalty. Since Fiona did not have any Gifts, she was expected to learn how to use the basics of magic. It was such an important duty that the six-year-old had been sent away from home to this strange, spacious place. A woman approached them, having wise features and hair as yellow as the sun. Her posture was perfect and her pace graceful – signs of noble upbringing. She stopped a few feet from them and bowed deeply, her eyes also to the ground. 

“I am Miss Trena. It is a great honor for you to grace our school with your presence, your…Grace.” She faltered a bit at that last part but otherwise had seemed sincere with her greeting. Taking her cue, Fiona stepped in front of Ms. Lumpins and nodded to the head mistress. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Miss Trena. I was told you were informed as to my instructions?” Inwardly, she smirked at Ms. Lumpins as she spoke the last sentence, knowing full well that the woman hated having to go along with such a “childish” idea. Miss Trena raised her head, as Fiona’s acknowledgement of her had made it acceptable to look at the child. “Yes, the letter stated clearly your instructions on how I was to address you while you are here at the school. I will endeavor to obey your wishes to the best of my ability.” Rising to her full height, Miss Trena extended her arm toward the school behind her. “Perhaps you would like a tour before you are settled?” The offer was to Ms. Lumpins as much as to Fiona, but Ms. Lumpins shook her head. “I cannot, I’m afraid. I am expected back right away as soon as…Fiona is settled,” she answered, looking down at Fiona for confirmation that she might depart immediately. “It was a long ride, Miss Trena. If I might be shown to my room I would like to rest a bit before your tour.” “Of course! Right this way.” 

Fiona turned back to Ms. Lumpins, her emotions mixed about seeing her governess leave. The woman was strict and sometimes mean, but she was a part of home. “You may return home, Ms. Lumpins. Thank you for your accompaniment on my journey. Please extend my love to my parents.” Ms. Lumpins bowed and quickly turned around, but not before Fiona saw the tears in the woman’s eyes. So, the governess had a soft side? That made Fiona have to choke back her own tears and homesickness. Putting on a brave face, she gracefully followed Miss Trena into the school building.

As they neared the dormitory hall, Miss Trena spoke: “Your room is farthest from the entrance and for the moment, you will be alone. Your room will have it's own wash room and a single bed." Fiona nodded, slightly saddened. She was going to be isolated just like she was at home. Well, at least she will have her books. As soon as she could read better, she could go to other places and see other sights...maybe even escape her loneliness if just for a little while. 

They reached her room and her bags were already inside next to her bed. A Leurna appeared behind Miss Trena and glided into the room. “This is River. She will be your exclusive servant while you are here.” Sensing the child’s next question, she continued, “She has been apprised of your nobility and will treat you accordingly.” Fiona breathed a sigh of relief, forgetting the air she was supposed to portray around others. Recovering quickly, she turned and nodded toward River. “Nice to meet you.” The Leurna bowed as deeply as she could. “It is an honor, Miss Fiona.” Miss Trena bowed slightly as she backed up out of the room. “If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask.” Fiona nodded and the head mistress left the room. 

The child looked around her room and just felt tired. The journey had been long and she was weary from the excitement. River stepped closer. “Dinner is to being served, but if you wish to remain here and rest, I can bring you something to eat later.” Feeling the grumble in her stomach, food suddenly sounded like a good idea. “I will prepare for bed and then eat.” “Of course, my lady. If you wish, I will unpack for you while you wash. The wash room is empty at the moment,” River answered as she moved toward Fiona's bags. “That will be acceptable.” River found sleep garments from the child's luggage and then turned to lead the way to wash room. “Right this way.” Fiona allowed herself to relax a bit. She wanted a bit more time before she met the other students, her "peers." As long as they didn’t know the whole truth about her they might just be nice to her because they thought she was like them. At least, that’s what she hoped….