The Silver Brooch

Chapter 1

"The trial is over after all..." Lilith muttered as she walked briskly to her room in the palace. She'd be leaving for the Academy that afternoon, after leaving Lavera in charge of the Vales. She wanted to pursue her studies and staying in the palace with no real use except paperwork would not help her. She still had a lot to learn, and the Academy was somewhere she felt most at home. The palace was grand, yes, but she needed her time to get used to the royalty.

She stepped into the carriage with Laurina in her arms along with Professor Finwe. The others had already left for the Academy before the trial ended and Professor Finwe had stayed back to ensure that she had company. She had left Lavera in charge of her duties, knowing full well that it would help the citizens to come over the shock of having discovered the Steward's evil desires. Even so, she needed her own time out of all this hassle to keep her wits together.

Royalty seemed to be a pressure, a constant worry on her shoulders. Although she tried not to show it, the shadow of uncertainty always stayed on her face. Lavera had assured her that nothing would go amiss, and if something were to happen, she'd come to know. Lilith sighed, she needed to focus on her classes and the Academy to get her head cleared from all this rubble.

They arrived at the Academy, their ride being rather uneventful. Professor Finwe stepped out of the carriage after her as she stood in the familiar courtyard of the Academy and filled her lungs with the fresh air and fragrance of Professor Bloom's flowers which thrived in the magic. Laurina hopped off her shoulder and flew over to a flowerbed where some new plants were in full bloom. The flowers were unfamiliar to Lilith, but Professor Finwe seemed to know them.

"Ah...that's surprising. I was not expecting these here." He said as he noticed what Lilith was looking at. "Dragon's Blood tree." He said with a smile as he looked at Lilith's curious expression. "They are used in a wide range of potions....Professor Cragore has most likely asked for them. Potions will get a bit more....fun this year."

"Huh...." Lilith trailed off at the professor's mysterious words. "What do you me-"

"Lilith!" A loud voice cut through her speech as she whirled around only to be toppled over by Nivia's sudden embrace. Professor Finwe gave a soft chuckle. Four figures walked up after her and greeted the Professor who nodded with a smile.

"Um...Snow..." Lilith started but was soon cut off when a wolf started licking her face. Professor Finwe's familiar, the white wolf Alba, had arrived to greet them too. Professor Finwe pulled Alba away and helped Lilith up after Nivia had stopped crushing her bones. Lilith dusted her robes and scratched the wolf behind her ears who gave a slow, satisfied growl.

"Now let's go to Sinclair.... I am pretty sure he'd like to give all of you, and possibly even me, a long lecture." Professor Finwe sighed, but then he looked up and smiled. "But it's worth it."

The group walked to Mr. Sinclair's office where the Deputy Dean was sitting in his plush chair. He looked at the people who entered and put down the quill he was writing with. He interlocked his fingers and placed his hands on the table. "So. After breaking a ton of school rules into smithereens, blowing up the reputation of the Academy, overthrowing a Steward to get back a lost dragon....you decide to meet me?" He asked. Even though he sounded stern, there was a glint of amusement in his voice. Professor Finwe burst out laughing.

"Why...or who else would you want us to meet?" He asked with a chuckle. Mr. Sinclair sighed and stood up, his expensive blue robes flowing down to meet his ankles as he walked to stand in front of them. 

"I'd have said the Dean but....since you came anyway, I'd like to say things myself." He said gravely. "Now, I'll have to punish all of you. And yes, you are included in this Finwe." He said as he stared at the professor who was still smiling.