Elvera Academy #1: Upon the Garden's Wall

Evelynn hobbled down the cobblestone paved path, the smells of spices coming from a nearby candle store. She was about to continue her way before she smelt her favorite scent. Pumpkin spice. She smiled to herself, it reminded her of her Grandmother Gwendalynn’s homemade pumpkin pie.

She had to get it, she couldn’t resist. People often label her as a candle hoarder, and she would proudly live up to that title. Evelynn’s hands tingled as she pushed open the door to The Candle Shop. The sign hung in front of the shop, old and rickety. It sort of reminded her of her cottage, but not that much to the point they looked identical.

The smell of the pumpkin spice called her, walking up to it and picking it up gently. It was in a class case, a red and black checkered ribbon surrounding it, the label of the scent written on the front. The amber orange wax of the candle shining from inside.

As she walked up to the counter, she noticed the tired, crotchety old man. She placed the candle carefully onto the counter. The old man groaned. “You again…?”

“Bet you missed me didn’t you, Vinn?” Evelynn teased, pushing the candle closer to him. “You know I can’t resist candles!”

Vinn smiled softly. “That would be 5 coins!”

Evelynn nodded, digging in her dress pocket and handing the coins to Vinn. She waved goodbye to Vinn and walked outside the shop, bag in hand. Out of nowhere, something flew into Evelynn’s face.

“Ack!” Evelynn shrieked, startled from the sudden object. She looked down and saw an envelope. She raised her brow, why would this be sitting in the open?

She bent over, picking it up. She unlaced the seal carefully, gasping when she read what was inside.

A child prodigy from a far off world…

Shall shake up this realm

And set light to our fates

Evelyn started to panic. What did this mean for Kindalle? Was she about to get another prophecy? She couldn’t waste anymore time. She ran past the other elves, bumping into a few. She couldn’t stop running. The adrenaline built up inside her chest, sweat dripping down her face. The stress that was on her shoulders followed her all the way back home.

When she got to her cottage, she slammed the door shut. She eyed her workshop, her threadbear rug strewn across the floor, spell books everywhere. No one knew she did this stuff, and it was best it stayed that way. Unless you were one of the Elites or Powered, magic was strictly prohibited.

She flipped through her spell book, her breathing quickening. Suddenly, a burst of energy shot through her veins. Evelynn screamed in agony, her dark red hair flowing upwards. Her head tilted up, her eyes glowing yellow. Her vanilla colored tabby, Griffin, hid under the table, meowing in fear. Once it was over, she fell to the floor.

Evelynn gasped for air, trying to catch her breath again. She looked around, her eyesight a bit disoriented. She knew exactly what was happening. She now had a new task she needed to follow. In the back of her mind, she thought,

I need to find this girl…