ALORA'S POV.
I moved, my feet light on the wooden floorboards, and my chest rising and falling rapidly. If I didn't let them in, they would do it themselves.
My hand trembled as I gripped the door handle, and when I twisted it, my chest twisted too. I had already turned off the candles with a wave of my hands.
They towered above me as soon as I opened the door. Tall men with chests so huge and arms as thick as a tree's stem. I tried to hide the fear in my eyes, knowing how easily they could trace it, but my weak knees forced me to grip the door for support.
"We have been directed to inform the general public to prepare in advance for the journey to the capital." The first one spoke, the one whose face was scarred thoroughly.
I gulped, my grip on the door tightening and my stomach twisting into tight knots. The first thing I thought was that they wanted to arrest me. Perhaps they had caught me using magic, they must have seen my fire!
"W..why? What happened?" I asked, a tremble in my voice as I batted my lashes at the giant of a man.
He let out a huff, his hooded eyes scanning my hut for a short moment.
"A rebellious group has been spotted here in Cindermere. The power was cut as a means to track them. Because of them, the binding trials will start early." He explained, his voice sharp and commanding.
"You have until tomorrow night to prepare."
They turned around and left, only then was I able to let out the breath I had been holding. I almost dropped to the floor, and my heart thumped in relief.
"That was close." I breathed, shutting the door and resting my back on it. "I need to be more careful."
I walked back to the chair, dropping lifelessly on it. My thoughts travelled again. I found it concerning that the binding trials were going to be done early this year. That had never been the case, and it left an unsettling feeling in my stomach.
I found it hard to sleep that night. I was not prepared for a journey so early, and I was yet to make plans for my mission. My mother's murderer was still out there, and I needed to find answers. But I wasn't ready.
My bed felt like stone throughout that night, and by morning, I had a sore back and a headache so painful that I feared my head would explode.
….
I had to leave for school at sunrise. They always addressed us before every journey. The same old boring speech that I was sick of listening to. We didn't have a choice, it was customary.
We all settled in the vetting hall which reeked of sweating teens and mixed colognes, but I particularly sat next to the nearest exit, an old habit. I needed an escape route, anything could happen at any time.
I buried my face in my book, but even that did not block out the intense feeling of being watched. I could feel all eyes on me. I could hear their tireless whispers and gossip. I sighed, overwhelmed by the unwanted attention, but I was saved when the headmistress strode into the hall, her presence causing the hall to fall into silence.
"Good morning everyone." She started, clearing her throat. She was a beautiful woman, wealthy but humble. She was kind to everyone, but she was not to be messed with.
She started with the routine speech about how we should prepare for the journey, bring enough to eat and some extra cash just in case.
I had zoned out during most of her speech, my gaze falling on a particular group of students on the other far end of the hall.
They all wore hoodies, their faces hidden. They had a strange aura to them, one that I couldn't see but could sense.
They looked like they were discussing amongst themselves, but I couldn't hear a word which was unusual. It was almost as if they were blocking me out.
"I'm sure we've heard that a rebellious group has filtered through the town's security and are now amongst us." The headmistress's voice made me tear my gaze away from the strange students. Murmuring rose in the hall.
"We all need to be careful, especially since we don't know what they are. They could be magic wielders."
Gasps tore through the hall, but I sat quietly, my hands going cold and my throat tightening. I snapped my gaze back to where the strange students were but they were gone like they were never there.
I almost rose to my feet in fear, but I held myself down and suppressed the heat that was rising within me.
What the hell just happened? Was I seeing things?
"Whatever they are, they will be found and treated accordingly. But for now, I urge you students to be careful and to get ready to begin the journey." She added and slowly stepped down from the podium.
The hall erupted in loud chattering, students gathering in groups to discuss. My eyes scanned the hall, searching for those students. They had vanished like the wind, and it left me feeling sick.
I ran out of the hall because I thought I was going to pass out.
Who were they? Students? I couldn't help but wonder, but I didn't find any answers.
After a short day in school, I returned to my hut and started to pack. I got all the things I needed, and took out the last money I had in my piggy bank before heading out to join the others at the square.
The journey to the capital would take off from there, and the queen's guards were going to the escorts as usual. The rich and powerful usually travelled in carriages, while the rest of us went on foot.
"It's time to leave!" One of the guards yelled out, silencing the crowd. Everyone gathered, ready to move, but then, something felt off.
A slashing pain tore through my chest, leaving me weak and confused. My palms tingled, my head spun, and my breathing became faster.
I tried to ignore what was happening to me, but the pain was tightening my chest. Something about this year's trials was wrong.
"Can you walk!?" The man behind me nudged me so hard that I almost tripped over. My vision blurred as I struggled to stay on my feet.
"You weirdo! Walk!" Another woman jabbed me with her elbow and I groaned, staggering towards the left.
"I'm so sorry." I held my forehead in my palm, but it stung. It was so hot, almost burning my skin off.
My heart skipped a beat, and I paused, my eyes widening in realization of what was going on with me.
My powers were struggling to resurface after years of suppressing them.
No, not now!