It was the day after Ella’s wedding that news arrived that His Majesty had granted her the title of a Lady. She could hardly believe it as she read the note posted at the Castle. Lavinia had just arrived at the University, still feeling tired from all the wedding celebrations at the tavern last night. Her fingers traced the schedule as she was checking what classroom the today’s lecture was to be held at when one of her classmates relayed the news. She hurried along towards the Castle notice board to check, thinking it was surely a prank of sorts.
However, there it was.
| | |
| Lavinia is now a Lady
Lavinia has been granted the title of Lady of Ravencrest Manor by the esteemed leader of Fenia.
The title was given for the following reason: For service as Mentor and Deacon of Fenia.
January 2nd, 1661 | |
| | |
She was too stunned to really process the news.
“Vin, you coming to class or what?” her classmate exclaimed from across the courtyard, waving her over. She ran the short distance and soon joined the other students.
Several hours later, in the evening, the class was dismissed for the day and the students went to grab some Fire Whiskey at a tavern, discussing the lecture along the way. Lavinia excused herself feeling too tired for drinks. Honestly, she just really wanted to speak with her sister about the whole title thing. Would they need to move houses? The students said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
When she rounded the corner, the half-witch took a deep steadying breath and exhaled. In her mind she saw the kitchen and the fire burning, then there was that familiar gust of wind that ruffled her hair and a moment later the corner was empty and she re-appeared in her warm kitchen.
“Evening sister,” she greeted.
“Are you home?” her voice echoed around the kitchen as she looked around, waiting for Vandica to arrive. She took off her leather bag and carefully set it on the counter. Then she took off her cloak and willed it away to hang near the front door. The cloak disappeared from her hands in a cloud of purple smoke. Then she drew a chair closer to the fire and sat down to get warm, listening for the echo of Vandica's footsteps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bio je to dan nakon Ellina vjenčanja kada je stigla vijest kako joj je Njegovo Veličanstvo dodjelilo titulu Dame. Jedva da je mogla povjerovati dok je čitala obavijest koja se nalazila na oglasnoj ploči Dvorca. Lavinia je upravo došla na Sveučilište, još uvijek umorna od sinoćnjeg svadbenog slavlja u krčmi. Prsti su joj pratili raspored dok je tražila učionicu u kojoj će se održati današnje predavanje kada joj je jedna od kolegica prenijela novosti. Požurila se prema oglasnoj ploči Dvorca kako bi provjerila, misleći da se sasvim sigurno radilo o neslanoj šali.
Međutim, stajalo je tamo.
| | |
| Lavinia je sada Dama
Laviniji je dodjeljena titula Dame od imanja Ravencrest od strane cijenjenog vođe Fenije. Titula je dana zbog sljedećeg razloga: zbog rada kao Mentor i Đakon Fenije.
2. siječnja 1661 | |
| | |
Bila je previše zapanjena da bi uistinu razmijela vijesti.
“Vin, dolaziš na predavanje ili što?” povikne joj kolegica, koja se nalazila s druge strane dvorišta, mašući joj da dođe. Pretrčala je kratku udaljenost i ubrzo se pridružila ostalim studentima.
Nekoliko sati kasnije, predvečer, predavanje za taj dan je bilo završeno i studenti su se uputili u krčmu, popiti koji Vatreni viski dok su putem raspravljali o predavanju. Lavinia se ispričala osjećajući se preumornom za pića. Iskreno, ono što je stvarno željela je bilo razgovarati sa sestrom o toj cijelo stvari sa titulom. Hoće li se morati seliti? Studenti su se oprostili i otišli svatko svojim putem.
Kada je skrenula iza ugla, polu-vještica duboko udahne i izdahne umirujući se. U mislima je vidjela kuhinju i vatru kako gori, onda se pojavio onaj poznati nalet vjetra koji joj je mirsio kosu i trenutak kasnije ugao je ostao prazan a ona se ponovno pojavila u svojoj toploj kuhinji.
“Večer sestro,” pozdravi.
“Jesi kod kuće?” Glas joj je odzvanjao kuhinjom dok je gledala uokolo, čekajući da Vandica dođe. Skinula je kožnu torbu i pažljivo je odložila na pult. Potom je skinula plašt i poslala ga da se objesi blizu ulaznih vrata. Plašto joj je nestao iz ruku u oblaku ljubičastog dima. Zatim je privukla stolicu bliže vatri i sjela kako bi se ugrijala, osluškujući ne bi li začula Vandičine korake.