by Martha Carr
Raven whispered over his shoulder, “Too much information. You’re scaring the locals...again.”
Henry cleared his throat as the man eyed him. “I love green pickle sausage. Where did you get it?”
“Nice save,” said Raven. “You are definitely going to need weapons training.” Henry ignored her and gave the man his most charming smile.
The man’s eyes widened, and he looked warier as he pointed to a young woman with braided hair and a dark red apron tied around her waist. She was some distance away, and eager hands were reaching out, taking samples.
The stout woman was carrying a platter of the sausage with both hands, stopping to offer some as she made her way through the crowd. “Got it from her. Looks like she has plenty to share.”
Henry stretched to catch a glimpse of the server, punching the palm of his hand. “Damn. She’s in the middle of the courtyard. It’ll take me forever to reach her. She could be out by the time I get there!”
“Better get moving, then.” Raven gave him a nudge. “Oooh, that last guy licked his fingers and went back for more.” She made a face. “No telling where that hand’s been.”
He shook his head. “Nope, don’t care. I still want some.” He waggled his fingers, resisting the urge. “I could probably snake a few pieces and pull them over here. If I do it fast, nobody will notice, right? Look, everybody is too busy chatting to look up.”
“No way!” Raven insisted. “The headmaster would kill you if he found out you were using magic tonight. He said no spells can be used unsupervised, and you’re gonna show off in front of an entire town for a sausage? Remember your plan? Low profile?”
“Man! I’ll be right back.” Henry slipped into the crowd, leaving Raven behind to roll her eyes at him.
She wandered back to the old man, who was selling the small dagger. “I guess we’re done talking about my familiar,” she said as she reached into her satchel to pull out a few coins for the merchant.
“Thank you.” She grabbed the matching sheath from the table and slipped the blade inside for safekeeping.
“Raven! It is you!” Raven glanced up and smiled at Henry’s parents approaching her, talking excitedly as they got closer.
“This place looks exactly the same as when I went here.” Harvey Derks was tall like his son and broad-shouldered, always smiling with a constant sheen of sweat across his face.
Abigail Derks was smaller than all the men in her family but was the glue that held it all together most of the time. “You think? No, this driveway wasn’t here, it was over there. And the barns are new.” One hand flitted around her face as she tugged at Harvey Derks' sleeve. “But the main buildings are the same, and I’m pretty sure most of the professors are aging in place.”
Mrs. Derks nervously waved, still smiling at Raven as they got closer, checking to see who could hear them. “No, not at all. Young as tadpoles, all of you.”
Harvey Derks smiled at his wife. “No one can hear us. Oh, hell, there’s Professor Rickerson! Never did turn in that last paper.” Mr. Derks leaned into his wife. “Man has a memory for the oddest things! Raven, so good to see you!”
“Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Derks. You just missed Henry; he’s getting food.”
Harvey and Abigail Derks smiled knowingly at her. “Of course, he is,” Abigail said, shaking her head. “That boy can’t resist free food!”
“Where are the other boys tonight? Didn’t Henry’s brothers want to see him declare?”
“Ah, we’re having some troubles with our workload. A few of our hands are out on leave.” Harvey’s smile momentarily fell. “Some of the crazies in the town are spouting off wild horror stories, freakin’ them out. Until they get back to work, there’s a lot to do. Pigs don’t take care of themselves on a ranch, you know?”
Raven nodded and gave a sympathetic smile. “My grandfather likes to say, ‘the work stops for no one.’”
“He’s got that right!” Harvey declared, the beams from the decorative torches and spotlights turning his bald head into a kaleidoscope of colors. “The other boys are going to miss it, but those are the sacrifices you have to make sometimes. How about you? Are you ready to declare your familiar to the whole town?”
“Yes, sir. I can’t wait.” What a lie.
“You nervous?” His slight belly jiggled as he laughed. He lowered his voice and whispered. “What are you going to declare? I bet it’s a good one. Mine was a silver fox. Boy, I loved that animal. Could get into the tightest places. I can’t tell you how often that came in handy. Come on, tell us yours.”
“Oh, Harv!” Abigail nudged him with her elbow, shaking her head while giving Raven a knowing smirk. “Ignore him. He can wait just like the rest of us to hear what your familiar is going to be. It’s part of the fun!” She looked past Raven. “Where’s your grandfather?”
“Oh, uh, well, I guess the same as your other boys. Our ranch hands need some help, so he’s hanging back to keep things going smoothly.” She plastered a smile on her face. They can see right through you. “Thing is, you know my grandfather. He doesn’t…”
Harvey’s bushy eyebrows went up and down with her excuses. Finally, he interrupted to save her from sputtering more. “Your grandfather has a hard time with crowds. That’s okay. I’m sure he’s thinking about you right now. But don’t worry, we’ll make sure to cheer just as loud for you as we do for Henry!” He smiled harder, most of his teeth showing.
Abigail let go of his hand and brushed Raven’s shimmering red hair back, tucking a few strands behind her ear and shaking her head. “It feels like just yesterday you and Henry were chasing piglets around the pen, diving in mud and laughing your faces off when you were supposed to be working. Your mom and I always looked the other way. She used to say, ‘If they knew that wasn’t just mud they were diving into’!” Abigail laughed.
Raven shook her head, wistful. “We figured that out eventually. That’s why we stopped! Well, I stopped.”
“She would be very proud of you tonight, seeing the young woman you’ve turned into.”
“We all are proud of you, Raven.” Harvey’s eyebrows shot up. “It’s been a joy watching you grow up, and it’s about time you get into the Academy and start focusing some of those powers of yours. Family legacy, don’t you know.”
Henry returned with a small plate, one side loaded with green pickle sausages, the other holding a fresh crepe, hazelnut cocoa oozing out of its edges. “We’re going to be lining up soon. I think I see Murphy already hanging out by the stage. Bella, too.” He nodded in the direction of a makeshift wooden stage that had been set up on the edge of the courtyard, just at the base of the steps of the Main Hall. It was festooned with the school colors and lanterns on either side.
Raven glanced at his plate. “Did you skip dinner or something?”
“Lay off. I’m a growing boy. Besides, it’s free. You don’t turn down free!”
“We’d better go if we want to get a good spot, Harvey!” Abigail’s tiny hand grabbed her husband’s and tugged.
“She’s right. Go get ‘em, kids! We’ll be watching!” He patted his son on the shoulder, then the two of them worked their way into the crowd.
Henry picked up the crepe and bit into one end of it, sending the cocoa pouring out the other end. He quickly pulled his plate under the downpour to keep it off his shirt. “Last thing I need is a big brown stain all over my chest while I’m up on stage. I don’t need people laughing at me.”
Raven started walking toward the stage, weaving through the crowd while she talked over her shoulder at Henry. “You mean, people like Jenny?”
He stopped and gave her a befuddled look. She noticed he wasn’t walking and turned to face him.
“Oh, don’t act like that. I saw you the other day, sitting with the other boys. You kept glancing over. I can tell when you have a thing for someone. I’ve known you long enough.”
Henry closed his eyes and wiped a smudge of cocoa off the corner of his lip. “I have no idea what you
’re talking about. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” He pushed past her and continued walking.
Raven pointed at him vigorously while she followed behind. “You’re so full of it! I practically saw you drooling. Shoot, you were drooling more at her than you were at that plate of sausage. And that wasn’t your condition.”
He ignored her. “Bella better hurry over there, or she’s going to miss her spot.”
They both looked to their left. Bella Chase was gazing at Professor Browski, a tall, rail-thin teacher who was visibly fading in front of her. She flicked her dark hair behind her shoulders and gave a polite clap.
Raven clicked her tongue. “Invisibility spell. Browski is just showing off.”
Henry took a few steps off-course to throw away his empty plate, his mouth still full. “I bet that’s wearing him out. The guy is old. Look at him. He could use a sandwich.” He swallowed his last bite.
“I’m sure it’s exhausting, but it’s late. He won’t need much energy after this. I don’t know why Bella’s over there sniffing by him, though.”
“Bella! Let’s go!” Henry shouted. Bella raised a finger to him, thanking Professor Browski for the demonstration before jogging over to them.
“Now that is a spell! Imagine what you could do with invisibility!” Bella’s mouth hung open, still impressed by the professor.
“What, was he teaching it to you or something?” Raven caught the tone in her voice and put a finger to her lips, pressing down. Why do you care what she thinks?
“No, I was just telling him how much I was looking forward to his next class, and he said he wanted to give me a preview. Fine by me. I love seeing the masters use their stuff.”
They reached the stage, which was built just taller than any of the students. Henry touched the old, splintered wood. “This thing looks like it’ll collapse any second. You’d think the Academy would spring for a new one.”
Raven shrugged. “It just needs some new paint, I think, and it would look fine. How often does an Academy need a stage in the courtyard, anyway?”
They walked around the corner to the rear of the platform, where the students had congregated at the base of the five steps leading up to the stage.
“How do I look?” Henry placed his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest.
Raven pressed her lips together for a moment. “Like a brilliant, powerful wizard ready to charge into battle and send the enemy packing in fear.”
“Really?”
“Not even a little bit. Come on, let’s go.”
Headmaster Flynn walked by the students lining up. He was wearing a dark robe that still managed to glow in the fading nightfall. He nodded to the students and climbed up the short steps to walk across the stage.
The wood creaked with each step, causing Henry to close one eye and groan. “Ugh. It’s like the stage is screaming out in pain.”
He walked to the edge of the stage and looked out over the gathering audience and waited patiently. A hush fell over the crowd and heads turned toward him, one row after another, many with eager smiles.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we now come to one of my favorite parts of the entire school year. The Harvest Festival!” He raised both arms and fireworks shot up into the sky from the twin turrets behind him in the distance, flanking the old castle walls.
A loud roar and applause erupted from the crowd, and several were out of their seats cheering and waving small pennants on sticks with the black and gold school colors.
“The Harvest Festival is both a celebration of our school’s past as well as its future. In this spirit, I would like to invite the first-year students at Fowler Academy to step forward and declare their familiars.”
A short girl with bright blonde close-cropped hair and alabaster skin walked up to the front of the stage. “My name is Julia Knowles. I have chosen a wombat as my familiar.”
The announcement was met with polite applause as the next student followed her. One by one, each student walked through the same routine. Up the steps, across the stage, announcing their name, and then their familiar to polite applause and loud cheers from their families.
“I am Bennett Cotton. My familiar is a jackal.” He smiled, showing off a wide gap in his teeth and gave a wave to his parents in the crowd. His mother smiled, showing the same gap-toothed smile as his father waved back.
The next girl had long dark locks that crowded around her face. She lifted her chin and looked out at the crowd with large deep-blue eyes with heavy lids. “My name is Elizabeth Kinsley, and I have chosen a bat as my familiar.”
“Okay, that tracks,” whispered Henry as Raven nudged him in the ribs. “What? I’m beginning to wonder if we have to look like our familiar.”
“I’m Rory Davidian. I have an owl.” The blond-headed boy scanned the crowd, looking in every direction.
“See? Told you.” Henry and Raven exchanged amused glances. “I’ve hung out with him. He says the bare minimum. Never fails,” Henry whispered. “Like an owl, and did you see that head turn?”
“Owls are hunters, better be careful.” Raven shook her head. “Smart, too. You should make friends with him.”
“Okay, maybe my theory has a few holes in it.”
After making their declaration, each student left the stage and stood at the front of the crowd in a growing line.
“My name is Anne Marie Murphy, but most people call me Murphy. My familiar is a barn cat.” She held up a large black cat with white paws and a white star on its forehead. “His name is Fitz.”
“Well, sure, someone had to pick a cat,” said Henry, rolling his eyes. “The original familiar of witches.”
“’Barn cat’ is a nice twist. A feral cat that likes to hunt.” Raven smiled at Henry. “You have a toad. Be nice to everyone.”
Bella Chase was next. “My name is Bella Chase.” An awkward pause followed when she didn’t announce her firedrake. Several in the crowd shifted their weight, glancing at each other. A low murmur started to rise.
Bella stretched out her hands, quieting everyone. The faint sound of flapping wings made the crowd gasp and turn their heads as her firedrake, Wesley, soared across the night sky. He paused in front of the shining moon, the crowd chattering with a scattering of surprised applause.
He circled overhead and landed at Bella’s feet, the two of them taking a bow together while the crowd erupted in cheers. Bella smiled, nodding at everyone.
In shock, Raven looked at Headmaster Flynn, who was smiling. She tugged on the back of Henry’s shirt. “I thought the rule was we couldn’t actually bring our familiars tonight! She’s showing off and breaking the rules.”
“You didn’t say anything when Murphy held up her rat-catcher.” Henry leaned back and turned his head. “My older brother said it’s more of a request, and besides, Bella has good control over her familiar. Nice show, too. Good for her, because I wouldn’t bring mine around everyone yet.”
Bella and Wesley took another bow to the roar of applause, then exited the stage and walked to the line.
Finally, Henry took to the stage, confidently striding to the edge. “My name is Henry Derks.” Abigail Derks let out a loud whoop. “Thanks, Mom.” The crowd laughed. “I have chosen a toad as my familiar.”
He said it! Raven looked up at him in surprise, then out at the crowd to see their reaction. There were more than a few amused looks, but in the middle of the sea of skeptics who were answering with polite applause, Harvey and Abigail Derks were clapping wildly and cheering on their son. “Atta boy!” Harvey shouted.
It was Raven’s turn at last. Pushing out a heavy breath, she climbed the steps and strode across the stage until she stood before the crowd, her toes right on the apron. She squinted, picking out familiar faces. Many of them had known her since she was born. Some had known her parents.
There are a lot more people here than I realized.
For a moment, the tightness in her chest made it difficult to breathe. She closed her eyes and composed herself.
“My name is Raven Alby. I-I’m sorry, but I have not chosen a familiar yet.”
She looked at the Derks family. Henry was so uncomfortable, he was wincing in pain. His father’s eyebrows were twitching as he smiled at Raven, his mouth opening and shutting with no words coming out.
Abigail Derks nudged him, whispering, “We need to encourage the girl. She has nobody here!” She cupped her hands around her mouth and called to her, “That’s okay, Raven!”
“You’ll figure it out, sweetheart!” Harvey followed. They clapped their hands, and a smattering of applause came from a few other sympathetic souls. “Child better do it soon. Just a couple weeks left to figure it out.”
Raven relaxed her shoulders. Can I get off this stage yet? She ran a finger along the edge of her mother’s ruby and silver pin.
As the applause died down, Bella Chase spun around and shouted, “She told us in class she was picking a dragon!”
An amused chuckle rumbled through the crowd.
“Hey, aren’t you an Alby?” The shout came from somewhere in the middle of the crowd. “You’re a mage in training. Pick something like a crow!”
Raven felt her face redden and ran her fingers through her hair. She walked off the stage without saying another word.
Henry rushed to meet her at the bottom of the stairs. “Hey, it’s okay.”
“Puleeze. I could feel everyone staring holes through me. I’m going to be the joke of the town.”
He put his hands on her shoulders. “It’s not that bad.”
She looked past him. “Oh, really?” Raven nodded to the crowd. Several locals stared back. Leading the way, Bella Chase displayed a smug smile.
Raven scowled. “I’ll show her.”
“Is it about her? Okay, okay. This’ll be interesting.” Henry sniffed the air, suddenly jerking his head. “Oooh, donuts. Be right back.”
Chapter Thirteen
Raven trudged home, reliving the declaration and fuming over everyone’s reaction. She walked past her grandfather, who seemed distracted, threw herself onto her bed, and stared at the ceiling. Eventually, she fell asleep, dreaming of flying high over the ground and the warmth of a dragon’s face close to hers.
