Chapter 1: Intro to Magic
FALL TERM - DAY 1
I'm not much for keeping a diary, though I'm told for this year - my first year at the Midnight Court - it would be a useful exercise. So I must, at least, endeavor to try.
Where to begin? I am Zephyr Ashbourne, only son of Sylvaris and Petra Ashbourne, the long-time advisors to Lord Hart of The Stag's Court. Though none of that matters much now that I'm half a world away. Here in Mesym, most people have never heard of Nizari, let alone The Stag's Court, and fewer still could find either on a map. Even then, the minute anyone realizes both of those places are in Caburh, they stand a little straighter, breathe a little shallower, conversations end abruptly. Caburh is a strange black stain on my reputation. Even after I've left it.
To some extent, I understand. I've been in Mesym for less than a fortnight and I'm still just learning how to catch my breath. It's evening now, and night skies here are bright - the fat, triple moons, a spattering of stars. Marblebrook told me that the founders of the Midnight Court cast enchantments over the grounds and school to make the night sky more vibrant. It's useful for teaching new mages, sure. But more than that, it's ever more the reminder I'm no longer in Caburh. In Caburh, the cloud cover never burns away, the shadows never fully lift. It's hard to explain it to anyone who's never been there. I'm in a place with bright skies and no vampires. How strange.
No bloodthirsty noblemen. No fanged princesses in bloodstained gowns. None of that. At all.
That alone will take some time to get used to.
It's hard to say what kind of things I'm even supposed to write about here. What's meant to be significant? This whole thing - the journalling - was initially brought up by my coven leader, Mistress Elandria Marblebrook. She's head of the Vodalysa coven, one of the four covens that comprise the Midnight Court. And I've been told that I have a place in her coven so long as I am training to become a mage.
Have I ever practiced magic? No.
Have I ever thought about practicing magic? Also, no.