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Episode 1: Just Sofia
Part 1: Another Big Day
Three months had passed since the defeat of Vor—three long, disorienting months of being paraded around royal events where people looked at her like she’d wrestled a dragon (and maybe she practically had, but still)—and now she was leaving Enchancia Castle for Charmswell School for Royal Magic. She had faced impossible challenges. She had traveled across the EverRealm. She had saved it. Twice, technically. So really, what could a magical boarding school throw at her that she hadn’t survived already?
She stood in the castle courtyard in the brisk morning sun, listening to her father, King Roland’s proud-while-trying-not-to-cry farewell. He’d been doing that same proud-and-teary expression since she was eight, and even though she saw it coming a mile away, it still worked on her, turning her throat tight. Underneath that royal composure, he was still her dad, and she was still a little bit of that wide-eyed girl from Dunwiddie.
Her mom, Queen Miranda, as always, was far calmer. She drew Sofia in for a hug that lasted longer than expected, whispering something about writing home every week. Sofia promised she would—even though, in honesty, every time she made that promise, she managed maybe two letters before life got busy. She really did mean to send them. But adventures and classes and responsibilities had a way of taking over.
Amber was home because it was a long weekend for EverRealm Academy and had a gaze that managed to be both fond and commanding at once. She brushed Sofia’s shoulder-length auburn hair with an approving side-eye. “Don’t forget,” Amber said, voice hushed, “a good hairstyle goes a long way in making a first impression.” Sofia rolled her eyes with a grin, but Amber’s small flood of sisterly tips came anyway—forty percent about hair, maybe, and sixty percent genuinely useful warnings about constructing the right image, not letting people walk all over you, and showing confidence without arrogance. Amber had been practicing that balance for years now, and while she sometimes fluffed her own achievements, she did know her stuff.
James, who was shipping out to Chivalry Hall in a week, only had one real question: “Hey, do you think Charmswell’s food is actually better than Royal Prep’s used to be?” he asked, bouncing on his toes. The question sounded jokey, but Sofia could tell he was actually curious. Everyone knew that Royal Prep’s meals had been the highlight of James’s entire academic career. “I’ll send a full report,” she promised with a grin, and he saluted dramatically.
Finally came Cedric. He wore his stately sorcerer’s robes in dark purple and gold, and he approached her with a solemn handshake—only to ruin the mood by saying, “Do try not to embarrass me in front of my colleagues, Princess Sofia.” He stammered over the word “colleagues” in just the way he always did, as if he still couldn’t believe he was a real professor at Charmswell and not just an observer. Despite herself, Sofia laughed. It was so Cedric that she half expected him to produce a confetti spell of swirling gold ribbons for emphasis. She promised she’d do her best not to undermine his lofty new position, which produced one of his trademark exasperated sniffles.
Then her carriage arrived—an elegant contraption drawn by a pair of midnight-blue flying horses. The driver bowed in greeting, and soon Sofia was off, the castle shrinking behind her. She glanced over her shoulder, eyes lingering on King Roland and Queen Miranda, side by side, waving until she disappeared over the turrets. Amber and James had scrambled up on a stone wall to get a better vantage to wave goodbye. The last thing Sofia saw before the carriage gained full flight was Cedric vigorously polishing his staff, as if to distract himself from the fuss.
Sofia pressed her palms against the open carriage window and let the wind whip through her hair. She peered down at the world below, letting her mind wander. She was heading for Charmswell, a place that, in her imagination, had grown so large it felt like the center of everything. Brief glimpses of the EverRealm slid by beneath the clouds—a patchwork of kingdoms and forests and winding rivers. A part of her realized there were real unknowns waiting for her, but for the first time in ages, the excitement outweighed the nerves.
When the carriage finally dipped toward the sprawling Charmswell campus, Sofia inhaled sharply. The grounds looked like they had expanded over centuries, each era adding a tower or a wing, each generation layering new spells upon old. There were five distinct castle wings—clubhouses—rising in a circle around a central square: one entangled by vines and flowers, one with soaring spires offset by swirling illusions, one with open courtyards full of mythical beasts, one that glimmered with silver spires, one that seemed to hold the entire library of the world in its countless turrets. Bridges and pathways wove between them, crossing through an enchanted forest that occupied a suspect amount of real estate. Sofia spotted a waterfall that appeared to flow upward, a courtyard mosaic shifting shapes underfoot, and hallways that branched off in so many directions she instantly lost track.
She landed on a wide, stone courtyard teeming with first-year students. They were a swirl of colorful robes, half-packed trunks, excited chatter, and confused glances. Thirteen-year-old upperclassmen wearing assorted castle crests tried in vain to direct them. Sofia hopped off the carriage with her trunk, her heart skipping with a faint, familiar sense of homecoming—except, of course, it wasn’t home. Not yet. It might be, though. Maybe.
She was about to ask the nearest student where to line up when someone gasped, “That’s her.” Another voice: “Oh, my gosh—Princess Sofia, the Protector.” The effect rippled outward like a tidal wave of whispers, murmurs, turned heads, and wide eyes. Suddenly, a ring of curious faces formed around her. They watched as if expecting her to break into a hero’s speech or brandish her amulet to do something miraculous. For a moment, she froze. She had known people would recognize her, but not this quickly. Not quite this…eagerly.
But it felt…nice, actually. Warm. These students didn’t look judgmental or demanding. Mostly, they just looked impressed. She offered them a smile, some part of her believing, with fresh relief, that this would simplify everything. They respected her. They admired her. Kids at Royal Prep had been starstruck sometimes, but Charmswell was a whole new audience. Being recognized might save her from the awkwardness of forging new friendships from zero. This was going to be a piece of cake—maybe even easier than she’d guessed.
She took a step forward. “Hi,” she said brightly, and they all leaned in. Then the ancient bell signaling first-year assembly clanged across the courtyard, and the new students unfroze like a school of startled fish. Everyone remembered at once that they had to be somewhere, and the circle dissolved in a mess of laughter and stepping on toes. Sofia let that swirl carry her along toward orientation. The amulet at her collarbone cast a subtle glint of light.
She didn’t notice that, as she let herself be swept away, some of those gazes never left her. This was just the start, after all.
Part 2: Sofia the First…Protector?
Sofia had watched Baileywick coordinate palace banquets, holiday galas, and entire coronations, so she recognized the same brand of hectic organization in Charmswell’s staff: a hundred tasks at once, all performed with bright, welcoming smiles.
Still, orientation felt bigger than anything she’d attended at Royal Prep. The Great Hall alone was breathtaking, with softly glowing lanterns drifting across the vaulted ceiling, which showed a rotating map of the entire EverRealm. Each kingdom scrolled across the sky as if someone had taken a magical camera on a tour that never ended.
Groups of new students were herded through a series of welcome speeches—some by Headmistress Nettle (who soared above them on fluttering green wings), some by older students who boasted about the “rich history of Charmswell,” some by enthusiastic faculty describing advanced illusions or caretaker clubs or greenhouse expansions. Every speech was well-intentioned. But after the third one, Sofia couldn’t help glancing around for an exit, hoping they wouldn’t require too many icebreaker activities.
She fell in line for a campus tour, led by a third-year from Castle Flora with bright-red hair and a fervent love of magical shrubs. This guide had exactly thirty minutes to whisk them through the forest walk, greenhouse annex, and a portion of the dormitories, pausing every so often to say, “Now, over that hill is the stables, but we need to keep moving—no time to see them today!” or “Just two more minutes to show you the library corridor, then we must dash!” The effect was comedic. Every other second, a swirl of new faces tried to snap pictures (magical or otherwise) or take frantic notes, all while their guide hopped from foot to foot, exclaiming, “We’ll be late for orientation brunch if we don’t hurry!” as though brunch were some vital mission.
Eventually, they arrived in the Great Hall for the “Welcome Feast.” Sofia felt a strong wave of nostalgia for the Royal Prep dining hall. But this was so much grander. The smell of pastries, honeyed fruits, and spiced tea drifted through the air. Magical illusions danced above the serving tables, occasionally forming words of welcome that flickered away as quickly as they appeared. Sofia picked a seat somewhere in the middle of a row. But as soon as she placed her tray down, a new voice said, “I heard you faced Vor herself. Is that true?” She turned to see a small cluster of students, eyes shining with curiosity.
Sofia gave a measured smile. “It’s true, but other people helped, too,” she began, already hearing her own voice slip into a well-worn pattern. She’d repeated that line over and over since the day it happened.
Before Sofia finished, a second student tapped her shoulder from behind. “What about the amulet? Is that real? We heard it can call other princesses from beyond the realms—for help? Could it do that right now?”
Sofia stammered a variation of “Yes, but that’s not really how it—” which only led to more questions.
“What was Princess Tiana like?”
“Is it true that Cinderella visited you twice?”
Over and over, each question depositing a new swirl of pressure in her chest. Anxiety wasn’t the right word. Not yet. She mostly felt fascinated by how many details these people knew, how they seemed to collect facts about her life like some ongoing legend. At times, it was almost flattering—she could practically hear Amber’s proud voice in her head, telling her to enjoy the spotlight.
But by the time the crowd parted, her scrambled eggs had gone cold, and she realized she hadn’t even tasted the spiced tea. She also realized no one had asked her name. They already knew it, presumably. And none of them had introduced themselves in return. She was the Protector. Full stop.
[Listen to the song: Just Sofia]
Eventually, the orientation meal ended, and Sofia, tray in hand, found a tall girl with a flower pinned behind her ear laughing at a side table, using broad gestures to reenact some sort of oceanic story.
Lei-Lani from Hakalo. The wave of relief that washed over Sofia made her shoulders loosen instantly. Lei-Lani had gotten standard in Enchancia once, and they’d taken an immediate liking to each other. She was easygoing, funny, and never short on stories.
Sofia hurried over, weaving through chairs. “Lei-Lani! You made it!” Lei-Lani beamed, jumping off the bench to envelop Sofia in a quick hug—forgoing all the formal princess air. “I was just telling these folks over here about the Great Coconut Festival Incident.” She flashed a mischievous grin. “Which I promise you is absolutely as dramatic as it sounds. You know how I am about a good catapult—anyway, how are you?”
For the next few minutes, everything felt normal in the best possible way. They talked over each other, exchanging summer stories that were 70% silly mishaps and 30% genuine. Lei-Lani recounted a fiasco involving an over-enthusiastic wave-charm that left her boat spinning in a vortex of sea foam. Sofia confessed to a mundane but humiliating incident in which she’d tripped over Baileywick’s freshly polished floors. Lei-Lani howled with laughter at that.
But soon, the interruptions started again. “Excuse me—Princess Sofia?” An older boy in official-looking Pendragon robes. “Could you settle an argument? Did you really—”
Lei-Lani paused her anecdote and waited. Sofia nodded politely at the boy. The question was about the final confrontation with Vor. Sofia tried to give a quick but courteous answer.
She turned back to Lei-Lani. “Anyway, so there we were on the boat—”
“Princess Sofia?” This time, a younger girl with an anxious face. “I was wondering, do you have any idea if the amulet can cure curses that—”
Another polite, short answer, another wave of hushed reverence. Lei-Lani resumed her story about the boat. The pattern repeated—someone inevitably stepping in to confirm or deny a rumor about Sofia’s adventures. More stares, more awed expressions, more talk about the big heroic moment. Meanwhile, Lei-Lani’s tale about the boat fiasco seemed to stall every few sentences.
At last, after the fifth interruption, Lei-Lani shook her head, uttered a resigned chuckle, and said breezily to the air, “I’ve faced a hurricane, a sea serpent, and the Great Coconut Festival Incident, but apparently none of that compares to the unstoppable force of your fame, Sofia.” She delivered the joke lightly, but the truth in the words made Sofia’s stomach twist. The watchers around them laughed along with Lei-Lani, but none of them looked apologetic in the slightest.
Sofia forced a laugh, but she felt the pinprick of something else. If no one ever stepped outside the stories of the Protector, how would they ever see her as just Sofia? She noticed how Lei-Lani’s broad grin had dimmed behind her eyes. She’d gone from excited performer to someone who realized maybe her story wasn't as great as she thought, though Sofia wholeheartedly disagreed. .
Sofia’s chest felt inexplicably heavy for an instant. This wasn’t a disaster, not by any means—but it was a clue that her brand-new environment might be more complicated than she’d assumed when stepping off the carriage. She wasn’t just a new student like the others. She was the famous new student, the unstoppable Protector who had saved the EverRealm. And that was a label that came before any conversation.
A sudden hush fell over the hall. Headmistress Nettle appeared in midair, wings fluttering, robes a swirl of ivy and wild petals. She commanded everyone’s attention the moment she opened her mouth—Sofia suspected it was part showmanship, part actual magical gift for her voice to project so neatly. “Students!” Miss Nettle declared, voice crisp. “It is time for the Sorting Challenge. Please gather in Founder Square. We will determine your House placements and begin your Charmswell journey properly.” She paused as a murmur of excitement swept the room. Then she added with an amused quirk to her lips, “Remember: there are no wrong answers.”
All around, first-years remained anxious about which clubhouse they’d end up in and the crowd broke into energetic chatter.
This time, the attention on Sofia shifted. Students whispered about whether she’d end up in Merryweather because she was so compassionate or if they'd place her in Pendragon for her leadership. Or maybe Merlin, for all her magical gifts. She heard half a dozen theories just moving from the table to the hallway. A laugh bubbled up involuntarily. She was actually curious herself—some small part of her wanted to see if she still belonged with the empathetic crowd, or if a lifetime of adventures had steered her more toward duty and leadership.
Lei-Lani caught up with her, tapping her on the shoulder. “Don’t worry,” she said lightly, “they can’t get all of us wrong. Right?” Sofia’s heart felt lighter at that. “I guess we’ll have to find out.”
Part 3: The Sorting Scavenger Hunt
Sofia stood in Founder Square, a paved circle at the very heart of Charmswell, surrounded by swirling eddies of first-year students in bright, mismatched robes. She tried not to feel awed by the place, but the effect was hard to resist—five ancient clubhouse castles towered around them. Vines snaked across walls and archways, birds swooped through the courtyard overhead, and the hum of magic blended with the chatter of a hundred new voices.
Headmistress Nettle hovered in front of the crowd, green wings glimmering in the afternoon light. She extended her arms with a flourish that made all the students fall silent.
“Welcome, one and all, to the Sorting Challenge,” she announced. “Here at Charmswell, we’ve learned that a student’s greatest potential comes not from raw magical power, but from who each of us are as a person. Our founders wished to see us value character alongside skill. Hence, the Sorting Challenge.”
Sofia noticed more than a few classmates exchanging skeptical glances. A tall, serious boy in the front row nodded so fiercely he looked ready to bolt for the nearest station. Some students looked positively thrilled at the idea of being tested. Others, like Sofia, tried to keep a neutral smile while scanning the crowd for friends. *Lei-Lani, are you out there?*
Nettle let a hush linger before continuing. “Today, you’ll be divided into temporary teams. Each team will receive an enchanted map. These maps will guide you to five stations scattered across the Charmswell grounds—from the Founders’ Grove to our Enchanted Conservatory and beyond. At each station, you’ll face a challenge. There are no right or wrong answers.” The corners of her mouth quirked in a smile. “I realize many of you do not believe me.”
Sofia snorted under her breath.
“Nevertheless,” Nettle went on, clasping her hands, “the Sorting Challenge is about discovering who you are, not about earning points. The founders will see you for more than your magical gifts. Remain open, remain curious, and remain kind.” Her eyes swept the crowd. “Above all else, have fun!”
With that, a dozen older students fanned out, calling off the names of first-years to form their assigned teams. Sofia waited her turn, scanning each cluster for any sign of Lei-Lani, or possibly Zane from Gloomshire, or Layla from Mezzote. At least one face would be nice. She saw a flash of Lei-Lani’s flower behind someone’s shoulder, but by the time she moved to wave, a swirl of students blocked her view. The swirl parted after a moment, revealing a different group entirely.
Then she heard her name.
“Team Eleven: Princess Sofia of Enchancia, Princess Camila of Maralinda, Princess Layla of Mezzote, Prince Zane of Gloomshire, and Prince Khalid. Report to the dais, please.”
Sofia’s face brightened. Zane was in her group. She definitely recalled meeting Zane during the school tour over the summer. He was a friendly, fun-spirited boy with a knack for musical spells. She edged through the crowd, trying not to attract too much attention as other students recognized her and performed that startled double-take that accompanied a glimpse of “the Protector.” Gradually, she found her assigned team near a small wooden platform at the edge of Founder Square.
Camila of Maralinda was easy to spot: a brown-skinned girl with a sparkle in her eyes that hinted at relentless curiosity. She clutched the newly obtained enchanted map in both hands and was already leaning over it, hair falling in her face, evidently decoding its runes. Right beside her, Layla of Mezzote cradled a small hardcover book pressed against her side like a protective talisman. She had a calm, warm expression that made Sofia immediately want to smile back.
Zane had an enchanted mandolin slung over his shoulder. He grinned so broadly when Sofia approached that she felt a flicker of relief—someone she knew who wasn’t here solely to pester her about the Vor fiasco. He gave a friendly wave.
And then there was Khalid calling enthusiastic greetings to random passersby as if he’d made friends with them all in ten minutes. “Is that you, Rhea? Good luck on the sorting!” he hollered across two lines of students. He turned back to the group. “Sorry. I’m Khalid.” He gave them an easy grin. “Good to meet you all properly.”
Sofia introduced herself as well.” She clung to the idea that maybe, just maybe, they’d treat her like any other new classmate.
Camila’s head snapped up from the map. “Wait, the Princess Sofia?” She looked polite about it, but she couldn’t hide the flicker of surprise in her eyes. “I—sorry,” she said, burying her nose back in the runes. “I got a little excited about the map.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Layla said gently, shooting Camila an apologetic smile on her behalf. “I know who you are,” she added to Sofia, “but I think I’ll be okay if you skip the heroic origin story. Just happy to have you here.” She winked. “We have so many interesting people at this school.”
Sofia’s heart warmed a bit. “Thanks,” she murmured, relieved that Layla was so...normal about the whole thing.
Khalid nodded at the map in Camila’s hands. “So, do we just...follow it? Which station is first?”
As if on cue, the surface shimmered with golden lines. Camila peered closer, arching a brow. “It’s showing me a path through the Founders’ Grove,” she said. “I think there’s some kind of puzzle there. The runes mention an inscription.”
Zane brightened. “We get to see the Grove? I heard they’ve got the original Charmswell statue with the old motto carved at its base.”
“Then let’s go,” Layla said briskly, tucking her reference book against her elbow. “Standing around is probably not what the founders wanted us to do.”
With that, they set off through the stone arch out of the main square. Sofia lingered a second, searching for Lei-Lani again, but the crowd was shuffling. No luck. She’ll be fine, she thought. Lei-Lani practically wrestled a sea serpent once, after all—she can handle a challenge.
***
They reached the Founders’ Grove after a winding walk along a garden path lined with marble busts of the original Charmswell faculty. Here, towering oak and ash trees wove a canopy overhead that let soft sunlight filter through. A large, mossy statue of five robed figures stood in the center of a circular clearing, each founder’s expression captured in stone.
But at the statue’s base, a stone door was sealed by a silver lock shaped like a stylized crest of the EverRealm. Layers of vines and ivy half-concealed it. Sofia felt a little flutter of excitement. She stepped forward, scanning for clues.
The runes shimmered softly across the surface of the stone.
An inscription stretched across the top.
Unfortunately, Sofia couldn't read a single word.
The archway remained firmly closed.
Zane tapped the stone.
Then immediately pulled his hand back.
"Ow."
"Magic?" Khalid guessed.
"Definitely magic."
Several other first-year teams had already reached the clearing. A few students stared hopefully at Sofia. One finally asked what everyone else seemed to be thinking. "You've done ancient magical stuff before, right?"
Sofia blinked.
"A few times?"
"Can you read it?"
She looked at the glowing symbols. Then shook her head. "No." The student looked surprised. Sofia tried not to let that bother her. "I've never seen this language before."
Camila knelt by the carved inscription on the statue’s plinth. The words were an older form of runic script, their edges blurred by age. She traced them thoughtfully with one finger. “This is old Charmswell dialect,” she said, half to herself. “Something about ‘when hearts unite, knowledge is shared...’ hmm.”
Khalid looked around. “We sure there’s not a hidden lever or something? I can climb that tree if it helps.” He hopped in place.
Zane, meanwhile, tested the silver keyhole, playing a few chords on his mandolin out of curiosity. No result. Everything stayed quiet, humming faintly with leftover magic.
Sofia opened her mouth to suggest they might combine their powers somehow—maybe a combined spell?—but before she could speak, Camila gave a small laugh. She pointed to a specific line of runes.
“Yes, see here? ‘When mortal hands guide ancient words, the path reveals the way to open hearts’—that’s referencing a standard alignment puzzle. We just have to align these smaller glyphs.” She brushed ivy aside to reveal a row of four rotating discs on the base of the statue. “Let me see... if I just—” She turned them in quick succession: left, right, left, left, right.
The stone door rumbled, causing a collective gasp. A swirl of silvery magic flared along its edges, and then it creaked open, revealing the first station’s official seal: a carved violet crest in the shape of an oak leaf.
Khalid blinked. “That was...fast.”
Camila blushed. “Oh, sorry. I’ve just studied a lot of old runes. I get a little carried away when I spot them.”
“No, that’s amazing!” Sofia said genuinely, clapping lightly.
After the door fully opened, the station’s official record scrolled in the air: *Station One: Completed by Team Eleven.
The swirl of magic glowed briefly, then faded with a soft chime.
They headed back to the main path. On the way out of the Grove, Sofia glimpsed a rope bridge in the distance. Another group was crossing it, and one bright figure in the lead was definitely Lei-Lani, balancing on a single foot at the center of the bridge, arms outstretched. She seemed to be guiding a small spinning bubble of water. Water magic, obviously. Sofia grinned. She was proud of her friend’s boldness.
***
They followed the map to Station Two: the Enchanted Conservatory. Sofia’s excitement sparked again. She had always adored magical plants. The conservatory’s glass dome loomed in a swirl of pastel reflections, the interior alive with climbing greenery and drifting seed sprites. The air smelled of wet leaves and fresh pollen.
They followed the map to Station Two: the Enchanted Conservatory. Sofia’s excitement sparked again. She had always adored magical plants. The conservatory’s glass dome loomed in a swirl of pastel reflections, the interior alive with climbing greenery and drifting seed sprites. The air smelled of wet leaves and fresh pollen. Something that looked suspiciously like a dancing turnip disappeared around a corner.
Sofia decided not to ask.
An iron gate blocked the path ahead. Or at least it would have been visible if an enormous vine hadn't wrapped itself around it. The plant practically covered the entire entrance.
Khalid pushed against it.
Nothing happened.
"It's stuck."
Layla was already kneeling beside the vine. Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Actually..." She gently brushed aside a leaf.
"Oh."
"What?" Sofia asked.
Layla pointed. Tiny glowing creatures huddled beneath the vine. Seed sprites. Dozens of them. "They're nesting."
The group moved closer. Tiny green, bud-like creatures blinked up at them.
"They're adorable," Zane whispered.
The nearest sprite sneezed. A shower of sparkles exploded across his face.
"Definitely adorable." Layla smiled.
"The vine isn't blocking us."
"It isn't?"
"It's protecting them."
Sofia looked again. The vine wasn't acting like a barrier. It was acting like a shield.
"So we don't need to force it open," Sofia realized.
Layla nodded. "We just need to help." She drew a breath. “Let’s see,” she murmured, flipping open the little reference book she’d carried around all day. She scanned a couple pages. “Seed sprites feed on ambient magic, so they have to be placed in an environment that matches their elemental alignment, or their growth gets stunted. Look—these seeds are glowing green, which means they’re forest spirits.”
Khalid blinked, impressed. “You just happen to have a book about seed sprites with you?”
Color crept into Layla’s cheeks. “It’s more of a general magical-botanicals guide,” she murmured. She closed it gently and moved toward the nearest cluster of vibrant green seeds. “Here, little guys,” she coaxed in a soothing tone, “I’ll take you home.” She lifted her palms, and the seeds drifted toward her.
The seeds glowed brighter, and within seconds, she guided them toward the correct bed of sparkling emerald crystals. The entire bed lit up with a burst of swirling dust as each sprite settled in.
The garden sprite soared overhead, squeaking what sounded like gratitude. The station’s seal shimmered around them.
Station Two completed: Team Eleven.
“That was so cool,” Zane said. “A few minutes more, and I would’ve tried playing music for them, but it looks like they didn’t need it.”
"Layla," Sofia said, genuinely impressed, "that was incredible."
Layla's cheeks turned pink. "I just know a lot about magical plants."
As the others headed through the gate, Sofia noticed one small sprite trapped beneath a fallen branch. Without thinking, Sofia hurried over and lifted the branch. The sprite zipped free. It circled her head once before disappearing in a shower of sparkles.
***
Station Three lurked at the edge of Charmswell’s forest, bordering something called the Moonlit Clearing—even though it was still daytime. As soon as they stepped into the clearing, the light dimmed, as if a soft twilight glow soaked the mossy ground. There, a graceful moon-fox lay trembling, ears pinned back. A swirling silver thread around its paw suggested it was tangled in stray illusion magic.
Zane let out an “Oh!” of delight. “I’ve heard about moon-foxes,” he said in a hushed voice. “They’re nocturnal illusions made real by moonlight. But it’s obviously stuck.” He slung the mandolin off his shoulder.
Khalid frowned. “I’m not sure if we can just—”
“Careful,” Layla whispered. “Moon-fox illusions can bite if they feel cornered. They’re jumpy by nature.”
Khalid took one step forward. The fox flattened its ears. Khalid immediately stepped back.
"Never mind."
Someone from another team glanced toward Sofia. "Can't you talk to animals?"
Sofia sighed internally. Not again. She understood why people assumed that but the Amulet wasn't allowed during the challenge.
Sofia took a step closer, gentle, trying to gauge the fox’s mood. Its eyes flicked to her warily. “Hey, little guy.” The fox growled and started away. Sofia sighed and moved to chase after him, but Zane was faster.
He knelt, strummed a few chords on his mandolin with a haunting, melodic lilt. The fox’s ears perked; it swiveled toward him. Zane eased into a soft lullaby, each chord building a shimmer in the clearing, as if coaxing the magic to calm. Gradually, the silver thread around the fox’s paw dissolved.
The fox blinked, shook its paw free, then padded forward. It snuffled Zane’s shoe inquisitively. With a grin, Zane let the final chord ring, and the fox nuzzled his hand gratefully. The entire clearing glowed for an instant in response. Sofia couldn’t help feeling a pang of admiration at how graceful the resolution was.
Before she could even exhale, a swirl of moonlight coalesced into the clearing’s station seal. Station Three completed. The fox disappeared with a flick of its tail, leaving behind only the residue of twinkling silver light.
“Amazing,” Camila said. “Does that tune work on all illusions?”
Zane shrugged. “I think it’s more about the mood than the melody. But I’m happy it worked.”
“And you were about to try brute force, Khalid,” Layla teased. She laughed softly.
Khalid just spread his hands. “Wasn’t going to hurt it, but, sure, I might have gotten scratched in the process.”
“Zane’s approach was definitely more graceful,” Sofia said with genuine warmth. They chatted excitedly about the illusions, heading to the path that led to Station Four.
They emerged from the clearing and turned onto a footpath lined with flickering lampposts. Sofia spotted another cluster of first-year students crossing an old stone bridge in the distance. In their midst was Lei-Lani, water swirling around her ankles. She was guiding it forward in a bubble that looked suspiciously like a floating puddle. She was so busy concentrating that she didn’t notice Sofia. Or maybe she was forcibly ignoring everything but the task at hand. Still, she seemed to be having fun.
***
By the time they reached a fork in the trail, it was mid-afternoon. The map glowed again, revealing two distinct paths: one leading to what Camila read as “a shrine,” the other continuing deeper into forest marked by swirling lines labeled “the Living Maze.”
“We have two more stations to complete,” Layla said, glancing at the map. “Should we split up?”
“You know the founders never said we could,” Khalid pointed out, twiddling a stray twig in his fingers. “And Miss Nettle specifically told us this is about teamwork, right?”
Zane nodded. “Probably best if we all go together.”
The fourth station looked surprisingly simple.
After everything they'd already encountered, Sofia had expected something dramatic.
Maybe a magical creature.
Or a giant enchanted puzzle.
Or a bridge that only appeared if you answered riddles correctly.
Instead, they found a small stone shrine tucked into a moss-covered wall.
Three objects rested on a pedestal at its center.
A jeweled crown.
A crystal wand.
And a plain silver lantern.
An inscription glowed beneath them.
ONE BELONGS HERE. CHOOSE.
The five of them stared.
Then, almost automatically, everyone looked at Sofia.
Again.
"Why do you all keep expecting me to know the answers?"
The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Silence followed.
Khalid blinked.
Camila looked surprised.
Even Layla looked caught off guard.
Finally, a nearby student from another team shrugged.
"Well..." She hesitated. "You defeated Vor."
As if that explained everything.
Sofia looked back at the shrine. For a moment, she wasn't really seeing the crown or the wand or the lantern. The realization settled over her slowly. Everyone kept expecting her to have the answers because they thought her story was already finished. They saw the Protector. The girl who defeated Vor. The hero from the stories. Not a first-year student standing in the middle of a school challenge. Not somebody who still had things to learn.
Not Sofia.
The thought hurt.
But somehow it also made everything clearer.
She wasn't failing these challenges.
She wasn't letting anybody down.
She was learning.
Just like everyone else.
Maybe that was the point.
Sofia took a deep breath and looked around at her teammates.
Camila was already studying the inscriptions around the shrine.
Layla was examining the carved symbols along the base.
Zane had tilted his head thoughtfully.
Even Khalid seemed to be searching for clues.
Why was everyone waiting for her?
The answer was standing right in front of them.
"Camila?" Sofia asked.
Camila looked up.
"Yeah?"
"You've been studying those carvings for five minutes."
Camila blinked.
"I have?"
"You have."
"Oh."
Sofia smiled. "What do you think?"
For a moment, Camila simply stared. Then a grin spread across her face. She hurried toward the shrine. "I think the objects are a distraction." Immediately, everyone gathered around. Camila pointed to a series of worn carvings circling the base. "Look."
The symbols glowed faintly beneath her fingertips. "The founders keep repeating the same idea."
"What idea?" Khalid asked.
Camila's eyes sparkled. "That power only matters when it helps other people."
Sofia glanced at the crown. Then the wand. Then the lantern.
Suddenly, she wasn't so sure the lantern looked plain anymore.
"The crown represents authority," Camila continued. "The wand represents magical power."
"And the lantern?" Zane asked.
Camila smiled. "The lantern helps other people find their way." She carefully lifted it and placed it on the shrine.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Then the golden light spilled across the shrine. The stone wall trembled. A hidden doorway slowly opened behind it.
Khalid let out a low whistle. "Remind me never to play trivia games against you."
Camila laughed. Sofia laughed too. Relief washed over her. Camila had solved it, and nobody seemed disappointed. If anything, everyone looked impressed.
As they stepped through the hidden passage, Sofia found herself smiling.
Maybe she didn't need to be the person with all the answers.
Part 4: Impossible Expectations
After emerging from the shrine, they were meant to follow the map’s final route back through the forest. The newly revealed path snaked through an overgrown orchard, and partway along, they stumbled across a sniffling child from the Junior Charms Program who had gotten lost. Mr. Muddykins, the silent yet attentive groundskeeper, was nowhere in sight. The child looked about eight, tearful and clutching a broken wand.
Sofia crouched down. She wasn’t sure how to fix a wand, but Camila said she might know a quick repair charm. Layla improvised a bandage from a spare cloth in her bag to snip the wand’s jagged edges while Zane played a reassuring musical lick to calm the child’s nerves. Khalid circled, searching for footprints to see if a teacher was nearby. By the time they found Mr. Muddykins (who emerged from behind a hedgerow with a gentle grunt that meant thank you), a full twelve minutes had passed.
The little group dashed back into the orchard, taking the same route they’d come. The map beeped at them like an annoyed clock, but they pressed on. Sofia didn’t mind. Helping a kid in need was way more important than finishing speedily. She was pretty sure the founders would agree. Camel-like lumps of orchard mud clung to their shoes, and the leaves that had seemed so pretty an hour ago now brushed wetly against their heads. At some point, Camila accidentally stepped into a hidden pond, soaking her ankles.
***
Finally, panting and caked with mud, they reached the wide clearing known as the Living Maze: Station Five. Just as the map promised, a towering hedge labyrinth stood before them, leaves swaying in an enchanted breeze. A wrought-iron gate in front was open, but the labyrinth walls inside shifted, rearranging themselves. There was no sign of an obvious route.
“Living Maze,” Camila read from the whirling text above the archway. “Find the center. Unite your gifts. Trust the puzzle.”
Zane stared at the moving shrub walls. “Does that mean we need to physically chase the path as it changes?”
Sofia tried to piece it together. “We’re not supposed to solve it by ourselves,” she guessed. “We know illusions are helpful, runes are helpful, knowledge of magical plants is helpful. Let’s do it all—together.”
She didn’t wait for them to push her to the front. She took a step forward and turned back to face them. “Khalid, you’re good at navigating. Maybe you can spot patterns in the hedge movements. Layla, if there’s any hidden seed sprite or vine trick, you can guide us. Zane, illusions might respond to your music. Camila, keep an eye on the runes for clues. And I’ll watch for magical triggers or any weird barrier spells. Let’s keep each other informed.”
Everyone grinned and nodded. Khalid studied the labyrinth’s swirling patterns and nudged them in the right direction when a new passage opened. Layla recognized a creeping vine that signaled an impending wall shift. Zane strummed short chords to momentarily freeze the leaves instead of letting them swirl uncontrollably. Camila pointed out runic markers on the ground that signaled where the next opening would appear.
And Sofia watched for silent magical triggers. Twice she spotted a shimmer on the hedge that meant a barrier was about to lock them in place. She led them away before it pinned them. They worked quickly, with breathless commentary, sliding in and out of newly revealed corridors. The entire labyrinth glowed a soft emerald under swirling illusions. They tripped, they scrambled, they occasionally bumped into each other. But after one particularly well-timed shuffle, they finally broke into the labyrinth’s central circle, nearly colliding with one another in a pile of muddy shoes.
A bright glow burst overhead: Station Five completed. Sofia let out an exhilarated laugh. This was the best feeling she’d had all day—being part of the solution with no single hero.
The labyrinth parted with a final flourish of green leaves, letting them spill out onto the far side of the clearing. There sat Founders’ Circle, where they’d started in the morning—a ring of old benches and a small dais for final announcements. It looked like most other teams had finished already. That was okay. They were last, maybe, but they’d done it in their own way.
They trudged to the finish line, sweaty, mud-caked, but triumphant. Sofia felt a lightness in her chest that she hadn’t felt all day. She turned to her teammates, and they all shared that same exhausted grin. They collapsed onto a bench in a loose sprawl, gulping air.
For once, no one was pestering her about the Protector business or waiting for some unstoppable Varian-level spell.
Part 5: Castle Merryweather
Sofia first realized how much everything had shifted when she stepped into the Founders’ Circle that afternoon and felt distinctly… unremarkable in the best possible way. She could see clusters of new students comparing every minor detail of their Sorting Challenge experience—little pockets of breathless chatter about rope bridges that had swayed in the wind, about misfired alchemy spells that fizzled into a sticky foam, about enchanted pollinators that turned someone’s hair a faint shade of purple. But nobody was bragging about finishing first or complaining about finishing last. Not a single student was fixated on “winning.” It was just a tide of excited, urgent voices, weaving a tapestry of “Oh, you won’t believe what happened!” and “Wait—did you get stuck in that living hedge, too?”
Sofia’s own team had scattered into small subgroups the moment they arrived. Camila was already off in a huddle with some older Merlin students, presumably gushing about all the runes she’d deciphered. Layla had drifted near a cluster of students from Castle Flora, flipping through that ever-present botanical guide with Lord Primrose himself. Khalid jogged here and there, slapping new friends on the shoulder the way a puppy might greet every single person in the backyard. Zane was leaning against a low stone wall, strumming the mandolin he’d used to calm the moon-fox, tentatively introducing himself to a fellow Fauna with a matching easygoing grin.
And in the middle of everything was Lei-Lani, visible right away from her flower-tucked hair alone. She was sitting on the grass with a circle of first-years leaning in, rapt. She was telling a story, and from the tone of her voice and the way her arms silhouetted in the air, Sofia could guess it involved improbable magic and a lot of comedic near-disasters.
Every few seconds, a burst of laughter erupted from her audience, punctuated by gasps of “He did what?” or “You couldn’t possibly!” And Lei-Lani glowed.
Sofia lingered on the fringes, arms crossed gently over her chest, smiling. She tried to pick out the fragments: something about a prince who got himself turned around at sea, a rainstorm that had no business being in the middle of an otherwise clear day, and an uncooperative sail that might’ve needed “a little extra magical persuasion.” Lei-Lani’s voice rose with bright excitement, then abruptly dropped for dramatic suspense. The circle around her hung on every word.
This is what it looks like, Sofia thought, when a story is just a story. Not an interrogation, not a heroic retelling, not an expectation.* Lei-Lani’s group hadn’t once mentioned the famous name “Vor” or the battle that nearly destroyed the EverRealm. They were simply listening to Lei-Lani because she was interesting—and because they wanted to know her. She was so busy listening that she barely noticed when the official ceremony started.
***
Headmistress Nettle, flanked by a small posse of upperclassmen, glided onto the dais at the center of the circle. Her green wings folded gracefully behind her, and her gown of leafy vines rustled with authority. She lifted her staff—for effect, Sofia suspected—and the crowd quieted. The golden light of late afternoon slanted across the courtyard, painting the ancient stones in honey hues. It was the perfect backdrop for the Sorting announcements.
“Wonderful work today!” Nettle called out, voice ringing. “Every year, I find new reasons to trust the founders’ vision. Now that the Sorting Challenge is complete, we will celebrate each first-year’s placement in the clubhouse that best suits them.” She paused, shifting her bright gaze over the rows of students. “And so, when I call your name, please join your new housemates!”
Sofia snuck a glimpse at Lei-Lani’s group. Lei-Lani caught her eye and raised a playful brow, as if to say, Ready * Sofia exhaled. She was.
One by one, student names were called. Each name shimmered on a floating piece of parchment overhead, and an enchanting swirl of color directed them to the correct castle.
First up from her team was Camila. The parchment glowed with a deep amethyst sheen, and a subtle pulse of runic script shone around her feet—Sofia stared in fascination at the intricate spells forming shapes midair. It was almost a language in itself. Then, the swirl of magic tugged Camila gently toward Castle Merlin. The onlookers cheered. Camila beamed brighter than Sofia had ever seen her—excitement radiated off her in waves. She’s going to love it there, Sofia thought, smiling. A place that thrives on curiosity, discovery, and runic study suited her perfectly
Next, Layla. A hush fell briefly. Layla’s name hovered in soft green script. A delicate swirl of leaves manifested around her, floating petals that drifted in a circle. A moment later, they drifted in an invisible breeze toward Castle Flora. Layla pressed a hand to her mouth, looking simultaneously relieved and thrilled. Then she hurried toward Lord Primrose, who opened his arms in a welcoming gesture. Flora House cheered thunderously.
Zane was next. He shuffled toward the dais, his mandolin slung across his back. Sofia noticed he was trying not to look nervous, but the tension in his shoulders gave him away. A swirl of bright orange illusions engulfed him, flickering like dancing foxfire. Then it pulsed outward, drifting him to Castle Fauna. At first, Zane blinked, surprise etched across his face. But then a crowd of second-year Fauna students broke into applause, and he lit up. They all but pulled Zane into a group hug, offering overlapping congratulations.
Soon Lei-Lani stepped forward. She tossed a grin back at the circle of classmates she’d been entertaining, then turned her focus on Nettle. The parchment manifested her name in a swirl of turquoise that glinted like sunlight on water. The air itself smelled faintly of salt and sea-spray. Sofia blinked, inhaling the sudden wave of brine and tropical breezes.
That must be Lei-Lani’s magic. The swirl guided her unambiguously to Castle Fauna, matching her with the explorers and ocean-lovers and adventurous hearts. Lei-Lani’s mouth dropped open a little. She bounced on the balls of her feet, eyes shining, then waved at Sofia across the courtyard before bounding toward her new housemates.
Sofia’s heart ached warmly. She was happy for Lei-Lani—Fauna was the perfect fit, no question. At the same time, she was said she wouldn’t see Zane and Lei-Lani every morning in her own dorm. We’ll still be friends, she reminded herself. But, it wasn’t quite the same as having them right down the hall.
***
A swirl of other names followed: Khalid’s (Castle Fauna as well), Lucien’s (Castle Merlin), some brand-new faces heading to Castle Pendragon. Dozens of new students found their official home for the next few years. Each time, the watchers clapped and cheered, and older students greeted them warmly. Though smaller sub-rivalries existed, the major mood was uplifting excitement. Teachers hovered around the edges, occasionally giving encouraging nods or hushed remarks.
Sofia was so busy watching that she almost missed her own name.
“Princess Sofia of Enchancia,” Headmistress Nettle called.
Sofia swallowed, stepping forward. Across the courtyard, a knot of Pendragon second-years whispered to each other, pointing. A few Merlin students watched expectantly. Fauna students eyed her with curiosity, no doubt aware of her animal-related magic. Even the younger kids from the Junior Charms Program peered around the edges, hoping to catch sight of the famed Protector.
Her heart hammered. She shifted her weight, remembering the swirl of assumptions from earlier. “Sofia’s a hero, so obviously she must go to Pendragon.”
Or “She’s basically a powerful sorceress—Merlin is the only logical place.”
Or “Her amulet speaks to animals—Fauna, obviously.”
The wave of chatter flared up again in the background, quiet but intense. Everybody had an opinion about where the unstoppable Protector belonged.
Miss Nettle lifted her staff, and the swirl of founders’ magic rained down from above—a shimmering, delicate light shot with purple-and-silver threads. It danced around Sofia’s shoulders, momentarily making her hair flutter. Her heart clenched. She braced for which direction it might push her. Merlin? Pendragon? Maybe even Fauna?
Instead, it moved left—straight toward the cluster of students wearing sky-blue sashes and badges depicting a stylized heart. Castle Merryweather. Sofia blinked, sure she’d misread the swirl. But it grew stronger, warmly guiding her forward.
A collective intake of breath from the onlookers told her that they hadn’t expected this, either.
She took tentative steps. When her foot crossed the threshold between the dais and the Merryweather benches, the swirl of light dissipated, leaving her standing with her new housemates. A hush, then a wave of reassuring applause.
The Merryweather upperclassmen wore genuine smiles. Professor Starbloom, the house advisor, nodded her approval from her seat.
For one instant, Sofia’s mind whirled. Merryweather was the house of empathy, compassion, and service.
Their motto was Magic serves best when the heart leads.
She must have looked slightly dazed, because Headmistress Nettle’s subtle smile flicked across her face, and the older fairy said, “Castle Merryweather welcomes you, Princess Sofia—and so do its founders. They saw not who you were in battle, but who you are in everyday choices.”
A smattering of applause broke out again. Sofia felt the pang of tears prick her eyes as she realized, they were seeing the girl who helped a lost child in an orchard, who asked for her teammates’ ideas before her own, who tried to keep Camila’s runes from being overshadowed, who let Lei-Lani get to the end of her story (or at least tried), and who sought to offer a hand rather than a grand gesture.
She caught glimpses across the courtyard: Camila, from her shiny new Merlin perch, gave her a thumbs-up
Layla, standing beside Lord Primrose, looked thrilled and mouthed something like, “So happy for you!”
Zane, now decked out in bright Fauna colors, nodded, a small grin flicking across his lips. Lei-Lani waved both arms—her personal brand of excitement—and blew a dramatic kiss in Sofia’s direction. Sofia let out a soft laugh, feeling that tightness in her chest slowly ease.
****
Obligatory applause receded, and other students had their names called—some heading to Castle Flora, a few to Castle Pendragon, and so on. Meanwhile, Sofia tried to breathe normally. She moved into the row of Merryweather benches. Immediately, a third-year princess with a chestnut braid slid aside to make room: Eloise of Bellamar, if Sofia recalled correctly.
“Welcome,” Eloise said, voice warm, “we’re so very happy you’re here.” She offered Sofia a seat. She settled in, mouth twisted up in a slightly uncertain grin. She was waiting for the “So, about that time you saved the world. How intense was Vor?” question. But it didn’t come.
Eloise just gave her a gentle smile.
From across the circle, she noticed Adira, a first-year, also watching her with curiosity. Adira gave Sofia a half-wave.
Next to Adira stood Prince Ronan, who was tall, second-year, and rumored to be an expert Healer. He nodded once.
Professor Starbloom, the quiet, thoughtful faculty advisor for Castle Merryweather, approached their bench once the final name had disappeared from the Sorting parchment. She had a gentle, glowing presence that made everything feel calm. Her voice was melodic and low as she spoke to the handful of new Merryweather members. Eloise scooted to give her room.
“Welcome, all of you,” Starbloom said. “You’ll find that Merryweather isn’t about proving yourselves with grand displays of magic. It’s about listening, about supporting one another, and about learning how to use power responsibly. We believe in hearts before wands.” She smiled quietly.
“We don’t have a list of strict rules for you. We only have a guiding principle: Magic serves best when the heart leads. That means your decisions—big or small—should be guided by empathy. If you keep that in mind, you’ll do fine.” She threw an encouraging look at the group of first-years, all still slightly wide-eyed from the day’s excitement.
Eloise quietly added, “You’ll see that living out our motto requires humility sometimes. But we can help each other.” Her gaze flicked to Sofia. “Keep an eye on that amulet of yours, though. If it starts giving you cryptic messages, we have all sorts of resources here. And a few of us, myself included, are good at balancing magical items overwhelmed by emotional energies.” Her friendly wink made Sofia giggle softly, relieved.
Sofia didn’t bother to mention that, ironically, the amulet had been the least complicated part of her day. After all, it never hurt to be prepared.
––––––––––
A short closing address from Headmistress Nettle followed. She congratulated everybody on an excellent start, reminding them that classes would begin tomorrow in earnest. The golden afternoon slipped into a richer shade of sunset, and the five newly sorted houses began to dissolve into separate groups. Merryweather members stood and stretched, exchanging small talk about who had shared classes, who might try out for the Flying Derby team, who was hopelessly disorganized, and the best route back to the dorm.
Sofia rose along with them, making sure her bag was secure. In the distance, she saw Camila wave enthusiastically, already trailing behind a pair of Merlin third-years. Layla hovered next to Lord Primrose, who was gesturing to a greenhouse in the near distance. Over by the Fauna archway, Zane and Lei-Lani were laughing about something, with Khalid hollering for them to “Wait up!”
Over the din, Sofia thought she heard Lei-Lani’s voice calling, “I’ll tell you the rest of my story soon!” Then the swirl of Fauna jackets closed around them, and they were gone, heading toward their domain on the far side of the forest.
A sweet, earnest ache thumped in Sofia’s ribcage. She pictured dim-lit common rooms, late-night giggle sessions, and maybe a new routine of meeting for lunch. She was determined not to lose track of the people she cared about—even if they were in different houses.
She cast one last glance at the wide circle, which was now nearly empty.
She gathered her courage and joined the small throng of Merryweather students heading through the castle archway. Princess Eloise guided them, softly chatting about which corridors led to the first-year dorms, which faculty offices they should know, and how to find Professor Starbloom’s meeting room. Every hallway they passed glowed with gentle, welcoming enchantments—framed portraits that waved politely, sconces shaped like flower blooms, cozy nooks with plush chairs. There was a hush of kindness in each space, as though the castle itself was smiling.
Adira, the other first-year, drifted closer to Sofia in the hallway. She had warm brown eyes and a calm air, but they sparkled a bit as if sizing up Sofia’s feelings like a tapestry. “That was quite a sorting,” Adira said mildly,
Sofia dipped her head. “I came in thinking I had it all figured out. Then I realized it’s not so simple once you get to know everyone else’s strengths.”
Adira nodded, thoughtful. “Well, Merryweather is good at building each other up. And from what I’ve heard, you’re already a champion builder yourself, so it’ll fit you. Even if the rest of the world forgets that you’re still a person and not a shiny statue.”
Sofia’s stomach did a quick flip. They fell into step together, trailing behind Eloise as she pointed out the Dining Hall annex and the entrance to a tower staircase.
Eventually, they arrived at an open courtyard inside the Merryweather wing. A soft fountain shimmered in the center, and a mosaic of the house’s motto curved around it: Magic serves best when the heart leads.
“All right,” Eloise said to the group of new Merryweather students, “these stairs lead up to the first-year dorms. You’ll meet your roommates in a bit—each room has two to three. Take your time getting settled tonight. If you need anything, come find me.” She clasped her hands, smiling widely. “Any questions before you go?”
One first-year piped up about study schedules. Another asked about where to get dinner. A giggle rippled through them when a small flying cat-like creature darted overhead, probably an escaped pet from the Magical Creatures Society. Eloise calmly assured them that “Cloverpaw,” as the winged cat was known, would find its way home eventually.
Sofia glanced around, memory drifting to the last time she’d arrived as “the new princess” at Royal Prep, years ago. She thanked Eloise, then turned to climb the stairs.
––––––––––
Halfway up, a thought tugged at her. She remembered her promise to her mother to write letters. She was older now, but she’d still try to keep that promise, at least on this first day. She rummaged in her bag for parchment and a small quill. There was no warm desk or sunny windowsill, just a stone step on a spiral staircase, but it would do.
She perched on the steps for a moment, letting the shifting evening light illuminate the page. Her mind whirled with everything that had happened. She couldn’t possibly sum it all up. She pressed the quill’s tip to the parchment, inhaling the faint smell of ink as she began to write.
Dear Mom,
I know where I belong.
She had so much to tell her mom—that she’d reconnected with Lei-Lani, that she’d discovered a living maze, that she’d rescued a lost child with her new friends. She wanted to describe how Nettle’s wings caught the sunlight and how Camila’s eyes had sparkled when she solved runic puzzles. She wanted to capture the tingle of salt air that whirled around Lei-Lani at her sorting, and the relief that flooded her when the swirl of magic took her to Merryweather.
She might not manage it all in one letter. But there would be many more.
“Sofia?” someone whispered from a few steps up. It was Adira again, peeking down the spiral staircase. “Are you—did you find your room yet?”
Sofia lifted her head, a blush creeping in. “Not yet. Just…writing a quick note home. I’m almost finished.”
She scrawled a few more lines. Then rolled up the parchment, tucking it into her bag to finish later. She had covered the clubhouse sorting, but there was still so much to talk about. Lei-Lani’s story about the storm, Camila’s face when the archway opened, Zane and the moon-fox…
Adira offered a soft grin. “OK, but hurry up. Your new roommates are excited to meet you — there’s a rumor one of them brought a miniature phoenix egg. It might be hatching soon. I’d hate for you to miss it.”
Sofia looked up.
A phoenix egg. She’d never seen one up close before. Were they even allowed to have pets in the clubhouse? She had no idea. But she wasn’t going to waste another second finding out.
She grabbed her bag. “I’m coming!”