The Fairy Isles

7. Arrival in Dravenswood

As soon as we step off the ship, I'm amazed by all of the colors and rolling hills on Dravenswood Isle. It's nothing like home, and I can't wait to explore! Lucy grabs my hand and exclaims, "Oh my gosh, Aurora, we are really here! I can't believe we are on Dravenswood Isle and about to attend Bryxton Academy. This is better than I could have ever dreamt. Everything is so beautiful!" I honestly have no response for her. The first glimpse of Dravenswood Isle has me speechless. I just can't help but stare at everything we pass by as Kingsguard Conroy gets out bags and leads us to a carriage to bring us to our accommodations for tonight. We will be staying at a dorm that Bryxton Academy provides for incoming students in Brilfax village until we leave early in the morning for Daekrahm village where the Academy is located. The dorm embraces the beauty of Dravenswood, and our room is larger than my house back home, which is surprising since we will only be here for one night. Lucy and I drop off our bags and turn to the door so we can go explore the village. Kingsguard Conroy blocks the doorway and days. "Make sure to be back early so you two can get enough sleep. We leave at dawn tomorrow morning." And he just turns around and leaves. Lucy and I give each other a look and head out to explore. This village has so many merchants and such unique foods that we would never find back home. We try as much food as our stomachs allow, and once we get tired of walking and people watching, we head back to the dorm. As Lucy and I get ready for bed, we chat about all the fun things we saw and experienced today as I say, "I can't believe this is happening! I'm so happy that we get to enjoy this together!" Lucy hugs me and responds with "there's no one else in this whole world that I would rather experience this with!" We talk for a bit more about all the exciting things we saw today, then go to sleep.

We wake up early and finish packing our bags back up when there's a knock at the door. I go to open it and find Kingsguard Conroy waiting for us. I let him in, and he asks if we are ready and we tell him that we are. He grabs our bags, and we head downstairs to grab a quick breakfast before we head out. As soon as we are done eating, we go outside and see multiple carriages waiting for all of the students that are still inside preparing to leave for Academy. Kingsguard Conroy leads us to a very fancy carriage and secures out bags while Lucy and I get in. He joins us a second later, and the carriage starts heading to Daekrahm village. The ride is only a few hours, and we left early enough to watch the sunrise on our way, which is stunning. About halfway there, Kingsguard Conroy clears his voice and begins to speak. "You ladies must be very careful who you trust at Bryxton Academy. Not everyone is how they seem. Most of the students are vying for power and want to show everything that they are below them. You two will be some of the most powerful students there are you are only in your first year, so you will be targeted. This Academy is for honing your powers, and if you succeed, you will have many options for your future, and the other students will be jealous of that. Keep your friendship close, and don't let anyone pull you two apart. Your strengths together will help you tremendously. I will also be training both of you after your lessons during the week, so be prepared for long and busy days. Do you ladies have any questions?" Lucy just stares at Kingsguard Conroy, processing everything he just said to us. And I ask, "When do our lessons officially begin?" He responds with "You will have orientation tomorrow and lessons begin the day after. I will meet you two outside of your last lesson to show you where we will be training. I expect you to get there on your own after that and don't be late." We both agree to do that, and the carriage grows silent while Lucy and I look outside and notice Daekrahm village in the distance. Bryxton Academy is close to the middle of the village, right next to the Queen and Kings castle. I'm not sure if I am more excited to see the academy or the castle. Both will be incredible, I'm sure. As we enter the village, we take in all the sights and promise each other we will spend as much time off school grounds checking out the sights while we are here. It's an incredible sight seeing how the rolling hills blend into the woods in the east, grass is surrounding the school, and to the west are the most spectacular mountains I have ever seen. I'm sure the sunrises and sunsets are going to be a beautiful sight here, I will be so sad in four years when I leave Academy. I will have to enjoy my time here as much as possible, but I also can't wait to go back home and tell my parents all about my time here. Of course, I'm still upset with them about everything that happened before I left, but I can feel in my heart that this is exactly where I am meant to be. I hope to learn more about my past and my real parents while I am here, along with growing my magic so that I can hopefully have an amazing future.