47
Firian
Invigorated, Firian marched back to the Academy at a great pace, as though walking faster would get him more quickly to his goals. He couldn’t remember ever having been so happy. Belik walked much more slowly behind him and was soon out of sight.
The air smelled beautifully of pine, and the gray, cloudy sky hanging low over the trees cooled him, promising rain. The soft earth yielded under his rapid feet. If Belik was right, his work was about to pay off. He couldn’t wait to be back.
Striding confidently up to the main doors, he let himself into the cavernous hall and leapt up the left-hand stairs to his room two at a time. Before he reached the door, Bard came out and jumped up, catching him in a squeezing hug. Today Firian didn’t mind.
“Fir!” Bard cried with a grin as Firi
