"Lessons-3" by Jessica M. Jordan

A tear made it's way slowly down her cheek and it was quickly brushed away. The flute played a rather solemn melody as Sulen and Rayin held hands, watching their mother's cold body being lowered into the ground. People began to leave and Sulen struggled to remain in control. It wasn't proper to display strong emotions in public. People would think she was weak. Rayin, sensing the state she was in, pulled the girl against his side.

"I didn't even get to tell her goodbye.." Her voice was shaking.

"No one did.. No one.. I should've been there..." His voice was low, and full of anger.. Sulen looked up at her brother with surprise."

"There was nothing you could have done. Nothing. Come on.. You have class, don't you?" Realizing that she needed to get him away from the burial site, and that he was in worse shape than herself, she began pulling him toward the road.

"Yeah.."

++++++++++

Sitting silently on bunk number four, she smoothed the folds in her yellow robe, the other occupants of the house going unnoticed. The girls did notice her, however, and felt sorry for her. One brown haired one, dressed in a green robe, sat down by her.

"My name is Nemiy. We all heard," she swept her arm around the room to include the other girls, "about your mom. We're awful sorry. If there's anything you need.." Nemiy trailed off, realizing that Sulen wasn't listening, but rather starting at the floor... "Sulen?"

"Hmm?" Came the weak reply..

"Never mind.. If you ever need to talk.. Don't hesitate.."

"Mm-hmm.."

++++++++++

Rayin stared absently at the slate Master Petrark was writing the words to some spell down on, and thus didn't hear when his name was called..

"Rayin! I've called you twice." Petrark said. The accused looked up and hastily apologized.

"I'm sorry-"

"That's all well and good, but now you can show the class how to preform this spell." He indicated to the slate and Rayin stood up and walked to the front of the room. He spoke the words and moved his hands in a circular gesture, and a small shimmering area of water appeared in the air.

"Thank you Rayin, you are excused." The Master nodded and Rayin walked out the door, heading for the stables.

I've got to get out of here. He thought as he walked into the stables. He nodded to the groom on duty.

"I'll need a fast one, a few hours and she'll be back." After a moment he added, "Make that two." The groom went back and after a few minutes, came back with two horses, fully saddled. "Thank you, Grelin." He took the reins of both mounts and headed to the yellow's classroom. Knocking on the door, he walked in and spotted Sulen sitting near the middle of the tables.

"Master Ubran, my apologies, will you excuse Sulen for this afternoon?" The girl in question turned around and gave Rayin a questioning look.

"Sure. She deserves it. Middle of the class in her first day, you know. Off you go, Sulen." Sulen got up with a hint of a smile on her face and walked out with Rayin, hearing Master Ubran continuing his lesson.

"Middle, huh? Why not first?" He teased.

"You came in in the middle of class." She grinned, for the first time that day. Her eyes widened when the mounts were seen. "Where are we going?"

"On a ride. Come on, up you go." Rayin gave her a leg up to the horse and then mounted his own.. Leading the way, he spurred his mount into a gallop, with Sulen close on his heels. She looked around while they were riding. They were heading toward the coast, she realized. They rode along the dirt path for a good while before slowing their mounts to a reasonable trot. She took a deep breath, inhaling the salty air. This was one of her favorite places..

They finally emerged from the path and onto the sand. Without a word, the pair dismounted and took off their sandals, then ran toward the surf. A hand caught Sulen on the crook of her elbow and stopped her, she turned round and smiled at her brother.

"We have to say goodbye to mama.. She liked the waters as much as you did, you know." A weak smile lay on his brown face. Sulen understood, faced the water, and took her brother's hand.

Together they wove a complex spell, too complex for either of them on their own. The two of them did it rather easily. Their combined efforts created a rainbow stretching from the horizon to just behind the pair. Rayin spoke a hushed prayer in the ancient language of magic, for he was her elder, and had the right. When he was finished, she squeezed his hand.

"Thank you Rayin.. I needed this.." Together, they looked upon the beautiful tribute that they had made for their mother. Together.