Full name: Hayden Alve-Sacha Caerleon
Powers: emotional and physical darkness
Intuitive and pensive, Hayden picks up on a lot more than most kids his age. He enjoys equal parts solitude and companionship, and is happy merely sitting and reading in silence with his friends.
Hayden is fluent in four different languages.
EXCERPT
Hayden tiptoed into the kitchen, instantly engulfed in a cloud of aroma. He paused long enough to close his eyes and breathe it in.
Then he blinked and glanced over at his mother, who tended to a pot on the stove. “What’d you need me for, miem?”
Marienne nodded at the pile of letters and flyers resting on the table. “There’s one for you.”
Hayden fished through for a thick, creamy envelope with a seal. The wax sculpted into a quill crossed with a twined piece of scroll.
Hayden ran his fingers over its contours—much smoother and richer than what he was used to.
“It’s from the House of the Scroll.” A thrill raced through his stomach.
“‘To the guardians of the household:
“‘It has come to our attention in our yearly scrying that you are caring for an Iris-born child who will be at the age of eleven by the start of our next term. They are cordially invited to begin attending the House of the Scroll. If you wish to accept this invitation, kindly respond no later than the fifteenth of Levechim. We will send you any and all necessary information no later than the first of Callachème.
“‘If you so choose, we look forward to your child joining our community.
“‘Thank you,
“‘Demille Thorncrown
“‘Headmistress of the House of the Scroll.’”
Marienne lowered her spoon to a waiting plate, then moved to the table to sit, smoothing under her dress as she did so. “Did you want to go?”
Hayden nodded eagerly. “They’ll help me practice with my powers.”
Marienne nodded back, though her eyes clouded. “That they would…but—being around all the other kids? Would you be okay with that?”
Hayden bit his lip. “They’d know what to do.”
He needed to convince his mother…needed to erase that concern from the corner of her lips and eye. He didn’t know what life at the House of the Scroll would be like; but they specialized in handling magic. They had to be able to help him.
“And you’d be right here in the city,” he continued. “I wouldn’t really be that far away, if I needed anything.”
Marienne rubbed at her forehead. “Well…we should give it a try, shouldn’t we? They would be able to give you a proper magical education.”
Hayden nodded. Maybe they’d be like the clan. They’d only known a few other Iris-born in the Blue Mountains where Hayden had been born; but the village hadn’t viewed him any differently than the rest. Wouldn’t it be the same at an entire school dedicated to magic?
“All right.” Marienne finally offered her son a weak smile, then laid a hand on his arm. “Let’s write up a response, shall we?”
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