13.

The newly appointed Sages of Light and Wind left the halls of the Grimwards with all the haste that could be afforded. In little time they were on the road, being escorted by a small escort of Grimward knights. While on the road, Ostel did what he could to train Summer in defending herself, letting her spar with him so she could be able to handle at least a person trying to take her life. He also put her through a series mediation exercises, though he did not tell her for what reason.

All Summer could do was what she was told. This human was different in the sense that he had no intentions to harm her, and being outside the castle of the Grimwards seemed to lift her spirits. She knew that she was still a slave for the most part, though her master had given her a dress that Ostel bought from a passing villager. The dress may not have been very long, as it only came to mid-thigh, but she thought it pretty all the same. The sleeves were long and flowing, mostly hiding her hands when she let her arms rest to her side. The skirt portion of the dress was a pleated design. The sleeves themselves were attached to the dress by a string of ribbon, which confused the elf, but she said nothing as she was just happy to have clothes. The villager also gave the elf a pair of sandels that tied all the way up to just before her knees and were comfortable enough for Summer to run if need be. This got some odd looks from the knights, but they stayed obedient to Ostel.

The injured hawk known as Merlin healed remarkably well under the care of Summer. Soon as he was able to fly again he soared into the skies, with Snow, Ostel's white wolf happily chasing the hawk. Though Summer at first was worried, her master told her not to be too concerned and that they would be back. True enough, later that evening the pair of them had been hunting, with the hawk tenderly resting on Summer's slim shoulder's and Snow resting next to Ostel as he slept beside an oak tree.

The days seemed to slip by as they made their way through the countryside to the port of Nadar. After a day of rest in the port town the party was were booked on the first ship bound for Tenbra. 

It was on this voyage that Ostel told Summer the reason why he was training her, and about her being chosen as the Sage of Wind. During his explanation, Summer just stared at Ostel as if he had five heads, though she didn't voice a word of complaint. She didn't really think being a Sage meant much of anything as she was still wearing the chains of a slave. On top of that she didn't know any magic, let alone magic that was meant for a Shifter. After a few minutes, she finally spoke.

[b]"I am an Elf,"[/b] she said softly, [b]"An Elf is not known to be fluent in wind magic... that is a Shifter's pride and I am no shifter."[/b]

As she spoke she shifter from foot to foot as she waited for Ostel to speak again. She wasn't sure if he would yell at her or let what some people would view as insubordination slide.

Instead the human merely shrugged, [b]"Maybe you are an elf or not, I do not really know Summer."[/b] Ostel then shook his head and muttered, [b]"Personally I am not sure of anything right now, hell I do not even want to be here honestly. I'd rather turn the ship around and head home, or go somewhere else. I really got a bad feeling about all this."[/b] He said with his gaze fixed on the continent of Tenebra as it came into view.

Their conversation fell short as the retinue from Lucerna prepared to disembark from the trading ship. Once they were ashore the knights from house Grimward kept their vigil over the two Sages until they were at the gates of the University. Once they disembarked, the knights escorted the two Sages as far as the gates to a courtyard before bidding farewell.

Upon arriving to the designated area, Ostel and Summer found themselves standing in front of an ornate Gate in the shape of a large Dragon. Winding along the metal poles and up the stone walls of the courtyard was an array of Briar and Rose vines, there thorns long and sharp, making them look menacing. [b][i]If this is what it looks like on the outside... is the inside going to be unkempt and scary like now?[/i][/b] Summer thought before slowly going up to the gate and placing a hand against the dragons head, her right finger gently tracing the multicolored gem that was its eye. Once her finger slipped over the eye, the gate opened without a sound to reveal a lush garden on the inside.

Slowly, she stepped through the gate, unsure if Ostel was following her or not though she didn't seem to mind if he followed or not as she was captivated by what was inside the Courtyard. In the center stood a large fountain with a sculpture of a Nymphe holding an orb with 6 gems sealed inside. Around the fountain there were various types of flower including Red Roses, Black Roses, Orchids, Lilies, and Lilacs. With some hesitation, Summer reached out and gently touched a one of the roses, pinching one of the silky peddles between two fingers as a small smile spread across her face. [b][i]It's so pretty in here, maybe the outside is just meant to deter people who don't belong here from coming inside,[/i][/b] she thought to herself as she turned to look at the rest of the courtyard.

To her surprise, she noticed the courtyard was shaped like a Hexagon with different objects in each corner. To the corner on her right she saw a large crystal like structure that seemed to hold light within but beyond that she was unable to tell. Continuing on, she saw an un-contained pillar of water, large oak tree, an onyx stone building, a volcano like structure, and lastly she saw a structure that both drew her to it, but also warned her to stay away for the time being. The Structure was a cylindrical shape that seemed to hold clouds within it. She couldn't understand why she was so drawn to it, but she listened to the silent voice telling her to stay away for now.

Separating each section of the courtyard was a line of rose bushes varying in their colors. Setting between the crystal and water was a mix of white and blue roses, between the water and oak tree a mix of blue and green rose bushes sat, followed by a mix of green and black between the tree and onyx building. Red and Black roses were in place between the Onyx and volcano while red and light blue sat between the clouded Cylinder and volcano.

[b]"Ostel, you should come and see this, it is amazing in here!"[/b] Summer called as she turned to look for Ostel, [b]"I have never seen anything so amazing before!"[/b]

In response to Summer's amazement Ostel could only stammer, [b]"Believe me elf, I agree completely."[/b] the bastard said as he came into the courtyard. The dragon door shut behind him as well, making him a bit uneasy, but his expression was showed his amazement at the courtyard. He walked to each of the ends of the hexagon, looking intently at each one that was dedicated to a element. And then he came to a stop as he gaze at the crystal that seemed to represent his own element, the large crystal shining with a light, a shadowed figure in the Crystal.

[b]"So this is what they meant by the world becoming bigger when you step out the door. They were not lying."[/b] He said as if in a trance.