The announcement came halfway through first period. Victoria House had re-opened, and the freshmen were allowed to leave early to collect their things and change clothes. At lunch, Matsias told them the story of the night before, or at least, as much as Matsias would tell. Key wasn't sure if he had held something back, and it occurred to her that he would do well in Liberty House, which was known for secrecy. Immediately after, her heart sank, knowing he would never have the chance."Will your parents be mad?" Ayan asked.
Mat glanced at Key. "Honestly? I don't know."
"Mom, dad?" Key's mother was working on a map while her father cooked dinner. She wasn't sure why she shook, standing in front of her own parents. Maybe because her whole family had lived on the Southern Continent all their lives. Or maybe she worried that Matsias, asleep in the next room, would wake and enter in the middle of the conversation.
Her mother looked up from the map, but didn't put down her pen. "What is it, Key?"
Key took a breath. "I want to apply to Faraday Academy of Magic." Now her mother put down her pen. And her father turned from the stove to look at her. "I've thought about it for a long time. I'm old enough, and I think the lightning stones I make could be proof enough that I've the potential to be a great wizard."
Her mother leaned her head on her fist, her long braids forming a curtain around her face. "We're not arguing with you, we're just surprised."
"But if it's what you want to do, we're not going to stand in your way," her father added. Her mother put a hand out for him, and he took it, to show they agreed on the matter.
Key took another breath. "I think Mat should apply too." Her parents dropped their hands. But Key plowed on before either of them could speak. There was no point on her applying to Faraday if Matsias wasn't going. "He's wanted this his whole life. He probably would have applied by now if he hadn't been Pelan. He didn't think he'd be able to leave Ethion. Now he has the chance."
Her father took a seat at the table. "Key, we believe you. But Mat... it's only been a month since we left Ethion. I don't think he's in any place to be filling out a school application."
"Maybe next year," her mother suggested, "Faraday takes older students..."
But Key was ready for this too. In fact, she had already gotten the paperwork from a teacher in the town they had just left. She produced if for her parents. "Faraday has a rule that if there are extenuating circumstances, an adult can apply to the school on behalf of the student."
Her mother pulled the application toward her. "But the extenuating circumstances are complicated. So is the proof of magical ability." She exchanged a look with Key's father.
Key hesitated. She already knew this was the part where she would have to be convincing. "I think based on the news from Nefrale, Faraday would support having a Pelan student. And he would probably be safer there than on the Southern Continent."
Her mother shook her head. "That's not my worry"
"It's not?" Key thought she had considered everything.
"No." Her mother tapped the application with a finger. "If we write a letter explaining why Matsias came to live with us, and that letter gets intercepted, he could be in even more danger."
"Inter..." Key knew the word, but didn't know why her mother would be worried."I'm sure you know how the conflict here has affected us," her father said,
"Thisaazhou are less trusted. Not every country is as friendly as Atlinthaia. And some like to take their time inspecting Thisaazhou trailers."
Key sat down. "How long has... why didn't you tell me?"
Her mother, unusually affectionate, laid a hand on Key's. "We didn't want you to worry. But it does mean we would have to be very particular about how we send in an application."
Key's father returned to the stove. "We haven't visited your nephew in a while. The once who lives outside of Lexi?" He named a town in southern Nefrale.
Her mother nodded. "No one would suspect us going to visit him."Key came to a slow understanding of her parents' implication. "No one in Nefrale will inspect the letter."
"Even if they might, the Shax'ia priests have to travel sometimes. Fisher could deliver the application for us."
"You mean you'll do it?" Even though Key had carefully planned her argument, she hadn't entirely expected her parents to agree.
Her father stepped away from the stove to take her mother's hand again. "We'll do what we can."
Key directed her words to Mat. "They won't be angry. Worried, maybe, but not angry."
After dinner, Key met Matsias in his new room. His roommate was out. Mat suggested he was out replacing his things that had been damaged in the fire. Matsias himself, of course, was lucky. None of his things had been touched.
"What are you going to tell mom and dad?" she asked him."I didn't really think about it. I guess I'l just say I didn't fit in." He looked up at her. "I'm sorry I messed this up."
"What?"
"I mean, you seemed pretty excited when we both got accepted. But I guess it'll just be you." He sounded far more nonchalant than she expected.
"Matsias," she asked slowly, "you're not going to do anything... drastic, are you?"
"You mean more drastic than what I already did?"
"I'll miss you." What Key wanted to say was, "I'm worried about you," but she knew that wouldn't help anything.
Matsias nodded. Then a knock came at the door. Matsias opened it and Mrs. Putyam stood in the doorway. "Mat, come with me."
Mat looked at the teacher, and then back at Key. "But... I thought there had to be a meeting."
Mrs. Putyam's already thin mouth got thinner. "It has come to my attention that this situation might be more... complicated... than originally perceived." Key gave Mat a wary glance. "You are to report to Ms. Collins' office. Your sister can wait. I promise, you won't be swept away without getting to say goodbye."
