Paige had been sitting in her own sort of musical trance, when the note was delivered. Long, tapered fingers pressed tightly wound strings of steel to the sturdy neck of her lute, following long-memorized patterns, her soft voice following the song in a counter harmony, no describable words escaping lips. Music was perhaps the one thing that lent her peace, and it always had. Her fondest memory was of her, as just a babe sitting at a minstrel's knee, allowing his music to flow through her, like the energy that flowed through the earth. It hadn't been until years later that she'd learned that very few people could feel the life force of the earth, it flowing through the trees, and grass, and everything she could name. She could even sense some of it in people, though it was dimmer, just out of her reach like a bird in the sky, too high up to identify. It was the soft knock that startled the young woman from her near-trance.<br/><br/>She near jumped at the unexpected tap, and she blinked, shaking her head as she unwound her legs from their position folded beneath her on her bed, and lay her lute aside. Climbing down from the plush furniture, she padded, barefoot to the door. She hated wearing shoes, it always felt odd, like she could not reach the earth she was so tethered to. Opening the door, she peeked out, a small smile breaking across full, pink lips. "Cecily, what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked. The young woman on the other side of the door was perhaps a year or two younger than Paige's twenty-two years, but she still looked more mature than the half-breed.<br/><br/>"Summons," the human girl replied, thrill flashing through her eyes, as she thrust a sealed note toward the petite Paige. "That's the High Magus' seal, isn't it?" She was nearly squirming with anticipation. The hours of meditation classes were almost wasted on the hyperactive Cecily. Despite that, Paige was friends with the girl. She'd found a certain amount of animosity at the Tower. Both from the students and Masters, the elves and humans. It had been just like the castle she'd grown in until the age of fourteen. They had all been humans, there. They'd hated her for the inherent grace she possessed, there. She'd been a beautiful, elfin child, with golden red hair, and fathomless hazel eyes. She couldn't count the number of times she'd had her hair shorn by the other older, larger children, or how many times she'd barely avoided a frustrated woman in the kitchen. Her growth had been retarded by the half-elf lineage she'd gotten from her Father. She'd been born nearly a year after a group of Elven diplomats had stayed at the castle, and one had undoubtedly lain with her mother. Of course, both parents had been unidentifiable, she'd been found in the stables, cold, wide eyed, and weak by one of the stable hands. A cat had been curled up tightly against her.<br/><br/>Paige broke the wax seal on the parchment, and slowly read through the text, twice. "I..." She started, brows furrowing in puzzlement. She'd been at the academy eight years, but had only really learned much in the past four. She'd had talent, and so much potential the alchemist who had found her had kidnapped her away from the castle, but had never truly gotten far with it until she'd reached puberty, and found boys. Well, Duncan. He'd never been cruel to her, or even standoffish. He and Cecily had adopted the small, rangy girl that has been dumped at the academy. And he'd taught her about being a woman. That was when her power had truly blossomed. It was if a dam had broken inside of her. The Masters had been dumbfounded, and as she excelled in Life magic, she'd watched her master get more and more resentful. She knew the signs of it, the way his eyes flashed when they fell on her, the curt and short manner in which he spoke to her. He was terrifying, huge compared to her tiny, lithe stature. She was terrified of the man.<br/><br/>"I'm to go to that Elven village... the one with the drought with... With Master Darius..." She whispered, looking up to Cecily, her face paler than usual. How could the Magi expect her to work with a man that terrified her? Not to mention she would have to leave the academy, and Duncan. Only the three of them knew about her sudden revelation, and Duncan had agreed to continue the liaison. It had been mutually beneficial, and had thankfully never interfered with their friendship. Duncan and Cecily were to be married in a month, or two. She'd been graceful enough to allow the trysts to continue. She'd even participated. "We're leaving tomorrow." She added.<br/><br/>Cecily spent the night with Paige, helping her pack the essentials, her lute, her books and anything else they could think of that was necessary, but light. The two finally fell asleep in the wee hours, after hours of talking, about how this could be a grand adventure, how to deal with the surly Master Darius. A ward woke the two early, and Paige dressed in tight-fitting doe-skin breeches, tying her coppery hair back, a few strands from the front hanging loose. A tight leather top held close to her skin, leaving her midriff bare, and a travelling cloak about her shoulders. She slung her lute across her back, and the satchel of her things across her other shoulder. A pair of good boots completed her travelling outfit, and she hugged Cecily. She and Duncan had given her the cloak and boots for a midwiner gift. They'd told her it was for the grand adventures she was destined for. Paige had laughed at the time. Now she was glad for it.<br/><br/>As the firm raps penetrated the door, Paige turned frightened eyes to Cecily, her arms wrapping around the younger woman's shoulders, as she clung tightly. "Wish me luck, Love." She whispered, before turning to open the door, taking a deep breath to steel herself for his cruel gaze. "Master Darius, Good morn." She greeted him respectfully, avoiding his eyes, or him at all. She was perfectly ready, as the missive had instructed her to be.<br/>(http://combatadvantage.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/f_halfelf1.png)<br/>(http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs24/i/2008/004/5/4/DnD__female_elf_ranger_by_yiasafrai.jpg)