Thus, on the sixth day of the Month of Rising Winds, Margaret Anjou officially completed the task assigned by Vanessa Benanis, the Earth Witch, and became the witch's apprentice. The conflicts and disputes between the Stone Masons Association of Randall River Valley and the Anjou Royal Family were finally resolved through various exchanges of interests, negotiations, and the "help" of the Cultists.
Shade could not help but sigh inwardly, wondering what he might encounter at Osenfott Manor this time tomorrow night.
But before Shade could voice his thoughts, he heard "her" voice:
Earthquake.
Ripples formed in the wineglass in Shade's hand, followed by tremors shaking the entire house. Fortunately, because earthquakes had been frequent in the Randall River Valley Region lately, people were not overly panicked.
Everyone evacuated in an orderly fashion to the courtyard outside. The lightly dressed ladies huddled against their male companions for warmth, while the servants distributed warm towels and a small amount of clothing among those who had gathered in the courtyard.
Miss Benanis declined the coat Margaret had sent someone to bring her, then casually handed it to a young girl whom Shade did not know, leaving the girl somewhat at a loss.
"Look over there."
Miss Sylvia suddenly said, and at the same time, the crowd noticed the anomaly in the night sky.
Shade looked up toward the eastern sky. Beneath the pitch-black night, it was as though a transparent curtain hung from the heavens, or as though flickering flames had frozen in the darkness. Dreamlike colors appeared in the distance, winding in beautiful shapes, even resembling a transparent, multicolored mountain added to the night sky.
"Aurora."
Miss Lathers said softly:
"I've lived in Randall River Valley for so many years, yet I've never heard that auroras could appear here."
The other guests