“Show me Arle’s dream,” Clover said as she looked in the tall, wide mirror on the wall, holding her hands over her brooch. She looked at the far side of the mirror, where an oval piece had been cut out long ago. “I’m sure of it. Samuel’s mirror came from you. That mirror shows dreams and nightmares. I don’t remember it very well, but I know about the reflection.”
Ceciliate and Sarah reached the door to the off-limit rooms. During the past ten minutes, they hadn’t encountered anyone else.
“How is she?” Ceciliate asked when she reached the hall to the physician’s quarters, and seeing Piñole leaning against the wall beside the door.
“It’s good to see you again,” Ceciliate told her returning visitors. “You probably figured as much, but Lady Piñole Alsike has left for the orange land. She has taken Lady Arle Alsike with her, as well as my brother, Burr, and our slave, Alfalfa.” She offered tea and cookies to Sarah and Samuel, something to give them a little strength before leaving for the orange continent.
Samuel sat up. He looked around his room, dark save for rays of morning sun slipping in through the blinds. His thoughts turned instantly to Clover and Melilot. If Clover can start that fire, he thought, maybe Melilot will be all right until we can return. I need to get to Sarah’s house and make sure nobody wakes her up. Samuel hurried to his closet, and dressed as quickly as he could. He headed downstairs, greeting his parents in haste, and he went out the front door. When he reached Sarah’s house, he made sure to knock, rather than ring the doorbell.
“I am glad you have found me,” Ceciliate said to her two visitors. “I am attendant to Lady Piñole Alsike and Lady Arle Alsike, and to the Alsike family. My loyalty lies with them. However, I’ve heard many tales from Alfalfa’s great-great-great grandfather before he passed away about seven years ago. Burr and Alfalfa have already escorted Lady Piñole into the orange land, in search of the orange jewel. They’ll search until they find it, but I know very closely where the violet jewel is.
Sarah, Samuel, Arle, and Ceciliate stood at the edge of Aureum. A vast plain of yellow dirt spread out in all directions. The sky tinted slightly yellow above, becoming progressively more yellow farther away. Large glowing balls of light spotted the view of the land.
That night, Sarah finished her math work as quickly as possible. Although the sun had barely begun to set, Sarah’s room faced east, and little light entered her room. She closed the curtains, and went right to sleep, anticipating her first night as a magical girl.
Samuel and Sarah sat on playground swings, the hill in the center of the park to their backs, and the tennis court on the other side of that.
Sitting up in her bed, Sarah stretched out her arms. She dressed, then headed downstairs for breakfast. After finishing the morning meal, Sarah went outside, and headed next door. She knocked at the door. Samuel’s father opened the door, and he told Sarah that Samuel went to the park earlier. Sarah thanked him, and headed for the park.
