We were wrong…
Dear Diary,
Last night’s dream left me with more questions than answers. As I sat in my room, pondering the cryptic whispers I had heard at Professor Morphagen’s nook, a frantic knock on my door jolted me back to reality. It was Tansy, her breaths coming in short, rapid bursts as if she had rushed here without pause. Something urgent must have happened.
I followed Tansy to the backyard where all the students had gathered around a massive tree that seemed to reach up to the very skies. Its branches stretched out like fingers, but there was an aura of restraint, as if it refused to allow anyone to touch it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. This tree had sprouted from the tiny seed that Professor Xorki had given me months ago. How could something so small grow into something so immense in such a short time?
Professor Xorki was there, and his somber expression confirmed that something was terribly wrong. He signaled for me to stay back, and then he approached me with a grave demeanor. “We were wrong,” he said quietly, his words heavy with meaning. “I have to inform this to Master Wigweard.”
I wanted to ask him about the tree, about how it had grown so quickly and what it meant, but he stopped me with a look and ushered me aside. “Do not confess anything to anyone,” he whispered urgently. “I will meet you soon.”
And with that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving me standing there, bewildered and apprehensive.
Lilith spotted us talking and approached me along with Albert. They were curious about where I had been for the past couple of days and what Professor Xorki had said to me. Remembering the professor’s instructions to keep everything about Næglingræd Hills a secret, I told them a half-truth: that I had gone to the station with Professor Xorki to receive the queen, but she had already arrived with the king’s servants. I omitted the part about Næglingræd Hills entirely.
Lilith then asked if I had visited Nova Nexus, and I nodded in agreement, though I didn’t divulge any further details. Albert seemed concerned and mentioned something about a grand jamboree that Professor Morphagen had been discussing with the headmistress. He could sense that something big was about to happen, and his unease mirrored my own feelings. I admitted that I had heard about the jamboree but didn’t know the true reason behind it, speculating that it was a show of support for the Lord of the Lores and the Ministry.
Lilith then proposed the idea of going to the palace, knowing that I was familiar with it. I agreed with her, feeling that something was off about the jamboree, and we began planning our approach. I suggested that I could send a request to the headmistress to visit my parents, and on the night of the jamboree, I would help them sneak in. It felt like the right thing to do, and I was glad to have their support.
As we prepared to part ways, I confessed to them that I had so much weighing on my mind but didn’t know where to begin. They reassured me, saying they knew my heart was pure, which brought a small sense of comfort amidst the uncertainty.
After writing in you, I’m heading to the library to learn more about Sir Reynard. Maybe I’ll find some answers there.
Yours in anticipation,
Zoe
