The Interview

Empress Carly leaned out of her office window and surveyed the fleet anchored in the bay. It was rare that her ships were back at the same time. A slight smile emerged across her face as she saw the flags of the Crimson Armada flying proudly.

She grabbed the sapphire hanging around her neck with her left hand. Holding up her other hand in the air she called out,

“Depths below and clouds above let Kelpie’s Fury awaken my pet I love. A horse-like beast with a green spiked mane, appear to me now when I speak your name. Gerkart, Kelpie pup of the Seaweed!”

A large wave surged upward and through it emerged the roaring head of a stallion.

“Good morning my dear,” she said. “I hope last night's dinner was tasty. I appreciate your help clearing out the traitors.”

Geckard bowed his head and licked his lips.

“I will be gone for the next few days. Keep an eye on the shore and listen to only Quartermaster Delicato orders. No one else’s.” The young kelpie nodded and smiled up at her. She blew him a kiss, and in response, he leaping up into the air with a mighty roar before diving back into the sea.

Carly picked up her orange cat, Mineral who was perched on the window ledge. She brought her face close to the furry cheek and snuggled. A loud purr broke the silence.

“How would you like to help me with a new adventure, my dear?” The cat responded by rubbing her head under Carly’s chin. Gently petting her cat she continued, “I’ve decided to interview for a position at the Kelpie Academy. If I get it we will be moving there.

Mineral looked out the window to where the Geckark had been and back at Carly.

“If we go, I will have your buddy follow us. He can live in the bay. There are many things for him to eat there.”

The cat began to lick her owner’s arm with warmth. “You’ll have a mission while we are living there. I want you to secretly fly around and tell me any news you can gather. It is very important that no one sees you shapeshift.

Mineral squinted her eyes and pawed in the air at Carly. “Yes, yes, I know I can trust you but you let Enchanter Zorko of the Marsh see you become a parrot. No worries though, a little bit of my gold rum will fix that situation.” The cat frowned and started to meow when there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” she called.

The door opened, and in stepped Quartermaster Radiant Agri Delicato or “Q” as Carly calls him. He tipped his red hat and said. “Your Empress, I’ve got some information about the faculty.”

“Some, not all Q?” she questioned with a raised eyebrow.

“Head Scholar Magus Amir is still hiring. I will update you as I get more details.”

Carly slowly crossed the room and placed Mineral in her bed and sat at her desk. She gestured for Radiant to sit across from her.

“Amir is reserved, precise, and deeply respected at the school. His magic is powerful and he is known for knowing what happens around the school even when he isn’t present.”

“Hmmm, interesting. I will have to earn his respect, then,” she mused.

“The dean of operations is Chaos Mage Beyna of the Wood. She is optimistic, compassionate, calm but can be assertive and confident when needed. Exactly what you would expect from someone overseeing students to be like.”

“She will be a challenge,” Carly replied while touching the blue sapphire necklace. “People like her have a sense when something doesn’t feel right. I will have to give her some thought.”

As Q continued briefing her about the staff, Carly stood up and walked over to a cabinet. She pulled out a bottle of Kelpies’ Gold rum and filled a small golden flask with intricate patterns. With her back to Q, she slipped it into a hidden pocket in her dress, then returned to her chair.

When Q had finished his report, she thanked him and he left.

“Let’s go Mineral,” she said, and the cat leaped into her arms.

Later that day a large wooden door creaked open. The red hated empress strolled out from the administration office and into the Grand Hall. The Physical Education teacher, Pierce, was walking the other direction. They looked each other over and gave a polite nod.

Carly’s face radiated charm and purpose. In her hand was a contract saying she was the new Marine Biologist. Pierce laughed to himself as he headed to his office on the other side of the building. In his head he thought, “She looks very excited. I hope the challenges do not deter her spirit!”

Back in the middle of the administration office stood Magus Amir smiling. Mage Beyna had her arms crossed and was slightly biting her bottom lip. Outside on the window ledge hidden behind a pillar sat a bird listening and waiting.

A big thank you to the following wizards for allowing me to use their characters from the Kelpie Academy in my story.

Wizard on the coast-Magus Amir of the Ether #8435, Head Scholar. Mage Beyna of the Wood-Chaos Mage Beyna of the Wood #2011, Dean of Operations. Feckless-Pierce Hero of the Ring #9913, Physical Education Master. Steezy- Enchanter Zorko of the Marsh #1889, teacher of Mystic Metrics and Markets.

Entered by: 0x7BB5…3E05