A/N - Dialogue in italics indicates that the speaker is speaking the High Elven tongue.

The rain was coming down in sheets, beating against the window of the small room on the east end of the house. Normally, this time in the morning the sun would be shining through the window to fall on the small bed and it's sole occupant. But, today, the Sun did not want to shine. The boy in the bed mused with himself that the Sun didn't want to get up either. He didn't blame it, especially if its bed was anywhere as comfortable has his.

"Callum!" a voice called from the other side of the bedroom door. Callum didn't want to move. He hadn't slept well the night before. He was nervous about the days to come. Today he would be flying east, to Xadia. Callum would be attending high school half-way across the continent. You see, Callum was special for a human. Last summer he had managed to do something no human in history had ever done. He had managed to connect to a primal source. With in him grew a spark, known as an arcanum. He was connected to the sky primal. Once it had become widely known that he had an arcanum, the Xadian Institute of Magic had extended an invitation to him to attend school there. It was a huge opportunity, but it didn't make him any less nervous.

Xadia had been in a cold war with the Human Kingdoms for as long as anyone could remember. It was only recently that the two sides had started setting their differences aside at the behest of the current ruler of Xadia. A peace that Callum's stepfather, King Harrow, had helped broker. Callum's attendance at XIM was part of the peace. A sign of good will from the elven nation, allowing him to learn magics that all history had taught that human's couldn't do.

"Callum!" his stepfather called again, this time pounding on the door. "Don't make come in there."

"Yes, sir," Callum finally replied, sitting up and running his fingers through his brown hair. Even with all the things he needed to do, he still didn't want to be up. More out of habit than anything. Ever since he had connected to the sky primal, storms like this filled him with energy. He had tried to explain it to his friends, but none of them could really understand him when he talked about his arcanum. At least he was going somewhere that was filled with people that would understand.

Callum climbed out of bed and changed out of his pajamas. He looked at the mess that was his room. This was the last time he would see it for nearly ten months. The whole boarding school aspect was new to him. He still had to pack, something he was supposed to do last night. But, for now, he figured he might as well get breakfast.

"Morning, Callum," greeted his half-brother, Ezran.

"Morning, Ez," said Callum, putting some bread into the toaster.

"Excited for your trip?" Ezran asked.

"Yeah, I think I am," Callum said, recovering his now toasted bread. He took a seat next to Ezran and started to smear jam and butter on his breakfast. Moonberry jam. A recent introduction to the Pentarchy and his new favorite.

"Is that all you are eating?" said Ezran, pointing to the two pieces of toast.

"It's fine," Callum took a bite. "I'll get something better at the airport. I still need shower and pack."

"I wish I was going with you," his brother said around a spoonful of hot cereal. "I'd love to see Xadia."

"I wish you where coming with me, too, buddy," Callum said.

The rest of the morning was a hurried blur as his stepfather helped him finish packing for his trip. Callum was amazed at how much Harrow could fit into a single suitcase. He had explained that it was easier this way, with only one check bag, allowing Callum to carry on his satchel that held his computer, sketchbook and some basic art supplies. Airport security wasn't much of a hassle anyway, one of the perks of being a prince of Katolis. Callum would be flying first class of course. A compromise with Harrow instead of taking the royal jet. Callum had actually wanted to fly couch, but Harrow assured him that it wouldn't have been what he had thought it would be, all tight seats with little elbow room.

It was two hours later when the plane touched down in Xadia. Callum had been amazed how beautiful the country looked from the air, now he was amazed with how magical even the airport looked. He was greeted on the other side of security by a tall elf with pale blue hair and light blue skin. He was holding a sign that had 'CALLUM' written on it in the Common script. Callum approached nervously.

"You must be Prince Callum," the elf greeted him before Callum could speak.

"Uh, yes," Callum said. "What gave me away?"

"I'm Professor Ibis," he said, extending his hand. "I'm the head of the Skywing house. I'll be your house master."

Callum shook Ibis' hand then asked, "I'll be with the Skywing elves?"

"Of course," Ibis nodded. "As you have a sky arcanum it seems only logical. Let us get your bags, and we'll head to the school."

After collecting Callum's belongings, they made their way to the parking lot. The airport in Xadia was nowhere near the size of the one in Katolis making the walk to Ibis' car a short one. Callum noticed he drove a rather nice car for a teacher, sorry, professor. It was a small sports model of Del-Bar make with a flashy blue and white paint job. They secured Callum's bag in the trunk, where it barely fit with the trunk still latching. Finally, they climbed in and pulled out of the parking spot. Callum was on his way to his new home for the next ten months.

"Now, Callum," Ibis said as he pulled onto the main roadway, "I'm not going to lie to you, some people at the Institute are expecting you to fail." Callum just listened as the elf continued. "You were not only placed into my house because of your sky arcanum. I was the only one willing to take in a human." Callum felt his stomach knot. "There will be students that will not be pleased with your arrival as well. I must warn you now, do not let them bait you into anything you will regret. The headmistress is giving you a very short leash."

"But," Callum said, "the headmistress was the one that invited me."

"Only because she had no say in the matter. I, however, am here to help you succeed. If you have problems with any of the students, you are to first let the head boy know. If it persists, then you are to come to me. Do you understand?"

Callum nodded.

"Magic is discouraged outside of studies, and strictly forbidden against fellow students. You will see these rules broken. I encourage you do not do so. Understand?"

Callum nodded again.

"In order to make your adjustment go a little more smoothly you will have your own room. I suggest at night that you secure your door."

"Is it going to be that bad?"

"We can only hope not, but it is better safe than sorry. A few students may still harbor old feelings learned from their parents. As only members of your house will be able to get into your dorm, I hope that none of my pupils will harbor such feelings. Just do your best and keep your nose clean, and we will have a good three years together."

"Three?"

"Oh, you didn't know? Your placement test were too good to be denied. The headmistress had no choice but to allow you to take sophomore level classes. Well, except your athletics class. Since you haven't shown particular skill in fencing, you will take that course at freshman level."

Great, Callum thought, fencing is just what I need. He had never been an adept fencer, rather abysmal in fact. He would spend most of his previous training classes day dreaming or making up excuses, so he could draw the fencers.

"Last thing," Ibis said, glancing at him. "We are aware of your brief run in with dark magic. I cannot stress this enough, you cannot even speak of dark magic in Xadia. Tell no one about your ill-fated experience with it. The practice of dark magic is a capital offense. No amount of diplomatic ties will save you from the gallows if your are caught performing it. And, if news got out that you have, it will only stoke the fears of pupils that will already have reason to see you fail."

"Oh, no sir," Callum said, shaking his head. "I would never practice dark magic again. Even if the reason is as good as it was last time."

"Good," Ibis said pulling into the grounds of the Xadia Institute of Magic. "I'll help you carry your bag to your room."

Typically, the Sun didn't even get up before Rayla. It was the start of another school year, and she was particularly excited for this one. She was already showered, dressed and fully packed when she went down to the kitchen to find her fathers, Runaan and Ethari, already making breakfast. Neither was her biological father, but after her parents had disappeared, they had taken her in. As they were the closest thing she had to parents, and adoption in the Moonshadow society was a pretty loose and relaxed process, they might of as well been her fathers.

Rayla made herself some toast, covering it with butter and jam. Moonberry, her favorite. A handful of fresh moonberries finished off her breakfast. She gave each man a peck on the cheek before she took a seat at the table where Ethari brought her a cup of juice. She idly picked through the morning post as she ate. On the top was a letter from the Xadia Institute of Magic. She was entering her sophomore year and was looking forward to this letter.

"It's here?" Rayla asked, her violet eyes shimmered looking at the cream colored envelop.

"We were waiting for you to open it," Runaan said. "But, I already know what it says."

Rayla ripped the letter open and ran her eyes over the High Elven script. She broke into a big grin when she had finished. "They approved!" she said, jumping up to hug Runaan. Rayla had applied to be a student instructor in athletics, a responsibility normally reserved for seniors. But, she would get to do it for three years in lieu of taking an athletics class.

"Of course they did," Runaan said, patting her on the cheek. "You are the best fencer in the school. Why would they make you study it when there is nothing they can teach you."

"What level will you be teaching?" Ethari asked as he came to sit at the table.

"Just freshman," Rayla said. "I guess they don't want me to teach my peers or the older kids."

"Perhaps this extra responsibility will make you a little less…" Runaan paused, looking for the tactful word, "contrary this school year."

"Maybe," Rayla shrugged. "I have to go get finished getting ready. Can't be late for the first day." She shoved the last few moonberries in her mouth before jumping up and running out of the room. Both of the men knew she had been ready for the past week, but just waved after her. Once back in her room, she recovered her phone from her nightstand and began texting her friends about her good news. Most expressed their congratulations, while a few teased her for having to teach 'elflings.' The less than affectionate name for freshman. A name she had been called no more than a couple of months before.

The trip to the school uneventful. Rayla hardly told her fathers goodbye before she jumped out the car, secured her bags and headed off to meet her friends. She found Andromeda first, which, of course, means she found Callisto as well. The two had been inseparable since the beginning of last year. Rayla dropped her bags next to theirs.

"Andromeda," Rayla said, greeting her friend with a hug. "Hey, Callisto." She waved to the tall boy.

"So," Andromeda said, returning the hug, "student instructor in your sophomore year. Training elflings."

"Hey," Rayla said, stepping back. "You didn't like it when people called you that." Rayla crossed her arms over her chest.

"Yeah, but it's not me anymore now, is it?" Andromeda asked, giggling. "We can't let them have it easy."

"Hey," Callisto interjected, "did you two hear there is a special student this year?" Both girls turned to look toward him. "Yeah, my parent's told me it was a prince or something."

"There are no current princes in Xadia," Rayla said, her expression confused.

"That's the thing," Callisto said. "He's not from Xadia."

Andromeda looked confused now, as well. "Where is he from then?" she asked.

"The Pentarchy," he said, sounding a bit smug.

"Not possible," Rayla said.

"My dad told me that Queen Zubeia made him and the rest of the board of governors agree to take him in," he said, putting his arm around his girlfriend.

"But, humans can't do magic," Rayla said. "Real magic anyway."

"I don't know," Callisto offered. "I'm sure they wouldn't have let him across the border if he did that other kind of magic."

"That's not magic," Andromeda scolded her boyfriend. "That's an abomination. And, no, they wouldn't have let him cross if that where the case."

"I wonder what house he'll be in," Rayla mused.

The dinning hall was as loud as usual. Every one was enjoying themselves, and greeting friends they hadn't seen over the summer vacation. It was when Headmistress Khessa stood that the entire room came order. Once all eyes were on her, she began to speak.

"Ladies and gentleman," she began, everyone noted she was speaking in the Common tongue. "It is my duty to introduce to a special student joining us this year." Khessa turned her attention to Ibis. "Please bring him in."

Ibis exited only to return with a small human boy. The whole room stared at him. Glared at him? He looked scared and unsure of himself, gaze trying to find some place to fall that didn't involve looking at anyone. He seemed to settle on a spot on the floor a few feet in front of him.

"This is Callum," Headmistress Khessa motioned to him. "He will be joining us this year to study magic. He is the only know human to have a connection to a primal source. Callum has a sky arcanum and will be joining the Skywing house." Callum could see a collective weight lift off most of the students, all except the Skywing elves. "We ask that you all show our guest the utmost respect. While Callum does not speak High Elven, we ask that you address him in the Common tongue for now while he gets acclimated and learns some High Elven."

Khessa continued to speak, but after the initial introduction she had lost Rayla's attention. Rayla looked over to Andromeda. "Poor kid," Rayla whispered.

"Yeah, stuck with the Skywings," Andromeda whispered back, fighting back a giggle.

"Besides that," Rayla said. "He looks scared. Stranger in a strange land. No friends, no family."

"Bah," Andromeda said, "not our house, not our problem."

"Andromeda," Rayla said, her voice raising slightly. "How would you feel if it was you?"

"If it were me," Andromeda replied, "I would have stayed away from places I don't belong."

Like everyone else, Rayla watched Callum move across the dinning hall, almost in a run to find a seat with the Skywing house. Either it had been clear to him that no one wanted his to sit next to them, or he hadn't wanted to because he ended up at one of the far tables by himself. Rayla also noticed that he didn't bother have any food the rest of the dinner hour.

For his part, Callum wanted to sink into the floor and disappear. He had been told by Ibis that dinner was the only meal he was required to be in the dinning hall for and he was expected to be there for the full hour. Not being able to disappear, he just wanted to be back in his room, locked away with his sketchbook.