The Eye of Elicion: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol 1 by Rachel Ronning

inch.”
    “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll manage,” said Lucy trying to sound encouraging.
    Lucy tried again. On her fifth attempt it worked. Lucy spent the rest of the class flipping the matchbox as fast as she could, switching to a different method with each flip. This was fun. Beside her, Darren had managed to make his matchbox almost flip with the hand motion. Maryn smiled and assured him with practice he’d be able to do it in no time. Not all the students were able to flip their matchboxes. Lucy was sad when class was over. The first bit of homework she was going to do that night was read her homework for this class, and possibly the whole book. She might not be able to use any weapon they could think up, which she’d find out tomorrow, but she could sure flip a matchbox.
    Lucy walked to her next class, Introduction to Potions. Here each table had a cauldron on it. The teacher was an old wizard. His long white beard flowed down his blue robes to reach the floor, and he had more wrinkles than Lucy had ever seen on anyone. He shuffled into the room and introduced himself as Nicodemus.
    Nicodemus explained they would be learning the basics of potion brewing, hence the name of the class. He impressed upon them the wisdom of following instructions to the letter or else vile outcomes could transpire. All their supplies would be provided for this class. For those interested in continuing, they would be required to purchase a cauldron and a set of basic ingredients. Then he assigned pages one through fifteen including a hint that the potion they would try next class was in those pages.
    Then it was time for dinner. Lucy found her way to the Dining Hall. She was getting good at this map thing. Soon, she hoped, she would be able to find her way around without it. Lucy grabbed dinner and looked around for Justin and company. She did not see anyone. Maybe I beat them here, thought Lucy. She chose a table, set down her tray, and pulled out Potions for Beginners . She would have preferred to start with her Intro to Magic homework, but the potions assignment was the shortest. She might be able to finish reading fifteen pages before the others showed up, and then that would be one piece of homework done. Lucy had enjoyed the day. Now that the pleasantries of these classes were over, she looked forward to getting into the meat of things. Tomorrow would hold all new classes.
    Justin arrived first. He sat down next to Lucy, startling her.
    “You startle easily,” laughed Justin.
    “Sorry, I just get too deep into my thoughts sometimes,” responded Lucy. It did bother her that he seemed to have a tendency to sneak up on her. Usually that did not happen to Lucy.
    “Did you learn anything today?” asked Justin in a mocking motherly tone.
    Lucy had always hated it when her mother had asked her that.
    “One or two things,” said Lucy casually.
    “Like what?” he asked, sounding more interested and less mocking.
    Lucy shrugged and smiled, watching him closely out of the corner of her eyes. To her satisfaction, he jumped as his meatloaf concoction turned over.
    “You startle easily,” said Lucy innocently.
    “My my, you did learn something today,” Justin sounded serious, but he smiled as he said it so Lucy didn’t think anything of it as Maya and Gavin sat down.
    “Did you just flip over Justin’s meatloaf?” wondered Maya.
    “Who me?” asked Lucy, “A mere beginner?”
    Maya smiled and let it pass. She had spent part of her afternoon taking singing lessons and was downing water in an attempt at soothing her vocal chords. She excelled in voice magic.
    After dinner, they invited her to a study room. Lucy declined. She wanted to start on her homework and maybe catch an early night. She was tired and had a physical day ahead of her tomorrow, weapons and horses. Justin offered to escort her to her room and then said he would meet up with Maya and Gavin.
    “So, what do you think so far?” asked Justin.
    “I love it,