Chapter 5: Reminiscence

Sienna Veilore sat in the backseat of her private levitating car, her fingers lightly drumming against the sleek armrest. The hum of the engine and the faint whir of the levitation cores were familiar, almost soothing sounds, but her mind was elsewhere. Eliott, her trusted chauffeur, navigated the shimmering skyline of Cala Veil with precision, guiding the vehicle toward Veilore Tower.

The message she had received couldn’t wait. The sender, Magistrate Ilara Drena, was not someone to be kept waiting. The highest authority in Operientes Solem, the chain of floating islands, Drena had once been more than a superior to Sienna, she had been a mentor, and for a time, an ally. Twenty years ago, Sienna had stood as Drena’s second-in-command on the grand island of Aeris. Had things gone differently, she might have been preparing to step into the role of magistrate herself.

But the events that led to the deaths of Magistrates Vosca and Korran had left her ambitions in ruins. Sienna’s involvement, deep, murky, and ultimately buried, had tarnished her beyond repair. She had been forced to retreat to Cala Veil, reduced to the role of a landowner.

Not that she complained. Her life was comfortable, even fulfilling in its way. And if not for the intervention of Livra and Calen, she might have faced imprisonment, or worse. So, in many ways, her exile to Cala Veil felt less like punishment and more like salvation.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she leaned forward, activating the holographic communicator embedded in the back of the driver’s seat. The sleek device lit up, and a sharp, commanding voice answered almost immediately.

“Veilore.”

The image of Magistrate Ilara Drena materialized before her, crisp and imposing. Drena’s presence, even as a projection, was suffocating. She was a tall, elegant woman, her beauty undiminished by the sixty-something years she carried. Her posture was straight, her expression sharp, her voice laced with authority that made even Sienna catch her breath.

“Yes, ma’am,” Sienna replied evenly. “You summoned me?”

“I did,” Drena said, her voice clipped. “The time has come. I’ve been the sole magistrate of Operientes Solem for nearly two decades, and the pressure to appoint not just my successor but two additional magistrates has become insurmountable. The political tug-of-war with the Earthlands has stalled this process for years, but we can delay no longer.”

Drena’s tone turned venomous. “The factions of Aelith Shore and Tharvannis are growing bold, too bold. They’ve dared to propose their own candidates for the positions. It’s unprecedented, outrageous. Those surface-dwelling plebeians think they can dictate terms to Operientes Solem? Over my dead body. The levicita would stop floating before I allow an Earthlander magistrate.”

Her words practically spat through the communicator, and Sienna could see the toll of years on her once-unflappable mentor. The calm, diplomatic Ilara Drena of twenty years ago was gone, replaced by a woman hardened and embittered. Sienna remained silent, letting Drena’s rant wash over her.

Finally, she asked, “How can I assist, ma’am?”

“Oh, you know well enough, girl,” Drena said, her sharp eyes narrowing. “Gather the landowners. You and that insufferable old relic from Iskaar Reaches, along with Scrowe of the Rainshadow Isles. I’ll handle the LCC administrator. The five of us will name three magistrates. Of course, one of those magistrates will be you.”

Sienna froze, caught entirely off guard. Of all the things she had expected, this was not one of them.

“Don’t look so shocked,” Drena said, a hint of disdain in her voice. “If it were up to me, you wouldn’t be magistrate at all. You’re more than qualified, I’ll grant you that. But your... indiscretion in the past should have ended your career. Still, you’re fortunate that incident was never made public.”

Drena paused, her voice growing heavier. “Our task is to find two other candidates. The Earthlands have put forward a name, a representative from the united factions of Tharvannis and Aelith Shore. But you and I both know that the current lineage of Aelith Shore, the so-called Veyne family, is a sham. I won’t stand for it.”

Sienna’s chest tightened at the mention of the Veyne name. Livra, her dearest friend.

Drena continued, oblivious to Sienna’s turmoil. “There’s only one candidate from the Veyne lineage I would consider. You know who I mean, the true heir. She’s likely more of Iskaar Reaches than the Earthlands by now, but we owe her and her husband a great deal. I won’t ask you to approach her, I know her answer would be no, and also yours. But if we can’t find anyone suitable, and the Earthlands push their agenda, I’ll have no choice but to reveal her whereabouts. You know what that would mean.”

Sienna’s blood ran cold. Drena’s unspoken threat was clear.

“I’ll begin immediately,” Sienna said, her voice steady despite the knot forming in her stomach.

The call ended abruptly, leaving Sienna in silence. She exhaled, leaning back into her seat as the tension coursing through her body began to subside.

The minibar in the car offered a small reprieve, and Sienna poured herself a glass of amber liquor. She stared at the swirling liquid, her mind replaying the conversation over and over.

Twenty years. After two decades of exile, the role of magistrate was being offered to her, at a time when she wanted it least. But more troubling than the offer was the ultimatum hanging over her head. If she failed to find the right candidates, the fragile peace she had worked so hard to maintain for Livra and Calen, and young Sienna and Leo could shatter.

She raised the glass to her lips, the burn of the liquor grounding her. She had fought for twenty years to protect the people she loved, and she wasn’t about to stop now.

“No matter what,” she murmured to herself, “Sienna will have her normal life. I’ll make sure of it.” She thought.

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Later that same day, young Sienna returned to Veilore Tower, feeling both exhilarated and drained from her excursion through Cala Veil. The city’s vibrant energy and advanced technology were a stark contrast to the slower, rustic charm of Iskaar Reaches. People in Cala Veil seemed to live perpetually on the edge of a deadline, rushing from one task to another with precision and purpose.

As much as she had enjoyed the sights, she couldn’t stop replaying the encounter with that rude boy she had bumped into. His arrogance had left her fuming, and she silently hoped their paths wouldn’t cross again, especially at Cala Veil Academy. The thought of possibly ending up in the same class as him was enough to make her grit her teeth.

Feeling parched, Sienna decided to head to the kitchen for a glass of water. As expected, Noa, the ever-dutiful housemaid, was there, carefully arranging a tray with a drink, an orange liquid glistening with ice. Sienna didn’t need to ask who it was for.

“Hi, Noa!” Sienna greeted cheerfully. “How’s your day been?”

Noa straightened, offering a polite nod. “Good evening, Miss. I trust your visit to Cala Veil was pleasant?”

“Oh, come on, Noa. Call me Sienna, remember?” she replied with mock exasperation, her lips curling into a teasing grin. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Noa blinked, clearly flustered. “Uh, yes… friends. Of course, Miss… Sienna,” she said hesitantly.

“Much better!” Sienna replied, delighted. Then her tone grew curious. “Hey, have you seen my aunt? She seemed really busy with work this morning. Is everything okay?”

“The lady has been in meetings all day,” Noa replied calmly, arranging the last of the tray’s items. “It’s nothing unusual, so there’s no need to worry. I was just about to deliver her… refreshment.”

“Refreshment, huh?” Sienna smirked knowingly. “You’ve got enough work to do, Noa. How about I take it to her instead? I need to talk to her anyway.”

“As you wish, Miss Sienna,” Noa said with another small bow before bustling off to tend to other tasks.

Left alone in the kitchen, a mischievous grin spread across Sienna’s face. She eyed the drink, its orange hue glinting under the kitchen lights, before swiftly pouring it down the sink. Grabbing a carton of plain orange juice from the fridge, she filled the glass with the unassuming liquid. Picking up the tray, she headed to her aunt’s office.

“Knock, knooock!” Sienna announced loudly as she pushed open the door without waiting for a reply.

“Come in,” came a firm voice from inside.

The office was a chaos of activity. Holographic displays hovered above a large desk, flickering with graphs, reports, and real-time feeds. Documents were scattered across the floor, and several empty glasses were haphazardly placed around the room. At the center of it all sat Sienna Veilore, looking exhausted but commanding as always.

“Hello, Sienna,” her aunt greeted wearily, glancing up. “How was your outing in Cala Veil?”

“Hi, Aunt Sisi! I brought your drink.” Sienna placed the tray on the desk, then continued, her voice bubbling with excitement. “The visit was amazing! Of course, I didn’t get to see everything, but I absolutely love the city. Traveling is incredible. I can’t wait to see more of the world when I’m older!”

Sienna Veilore gave a tired smile. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. But starting next week, you’ll need to focus on your studies. Cala Veil Academy is not the place to slack off. If you want to attend Aeris University one day, you’ll have to work hard and avoid failure.”

“Yes, Aunt Sisi,” young Sienna replied dutifully. Then, after a pause, she added, “Speaking of school, do you think I should join a club? Which one would you recommend? Back in Iskaar Reaches, we didn’t have clubs, just a few social gatherings in the village square, and we kids mostly played in the woods. I’m not familiar with all these extracurricular things.”

“A club, hmm?” her aunt mused. “That’s a good idea. I was president of the debate club when I was your age, and I also served as secretary for the student council. Activities like those will boost your résumé when it’s time to apply for university. I won’t lie, they can be tedious. But they’re good for your future.”

Sienna groaned. “Oh, come on, Aunt Sisi. I wasn’t asking about boring clubs like that. And there’s no way I’m joining the student council! I’m here to have fun, not waste my time on paperwork. Can’t you suggest something more exciting?”

Her aunt’s expression darkened. “You’re here to study,” she said sternly. “If I see your grades slipping, I’ll send you back to Iskaar Reaches faster than you can blink.” Her sharp gaze bore into the girl.

“Yes, yes, Aunt Sisi, you’re no fun. I get it!” Sienna teased as she retreated toward the door. But just before leaving, she turned, stuck out her tongue, and made a silly face at her aunt. “Don’t worry, I’ll find something fun to do around here!” she declared with a playful grin before shutting the door behind her.

Left alone, Sienna Veilore sighed, shaking her head. That girl could be utterly exasperating. She reached for her drink, lifting the glass to her lips.

The moment the liquid hit her tongue, she froze. Then she spat the orange juice across her desk in a spectacular spray.

“What the hell is this?” she bellowed, standing abruptly, the juice dripping from her lips and chin. “That little brat…”

“Siennaaaa!” she roared as she stormed out of the office.

From the other side of the door, a chorus of delighted laughter echoed down the hallway.

Sienna Veilore halted mid-stride, the corners of her lips twitching despite herself. “Just like her father,” she muttered, shaking her head fondly as a smile broke through her frustration.