Escape

After thinking for a moment, Theia made a quick decision. She needed to get out of there first; then, if the church didn't help, she could find others who would. She knew of only one other mystic in town who might be willing to help her.

Onia, her sister, was studying at the Royal Academy. Theia felt confident her sister would come to her aid, but she wasn't sure she could convince Onia not to take her back home.

But that concern would have to wait. Right now, she needed to act — and fast — before it was too late for both her and Hilda.

"Once upon a time, there was a turtle, Yurdle the turtle, ruler of all he could see,"

Her voice echoed through the air, a chant that seemed to linger even when you didn't want to hear it. The moment Theia uttered those words, Tula, who was a distance away, knew exactly who it was.