The bubble around us faded, and I could hear birds again. “Wait, was that a spell for blocking sound?”

  Lady Evelyn nodded. “Mana load isn’t fun, but it isn’t medically concerning. Basically, your body will be filled with energy. We are going to have to work it out. I can’t say for other symptoms. Just be mindful and don’t hurt yourself.”

  Filled with energy. That didn’t sound bad. I quickened my steps to follow her, and she made her way into the dining area. Fifteen girls and about twenty or so boys were sitting in front of bowls of food, anxious. Oh, they were going to eat some of the rations Lady Evelyn had. Oh, it all clicked. She gave me half-cooked rations because she was cooking them with the sisters.

  Each bowl had a piece of the meat and vegetable sticks. The sisters came to ask us if we were hungry, but we declined.

  Mel spoke up. “Let us pray today to Teich, the watcher of all children, and most of all she who enacted her will. Lady Julia, who has healed our very own Madaline.”

  “Ahem,” all the kids said before digging into their food.

  “We would love some tea,” Lady Evelyn said as she pulled out a bag of leaves. “Just warm water and some cups are all we require. We will have it on the playground. Do not worry, the children need not mind us.”

  The sister accepted the bag with a bow. “Very well.”

  Alysaa, William, Lady Evelyn, and I made our way to the playground as she described it. It was really just a yard. Some places had thick grass that would reach even my knees—other places it was trimmed thin. A goat and a few chickens were running around as well, and various wooden objects were on the ground. I presumed toys? I recognized one that looked like a circular triangle. Father and I used to spin two at the same time, to see which would fall first.

  I smiled thinking about it.

  “So, William, Alyssa, to make our situation clear. Obviously, Lady Julia is suffering from mana sleep. Which means she will be in mana load soon. I regret that this happened, but I shall require you both to keep this a secret until further notice. Failure to comply will be considered an act of treason. Is that clear?”

  Both my knights nodded.

  “Can you tell me anything else about this?” I asked. My heart was beginning to beat faster. I was getting worried.

  Lady Evelyn stood up and touched my forehead. Her hand was cold! Aaaa, what did she do, grab an ice cube or something? She then felt my neck in the same way Alyssa had earlier.

  “It is starting. Basically, when the children come out, you can play with them. Ugh, normally, I wouldn’t permit such roughhousing for a young lady in such condition. But there isn’t time to get you into a more appropriate attire. I am thankful that it is only orphans. Hmm,” she paused and looked at the knights. “Do either of you know Kuhler Atem?”

  Alyssa raised her hand while William shook his head.

  I felt… even more anxious. It is already starting? That couldn’t be good. I could feel sweat on my brow. Wait, was that a symptom? Oh crap! “Am I dying?”

  “Lady Julia. I need you to be quiet. We can’t hide this if you are going to say such things,” Lady Evelyn said. “And the absolute last thing any of us wants is to have to take you to the inn with mana load.”

  “Okay,” I said. My eyes darted around. I thought I heard something. Eek! I felt an icy hand on my cheek.

  “Pay attention. You are going to play with Alyssa and the children. Don’t speak. Just come over here for water occasionally. Understand?“

  I nodded.

  I noticed Alyssa was already getting out of her armor—or at least the metal layer. William was helping her unbuckle the pieces on her arm and legs. She had already placed her helmet on the table.

  I jumped to my feet. Oh, Gods, my entire body suddenly felt tingling, and I just had this huge desire to run around. “Whoa! I feel like-”

  Lady Evelyn just moved her two fingers over her mouth. “Zip it. Mana load isn’t dangerous. We don’t need to know. You can tell us later. Nod if you understand.”

  I nodded. Oh god, I began walking in place. This was unbearable! I noticed the kids came out—or at least a few bigger ones.

  “The knight is out of armor? And… what is the lady doing?” a boy asked.

  Lady Evelyn jumped to her feet. “They are both a bit bored. So they wanted to join in the play. Any child who catches both the knight and the lady before sundown gets a large copper.”

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  The kids' faces lit up. “For real?” A boy asked.

  Alyssa began stretching her arms. “Yep. But don’t think I am gonna be easy to catch because I’m a girl!”

  The kids scattered as they charged after both of us. Running in this big dress was absurd, but I just needed to move, so I decided to embrace it. I grabbed a tree branch and lifted myself up to avoid the first kids charging after me. I swung around to sit on the branch and noticed Lady Evelyn was shaking her head.

  I would have been screwed if the kids had waited beneath, but they all quickly ran to the base of the tree to climb it. And the jitters building in me forced me to move. I jumped down and sprinted to the area with the taller grass. I paused to wipe sweat from my brow. It was so hot.

  “Kuhler Atem,” I heard as cold air whisked by me. Oh gods, that felt amazing.

  I realized Alyssa had passed me, leading the kids this way. Eek! I took off running again. Oh shoot! More of the kids were coming out, and they were clearly being informed about the game. Why did it matter? The point of this was just for me to deal with mana load, but some part of me just reacted to being chased—a primal need to escape.

  Eventually, a few kids ran into me, and I just fell to the ground, breathing hard. So hot! I can’t-

  A sharp whistle cut through the air.

  “One minute water break! Everyone,” William shouted.

  The kids got off of me just in time; any longer, and my body felt like it was gonna start flailing uncontrollably against them. The water was amazing. It was ice cold.

  Lady Evelyn bumped into William, and a pitcher of water drenched me from the stomach down. I nearly shuddered at how cool it felt. She then grabbed a towel to pat me down.

  “Kuhler Atem,” she said while patting me, blowing cool air into the parts that didn’t get wet. Oh gods. Cold air feels amazing!

  The game continued for a while, with the kids who managed to get both of us taking a break. Once all the kids got me, I began trying to help them get Alyssa. She was quick! I was having a lot more fun on the chasing side. I felt myself laughing when I wasn’t sweating to death. But more well-timed, icy spells had kept me feeling great.

  Though I ripped my dress in several places. It felt cathartic to hear it rip, but it was short-lived as I expected Lady Evelyn to give me a hard time about that later. As the sun neared setting. I collapsed into the grass. My aching muscles were more demanding than the mild urge to move.

  Alyssa seemed fine, totally unfair. Now that it was dark, we were preparing to leave. At some point in the play, Lady Evelyn had fetched our carriage. It was a short trip, but I was thankful; even walking to the front of the orphanage was a struggle. The sisters thanked me again for healing the child. Apparently, the child had some words for me. What was her name again?

  She attempted to bow in a curtsy. It was clumsy. After Lady Evelyn, even I could tell.

  “I am ever so pleased to meet you, Lady Julia,” she said with a smile.

  I glanced at Lady Evelyn beside me, and a smile told me all I needed to know. I looked at the young girl and gave a curtsy in return. Her eyes sparkled as I did.

  “I am ever so pleased to meet you, Lady Madaline,” I said.

  “So pretty!” she said.

  I covered my mouth as I giggled slightly. I mean. I was pretty sure I had more than one twig stuck up my skirt. I was probably the least pretty I had been for the past two months, but it made me happy all the same.

  She turned around and took something from one of the sisters. She then handed it to me. I realized it was the storybook about a princess. ”Lady Julia, I would be uh, ever so honored if you would take this… gift.”

  “It would be my honor,” I said.

  With that, we left. Alyssa felt my forehead and pressed her hand to my neck again.

  “Back to normal,” she said.

  “Thank the gods,” Lady Evelyn said.

  I smiled, looking at the storybook. “Today was a pretty good day wasn-”

  “No, it was a nightmare!” she replied as she began tapping her foot. “At least it is over. Tomorrow we are back on the road. Listen up. We are going north, so William will be with the driver during that time and Alyssa inside the carriage.”

  I pressed my hand to the book. It was smooth. I looked forward to learning to read it. “I’m kind of sad we didn’t get to see more of the city,” I said.

  “And whose fault is that?” Lady Evelyn said, glaring at me. “We didn’t even manage to write a letter home. We won’t get another chance until we reach the city of Traube.”

  “Wait! But there is so much I wanted to write home about!” I protested.

  She began tapping her crossed arms. “We aren’t waiting for you to write a letter to leave.”

  “I’ll write it tonight! I swear!” I said.

  “You aren’t going to last that long. Mana sleep, and mana load. It is a miracle you're not crashing now.”

  My stomach growled a bit. I suddenly remembered the symptoms of mana sleep. “Wait. Is it safe for me to sleep while I am hungry?”

  Alyssa nodded. “Yes. You are in mana sleep conditions anymore. There is no reason to be afraid.”

  Lady Evelyn just rubbed her brow. I could tell she clearly wasn’t planning to respond.

  “I would like to have some dinner before bed,” I added, even if I didn’t need it. I felt it would be better to be safe than sorry.

  Alyssa just smiled and nodded. Good, I had someone in my corner. Some food, and I would be completely fine long enough to write a letter. I mean, it was barely dark. Just had to sit in the carriage. It was bumpy, but it was almost calming.

  Maybe even soothing.

  I closed my eyes to save my energy for once we got back to the inn.

  Just a few….

  I ended up falling asleep before we even got there.