Green Mages

This was the most defining moment of Nemea's life. At 19, she received the letter that would tell her if she was good enough at her craft, and if she got accepted into Madame Berkenbosch's College for Gifted Green Mages. She'd always been one to doubt herself, as she has a nervous personality and a racing mind, but she wanted this more than anything else in her world. Her supportive parents, both in their early 40s, stood with her and awaited the news. She sighed hesitantly before she ripped the envelope and scanned the page with her sage-green eyes.

"Dearest Nemea Malis, due to your outstanding lineage, and.." She trailed off, but her parents were already beaming. "Holy ficus, I got in!" The three wrapped each other up in a hug, and her mother planted kisses on her crown.

"Oh, Mea. We never doubted you'd get accepted." Her mother said pleasantly. "Olga's always been a mean old bird, but she recognizes talent."

"I'm so proud of you." Nemea's father told her with tears rolling down his cheeks. He gave her a kiss on her forehead before releasing them. She would only have a few weeks to prepare, and for green mages, that meant sleeping under the stars at night, then tending to and communing with plants during the day. Theirs was simple, unlike other elemental types, because you didn't need a complicated ritual. They're one with nature, and nature was one with them. She whispered teary farewells to her parents before setting off without need for supplies.

She greeted the woods with familiarity by resting her head on each tree and running her palms and fingers along the bark. They may have lived in a cabin, but these woods were home, too. She went to work gracefully, removed dead pieces, and communed with the plants to ask them what their needs were. When she was hungry, she gathered berries, nuts, or mushrooms. As green mages communally cared for the woods, there was plenty of food and clean drinking water for all living creatures, and their community was very protective of local wildlife. Nemea adored birdsong most of all.

At night, the forest spirits came out to dance under the moonlight. She let them play with her hair and sing her lullabies to sleep, as they've always done. Nature spirits, even those of fire or water, adore nature mages, so they would find friends wherever they roamed. She fell asleep imagining what her schooling would be like, and the spirits whispered their congratulation to their blooming flower. Her month of preparations went by similarly before she was faced with the journey to college. She would walk or sprint, then hitchhike the rest of the way. On arrival, she was greeted by a shorter girl with red hair and hazel eyes.

"Nemea Malis? My name is Azalea Berkenbosch. My gram wanted me to give you the tour and answer your questions. Typical welcome wagon stuff. It is so awesome to meet you. I may have peeked at your scores." She smiled sheepishly.

"Oh, good to meet you, Azalea." Nemea smiled good-naturedly at her fellow green mage. Their families were both influential among all branches of the elemental mages. "I'm sure your own are also very impressive."

She chuckled and waved Nemea to follow her in. "So I know you've already been in the foyer during the entrance exam, but don't worry, because our classrooms are outside!" They exited the back door to stone walkways that led to a beautiful, grand garden that was currently being maintained by many students. The center was a large hedge maze with little white flowers dotting it. "This is where you'll be spending most of your time, and Gram's waiting to speak with you for your orientation task, so ask if you have any questions."

Nemea paused and processed everything that was said. "What should I expect?"

"Nothing too challenging for green mages of our pedigree." Azalea winked and nudged her arm. "But it's held in the maze. You have to make it through. I can't give you much advice, because it changes with each person. You get a different pathway and a plant to help. The goal is to see what you can do in the moment, then determine the specialization you'll be placed in."

"What happens if you don't make it through?"

"I'm not really sure." She thought for a moment. "I guess that's never happened, at least not while I've been alive, but I can't imagine anyone's task being that difficult. Mine was separating different plants that didn't grow well together, but any green mage should be able to do that."

"That doesn't sound bad at all." Nemea agreed. "Where is the madame?"

Azalea gestured toward a figure hunched over a cane, wearing a beaded dress of greens, reds, and browns. Her hair was ashy grey, and her face revealed many years of wisdom. Nemea nodded and approached their elder with confidence and respect. She bowed partially with her hands woven together above her heart. This was a traditional symbol of gratitude among green mages.

"Good day, madame. I'm Nema Malis. The grounds are more than I ever dreamed." She smiled, tilting back up slowly. "I'm ready to begin my task."

"You talk too much." Berkenbosch croaked. "Same as your mother. Follow me." She hobbled toward the maze entrance on her cane, and Nemea followed, feeling sheepish. "It's simple. You go in alone, and the maze will tell you what to do through whatever method you choose to speak with them."

"Oh, I use telepathy."

"Great. Just like your father." The old woman cut in sharply. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Thank you," Nemea said and didn't hesitate to enter the floral arch that led to the beginning. Suddenly, it disappeared. She realized this when she turned to ask another question, but was met with greenery. "Oh, ficus."

She breathed in slowly, bringing her thoughts back to a manageable pace, then placed the palms of her hands flat against the dense growth as she walked. This helped to keep her grounded. She followed the path it beckoned her down, then found herself making only left turns. Something awaited her assistance down this path, and it was huge. She approached the last bend slowly and peered around. It snapped toward her and reached its limit nearly a foot before her, the grimacing maw of a Venus flytrap. She had fallen backwards and was catching her breath.

"Ficus. This isn't what I signed up for." She scrambled back up and stared at the carnivorous plant before her. As far as she knew, they didn't grow near the mage boroughs or villages. The desert mages had the flytrap problems. She sighed, deciding to get on with it, then figure out why later. She placed her palms back on the hedge and bowed toward the monstrous plant, which seemed amused by her gestures.

'Hello, flytrap. I am a green mage named Nemea, completing my college orientation exam. How may I help you?' She sent telepathically.

'Fascinating mage.' He rumbled back, and it bounced in her mind. 'I am parched and would like my teeth flossed, if you would.'

Nemea shuddered, knowing she would have to get closer, but she nodded and got to work. She started by placing her palms on the ground and asking for water to swell to the surface. It obeyed, and the flytrap absorbed every drop. He grinned afterward, then looked at her expectantly. She steeled herself before walking up to him, knowing he didn't like the taste of mammals. She pulled the ribbon from her waist and flossed between every one of his soft teeth.

She stuffed the ribbon in her pocket after, and he growled to her in appreciation. It reminded her of a cat's purr.

'The way out is back out of the swirl and opposite where you came. Follow the blue flowers of destiny.'

"Thank you." She said out loud, then headed back out, now making only right turns. She took the path in the opposite direction of where the arch disappeared, then followed blue flowers to a similar arch, where Madame Berkenbosch was waiting for her with a smile.

"Congratulations, Ms. Malis. You've passed this test, and you're being placed in the natural defense program, as only gifted defenders of nature receive the flytrap task, and you completed it effortlessly." Nemea couldn't believe what she was hearing; someone as clumsy as her was chosen as a defender of nature? She imagined she'd get herbal potions like her dad, or even singing growth like her mother, but defenders were passionate and hands-on protectors of nature. She was ecstatic.