“Welcome to the birthplace of Alorria. It was here that the first laws that governed the use of storm beasts were passed, here that it was determined how to save and protect Alorria, here that the country changed from chaos and poverty to peace and prosperity!”

Jyx elbowed her. “That’s her! That’s—​oh, no, wait. It’s not. It’s just an underminister.” The prime minister appointed dozens of underministers to help with the day-to-day running of the government. “Do you think we won’t get to see her? Ooh, Mina, the underminister is using a speaking tube! I’ve heard of them. Lightning-powered. Makes your voice twice as loud. Three times. A hundred times. The more lightning, the louder your voice. They’ll use them at the festival. Ooh, look, it has a projector, too! That’s a device that throws your image onto a wall.” A somewhat watery image of the underminister, five times larger than life, rippled across one of the walls. Mina had never seen anything like it. It was amazing!

«Mina? I really need to go.»

“Be right back,” Mina whispered to Jyx. She threaded through the press of students and beasts, bringing Pixit with her, until she reached the edge of the group. Professor Dano was on the outskirts—​all the professors who had come were positioned around the group, keeping the students and their beasts herded in a clump. In a whisper, she explained what Pixit needed.

He rolled his eyes but pointed to a door half-hidden behind a gold curtain. She hurried through and was relieved to see that the doorway was wide enough for a storm beast. Pixit dashed after her.

It was easy to find the bathrooms—​clearly labeled, one for beasts and one for humans. Mina waited in the hall while Pixit ducked inside.

Even the hall outside the bathrooms was gorgeous in the capitol, covered in murals made of bits of glass. Mostly blue and green, they showed a storm over the ocean, with waves as high as the skyscrapers and tiny boats capsizing on them. She wondered what she was missing and hoped Jyx would fill her in when they got back. Hurry up, Pixit. This is a once-in-a-lifetime treat! We’re in the heart of Alorria!

«You know they put jewels around the—​»

Pixit.

«Sorry. Hurrying.»

She heard footsteps, and she flattened against the wall. Pixit?

«One minute. Can’t rush this.»

She reminded herself they were supposed to be here. All the lightning students had been invited today. Other students would visit the capitol on other days, but today they were supposed to be here, and it was okay that she was in the hallway waiting for her beast.