MageLife (20 page)

Jase and Fion watched, both were smiling, I'd clearly amused them.

“So why would I suddenly start acting like an older mage?” I asked the two older mages.

“Power can do strange things to a man,” Fion said, he shifted slightly.

“Don't give me that crap Fion. I know better. Power is not going to make me wake up one day to be a totally different person,” I said sharply.

“You don't know everything boy, there are powers in this world that could do exactly that. I doubt you will ever touch them, but they exist none the less,” Fion said, his eyes blazed briefly, and he clenched his jaw biting his words.

“But that's not what happened, you think I can't tell when? Jase is hiding something, it looks something like that,” I said nodding towards Jase

He was stood stock still. Not looking at me as he chewed on the inside of his cheek.

“Fine Tristan, you’re right I wasn't going to tell you unless it became necessary. Magic can change a man. This time it seems to have echoed back. You fixed what you saw as your mistake, but I’ll bet you were angry while you did it. I've seen that anger and helplessness in you since the foundry exploded,” Jase said, he still wasn't looking at me. He looked lost in memories.

“Well yeah I was angry, but what do you mean echoed back?” I asked

“Magic isn’t as tidy and neat as we like to think, in some ways it's alive. You know that. You have felt it. Sometimes it works like a science, others an art depending on who is using it and a whole host of other factors that we don't understand. It called you to...”

“You are magic’s servant Tristan” Fion interrupted. “It called, and you answered. Sometimes it changes a man to suit its purpose. When the nobles ruled magic was weaker, but it still changed a man, often for the worst. Your anger was the magics anger. It has been working in you for months. The only survivor, its only vessel to work its will,”

“This will happen again?” I asked.

“Yes,” Fion said

“Maybe” Jase said at the same time.

“Which is it?” Lyphia said. She clenched tightly to my hand as she spoke

Jase looked towards Fion and inclined his head.

“It will change you as much as you let it, it's not corruption, and it’s not evil. You want to remain the man you are, I can understand that, but we all change as we age. You’re young. You will get angry, you will do harm, you will love and do good,”

“What does that mean?” I interrupted

“It means if you interrupt me again I will smack you,” Fion said pointing a finger at me sternly before continuing, “Now let me finish, boy. You aren't anyone thing, neither is the magic. None of us can tell how or when it will change you but it’s no worse than falling in love or losing someone dear to you,”

“Fion is right,” Jase said, “you will change as much as you allow. We lived in different times, part of our changes were our servitude to the nobles and the tasks we had to perform. It’s not the magics fault that we taught it how a mage is. You can teach it something else,”

I looked between the mages and Lyphia as I thought through what I had been told.

“Hang on that still doesn't explain what you mean by echoed back," Lyphia said.

Jase looked a touch uncomfortable, he shifted away a step.

“No don't start pacing, I don't want a lecture. Just a nice simple explanation.” I said, I knew the signs.

Jase looked crestfallen, but didn't pace. He looked down at me “Fine, we don't know exactly, we don't even know what the magic is, except it’s getting stronger and more complex. We think, I'm stressing think, that some of the emotional effects hit at different times. It seems to have affected you in a reverse cause and effect situation, but we can't know that for certain. The fact we have is the magic appears to have called you. Fion mentioned that you can hear the music. You have developed reading. You are sensitive, so that could have a great deal to do with it. We don't know. I’m sorry Tristan that's all I can tell you,”

“That is crap, you’re my mentor. If you don't know who would?” I asked, I looked wildly between the mages, both looked rather downcast. It must be embarrassing to admit they didn't know. Mages pride themselves on knowledge, well older mages. I hadn't developed that trait yet.

“The wizards might know, but don't worry about that right now. Rest for a while longer. You’re healthy just worn out.” Jase said, he nodded to Fion and walked out.

“Rest boy, nothing else you can do right now,” Fion said gruffly he placed his hand on my shoulder. A tingle of magic passed from him to me.

“Will you stop doing that?” I asked him.

“Maybe,” he smiled then walked out following Jase.

I was left alone with Lyphia. We were sat closely together on my bed, our hands entwined. I looked at her.

“That didn't go too well,” she said licking her lips, a hint of nervousness. Maybe I didn't have a clue.

“Apparently not, I feel worn out. I had best get some more sleep,” I said as I started feeling light headed.

“Maybe you should, you look awful,” she said with a smile.

My eye was drawn to her freshly moistened lips. Shiny, I thought, what did Fion do to me? I couldn’t tear my eyes off her pink lips they looked so soft. I raised my hand to touch them.

“Hey what are you doing?” Lyphia said as I poked her cheek.

“You look all soft and shiny,” I said stupidly. Why did I say that?

“You’re an idiot,” she said with a large smile. “Go to sleep.”

I laid myself down, far quicker than I had planned. My head hit the pillow hard. Lyphia ended up coming down with me as I twisted round.

“Oww,” I moaned at the sharp pain in my head.

Lyphia was wiggling to disengage herself, hindered by laughter. Her laugh was musical, like the tiniest of bells chiming in the wind. Until she snorted.

Which sent me into a little fit of laughter of my own. It hurt, but it felt good at the same time. Odd.

Lyphia had managed to crawl up me, her face was inches from mine. Flushed and happy. Her hair was tangled, and in my mouth. Urgh.

I blew gently to clear it.

A serious look came over her. She closed the small distance between us and kissed me hard on the mouth.

She tastes of fresh rain, was the only thought I had. I kissed her back. I had only a rough idea what I was doing. I hadn't been kissed since I was fourteen, I hadn't done anything with a woman since then. Just before I went to the mage's academy.

Lyphia pulled back, kissed me gently again then rolled to the edge of the bed, “Get better, I will see you when you’re well again,” she said before sauntering to the door, she looked back briefly a considering look in her eye. Then she was gone, and I was all alone.

“What was that all about?” I asked the now empty room.

I was still light headed, but for slightly different reasons now. I guess I knew what Fion had done with that last spark. I shifted slightly to get comfortable and closed my eyes. I could see Lyphia behind my eyelids. I drifted back off to sleep with a smile, dreaming of a woman that confused me more than the events that had put me in bed in the first place.

Chapter 18

I woke up in my bed feeling wonderful, my dreams had been filled with light and laughter.  No lingering pains, in fact my head felt clearer than it had in years, like a weight had been lifted from it. I took my time getting dressed just enjoying my good mood. I had no idea how much longer I had slept after everyone had left, but I didn't care. Finally dressed I walked out to the dining room, it wasn't really a dining room, although that's all I had used it for. I think it was supposed to be an all-purpose sitting, eating, you name it room. Anyways that's where I went. I was greeted by Sophia and Airis sitting at the table, Sophia had some a basic glyph-screen and stylus, drawing I think she was. Airis was sat next to her watching.  Avery was sat on one of the upholstered benches

“Tristan, you’re alright. I was so worried,” Sophia said as she got up. She came running over and hugged me.

“I’m fine Soph,” I hugged her back as best I could, which wasn't that well. She came to just above my waist. I was basically hugging her head, I didn't hear her next words muffled as she was.

She pulled away a bit and looked up at me, “Lyphia said you were an idiot, did you do something stupid?” she said, I could see a lingering shadow of fear in her eyes. It must have been rough on her. I cursed myself for the idiot Lyphia said I was, the poor girl had lost her parents then almost lost me.

“I did, I’m sorry,” I said.

“That's alright, everyone is stupid sometimes,” Sophia said with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

I laughed. “Let’s do something fun just us. What do you say?” I said to her.

“Yes! Finally. I’ve been so bored, Avery is no fun,” she said as she rolled her eyes towards Avery.

“She’s not supposed to be fun, she's got to keep you out of trouble,” I whispered.

She giggled and ran back to grab Airis. She was tugging on his arm, saying something about having to get ready.

“We don't even know what we are getting ready for,” I head Airis say as she dragged him from the room.

I smiled at her enthusiasm, it was nice to see in her. Good to see Airis integrating as well, he sounded like a real boy.

I walked over to Avery, she looked up from her book, one of the old ones too, actual paper and bindings. Not a glyph-screen

“Master Tristan, I trust you are well? She asked me, her sharp blue eyes piercingly focused on me.”

“I am well Miss Martin. Please don't be so formal with me, I really don't need it. I was wondering two things if I may ask?” I said.

“Of course you may ask, I shall also endeavour to be less formal,” she even smiled at me. It made her look ten years younger at least.

I had to smile back, she had gone to the effort.

“How are Sophia and Airis getting on?” I asked.

“Well, very well in fact. I have no idea where that boy came from, but he is a marvel. He follows all the rules, is unfailingly polite and is a calming influence on Sophia. Sophia on the other hand is difficult, I know she lost her parents, but the last few days she has been inconsolable. You wake up and she’s all bright and happy again. You have to be more careful now you have a dependant,” she told me.

That took the edge off my happy.

“Thank you for the advice, I don't plan on doing these things, you know. Anyway I’d hoped to arrange some food and some invites. I would like to take Sophia on a picnic. I thought of inviting Jase and Fion, Lyphia, oh, and yourself. Is that doable?” I asked quickly.

“Yes that won't take long at all. I can mirror everyone needed in a few moments,” she said.

“That would be perfect thank you, also how long have I been asleep?” I asked.

“Lady Lyphia left yesterday afternoon, I'm assuming you mean since then,” she said, with a hint of disapproval.

“Yes thank you. I had best prepare myself,” I said before walking away. I could hear her steps as I walked off, I assumed she was doing as I had asked.

I walked back to the table, I caught a glimpse of Sophia’s glyph-screen on it was an image of her as an adult or maybe her mother in a mage uniform. Fire pouring from her hands.

I didn't know what to make of it, but I was pleased that she seemed to be aspiring to be a mage.

I sat at the table, waiting for Avery to arrange everything.

Sophia and Airis came out of Sophia’s room in a burst of motion.

“Tristan!” Sophia screeched as she ran to me.

“Yes?” I asked. I looked her over, she had changed her clothes to a light weave top and trousers in a pale green, which looked quite comfy. Her face on the other hand was bright red.

“Airis was watching me get changed. He’s a boy. It’s wrong,” she rushed out.

I raised an eyebrow, this was one thing I hadn't expected.

“Oh, I’ll have a word with him. He’s an only child, he doesn't know the rules,” I said

“I was an only child too, I know the rules,” she said confused.

“Yes, but you are a girl. That’s different,” I said.

“Fine you talk to him, I don't want him in my room anymore,” she said before stomping off to her room, she pushed past Airis and stuck her tongue out at him.

“Airis could you come here please?” I asked politely.

He came towards me slowly.

“Right I know you overheard all that. Don’t worry about it you haven't done anything wrong, let’s just try to keep her pacified for a little while,” I said.

Airis just nodded at me.

I opened my mouth to say more, but I was interrupted by the door.

“Hello anyone here?” came Jase’s voice from the doorway.

“Yes we are over here come on in,” I called, not taking my eyes of Airis. I completely forgot what I was going to say to him and I hoped looking at him would help me remember. Nothing, I let out a small sigh of exasperation. I stood up and turned to Jase.

“Good to see you could make it,” I said.

“Make it to what? I was bringing up the skills module that you asked for,” Jase said. A look of confusion crossed his face.

“Perfect that will give us something to do while we wait for everyone to get here,” I said relieved that I had something to do to fill the indeterminate time for everyone to arrive or send their apologies.

“Who everyone? Make it to what?” Jase asked

“Shush it's a surprise, we are going out, Avery was supposed to invite you,” I said.

“Oh, well I'm free for today. I don't have any sessions with students booked today,” Jase said.

“The module?” I asked holding my hand out to him.

“Oh right,” he said as he rooted around in his pocket, a moment later he produced a small cut diamond. “It’s a developmental trade skill set. Only basics to start with but it unlocks at various levels,”

“Perfect, this is just what I've been looking for,” I said with a sense of rising excitement

“It is? I thought you wanted something more,” Jase said with a touch of confusion.

“I want to find out what makes them different to base skills. I thought I’d explained that,” I said.

“You did, but I just thought there would be more to it than that, there normally is with you,” Jase said.