MageLife (15 page)

I felt my message had been received so I let go of the desk and turned to chase after Sophia, she hadn't got too far. The corridors were well lit again, it was still strange seeing this ancient bastion of the old ways alive with people, lit up and almost welcoming. Sophia and I walked in silence for a moment, then she asked.

“Why did you scare that lady?”

“It’s complicated” I hedged, I shifted my shoulders slightly, uncomfortable with this topic.

“Nope it's not, you just don't wanna tell me," Sophia said wisely.

“It's not that I don't want to tell you, it’s just…” I trailed off lamely. I looked at the walls, trying to think of how to say it.

“I’m just a kid I won't understand," she commented snarkily.

“It's not that either, Soph. I just didn't want to tell you I was being petty. She was scared of me for no reason the other day and it made me feel bad. I was in a bad mood and I took it out on her. I wanted her to suffer for it. I know it was wrong but…” I shrugged. I couldn't explain it any than that.

Sophia looked at me, she had a little crinkle between her eyes as she worked it out.

“But that's mean!” she stated forlornly.

“Sophia, I'm not perfect. I can be just as mean and petty as anyone else. I'm sorry to break that to you but that's just how it is," I said irritably, having to own my flaws was not a fun experience, neither was being judged by an eight year old.

Sophia was silent then, although she looked troubled.

We soon arrived at Jase’s workshop, our silence had grown oppressive but I didn't know how to break it. I knocked on the thick wooden door.

Jase opened it slightly, his head poking round frame, his startlingly blue eyes shone taking in the sight that greeted him.

“Hello Tristan I hadn't expected to see you so soon. Come on in” Jase said as he recognised me, he opened the door wide stepping back to allow us to enter.

“Good morning Jase. How are your resumed duties treating you?” I asked as we walked in.

Jase noticed Sophia before answering his eyes widened slightly, he turned to me a silent question on his face.

I had no idea what the question was though.

“It's fine, it’s nice being back among my projects, but I had missed the action of being an active.” Jase smiled at me, then turned to Sophia. “Hello, little one. I hear your Tristan’s apprentice, is that so?”

“Yep, and your Tristan's master” she said confidently as if she had no fear.

Jase chuckled at that.

“Tristan doesn't have a master, not like I used to.” Jase informed her.

“I met your master by the way” I interjected, a smirk had made its presences known on my face.

“Ah Enchanter Fion, fun isn’t he?” Jase asked with his usual twinkle.

“Very much so vague though.” I said

“Yes, he wasn't always like that but time affects us all” Jase said sadly, a slight downturn in his smile accompanied the words.

“He called me your boy, but then Orb mentioned that you have a boy," I put out there waiting for a bite.

Jase flushed.

“Fion was my master we are close but you have no authorization to know that," Jase replied hotly

“Jase, I didn't ask about you. I only bring it up now because I need your help and because I can't remember a single time you mentioned your son.” I said, attempting to calm the situation.

“Tristan, my life is my own. I would have told you eventually, but I have done my best to keep a professional distance between us.” Jase insisted

“Jase you have been like a father to me despite the hardships you had to force on me, I would want to know," I said softly.

“I won't tell you now, you asked for help. I will tell you another time.” Jase conceded. “Now what kind of help did you need?”

“Well as you can see I have my apprentice with me,” I started

“I can, she is lovely, a bit young for an apprentice. I can't recall the last time we had a female mage.” Jase mused, stroking his chin as he looked down at Sophia.

“Female mages?” I asked. “No, sorry. I need help with my apprentice, I can’t work and take care of her, and I need a new place to live so she can have a room.” I said, pushing through the distraction.

“I’ll answer the female mages later shall I?” Jase asked while looking at Sophia.

Sophia nodded her bright red ponytail bobbing slightly

“I can suggest you do what many masters did, you specialise.” Jase said, he started to pace around the room as he always did when starting to lecture. “You are gifted but young. You should have never been placed with an apprentice yet. Your oath has been taken, so there is nothing we can do about it. You are bound one to the other, that doesn't mean you have to teach.”

I felt my brow furrow as I listened.

Jase had wandered all over the room his hands waving as he spoke. “Why teach if you’re not good at it, it’s simple you do what is in the best interests of the apprentice. The old ways are clearer than the modern ones. Of course you should teach what you are best at.” Jase paused here to look over at me and Sophia, eyes shining and his face aglow. “Your duty as a mage is to serve the magics best interests which is vague, I’ll clarify, magic wants to be used, that's it. Your duties as a master are far more complex. You have to do what is in your apprentice’s best interests. She clearly needs new clothes it is your duty to provide her them or furnish a means in which she can do so herself as an example. The old ways were simpler because her duty to you was equal to your duties to her. You with me so far?” Jase asked suddenly, he always liked to catch us out when we had ethics class.

I nodded, Sophia nodded.

“Good, well now your duties are more one sided, it's not an equal part relationship.”

“Jase I know about this. I need to know how I can balance raising a child and doing my job” I stated exasperated. I should have known better than to give Jase the chance to lecture.

“I was getting there Tristan.” Jase said plaintively, his disappointment plain. “You share your duties with another. You can’t give her your best so you find someone that can.”

“But who? I don't know many mages that would take on an apprentice," I asked.

“Are you being wilfully blind? Most of Sophia’s needs don't need a mage. I can send a request for larger quarters. I will take her for some of the time and we can work something out for her care.”

“Thank you Jase.” I said relieved.

“Excuse me, don't I get any say in this?” Sophia piped up, her green eyes blazing.

I blinked, I hadn't expected her to object.

“Of course your do, my dear.” Jase said with a bright smile.

“Well this is sounding like I'm going to get passed around," Sophia said before turning to me “If you don't want me, say so. I won't be treated like this," tears threatened to spill from her eyes

“Oh Sophia, it’s not like that at all. I just don't know enough about children, I need help.” I said softly.

“Just say so don't pass me off on others.” Sophia insisted, her threatened tears fulfilling the promise and rolling down her face.

“Sophia none of this is meant to upset you, we just need to make arrangements to ensure you receive the best possible care.” Jase interjected, his tone soft and comforting.

“Um, okay then.” Sophia sniffled.

“Brave girl.” Jase commented nodding approvingly.

“So how are we doing this Jase?” I asked.

“You should have worked all this out on your own Tristan, you can’t rely on me forever.” Jase reprimanded me before continuing “We will authorise the lodgings change, I will find a nanny as well as work out a schedule.” a faint look crossed his face as if an idea suddenly appealed, he held up a finger “One moment” Jase walked over to his desk, he picked up his glyph-screen, a few taps and some swipes later, a smile appeared on his face.

Sophia and I just looked at each other while we waited, utterly bemused by the whole situation.

“Ha," Jase exclaimed. “You are going to love this.”

A sudden dread filled me as all the things, which would amuse Jase at my expense went through my mind

“What is it Jase?” I asked the inevitable question.

“Don't ask in that tone, it’s nothing bad.” a manic glee radiating from Jase.

“Just tell me” I flatly demanded. This drawing it out was always bad for my nerves.

“You and Sophia are authorized to live here, in the master mage apartments.” Jase revealed. “You take all the fun out of things," a conspiratorial wink at Sophia

Sophia burst into giggles, her earlier tears completely forgotten.

A puzzled frown found its way onto my face.

“How does that work? I thought only masters could live here.” I said, it wasn't what I wanted to say, but it was what came out.

“You have an apprentice, hence you are a master. I have arranged for your belongings to be brought from your apartment.” Jase declared simply.

I nodded, I suppose that makes as much sense as anything.

“Sophia could you wait outside for a moment please I need to have a private word with Tristan," Jase asked quietly.

Sophia looked between us searching our faces before nodding and walking to the door.

The door closed behind her.

“What has changed?” Jase asked abruptly.

I told him about the surges, Sophia's parents.

“Whatever you think Tristan I am proud of you. You have stood up and claimed responsibility for Sophia that is a very mature thing.” Jase said, his hand coming up to rest on my shoulder

“I’m not ready, she deserves better than me," I said honestly.

Jase just smiled before saying “No parent is ever ready, and we all think they deserve better. It's what pushes us to be better.” his face darkened as Jase seemed to recollect something.

“What's wrong Jase?” I asked

“It’s nothing Tristan, just some bitter memories,” a negligent hand wave as he removed it from my shoulder accompanied his words as if brushing the matter aside.

I had seen Jase do this for years, I wanted to help him but I couldn't unless I knew what was wrong.

“Jase don't, if you don't want to tell me, that's fine, but don't brush it off as nothing," I told him firmly

“I...” Jase spluttered out, shock stopping him before he started. Jase took a deep breath before trying again. “Fine I don't want to talk about it at the moment, but I will tell you another time. I asked to speak to you for a different reason, your friend, from your training has graduated.” Jase left it hanging in the air expectantly.

I was racking my brain trying to remember to whom he was referring. Only one person sprung to mind, but he wasn't a friend.

“Did you mean, Elan?” I asked desperately hoping he would say it was anyone else.

“Yes I did. He got released to duty this morning, I thought it would be a good idea to give you a heads up, you may run into him.” Jase said seriously.

“Thanks I’ll do my best to avoid him, I no longer have to go to headquarters that should help minimise the risks.”

We nodded to each other. It seems our conversation was concluded. I went to the door to take Sophia up to our new lodgings.

As I reached the door, I looked back at Jase, “Thank you for everything Master” I said sincerely.

“You're welcome, my boy” Jase responded an odd emphasis on the my.

Another nod and I left.

Chapter 15

Our new home was huge, similar in style to enchanter Fion’s rooms, which were just down the hall. Thickly carpeted floors in a deep blue, to match the paler blue furniture and wall coverings. Sophia was standing in the centre of the room awe struck.

I was stood in the doorway watching her. The sight of her openly gawking at everything suddenly struck me as funny. I burst out laughing.

“What are you laughing at?” she asked turning her head to look at me, her hands lifted from her sides to rest on her hips.

“Nothing” I said quickly. I walked further into the room to stand next to her.

“It’s beautiful” she said, her green eyes wide, her voice soft.

“Yeah it is, and it's your home now. We will work everything out. Jase is helping.” I said gently.

Sophia blinked back tears before rushing to me in a flurry of limbs, those limbs wrapped around my legs in a desperate hug.

I awkwardly patted her back. I was at a loss as to what to do. I looked around in search of inspiration, an open door way at the far wall drew my eye.

“Have you seen your room yet?” I asked, pleased with myself for finding a subtle way out.

Sophia loosened her grip slightly, her head pulling away from its place my stomach.

“No, I have my own room?” she asked breathlessly.

“I think so you know as much about this as I do. Would you like to take a look?” I offered.

Sophia nodded and separated herself from me.

I was relieved to say the least.

We walked through the dark wooden frame Sophia going first. Her room was huge. A large four post bed dominated the room, a desk in one corner the wardrobe was against the back wall. A doorway that I assumed led through to her own bathing chamber set in the wall next to her bed. Elaborate windows streamed light in, complementing the glow globes set in the ceiling.

“All this for me?” Sophia asked softly, wonder and a touch of fear coming through.

“Of course it is Sophia, did you think we would be so cruel as to make you sleep in a cupboard?” I said jokingly.

“You’re a mage, you might have” she replied, her red hair slowly falling out of its ponytail as she fidgeted, the charm must be weakening.

I had no words to answer that. It seemed the old mages' reputation was alive and well.

“Just settle in, I will sort out some more clothes for you.” I said, deciding leaving her to get used to her surroundings might be best.

I crossed the hall to what I assumed was my own room, it was almost a mirror to Sophia's, except for one difference, there was an extra door in the far wall. I was curious I walked across the room the soft carpet silencing my steps. I had never really noticed how loud and barren my apartment had been until compared to this. Art on the walls, natural woods everywhere. The door was different, I could feel it swimming with magics, tightly woven into the wood. I reached out to touch it, gently feeling the grain. Stupid of me not to instantly realise why it was charmed. This was a workroom door. My touch had just unlocked it. The door swung open, revealing a circular stone chamber. A work station was connected to the raised disk of stone in the centre it wasn't just a workroom, it was a golem and enchanting room. The echoes of my steps rebounded back from the solid walls as I walked to the stations glyph-screen flashing on the screen was Jase’s ident. I touched it with a fingertip.