MageLife (7 page)

“Who is it?”

“It’s Lysan. May I come in?” He asked.

“Um, sure.” I replied. Some company might help.

My door opened and in walked Mage Lysan, looking rather uncomfortable. He was avoiding eye contact. My heart filled with dread. What did he not want to tell me?

“What's wrong Lysan?” I asked. Lysan flinched.

“Tristan you shouldn't be out of bed. Even the healing should have kept you asleep for a while longer.” Lysan hurriedly said.

“How long have I been out?” I asked hoping he would give me a straight answer.

“Only six hours. You need rest. The damage was superficial, apart from the burn but you were exhausted. The healing on top of that. It was touch and go if you would wake up at all.” Lysan answered rushing forward to help me back into bed. I raised my arms to ward him off.

“No! Not yet. I need to know what's going on!” I shouted, holding back tears. I really was that close to death. My strength was fading as it was. Lysan stopped, looked at me, taken aback by the force of my response.

“Tristan, I have orders. I can't tell you until I’m cleared. You are on medical leave indefinitely, I'm sorry.” Lysan replied, pity in his eyes.

“No! They can't do this to me. What happened at the foundry? Was I the only survivor?” I asked doggedly.

“Tristan, please understand the position I'm in. I can't tell you," Lysan insisted weakly. He resumed walking towards me.

“No, no no. I need to know what's going on.” My voice wavered as I spoke.

“Let's get you back into bed Tristan. Everything will be okay. Focus on getting better.” Lysan said softly. He guided me back to my bed. My strength to resist gone.

“Rest. I'm just outside. Don't worry about anything,” were Lysan's final words as the last of my will evaporated. The black of sleep claimed me.

A light shone through my closed eyelids. Disturbing the darkness that was my rest. My bones felt so heavy, keeping me pinned to my bed. A few blinks later, the light was still there but clearer, it was Orb hovering over me.

“Junior Mage Tristan I have been sent by Master Jase, to confirm your wellbeing to him.” it stated.

“Where is Lysan?” I asked trying to buy time to assess my own condition.

“Mage Lysan has been reassigned due to an emergency declaration.”  It answered.

“Emergency!” I exclaimed.

“Yes Tristan. The damage from the explosion was extensive. The stone guild has been called in for clearance and restoration of the area. Our mages are needed to void the enchantments damaged, as well as clear the bodies, and attempt identification.” It replied showing no emotion, Orb was different than I remembered from my first meetings of it.

“How bad is it?” I asked quietly. My memories of my walk back were scrambled but vivid.

“I am not authorised to tell you due to your suspension and my own emergency protocols.” it answered stiffly.

“Oh. Protocols?” I asked. I had an inkling, but I wanted to hear from it.

“Yes. Personality is locked down during emergencies as it may interfere with my abilities to function.” it stated with the same absence of tone I noted earlier.

“I have never heard about that, which is surprising, I do have a talent for golems.” I said

“It is restricted to council equipment.” It said.

“Equipment, yes I'm sure it is.” I commented darkly. I hate how some golems are treated as things.

“Tristan, how are you? Master Jase did request to know," it said, not even reacting to my remark.

“How would I know Orb? I've just woken up. I'm more tired than I’ve been in my whole life. Pain is coming and going. I haven't even tried magic! I have no clue how long I've been asleep.” I cried out exasperated. “Surely you have the Healer's report?”

“Yes Tristan we do. I believe Master Jase was inquiring, more about your mental well-being. He seems concerned for you.” It said.

“Well he can knacking-well come himself!” I shouted. I was sick of this. “I walked through the district. I saw. I know. Those people didn't stand a chance!” I ranted. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes.

“Tristan, Master Jase is dealing with the emergency. He cannot come. Thank you for your report.”  Orb said dispassionately, his colours flickering as he hovered over to the door. “Good bye Junior Mage Tristan. Would you like your family contacting?”

“No, thank you Orb. I will be back on duty as soon as possible," I said firmly.

“Very well” with that he left.

“Tristan!” shouted a young girl’s voice.

I was sat on my bed. Staring out the window, lost in my own thoughts. Turning around I saw Sophia standing in the door. I hadn't even heard it open. She was smiling, but the shadow of fear was in her bright eyes.

“Sophia, what are you doing here?” I asked shocked.

“We were supposed to have a lesson, it’s been a week since I’ve seen you!” she said emphatically, her hands waving madly.

“Oh” was all I could say

“What happened? Are you sick? My sister got sick, but we took her to the medi-thing.” she rambled on.

“I’m nearly better, I got hurt at work.” I answered with a weak smile.

“You’re alright though?” she asked nervously.

“Yeah Sophia I’ll be fine in a day or two.” I said.

“You sure? You look, all sad.” she asked as she stepped closer.

“I’ll be okay, I’m just tired.” I said feebly. Sophia got closer, she was now within arm’s reach.

“Don't lie to me. What's happened to your eyes?” she asked as she leaned in to examine them. They were glowing fiercely with built up magic.

“Nothing has happened to them, they are just a bit bright at the moment.” I explained. “It’s nothing to worry about, just a sign that I'm getting better.” Damn this kid picking on my eyes. She always goes for my weak point.

“Oh. They are pretty, but different," she said, then smiled.

“I know they are. They should settle down soon.” I said doing my best to forgive her asking.

“Why are you really here Sophia?” I enquired gently.

“Well, my mum brought me for lessons, and master Jase said it may be nice for us to come see you.” she admitted.

“Jase sent you?” I asked baffled. Why would Jase do that?

“Yep, you’re not cross?  You don't seem that sick. Just sad.” she asked.

“Why would I be cross? You are my apprentice. I can’t look after you if I don't see you,” I said weakly. I wasn't at the top of my game. Out of the corner of my eye I could see a shape approaching.

“Soph dear, we should go and leave your master to rest.” Mrs Leif said. I hadn't even noticed her.

“Yeah,” Sophia said. Her arms reaching around me. A surprisingly tight hug. All I could do was hug her back. She whispered to me “get better soon” before letting go. Her face was flushed, with a final smile before heading to the door with her mother. “Bye Tristan.”

“Bye Sophia, thank you for coming” I said trying to keep my voice controlled. It had been a long time since I was last hugged.  After she left. I was on my own. I had felt so unsure of everything since the explosion. That little girl had restored in a moment, my resolve to continue working to become a wizard. Wizards had freed magic from the iron control of the nobles. Magic was a weapon and at the service of the privileged. There had been no benefit to the people. Fodder for the wars between lords. That fear was still there, but the work we mages did was changing that. Being a wizard could change even more. Finally free us from the shadow of the past.

Chapter 8

I awoke to the bright sunlight streaming through my window and a flashing mirror. I groaned at the thought of a waiting message. I pulled myself out of bed quickly in case it was important. A touch of my hand activated the recording. Master Jase appeared replacing my own reflection.

“Junior Mage Tristan,” came the message, as I finished pulling on my uniform. Emotion bubbling in my chest “You are hereby reinstated. Report to headquarters for briefing.”

Finally, with a sigh, I was ready. I had been cleared yesterday. I was going out of my mind alternating between fear and boredom. I really wanted to be back in action.

“Confirmed. I’m on my way.” I mirrored back, not even waiting for someone to answer. A message worked fine. I was out the door before the mirror even stopped flashing.

The short walk, was one of my first since the incident. The sun shined down on me helping show me the beauty of this town. The white stone was brilliant. The streets were level and wide. Even the people were pleasant. I was nodded at and greeted with smiles by all. There was no fear or indifference, even from the older people. While it was nice, it made me wonder what had been happening. I had only been out of action a few weeks.

Headquarters looked the same, but the doors were open and the place was actually busy. All sorts of people were going in and out. Mages were everywhere. The foyer was packed. Snatches of overheard conversation told me, bits of why it was so busy.

“Thank you for fixing my heater.” an older woman said.

“My house was damaged. Could I get a stone man round?” asked a heavyset man.

So this was all about the incident
. I thought as I made my way through the crowd getting buffered about I did my best not to bump into anyone. I wasn't successful.

“Watch where you’re...” an older man started. His voice dried up as he turned to look at me. “I'm sorry Mage I didn't mean to.” he finished lamely. He looked worried, his wrinkled face dropping.

“That's quite alright,” I said affably. It was nice to see the people involving the mages. We had only been set up properly for the last two years, apart from the mage academy which has been here for centuries but that had been under control of the Solem family, the nobles that controlled the area. “It was my fault, I was looking for Master Mage Jase and didn't see you. Have you seen him?” I asked.

“Um, he was behind the desk, just a moment ago,” he helpfully offered.

“Well he's not there now. If you will excuse me, I shall continue seeking him," I said.

“Of course” he said moving to the side to let me pass.

Seeking Jase was not as difficult as I had made out. I could feel him with my othersense. While it wasn't as precise as when I summoned it, the general awareness was enough for locating the man that had trained me. He was in Rysan’s office.

Once I got past the desk, the crowd thinned considerably. A few steps and I knocked on the door.

“Yes?” came his raised voice. I took this as an invitation. Opening the door to see Jase sat at the very large desk holding a glyph-screen. Orb was hovering around flickering.

“Master Jase, I’m reporting for duty” I stated, really hoping that he wouldn't take one look at me and decide I wasn't fit.

“Tristan my boy, I'm so pleased to see your well. I didn't want to call you in yet but the powers that be have decided we need to take advantage of the sudden goodwill. To that end, we are appointing you as Mage Representative.” Jase said while looking very closely at me. I was uncomfortable with the level of scrutiny.

“Sorry Sir, I may have misheard you.” I ventured. I had no clue what he was telling me.

“No you didn't. You are a member of the new mages. You are one of the first of the wizard councils trained mages. You have family in this town. You are young and you were also the sole survivor of the foundry incident. These make you a perfect figure to represent the mages.”

“But Sir, I have been a mage for just over a month, most of which I have been on leave.” I insisted. I wasn't ready for this.

“Not to worry, you don't have any bad habits to break. You don't know anything really. Your training only makes you able to use magic easily you won't be alone. It won't be that different to how it was before. You will still receive tasks for headquarters. You will just be the public face of things. If we need to send someone to one of the guilds, we will send you. Nothing has really changed, you just have a different title.” Jase reassured.

“Yes sir.” I said. Not sure what else I should say. While inside I was thinking, this is weird, I'm new why would I get advanced so quickly.

“Wizards orders Tristan. That's why this is happening.” Jase said with a smile, answering my unspoken thoughts. “Go think about it for a little while. Be back in an hour, there is a task for you,"

“Yes sir” I answered turning to the door.

“Mage Representative Tristan. You are dismissed," Jase barked jokingly

I was less amused, grumpily I left.

I wasn't expecting to be handed a new position, to be honest it worried me. The whole thing stank of politics. My knowledge of politics could barely fill a micro-shard. I took a slow stroll through the streets. Just seeing the town now, brought back memories of my childhood. Coming into town from the family farm. To buy the stuff we couldn't make ourselves. The trip wasn't long, a few hours, but for a young boy it felt like forever. The old town was so very different. Dirt roads for all but the very centre and the road leading to Haven. Only the mage academy was anything like it is now. No fountains. No lights. No real magic apart from the conscription. The conscription was the bane of this town. The nobles sent their bound mages scouring their domain for gifted knacks, mostly teen boys. I wasn't old enough to get taken, but I had heard the stories. Families that didn't agree to the boys being taken. Made examples of. Fire consuming them and the mages taking the boys anyway. The boys were trained to be mages and soldiers in the noble’s service. I shuddered at the thoughts. The wizards had changed it all though. Mages were now a sign freedom instead of oppression. Well we were supposed to be. Minds take a long time to change. But seeing the people smiling at me gave me hope for the future.

My walk had helped clear my thoughts slightly. I still didn't want the job. I had only just started as a junior mage. Still there were worse things. It was a good idea to have a representative. I just didn't think it should be me. Someone older, more experienced would be better suited. Fighting against things I couldn't change wouldn't help, the will of the wizards was one of those things. I resolved to do my best. Somehow my walk had taken me right around the block. Staring up at the headquarters I braced myself and walked in.