Multiverse of Magic & Mistakes (Completed)

1.3.19 Chapter 19

The Mages College of Verdyn, Verdyn, September 2019.

As soon as Rho and Vi, and Vi's very heavy suitcase, entered into Verdyn, stepping from Violet's old bedroom, into her room at the Mages College, Rho's Conveyor buzzed.

"Shit!" he exclaimed, as the dark blue gemstone belonging to Caretaker Calistan gave off a faint glow. Rho was not sure what the Master's reaction to the two of them taking an unauthorised trip to Earth would be, but he had warned Vi that they had broken most of the Mages Code in one afternoon, so to expect the worst.

Vi had solemnly accepted the fact, stating that whatever punishment the Master's gave would be worth the trip home, being able to see her friends and family and to discover the existence of the Guardians from Lily. Rho had agreed. He saw how much Vi had needed that trip home, to say goodbye properly to her old life, after he unceremoniously had taken her away from it indefinitely. She needed the closure, and the opportunity to properly explain her absence. Lily had needed it too.

And he had enjoyed the week spent with Vi on Earth. Vi, having realised he had never properly seen a film, had insisted that they go to the cinema, and Rho had stared in amazement at the superheroes flying across the big screen. He had enjoyed it so much and been so overwhelmed by the giant images, the CGI, all of it, that he had asked Vi endless questions about film production and made her go and see the movie again the following evening. Earth tech really was incredible!

Vi had also insisted that they go to a theme park. They might as well have fun whilst waiting for her magic to replenish, she had said, as well as proclaiming how much she knew he would love it. Vi's Earth friends, Lily, Clara, Matilda, and Toby had joined them. There had been a somewhat awkward reunion between Vi, and Matilda and Toby who were a couple now, and an awkward introduction of Rho as Vi's new boyfriend, but the awkwardness had thankfully dissipated quickly, and they had a fun day together.

The buzzing in his mind of the Conveyor forced his thoughts back to the present. Vi, exhausted from creating the return portal, but not completely out of energy, had stumbled across the room and was sat in her solid high-backed wooden desk chair. Rho answered the call that they were dreading. Whatever happened, it was worth it, he reminded himself, heart racing.

"Hello Calistan"

"Good evening Rhonan. I assume that you and Violet have now returned from your travels?"

"Yes, Sir." Replied Rho ..

"Please go to Master Reynold's office immediately, he very much wishes to speak to you two."

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Middy had always imagined that one day he would be able to visit the Mages world, to go to Verdyn, to feel the magic that permeated its air, and soil and water. To see for himself the structures this power had created, the famed greenhouses, acres of field and orchards, the sprawling, but elegant circular city of neat wooden houses, all with arched rooves pointing towards the heavens, the gleaming azure river winding it's way around the city districts, the Mages College itself, that symmetrical square building of overlapping planks the epitome of magic, with the cobbled central courtyard, and the infamous Stone Oak at the very centre of the College, at the centre of the City, the mineral nature of the tree, a hint at the secret underpinning the land.

He had never envisioned that his way of arriving in Verdyn would be hidden amongst his wards folded jumpers and jeans and dresses, books, and boots, and more books, and interestingly battery's, cables, a handheld gaming system, and several cheap, new mobile phones. What was Vi planning to do with all the Earth tech? She must be aware by now that the magic which infused Verdyn did not permit electrical devices to function properly here, and that the batteries she brought would not hold their charge. But he had more pressing issues. Literally. His tail was squashed painfully by an Apricot 1 box, and a copy of The Lord of the Rings, one of Vi's favourite books, which had fallen on him, when the suitcase was placed down on its side. He waited, tail throbbing until he heard Vi and Rho leave the room and waited a few seconds more just to be safe. Using some of Verdyn's abundant power, he finally, and used a little to slightly shrink his tail, extract it from the book and squeeze out of the suitcase.