Mages of Rubia ✔️

Ch4

"What have you two been up to?" Elder Genova asks suspiciously as Lief hands her some salves.

"We went and got our own ingredients, as you suggested," he says curtly.

"And you aren't injured? Where did you find the supplies without crossing enemy lines? Surely you didn't cross enemy lines?"

"His town," he says, gesturing at me.

"Right. Actually, I'm here because the council wants to speak with him. Will you come?" she asks me.

I nod, standing from where I was reading one of Lief's recipes.

I follow Elder Genova to the Hall of the Elders, a large building made of the same orangey stone as the walls. Lichen grows on the surface.

"They're going to ask you a lot of questions. Would you rather speak out loud or write it down?" she asks.

I'm surprised how considerate she's being. "Speak."

She nods. "Never had one of your people opt to talk rather than write before. At least, not within the second month of being here."

"I'm concise," I mutter.

She knocks on the door of the main room before letting us both in. I'm sure she only knocked to alert them of our presence.

"I've brought the boy," she says, gesturing to me.

"Take a seat," one of them says, clearly in charge.

I sit down in a large plush chair. They're all situated above me. I'm not too worried about them looking down on me.

"What is your name, boy?"

"Azarius," I say.

They nod sagely. "A lovely name. We brought you here to ask a few questions about Mage Lief."

Of course. I nod for them to go on.

"Has your work under him been cordial?"

I nod yes.

"What does he have you doing?"

"Mixing salves, tending to plants."

"And what is he doing?"

I want to both inspire trust in them and make them believe I trust them without ratting out Lief.

"Not sure. Sometimes experiments. Sometimes reading."

"What sort of experiments?"

"Alchemy," I answer, "Trying to heal better."

That's an outright lie. I've not seen him working on healing other than what he made to help with the sap rash. Other than that, he tends to be more interested in poisons. Which is certainly concerning, but I know he means nobody here harm.

"Do you feel like you've been learning?"

I nod.

"Good... Do you know your way back to the tower?"

I nod. Even if I didn't, it's higher than all the other buildings. It wouldn't be hard to find.

"Alright. Thank you for your time, Azarius."

I nod, and bow slightly as I stand and head away. It seemed appropriate. And I head through the twisted paths and alleys back to the tower, taking a quicker route than Elder Genova chose.

"What was that about?" Lief asks as soon as my feet hut the library floor, eyes narrowed over is book.

"Questions about learning. I didn't tell any secrets."