The Mage's Familiar

11. The Assessment

Olwen and Anya spent the remainder of the day in Olwen's chambers becoming better acquainted. Anya told her briefly of her childhood in a farming village that had been ravaged by a troupe of bandits over several years. It was only through the grace of the Emperor's knights that her home had been liberated and rebuilding could begin. Anya had been so inspired by the heroism and skill of the knights that she had resigned then to become one herself. She had left behind a brother and two loving parents to seek out her destiny. Many years of grueling practice and constant discipline had allowed her to make her way to the palace. She had been recruited by Kari due to her abilities. She had been assessed when she arrived in the palace and had been given a tentative Class II designation. She described it as the best day of life, though quickly amended her statement shyly to say being chosen to be Olwen's page may have been even better. Olwen could not help but smile. Despite Anya's clear passion and determination it was gratifying to see that she was still child-like in some ways.

"What is your element?" Olwen asked, observing her closely.

Anya smiled mischievously and tilted her head.

"I'll show you!"

She snapped her fingers and her hand began to glow as if embers had been lit under her skin. Flames began to flicker around the tips of her fingers and then danced across her palm until she held a flickering ball of fire in her hand. It was captivating the way the light fluttered against Anya's face and the delicate tea set on the table. Sparks bounced playfully from the ball of flame and when they landed on Olwen's skin they felt like feathers and were cool to the touch. It was mesmerizing.

"Fire," Olwen breathed, unable to take her eyes away from the scintillating fire.

But all too soon Anya swallowed the flame in her hands. A gentle curling wisp of smoke rose from her fingers and she waved it away.

"My flames are not very strong," she admitted ruefully. "I specialize in smoke."

"Smoke?" Olwen echoed.

"Not as exciting," Anya sighed. "But good for escaping I guess."

She looked a bit disappointed but Olwen took her hand gently.

"Better to escape and fight another day than go up in flames."

Anya shrugged but her face did brighten a bit.

"What is your element, my lady?" she asked.

"Water," Olwen replied with a smile.

A water mage with a fire mage at her side was an ironic pairing. Olwen wondered if opposite pairings were uncommon. But it was too late to discuss it now. Night had fallen and stars sparkled in the inky sky visible through the sheer curtains. Nas was growing restless as he'd grown bored with the page after only a few minutes and retreated to the bed. Olwen said her goodbyes and Anya returned to her own room. With her page gone Olwen began to feel a sense of unease creep into her mind at the prospect of the class assessment. As she emerged from the bathroom in her nightgown Nas had already transformed and was draped dramatically across the bed in his human form, sighing loudly. Olwen tactfully ignored him, climbing onto the bed and under the blankets. She curled up so she wasn't touching him and he sat up with one last exasperated sigh.

"Master!" he scoffed. "Can you not see I am distressed?"

Olwen peeked over the edge of the blanket and glared at him. Even his indignant expression was charming. Why did he have to be so beautiful? She turned away and buried her face in her pillow. He crawled up to her and leaned over her. She could feel his hair brushing her face but kept her eyes closed.

"Master," he whispered into her ear.

She flinched and opened her eyes. He was still attempting to appear upset but couldn't hide the playful smile in his eyes. She shoved him away and he fell onto his side and stayed there. It took him a surprisingly long time to stir but when he did he finally laid down properly with his head on the pillows and pulled her close to him, draping one arm across her waist.