The Everburn Mage

3. "The Sparking Scoundrel"

When absorbed into his work, the world around him would fade out of existence. And though the night was fleeting, this determined soul wouldn't retire until everything was in order. Atop the cluttered desk in front of him, the scattered documents gawked silently. Each of them detailed a different kidnapping at a different time in a random location across Esteras. 

What did this mean, he wondered. What were they planning by abducting the mages of the state? To incite fear? Or were they merely lowering the military's numbers in order to scale a wide-scaled offensive? The near-infinite number of possibilities taunted him. Plaguing his mind to the point where he couldn't think of anything else.

"I'd advise turning in for the night, sir." Posted next to him, Sabine gave him a concerned glance. "This isn't good for your health."

James chuckled. "Worried about me, are you?"

"Actually, I'm more fearful of what the generals might think once they notice your tardiness, as of late."

"Well don't be. I have everything under control."

"Now where have I heard that line before?"

James rested his head on his wrist and peered down at the sheets of paper. "This operation needs to be perfect. Not a single element of it can be faulty. So until its key components are completed, I'm not going anywhere." 

Beside him, he caught the subdued sigh released by his lieutenant, accompanied by the look of vexation materializing in her pair of ashen irises. He was aware breaking the rules wasn't something Sabine was fond of and while he felt a certain level of guilt by putting her through this, he realized it was something neither she nor himself could walk away from. If this mission were to succeed, he'd need the magic of a powerful mage. He required the assistance of his guardian.

"You know, Zen, I appreciate you doing this for me."

"Do I really have a choice?" she frowned.

"Everyone does. I could transfer you to another bracket and you can pretend you never heard a thing."

"Seriously, sir," Sabine muttered, crossing her arms. "I'm disappointed in you. Your attempts at removing me are becoming increasingly pathetic. Perhaps you're losing your edge?"

Scratching the back of his neck, he snickered, "Maybe I am."

"In all seriousness, sir, there is a lot banking on this."

"Yes, I'm aware."

"If we fail, you can forget about being promoted to general. You'd be lucky to even keep your job. I sincerely hope all of this is worth it to you?"

"I can't turn my back from this, Zen. Someone has to do something about the kidnappings, the murders. Though our higher-ups see it fit to feign ignorance, who's to say I must follow their example? I didn't enlist in the military to be another conscienceless cog in their machine. I want to change the world! So, if they really are too prudent, too cowardly to act then, I must do so myself."

Sabine smiled. "In layman's terms, this is just another of your ill-conceived stunts to shoot through the ranks."

"Hey, those so-called "stunts" have worked for me thus far, haven't they?!" he laughed. "Still, I don't think we can afford to neglect this case any longer. If whoever is behind these crimes really does have a personal vendetta against combat mages it means you might be in danger also. I can't risk that."

"Because with me gone it means you've lost one of the only three people on the planet who can tolerate your crap on a daily basis, right?"

"Or, perhaps I just really care about you," he slyly corrected. "If the lives of my comrades are on the line, along with the safety of Esteras' people, well, that's reason enough for me to lose a few more hours of sleep."