Mages of Rubia ✔️

26

I stand at my father's door with a blade strapped to my side. And I knock.

He opens it and examines me. He swallows. He's silent for a few seconds.

"Well, come in. Would you like some tea? Or coffee? I also have some cookies my neighbor Linda brought over, wonderful little lady, a good baker..." he trails off as he lets me in and goes to the kitchen.

I follow, but just to the doorway. He grabs a Tupperware and puts some cookies in, handing one back to me as he does. He gives me a tense smile.

"These are for Arden and Ravana. And whoever else? Do you want coffee or tea? Or water, I guess."

I stare at him. His nerves make me suspect he knows why I'm here. Why would he let me in if he knows I intend to kill him.

"Coffee, please."

Trenton nods, pouring a cup and smiling as he hands it to me. We walk to the living room and sit down.

"So, it's been a while. How's everything with your boys? And your job?"

"Good. I had an internship to possibly become the continent head mage."

"Arden told me. They stopped by."

"What? Why?"

"Just questions about prophetic dreams. I suppose I'm qualified to answer such questions."

I frown.

"How's your stuff going? With the uh, famous smith thing?"

"It's alright. I'm making some parts for an engineer working on faster worldwide communication. You know, letters take forever and you can't send them a lot of places."

"Interesting. Do you have any friends or anything? This place seems lonely."

Trenton shrugs. "Not really. But I'm alright, I'm used to it by now."

I nod reluctantly. "You and the mage before me were friends?"

"John? Yes, I suppose you could call us that."

"I have a few questions about things."

"I probably have a few answers."

I nod and sip the coffee he gave me. It tastes charred. Gross.

"What was my mom like?"

He looks at me fondly. "Stubborn. Fierce. You're a lot like Sable was, actually."

"I wish I could have known her."

Trenton is silent a moment, his eyes sad. "Me, too."

"I wish I could have known you," I add.

He wipes at his eyes but doesn't look away. "We have time."

I nod. "Yeah. Some other day, though. Ravana and Bee will be wondering where I am. Bee is my cousin? She's staying with me. Maybe I'll bring her to meet you, she's very psychic."

"Oh. I didn't know there was any family left here. Is she on your mother's side?"

"No. She's a Porter."

"Really? Well, I'd love to meet her any time."

I pick up the tupperware. "Bye then."

"Goodbye."

-

I don't know what changed my mind.

-

"You've been laying in bed all weekend," Ravana says.