The Mage's Familiar

14. Less of a Stranger

Several weeks passed. Olwen's probation period was finally over. She was exhausted by her training and endless lessons but now she was free from them at last. She and Anya packed their few belongings to move to the knight's quarters and were led there by Kari, who was even more talkative and overbearing than usual. He invited Olwen to a meal, which she frostily declined, and then chattered ceaselessly about his research in a poor attempt to impress her. When they finally reached the door to her new room, she was eager to part from him. Not allowing him any time to bid her farewell, she burst into the room with Anya right behind her and dismissed him. The irritation on his face was obvious as he bowed and left, allowing Anya to open her knapsack and release Nas. He shook himself furiously before trotting off to explore the new chambers. They had entered into a cozy sitting room, decorated in the same cool blues as her last accommodations, with a fireplace and a pair of beautiful armchairs. The bookcase against the wall was not filled but held a small number of interesting volumes and the tables were decorated with lace and vases of fresh flowers. A soft rug on the floor cushioned their steps as Olwen led Anya through this room to her bedroom. It was quite similar to the one she had vacated, with the same deep blue linens on the bed and gossamer curtains. One small door led to an attached bathroom and another revealed a small room for Anya, more modestly decorated but still pretty and comfortable. A door on the opposite side of the room led to the corridor beyond. Anya's eyes lit up and she bounded inside with her bag on her arm.

"Is this for me?" she breathed, her eyes shining.

Olwen smiled and nodded. Anya's last chamber was even simpler than this one with very few comforts. Though she had never been inside, Olwen could picture the plain bed and cold wooden floor. This was a vast improvement. She returned to her own room, where Nas was waiting, curled up comfortably on the bed.

"I prefer this room," he mused, yawning hugely. Olwen smiled but did not reply. The pressure of the upcoming ceremony was looming over her. Today she would become a knight and Anya would be an official page. She had already resigned to her fate but could not quiet her nerves. There would be a ceremony in the evening where she would meet the other knights at last. It was likely, according to Kari, that the Emperor would also be in attendance.

The maid, Feli, soon arrived to bring some refreshments and informed them that she would return to dress Olwen in the early afternoon. Olwen and Anya could only nibble at the tea and sandwiches, both anxious about the upcoming festivities. Unable to shake her nerves, Olwen soon left their new chambers to take a walk in the garden. As always she headed for the fountain, finding that the view was prettiest from the benches nearby. She had met the mysterious Cefrin here several more times since their first encounter. His condition troubled her. As she dipped her hands in the cool water of the fountain she wondered how he was feeling now. She rarely met him during the day but he wandered the garden like a ghoul after dark, slipping out of the shadows to join her at the fountain about once a week. Unsurprisingly he was nowhere to be seen today.

She healed him whenever she found him in the garden but he always fell ill before they met again. In all of her years as a healer she had never encountered such a persistent affliction. The symptoms were strange and unfamiliar. He would be feverish, weak, and sometimes even delusional, but any other signs of flu, plague, or other common illnesses were absent. Each time he was treated he would seem completely cured, but when they met again he was just as ill as he was when they first met. Olwen hadn't been able to learn much more about him, as he remained coy and quiet despite their growing friendship. Though she had mentioned him to Nas in passing, he had never seen the man for himself and had no idea who he might be. On his own solitary trips to the garden he had never been able to find Cefrin.

Olwen let nearly an hour pass in quiet solitude as she watched butterflies and small birds flit around the fountain and among the flowers. She felt much calmer and more prepared for the ceremony when she finally rose to return to her chambers. Though she had hoped Cefrin might come, she knew better than to expect him at midday. As she retraced her steps to the garden's entrance she heard a voice call out from behind her. To her surprise Cefrin was standing at the honeysuckle trellis on the path, his hand raised in greeting. She turned and went back, smiling as she approached. It was immediately clear that he had fallen ill again but she concealed her concern. His face was flushed with fever but his expression was pleased as they took their normal seat on the edge of the fountain.

"Olwen," he sighed, trying to catch his breath. "How are you?"

Olwen tilted her head in curiosity. Without replying she reached out and took his hand. She lifted it to her forehead. He was burning up. At her quick movements he jumped in surprise and his face became even redder, if such a thing were possible. She pretended not to notice.

"How are you, Cefrin?" she demanded softly. "Your fever has returned."

He shrugged nonchalantly, but she could feel his discomfort.

"My fever only improves with your aid," he replied. "It is constant when we are apart."

Olwen frowned.

"Do you really have no idea what your illness is?" she asked. They had discussed it previously, but he had honestly told her that he had not been able to identify it, even with the help of doctors. It was a mystery to anyone who examined him.

"It began one year ago, as I have told you before. Nightmares are my only other symptom."

His eyes were locked on to their joined hands as he watched the tendrils of her magic glow even in the bright sunlight.

"Nightmares," Olwen echoed quietly.

After a few moments she could feel him reaching his mana limit and so she slowly withdrew her magic and released his hand. He was reluctant to let go. When they were apart Cefrin felt the constant fear of the disease that had consumed his life. He was unwilling to let go of the only release he had found from the nightmares and the fever. This woman. As he studied her he found himself in awe of her abilities. He felt indebted to her, a feeling he had rarely had in his adulthood. The clock tower rang in the distance and he was forced to tear his eyes from her.

"I must return," he announced, rising to his feet. "I thank you for your assistance." Olwen stood with him.

"Very well. I am happy to help."

Cefrin bowed slightly and began hurrying away before turning back for a moment to call out to her.

"See you tonight!"

Olwen stared after him. See you tonight?