"This must be it" I said, pointing at a red roofed house that was noticeably smaller than its neighbors. Mathra, who was holding the boy spoke
"What? Do people live there? I don't know how even one person could live there, let alone two." Mathra's rich, so the idea of sleeping in anything other than a mansion was a preposterous one (even though he'd spent half a month comatose inside a hospital). Still, the difference in size was staggering.
"Maybe this a house for midgets?" I said in a half joking kind of way.
"Maybe you're right! We should-" Before Mathra could finish his however, the door swung open
"What is it you youngsters- Oh. What happened to Tadier"?" Calmly said A balding old man as if he'd suffered a minor inconvenience. He stroked his grey beard and looked at us skeptically. "I haven't seen you two around. You're not inquisitors are you?""What?" The inquisition was abolished almost 20 years ago. Does this guy still think mages are persecuted in Thele?
"Please forgive our intrusion. We are but mere travelers. Your grandson is fine, but he needs some rest." Mathra said in my stead.
The old man (who we'll call Pops from now on) breathed a sigh of relief and said "Well if that's the case I should at least show my gratitude by offering you a cup of tea."
"Please it was nothing I-"
"We'llacceptyourkindoffer." Mathra said like a dust addict, becoming ecstatic when he heard the word tea. I'm not really a tea guy and I really would like to practice magic or something... Maybe I'll just leave Mathra here? Nope. I can't do that. I won't leave Mathra's side if I don't have to.
"Hmm what a fragrant, refreshing beverage" Eeuna noted as I sipped my cup. Apparently Pops works at a tea shop in town so he sometimes gets to take the ingredients to make tea home. The interior of the tiny house was surprisingly neat, with a few sacks and barrels laying here and there and the boy (who's name was Tadier) laying on one of two beds. Mathra, Pops and I were sitting at a round table with cups in front of each of us. Mathra in particular looked very satisfied as he sipped his cup of tea.
"I always knew something like this would happen" Pops said.
"That your grandson would shoot fire from his hands and collapse from exhaustion?" I asked bluntly.
"Well... yes. My grandson has always had some unusual talents. Ever since he was little he'd sometimes have these outbursts where he'd summon fire. They used to happen every now and then but they're getting more and more common nowadays. I've tried to hide his talents ever since I saw the signs, but I suppose it was only a matter of time. I know the inquisition was abolished years ago, but I still worry that some extremists might persecute him. If that happens, my frail body won't be able to protect him."
Even though most people are at least tolerant of mages in Thele, there are still some who have their doubts about people like us. The former archbishop is evidence of this... But I still think such people who are willing to act on their prejudices are the exception and not the norm. In my experience, the people who still hold on to that dated tenant of the Church will usually just give you nasty stares at best and mistrust you at worst. "Ah yes, this must be sanguine magic. Some children are born with the innate ability to use powerful magic at a young age. Sometimes it's because their parents experience a magical phenomenon, other times it's because they're the descendant of an magical creature. Whatever the cause, it gives the child a latent talent for magic."
"You seem knowledgeable about this. I have a request to ask of you." Pops said.
"Go ahead."
"If it's no trouble, will you please teach my grandson magic?" The man begged.
"Hey now, teaching him even the very basics of magic could very well take him weeks or even months. I don't plan on staying in this town for so long. Besides, I'm not someone who believes in charity."
"Please at least teach him enough so he can control his abilities. If it's payment you want, I can even scrounge up a few silvers." The man begged further.
"This man gave us this lovely tea. The least we can do is help him out a little." Mathra butted in.
I was planning on rejecting the man's offer, but since Mathra says I should it, I guess I can compromise. "Fine. I will teach your grandson for three days in exchange for a silver each day. After that I am leaving."
"Thank you kind sir. For listening to the pleas of an old man"
"You shouldn't thank me yet." I wasn't doing it out of kindness. I just think that staying in this town for a three days is worth the silver. Also, the prospect of studying someone capable of sanguine magic would quench my thirst for knowledge. I stood up and said "If that's all, I'll be going."
"We should get going. You've got lessons to plan, Professor Sorace." Gods, I wish that green haired girl would stop calling me.
YOU ARE READING
Chronicles of a Mage, Book One
FantasíaAbout a year and a half ago as of when this story is being uploaded I had the random inspiration to start writing a book. At first I only wrote for fun but now I realize that there's no reason not to share my stories with the world. Granted, this wa...
