Wild Child

Chapter Four

At first, her master's exasperation had been understandable. Lacet had never been a patient teacher and she had never much liked anything that did not involve the immediate application of magic. Theory had always been something Idana had found difficult to wrap her head around. Agnantha's Equation felt like a complex string of numbers with no practical purpose. In her eyes, it was silly to explain magic.

But in this enlightened age, Lacet would always argue, there was a reason to understand the effects of spells and to correctly chronicle them. What good was a new discovery if it could not be replicated for the betterment of society? She hated it when he used sense and logic. But what she detested the most was how he seemed to pick up the most miniscule of problems and point them out to her as if they were glaring mistakes.

Yes, she might have forgotten to carry the one and potentially maimed several thousand hypothetical rats. It was a part of the learning process. How was she expected to learn when she could not afford to fail, she had protested when Lacet had violently crossed out her answer and ordered her to do it again.

Two days ago, though, he had all but blown up at her for taking a couple minutes to cook up a mid-afternoon snack.

Idana knew then that something was on his mind even as she wrestled down her own burst of righteous anger. After three weeks, she had grown sick of all his criticisms. All she had wanted to do was to experiment and discover new ways to interact with the energy around them instead of rehashing the same old spells from millennia ago day in and day out.

Taking a deep breath, Idana focused on the intricate pattern drawn on the page before her. There was no sense dwelling too much on the past. If she wanted the spell to work, she needed to concentrate. The trick was to turn it from a static image and transform it into something that had weight and could be interacted with. She had been at it for two hours – growing ever more frustrated with each failed attempt.

Thank the Goddess that Lacet had decided it more important to head into Lastrune or else he would be nodding at her absentmindedly in a manner he assumed would placate her. It had been an effort not to strangle her master during breakfast. Whatever was eating him up was certainly not doing her any favours, thought Idana. Being aloof was not the answer she wanted or needed. Why couldn't he just talk to her instead of shutting her out?

Yet even as she drew the energy to her, Idana knew that this shot would fizzle out like all the others. She was too distracted. As the thought crossed her mind, the image wavered before exploding into a shower of sparks.

Frustrated, Idana leaned back in her chair. Better to take a break before the whole cottage went up in flames, she decided.

Idana stretched as she stood, taking the opportunity to glance towards the window. A smile tugged at her lips as she saw the first hints of snow. There had always been something inexplicable about winter that she loved. Perhaps because it was the same colour as her hair. Or perhaps it was the fact that not even Lacet could remain dour during such a festive season.

And though all she wanted was to take a step outside, Idana knew better than to give into her impulses. There was no telling what Lacet might do if he found out. Instead, she headed towards the kitchen to brew up a hot tea to warm her bones as the chill set in. Better yet, it might help clear her head and help with any future casting.

Just as the pot began to boil, the door opened. The ringing of the bell was accompanied by a familiar hoot. A shiver of apprehension went up her spine as she poured herself a cup. Deciding that it was better to extend an olive branch, Idana grabbed a spare mug. Though it went against everything she stood for, she also knew that starting a fight now would be an exercise in futility.