The Last Red Year

TEN: What Friends Are For

 The tiles of the bath-chamber floor are like ice against their face--the towel they were lying on must have gotten bunched up in the night. They've been hiding in here since they got back, not wanting to come face to face with Isri. They're surprised nobody has kicked them out yet.

They pick themself up off the floor, slipping out the door. Sorine and Mauragan are asleep. Isri isn't there. Their things are gone from their night-stand, and their bed is made neatly. There's a piece of paper at its foot--a note. Kas--I'm moving into the Fourth Chamber. Hope it's not too much of a bother. It isn't even signed. They know of the Fourth Chamber--it's the southeasternmost housing chamber for the Arch-Mages, and, according to Isri, it's stood empty since the old Red Mage died.

Isri didn't even say goodbye.

Sorine and Mauragan are still asleep, Sorine clutching Mauragan's little monster doll. Kas's lips curl up ever so slightly at that--they must've stolen it off of them. They both look peaceful. Unaffected. Nobody but Kas, Isri, and the two older student mages who were there know what happened last night. They didn't tell anyone. They couldn't say anything. They couldn't bring themself to talk.

They slip outside, still wearing last night's clothes. Their trousers are slightly damp from the river, still. It's raining, and the sky overhead is dark. They sit down in the grass at the northeastern side of the Hall of Mages, watching the droplets fizzle against the cyan dome far above.

They're startled by the sound of a door opening--Hadling steps out from the Second Chamber, a bell jingling from the neck of a brown tabby that follows their footsteps. They sit down on the steps of the Second Chamber, scratching the tabby behind the ears and letting out a tired sigh. They must've just woken up. Their eyes land on Kas, and their brow wrinkles--"Kas? Are you all right?"

Kas nods, though it's not very convincing. Hadling picks up the cat, which snuggles against their chest, and makes their way over to Kas, sitting down next to them in the dewy grass. "You don't look all right," they say--the cat hops out of their arms, trotting over to Kas and sniffling at their hands. "Did something happen last night?"

They just shake their head. They don't think they could speak even if they wanted to.

"I understand if you don't want to talk to me, but...as your mentor, I am here for you in more than just your training. If something is on your mind, please tell me. I will help you work things out."

Kas just scratches behind the cat's ears, smiling ever so slightly at the jingle of the bell on its collar. They don't say anything. They can't. Not to any of the Arch-Mages, they know that much for sure. Anything they say will get back to Mirei, and through them, back to Isri.

"Its name is Stachi." Hadling scratches the base of the cat's tail. "Short for Pistachio. They're little green nuts. Kizlane's favorite, but we've never had any luck growing them here. The conditions should be perfect, but they just don't like it here." Stachi smacks its forehead against Kas's arm, and they smile just a little bit more. They love cats.

They're both quiet for a while, Hadling following their gaze to the rain barrier. "Kas...I don't wish to cause you any undue pressure. But you're a very promising young mage, and, more than that, you're a very promising young person. I feel, sometimes, that there's a storm brewing. That something very dark is just on the horizon. I worry that...we are very close to the center of it all. And that's why I'm telling you this. You are kind, Kas. Many will try to tell you that this makes you weak. But it is a great strength. A strength very few people have." They reach into the pocket of their robes, pulling out a small silver amulet with an emerald inlaid in it, cut in the shape of a heart. "I wish I could tell you that this necklace would protect you. But magic does not work the way it works in storybooks. No trinket can enhance the power of your soul. What can, however, is the knowledge that you are cared for. That there are those out there, no matter how small in number and quiet in voice they may be, who love you. Who truly believe in you." They press the necklace into Kas's hand, a wistful expression crossing their face. "I see something great in you, Kas. I am not the only one who does. It is unfair to ask this of a child your age. But I am asking you anyway. The world may fall upon your shoulders. Please...choose kindness, young one. Loyalty and love will only get you so far."