Rianna: Mage in the Beastworld

The Apprentice

He was beautiful. I had never seen the healer Kairon before, even searching the memories of who I was now did not bring up an image of this stunningly handsome man. His hair was pitch black, darker than any I had ever seen before. His eyes, like deep pools of oil, were both black and colorful all at once. He was lankier than my father, reminding me of a teenager. Draped in a simple yet elegant linen wrap reminiscent of a toga, its gentle folds revealing a glimpse of his physique, he exuded an effortless charm. His lower half was that of a snake. The underbelly was a stark white, like my own hair, while the majority of his scales were as black as his hair, with a pearlescent shimmer to them. It was truly mesmerizing.

I'm not sure if it was because I had been staring, or simply because this was a male not of our family, but Papa Liam refused to put me down no matter how much I wriggled in his arms to be free. With a sigh, I resigned myself to being held like a porcelain doll. We were here so that I could bring Kairon to the thicket where I cultivated the herbs. Papa Liam and I stood in anticipation as Kairon meticulously prepared himself, retrieving a weathered leather satchel and an enigmatic tome that caught my eye. The book, seemingly crafted from vellum composed of intricately thin strips of leather, held within its pages a repository of knowledge transcribed with ink derived from the ink sacs of squid, a testament to the wisdom he possessed.

A primal growl from Papa Liam seemed to serve as a warning to the younger male who refused to even maintain eye contact with me. I directed Papa Liam from the safety of his grasp and Kairon followed behind like a lost puppy, his movements quick and fluid, despite the absence of legs. As we approached the thicket, where my verdant garden flourished under the influence of my earthy magic, I directed Papa Liam to set me down and assume his cougar form. His towering human physique would have struggled to navigate the dense brambles that guarded the alcove. Though reluctant at first, Papa Liam acquiesced, his body undergoing a graceful transformation as he morphed into the magnificent amber-coated cougar. He positioned himself protectively between Kairon and me, nudging me forward with gentle prompts from his feline head.

Turning my attention to Kairon, I extended the same invitation, but he simply shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he ran his hand through his luxuriant dark locks. Papa Liam emitted a wheezy sound that might have been a laugh, though its meaning eluded me. Shrugging off the confusion, I proceeded into the woods, relying on my familiar markers to guide me back to the hidden thicket.

As I unveiled the small garden I had diligently nurtured, I observed a peculiar shift in Papa Liam's demeanor. His gaze darkened, hinting at a primal instinct stirring within him. He sniffed the air, then the garden itself, a wave of anger momentarily clouding his features before yielding to a palpable confusion. His cougar form betrayed his inner turmoil as his head tilted, ears swiveling atop his head, and his thick tail flicked anxiously behind him. I could only speculate about the thoughts racing through his mind. The pristine condition of the garden seemed to trigger a suspicion within him, as if he questioned whether it belonged to someone else, despite the absence of any scent besides my own lingering in the thicket.

In contrast, Kairon's gaze remained gentle and inquisitive. He deferred to my father's primal form, waiting for permission to interject. When granted, his voice, reminiscent of the soft murmurs of babbling streams, carried a soothing quality as he addressed me.

"Rianna, both your father and I find ourselves perplexed," Kairon began, his tone gentle yet probing. "The flood occurred scarcely a day ago, and yet, these plants bear the mark of age far beyond that. The meticulous care evident in this garden raises concerns, though it appears no other hands but yours have tended to it. Could you shed some light on this mystery?"

I had known that showing them my garden would raise concerns, but how else could I show them what I could do without making them fear the magic in my veins? With a heavy-hearted sigh, I nodded.

"I did it... like this." With resolve, I knelt upon the soft earth, feeling its comforting embrace beneath my fingertips. Closing my eyes, I delved into the depths of my connection with the earth, sensing the life force pulsating within the soil and the dormant seeds nestled within. Drawing upon the magic coursing through my veins, I directed my energy towards the burgeoning plant life, coaxing them to awaken and flourish. Each plant responded to my touch, their growth guided by my intimate knowledge of their needs.

As the sprouts emerged and matured under my nurturing gaze, I reluctantly withdrew my hands from the soil, opening my eyes to witness Papa Liam's reaction. A shiver of fear rippled through me as I beheld the bristling fur of the one I held dear, his primal instincts stirred by the display of my abilities. I flinched, dreading the possibility of rejection once more, haunted by the specter of past abandonment. Would this man, like my previous father, cast me aside to fend for myself in the wilderness? The uncertainty weighed heavily upon me as I awaited his response, hoping against hope for acceptance and understanding.

Tears blurred my vision, cascading down my cheeks in silent testament to the turmoil within. Suddenly, I found myself enveloped in the comforting embrace of his human arms, cradled against the reassuring solidity of his broad chest. His voice, a soothing balm to my wounded spirit, washed over me like warm honey.

"My sweet Rianna... did you truly believe I would hate or even fear you?" His words, laced with tenderness, melted away the fear and uncertainty that had gripped my heart. His gentle touch stroked my head, offering solace as he quelled the sobs that wracked my small frame. "I must admit, when I saw your eyes aglow, you bore the likeness of a fierce predator... but regardless, you are my daughter, and my love for you knows no bounds."

In that moment, the weight of his unconditional acceptance lifted the burden from my shoulders, replacing it with a sense of belonging and security I had long yearned for. With a grateful heart, I nestled closer to him, finding solace in the warmth of his embrace and the reassurance of his unwavering love. Kairon, with the ever calm presence of a stalwart guardian, simply waited for me to calm down, looking away when Papa Liam sent a glare in his direction. Their interaction made me laugh and I patted my papa on the shoulder, letting him know I was okay now. Kairon smiled, just the corners of his mouth picking up in an amused grin.

"Can you do this with all kinds of plants, Rianna?" He asked, ignoring the growl coming from Papa Liam. Blinking away the last of my tears and sniffling, I nodded in response. "Now Liam, before you go jumping down my throat.. remember what and who I am.." he kissed his words of caution. "Rianna, I would like for you to become my appren-" He couldn't finish his words before Papa Liam's entire form shook with rage, shifting into his feline form and taking a defensive stance between myself and Kairon, growling as his eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. He let out a battle cry I had only ever heard once before, just before the flash flood rushed towards the village. From somewhere in the distance I heard the bird-like screech of one of my mothers protectors. Kairon sighed, more annoyed than afraid. His black eyes flashed and his nails became talons, thick and black. His voice dropped with venom.

"I am not asking her to be my mate, Liam.. I am not asking her to do more than she just showed us. I will not take advantage of her, and I will not force her against her will. I will, however, not let you do as you please simply because you are the seed from whence she came."

Was he about to fight my papa? Before I could comprehend what I was doing, I grabbed my papa's tail and squeezed. He looked back at me, seeing the terror in my eyes and I watched as he slowly calmed down. He continued to glare at Kairon, though the tension seemed to be gone now. Kairon also relaxed, his talons retracting. He gave me a slight nod and something like admiration crossed his eyes.

"If I become your apprentice.. can I have my own garden..?" Kairon laughed, a full belly laugh that left joyful tears in his dark eyes.

"Sweet girl... I will do anything you ask of me, so long as you can help me grow medicinal herbs to help this village." He knelt down on one knee, crossing his right arm over his chest, a fist over his heart, as he bowed his head to me.