The Ancient Book of Power

Chapter Twelve: A Talk With Maurinn

When Dalbreath told Bekma and his mother about passing the first trial, they both were so stunned their mouths hung open, in silence, for nearly a minute. Then they both began to argue with him that that just was not possible, and they said over and over again that he must be mistaken.

"Ask the headmaster," said Dalbreath.

"I will," said Maurinn, and went off to dial the number.

"Dalbreath, the first trial is to identify the one. I didn't even pass the first trial. Yes, some of us have suspected that you could be the one, but many things have to happen before that conclusion can be made for certain. I can't believe the headmaster gave you that trial now. What was he thinking? Obviously this is some kind of mistake."

Just then Maurinn came in, white as snow. " My baby is the one. My baby, my baby is the one." She nearly collapsed into a chair in Islann's study.

Bekma sighed a giant sigh. "I hoped, but I didn't know."

"Can someone please tell me what one I am? Am I the happy one, the sad one, the soppy one? Which one?"

I don't think soppy is a word," said Maurinn.

"Well, I feel pretty soppy right now, so . . ."

"It's a word," said Bekma. "A little unusual for a five year old, though, but he is actually the one, so what do I know. Maybe he does feel soppy right now, although I don't think soppy is a feeling, but I'm not sure. Who uses soppy in a sentence anyway?"

"You're not to tell anyone about this," said Maurinn. "Not even Deearo. Do you understand? It's so important. If you ever feel the pressure is too much, come talk to me."

"And me," said Bekma. "But we need to tell everybody that he passed, and there must be a celebration tonight. Or at the latest this weekend. But a question, Dalbreath. How did you get out of the dome room?

"A magician never reveals his secrets, Bekma. But tomorrow , please," said Dalbreath. I'm too soppy for a party right now. Deearo is already mad at me because I told him I had to talk to the both of you first before telling him the outcome of my trial. And Neena just got angry then  and said I failed on purpose."

They both smiled. "Don't worry, we'll invite Neena too. She'll understand once she finds out you didn't fail," said Maurinn.

"Come on Soppy," said Bekma. "We'll tell Deearo together. We'll tell him you passed on the third trial. Trust me, he'll be less jealous of you that way."

"Okay," said Dalbreath, smiling huge. "Do I look happy enough."  It looked like a very fake smile.

Bekma and Maurinn resisted the temptation to laugh, because some of the shock of it was gone. "Maybe don't try so hard," said Maurinn. 'Be natural. Deearo is smart, and he knows you well. He'll know if you are trying to hide something. But. Anyway,  give your mommy a hug. I'll tell you someday myself what the one might mean, but not today, not for a very long time. Be good, an do well in school, and you're sure to be the youngest mage to ever graduate a mage school anywhere in the world." Dalbreath hugged his mother then, and left with Bekma to tell his friend that he had passed, and pretend to him that everything was great, and pretend to him that something he didn't understand at all was bothering him and probably would for a very long time.
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They came in on Deearo watching the cat-dragons. "Guess what, Deearo? I passed." Bekma stood behind him in support.

Deearo stopped and took off his glasses. "So why didn't you tell me that? Why the big secret?"

Dalbreath was really fighting his feelings, but he managed to put on a good face. "I just wanted mother and Bekma to know first, that's all. Are you still mad at me?"

Deearo smiled a little. "Nah, hey at least you passed. That's quite an accomplishment for a toddler." They all laughed, even Dalbreath. Bekma chimed in then. "We're going to have a party this weekend. Invite your friend Neena if you want."

"You mean his girlfriend," said  Dalbreath.

Deearo smirked ever so slightly. "No sir."

Dalbreath smiled mischievously. "I saw it, you were eyeing her from the first day we met her."

Deearo blushed a little. "I like her a little. She's all right for a girl."

"Even you might like girls someday, Dalbreath," said Bekma.

'Never!" said Dalbreath, but even he knew that was a lie, but too many things were changing already, and besides, there were no other girls like Neena at school, and Deearo already liked her. Deearo and Bekma just laughed and said: "Sure,"in unison.

The headmaster gave Dalbreath the rest of the week off. He would start his new classes on Monday. So Dalbreath bugged his mother to let him go look at some music shops in town to see if they had harps for sale. "Dalbreath, no one in our family has ever been musical in any way. You have to be born to it. It will be quite hard for you to learn the harp. It's a difficult instrument to play, even for the gifted."

After the fortieth ask of: "Please?" She finally consented. "It'll probably be more of your father's money down the drain. I'll give Leanna a thousand cresaith, hopefully that will be enough. I suppose I'll have to find you a teacher who can come on Saturdays, for the rest of your days are full, and Sundays are my days with you. Go, begone, before I change my mind. Tell Leanha to look for party decorations while you're busy touring the city." Dalbreath stood back and looked at his mother for a moment. She looked so fragile and vulnerable sometimes. Even though he knew she wasn't.

" I love you so much, mommy."

She looked into his big eyes. "You really are a lovable boy. Everybody says so, but go. It's not easy for me to let you do new things. I guess I'm afraid I will lose you one day, because you're so good at everything, and two years ago you were still practically a toddler, my baby boy. But now look at you you're more grownup than all of us in some ways. Promise me you'll stay a kid a while longer. I need that right now."

Dalbreath patted her hands. "I have way too much silliness in me to be a grown up. I have tons left."

"Good, that's good," then she turned her cheek for him to kiss, which he did, and then left to find Leanha.