Walking Mage

Book One: A long walk? Ch 1

Lynn stood on the steps of the Mage school and tried to not act like the pouting child that she felt like. She did not understand why she was being forced to leave the school and not allowed to return for at least two cycles. They called it the Long Walk and she was now being called a Walking Mage.

She had not wanted to start her Long Walk yet but the teachers had explained that if she refused she would be stripped of her prime magics. Now that she was in touch with the prime magics within herself, Lynn could never again be cut off from the way the magic made her feel.

She was angry because she just could not understand why she had to leave the place that taught magic, so she could go out and learn how to use magic. The concept was lost on the young Mages mind.

The other Long Walkers had left and only Lynn still lingered. Four went toward the west and it was plain that they intended to stay together for as long as they could.

The others went east toward the numerous farms and villages where a Long Walking Mage could find work. It was barely explained that they would have to find their own work and food. The only good was that most people had no issue with helping a Walking Mage because it was always good to have a powerful friend.

She knew that it would be easy to find a large farm and become their weather predictor and mid wife, but she had lived on a farm most of her life and she wanted more from life now. What she truly wanted was to stay in the a city and feel the energy of the busy city life.

Feeling a tug at her long dress Lynn looked down to find a small girl. The child was dirty and unwashed but her eyes were bright and clear. Around ten or eleven cycles old she was old enough to move about freely but not employed somewhere.

"I'm sorry to have touched you Mage. Papa always said to never touch mages, but I called you and you did not hear me." The girl spoke in a hushed voice.

Feeling pity Lynn said, "It's alright little one. What is your need?"

A Walking Mage was required to help any that ask. Lynn still did not know which way to go and this child could offer her the time she needed to decide.

"Can you come with me and help us?" The poor girl pleaded. Lynn nodded and followed the child.

She led Lynn to a large Apartments near the river, that ran the edge of the city. The Apartments were used by workers for living and for day to day things like cooking and washing of clothes. Each Commoners Apartments and Homes was owned by the kingdom and was paid for in work that commoners did. One member of each family in the Apartments must do community service work in the city. From lamp lighting to street cleaning; it was hard work but needed, to keep the kingdom going.

"My momma is laid up in bed and not able to work at Duke Plito's mill. If she does not go back to work soon I will have to be sold to the work houses, papa said so." They talked as they walked to the dingy poor district of the Commoners Apartments. The work houses were places that no women belonged, let alone a child. If Lynn was in charge such places would be outlawed or under stronger restrictions.

"I can't promise anything but I will try, child." Lynn talked but looked around the whole time to make sure it was not a trap.

Lynn smiled at the girl, but her heart was heavy. She wanted to help but was not confident enough in her own magic. If the women has a disease then Lynn might not be able to do anything at all.

"Please hurry, momma is coughing so badly now it keeps us up all night."
That made up Lynn's mind. Coughing was actually a good sign, at least she hoped.

It took the young Mage longer to get to girls third floor home then it did to heal the girls mother. The infection was in the lungs only so Lynn's magic was able to clear all of it quickly. The mother would have to stay dry and warm for the next two seven nights but she should feel up to working the next morn.