Demitytes Bride

shifting worlds

Kashara was struck speechless as the whip disintegrated into dust. Judging by the silence that had pervaded the Court Yard she was not the only one. Lords, courtiers, commoners alike were gaping at her with unconcealed amazement.

Even the Lord Protector was staring at her with abandon. After a long time in eerie silence that left everyone's brains whirring, the Lord Protector came to his senses.

"Bring the prisoner inside! Dispel the crowd!" He thundered. Guards scampered to do his bidding as Kashara found herself being led inside the Institution with a lot more care then when she was dragged out.

Her mind was still reeling in shock from the magic she did. Slowly, she it began to hit her that she was a Mage and she began to smile inspite of herself. The sound a large iron door closing shut interrupted her thoughts and she looked up.

She was inside a large room the was dark and had only one window from which the light was streaming in weakly. At one end of the room, a long table stood with a few decorated chairs. Kashara began to realise this was not a good sign and was something more of a inquisition room .

As if confirming her thoughts, the iron door now opened again and the Protector strolled in flanked by the head of the Institution, Gemini-a tall beady eyed man who resembled a vulture- and a harsh looking man with a withering glare and a wrinkled countenance.

"Kashara Desankus! You have been charged with concealment and deception of your ability to mage! As in accordance with laws..."

"Wait!" Kashara cried,"I didn't conceal anything! I didn't even know I was a mage untill today!!"

"That is wholly irrelevant!" the Protector scorned, continuing his accusations "As I was saying in accordance with our laws Kashara will be sentenced to death by..."

"What!" Kashara panicked," I didn't know I was a mage , how is that concealment? Even the great priests didn't choose me as a mage during selection! If anyone concealed anything it's them!" Kashara said with finality.

Gemini hesitantly whispered something to the Protector who waved his hand to pause Gemini. He rested his head on the his hand that was propped up, regarding her curiously. His eyes had a ominous cold glint.

"The question is how do I know that you are telling the truth? "

Kashara's heart sank. Of course they would think she lied. Then she had an idea.  

"You could view my memories!" She told the Protector who cracked a smile-albeit an evil one. He waved at the stanger who approached her, his hands glowing gold as he touched them to her temple. He's a mage! kashara remembered thinking before her she was transported back to the time of her selection.

Everything was hazier and wispier as if it was made of smoke. She could see herself on the podium. A head mage stood next to an large basin of water. He grasped her head and submerged his other hand inside the water. After a tense few seconds, the water didn't glow, like it had for someone people. Young Kashara bit her lip, trying hard not to cry.

She knew what it meant- having heard all about it while growing up. She had hoped so hard she would become an mage. It was hard to accept that she was nothing special or magical. She couldn't cry infront of the mages. She would embarrass herself more infront of them.

Old Kashara was watching this from a distance, even though she was older, and a mage her feelings still coursed throygh her like tidal waves. Unstoppable and destructive. As she desperately tried to maintain her facade, the scene dissolved. She was back in the shady room.

The stranger withdrew his hands slightly displeased that she was telling the truth. It was more likely that the priest had hid something than she - an underdeveloped untrained mage had undermined the test.