The Currents of Magic

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Meyer!" intonated Ander. "Meyer-has-a-lady-friend!"

It was late on a weekend night and Ander, Cade and Damian were all in Meyer's room. Ander was playing Bolo against Cade, and Damian had made himself comfortable in the arm chair. Meyer was sitting at his desk, his green spell book open, but unused for the last hour.

"How many times do I have to tell you," said Meyer. "We're just friends."

"Meyer, you've been sitting with Jaeda at every Ajah practice session for the last two weeks," said Damian.

"So?" said Meyer.

"So she likes you," said Cade.

"I'm not complaining if that's the case," said Meyer.

"Then you need to make a move!" pressed Cade.

"Jaeda likes Meyer! Meyer likes Jaeda!"

"God Ander, will you shut up," said Meyer.

"Oh, you liked my old chant more?" said Ander, promptly breaking into a rendition of "Meyer! Meyer-has-a-lady-friend!" He beat his fist against his chest as he sang each syllable.

"What do you mean 'old chant'?" said Meyer. "I don't like either of them."

"Well, I need to do some kind of chant every time I take one of Cade's Bolo pieces."

"You know," said Meyer. "Normal people don't have chants."

"And normal people don't beat me in Bolo."

Meyer put a hand to his forehead. Arguing with Ander about his oddities was like casting a speed charm on a snail.

"Seriously though," said Cade. "You should ask her to hang out this weekend."

"And what am I supposed to do with her?" said Meyer.

"I've told you," said Cade. "There are a hundred options. You can walk around the Dale, explore the forest paths, visit Lampern—well you would have to get permission to do that.... You could even go up in one of the towers in the High Manor and watch the sunset."

Ander snorted. "Unless you're trying to marry her, you better not be taking her to watch a sunset... You aren't trying to marry her, are you?"

"No," said Meyer, not sure whether to laugh or cry that Ander would ask such a question in full earnest.

"Then like I've always said, you don't need any of Cade's convoluted schemes. Just invite her back here, take care of business." Ander winked at him, and Meyer exhaled, exasperated.

"If you do take that route," said Cade. "I'll make sure Ander doesn't go peeping through the keyhole."

"Very funny," said Ander. "Why don't you be quiet and move a piece. It's been your turn for five minutes."

Cade turned his attention back to the game, and Ander put his head down, muttering to himself. There was a half minute of silence, and then Damian, who seemed to have disappeared during the conversation spoke.

"You do like her, right Meyer?"

"Does he like her!" said Ander. "Are you blind, Dames, that girl is a catch!"

"Just asking," said Damian retreating back into the enormous armchair.

Twenty minutes and several chants of "Meyer! Meyer-has-a-lady-friend!" later, Ander defeated Cade, capturing his last piece.

"Goodnight," said Meyer as his friends retired for the evening.

"Make sure to figure out your next move with Jaeda," said Cade.