Sorceress

Chapter 10

The room was warm and sunny, with a high ceiling. All of the walls were covered with ceiling-high shelves full of jars, bowls, books, medical instruments, and strange charms. The ceiling was a huge skylight, and the floor was a warm wood. A large lotus flower was depicted in the wood on the floor. A large fireplace was set in the far wall, and several beds were laid before it.

On one of these beds sat Ignis, who was eating out of the palm of an elderly man. The man turned his gaze to me.

"Hello there," he greeted. His eyes were a light green color with hints of yellow and gold, like a field in the summer. He was quite small and slightly hunched, with shoulder-length white hair. I judged by the lines of his face that he smiled often, as he was doing now.

I ran (as best I could in my dress) to Ignis, who leapt into my arms and climbed to his usual perch on my shoulder. 

"Omnis is great!" said Ignis, who was fully cleaned and soother than he had been in weeks. 

I turned to Omnis, "Thank you!"

"It was my pleasure. But the real magic worker is Cura here," he insisted. He stepped aside and gestured behind him. An enormous lioness raised her head at the mention of her name. I hadn't noticed her curled up beside the fire. Her sleek golden pelt was glowing in the sun and firelight, and her deep amber eyes gazed directly into mine. The whole picture was both majestic and intimidating.

Cura got on her feet and stretched, yawning. Her large teeth and claws glimmered in the light for a brief second. She padded over and sat beside Omnis, her tail curing neatly around her paws. Her head was almost level with his. 

She let our a low purr, and bowed her head.

"This is my familiar, Cura. She says it was her pleasure. Don't worry, she won't bite. She's a healing lion. She licks wounds to heal them, and her fur contains magical properties that heal and eliminate toxins. As for me, I am Omnis, the king's sorcerer. I aid in all matters requiring, healing, enchantment, and anything relating to magic."

I stood looking at him, a sudden burst of excitement rising in my chest.

"Are you by any chance looking for an apprentice?" I inquired excitedly.

"Come sit," he insisted, leading the way to two very cushy chairs over to the left of the beds.

"What is your name, child?"

"Alice," I replied excitedly, as Ignis climbed into my lap.

"Alice, I was walking down the Alleys last night looking for a rare potion ingredient that one of the shops sells, when I heard an enormous boom and a crack and a burst of bright white light from a narrow passage behind me. I was knocked off my feet, and several of the windows nearby were shattered. I hurried over to the source of the commotion to find you on the ground, a large man staggering toward you, and a large scar in the street. I assumed by his expression that the man meant no good, so I cast a quick sleeping charm on him and ran over to check your pulse. Using a levitation charm, I brought you and your stoat to the palace. Lucy cleaned you up and I brought Ignis here for recovery."

I thought back to the events of last night. "When I went unconscious, I saw a flash of green light. Was that your charm?" 

He nodded. 

"Thank you, again. I surely wouldn't be here if not for you. But you haven't answered my question concerning apprenticeship," I reminded him.

"Alice," he continued, "I have sought apprentices before. There are dozens of talented witches and warlocks, but never before have I seen such raw power in such a young girl. The task of the king's Sorceress would be daunting and demanding, but I would like to request that you study under my wing as my apprentice."

I leapt from my chair, knocking Ignis off my lap, "Yes, yes yes!"

He smiled, "Fantastic! You'll start first thing tomorrow. As for today, you will join me at the royal table for dinner. I'll send word to Lucy to help you prepare."

"Thank you again! I won't disappoint you." I scooped up Ignis and twirled out of the room, my heart light as a feather.