White Magic

Chapter 3: Arrex

Arrex P.O.V

A small knock on the door dragged me from my sleep and I forced my eyes open. I glanced at Ecca who was still peacefully asleep under the covers beside me, before sitting up and looking towards the door. My mother looked at me, smiling gleefully as she motioned for me to come into te hallway.

"What's that smile for?" I asked, frowning as I pulled the door shut behind me.

"Are you two...?" My mother raised her eyebrows, smirking slightly.

Sighing, I shook my head. My mother seemed to be obsessed with finding my a girlfriend, and I never knew why.

"She fell asleep and I wasn't exactly going to leave her in the woods overnight," I replied, "Plus, all the other rooms are full."

"But why where you in the same bed?" My mother asked, sounding slightly hopeful.

"Firstly, I slept on the bed. She slept in the bed. Plus, why should I sleep on the floor when the bed's big enough for the both of us?" I shrugged, and my mother's smile disappeared momentarily.

"Anyway, I woke you up because Liza's gone off into the woods again," My mother smiled fondly at the mention of my youngest sister, "I need you to go find her and bring her for breakfast - I've got to cook for our guests."

"Sure," I nodded, and she grinned at me, before ruffling my hair and hurrying off in the direction of the kitchen.

She paused, before turning back, "Will your 'friend' be joining us?" She asked, airquoting 'friend' with a sly smile. Once again, I shrugged, before turning in the opposite direction to exit out the back of the inn.

I had probably only taken ten steps imto the woods, when I became aware of a presence. Drawing power, I stopped and enhaled, allowing my magic to explore all conciousness around me. My mind went from the insects scurrying along the woodland floor, to the larger mammals, like the doe half a mile back drinking daintly from a puddle, before coming to rest on my follower.

It was a little girl, only six years old, her rounded face screwed up as she concentrated on staying invisible. Satisfied with knowing this, I ignored her, pretending to be collecting fire wood, and smiled softly as I picked up on the excitement that radiated from her aura.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR!" With an 'almighty' roar, the girl ran towards me and lept onto my back, curling her legs around my waist and wrapping her arms tightly around my neck, all whilst remaining invisible.

"Aaaaah!" Pretending to panic, I dropped the fire wood. Grabbing hold of her legs to secure her, I turned and ran back towards the Inn. 

Once I was at the front door, I put her down and could not help but help but grin as she went from invisible to, well, visable.

"I got you! I got you, Arrex! You didn't stand a chance!" Giggling excitably, Liza raced into the building, no doubt to boast to her our eight year old sister, Hethlyn, about how she'd 'got' me. 

I smiled slightly, before being knocked to the floor by a flying body. 

"Arrex! I've finally found you!" Ecca exclaimed, as she lay ontop of me.

My smile transformed into a grin as, once again, Ecca reminded me of an affectionate puppy. She put her hands either side of my head, and after happily nudging her nose against mine, she lifted herself off me, and helped me up.

"We should go meet the others," She stated, not releasing my hand. N-Not that I was paying attention to that...

"But I haven't had breakfast yet," I whined, attempting to pull her towards the house with me.

"Okay," She disappeared, before reappearing with a plate, "I made pancakes."

I looked at them, and then back up to her, "You made them? How?"

"Uh, with milk... and eggs, and flour...?" She trailed off, looking at me questioningly.

"No, no, no, I know how pancakes are made! I just meant... how?"

"Oh, I was helping your mother," She pushed the plate into my hands, "She kept telling me all about how wonderful you are... and how she's planning on having five grandchildren."

Oh god, my mother really won't let this go, will she?

"Eat the pancakes!" Ecca yelled, pulling me from my thoughts.

I quickly devoured the food, noting that the huge amounts of syrup barely masked the burnt taste, but I smiled and nodded all the same.

"Yeah, they're not too great," Ecca rubbed the back of her neck, smiling apologetically.

Stay out of my head, Ecca, I thought, raising an eyebrow. She smiled sheepishly before taking the plate and teleporting once again.

I began to head towards the village, taking the path rather than walking through the forest. Within seconds of beginning the short journey, Ecca's hand was back in mine and I couldn't help but smile as we walked.

I let Ecca direct me, and soon we had passed through the castle gates, towards a meeting room.  Ecca pushed the door open, revealing the five other magicans. A man of average height with floppy black hair turned to us, his green eyes surveying us. A huge grin spread across his face, and he winked at me.

"Ooooh! Friendly already, are we?" He teased, motioning his head towards mine and Ecca's clasped hands. 

Almost without thinking, I pulled my hand from Ecca's and strode into the room, ignoring the hurt look that flashed across her face. I sat down at the table, between the man who'd spoken and another man who I could only assume was his identical twin, except for the difference in eye colours.

After hesitating by the door, Ecca joined us at the table, sitting in a seat away from the rest of us.

"I'm Jin," The man said, offering his hand out, "And that's my brother, Lauret."

"I'm Arrex," I shook his hand, and turned to the two girls opposite me, "And you two...?"

"I'm Misti - but you should already know that." A short girl informed me, in an arrogant voice. She had brown hair, huge brown eyes, and unlike Ecca or the girl beside her, she wasn't blessed with any kind of curves.

"Um, I'm Kia," The other girl replied, her cheeks blushing slightly, as she played with her blode hair, "And... You're Ecca, right?"

"Yep," Ecca replied, popping the 'p,' but not looking up.

"Um.. okay," Kia replied, awkwardly, seeming almost upset by Ecca's short reply.

"I'm Rosk," A deep rumble sounded from by the window, and I looked across to see a large, muscled man with brown eyes, a shaved head and a dark complexion.

"So, now we all know each others names, what do you want to do?" Lauret asked, closing the book he was reading.

"Well, we could go around the town and see all the people - maybe they'll have some ideas before the feast tonight?" Jin suggested, throwing his legs up onto the table as his leant back in his chair.

"Sure," I agreed, and stood up, along with the others. I turned to Ecca, only to see her disappear.

I sighed, girls.