The Youngest Mage [Completed]

(10) The Argument

Mr. Lexanon Nunn was surprised to see Bekma at his door the next morning. He hadn't seen Bekma in nearly twenty years, but he had a good idea why he was at his door on this late spring morning.

"I need to see her," said Bekma with a troubled face. "It's about the boy."

"She won't want to see you," said Mr. Nunn with a bemused smile.

"She must," said Bekma, a bit desperately.

Mr. Nunn was stern. "She definitely won't want to see you. It's bad enough that she has to send him off to Mage School, and at such a young age, but this? You?"

"Mr. Nunn, he's certain to become the greatest Mage who ever lived. Wouldn't you rather have someone like me starting his education?" He tugged on his beard for effect.

Mr. Nunn mulled it over for a moment. "Come in," he finally said.

A Wizardly eyebrow went up. "Wouldn't you rather have a servant announce me?" He asked.

"No," said Mr. Nunn, smiling. "I want to see the expression on her face when she sees you. Besides she would never agree to see you, therefore I'll have to do."

Bekma followed Mr. Nunn down the hall to the sun room where Fieatra and Maurinn talked about their long day of shopping. Dalbreath was trying to get his mother's attention when Mr. Nunn and Bekma walked in. Dalbreath grew silent, and watched the drama unfold.

Mauriin was stunned at first, but then her stinging tongue took hold. "Fancy meeting you here," she said sarcastically. "How long has it been, a thousand years?"

"Twice that, and you know I had to go."

"Go where?"she asked with some emotion. "Nobody ever knows where you go."

Bekma shape-shifted into a handsome man with a turban. He had a thick black mustache, and looked very Hindi-like. "There used to be a time when you followed me--Rhonthowaa."

Fieatra and Lexanon Nunn turned and stared at Maurinn in shock. Dalbreath stared too. The whole race of the Tilithneaa knew who Rhonthowaa was, for she was once the most powerful Mages in history. Even more powerful than Bekma. "Mother?" asked Dalbreath in shock.

Maurinn looked down, which she always did whenever she was being overwhelmed by feminine feelings. "I used to be called by that name, but that was a long time ago. My name is Maurinn now, and I am nothing like that other woman."

She stared at the Wizard coldly, real hurt in her eyes. "What do you want this time, Bekma?"

"I want to teach your son while you are here at the Nunn mansion."

"Impossible," she said bitterly. "We're leaving in a week."

"Really?" asked Bekma. "Really?" Then he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

There was complete silence for a long moment, and then Maurinn sighed and said, "He's such a nuisance sometimes."

"Rhonthowaa mother? How old are you?" Rhonthowaa was ancient."

Maurinn smiled, still hurt. "I'm not young, who cares? I have you and Lianonn, that's all that counts."

Fieatra Nunn finally got the gumption to speak. "I've got Rhonthowaa in my house. Wait till the neighbors hear about this."