Fianara

Chapter 5

"AHH!" I shrieked and yanked my sleeve down. Standing there staring at me accross the ice pond was the great mage, Niklan Brightmind.

My eyes popped out of my head and I skated backwards slowly until my skate bumped snow, and in a flash, I grabbed my things and skated off, or tried to. Suddenly, he appeared in front of me and grabbed my arm, my right arm.

Scared, I yanked at his grip, but it was iron. I opened my mouth to scream again, but a gloved hand covered my mouth gently.

"I don't want to hurt you," he was quiet, his voice not unkind. "But if you scream, one of those Officials will be here before you can put that glove on."

I slowly shut my mouth and just stared at him, daring him to speak of what he saw. He removed his hand from my mouth and loosened his grip on my arm.

"May I?" he gestered to my left sleeve. I bit my lip. I had nothing to do, so I shoved my left sleeve up to my elbows.

"Facinating." He looked at the lines in wonder. Then, turning to face me, he let go of my arm and took a small step back to show he meant to harm. "I'd like to ask, was that a healing?"

My plan was to bolt as soon as the mage let go of me, but I found myself saying, "Somewhat. It was...a stalling? I don't know what's it called. It helps slow the growth."

He nodded. "Right. There's no cure to Ice Dragon."

I nodded and slipped on my glove.

"I won't tell anyone." he reassured me. "I promise."

I nodded again and a small smile crept onto my face. "Thank you, I suppose. Even though you spied on me in the first place."

He doesn't even try to defend himself, he just laughed softly. "Are you always this frank?"

"Always," I assured him.

There was silence, then, "You speak very well for a slave."

I shrugged. "Thanks, I guess."

His eyes narrowed and he opened his mouth to say something, then changed his mind and closed it. The mage looked at the ruins of the castle covered in snow.

"What is this place?" he asked instead.

I looked at the castle with longing. "Legend has it that the early Ice Lords lived here with their family."

The mage frowned. "Who were the Ice Lords?"

"The Ice Lords are the chosen by the Ice King himself. The first Ice Lord recorded is the founder of Wintain. When he died, the next Ice Lord was born, chosen again by the Ice King. He ruled over our--his--snowy island with a firm hand but open personality. And most are the same; kind, rightful, and justice in one hand, care in the other." I paused before continuing. "Then the Ice Lords dissappeared. Maybe the Ice King decided it was time for Wintain to do without an Ice Lord. Maybe they were forgotten. Maybe the new Lord kept the fact a secret. No one knows." I shrugged. "This is my getaway from everything."

"I won't say anything," he repeated. I knew he meant both my markings and the old ruined palace in the middle of the woods.

"Thank you, Great Mage Niklan, thank you." I said softly.

"My friends call me Niko."

I looked at the tall, tall magical man apprehensivly. "Are we friends?"

"Why not?" was his reply before he melted into the trees.