The Mage Wars

Boat Ride

"How long are we going to be on the water for?" Kaelen asks. His knuckles are white from gripping the railing. His legs wobble. Oh, my spirits, he has it worse than I do. We haven't even left the harbour.

"Three, maybe four days," Galen responds. A gust of wind tears strands of his blonde hair from his ponytail.

"What?"

"We have to go around the point, and the captain mentioned a storm," Altair says.

No magic. No spellbooks. Nothing. I can't even light a candle without someone glaring at me. All I can do is stare at the open water. Spirits. For the journey back home I am going to buy a book. No, two. I read fast.

"What are you thinking about?" Altair asks. I look up at him and smile.

"Books," I grip the railing and wait for the nausea to pass. "I'm going to buy two in Gaerwn."

Altair nods.
_____

Two Days Later

Galen stands at the bow of the ship, staring at the horizon. Time to go pester the General.

I walk up beside him and stare out at the blue waves. He doesn't seem to notice me. To be fair, I almost fell overboard two days ago. That made quite an impression.

Our first day on the water was spent nearly falling over every time I got up. Altair spent the day trying to keep me upright. It was a long day. Somehow I managed to fall off my chair.

It was a sight to see.

Yesterday I kind of got my sea legs. Spirits, it was a blessing. Before Galen and Altair laughed at Kaelen and I. Today I've gotten much better. No need for a steady arm. Thank the spirits.

And thank Acallaris. The human god of water.

"What's your favourite colour?"

Galen looks down at me. Confusion crosses his face. He has to be wondering why I would choose to talk with him. 

Boredom changes people. If I can't work on my spells, then I will chat with Galen. "What?"

"Humour me, Galen. I'm bored."

The General sighs.

There are worse things in the world than talking to me. Besides, I can only take so much of Kaelen before I get the need to punch his face. Altair isn't much better. But I don't get the need to punch him.

Galen thinks before giving his answer. "Red. What's yours?"

"Blue. Favourite food?"

"Dinner rolls. Da makes the best ones," A soft smile brightens his face. As if reliving a memory, he has with his Da.

I smile. The cook showed me how to make dinner rolls when I was 8. That was fun. I was so proud when I went back the next day to help. So proud, I ran to give Mother and Father each a roll. Those were the days.

"Fresh rolls straight out of the oven are the best. And layered with butter,"

Galen groans. Oops, too descriptive.

"Now I want one," Sucker. We're far from the mainland and dinner rolls. Maybe I'll make some dinner rolls when we get back. Perhaps Galen will join me in doing so.

"Why did you name Keith, Keith?"

"Because I liked it,"

Fair enough. I named Hunter, Hunter because it's not a common name, at least not in Seraphina.

I glance up at Galen and softly smile. "Do you like children?"

"I love children," A smile brightens his face. And just like that, Galen seems to have less weight on his shoulders. He looks more like an 18-year-old and less like a tired General. "I...I just love children. Father always says they are the light of your life,"