City of Shadows ©2002 Ian A. Ralph Chapter III: Joylara knocked on the door to Malkar's quarters and entered when she heard his acknowledgment. His office had two desks shoved together in the center of the room, and bookshelves against the walls. Malkar was sitting at one of the desks, which were stacked high with books, while the bookshelves were stuffed to overflowing with books and scrolls. A narrow window gave a view of the land to the west, showing a countryside dotted with farmhouses bathed in the orange light of the setting sun as it sank beneath a distant line of hills. "I got your summons saying you wanted to see me, oh Lord High Magus." Joylara pulled some old books off a spare chair, and carefully placed them on top of one of the stacks on the desk. She sat down and glared across the desk at Malkar. Malkar let out an exasperated sigh. "Please, Joylara, don't be like that. Things are getting too serious for us to be sniping at each other. I didn't intend it to sound like a summons." "Ah. Well, perhaps you should educate your protégé that there is more than one master here that deserves a measure of respect from her. I've been getting really tempted to take her over my knee and give her a good spanking." "That is not a good way to refer to the heir apparent to Taselon. However, I understand. I will have a talk with her." Joylara raised an eyebrow at Malkar. Things must be getting serious if he actually agreed with her. "Well, that would help. I appreciate it, Malkar. So, what is this urgent business you needed to see me about?" She glanced about the room. "Where is your pet slug, Shamir?" Malkar grimaced. "Joy..." "Sorry. Habit. But really, where is the little weasel?" Malkar sighed again. "He is busy tonight, I suppose. That's what he told me." "Harumph. I hope he is more careful with his protection circles than the last time he was 'busy'. I had a resonance headache for a week." "He has learned more caution. However, that is not why I asked you here." "Right." Joylara leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. Malkar cleared his throat. "His Royal Highness has decided to host a dinner and invite as guest of honor, Magus Kaishia. To welcome her and introduce her to court. His Highness was quite impressed by the tribunal's report on her." "Wonderful." "However," Malkar continued. "He does still hold a few reservations." Joylara stared at Malkar, waiting for him to explain. "Yes? Like what?" she prompted. "Mostly, about her elvish heritage. He wants to make sure where her loyalties lie." Joylara looked confused. "I thought we settled that. She is most distinctly bias to humanity, and seems to hold as much elvish bias as any of us, probably more because of her blood. How much more it is hard to tell. Her control is excellent." "Exactly." "You lost me. Exactly what?" "Rudolf wonders if her wonderful control is hiding something about her, and she's only letting us see what we want to see." "Oh." Joylara pondered that for a minute. "So what do we do? I'm pretty sure that if she wasn't what she claims to be, one of us would have caught a glimpse of something." Malkar sighed again. It seemed to getting to be a habit. "The King would like definite confirmation of that." "How are we supposed to get that? Someone would have to get under her shields..." Suddenly Joylara didn't like the direction this conversation was going in. A glance at Malkar's expression seemed to confirm her thoughts. "You don't mean..." her eyes widening and her voice faded. Malkar nodded. "As much as I detest interfering with a Magus's personal life, in this case, a sacrifice needs to be made to satisfy the King. Someone will have to get personal with Kaishia." "Fuck the King." "That, unfortunately, isn't an option. We have to remember that the Crown is providing us with the Academy, and with the financial resources to continue our research." "I think I begin to see why you have been hitting the stomach potions more often lately," sighed Joylara. "Why don't you do it? You usually don't have a problem with bedding the new girls." Malkar scowled at her. "Ooooh, yes. That's right. You might get your future queen pissed off at you, and that wouldn't be very good at all, would it. Well, we are in a pickle aren't we? So, you want my help in looking for someone to volunteer? Someone who is either unafraid or too stupid to realize what Kaishia might do to them if she figures out why they are being so sweet and sensitive to her?" "Not exactly." She stared at him a moment, then his train of thought came to her. She stood up. "Oh no. I'm not stupid, and I know perfectly well what she might have the potential to do, and it scares me a lot. Besides, I'm a woman. Don't you think a man might be better for the job?" "You seem to have a certain flair with the girls yourself, Joylara. You and Sabetha get along quite nicely. And it occurs to me that Sabetha is due for her own testing to graduate." Joylara slammed the chair into the desk. "You bastard. You are truly a bastard, you know that?" Malkar shrugged. "I'm an asshole too. Don't forget that. Also please don't forget that I am truly dedicated to getting this guild back up to the old levels. We have and we need the support of the Crown, and there are those that would use any suggestion that we were not fully supportive of the King as an excuse to undermine us. We mustn't do anything that would hurt our image with the King." Joylara was still fuming, stomping around the office. "Come on, Joylara," pleaded Malkar. "Think. Who else in the guild would even have a chance? The only unmarried magi are myself, Shamir, and you. In addition to any issues that it might raise with the Princess, I also need to maintain my objectivity. Shamir, well, doesn't like women. You seem to get along with her well enough already, probably better than anyone else in the guild and you are our senior Loremaster. You would be the only one that might get that opportunity." Joylara glared at him. "That's pretty mean of you to suggest that Sabetha's graduation might be conditional on my cooperation." Malkar cringed. "That's not what I meant, Joylara. I'm sorry. I meant that Sabetha will be quite busy with her studies to prepare for her graduation, so that she might not notice your efforts to learn more about Kaishia." "Oh. Still..." "Please, Joylara. I'm just asking you to try. If you get the chance, great. Don't push it. I don't want you or her hurt." Joylara glared at him, and shook her head. "You are just unbelievable, you know that?" Malkar silently watched her. Finally she let out an exasperated sigh that echoed Malkar's earlier one. "You're right, of course. That just makes you more of a bastard, you know." Malkar nodded. "I'm sorry, Joylara. I hope you can forgive me some day." She didn't reply. She didn't dare, for fear of saying something she would truly regret saying later. Instead, she turned her back on him, and stomped out of his office. Bearet was sitting cross-legged in the center of the floor, staring at the fireplace where there was a crackling fire that gave the room a reddish cast. Kaishia had drawn a large circle that filled the largest room on the first floor, which was roughly in the center of the house. She had written strange symbols all along the edges of the circle, then filled in the center with a large star shaped pattern with seven points. Bearet was sitting in the middle of the star pattern where Kaishia had told him to wait and then she left the room. He could hear her rummaging around in her trunk that was still in the kitchen. "Tell me again why I am sitting in the middle of this drawing on the floor?" he called out. "One second," her muffled reply came. She reappeared in the room a moment later, and Bearet's eyes went wide and only his iron will prevented his jaw from hitting the floor. Kaishia had taken off her usual dress, and was wearing, well, practically nothing, or so it seemed to him. She was wearing a shift of purple cloth that was a dark sharp contrast to her pale skin which glowed in the light of the fire. It looped around her neck and came down her front in a "V" shape, covering her breasts and then joining at her midriff, leaving her back and sides bare. It continued down and became narrower as it went between her legs, coming back up to cover her buttocks. It split again at the small of her back, and was wrapped around her waist and tied in front, the excess hanging down to her thighs. "Uhm..." He groped for words as his eyes traveled over her. "Is that what you usually wear at night?" Kaishia was kneeling down on the floor, placing tall, tapered lavender candles in small, ornately decorated silver candle holders, located at each point of the star. She glanced over at him and giggled as she noticed his expression. "No, I don't usually wear anything for bed or rituals. Most magi don't when convenient. To restrictive and distracting. However, because you're here, I thought it might be better to be more discrete." Bearet didn't reply. He thought her attire was far too distracting for him. This was going to be harder than he thought, feeling his body react to the sight of each movement of her body. He could swear he could hear the fates laughing their fool heads off at him. "Anyway, to answer your first question," Kaishia said, as she continued to set up the candles. "I am going to cast a few protection spells on the house. Normally, I would start with a simple exorcism to chase away any stray spirits, but I haven't detected any here." "Of course," replied Bearet, in a casual tone that implied he did this sort of thing quite frequently. He hadn't of course, but it seemed to be the proper way to respond. He had not a clue as to what she was chattering about, but she was a magus, and it must be important if she thought it needed to be done. "So, I will be casting spells to prevent any spirits from entering the house, as well as setting up astral defenses to insure some privacy from others." Bearet nodded in agreement. Defenses were always good, whatever they might be against. He hoped that his most challenging task in this entire affair was to remain completely still. However, realizing that he was going to be right in the center of her spells was enough to cause beads of sweat to roll down his spine. After Kaishia finished setting the candles, she lit the tip of a small stick in the fireplace and walked around the circle to light the seven candles. She placed the stick back into the fireplace, and sat down in front of Bearet in the center of the intricate design. "Is there anything I need to do?" he asked. "No. Just relax, and try not to think too much. Concentrate on your breathing," Kaishia suggested. She folded her legs into a lotus position and closed her eyes. She focused on her inner self, and fell into the spell trance quickly. Kaishia was now free of the physical plane and was able to see around her with her astral senses. The house, Bearet, the candles, all was visible to her within her mind's eye, even though her physical eyes were closed. She envisioned a lavender sphere of energy around herself, knowing that it had the qualities that she desired. It would prevent any spiritual entity, either of this plane or from outside, from passing. It would ensure complete privacy of all that was in it from what was outside. Now that her shield was properly constructed, she endowed it with reality by channeling her élan into it. Kaishia pushed on the inside of the sphere, causing it to expand. She felt it pass over Bearet with little resistance. She doubted that he noticed it. He was far less sensitive to magic than most normal people. She pushed the purple envelope of her shield outward until it met the walls and roof. She pushed it into the outer shape of the house, and even underneath through the bottom of the root cellar. Now having her shield where she wanted, with the properties she needed for her privacy, Kaishia drew upon her élan even more, and infused the stone walls, wooden roof, and dirt cellar with the energy of the shield. She kept it up until she knew, beyond a doubt, that the shield would be a natural part of the structure of the house and that nothing short of the house's destruction would cause the shield to fall. She withdrew her own energy and examined the shield. It held, the house now glowing with a soft purple haze. Satisfied, she again focused upon her inner self, and returned her senses to her physical body. She opened her eyes, and to her gaze, the outer walls of the house still had that soft purple glow. Bearet was breathing more rapidly than he should, and there were small beads of sweat on his forehead. "All done, Bearet. Are you okay?" One eye opened, and peered around. Apparently satisfied, his other eye opened, and he blinked a few times. "It's safe?" Kaishia giggled. "Yes, it's safe." She stood up, and stretched to get the kinks out of her muscles from sitting still for so long. "It's uhm, hot in here." Bearet mopped his forehead with his sleeve. He looked over at the fire. It was still going, but not enough to have made the room that hot that quickly. Of course, seeing Kaishia stretch in front of him didn't help either. "When you healed me, the guys said it got really cold. So cold that frost formed on the windows." "That's because healing magics is much harder. One has to actually extend oneself to effect physical objects, like your internal organs, so I had to draw upon energy that was here in this plane, and direct it with magics. Protection magics, on the other hand, are more mental, and involve a pure expenditure of élan into the world." replied Kaishia absently, still stretching. "One of the reasons why mages prefer to work without robes and such when casting them. It has to do with the energy transfer from..." Bearet held up a hand to interrupt her. "That's okay. I'll take your word for it. Uhm, I'll go make some tea." "Please, Bearet. That would be great, thanks." Kaishia threw him a grateful smile, and then went around the room and used a snuffer to extinguish the candles, and put them away. The star in circle design she left on the floor. It was drawn in chalk at the moment, but she planned to make it permanent with properly enchanted paint later on. This room was going to be ideal for her potions workshop once she got everything set up. Later that night, once Kaishia was sure that Bearet had retired to his room and had fallen asleep, she put on a heavy robe and cloak. She cast a spell of obscurity about herself by imagining there was a shadowy cloud-like bubble, energized by her élan, surrounding her, and slipped outside. She walked down the street, carefully observing other pedestrians to see if they noticed her. They shouldn't, as the nature of the spell was to prevent them from noticing her and making them unaware of her passing. As she passed through the Highland gate, she saw than Nevin was on duty and typically alert, but even he did not notice her as she silently walked through. Confident now that she was as undetectable as possible, she headed down to the warehouse district on the eastern edge of the city. It wasn't that far, but in the darkness with only the smaller moon Isilsar visible as a faint waning crescent overhead, it seemed to take a lot longer than during the day. While it was extremely dark with only the occasional light streaming from a shuttered window, she had no difficulty seeing. This was one of the few times she thanked the gods for her half-elvish blood that gave her the ability to see in such low light conditions. Soon enough she came to the warehouse that she had rented. She placed a large key in the lock holding the door and turned. The lock opened readily enough. Before she entered, she closed her eyes and reached out with her astral senses to search the building. Good. It was empty and there wasn't a soul nearby. She slid the door open just enough to let herself slip in and then quietly shut the door. When Kaishia had arrived in town, she searched for a warehouse such as this one. While it was indistinguishable from all its neighbors, with the exception of appearing much more run down, someone long ago had built a foundation upon which this building sat. The man she rented the building from hadn't been aware of this addition and was thankful enough to have rented it. The building was empty, with the exception of two large crates that Kaishia had deposited in the building upon her arrival in town. She went over to the southwestern corner of the building, and looked around. The door was very hard to find, having been unused for so long, the gap between the boards had been pushed together by the countless feet and heavy loads deposited in the building over the years. She finally located the door by finding the small knothole that served as the handle to the trap door. She put her finger in and tugged, but it was very stuck. She again focused her élan and placed her hand on the door. She reached out with her magic and found the edges of the door where it met the floor. Gently, she pushed against the door with her magic, contracting the wood fibers along the edges. The wood became cold to the touch and in a few moments a seam defining the trapdoor became visible to her eyes as the wood shrank. Kaishia gave another gentle tug on the door with her finger and it popped up. She leaned the door against the wall and carefully descended the narrow, rotting steps down to the cellar floor, closing the trapdoor as she went. It was pitch black down here and not even her elvish eyes could see. Kaishia pulled out a candle from her cloak pocket and with a brief thought and directed élan, the candle flared up, casting it's flickering light into the cellar. The room had fieldstone walls and floor, stained with mildew and the cellar had a strong musty odor. It wasn't perfect, she thought, but it would do. She placed the candle on the floor, away from the wooden steps and pulled out her chalk. She drew a duplicate circle, matching the one that she created in her house, on the floor of the cellar and placed the seven lavender candles at the points of the star. She disrobed with little thought for discretion now that she was alone and repeated the spell of protection and privacy that she performed at the house earlier. The difference here being, was that she limited the spell to just the cellar. Protecting the entire warehouse would have been more noticeable. She doubted anyone would notice the protection on the cellar, for even if they did look, they would remain focused on the buildings from street level and above. As no one knew of the cellar, no one would think of looking for it. Captain Saul looked over the report that Nevin had just presented him with and nodded appreciatively. "Good work, Nevin. I was not aware that you knew how to read and write." Nevin stood stiffly at attention in front of the Captain. "I've been getting tutored, sir." Captain Saul looked up at the young guard with a smile. "At ease. So, looking to become an officer then?" Nevin relaxed his rigid pose. "Yes sir. I would like to and I know that officers need to be literate." Saul placed the parchment report down on his desk. "Well, I like that. Shows initiative. Keep it..." Captain Saul paused and his eyes started darting around the room. Nevin felt a cold shiver run down his spine and the small hairs on the back of his neck start to rise. The room was beginning to feel cool in spite of the fire the Captain had in the fireplace. Captain Saul stood up quickly. "Get everyone out of here, now! Move it!" Nevin turned and dashed out the door, the Captain right behind. "Everyone out! Quickly!" shouted the Captain. Nevin dashed down the hallway to make sure the upper offices of the guardhouse was being emptied. As Nevin chased the last of the other guardsmen out, he started to feel sensations of dread coming over him, fueling the urgency of everyone's efforts to get out of the towers that made up the Highland Gate. Nevin came to attention outside in front of Captain Saul. "Everyone's out, sir. What's happening?" "Haunting," replied Saul. "Send someone to the Academy to let them know." Nevin pointed at one of the younger recruits and ordered him off. The young man dashed off down the street towards the old Keep. Nevin turned back to the Captain. "Haunting, sir?" Saul nodded. "Happens about once every five years. A poltergeist appears to haunt the towers." Nevin heard a crash from within the building. "Rather destructive little bugger too." "Oh." Nevin stared at the tower doors where there were more sounds of things being thrown around and smashing into the walls. There were also sounds of doors slamming, then a basin came flying out of a second floor window with a crash. "Will it move outside the tower?" "No, it stays in the tower," said Saul. "From what I understand, it's the spirit of a man that was killed by a brutal guard a hundred and thirty years ago. The magi have exorcized it every time it appears, but it still comes back every five years or so." "I thought if a spirit got exorcized, it doesn't come back." said Nevin with a puzzled look. Captain Saul shrugged. "I don't know. Most do stay gone, but not this one." He stepped to one side as a chair popped out of a second floor window and came crashing to the ground where he had been standing. Soon, the Captain saw the small, balding Magus appear, followed by his apprentice, a young blond youth. Shamir stomped up to the Captain. "What's this about the ghost being back? It's not due to appear for at least another year." "Please forgive the interruption with your studies, Magus Shamir." Saul bowed to the Magus and the apprentice. "It seems to be the same one that came last time." He was interrupted as another chair flew out of another window. "Perhaps a bit more energetic than before as well," said Saul dryly. Shamir sniffed disdainfully as he stared at the damaged windows and debris scattered about. "Well, we shall have to see about this. Come, Delphin." Shamir motioned for his apprentice to accompany him as he entered the haunted tower. Delphin turned pale, but followed his master, staying close to Shamir. Shamir stopped just inside the door and turned to his apprentice. "Make sure you focus on your protections, boy. You'll want astral and energy shields to deal with this poltergeist. You'll never see the...Ow!" Shamir got hit in the head with an inkpot. He grabbed his head and danced around trying to get over the pain. Strong feelings of fear and panic flooded Delphin's emotions. He turned to the door and felt something shove against him hard, pushing him out of the building. He stumbled as he tripped on the threshold, but managed to keep his feet under him. A moment later, Shamir came flying out the door as if propelled by a catapult, and landed face down on the stone paving. Delphin ran over to his master and helped him up. "Are you okay, Master?" Shamir looked up at him, his eyes dazed and unfocused. Blood was dripping out of his nose. Shamir shook his head and his eyes focused on his apprentice. "Yes, yes. I'm fine." Shamir pulled out a handkerchief and held it to his nose for a minute. He looked up at the guardsmen, standing around looking at him. All their faces were carefully neutral. A hot flush began to rise in his cheeks. With the help of Delphin, he got to his feet. "Ah, yes, Captain. My brief encounter with the spirit was enough to assure me that it is the same as the one that appeared four years ago. However, it does appear to be far stronger than it has been in the past. Most curious." "Yes, Milord," replied the Captain. "Has anything unusual happened in the tower recently, Captain?" The Captain shook his head. "Nothing." "No magics or anything?" asked Shamir. "None," answered the Captain again. "Sir," piped in Nevin. "Magus Kaishia healed Lieutenant Bearet in that room a couple weeks ago, didn't she?" "Ah, yes she did, now that you mention it," said Saul. Shamir's eyes narrowed as he stared at the Captain. "Ah. There you have it. Probably didn't put up a circle." Saul looked thoughtful. "I believe she did. She warned us not to cross the circle until she finished the ritual." "Harumph. Probably quite inadequate. Her carelessness obviously weakened the protections of the city and allowed the spirit to return while channeling more power than before. It will be quite the task to clean up this mess." Saul and Nevin bristled at Shamir's criticisms of Kaishia, but held their tongues. "Delphin, set up a circle. We will need to prepare." "Yes, Master." The apprentice pulled a large bag off his belt and produced seven white candles from it. He set them up in a circle large enough for both Shamir and himself. He pulled out a piece of white chalk and began to sketch out the circle. Shamir stood to one side, watching Delphin with a critical eye. People were pausing in their daily routines to watch the magi go through their preparations. Once the circle met Shamir's satisfaction, he stepped within it and sat down. Delphin took his place, sitting in a meditative position facing Shamir. Shamir began chanting a rhythmic litany in a low monotone. Delphin began chanting as well, his voice and tone matching Shamir's. Delphin's chanting became louder as Shamir's voice faded as the apprentice took over the protection spell. Shamir stood up in the circle and pulled a gold and silver wand out of a pocket. Shamir began chanting another spell, his eyes closed as he focused his power. Shamir stepped out of the circle and entered the tower, his chanting growing louder. Shamir stopped in the middle of the first room, where Kaishia had performed the healing ritual. Shamir thrust his wand forward and upwards. "By the powers of the eight Gods and Goddesses, I command this spirit to depart!" he shouted. The wand appeared to glow for a moment, surrounded by numerous small flashes as sparks arced off the wand. A harsh, cold laugh echoed through the tower rooms. There was a sudden flash of light followed by a sharp cracking sound. Shamir flew out of the room, propelled by some great force and hit the stone paving on his back, sliding into the circle and crashing into Delphin. All the guardsmen had jumped back in surprise at Shamir's sudden appearance. Shamir's face and the front of his robe was darkened with soot and what little of his hair that remained was standing on end. The tip of his wand had melted. Shamir sat up and blinked a few times, his eyes bright against his soot-covered face. He coughed twice and stood up, weaving slightly on his feet. "Yes. Well. Interesting." "Are you okay, Magus?" inquired Saul as he glanced over at the apprentice to make sure he was not injured. "Yes, yes. I'm fine." Shamir glared at the open tower door. "I must say the spirit has some unexpected abilities. No doubt the ethereal barrier is very weak here now, allowing the spirit unprecedented abilities." "Do you need assistance, Magus Shamir?" asked a melodious feminine voice. The guards parted to allow Kaishia through, her hands carrying a few parcels. Bearet was right behind her, hardly able to see over the stack of packages he was carrying. "This is an exorcism, not a healing," snapped Shamir. "Your services are not needed here again." Kaishia looked over the Magus, her gaze pausing on the melted tip of his wand. She looked back up at his scowling face. "I am versed in exorcism rituals as well. Let me check out the situation while you..." Her eyes looked over his darkened form. "Recover from your last attempt." Kaishia placed her packages on the ground and stepped towards the tower door. She paused at the door and closed her eyes. Her arms lifted up, extended outward towards the tower as if she was going to hug the building. She remained motionless for a few moments while Shamir stared at her with narrowed eyes. Delphin appeared at his elbow with a basin of water and cloths which Shamir used to wipe the soot from his face. Kaishia stepped into the tower as the guardsmen and the watching crowd held their breaths. For several minutes, nothing happened. Flashes of light illuminated the second floor of the tower where it bridged the top of the gate leading to the lower city. Shamir stared up at the display with a smirk which quickly turned to disbelief as the flashes ended. Kaishia appeared a moment later as she left the tower, her features and robe unsullied. She walked up to where Saul and Shamir were standing. "The spirit has been cast back into the abyss from where it came," Kaishia announced. "You have your tower back, Captain Saul." "Thank you, Magus Kaishia. We appreciate your assistance." Saul gave her a small bow. Kaishia retrieved her packages and continued on her way as the guardsmen began picking up the items that had been expelled by the spirit. Shamir just stared after her, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. Bearet was manhandling the last of the crates that Kaishia had asked him to get from her warehouse on the other side of the city, when he spotted a magus walking in his direction. It was obvious that the woman was one of the magi, as she wore a colorful cloak of orange and yellows that contrasted sharply with the usual greens and browns of less expensive woolen garments that most of the population wore, and bore an ornately carved staff that confirmed Bearet's suspicions. He got the crate off the rented wagon, and carefully set it on the ground, as Kaishia warned him they were filled with breakable items. He pulled up on one end, and pulled it along the ground and into the house. As Bearet set it down in one corner of the front room, the magus had arrived at the front door, and politely knocked at the open door. Reminding himself to be polite, he stepped forward and bowed to the newcomer. "Good morning, Milady Magus. May I assist you?" She smiled up at him, noticing that he stood several inches taller than her. Her expression became troubled for a brief moment as she looked at him, but it lasted only a moment. Long enough for Bearet to take notice, though he did not allow his own countenance to reflect his concern. "Yes, please. I am Magus Joylara, here to see Magus Kaishia. Would she be at home?" "Yes, Milady. She is. Please, come in. I shall let her know that you are here." He bowed to her again, and went off to locate Kaishia. Joylara's eyes raked over Bearet's retreating back appreciatively, then to the house as he disappeared from view. The house still looked depressingly empty, except for two large crates that were in the front room. She noticed odd little runes carved into the sides and went over for a closer look. The runes were dwarvish symbols. The only one that Joylara was able to recognize was the dwarvish rune that meant Taselon. She decided that the symbols were just shipping instructions. Approaching footsteps alerted Joylara that someone was coming. She straightened up and took the few steps back to door just as Kaishia entered, wearing a decorative purple robe with silver threads running through it. Joylara noticed that the threads formed dwarvish runes as well, but as to what they meant, she did not know. Seeing Kaishia startled her. She looked so small and young standing next to Bearet, like a girl whom had just entered womanhood. Yet she remembered that Kaishia was almost old enough to be her mother. "Good morning Joylara. Good to see you. Welcome to my still empty abode." Kaishia gave Joylara a warm smile as she waved at the empty room. Joylara's expression became concerned, and her eyes flickered to Bearet, who had appeared right behind Kaishia. "Good morning, Magus Kaishia." Kaishia noticed her expression. "Please, just Kaishia. I cannot stand that formality. Oh... Joylara, this is Lieutenant Bearet, the officer I healed the day I arrived. He has taken up service with me as bodyguard and general handyman. Bearet, this is Magus Joylara. She is in charge of all the apprentices at the Academy." Bearet bowed to Joylara. "Pleasure to meet you, Milady Magus." "Likewise, Lieutenant. I have heard of your reputation with the town watch. Magus Kaishia is fortunate to have you in her service." "The honor is all mine, Milady." He bowed to Joylara again and turned to Kaishia. "Pardons, Milady, I need to return the cart and donkey. I shall be back in a few minutes." "That's fine. I'll stay right here until you return." Bearet bowed again to the both of them, then left the house to tend to the cart. Joylara raised an eyebrow at Kaishia after they watched Bearet lead the donkey away. "You have to stay here until he returns?" Kaishia let out a small musical laugh. "I promised him that I would not go out without him. He is quite concerned that I be safe. He won't be long in any case. Care for some tea?" "Thank you." Joylara followed Kaishia through the house, noticing the circle on the floor in the middle room, before settling in the chair in the kitchen, which was the room furthest into the house. "I see you know your circles." "Latrim was unrelenting that I know how to draw them," laughed Kaishia again. "I spent weeks transcribing the runes over and over again until they were perfect. I have permanent dents in my fingers from the stylus." "Aye. You cannot be too careful. So, how much more to move in?" Joylara watched her carefully, looking for any signs of resentment or duplicity. The tribunal had pushed her hard, far harder than they would have for any apprentice, and Joylara was concerned that the elvish Healer might harbor some resentment. Kaishia had done everything the tribunal asked easily and with style. That only seemed to make Malkar, who headed the tribunal, try to come up with something more challenging. Joylara was fairly certain that none of the tribunal members would have coped as well if they were subjected to those trials. However, Kaishia seemed to be quite unbothered, and to Joylara's eyes, even amused at the tribunal's attempts to trip her up. "This is all I have. I have a lot of shopping to do still. Bearet has said that he knows an excellent furniture craftsman. We are going to pay him a visit this afternoon." Kaishia set a cup of tea in front of Joylara. "So, what do I owe the honor of your visit too?" "Good news. The best in fact, Kaishia. King Rudolf has decided to have a banquet to honor your arrival in Taselon. He has heard of your talents, and wishes to welcome you, and introduce you to the court." Kaishia looked solemn. "I'm honored. I suppose then it's a forgone conclusion that I'll be attending." "Yes. The Lord High Magus arranged for it. He hopes to dispel any reservations about your presence." "I see." Kaishia let out a gentle sigh. "Well, I would not dare let down the Academy or disappoint the King." "It's nothing personal against you, Kaishia, it's just..." Kaishia held up a hand to forestall Joylara's explanation. "I understand. And I do appreciate the effort the Academy is making on my behalf. I hope I can live up to expectations." "You will." Joylara smiled. "Besides, this will be an excellent chance to meet and rub shoulders of the rich and powerful. After all, they will probably be regular customers. Hypochondriacs the lot of them. Always thinking that they've come down with something new." Kaishia laughed. "Actually, I was thinking more of the food, but getting to know the nobles is good too." Kaishia beamed a smile at Joylara. Joylara felt a warm tingle in her stomach as Kaishia smiled at her. While she wasn't interested in other women generally, the closeness and intimacy that came from teaching others about magic tended to produce certain feelings to be reciprocal between student and teacher. When two magi discover mutual feelings of trust and caring, the actual sexes of the magi were rarely a factor. It was one of those things that separated the world of magi and the untalented. Her current interest was her eldest apprentice Sabetha, but Joylara knew that once Sabetha graduated and began to seek her own path, distance would grow between them, though the feelings of friendship and respect would never fade. Such was the way of the magi. Joylara began to feel that getting much more personal with Kaishia might not be that much of a chore. Kaishia was very attractive, and despite her age, her appearance gave her an aura of vulnerability that made one want to protect her. They were chatting about who the best dressmakers were in town, as Kaishia decided that she would need a new gown for the banquet, when Kaishia's face went blank for a moment. Suddenly, she jumped up and dashed for the front door. Alarmed, Joylara followed after her. Joylara started hearing a commotion outside the house as she raced after Kaishia. Kaishia reached the door and yanked it open just as four guardsmen appeared, carrying a fifth. Without a word, she motioned for them to enter and pointed at one of the crates, indicating that they should lay the their comrade down there. The prone guardsman's tunic was covered in blood, his arm hanging at a grotesque angle. Kaishia saw that Captain Saul and Doc Evans entered right behind the first group. Kaishia pulled out a silver dagger and quickly sliced away the tunic around the arm. Blood began spurting out, covering Kaishia with the wounded man's blood. She pressed a hand in the wound to stop the bleeding. "Doc, come here please." Kaishia's tone, while not demanding, was firm. Doc stepped up next to her. "Put your hand where mine is." Doc reached down and placed pressure on the severed blood vessel as Kaishia removed her hand and finished cutting away the patient's tunic. She glanced at the man's face and her face became worried. "Oh, poor Nevin." Joylara, unnoticed by the guardsman in their concern for their comrade, watched Kaishia closely. The scent and sight of so much blood made her queasy and she thought her stomach would turn inside out when she saw Kaishia's hands inside the man's wounds. It was a rare Magus that could tolerate such closeness with the body and methods of healing. One of many reasons there were so few Healers. The few magi that did have the power to heal usually became either a Smith or Battle-mage. She swallowed some bitter bile that had worked its way up her throat, and forced herself to focus on the Healer. Joylara wasn't a specialized Healer herself, rather specializing in the magics of divination and communication. She was familiar with some of the healing techniques, however, and was aware of the capabilities of the other Academy Healers. The wound suffered by the guardsman looked to her to be beyond the skill of any of the other Healers. The man would be dead before there was time to help him. However, Kaishia was not relenting in her efforts. Kaishia finished stripping away Nevin's tunic to expose the full extent of the wound. His arm was cut almost in half, and there were white chips floating in the wound that indicated that the bone was shattered. She glanced up at the other guardsmen. "Stand back against the wall, please." She looked up at Doc, still pressing his hand against the blood vessel. "When your fingers feel warm, pull them out." Doc nodded in understanding. As the guardsmen and Captain Saul backed away to stand against the wall, Kaishia gently pulled Nevin's arm up to bring the edges of the wound closer together. Nevin let out a yelp of pain. She placed her hands on each side of the wound, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, then slowly exhaled. Joylara recognized that she was entering the spell trance. All at once, there was a sudden gust of wind that filled the crowded room causing everyone's ears to pop and the front door to slam shut. The temperature dropped fast. In moments it was freezing cold in the room. Everyone's breath was turning to steam, and the windows were fogging up. Joylara focused her astral eye on Kaishia and examined her aura. To her inner eye, Kaishia was glowing with a brilliant blue aura, with tendrils of energy drifting in the air around her. The aura changed to a brilliant green around Kaishia's hands and there was a yellow and green swirling glow around the wound. Doc suddenly let out an exclamation and pulled his hand out of the wound with a jerk. He nursed his hand as he shivered in the cold air and seeing that there was no blood oozing from the wound, moved away to join the Captain by the wall. As Doc Evans rested his back against the wall, he noticed Joylara witnessing the healing as well. Saul leaned over to the Doc's ear without taking his eyes off Kaishia. "Cold?" "Hot. Burning hot real fast," complained Doc, blowing on his hand. Joylara watched, more amazed than the guards, as she saw the wound close, the muscles and skin rejoining as if they had never been so cruelly severed. If she hadn't seen it, she wouldn't have believed it possible. No Healer she knew ever had that kind of power. She focused on Kaishia's general aura again, and watched it carefully, studying every color fluctuation and nuance. "Hey, Healer Kaishia," called out Captain Saul. "Don't do too good of a job. I want the boy to keep that scar as a reminder for his carelessness." Joylara was stunned at the Captain's impertinence. No one was supposed to disturb a Magus while casting a spell. The risks of what could happen if the Magus was distracted could be dangerous. She was about to hiss to the Captain to hold his tongue when Kaishia, eyes still closed and still repairing the wound, spoke up first. "If this was his own fault, Captain, then I should make sure that there isn't any scar at all. That way, he will have nothing to impress the ladies with, isn't that right, Nevin?" The wounded guardsman smiled weakly up at Kaishia, while the Captain barked out a laugh in response. Joylara was amazed again. Kaishia's concentration and control was amazing, if she didn't mind the interruption and was even able to talk back. There was no doubt though that she was not distracted. Moments later, Kaishia opened her eyes and lifted her hands from Nevin. Almost at once, it began to get warmer in the room. She bent over Nevin. "Don't move. I'll be right back." Kaishia left the room, heading to the kitchen. The guardsmen were looking at the small thin scar that was all that remained of the hideous injury that Nevin had and started muttering amongst themselves. Even Captain Saul had a concerned expression. Kaishia returned a minute later, shoving a glass of water into Joylara's hands. "Here, hold this a minute." Kaishia placed the other items she was carrying down on the other crate. She had an assortment of herbs in one hand, and a small mortar and pestle in the others. She placed several leaves in the mortar and ground them together for a few seconds, then scraped them into the glass of water that Joylara was holding. Kaishia took the glass, closed her eyes and concentrated a moment. Joylara saw that Kaishia was infusing the potion with her élan, causing small red sparkles to appear in the fluid. Kaishia carried the glass over to Nevin, and helping him to sit up, offered him the glass. "Here, this will help you replace all the blood you lost." After a brief dubious look at the glass, he allowed her to place the glass to his lips and he drank it all down rapidly. She eased him back down on the crate and set the glass down. "Sleep now, Nevin. You'll be just fine. Sleep." She stroked her fingertips across his forehead and his eyes closed and his breathing slowed as he slipped into a deep slumber. She stood up and gazed down at Nevin. Captain Saul stepped forward to look at his wounded guardsman. "Nicely done, Milady. Again, I thank you for your efforts." Kaishia gave Saul a weak smile. "It is fortunate that I was here. I'm pleased to have been of service, Captain." She cocked her head at him as she noticed his concerned expression. "What's the matter?" "Forgive me for asking, Milady, but will he be leaving to serve you as well?" "What?" exclaimed Kaishia with amusement in her voice. "I don't understand you, Captain." Captain Saul looked distinctly uncomfortable. "Well, Milady, you cured Bearet from his wound and he resigned to come to work for you." "Well, that wasn't my intention, Captain. He offered his services and I was in a position of really needing someone to help." One of Kaishia's eyebrows shot up as she realized why the Captain was asking. "Are you implying that Bearet came to work for me not out of his own free will?" Saul didn't know what to say, knowing that there was another Magus in the room listening. At that moment, the front door opened and Bearet entered. He paused as he took in the unexpected guests. "Well, it seems I missed the party." Kaishia strode over to him. "Bearet, I do believe the Captain thinks I have ensorcelled you to come work for me. Could you please tell him that is not the case?" Bearet's face lost his amused expression and became deadpan and he spoke in a low monotone as his eyes stared straight out into space. "I came to work for Kaishia out of my own free will. She did not cast a spell or use sorcery on me in any fashion." Kaishia glared up at him. "You are not helping, Bearet. Knock it off." "Yes, Milady. What shall I knock off?" The Captain and the other guardsmen's eyes were wide and they began to cast fearful glances at Kaishia. "Bearet..." growled Kaishia, her tone becoming threatening. Bearet laughed as his face broke out in a large smile. The guardsmen relaxed and chuckled at Bearet's act. He clapped his former Captain on the back. "It was my decision, Captain. Completely," he reassured the Captain. Saul grinned nervously. "Thanks." He turned and bowed low to Kaishia. "Please forgive me, Milady. There have been many stories floating around," He glanced back at the four standing guardsmen and then looked to her again. "It is hard to know what to believe sometimes." "I understand, Captain. Please, feel free to come see me and I will do what I can to put you to ease," replied Kaishia. "Now, as to guard Nevin, I would recommend he remain in bed today. If he feels up to it, he should be okay to go back to duty. The potion I gave him will rejuvenate his strength. However, tell your cook that he will be rather hungry the next couple days and should eat enough for at least two people, maybe three. He will need the nourishment." Saul bowed his head to her in acknowledgment. "Thank you again." He directed the other four to carefully pick up Nevin and carry him and they all left, with Doc following them. Kaishia bowed to Joylara. "Forgive me for cutting your visit short, but I would like to rest a bit. It was rather strenuous." She turned to Bearet. "I'll be upstairs if I am needed." "Yes Milady," replied Bearet. As Joylara left the house, her mind was whirling. Not only did Kaishia perform a small miracle on that guardsman, she was only a little tired. Her aura was still fairly strong. Any other Healer would have had to take several days to recover from expending that much energy that fast. A dark suspicion began to form in her mind. There was much more to Kaishia than Joylara originally thought.