I recently edited this and changed a few details so that the story will go more smoothly later on. Nothing major, but it may cause some confusion for those who already read this and move on to read the upcoming chapters.
Mage Asha had been thinking quite a bit recently. Ever since her meeting with Mage Alain and his love, the Master Mechanic Mari, Asha's entire world view had been rapidly changing. Everything she was taught since she had been made into an Acolyte had been a lie. Both she and Alain were raised to believe that nothing was real and that emotions were enemies of Mages, reducing or even completely countervailing their powers. But Alain was a very powerful Mage, one of the youngest to ever gain the title of a Mage and among the few Mages skilled enough to not only use, but master the use of Fire Spells; and he had fallen in love to find that he had retained his powers, and that they were steadily growing and becoming more powerful than he ever believed was possible. On top of this, the woman who Alain had fallen in love with was a Mechanic.
For centuries, the two Great Guilds have controlled the world of Dematr. The Mechanics and the Mages have been bitter rivals, aggressively propagating that the other guild were frauds. They even went so far as to threaten members of their own guilds into silence if they acknowledged the truth. Needless to say, neither guild reacted well when the Mage Alain and the Mechanic Mari fell in love.
Recently, Mage Asha (as well as other powerful Mages) had been sent to assist the Imperial Army defend against a band of raiders from the North. Unbeknown to Mage Asha, Mage Alain was sent by his self to "help" the Norther Raiders in a set up by the Guild to kill him. He had escaped, fortunately, and absconded with the Mechanic Mari.
If Mages were able to be kind and have friends, then Asha would certainly had been friends Mage Alain. He had even helped her once when they were Acolytes together. He was punished for the act so severely that it had never happened again, but Asha had never forgotten the kindness. Although -until recently- she had forgotten what kindness was. It was due to their fragile connection, that she was able to find him a few weeks later and discover his side of the story, as well as meet Master Mechanic Mari, gaining her first real friend.
Instead of doing what her guild commanded and turning the two in, she decided to help them. When the guild found by other means that they were in the same city, she warned them of the attack as she pretended to help the Guild. Since then, she had been laying low, but still finding out all she could about the recent events. She even went so far as so experiment with the taboo concept that were emotions. Of course, she did so in private. Due to her beauty, she already was under much scrutiny from the Mage Elders. They believed that her beauty tied her to the physical world and weakened her as a Mage, but if she did anything to damage her beauty, then she would be acknowledging her beauty and was weak as a Mage in doing so. Despite her abilities, she would always be looked down upon for this and so could afford to break a few rules.
It was during this period that Mage Asha had been called to see the Mage Elders. She feared that they had somehow discovered the truth about her connection to Mage Alain and her Friend, Mari. But if it was not related to that, then she would be found out if she ran away now. So putting on the expressionless face of a Mage, she appeared before three Elders in a darkly lit room. The Shadows were cast so that she could not see their faces, however she could tell that two were female. Standing in the center of the room, facing the silhouettes that were her Elders, Mage Asha Spoke, "This one was summoned."
Without any formality, one of the female Elders spoke, "There is an assignment that the Guild has chosen you to complete." Whatever Asha was expecting, it certainly was not this. Even barring her treachery being discovered, this was a Guild assignment, not a contract requested by a common. This was rare, and usually only Mages far more skilled than Asha were chosen.
"This one is honored." She spoke flatly, revealing nothing.
"You are to go to Doorcastle." Another female spoke. "There, you are to find a Shadow and dispose of him by any means necessary."
Slightly confused, Asha waited to hear if there was any explanation as to why this Shadow was so significant. When none came, she spoke again. "This one has questions."
Without giving the standard reply of, "This one listens," one of the Elders spoke in a firm voice as if Mage Asha had never said anything.
"You will leave as soon as you are able, and report to the Guild Hall in Doorcastle after your assignment has been completed."
Following suit in how she was ignored by the Elders, she spoke acting as if the last elder remained silent. "How am I to find this Shadow?"
"The Shadow is said to carry two strange blades." One Elder said simply.
"This one understands." She replied after a long pause that made it clear the Elders did not know any more about the Shadow, but would not admit it. She almost asked who was to accompany her, but then she realized that although that would have been a normal question for any other assignment, it was clear from the way they spoke that these Elders were sending her alone. This was also why she was not to report to the Guild Hall in Doorcastle.
"That is all. Go prepare for the journey." The first elder said, ending the abnormally short briefing. The blinds opened to light the room, but Asha did not bother to stay and see the faces of the women. What they had and had not said concerned her far more at the moment. She was to kill a male Shadow who resided in Doorcastle, without knowing anything else about him? Why had the elders refused to tell her what he had done to deserve this? Why was no other Mage going with her? She knew that if she had asked, then she would have been reprimanded for thinking that more than one Mage was needed to deal with a single Shadow, but she couldn't help but think that there was another reason that they did not want her to know. Just like there was a reason they didn't want her to know why he was being killed. And if she asked about that, she would have been reprimanded for caring about a Shadow. Shadows are not real, so do not matter, thus it does not matter if one is killed without reason.
She returned to her quarters to change her robes before going to gather travel rations for the trip to Doorcastle. However just as she was leaving the Guild Building, she was stopped by another Mage. It was an older man whom Asha recognized as her Uncle. "Mage Dav." She spoke in greeting.
"Mage Asha." He replied. "You are leaving to Doorcastle?"
"Yes. The elders have commanded it. This one is to dispose of a Shadow there."
He nodded with vague impatience. "This one is aware. However I must tell you something the Mage Elders do not wish you to know."
Secretly, Asha smiled in her heart at those words, however her face was unrevealing. "Then why go against their wishes?" she asked, hiding the playfulness she so desperately wanted to put in her voice.
"This one cannot say." He answered without acknowledging the rhetorical aspect of her question. "But I must tell you this before we are discovered. The Shadow you are to kill has already openly fought and killed seven other Mages."
It took several moments for the meaning of her uncle's words to sink in to her mind. "A…. Shadow… killed Mages?" she muttered as concern broke through her Mage training and showed on her face. "How?"
"This one does not know. But it has been made known to me that The Shadow faced them all openly. He did not ambush a single one, and the last three faced him as a group."
Asha had no idea how to react to this. Although the Mages taught that all Shadows did not exist and not even worth acknowledging, Asha had learned from Alain that some –perhaps even all Shadows- were not Shadows at all, but real people. People that were simply trapped in the World Illusion as she was. But even with the admission that the Guild was wrong about Shadows, this was still unheard of. No single person had ever done anything like this before! "Were there any others killed?" she finally asked, hesitantly. "Other Commons or Mechanics?"
Her uncle nodded slowly. "Mechanics were killed as well. No Commons or Imperials though." She knew what he was thinking. He did not see that as a valid question, for the Mage Guild refused to admit the truth that Mechanics were not charlatans, but their devices actually worked. In many ways, they were just as powerful as Mages were, though neither could understand what the others did. But she was glad that he had given her an honest answer despite the absurdity of it from his perspective.
She hesitated a moment before speaking again. It was difficult to say this, and she knew that it was probably a bad idea to do so, but she had already made up her mind on how she would complete this mission, and doubted that she would ever see her uncle again. With great deliberation she said with a quiet voice. "Thank…. You." The words were so unexpected that astoundment flashed across the older Mage's face. These were not words fit for a Mage; Mages do not ask, they do not apologize, and they definitely do not say "Thank you." Doing so acknowledged that the one they were speaking to was real and mattered. A direct violation of Mage teachings. Before he could react, Asha turned and hurried away as quickly as she could without running.
Asha was currently in Danalee, which was not too far south from Doorcastle. However traveling as a Mage would still take some time. She would have to go with a caravan, which could take several days, a horse which would be slightly faster, but not by much. Although as she already was planning on breaking all the rules, she could follow in Alain's footsteps as a rogue Mage and actually take the train. Mechanic devices were not supposed to be able to actually work according to the Mage guild, and were only tricks to fool Commons. But she knew from her meeting with Friend Mari, that mechanic devices were real and just as powerful as Mage Spells. Although Asha could not understand anything Mari spoke about involving Mechanic Secrets, and it seemed that Mari felt very much the same when Asha and Alain spoke of Mage Secrets. In any case, that meant that a train was the fastest way to Doorcastle, baring taking a Roc which was beyond her capabilities.
She thought for some time how to do this as she could very well not board a Mechanic ran facility wearing her Mage Robes. That would certainly not end well. In the end, she stopped at a market and found a booth selling clothing. She approached the vendor, who was terrified, and staring at her shoes. Hoping that the Mage would leave her be. Asha was not sure how to go about this. Mages never shopped for anything, only taking what they needed, and they never needed clothes. Finally, she spoke hesitantly, "I need clothes. Will you…. Help… me?" she was probably just as nervous as the common was scared.
It took several seconds for the vendor to answer. This was the first time she had ever even heard of a Mage asking for help. If a Mage wanted something, then they took it and you the common they take from should feel grateful that they did not take more. Very slowly, the woman shifted her eyes to look at the Mage speaking to her. Asha saw the surprise in the woman's expression when she saw how beautiful Asha was. "I will do as the Lady Mage commands." She said quietly.
"I make no command." Asha insisted. She knew that the woman would do as she said, too frightened that Asha would turn her into some sort of vermin if she displeased the Mage. Though that was impossible for any Mage to do, it was still a common belief among Commons that the Mage Guild encouraged. But Asha was changing, and she no longer wanted to rule over commons by fear. "I only ask that you assist me."
The woman nodded in terror, fearing that she had Angered Asha. "I will do as the Lady Mage requests." Her voice shook as badly as her body. Asha felt a subtle twinge of sympathy pass through her as she looked at the middle aged woman before her.
"My name is Mage Asha." She said, trying to put kindness in her empty voice. "What is your name?"
"Rosalie, Lady Mage."
"Please call me Lady Asha." Asha insisted, attempting a smile that ended up as an odd twist of her lips. "I need some common clothes."
"Yes, Lady Asha." The woman spoke in a confused tone, clearly thinking that this was some sort of trap. "What sort of clothes will my Lady need?" she asked cautiously, still keeping her eyes averted.
This question took Asha aback. There were different kinds of clothes? She couldn't remember ever wearing anything other than her Mage Robes. Clothes having different uses was an extraneous concept to a Mage. "I- I don't know…" she replied with chagrin.
"If I may," The woman spoke again, gaining a little courage at a Mage admitting a lack of knowledge. "What does my Lady need the clothes for?"
Asha hesitated before answering. She was going to be breaking rules that only one other Mage had been known to break, and he had had the help of a Mechanic. She was alone at the moment, with her only allies too far away to help even if they did know of her situation. She could lie, both to protect herself and the woman, but that would only make things more complicated later, when she asked how to get train tickets. "I need to disguise myself as a common and ride a Mechanic Train." She said quietly, under her voice so no one other than the vendor could hear.
"My Lady…." The woman was dumbstruck. She quickly regained herself, and spoke, choosing her words carefully. "Why would one choose to ride a device that does not work?"
Asha's eyes pierced into the woman, clearly seeing the lie and the reason for it. "But it does work." She said quietly.
The lady sputtered, not sure what to do. "Even if that were true, my Lady, It may not be wise for a single Mage to go into a Mechanic facility."
"That is why I am in need of clothes." Asha insisted. "Are there clothes for traveling?"
The lady nodded uncertainly. "Yes, My Lady." She said with great uncertainty. Best not to question a Mage and simply do as she asked. She pulled out a dusty-blue tunic, dark blue trousers, and a black belt. "Will my Lady be needing anything else?" she asked, now past her fear and nervousness, and just wanting to get this over with.
Asha shook her head. "This will be sufficient." She took the clothes and hesitated, realizing that Mari would tell her that she should pay for this. But Asha was a Mage and had no money. Mages never carried money, they took what they needed without question. After all, what common would be so stupid as to say no to a Mage? Well… she would meet one soon if all went as she planned.
Seeing her hesitation, Rosalie spoke p, "Is something wrong, Lady Asha? I will do whatever I an to make it right…"
Asha shook her head again. "Nothing is wrong. How…. How do I pay?"
The woman was again struck dumb for several moments before sputtering out "No no no! You do not need to pay anything. No charge for Mages, just please be on your way and remember that I helped you and did what you said." She spoke so quickly, Asha thought it seemed that everything she had just said was one word. Feeling slightly embarrassed and guilty, Asha decided that she should just take the clothes. She did need them, and had no way of paying for them. She thought for a moment to give the woman her Mage Robes, but that thought was struck down almost as soon as she thought it. A common like her would be in much trouble if she was found with a Mage's Robes. And Asha would most likely need them once in Doorcastle. She had planned on asking how much a Train Ticket would cost, but now that seemed a foolish question. Asha had no sense of money and prices, and would not know how to get the money she needed in the first place. She had just decided to sneak on the train with an invisibility spell, when Rosalie spoke up once again. But this time, there was more curiosity in her eyes than fear or apprehension. "My Lady, may I ask a question?"
Asha was delighted at this request, though her face only showed the ghost of what she felt. "This one listens." She said in what she hoped was a happy tone, but did not sound any different to Rosalie.
Understanding that she was given permission to ask, the vendor bowed her head but looked up with her eyes. "Would I be right in thinking that my Lady has no money?"
Asha nodded. "That is correct."
Taking a deep breath, and steeling herself, the lady asked another question, "How is my Lady planning on paying for the Train Ticket to wherever you are going?"
Asha nodded again, only this time much slower, "That is an obstacle that had just occurred to me." She agreed. "I have decided to board the train invisibly and hide as long as I am able to or until I have reached Doorcastle."
Rosalie raised her head a bit more, "A ticket to Doorcastle is not too expensive. As train tickets go anyway." She said before turning and pulling a wad of notes from behind the counter. She counted out a number of the papers and held them out to the Mage. "Please take this. It is more than enough to get you to Doorcastle." She seemed conflicted to the Mage. Asha speculated that the Vendor would never have offered this help to another Mage. But of course, no other Mage would have asked the common's name, offered to pay for the clothes, or even acknowledge her existence. She did not want to accept the money, but she decided that she would need the money.
"Th- Thank…. You." She said slowly for the second time since she was nine years old. It was easier this time, but still took some effort. Nevertheless it felt good, despite the strain. She was about to walk away when she hesitated and looked at Rosalie in the eyes. "I will tell The Daughter of this…" she paused, taking a moment to remember the word, "kindness… Rosalie." Seeing the shock in the Vendor's eyes, Asha turned and whisked away into the crowds. Hopefully, this would help spread the news of Mari rising as the Daughter of Jules. Actually, now that Asha was thinking about it, the common would probably gladly have helped her if she had known that the Mage she spoke to was a friend of The Daughter.
Her lips twitched in a vague smile at the thought, before she realized that she next needed to go behind enemy lines at the Train Station.