Disclaimer: The Black Gryphon and the rest of The Mage Wars and Valdemar Universe belongs to Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon. Anything you recognise belongs to them. Things you don't recognise are likely my fault. This is story is written purely for your and my enjoyment; I make no money whatsoever from this.

Author's Notes: Some of you will find the title somewhat familiar – I am misquoting Gandalf: Meddle not in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger, which is of course, Tolkien's. This will be a series of short stories about the Mage of Silence, and his friends and foes.

Friendly Fire

"Oh no," breathed thirteen-year-old Snowstar in horror, looking down from the roof at his master and another mage who he'd just dumped about three feet of snow on. He scrambled down off the roof. "I'm so sorry, Master," he said, giving Master Redmoon a hand up out of the snow pile, then turning to do the same for the other mage. "Are you both ok?"

"Just what did you think you were doing, you silly boy?" Master Redmoon demanded.

"I'm sorry," mumbled Snowstar again, face scarlet as he looked down at his feet, trying not to look at the mages as they wiped faces clean of snow and shook off more of the unwanted cold whiteness from their cloaks. "I thought you were Starflower."

"Were you trying to bury her alive, then?" demanded Redmoon.

"No… I was just trying to pay her back for filling my hood with snow this morning."

Now look what she'd made him do! He was so going to get her back for this. After checking it WAS her, of course. Dunking snow on his master was bad enough, but doing so to his colleague was worse. Snowstar wondered if the grey hair of the stranger meant he was an Adept. He hoped not.

The mage snorted softly and upended one boot. Snow fell out. "I think you'll find her back by the fire indoors," he said. "I assume she's the one about your age, wearing a red dress?"

"That sounds like her, sir," said Snowstar. At least the stranger seemed more amused than angry.

"I want you to apologize to Adept Urtho," said Master Redmoon.

Adept, oh great… and that name sounds familiar. "I'm sorry Adept Urtho, and I will look to make sure I have the right person before dumping snow on people in future."

"That would be a wise idea," said Urtho. "Some people don't have much of a sense of humor when they have snow all over them." He glanced at Redmoon and raised an eyebrow.

Redmoon glowered, and gestured at Snowstar to be gone.

Snowstar bowed, then turned and ran. Behind him he heard Adept Urtho's voice, "you've got to admit it isn't as bad as the lightning mud incident."

Adept Urtho… suddenly the name clicked and Snowstar skidded to a halt. He'd just buried the most powerful mage on the continent in snow. Snowstar groaned. If his dad ever heard about this he was so dead.