Author's Note: I do not own any of the characters/locations mentioned; that honor goes to Level 5, Studio Ghibli and Bandai. Just putting that out there in case anybody is hunting the site for copyright infringements...

So this was supposed to be another sketch for my collection "Filling in the Blanks"; however, it grew and grew as I wrote down every part of the idea and ultimately it took on a life of its own. It isn't a sketch, it's a full blown mural. Or something like that. It started with my musing of what would happen if Swaine ever met Master Solomon (mostly whether Swaine would be able to resist the urge to murder him). Then you remember that Solomon was SUPPOSED to be his teacher originally. And how did it feel for Swaine to follow Oliver to the place where magic-users trained to be Sage, a place he had been expected to go but was out of his reach? Instead of skimping, I just decided to make this it's own short story. Now I'll feel the pressure to update because the work won't be finished! :P

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

"So, where to next? I heard some rumors that we might find Kublai on the western coast of the Summerlands, near Skull Mountain. Sounds appropriate for the King of the Sky Pirates," Swaine commented as the quartet of adventurers traipsed north through the deserts near Al Mamoon.

"You would know where to find the King of the Sky Pirates!" Esther rolled her eyes and shook her head, ponytail swinging back and forth.

He made a sour face, but before he could retort, Oliver interjected, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Actually, I remember Marcassin saying something about a tournament at the Temple of Trials. I thought it might be a good place to get some training in before we try to face someone like Kublai. Besides, maybe we can stay there overnight."

"The Temple of Trials?" older man inquired, scratching his head.

"Oh, come on Swaine, surely you know the Temple of Trials?"

"Aye, mun, your own flippin' brother went there to complete his training as a Great Sage," Drippy informed him.

Swaine scowled as soon as the words 'Great Sage' crossed Drippy's lips. "Well sorry if I'm not familiar with all the magical places magical people go to work on their magical skills!" He crossed his arms defensively.

Despite traveling with a powerful wizard intent on defeating another powerful wizard, he did not appreciate being reminded of his own inability to use magic, especially in reference to the rest of his family. In general, having magical abilities was actually quite uncommon and shouldn't have caused him any insecurity; however, Swaine couldn't think of a single member of his family stretching back for generations upon generations that did NOT have such a talent. That became a problem for him, because once everyone in the family had magic, they began to make it a requirement to hold certain positions. For example, the EMPEROR OF HAMELIN. As if having magical abilities was a necessary to rule a kingdom successfully… No matter what he thought, his birthright, the throne of his homeland, was passed on to his supremely gifted younger brother while he had been told to "find a new role in the empire". No, he and magic were not on good terms.

"We went there for training before you joined us, Swaine. I guess that means you haven't seen it yet! Now we definitely should go!" Oliver continued, breaking up his friend's dark thoughts.

Still, he grunted in annoyance. "Right. You, Esther and Drippy can go and have fun with that. I'll find a good place for a nap."

"But Swaine, all you need for the tournament is a familiar. You can help us!" For whatever reason, Oliver seemed quite insistent that his companion join them in their endeavors. He even stopped walking and turned to look at him intently. Damn. It was always so hard to say 'no' to him…

Esther was less kind in expressing her opinion. She folded her arms and tilted her head in that bossy way of hers. "Don't be a party-pooper Swaine! You have to pull your weight a little while we're there!" Just like that, his willingness to help vanished.

"I pull my weight when it matters, like finding Kublai and getting that map back. This is just fun and games for you, so I don't owe you anything!" he snapped.

"No help, no dinner…" Drippy replied mockingly.

"Wouldn't be the first time I've gone hungry…" came the venomous response.

Oliver sighed. Even though they had been traveling together for quite a while now, Esther and Drippy still did not understand how very little good it did to push Swaine's buttons. Or did they secretly enjoy making him miserable? Either way, he certainly wouldn't help now that they made him defensive, and Oliver couldn't blame him. He remembered Gascon's shortcomings in magic and could completely understand why Swaine would want nothing to do with the place where his own brother trained to take the job he was deemed incapable of filling.

"Forget it, Swaine can guard our stuff and take care of dinner for us while we fight."

"But Oliver…" The wizard looked at the protesting blonde and shook his head. She sighed and went silent.

"Come on guys, let's go. We should be able to make it by sundown." Oliver shifted the bag on his shoulders and began heading in the direction of the Temple. The others silently followed single-file, studying the ground to avoid all eye-contact.