Authors note: yay! Next chapter.
Battle Mage
Chapter 3- ground rules
She could feel Skjor and Vignar's disapproving stares on her back melting through her skin. Turning with confidence she retaliated "did I make the first impression that you expected uncle or did you expect a less violent approach?" Skjor simply shook his head in disappointment while Vignar simply stared at her in disbelief. The mage realized that she, to the men from her past, was no longer the young, gullible and innocent child that she was fifteen years ago. A slight tinge of guilt faltered her confidence as she spoke, cutting through the silence like butter with a knife. "You have no idea what it's like, to stand on the border of two different worlds." At this her uncle's face softens and Vignar looks at her with pity as if he understands the feeling of being outcast. "Skyforge steel and magic controlled within one being, it is unheard of even after all these years. Not once in my entire life have I fitted in anywhere." Her uncle opens his mouth to protest but she cuts him off, "No! I two entirely different parts of a whole person. Each part has different views and opinions. Within me they fight for dominance, each speaking soothingly to me when yet another person has defied me."
"That is enough lass." Turning to another familiar voice Zofie found, towering over her, was Kodlack, the harbinger of the companions. He had become more of a father figure to her over her younger years as well as a teacher. He was wearing his 'don't even try to argue face'
"My little snowberry, you have come home where you belong where you fit in and the companions will happily take you." Skjor said this whilst looking up at Kodlack hopefully who looked back at him for a moment before turning to her. His face was expressionless making him impossible to read. After a few moments of painful silence the old war hero spoke "Zofie, my dear, I knew your father and your mother. They wanted nothing more for you than a seat in the companions' hall, because of this I will honor their wishes. You must know, however, that I cannot favor you over anyone else and I cannot condone the use of magic in the main hall as it could disturb somebody or brake something. Do you understand me?" His expression was now serious as he stood over her speaking firmly yet fairly.
She considered this for a time; thoughts bombarding her head, each one calling for more attention than the last. Most of Jorrvaskr was the main hall, did that mean she could only practice her magic in the lower quarters? Surely not. The lower quarters were, from what she remembered, small and always full of people trying to rest or relax, away from the fuss of the hall. She doubted they would want to be disturbed there, least of all by the magic of a newly trained mage. So where would she practice? She could always practice outside but there was a chance of rouge lightning bolts possibly hitting others who may be training in the same place. Wouldn't that be a sight to see, the brute nord jabbering uncontrollably on the floor due to a misfire.
Unintentionally she smirked causing the man in front of her to look confused. Snapping her face back into serious mode she answered "Set your terms Kodlack. I will follow them as well as I possibly can." From somewhere behind the old war hero she herd her uncles relieved sigh as Kodlack smiled slightly down at her, clearly impressed at her maturity. Clearing his throat he began to explain his terms; "despite your family ties you will have to move up the ranks like any other new member but as you have already beaten one of our members in combat you won't need to fight one for us to test your strength. As you know already I request that you do no use magic in the main hall or against any of your fellow shield siblings in combat. And most of all only magic that you would use in the collage, got that?" His last point was emphasized greatly, not that she used any of the more risky magic or really wanted to.
Deciding that this was her time to get a few things for herself she retaliated. "I will accept your terms on the condition that I am allowed to practice magic, I am treated fairly and I am to do no parlor tricks. I am a trained war mage not a fool." Kodlack simply nodded in return clearly fine with this arrangement.
"Alright then lass. I'll go inside and tell the others while you and your uncle talk some more." With one last nod to the pair of them Kodlack disappeared into the hall leaving the pair outside in silence. It did not last long however, as Skjor stood up and cam over arms open to hug his niece. "My little snowberry has come home at last. Don't tell anyone else lass, but I'm happy you beat that nord. She is far too proud for my liking." His warm smile and witty comment made her laugh into his shoulder as he hugged her. He certainly hadn't changed at all, and that she was thankful for. As he pulled away from her he smiled holding out his arms "well then let me look at you, after all I haven't seen you since you were a little girl. You look so much like your mother, even if your hair does look like a bird has been nesting in it." She punched her uncle's shoulder lightly in response to his insult. His laugh resonated through her ears and she smirked at him pulling away from the hug. "Uncle I hope you know how grateful I am… for everything" Skjor smiled but it was different it was warmer than anything he would show to others; it was a smile that only his family could receive. "Come on lass, the bannered mare has a table and mead waiting for you" he smacked his hand onto her shoulder as he led her down to the town center; he was right the bannered mare did have a table and as much mead as they could buy.