Chapter 6 Concerning Talk
Some days later, and the two apprentices taught each other until such time Ashikoto was replaced as high wizard and their teacher. After several weeks, the two apprentices were called to meet their new teacher. They stood side by side silently in the receiving room behind and off to the side of King Justin. Neither expected to see a near full term witch to walk through the door with a small party with her belongings behind her.
"Welcome to Mastonia, Lady Isabella," Justin spoke. "May I introduce your two apprentices?"
Penny and Neal stepped forward together. Both gave a small bow to the witch. Isabella walked over and circled around them, studying them.
"I have not seen a young witch so..."
"Scrawny," Penny finished. "I know. I was told that before, Master Isabella."
"I see. I wish to retire to my chamber, Your Highness."
"Of course. Penny and Neal can take you there."
The two young magic users nodded and turned for the door that led the way to Isabella's chamber. Once there, the witch had her party put her clothes and other belongings away while her apprentices stood silent by the door.
"So, you two are my new apprentices. May I ask your names?"
Penny and Neal shared a concern look. King Justin had already informally introduced them. So why would she ask for them?
"Well, Master Isabella, I'm Neal Asfero."
"Penny Pendragon."
"Pendragon? Pendragon? Ah, Howl Pendragon. Any relation?"
"Father."
Penny gave an internal sigh. No matter where she went, Penny could not escape her father's reputation.
That night, Penny added a few pieces of wood to the fire and settled in one of the chairs with a book Draco had sent her. A knock at the door had Penny muttering to herself as she closed the book and stood to answer the door. She opened it and found Justin standing there.
"Your Highness. What brings you here at this time of night?"
"Some things you may wish to know of Lady Isabella," the king said as he walked into the chamber.
Penny turned and kept her gaze on the king. When her gaze fully fell on him, his appearance had completely changed. It was not King Justin at all.
"Dad!"
Penny rushed over and hugged him. She had not left the palace, except the one time to return home to make the potion and when shopping in the marketplace. Howl returned the hug. The younger Pendragon finally pulled away and closed the door. If Justin found out that the man who earned Sophie's love was there, who knew what could happen.
"I have not seen you in weeks. Tell me, what has happened?"
"Dad, you're not here for that. What is it?"
Howl smiled. He had forgotten how smart Penny was and how he could see through many of his farces.
"There has been talk in the wizard community of a new mysterious witch. Rumors point her here."
"Well, Neal and I received a new teacher today. She's replaced Ashikoto as Justin's High Witch."
"You best be careful, Penny. If the rumors are true, this teacher of yours is dealing with a new level of magic that passes even us."
Howl replaced his disguise before leaving the bed chamber. Penny watched her father leave as she pondered what he told her. There was nothing she really could do at the present time. She sighed and returned to her chair. Not since graduating from the academy has she been this worried. She stood and left the chamber to search for Neal. If she was right, then Isabella would easily dispatch her apprentices if she wished. Penny had reached the gardens and after several minutes found her apprentice-mate. Neal was practicing his earth magic in a corner when Penny found him.
"Neal, some concerning new of Master Isabella," she spoke up. "She may be using a whole different level of magic."
"What sort of level?"
Neal stood from where he sat on the ground and faced the Pendragon.
"I wasn't told. But my concern is that she could easily take the both of us out if she wanted to."
This troubled Neal. True, the magic teacher should be more skilled in magic, but to have that skill in a whole different level was like playing professional sports in a little league playing field.
"What are we going to do about it?"
"Nothing. Let this play out on its own. We can't be trying to change the game every time things don't go our way."