"Well, I think that's enough for today," Saetan, High Lord of Hell,
said tiredly, rubbing his temples, "You're dismissed."
"Same time tomorrow?" Raine asked as she gathered her books.
"Yes," he sighed, "I'll have to see you again tomorrow."
"Ohhh Mother Night! I think I just got burned by the High Lord of Hell. . .err. . .no pun intended."
"None taken," he said graciously, motioning towards the door.
"Right! I'm gone," she hastily added and all but ran into the hallway.
"And try to be on time!" he yelled at her departing figure as her shadow disappeared down the hall.
"So. . .how did it go?" Jaenelle asked as she entered the study and took the chair that had previously been occupied by her apprentice.
"Remind me again why I'm doing this?"
"Because," Jaenelle smiled, "we want her to be educated, and you have the best mind I can think of, so naturally I fused the two together. I didn't think she'd be that bad though."
"Actually, it's not that she's bad, just tiring. She's very intelligent, though I've only had a few hours discussion with her. She possesses a sharp mind."
"And what did you study?"
"History, philosophy, and political science," he replied, his tone becoming reflective, "Your protégé is quite eager to learn the history of Kaeleer as she knows absolutely nothing on the subject. Philosophy. . .well, she's only interested in forming her own theories. That's a habit she need to be broken of if she is to be able to speak intelligently," he paused once more as if collecting his thoughts and then brought his eyes level with Jaenelle's ," But one subject she certainly excels at is political science. With the knowledge she does posses, Raine can weave word traps as eloquently as she avoids them. Her mind just simply seems to understand the underlying meaning of words," he shrugged helplessly, "Words don't really explain it, you have to see it for yourself. Her eyes just light up and you can almost hear the gears turning in her mind. When her head is a little more filled and her language cleaned up, I shall truly love to see her in debate," Saetan finished, his voice still reflecting wonder, then added, "She is probably one of the most interesting people to discuss issues with. She's old enough to talk with experience, but young enough to think she can change the world."
Jaenelle gave a hint of a smile at that last statement and said, "Who would have thought? My apprentice. . .a politician."
"you would have made a good politician," Saetan reminded her softly, "You had the passion, and the mind for it."
Janelle grimaced, and when she again looked at her mentor, her eyes again held the old pain.
"Perhaps," she replied quietly, "But I think I've changed the world enough."
* * * * *
"It hasss been a long time sssince you've visssited me, High Lord," Draca said pointedly without looking up from the book she was reading.
"The time of Witch is over," Saetan's reply came smoothly, "The need to visit the Keep's library has diminished."
"Even to sssee old friendsss?" she asked with a knowing smile.
Saetan pursed his lips together to keep from laughing. He and Draca might have been a lot of things, but friends would be stretching it.
"But with the ending of Witch's power," Saetan quickly changed the subject, "I would have thought you'd move on from this position. Take up some young witch or warlord to follow you as librarian, then move into some blissful retirement."
"Ssso eager to be rid of me?" Draca smiled coyly, "The timesss may be better, but I believe the want for knowledge never diesss. Asss long asss that staysss true, I will alwaysss be at the Keep. And it mussst be true ssstill, for that isss why you are here, High Lord?"
"To see Lorn, actually," Saetan answered, "I have to question him on something . . .odd. Someone, more precisely, that's peaked my curiosity."
"Jaenelle'sss apprentice?" Draca inquired, and the High Lord knew better than to ask how she knew, "Indeed. That one isss quite interesssting," she trailed off then jerked alert when she remembered that there was still company, "One moment please."
* * * * *
He was admitted in, and always the sight of Lorn took his breath away. Shiny scales covered the impressive reptilian body where, at the head, the eyes that burned with the flames that had forged the world. As the High Lord's gaze clashed with those intense eyes, he was suddenly struck with the thought of what Lorn would look like in human form, the form Draca continually used. For how could anyone that looked upon those eyes think they were normal?
*Greetings Saetan, High Lord of Hell* Lorn greeted, rearing his massive head to get a better look at his audience *What is it you have come to discuss with me?*
*Very little, thankfully* he replied, rocking slowly on his feet *there has long been peace in Kaeleer, time are good. Finally, everyone at the Hall knows happiness*
*And yet, you believe a stone has been thrown, causing ripples in this pond of peace* Lorn said *Otherwise you would not have come*
*Yes* Saetan admitted * Though I would not call her a disturber of the peace just yet. There are simply some things about her I find unusual, and I came to see if you might have the answers *
*Continue* Lorn prodded gently
* Continue? Where do I begin?* he sent the mental equivalent of a harsh laugh * She wears Birthright Gray, fights as well as boyos who've been training for years, and has an intriguing yet cunning mind when, to be honest, she should not posses any of these things.* he shook his head as if arguing with himself * I'd like to dismiss it as coincidence but I just can't believe that.*
* Of course not.* Lorn stated * You are intelligent enough to know the difference between coincidence and fate*
* That's what I was afraid of*
*Why?*
* Because look at what fate has done to us!* Saetan bellowed. He rarely lost his temper but now was one of those times * The worst things imaginable have happened because of our fates. Tersa ended up in the Twisted Kingdom because of her fate, and Daemon suffered beyond imagination because of his! Jaenelle went through the horrors of Briarwood as a direct result of who she was! The fates have not been very kind to us and . . .* he trailed of trying to find the courage to continue * And I would see no more suffering in my life.*
Saetan was aware his last statement came out more as a plea, but thankfully, Lorn took no notice. Regaining composure, he said * Tell me it's over. Tell me that the time of Witch is over.*
*Oh yes* Lorn remarked mildly *Witch's time has ended.*
Somehow that wasn't as reassuring as he had expected. Saetan knew the dragon was hiding something from him, something dark yet enormously important. He knew Lorn would tell him, if he asked, but he didn't. He convinced himself that he was imagining it, after all, there couldn't be anything after Witch and since that time was over there could no longer be any danger.
* Well that's all I wanted to know* the High Lord said preparing to leave.
Turning away, he heard Lorn say * The girl, however, needs protection. I will offer it to you, if you want it*
This caught him off guard, but he replied * Well, I believe being in the company of the strongest jeweled witches in warlords is protection enough from whatever might attack her, but I came here to get your advice, so I will accept whatever help you might give*
He walked forward, expecting it in the shape of a charm, token, or spell. He was expecting anything except Lorn's answer * I am sending it in the form of a kai' tori.*
The kai' tori were a race of dragons off the Fyreborn Islands. They were the smallest race, but fierce and loyal to those they sought fit to align themselves with.
*You can't possibly do this!* Saetan answered, stunned * To protect someone requires equal acceptance on both sides. A dragon, any dragon, is too independent and strong-willed to stand by the side of a witch. This is madness!*
*Until you breathe fire, Saetan Daemon SaDiablo, do not assume to know what a dragon will and will not do* Lorn reprimanded *Trust me, when I mention the assignment to the particular kai' tori I have in mind, it would be abuse to keep him away.*
Saetan stood speechless, unable to refute Lorn's reply, but unwilling to accept it as well. Finally he send a barely audible spear- thread *Very well. I expect we will see it soon then.*
Without another word, the High Lord of Hell left Lorn's chamber wondering how to tell Mrs. Beale that they would be entertaining the company of a dragon.
"Same time tomorrow?" Raine asked as she gathered her books.
"Yes," he sighed, "I'll have to see you again tomorrow."
"Ohhh Mother Night! I think I just got burned by the High Lord of Hell. . .err. . .no pun intended."
"None taken," he said graciously, motioning towards the door.
"Right! I'm gone," she hastily added and all but ran into the hallway.
"And try to be on time!" he yelled at her departing figure as her shadow disappeared down the hall.
"So. . .how did it go?" Jaenelle asked as she entered the study and took the chair that had previously been occupied by her apprentice.
"Remind me again why I'm doing this?"
"Because," Jaenelle smiled, "we want her to be educated, and you have the best mind I can think of, so naturally I fused the two together. I didn't think she'd be that bad though."
"Actually, it's not that she's bad, just tiring. She's very intelligent, though I've only had a few hours discussion with her. She possesses a sharp mind."
"And what did you study?"
"History, philosophy, and political science," he replied, his tone becoming reflective, "Your protégé is quite eager to learn the history of Kaeleer as she knows absolutely nothing on the subject. Philosophy. . .well, she's only interested in forming her own theories. That's a habit she need to be broken of if she is to be able to speak intelligently," he paused once more as if collecting his thoughts and then brought his eyes level with Jaenelle's ," But one subject she certainly excels at is political science. With the knowledge she does posses, Raine can weave word traps as eloquently as she avoids them. Her mind just simply seems to understand the underlying meaning of words," he shrugged helplessly, "Words don't really explain it, you have to see it for yourself. Her eyes just light up and you can almost hear the gears turning in her mind. When her head is a little more filled and her language cleaned up, I shall truly love to see her in debate," Saetan finished, his voice still reflecting wonder, then added, "She is probably one of the most interesting people to discuss issues with. She's old enough to talk with experience, but young enough to think she can change the world."
Jaenelle gave a hint of a smile at that last statement and said, "Who would have thought? My apprentice. . .a politician."
"you would have made a good politician," Saetan reminded her softly, "You had the passion, and the mind for it."
Janelle grimaced, and when she again looked at her mentor, her eyes again held the old pain.
"Perhaps," she replied quietly, "But I think I've changed the world enough."
* * * * *
"It hasss been a long time sssince you've visssited me, High Lord," Draca said pointedly without looking up from the book she was reading.
"The time of Witch is over," Saetan's reply came smoothly, "The need to visit the Keep's library has diminished."
"Even to sssee old friendsss?" she asked with a knowing smile.
Saetan pursed his lips together to keep from laughing. He and Draca might have been a lot of things, but friends would be stretching it.
"But with the ending of Witch's power," Saetan quickly changed the subject, "I would have thought you'd move on from this position. Take up some young witch or warlord to follow you as librarian, then move into some blissful retirement."
"Ssso eager to be rid of me?" Draca smiled coyly, "The timesss may be better, but I believe the want for knowledge never diesss. Asss long asss that staysss true, I will alwaysss be at the Keep. And it mussst be true ssstill, for that isss why you are here, High Lord?"
"To see Lorn, actually," Saetan answered, "I have to question him on something . . .odd. Someone, more precisely, that's peaked my curiosity."
"Jaenelle'sss apprentice?" Draca inquired, and the High Lord knew better than to ask how she knew, "Indeed. That one isss quite interesssting," she trailed off then jerked alert when she remembered that there was still company, "One moment please."
* * * * *
He was admitted in, and always the sight of Lorn took his breath away. Shiny scales covered the impressive reptilian body where, at the head, the eyes that burned with the flames that had forged the world. As the High Lord's gaze clashed with those intense eyes, he was suddenly struck with the thought of what Lorn would look like in human form, the form Draca continually used. For how could anyone that looked upon those eyes think they were normal?
*Greetings Saetan, High Lord of Hell* Lorn greeted, rearing his massive head to get a better look at his audience *What is it you have come to discuss with me?*
*Very little, thankfully* he replied, rocking slowly on his feet *there has long been peace in Kaeleer, time are good. Finally, everyone at the Hall knows happiness*
*And yet, you believe a stone has been thrown, causing ripples in this pond of peace* Lorn said *Otherwise you would not have come*
*Yes* Saetan admitted * Though I would not call her a disturber of the peace just yet. There are simply some things about her I find unusual, and I came to see if you might have the answers *
*Continue* Lorn prodded gently
* Continue? Where do I begin?* he sent the mental equivalent of a harsh laugh * She wears Birthright Gray, fights as well as boyos who've been training for years, and has an intriguing yet cunning mind when, to be honest, she should not posses any of these things.* he shook his head as if arguing with himself * I'd like to dismiss it as coincidence but I just can't believe that.*
* Of course not.* Lorn stated * You are intelligent enough to know the difference between coincidence and fate*
* That's what I was afraid of*
*Why?*
* Because look at what fate has done to us!* Saetan bellowed. He rarely lost his temper but now was one of those times * The worst things imaginable have happened because of our fates. Tersa ended up in the Twisted Kingdom because of her fate, and Daemon suffered beyond imagination because of his! Jaenelle went through the horrors of Briarwood as a direct result of who she was! The fates have not been very kind to us and . . .* he trailed of trying to find the courage to continue * And I would see no more suffering in my life.*
Saetan was aware his last statement came out more as a plea, but thankfully, Lorn took no notice. Regaining composure, he said * Tell me it's over. Tell me that the time of Witch is over.*
*Oh yes* Lorn remarked mildly *Witch's time has ended.*
Somehow that wasn't as reassuring as he had expected. Saetan knew the dragon was hiding something from him, something dark yet enormously important. He knew Lorn would tell him, if he asked, but he didn't. He convinced himself that he was imagining it, after all, there couldn't be anything after Witch and since that time was over there could no longer be any danger.
* Well that's all I wanted to know* the High Lord said preparing to leave.
Turning away, he heard Lorn say * The girl, however, needs protection. I will offer it to you, if you want it*
This caught him off guard, but he replied * Well, I believe being in the company of the strongest jeweled witches in warlords is protection enough from whatever might attack her, but I came here to get your advice, so I will accept whatever help you might give*
He walked forward, expecting it in the shape of a charm, token, or spell. He was expecting anything except Lorn's answer * I am sending it in the form of a kai' tori.*
The kai' tori were a race of dragons off the Fyreborn Islands. They were the smallest race, but fierce and loyal to those they sought fit to align themselves with.
*You can't possibly do this!* Saetan answered, stunned * To protect someone requires equal acceptance on both sides. A dragon, any dragon, is too independent and strong-willed to stand by the side of a witch. This is madness!*
*Until you breathe fire, Saetan Daemon SaDiablo, do not assume to know what a dragon will and will not do* Lorn reprimanded *Trust me, when I mention the assignment to the particular kai' tori I have in mind, it would be abuse to keep him away.*
Saetan stood speechless, unable to refute Lorn's reply, but unwilling to accept it as well. Finally he send a barely audible spear- thread *Very well. I expect we will see it soon then.*
Without another word, the High Lord of Hell left Lorn's chamber wondering how to tell Mrs. Beale that they would be entertaining the company of a dragon.