Part Two
Five minutes later, I was waiting for my master by the Transport, as instructed. A few moments after my arrival, I heard hushed whispers and quiet footsteps making their way down the staircase leading into the room. I was quick to dive behind one of the stone columns surrounding the mysterious artefact - I knew that Hartia's planned trip would probably not be smiled upon by the Elders, if they found out. And if I got caught down here... bad student equals bad teacher.
As the two cloaked figures reached the bottom of the staircase, they removed their hoods; exposing shoulder-length red locks, and cropped emerald hair. I breathed a sigh of relief. I should have known Hartia wouldn't have gone anywhere without Lai! The green-haired seer didn't seem impressed with the idea and the more I studied them, the more I realised that he wasn't here as Hartia's companion - he was here to tell him off.
"Can't you lighten up? It's White Day tomorrow!"
"I'm sick of having to cover for you!" Lai hissed back. "I'd hoped that once they promoted you, you'd settle down... but you're just as irresponsible as ever. I'm reporting you to the Elders this time - it's the only way you'll learn."
"Lai!" I saw Hartia grab for the shorter man's robe as he began to storm toward my hiding spot. "Lai, please! I'm only trying to help him."
"Help?! Hartia, every time you try to help someone, it explodes in your face. I'll take care of the boy if you just promise me you'll stop meddling in things which have nothing to do with you - isn't that right, Majic?"
He's psychic... I keep forgetting that. It's not something you can get used to quickly. I never know what to say or even think around him, but he's probably already aware of that.
"It's my fault." I confess, slipping from the shadows. "Please don't blame my master... he was only doing it because I begged him to. If you want, have me expelled, but please don't punish him!"
He's been through enough already. That, and I wouldn't mind being expelled. Sure, I'd miss Hartia and Eris, and my dad would never quit nagging me about it; but Orphen and Cleao were on the other side of that stone wall... somewhere...
"Majic..." Hartia sounded exhausted as he sighed my name. I get the impression he'd been bickering with Lai the entire trip down here. Honestly, they're like an old married couple sometimes!
The seer gave me a strange, semi-amused frown... I guess he 'heard' my analogy. I return a weak smile to him. I'm sorry, Lai.
My master turned to his companion. "I'm going whether you like it or not - it is my duty as his friend. Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same for me."
Wow! Hartia really knew how to play him!
"I can't stop you, can I?" Lai's shoulders slumped in submission as he handed over a small piece of folded parchment - which my master quickly concealed. "Just be careful."
"You know we will be." Hartia assured him, stepping onto the Transport and gesturing for me to join him. And with a wave of his hand, we were gone.
Hartia was right - all the shopkeepers were closing their doors for the evening. Working my father's odd hours really warped my sense of what time a store should be open.
I couldn't help sighing in disappointment. I didn't want to upset Eris. Yes, I'd forgotten about White Day, but she need never know that. And now, my brilliant, last minute plan was going to fail!
"What are you waiting for?"
I hadn't noticed Hartia had transported us to the doorstep of a shop - a shop full of glittering trinkets and exotic perfumes. The kind of place that screams 'Spend your entire fortune here and your girlfriend will love you!' It was perfect!
My father had sent me a small amount of money for Christmas, of which, having spent the three months since then confined within the perimeter of the Tower, I had not spent a single coin. Perhaps I'd have enough for two presents? One for Eris, and one for... well, Hartia?!
I laughed out loud at myself. Two presents?! What was I - some sort of player? Besides, I'd never known a guy to give another guy a present on White Day. Hartia would probably laugh at me, too. And that... I wouldn't be able to bear.
The idea to get him something remained though as I looked over all the girlie jewellery on display. And the more I thought about it, the less silly it became. I mean, what's wrong with showing him that I appreciate what he's trying to do for me? He's never been anything but kind and supportive (even if he didn't want to be), despite my many shortcomings... and, those weird fantasies aside, I really care about him.
"Majic... you can't afford any of these things." He suddenly informed me in a strangely tight voice, like he was choking on his words.
I looked at the price tag of the nearest object, noting it wasn't expensive at all. "Sure I can."
"Majic, you're not paying attention. I didn't bring you here to buy a gaudy piece of junk... I brought you here so you could run."
It didn't make sense. "What?"
"Lai isn't upset with me for taking you on a shopping spree; he's upset because he knows I'm helping you escape. I know you want to go back to Krylancelo... and neither the Tower, nor I, should hold you back." He handed me the folded piece of parchment that he had placed in his pocket earlier. "I had Lai divine his location for you. Go... I'll forward your things on to you, and I will make sure Eris is well taken care of."
"Master...?"
"Majic, don't. You know as well as I that I've never been, and never will be, your master."
"Master?" I wanted to throw my arms around him and tell him how much I loved him for risking so much for me; but I'd never abandon him, if he truly wanted me to stay. However, all I managed to muster was, "I have to find something for Eris."
I couldn't do it. It's just like my choking during spell casting.
Everything here looked more suited to Cleao's genteel taste, so with her in mind, I made a hasty choice - picking a silver hairpin with a sparkling sunflower on it. Eris has short hair, as is the rule for all students at the Tower, but I think it will look very nice on her. Now something for Hartia...
He really didn't need any jewellery, as such, what with the necklace and pin he already wore as...
part...
of...
his...
uniform...
And I'm staring at him!
He's standing by the doorway, too deep in thought to notice me leering like some obsessed schoolgirl. There were a couple of female students at the Tower who would giggle behind his back, swooning and sighing over how attractive he was.
"I wish my master was that hot. Majic, you are so lucky!" They would say - and I was now inclined to agree.
I can't help it, he looks so... so sexy in those robes! Sexy?! I can't believe I just thought that about my master!
"What is it, Majic?" He raised an eyebrow. "I'll make sure Eris gets her present, if that's what you're worried about."
"Master, that's very kind of you, but..."
But... I'm not going to leave you like this. Yes, I want to leave, but it will be when I choose - when I know you're happy. Nice words, but I couldn't bring myself to say them.
"...I'd like to give Eris her present personally."
He gave me a grim smile... it's another version of that look. He smiles an awful lot for someone who is obviously unhappy.
"Are you sure? Lai is really pissed off... I don't know if he'll let me pull another stunt like this any time soon."
"Thank you, but I'm sure."
"Shall we head back, then?"
"Master, aren't you going to buy anything?"
The sarcasm in his single chuckle made my heart flutter. Before he'd even started to answer with words, I already knew what he was going to say.
"Who would I buy it for?"
"Why not Lai?" The stupidest question in the history of the universe was out of my mouth before I could stop it.
"Lai?!" I couldn't tell if he was insulted or amused. His lips stretched into a sort of lop-sided grimace of disbelief... or it might have been disgust. "Are you serious? Do you know what his girlfriend would do to me?"
I didn't know Lai even had a girlfriend. I'd never seen her. The only person I ever see him with is Hartia - and I told Hartia just that.
"She exists on an alternate astral plane... he visits her during his meditation. But that doesn't mean she couldn't come to me in my sleep if I dared make a move on her man."
Of course... why didn't I think of that?
"Here, let me show you something..."
Hartia and I had returned to the Tower with no incident. I fully expected Lai to be waiting by the Transport, ready to let us have it; but the room was empty. Before I'd even re-adjusted to my surroundings (Hartia assures me I'll get used to teleportation eventually), I was being dragged up the stairs and out into the nearest courtyard.
"What is it, Master?"
I drew a breath to protest as he took a spell casting position. I was having a hard enough time remembering how to do the Hand of Pyro from this afternoon! He murmured a couple of words and the most beautiful spell I've ever seen shot out of his palm. When I say shot, I mean more like a gentle flow... it was one of the most delicate spells I'd ever seen, too, save some healing ones.
Pink and red sparkles shimmered and wafted on the cool night air, lighting up the darkness before dispersing and fading into nothing in a matter of seconds. Some of them touched me, and I felt sort of fluttery inside... like everything around me was some amazing dream. When I looked at Hartia, my heart skipped a beat.
I know I had the most idiotic grin plastered on my face, but I couldn't help it. I felt loved... I felt completely in love!
"Do you like it?" Hartia asked once all traces of his spell had vanished.
"Master, it's... it's beautiful."
"I've been trying to perfect it for a while. Child-" He stammered for a moment. "Childman was working on it for Azalie before he..."
He trailed off sadly, and I didn't need nor expect him to finish the sentence.
"What is it for?" Nice recovery, Majic!
"It's a simple enchantment. I know Eris would love it if you cast it on her gift... every time she even so much as glances at it, she'll feel how much you care for her." He bowed his head and gave a bitter chuckle. "It's so stupid... but I know how much I'd like it if someone did that for me."
"I don't think it's stupid at all." I assured him. In fact, I thought it was one of the most romantic things I'd ever heard. "But I can't do anything like that, Master... I'm not good enough."
He always ignores me when I say things like that. I may as well have said 'Yeah, Master! Please show me how it's done!' for the answer I always got.
So when I finally sank into bed, my head was spinning with mixed-up incantations. I didn't want to attempt casting the enchantment on Eris' hairpin for fear of melting it, or blowing it up. Besides, I had other important things to think about...
Perhaps it was a dumb plan... giving another guy a present on White Day?! Who does that? No one! By Hartia's reaction back in the village, he hadn't even entertained the thought of buying something for anyone. He'd laugh at me for sure!
...And then I'd fail my test.
I roll over yet again, twisting my blankets around myself even more. Tomorrow is going to be bad... very, very bad.
The sound of a distant wolfen howl erupts from the silence, stirring me from my thoughts and bringing tears to my eyes. Oh, Orphen... Cleao... You have no idea how much I miss you both! But right now, I have to look after Hartia. I know you would do the same if you could see how much he's sacrificing for me, despite how much he's hurting inside.
Looking over at Eris' hairpin for some sort of comfort, as it glittered in the moonlight on my side table, I received none. Knowing my luck, Eris would probably hate it.
I didn't want to close my eyes. If I did, I'd fall asleep, and when I opened them again, it would be tomorrow... which could well be the worst day of my life.
