Chapter 2

The ward that never was

            A few minutes passed and Darrin was thankful for a moment's peace to catch his breath.  Thinking an explanation of what happened to Clanker as he let the cool air of the room calm his nerves.

            The hooded instructor walked back in this time accompanied by a lady Darrin recognized as the Headmistress of the school.  She wasn't old but looked wizened nonetheless.  Unlike the monotone instructor she was not in a hood and full cloak.  She walked up to Darrin and scooped him to his feet quite easily for what her frame should've allowed.

            "Are you all right young man?" She asked plainly, releasing her grip.

            "I think so" managed Darrin "What happened in…."

            He trailed off as he noticed her attention wander from his well being to the seal on the floor which was still glowing in some places.  Even a faint flicker remained on the scorched and broken section.

            "Well, who did you challenge?" Headmistress Saowynn asked.

            "…myself" Darrin answered, more than a little confused about how she could've known.

            "Are you sure you didn't challenge terror young one?"

Darrin paused, he had thought to, though he couldn't say why.  However he was sure he had not given voice to this request.

            "Yes" He replied.

            "Very well then, Weirden ward for you, follow me." And she began toward the exit, Darrin struggling to keep up as if his legs were still under the belief that the floor was moving.

            "But ma'am" he stammered "Ethis Ward…"

            Saowynn turned sharply on her heel, with a look of shock on her face, quickly reining it in to determination.

            "Listen carefully young man, Ethis ward never existed, whatever you heard or saw in there is never to be discussed with anyone! Especially that name! Understand?"

            "Yes but…"

            Saowynn knelt down before Darrin to look him in the eye "Don't worry about what happened, it was outside of your doing and is certainly not your fault! Now come along you have unpacking to tend to before the welcome feast." She paused before standing back up to smile at him.

            Darrin was certainly still confused and at a loss for explanation but somehow he felt much better.  The thought of that smile seemed to warm him, almost as much as looking into the first pair of purple eyes he had ever seen.

A/N At the request of several readers I decided to fill in a little back story for Darrin's adventure in The False Mage.  What's that? You say purple is a strange color for eyes? Well don't worry its not going to come up again or anything… ;-)  F.Y.I. That's Chadwick losing his lunch. BWA HA HA!!!