A little note, this story does make Quatre and Duo females. If you don't like that, please don't complain. I prefer it that way. Than you. Also you can read the books these came from. They are the Blending series: Convergence, Competitions, Challenges, Betrayals, and Prophecy by Sharon Green. I recommend them. Disclaimer in the first chapter.
Quatre Winner Spirit magic
"You will promise to send for me when you get established in the capitol, Quatre?" Eldra Sappin begged.
"You know I will, Eldra." Quatre replied. Her voice was like a warm caress and her smile could light up entire buildings. Quatre was not the best courtesan in Rincammon for nothing. "But it may take some time to get established."
Eldra quickly came to her defense, "Nonsense, even the people in the capitol had to have heard of you, they may be rich but they aren't stupid."
"Don't forget I have those horrible tests to take first. Hopefully I will fail. And I have to watch who I choose as patrons more carefully."
"An excellent idea. Too bad this decision couldn't have come sooner to help. Eldra, please leave, I need to say my own goodbyes to Quatre."
"Yes, Allestine." Eldra said before waggling her fingers at Quatre and leaving the room.
Quatre briefly examined Allestine. She was no longer young but she wasn't old either. Her face was unlined under her little bit of makeup. And her figure wasn't as good as it used to be but still beautiful. Her dark brown hair was completely in place. Yet it was obvious Allestine was no longer an active courtesan.
Allestine was wearing a lovely faun dress with tiny black embroidery. Quatre herself was wearing a modest traveling suit of burnt orange with a snow white blouse under the jacket. There were no full petticoats so as not to take up limited coach space. However, there was no coubt as to her station in life. Her platinum blond hair was put up for traveling, but her eyes sent the same message as they always did.
"I should have known and taken steps. And you should have warned me, but it is too late." Allestine said a little annoyed.
"What do I know of Aspects and magic? I still don't understand what happened or why I am going to Gan Garee." Quatre answered with a confused tone.
"There is a law that says that any Middle practitioner of all five aspects must go to Gan Garee to test for High. You qualify as a Middle in Spirit magic as that Guild man found out as soon as he entered your suite. I should have refused him the appointment."
"But I haven't tried to qualify for anything. How could he know when he didn't do anything that other men don't do?" Quatre pressed.
"He is a freak." Allestine said with disapproval. "I asked around. Most people have more or less talent in an aspect as mine in fire."
She pointed at the fireplace and a fire leapt up before she banished it again.
"Anyone with fire talent can do that. But the really talented can do a hundred times more as in any of the Aspects. A freak has a touch of all the aspects but can't use any. They can only tell when someone is using a talent and how strong they are. You are so popular with our patrons because you have a strong talent in Spirit magic.
"That is why they leave so satisfied, I would have considered body more important than spirit." Quatre said, brows high.
Allestine sighed. "You don't understand, I have heard it said no Blending is complete without the aspect of Spirit since it brings the other four together making them whole and smoothes the completion. The other aspects will fight for dominance and independence without Spirit, even when working together."
"So now we need to discuss how quickly you'll be back here. The law demands you go for testing. Once you are done with duty to the Empire, I'll expect you come straight back."
"You will need to explain that to Eldra." Quatre said with a laugh. "She expects me to stay there and set up my own place and send for her. She doesn't realize how much gold it would take. Rather than argue, I just agreed. Allestine,,, you don't think I will be gone long so long that my patrons forget me, do you? If that happened and I had to start all over… I could just cry!"
Allestine smiled, satisfied. "Don't worry, dear, the testing shouldn't take too long, your patrons will probably meet your coach when you get back."
Quatre stood and touched cheeks with Allestine in farewell, then Allestine left. Allestine had been her sponser for a while and wanted to benefit from that position until Quatre was too old to be off on her own. She'd be a fool to come back here and she was no fool.
Earlier she had made sure her gold was distributed around her clothes. They were gifts from her patrons. Allestine had tried to take them away but she complained and spent a tiny portion frivivously. Allestine made enough on the appointment that she didn't mind.
Leaving to start her own place would have been difficult but fate had stepped in. She had a reason to leave that Allestine couldn't argue against. Her gold would rent a house in the best district then what her patrons give would buy her a house.
Quatre called the serving man to take her trunk. She hated to leave behind the rest of her possessions, but her favorite things were going with her.
Downstairs everyone waited to say goodbye. Allestine wanted her to remember this place was her home and to miss everyone.
"Ladies, return to what you were doing." Allestine said as she clapped her hands. "Quatre has to leave to catch her coach."
Everyone drew back. Quatre left with a realistic air of regret and continuously looked behind her at Allestine.
"Allestine, aren't you coming to the coach depot to see me off?" She asked in a frightened voice.
"I have many things to attend to now so I can't, but I will be there when you get back."
"Oh good." Quatre pretended to hide the defeat and fear she produced for Allestine's benefit. "I'll see you then… you won't forget me… will you?"
Allestine smiled and waved the coach on and turned. Quatre kept the house in view until the turned a corner and she couldn't see the residence anymore. She kept her expression under tight control. She had to until she was away from Rincammon and Allestine's servants. There were two with her. They were called Ark and Bar. Quatre spent the ride pretending to be miserable. Ark and Bar were relaxed and ignoring her. They truly thought she would be back. Ark and Bar would stay with her until the coach had left after the Guild member had given her the ticket and 50 silver dins in coin.
Shouts and screams caught her attention. A giant fireball was headed straight at her! True fear wrapped itself around her. Ark and Bar got out of the way. She gathered her inner strength and threw it out making sure it spread as it went. When the leading edge of the fireball met the wall of strength she'd spread, it stopped dead. Every lick of flame that touched it was… gentled and quieted. Fire couldn't bear that state. Fire needs to rage and consume. As the edges of the fireball became something else, Quatre moved the wall forward and spread around the fire like a blanket. The fire turned to ash. She smoothed the furious raving until it flickered in hesitation, then completely died out.
An arm came around her shoulders suddenly and helped keep her on her feet. It urged her to a bench. It was the Guild man that helped her.
"What happened?" he demanded, gently. "The place looked like it had gone mad and you look as pale as a ghost."
"A ball of fire appeared out of nowhere, it came straight at me then at the last second something stopped it."
"Well, all that matters is that you are safe. And I believe I hear the coach coming." He said with a smile. "Here is your ticket and silver. I told the coach guards to watch over you."
"Thank you sir." Quatre put the silver in her purse. The coach was coming. In a matter of minutes she would be on her way without the company of Allestine's people to watch her. Soon she would be free…
…and she was willing to do anything she had to to keep it like that.
Just a little note, for those who don't know what a courtesan is, it is a prostitute in a fancier setting.
Also someone wanted to know why I chose to make Trowa the Earth magic. I believe the quiet serene nature of the earth and slow ponderous way things are done as well as the way they tend to think things through first suited Trowa's more quiet nature. Also, later on you will find out about the extra power an earth magic practitioner can come up with in a pinch fit Trowa's seeming ability to do almost anything and pull stuff out at a drop of a hat.
I chose Quatre for Spirit because of the Space Heart he has. Also, most Spirit magic people tend to be very caring and wanting to help others. I thought this fit him well.
Thanks.