The Legend of Ajira

Chapter 7: Mage-In-Training

Ajira walked inside Kark's yurt, which from the outside, looked very small, but as soon as she walked inside, it looked much larger. The small, cramped yurt looked as big as her parent's hut now, and Ajira felt sorely homesick looking at it. As for the sheer size of the seemingly tiny yurt, Ajira expected an Expansion Spell had been used. This surprised her, since he was about her age, and many mages-in-training did not start learning until later. What's more, an Expansion Spell was very powerful, and used a great deal of energy and magic to do it. "Welcome home," said Kark glumly, plopping down on a bed (an actual bed!) situated against the left wall of the room.

"Wow…" Ajira stammered, looking around. "So…Expansion Spell, eh?"

"How'd you know?"

"My mom, Estella Swhen, is a mage. I've picked up a few things."

"Estella Swhen? Wow, she's famous! I must say it's a pleasure to meet Estella's daughter…er, what was your name again?"

"Ajira," she giggled modestly. "I didn't know my mom was so well known."

"Are you kidding? She's taught in all the magic schools of the country! Estella is an icon to young mages like us."

"Wow," said Ajira again in awe. "You know, must of the mages-in-training my mom teaches don't start their apprenticeship till a much later age."

"Let's say…my master made an 'exception' for me. Thought I had real potential."

"That's amazing," said Ajira, absorbed in what Kark was saying. "What magic school do you go to?"

"I go to Kwyn's. The old Kwyn himself is my master. But, enough about me. You came in here to see if I could break your memory charm, is that right?"

"Yes, I suppose. You just told me to follow you."

"Ah, that's right. Anyway, let's get down to business. Please take a seat on the floor in front of me, Ajira, and clear your mind…"

Ajira knew why he was doing this. She had seen her mom do it before with all of her students. The subject's mind had to be clear for any type of magic to work.

Slowly, Ajira's mind emptied of all thoughts, though it took a few minutes. Clearing her mind was not one of her greatest gifts.

"Ok, I'm ready," she mumbled softly.

"All right," said Kark in the same low tone. "Tell me…what is the last thing you remember before you woke up this morning?"

Ajira took a deep breath, let it out. "I was at my parent's hut, on the edge of the Ashlands. We were about to have dinner. Darq, my father, came in with a dead guar he had killed in his hunting. Naturally, Estella was offended, because she does not believe in killing anything and she refused to eat it. They were arguing and I walked outside to get some air, and to get away form all that screaming."

"I see," said Kark thoughtfully. "Go on."

"Well, I heard everything go silent inside and I didn't know what was going on. I went in to see what was happening and there were these two huge dark elves standing there. They had bound and gagged my parents and they were about to set our house on fire. I tried to scream out…" Ajira stopped, wiped a tear from her cheek. "That's the last I can remember."

"Interesting," said Kark. "Sounds just like what happened to me. My house was ambushed and I was knocked out by a huge dark elf."

"You're right."

"Ok now, stand up. I'm going to try to break the spell. You have to keep your mind clear."

Ajira stood up, a little shakily, and doubted whether Kark could break the spell or not. She had just met him; he was a stranger. How could she trust him with something like this? But her instinct told her it was the right thing to do, so she stood up, took a deep breath and smiled.

Kark waved his hands in a circular motion, and chanted:

Elethi arm osi ah

Meli sootha nosi nah

Bwyn ga ovyn arla ut

Haeman hasa murli noot!

Ajira felt something like a cold rain wash over her, drenching her whole being. She gasped, as it felt like tiny little fingers were clawing at her mind. Suddenly, it all stopped, she could see again.

She knew where she was. She was in Zainab Ashlander Camp, and the boy standing in front of her was Kark. Her name was Ajira, and her parents were Estella and Darq Swhen. Ajira raised her hands to the sky in thanks. She laughed.

Ajira was finally free.