((words))- dialogue over a mental link

CHAPTER 4: FAMILY MATTERS

Opening the package upon reaching his cabin, Mahado was not surprised to find a magician's rod within. Yellow gold at the rounded base with a tightly curled tip; the length- blue with rings wrapped near each end- made for a well balanced rod, one that was without the traditional power gems embedded into it. Not that it needed any. It still vibrated with the power that had forged it.

From what he had learned of Tai'ree's style of spell casting during the trip, this would fit her perfectly.

Mahado carefully rewrapped the rod, deciding it would be best to hand it over to the Queen's Valkyria until Tai'ree's status was resolved.

Settling his back against the wall the bed was pushed against, he breathed deep, letting his thoughts clear before opening his mind to contact Ciorstag. After a few moments his mind easily touched that of the mystical elf.

((It took Mathod longer to reach you than I had expected.)) Ciorstag said softly into his mind.

((I seemed to have led him on a bit of a chase.)) Mahado replied through the link in amusement.

Ciorstag laughed. ((I'm sure he was heartbroken at having to spend so much time within Alcalsar. Goddess forbid a Bard as young as him should have such an adventure.))

Mahado smiled, knowing from the look he had seen on Mathod's face that he had indeed found the chase a grand adventure but his mood grew serious as he felt her thoughts turn to her message. ((How bad is it?)) he asked

((Bad enough)) she answered. ((I sensed an almost panicked edge within the message. What little I could receive clearly stated that the darkness that will bring the end of all is coming and the dragons must be freed.))

((What little you could receive clearly?)) Mahado asked.

((Yes. There was something out there blocking the message.)) She paused and Mahado could sense her searching for words.

((Ciorstag?))

She sighed and said, ((It laughed. Whatever it was laughed.)) To Mahado she actually sounded annoyed. It was an emotion he rarely heard from her anymore. He felt her mentally shake her thoughts before she continued. ((The crafting of the rod that I sent was also in the message. It does not have the feel of a Tuathan device. I thought you may have a chance at finding the one to which it belongs.))

She paused, apparently sensing the shift in his own thoughts as he considered the message. ((You believe the same as Gaighdon then- that the message refers to the Leviathan and not Zork Nechrophades.))

((Yes. The Pharaoh still has the Dark God under control.)) he said.

((Can you be certain?))

Pulling up the memory of his encounter within the Shadow Realm for Ciorstag to see, Mahado answered, ((As certain as I can be. There is something more. I have discovered that the ky of Alcalsar is able to tap into the ancient powers. She also dreams of dragons. Three dragons.))

((The God Monsters?))

((As far as I can tell, no.)) Mahado said carefully. ((The colors she used to identify them are not the same))

((Dream colors can be subjective, Mahado.)) Ciorstag argued gently.

((I know, but I do not believe that is the case here.)) He sighed, a little frustrated with the feeling there was an important truth lying just beyond his grasp. ((I will be meeting with her father concerning taking her on as a student. Maybe there are things to be found within her dreams.))

((Perhaps she received the parts of the message I was unable to.)) Ciorstag said thoughtfully.

Before he could respond a change in ship's momentum brought Mahado's mind lifting back into awareness with his surroundings. Ciorstag' voice drifted up the link to say firmly, ((Go, you have given me much to consider. When you have some freedom I will be here.))

((As soon as I am able.)) he answered as he broke the link. Standing he felt the ship's forward momentum slow; the familiar tingle of magic shivering across his senses as a dock magician caught hold of the ship to guide it into position at the royal pier.

Mahado quickly changed into the formal robes of the Dark Magician but left most of the ceremonial armor for later. Not that the armor was heavy but he was hoping to get an honest feel for the two who had managed to convince the King to allow Tai'ree several months at the Library. That could not have been easy considering Tai'ree was second heir to the throne. Her value was almost as great as that of her older brother, the future King. Dressing as the DarkMagician would simply raise the guard of the King's Sorcerer and the Queen's Valkyria.

He picked up his wand and the package containing the rod and left to find Tai'ree

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Reaching the deck he glanced out to the pier the Waverunner approached. He was surprised by the sight of several Hayabusa soldiers near the entrance of the Waverunner's pier; their hawk features and muscular grey and purple feathered forms as distinctive as the short golden armor that left their arms free to wield their infamous curved swords. It was rare to see any outside the borders of Calteasart, rarer still to see them on an Alcalsarian royal dock. Making his way over to Tai'ree, he wondered at their presence until he heard Tai'ree's low exclamation, "Oh, he's there!"

"Who?" Mahado asked as he stepped to her side.

Jumping slightly she answered automatically, "Fanesdani so-ky Calteasart."

"Ah that would explain the Hayabusa soldiers on the dock." Mahado said.

Tai'ree leaned over the rail and looked down in surprise.

Raising an eyebrow, Mahado said, "You need to work on your awareness of your surroundings, ky." Mahado scanned the group on the dock and caught sight of a young dark haired man standing slightly behind the group of armed soldiers surrounding what could only be one of Tai'ree's kin. He appeared slightly embarrassed by something but smiled easily enough at a comment directed his way.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see Tai'ree chewing absently on her bottom lip. Turning toward her he asked, "Is there a reason he would be here?" He had an idea; Tai'ree was the first female Alcalsarian ky in several generations and her father would be looking to form the strongest alliance he could with her marriage. And marriage to the Calteasartian heir would definitely qualify. But he did wonder why the so-ky would meet Tai'ree at the docks instead of under more formal conditions.

This was not how such negotiations went in his experience.

"I'm sure it's to speak to me." With a sigh, Tai'ree turned to face Mahado and said;" It most likely means our fathers are close to an agreement" She looked back down to the dock and the figures standing there. "My father hopes I will be married to the Calteasartian so'ky by the end of next year."

"Is it not what you wish?"

She leaned against the railing as she answered. "Yes, it is. I enjoy Fanesdani's company and would happily marry him. But if I do I would be unable to train to become a magician and I'm beginning to feel my destiny is tied up in the magic I can wield, not in becoming a queen of a powerful empire."

Cautious, for he sensed that her answer would decide if he would teach her without her father's permission, Mahado asked, "But as queen of Calteasart and ky of Alcalsar you could effect great change in the world. How could becoming a magician be a greater destiny?"

She shook her head in confusion. "I don't know…" Her voice trailed off as she considered her next words. "I haven't been able to figure out why I feel this way. But I trust my feeling in this."

Sensing a trill of power from the rod in his pack Mahado asked, "Is that why you wished to go to the Library to find a teacher? To follow this feeling?"

Tai'ree winced in what appeared to be embarrassment, "Actually it was Mayen and Tayr who made me go. I have shown an ability to wield magic for several years now but they did not believe it was correct for them to train me." Mahado smiled to himself. He had a good idea why the royal magic users would have sent her to the Magical Library. He had discovered during the trip to the Capital that she was Mana's double in more ways than one. Tai'ree shook her head again. "No, this drive for something more only happened in the last two months." She glanced back down at the pier and said with a sigh, "I think it might be best though for me to forget about my magic though."

"I have no issue with you marrying." Mahado stated.

Tai'ree looked at him and said patiently, as if she was pointing out the obvious, "If I marry, I cannot study to be magician. I will be too busy learning how to run a kingdom."

With a slight shake of his head, Mahado answered, "I never understood the custom here of a magician not marrying. And you certainly have the ability to learn both at the same time. It won't be the first time I've had one of royalty as a student." As she stood and stared at him in open amazement, Mahado turned and started for the walkway that would lead down to the dock saying, "We should get ready to disembark. It would not be polite to leave them waiting."

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Following behind Tai'ree as they reached the ramp leading down to the pier, Mahado watched as she attempted to slip into a more formal stance. She stood straight, waiting for her moment to walk down to the pier, her entire focus now on the group waiting for her at the bottom of the walkway; though she still managed to bounce up and down as if she was simply unable to stay still.

Her honor guard led the way from the ship, fanning out at the bottom of the walkway. A young man, blond hair as thick as Tai'ree though straight and cut short, stepped forward to greet her as she stepped down onto the pier.

"Welcome home, little sister." he said with a straight face before breaking into a huge grin.

"Arree'ha!" Tai'ree exclaimed, all signs of formality thrown away as her brother swept her up into his arms to twirl her once around. Mahado stepped around the guards toward the Calteasartian heir as brother and sister exchanged greetings.

The heir to the throne of the Calteasart Empire looked about the same age as Tai'ree and Mahado could instantly see the youth was still at the point where the weight of his responsibilities had yet to affect him.

Nodding to Mahado, the so'ky of Calteasart extended his hand in greeting. "Welcome Dark Magician. I am Fanesdani of Calteasart." He glanced at Tai'ree and said, apologetically, "I apologize for the difficulties I am causing you and the ky."

Uncertain as to the so'ky's meaning Mahado said, "I am unaware of any difficulties so'ky. And you are welcome to call me Mahado."

Looking a little more embarrassed than he had previously, Fanesdani explained, "I was unaware Tai'ree had left for the Library to search for a teacher when my father sent me to finalize the marriage contract." He frowned, dark eyes slipping away from Mahado's gaze before stating, "I could not delay the negotiations until she returned."

That explained his hesitation. "Have the ceremony dates been set?" Mahado asked.

The so'ky shook his head glancing again toward Tai'ree with a worried look. "Next spring is when I would expect them to be."

Mahado smiled at the tense young man. "As I have told the ky, I have no objections to her being married as I train her." He paused a moment, amused as the so'ky's expression sifted from nervousness to surprise before adding, "However, it would be best if the wedding could be delayed until later in the year. I have a commitment I need to honor and I do not believe I could return the ky to either city in time for a spring ceremony."

Before he could answer Tai'ree moved away from her brother to bow before the so'ky. "I am glad to see you again, so'ky. I hope your wait was agreeable."

Fanesdani nodded and said, "Thank you ky." Gesturing to Mahado, the so'ky asked, "Mahado mentioned you will be traveling again in the near future. Where will you be going?"

Caught off guard yet again, Tai'ree looked at Mahado. "What?"

"I am heading for the Summer Lands which means you will as well." Mahado said.

Tai'ree stared at both of them. "I am?" she managed to say with a bit of wonder.

Tai'ree's brother stepped to her side, a cautious look on his face as he glanced once at his sister before saying, "I believe the King will have an objection with that. With the marriage already announced I doubt the King will allow Tai'ree to travel at this time as an apprentice."

"He didn't say that, did he?" she asked her brother before turning to stare at the Calteasartian so'ky. "Wait, marriage announcement?" Tai'ree exclaimed, her voice rising as she turned back to Arree'ha. "How could there be a marriage announcement without me knowing about it!"

Arree'ha lifted his hands up to make a calming gesture at his sister. "Tai'ree…"

Stopping Fanesdani from stepping between the two siblings, Mahado reached out to catch the arm Tai'ree had begun to wave irritably before she unintentionally did cause harm to her brother. He could feel the power of the rod answering Tai'ree's unconscious call of magic as she tried to voice her sudden frustration. Speaking in a calm voice he said, "From what the Door Warden told me your father gave his word to meet with any who wished to teach you. He cannot go back on that word." He dropped his hand when he felt her relax slightly, the tingle of magic dropping down to a muted hum.

Caught off guard by Mahado's actions, the Calteasartian so'ky was the first to recover his voice. "He is correct, Tai'ree." Fanesdani said then grinned. "Besides, I should have some say in this. Considering what you did to the fountain at the palace a few years ago…"

"That's right. You had water everywhere." Arree'ha laughed, relief evident in his expression as he threw his arm around his frowning sister to give her a quick hug. Dropping his arm he turned to Mahado and said, "Forgive my manners, Dark Magician. I did not mean to ignore you but it has been almost a year since Tai'ree and I have seen one another." Holding his hands out to his side as he bowed he said, "I am Arree'ha so'ky. Welcome to the royal city of Alcalsar. May you find peace and comfort here." Leaning toward Mahado with a mischievous glance at his sister he added, "Although with Tai'ree around, you may find peace to be a rarity."

Making a face at her brother Tai'ree said sarcastically, "Oh, I am so glad I came home."