Story 3. The Apprentice starts his way.
Gryvon had been right – he had to wait in order to become an Apprentice. And he was ready for this, waiting humbly or not so for the moment when people from the castle will come and he had to say goodbye to the village. But he wasn't ready for the length of his waiting. For the fact that he had to wait more than a year…
Gryvon had been thinking during that time he had to wait. He thought about the castle as he remembered it, magnificent and full of different secret knowledge. He tought about the highest tower which provided the sparks, about three Regents that discussed his future, about his own fate. And of course, he thought about the ginger beauty he saw just once, whose Apprentice he was going to be…
When the moment had come he wasn't ready. The moment just was there. The day wasn't gloomy and rainy, but calm and sunny. Gryvon was not nine but already ten, in any other matters the truth corresponded to the expectations.
Malie hugged him and kissed the crown of his head ("Mum, stop it, I'm not a child!"), Aaron hugged him and wished good luck, telling to behave and study properly ("Dad, I'm not a fool!"), the neighboring children stood a little further – boys and girls, his yesterday game and tricks companions. Gryvon was doing everything quickly but calmly and accurately, knowingly, savoring every moment and showing that he's not nervous at all. A person within an inch of becoming the Apprentice shouldn't behave like some stupid ragamuffin.
Ashka that came to take him to the castle was absolutely silent while he was saying goodbyes. She was sitting in the saddle and pretended to view the reins. Today the girl was not in a blue-white uniform but a black habit with beautiful shining powersuit and a short black cloak. Gryvon realized that there was an initiation during the last year. Now she was a Spellbinder.
And then they went to the castle slowly leaving Clayhill behind. While living there Gryvon had a chance to sit in the saddle and now he was as proud and pleased as it was possible in his situation.
"Will you stop dreaming and start watching the road?' – Ashka interrupted his idyll, - "A horse doesn't like a sleepy rider, it can bolt".
Gryvon, coming back at once, clutched the horse's sides with his feet and was nearly dropped down.
"My disaster, - Ashka mumbled through her teeth, - if you don't sleep riding and don't jerk like you've caught a fire bolt, we have a chance to reach the castle at night!"
She herself was sitting in the saddle with outrageous grace, holding the reins between her fingers and having her back absolutely straight. Her feet in high leather boots didn't clutch the horse's sides, but gave a light touch only when the road had a turn. The wind moved her black cloak folds, and her ginger braid seemed to laugh at him.
"Gryvon! – Ashka called him. - Are you waiting for the Marauders here or we do go to the castle?"
When they had finally reached the castle, Gryvon got another proof of the fact his social status was different from now on. Servants came to the riders, bowing.
"Leave the horse and follow me", - the girl said shortly, giving the reins to the tall fat guard in leather uniform.
Gryvon was led to the big beautiful room. During the last year he had already visited the castle for some times and now he wasn't afraid of the huge halls, stairs and long corridors. In the room high windows decorated with stained glass were opened, letting the cool wind in. The fire had already been started and cast the glimpses on wooden walls covered with exquisite carving. There was a bed near the wall, a dark-blue bedcover with Spellbinders symbol – two interwined snakes near the sun - was lying there. Next to the bed there were massive cabinets, also decorated with carving. There were a table and some chairs with high backs near the fireplace. Not so long ago Gryvon considered his house as a big one, but now he realized that this exact room can outshine all the advantages of his previous accommodation.
"This is where you will live, - Ashka showed at the room the boy observed, - there's a bathroom behind this door. If you need something you can call the servants or the guards".
"How should I do it?" – Gryvon asked immediately.
"It's very simple, you should just open the door, - Ashka answered calmly, - if there's nobody there, shout loudly. Now listen carefully, from this certain day you are my Apprentice. Your uniform is already here, in this cabinet, - she showed another small door near the bed he didn't notice at first, - keep in mind that everybody in the castle wears either the uniform, or some ceremonial clothes if it is a special occasion".
"I have it", - Gryvon nodded happily to the clothes his mum prepared.
Ashka wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Ceremonial clothes is something, for what our tailor is to take your measurement today. And THIS, - she indexed the boy's clothes, - is something I don't want to see on you ever again. Got it?"
Dumbfounded, Gryvon nodded.
"You make progress, - Ashka said, - I continue: here is your room, you will live and study here, in the castle. I am to teach you, and Regent Gareth whom you already know was so kind that agreed to help me sometimes. My room is in the other wing of the castle. You are free to visit me, ask questions if you need help. But Holly Regents, don't you dare burst there if you're sad, bored, afraid of the thunderstorm or had a nightmare. Then I won't answer for myself, understand?"
Shocked and nearly hiccupping, Gryvon licked his lips.
"I have nightmares very seldom, - he started slowly, - I'm not afraid of the thunderstorm and I will hardly be sad or bored, yes?"
Ginger Spellbinder looked at him with some interest.
"Not bad, Apprentice. Not bad at all. Well, the next point: everyone in this castle has a name, but you should keep them just in mind. You call me and the others "Spellbinder", nothing else. The Council of The Regents members also deserve the honorific according to their rank. You may address someone by a name only if the person has a lower rank or is equal to you. In this case I mean other Apprentices. Questions?"
"And what about the guards? – the boy asked. - The guards and the servants? I should know them too?"
A mocking smile touched Ashka's lips.
"Gryvon, servants are just servants, they are here for your convenience and wish fulfillment. You do them a too great honour with it. And you'd better not think about such silly things anymore, - she said almost tenderly, putting a hand on his shoulder, - remember, Apprentice, you're better than them".
Then she left, giving Gryvon a chance to change and get used to the new place. He turned in front of the big morror, looking at his reflection in lovely new uniform with a Spellbinders symbol. He was really happy with this sight, repeating mentally a tender phrase She said: "You're better than them".