“Easy boy, easy I promise this won’t hurt a bit.”
Geoff, Jeremy, Patrick and Joseph Dodd watched as Marcus took on a stallion that had arrived sixteen days ago. The buck had been slashed in his hindquarters, his ribs had been showing and his eyes rolled around in his head every time any one got near him. Except for Marcus and Patrick, the moment the horse had arrived, the rest of the staff had run inside screaming. Marcus had remained in the yard, holding up his hands and walking towards an empty stall in the barn. The horse had followed calmly. Once inside however, Marcus had been unable to go near him. Patrick, on the other hand, had been allowed to get closer than anyone else and had been the only one to feed him.
Marcus had tried everything for the stallion to allow him in the stall with him, but each time he ran for cover or chance being killed. After the third time, Geoff had forbidden Marcus to go into the stall without help.
“I don’t really get it.” Marcus had said watching the animal.
“Get what?” Geoff had asked, stopping as he had begun to walk away.
“Why he won’t let me in? He followed me in here just fine. And he lets Patrick close to him all the time.”
“Injured animals are funny that way. Give him a few days; let him get to know you. Then try it again when someone else is around.”
Following that advice, Marcus had included the beast as part of his chores when he helped Mr. Dodd, Jeremy, and Patrick with the stables. Just that morning, the beast had stepped back from the stall door, allowing Marcus to open it and step inside. Jeremy had rushed to get Geoff and Mr. Dodd while Patrick stayed, watching the horse suspiciously. The two weeks had fattened the horse up and had given it a sense of security around people once again. Unfortunately, it had tried to take a bite out of Patrick the other morning leaving the boy wary of anyone going around the animal.
Now, Geoff watched as Marcus stood next to the horse slowly running his hands down the beast’s side until he reached the spot he needed to heal. Marcus kept his eyes on the horse’s head watching for any indication the male wanted him nowhere near the injury. When there came no reaction, Marcus let out a breath.
“You’re much easier to deal with than Gem,” Marcus told him softly. “Maybe this will take me less time to fix as well.”
Slowly, Marcus right hand slid over the wound following the same path his left had taken. When the animal still did not budge, Marcus closed his eyes and began. It made things easier that the horse stood instead of lying on its good side, but he did not look as bad as Gemini had either.
As he worked, Marcus continued to feel for the body movements the horse gave in case he stretched his power too far or too fast for the animal to withstand. It took an hour to heal the inside lacerations and tears and as Marcus moved to heal the outer scars, the horse moved. Marcus backed up quickly unsure whether to continue or scramble out of hoof reach. He looked over towards the others wondering if they could calm the beast so that he could finish.
Geoff shook his head, “I don’t think he wants the outside healed by you. Nature will heal that part of the wound without infection.”
Marcus nodded, hopping over the low stall wall and landing in the empty stall beside it. He joined the others at the gate, watching the animal go after Patrick’s hair. Patrick swatted the beast’s nose trying to get it off, but the horse came back attacking the same area of hair each time. Marcus tried to stifle his laughter knowing it would probably irritate him, but Jeremy had no chance at controlling it.
“Pat, he likes you!” Jeremy burst out laughing, unable to stop himself even for his friend.
Patrick stood frozen as the beast went for his hair again. He looked at Jeremy on the ground, then over at the beast, then back to Jeremy. “The beast has been trying to take a chunk out of me all morning and you think he likes me?”
Jeremy could only nod as tears rolled down his face. Joseph spared only a glance for Jeremy before ordering Patrick to take the horse out into the yard. “If he likes you, you’ll be the only one able to exercise him.”
Patrick nodded, glaring at Jeremy while he went around Geoff and Marcus to reach the stall door and pull it open. Without glancing back, Patrick walked from the barn, the animal following right behind him. Watching this sent Jeremy into another fit of laughter. Growling, Joseph got the boy off the ground and sent him to work doing the other chores by himself. He nodded to Geoff as he followed Jeremy from the barn making sure the boy didn’t disgrace himself with another bought of laughter in the middle of the courtyard. Geoff waited until all three were clear of the barn before turning to Marcus.
“You’ve used that spell before you came here.”
Marcus nodded.
“Why?”
“I had need of it and it just happened.”
“Explain what happened.”
Marcus moved away from him towards the other animals still with them, absently his right hand dragged through his hair as he tried to remember exactly what had happened. Geoff followed, not wanting to miss anything that would help him understand the boy’s reluctance.
“There was this kid, younger than me, in a group I had been staying with while not in my previous master’s company. He had brought together an assortment of street urchins from the city and had left them to fend for themselves for the most part.
“The kid had been hurt in a street fight over some food or something and had come back to the hideout almost dead. There had been no time to rush him to a hospital; he would have died on the way.”
“So you healed him?”
“I know I’m not supposed to, but I couldn’t just let him die.”
Geoff’s eyebrow rose, “Not supposed to?”
“My master didn’t want me doing anything to aide this group. Even though he left me with them, I wasn’t supposed to go near them ever. When this boy lay there in the center room, dying, I didn’t stop to think about what would happen. I somehow knew I could help him.”
“Did you also know to block it from being detected?”
Marcus turned to face him, “Do what?”
“Both times you’ve healed that I have been aware of, you cannot be detected. If I hadn’t been here for this second time I would not have believed it possible.”
“I swear I don’t know how I’m blocking it. I’ll try not to next time.”
Hearing the tremor in his voice, Geoff shook his head. “Marcus, I’m amazed, not angry. You were trained to keep your power secret. I have noticed that from the beginning. Finish your explanation, how did your master never find out about it?” Geoff wondered when Marcus would finally tell him who the man was.
“Well, he did find out, but not for some time. By the time he did, the kid had moved out of his reach. See, while I had been kneeling beside the kid I had been praying that my master would not be able to detect what I was doing and kill the boy because of me.”
“Why would he kill him?”
“Anyone I grew attached to or aided in any way was a weakness he didn’t want me to have so he got rid of them as soon as he found out.”
Marcus turned back to the animals unsure of how to continue. Geoff realized the boy had been protecting other people his entire life, never thinking of the consequences to himself. Yet, no one had given him the same assistance. He had been alone, depending on himself to get through. The boy had strength he hid from the world, shielding himself from people like Max.
“Have you protected others by taking their punishment for them?”
Marcus nodded. “There have been many people that would be dead now if I had not distracted my master with some spell or other. He thought that my abnormality should only be shown within his presence and no one else’s.”
“Abnormality?”
Marcus turned back around spreading his arms, “I guess here it wouldn’t be so strange. But, where I’m from no one else can do what I do, even if I don’t know exactly what it is I do. The only exception is…”
“Is who Marcus?” Twice now, the boy hinted that someone else had been with him. Yet, he would not bring that other person up. Geoff had suspicions, but no clear idea just yet.
“Is hopefully out of his reach by now.”
“And if not?”
“I would know.”
Before Geoff could ask another question, Marcus tensed. “I’m sorry!”
Geoff watched him for a few moments, recognizing it as a ploy to keep his mind from this mysterious person. “For what?”
Marcus took a deep breath, “For keeping us here longer than you had wanted to be. As an apprentice I should not be causing you these problems.”
“This is all new to you; I do not expect you to be perfect.”
“You don’t understand.”
Geoff raised his eyebrows, “What don’t I understand now?”
Marcus backed up, “I’m sorry, but you don’t get it. I rejected everything you have willing given to me. I questioned your judgment in choosing me as your apprentice in front of Jeremy and Patrick and I…I haven’t respected you as a teacher. I haven’t given you my trust and I owe you a lot for everything you’ve done for me.”
Geoff watched Marcus’ face pale and the crystal green take over his eyes. “So I was the one they were defending against. That would explain why they looked ready to strike. I had given both a new chance by rescuing them from another group similar to the one that you had been a part of. Anything they think of as a slight would cause them to pounce. I‘ll have to inform Joseph of their honor.”
Geoff felt Marcus staring at him as he started to walk towards the doors. He could feel the confusion rolling off the boy. “Wait a minute. Is that it?”
Geoff turned around, “Is what it?”
“I basically discredit you in front of people who know you and you don’t care?”
“Oh I care, do not mistake that, but you were right.”
Marcus blinked, “I was?”
“To become my apprentice you will have to trust me. After everything you have shared with me so far, I know you have had no luck with teachers. Rejecting everything I have to offer would be normal, especially since I have given you the choice of either accepting or rejecting. I do not expect your loyalty immediately, I would have been very skeptical if you had. And to question is being a part of an apprentice, even the question of whether the teacher did not make some sort of mistake.”
Geoff continued towards the door, “Just remember not to do that at any other place on the rest of the journey. I do not want to walk into a room one day and find you dead on some floor because you shared your doubts about me with the wrong person.”
He made it halfway across the courtyard before footsteps thundered towards him. Geoff turned, catching Marcus by the shoulders before both of them crashed to the ground. When the boy had regained his balance, Geoff let him go waiting for him to catch his breath.
“Is there something you want to tell me?”
Marcus nodded, trying to breath, “I didn’t mean any of it.”
“Any of what?”
“What I had told Patrick and Jeremy. I hadn’t meant any of it. I just… I didn’t know what else to do, they were bent on fighting me for something I didn’t understand and the only way to get them from swinging was to keep them talking.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
Marcus straightened finally breathing freely, “Because you deserve the truth. You’ve done a lot more for me than anyone else I have ever met. I want you to know if the situation between me and the other two had been reversed, I would have been just as angry.”
“Thank you Marcus, for letting me know. Go find Jeremy and Patrick and have them help you get the horses ready.”
“We’re leaving?”
Geoff nodded, “You told me the truth. I believe we have spent enough time here imposing on them. Go, before I change my mind.”
Marcus nodded, running the moment Geoff released him. Geoff watched him go, wondering when the boy would realize he had already accepted his offer of apprenticeship, the only thing holding him back was telling Geoff about Max.
“So he’s not officially yours yet.”
“No, not yet. You knew that when we got here.”
Joseph Dodd chuckled watching the boy’s progress towards the square. “Aye I knew that. Probably the reason I warned you against him. But no more, you made a wise decision in allowing him the right to chose. My two have been hearing some interesting things from him regarding his past apprenticeship, I do not grudge you the problems you have ahead of you.”
“If you only knew my friend, if you only knew.” Geoff sighed. “I believe you’re right about the mare. It would be a shame to leave her, especially now that she has attached herself to Marcus.”
“The boys’ don’t know that.”
“No, not yet, but Marcus has his orders. I am waiting for him to realize I said horses not horse.”
Chuckling, both men turned towards the inn laying bets on the time.
By the time, Marcus had caught up to Jeremy and Patrick, he could no longer breathe and he realized Geoff had said horses. Seeing his puzzled look, both boys stopped fencing and stared at him.
“What’s up Marcus?” Jeremy asked.
“Geoff told me to get your help to pack the horses. But, we only have one horse.”
“Well you did heal two others. Maybe you’re taking all three.”
Marcus shook his head. Noticing Patrick’s face he hoped they wouldn’t be. The stallion and Patrick had bonded in the last couple of hours. Marcus hated the thought that they might be taking that away from him. “Why would we need three horses? There are only two of us, and we don’t have that much stuff to carry. Besides, the stallion doesn’t really like me; it only tolerates me because I healed it.”
“So you think you’re getting the mare?” Patrick asked hopefully.
Marcus shrugged, “Maybe. It would make more sense since she likes me and doesn’t seem to mind Geoff. I should probably ask him what he meant before making any assumptions though. I mean after all the stupid things I’ve done lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if he made me walk the entire way to the next town.”
Patrick and Jeremy started laughing. Annoyed, Marcus bumped into Patrick’s arm throwing him off balance and crashing into Jeremy. Both boys ended up on the ground, still laughing. When Marcus moved to walk away, Jeremy snagged his leg and sent him sprawling. Marcus tried to stop his fall, but ended up on top of both of them.
“Urgh, you’re heavy. Get off.” Patrick pushed at Marcus’ legs trying to sit up.
Marcus got up slightly, crushing Jeremy, who had yet to stop laughing, into the dirt. When Marcus and Patrick finally got off the ground, Jeremy still hadn’t stopped. They stared at him, then at each other. Patrick raised an eyebrow gesturing with his head towards the water trough a little farther away. Marcus smiled. They stooped down and picked Jeremy up between them. Jeremy didn’t realize he had trouble until both Marcus and Patrick began to count.
On the three, Jeremy flew through the air and landed in the middle of the trough, a scream cut off by the water flying after him. Jeremy came up sputtering for air, glaring at the other two. He stopped when he noticed Marcus’ smiling face. He hadn’t laughed yet, but the smile had reached his eyes, something neither of the boy’s had thought possible.
Noticing movement up at the inn, Marcus gestured Patrick to lend Jeremy a hand getting out of the water.
“Hurry up, I think Geoff and Joseph are coming out of a meeting and the horses haven’t even been gathered yet.”
Quickly, the three rounded up the mare and the stallion and lead them back to the inn stables. Once there, Marcus brought Geoff’s stallion, Freedom, from the barn and prepared him to leave. Glancing at the other two horses, then at Patrick and Jeremy, Marcus took a deep breath and headed inside. Dealing with Geoff was one thing, dealing with the innkeeper, who didn’t like him, and Geoff was an entirely different matter. Once inside, Marcus headed upstairs remembering that their supplies were still in the room Mr. Dodd had given them when they had first arrived three weeks ago.
Staring at it now, Marcus realized why Geoff had wanted it cleaned up that first time. The room looked like a horde of mad customers had come through it and trampled the place. Shutting the door behind him, Marcus began picking up the clutter hoping that this time it would get finished without interruptions. Cleaning the mess took less time than he had thought, and as he collected the bag and sleeping mats, Marcus caught sight of the sword Geoff had given to him. Putting the supplies back down on the low table, Marcus sat down next to it and touched the hilt of the sword. That vision had been one of his dreams; he had seen it before without the aide of the weapon before him. Why would Geoff give away such a fine piece of craftsmanship? Marcus wasn’t even family, not technically, he shouldn’t have Geoff’s stepfather’s weapon. It belonged to his brother, and if that brother wasn’t around which Marcus had begun to suspect was the case, it belonged to Geoff. Marcus rubbed his forehead; he could feel a headache coming on. His teacher confused the hell out of him. Prospective teacher, Marcus qualified. Claiming Geoff as the role he portrayed would be dangerous for them both. Marcus knew he would never be able to answer Geoff’s request, not as he wanted. Max had too much of a hold over him, even now that they were separated. Accepting the offer Geoff willing gave him would endanger the man he had come to respect.
I won’t endanger his life Max. I won’t play the puppet to your illusions. I know what you expect me to do; I can feel your mind concocting plans for that moment. But it won’t happen; I won’t allow you to take another life through me. If he and I must continue on this journey playing the roles instead of fully claiming them, then so be it. I will not be your scapegoat; I will not be your chess pawn.
And I will be here to see you break his hold. Don’t worry Marcus; no one will ever know the difference. Eventually, even in your eyes, I will be your teacher and you my student, whether the words are said or not.
Marcus looked up quickly expecting to see Geoff standing in the doorway. When he realized he was still the only one in the room, Marcus closed his eyes. It didn’t make sense that he could hear Geoff’s voice in his head. Max had told him only family could do that and only in dangerous situations. He knew, however, that that kind of link could also be created if two people cared deeply for each other. It was why he had been able to create a link between Astra and himself. For Geoff to do it, Marcus had to have given him permission to create the bond between them; which was the only way a teacher and student could communicate via a mind link at least according to Max, unless he had been lying about the connection thing too? The moment the thought escaped, Marcus shook his head. If Max had been lying, then the b*****d would have been able to get inside his mind already and Marcus knew for a fact that Max could not read him like that, he hadn‘t allowed it to happen. It had been the only decision he had ever had a choice in and only because the link wouldn’t work if both parties had not agreed to it.
So why could he and Geoff do it? As far as Marcus knew, this was the first time he had ever met Geoff. Had they met before he lost his memory? Was that why he felt he could trust the man with information about Max, even though he hadn’t said a word yet, without worrying what his response would be? Was that also why his good opinion seemed to matter so much? Was that why betraying him to Max or anyone else made Marcus sick to his stomach even when just thinking about it?
Marcus brought the scabbard of the sword to his forehead trying to stop thinking before his brain exploded. These questions were never going to be answered because to ask them, Marcus had to get closer to Geoff and if that ever happened, Max would find out and kill him. Marcus would never forgive himself if that happened.
The door creaking open scared Marcus out of his musings. He leapt to his feet, pulling the sword from the scabbard and holding it in front of him. When he finally recognized Geoff’s startled face, Marcus put the sword away and flopped back down on the bed. He covered his head with his hands disbelief running through him. He had been so off guard, he had pulled a weapon on his teacher. Prospective teacher. The reminder went through his head as Geoff closed the door behind him.
“Marcus, are you alright?”
Marcus nodded, unable to look up, his face red with mortification. How could he not recognize who was behind the door? How had he not heard the footsteps from the hallway? How could he have been so stupid to be so off-guard?
“If you’re alright, look at me.”
Marcus looked up, unable to do anything else, even as he felt his face getting hotter as he did so. Geoff studied his face, looking for something Marcus hoped wasn’t there. Geoff moved into the room a little farther and sat on the opposite bed, still watching him.
“Another vision?”
Marcus shook his head, “Just questions and riddles.”
Geoff nodded, “I hate those.”
Marcus blinked in surprise, “You get them too?”
“All the time, I may be the more experienced of the two of us, but just between us, I don’t know everything. Such as why you are up here sitting confused when we have traveling to do?”
“Umm…I had gone looking for you for clarification and then remembered all of our stuff up here and came back for it. How long have I been up here?”
“According to Patrick and Jeremy, you’ve been up here for about an hour and a half. What did you need clarification on?”
“Which horse we’re taking besides Freedom?”
Geoff‘s eyebrow rose, “Why would you assume we were taking another horse?”
Marcus looked at him confused, “You told me to get the horses ready, which implies more than one.”
“I could have meant all three as well, why do you assume we’re only taking one other horse?”
“Because only one horse would fit into our group, I mean the other one seems to belong here with one of the stable apprentices. Besides why would we need three horses? There is only two of us and neither one really has very much to carry. Taking all three would be a waste.”
“I agree. Which one do you want to take?”
“Gemini, the mare,” Marcus said instantly. When Geoff did not immediately reply, he added, “If that’s okay with you, sir?”
Geoff remained quiet a few more minutes, before nodding his agreement. “We had better get moving if we want to beat the other travelers’ on the road to the next town.”
Geoff stood up and walked to the door. Before opening it, he added, “Remind me at the next stop to teach you how to use that thing. It is useless in the hands of anyone without the proper training and I would hate for you to almost kill yourself or me on accident because you are caught off guard again.”
Flames danced on Marcus’ face as Geoff left the room. He quickly gathered the bag and mats from the table, flung open the door and rushed after Geoff, hoping the cool wind would soothe his face before anyone outside saw him. As he came down the stairs, he noticed the staff all standing by the doorway. He set down everything he carried and readjusted it in order to get by everyone. He stuffed the mats into the pack and slung the pack across his shoulders. The sword Geoff had given him remained at his waist, if he had to hang on to it might as well show that he had it.
As he set foot on the main floor, the first two maids curtsied as if he had a title or something. Walking down the row of servants, Marcus suddenly felt out of place. He had worked with these people for the last three weeks. He had learned from these people, had become an equal to them, and yet now, they had risen him above them by treating him to this. At the end of the line, Patrick with Jeremy trailing behind stopped him.
Holding out a small package, Patrick grinned. “This is so ya’ don’t forget us.”
Marcus’ lips curved upward slightly as he took the package from his friend. Feeling the inside, Marcus had to turn away, allowing only Geoff to see the look of panic on his face. Opening the gift, Marcus held another wooden medallion in his hand. Knowing the others expected him to be happy; Marcus pasted a smile on his face and quickly put the medallion on. He turned back to the group, thanking everyone for their gift and for their patience over the last few weeks.
He sought Geoff’s face, his eyes asking if he could leave before they decided to give him anything else. Geoff nodded slightly, noticing Marcus’ face getting paler by the second. He turned to Joseph thanking him for his hospitality, then motioned Marcus towards the door.
Once outside, Patrick and Jeremy brought them their horses. Seeing Gemini with packs on, Marcus realized Geoff had known which one he had wanted to take without having to ask. Gemini moved to his side, rubbing her nose against him, his hand rose petting her absently. Why had they done that? Didn’t they know they were now in danger from having known him? Max would surely come here hoping to find out more about them. He might even take Patrick and Jeremy with him because Marcus had befriended them.
Marcus wished he could close his eyes as they walked away; instead he hung onto Gemini, as he followed Geoff’s lead from the stable yard. He heard voices shouting after him and he vaguely waved, the smile still pasted on his face. His hold on Gemini’s reigns tightened as fear gripped him and the thought of all those people suffering because of him stuck in his mind.
Geoff felt Marcus mentally collapsing. The boy had gained much over the last couple of weeks and that medallion had reminded him of the creature still hunting him. Though Max had centered himself in Marcus’ thoughts, the boy had been able to push him aside for a short time. When they returned, Geoff planned to have a long talk with Joseph about that stupid medallion. Neither Patrick nor Jeremy had known what the real meaning behind the thing meant. Joseph probably hadn’t thought it important to tell them. Although the rest the group sure knew what it had meant, hence the ceremony as they left. Geoff did not blame Marcus for wanting to leave quickly, when Joseph told him what the staff wanted to do, Geoff had wanted to punch the man.
As soon as they made it through town and away from prying eyes, Geoff strolled to a rarely used path and stopped. He waited for Marcus to reach him before saying anything. “Marcus let me see the newest one.”
Marcus hurriedly took off the charm and handed it over, his face paling even more as he did so.
“So that’s three of these things now. And if my guess is correct, you’ll probably get the rest of them before we arrive at our final destination.”
“There are more of those things?” Marcus physically blanched at the thought.
“Unfortunately yes, there are four more, a total of seven in all. Actually, I believe there are eight, but one of them has been lost with no hopes of recovery.”
“What a shame.” Marcus muttered.
Geoff laughed, “Yes, a terrible shame. But before you get too many more, you should probably know what they mean.”
“You already told me, they’re for protection.”
“Yes, well there is more to it than that. They do protect you and mark you as a powerful mage, but they also protect the people or person you received them from, as long as you hold on to it.”
Geoff handed it back, watching Marcus’ eyes clear up as he slipped the leather back around his neck. “Do not worry about those people Marcus. They have lived in this world of Max’s making far longer than you have. They know how to keep out of his reach, even Patrick and Jeremy. They would not want you concentrating on them instead of your studies, it would keep you from getting them out of Max’s reach far sooner.”
“How will I be able to get them out of Max’s reach? I can barely keep myself out and I’ve been with him for a long time now.”
“You’ve been under Max’s hold?” Geoff asked.
Marcus froze, wondering how he had walked into that trap so easily. Hesitating, Marcus realized Geoff probably already knew Max had been his prior teacher. Marcus nodded, “The master I’ve been running from is named Max as well. I don’t know if it’s the same one as from here, but that’s his name. According to him if I had stayed in his services I would be bringing some world unending joy.”
“Why would you run if you could be helping people?” Geoff could not stop himself from asking. After what he had seen from the inn, Marcus did not seem the type to run away from people in need.
“I would be the puppet on a string, not the savior to the oppressed. The world is having some problems. According to him, there is a huge debate over who the leader should be. He is trying to free the country or so he says from a group of tyrannical despots.”
Geoff frowned. The world Marcus was describing could be this one. But were the Max’s the same people? And if so, who were the group of despots? There was only one person fitting that description here, not a group. Was there another world having the same problems that Marcus should be helping?
“What do you mean a puppet on a string? Surely if Max is trying to help another world you would be willing to do whatever he says.”
Marcus’ eyes turned deep green, his answer more of a growl. “Not this loon I won’t! I listened to his speeches too long to want to do what he says I should. I have the scars and bruises from his orders. I won’t be going back to him no matter what. And if you try to make me, I’ll just leave. It’s not like I don’t know people who would help me here.”
Max had turned Marcus, a potential loyal follower, into an enemy. That explained the boy’s thoughts and questions about Geoff’s own intentions. Marcus was not stupid, and gratitude for learning his own magick would not hold his loyalty. Trust and truth would be the bonds that held it, only those could break through the barrier Max had constructed. Geoff knew his group needed Marcus on their side, but Marcus had to come in his own way.
“Alright, you don’t believe Max would be helping this other world. Why? Surely, he has some good intentions.”
Marcus snorted. “If it’s the same one you’re group is fighting, I highly doubt that. Max probably is the tyrannical despot he keeps talking about. He’s just changing the story so that I would think he’s actually some appointed official looking for some stupid prophetical heir.”
“What prophetical heir?”
While Marcus described the heir, Geoff’s mind whirled. The men were one and the same and now they had a bigger problem. Max believed the boy to be the Heir, the child born in their world, who had disappeared to live his or her life in secret. No one knew who it was, not even Max, at least that’s what the counsel believed. How could a sixteen-year-old boy born with powerful mage magick lost in this other realm under Max’s influence be the Heir that was to right the disorder Max had created?
When Marcus finished with the description, Geoff frowned at him. “You have told me this Max will be searching for you. Is that the only reason you have a denied my offer or is there something else?”
“I do not particularly wish to become anyone else’s apprentice, not after that sadist. But to answer your question, no there is nothing else preventing me from accepting your offer. Are you going to force me to choose now that you know your enemy is the guy after me?”
“No Marcus I will not force you to choose. It remains your decision to accept my offer or not. However, it is now imperative you begin to act more like an apprentice than before.”
“Why?”
“Max has quite a few spies around our world, infiltrating our protective circles of freedom. I would rather you not become caught by any of them. Besides, with the news Joseph has given me, the time I will be able to train you properly has been diminished. Every mage we have will be needed before the end of this year.”
“But…”
“Even unknown mages, like yourself, are needed. I am not the only one trying to squeeze all my knowledge into a short time. The two you saw when we first met are mages also and the younger one has just begun his training as well, though I don’t know why Darian waited so long.”
“Are we the only two?”
Geoff paused, wondering if Marcus would talk about the young woman who had come here with him. “No, there is one more, a young woman. We’ll be meeting up with her and her teacher shortly. From there we’ll meet up with the other two and then make our way to a meeting.”
“Meeting?”
Geoff shook his head, “No need to worry about that now. It’s not as important as your training will be. Concentrate on that and you will be ready for anything the future throws at you.”
Marcus nodded. Geoff watched the panic slowly ebb away. This conversation had helped, even though Geoff had almost thoughtlessly given away the true reason their time for Marcus’ lessons would be truncated. The council hadn’t wanted him to get involved with the boy in the first place. He had been ordered to follow and observe, allowing the boy the chance to prove himself for or against Max. Watching him struggle uselessly had been too painful to watch. Marcus had almost no training, if Geoff had allowed him to continue unaided; he would have put many people in jeopardy, including himself. The more Geoff got to know of Marcus, the more confident he became that defying the council in this would only make things better for all of them.
Marcus had spirit, something most of Max’s victims lacked, as well as strength of will. From what Geoff had seen so far, he had gone through a small hell, fearing what the discovery of his power would do and drowning in the inability to use them as he should have been allowed. The radiance of Marcus’ potential had been detected by all mages because of the limited amount of usage. Being around more powerful people would dim his existence as would the chance to learn to use most of his power.
“You said Max never let you use your power, yet you used it to heal others. Were there any other times you used it?”
Marcus shrugged, “I have no idea. Things always happen around me that no one can explain.”
“Like what?”
“Stuff.”
Geoff backed off, pushing for details too soon would dent the small trust Marcus had formed. He needed Marcus’ cooperation when they arrived in the next town. Trumpet’s Echo held the type of company Geoff would have rather avoided now that Marcus traveled with him. It would hold the boy’s attention, for the town offered more interesting sights than any of the streets Marcus had previously hounded. In order to keep Marcus with him, Geoff knew he would have to watch how far he pushed the boy into sharing his past and his power.
“What is the next town we’re coming too?” Marcus asked breaking Geoff’s thoughts.
“Trumpet’s Echo, a small town perfect for hiding from unwanted attention, they despise Max and his minions and will do anything they can to frustrate his plans.”
“Sounds like my kind of people.”
“Don’t get too friendly with them. They help us out a great deal, but are safer kept at a distance.”
“Why?”
“They like to frustrate Max’s plans, but they also like to mess with ours as well. They are on no one’s side and would like their own form of government to rule instead.”
“What is their form of government?”
“Anarchy.”
“They’re an outlaw town?”
“You could say that. Not the safest place for young mages to get lost in.”
Marcus’ eyed him suspiciously, “You sound as if you speak from experience.”
“I do. So listen to me when I say, no matter what they say that might sound interesting, do not get involved with them.”
“If you don’t trust them, why are we going?”
“There are a handful that I know are loyal, we are going to see them.”
Marcus nodded, his eyes once again the light gray color. As they started again, Geoff explained the plan. They would spend the next few weeks out in the open allowing Marcus time to practice with the sword and some of the spells he could do almost instantly. He would need all the practice he could get when they got to Trumpet’s Echo, not only did the rowdy townspeople wander around, but Max had outlaws working for him living there as well, madmen who would have no qualms taking out new apprentices with no knowledge of what they could do. Marcus would not get caught by those people if Geoff could help it; he already had enough trouble with the man.
A shadow from above watched as the two bodies continued through the trees. He knew the younger of the two could feel him, but the boy did not look up. He concentrated completely on the older one, listening intently to what was being said. The boy would have to be released soon. His memories were bursting from the holds placed on them. This place wanted him to remember, knew he needed to remember before the end could happen. The shadow watched the older one, noticing slight shifts as the man walked. He recognized the shadow’s presence as well and looked for him. Without realizing it the shadow moved closer, trying to read the man before they got too far away. Catching a gasp in his throat, the shadow backed away. The man had used a hidden compulsion on him, hoping to bring him out into the open. Was it possible that idiot impersonating him had chosen the wrong one? Was it possible that the almighty mage had stolen the wrong child? The shadow followed the duo as they melted into the forest of trees. There was something different about these two something that no one had expected. Unless of course…the shadow watched their progress, stopping as a thought occurred to him. He had to seek advice before following them anymore; he waited until the two disappeared into the darkness of the trees before dropping to the forest floor. Then, still watching the space the two had last been, the shadow melted away.