Styxx

Styxx's younger brother Caden comes to meet Ryder.

The paperwork that was necessary for someone to claim an apprentice was by no means easy to fill out. There were all sorts of weird questions that I had to answer and I suddenly remembered why I'd always hated filling it out. It was made simpler these days because it could be done on a computer and emailed directly to the Director of Apprenticeships. But there were still over two hundred questions. Detailed ones too. I had to tell them what I could teach the apprentice, how I would do it. Things about myself. Personal things. Professional things. It took me two hours to finish but finish I did. Once I'd finished, I sent it off to Byron Lannister, the Director of Apprenticeships. I wasn't worried about him denying my request.  He was a good guy and knew that I had a lot to teach the younger Sullivan Mage. He wouldn't be moved by bribes which was good because, from what I knew of Helena Sullivan, she wasn't opposed to bribing people to get what she wanted.  

 

After I sent the paperwork off, I stood up and headed towards my rooms. On the way, I passed the library and stepped into the doorway to check on Ryder. He was standing in the Dream Magick section, reading Hollister's Guide to Dream Magick and I smiled. Dream Magick wasn't hard to master but it was difficult to understand. It was a kind of Magick that was done without any incantations. It was done by focusing your Magick which was difficult enough. But you had to know exactly what you were doing and how you wanted it done. Dream Magick was basically a way to affect your dreams. It was most commonly used to stop people with PTSD from having the nightmares that plagues them at night. I'd mastered it at twelve years old.  

 

I watched Ryder for a moment more before walking to my own Suite to make dinner and relax. Unlocking the door, I stepped inside and turned on the television. How I Met Your Mother was playing and I left it on even though I'd seen the episode playing at least three times. I walked into the kitchen and pulled out the stuffed chicken breast I'd ordered last week. It was stuffed with cheese and onions and was breaded. After putting it in the oven, I made some mashed potatoes and gravy before heading back to the living room to watch tv. Thirty minutes later, the chicken was done and I went to make myself a plate.  

 

After I'd eaten, I went back to my desk and pulled out a notebook. I needed to decide what I wanted to teach Ryder first. There were a lot of different branches of Magick and I knew he'd be thrilled with whatever I chose to teach him but I wanted to teach him something no one else knew. Something that he would be utterly fascinated by. But...what could it be? That's when it came to me. The Ancient Arts. It been the first thing Merlin taught me. His reasoning had been that the Ancient Arts were the building blocks of modern Magick. And he'd been right. The reason I'd been so successful at learning Magick had been because I'd learned the Ancient Arts first. Once you understood the Ancient Arts, understanding other forms of Magick was easier. I'd start with the Ancient Magicks and work my way to the more modern Magicks. It would take a while but it would be worth it in the end. And the good thing was, Ryder would be among the only people in the world to know the Ancient Arts.  

 

My decision made, I looked at the clock and found that it was nearly midnight. Standing, I headed to the library to pull a certain book out. The Ancient Arts was a book Merlin had written himself. He wasn't very creative when it came to titles, obviously, but he was a brilliant writer and teacher. I would have Ryder read the first nine chapters on his own before we'd start working on the actual Magick itself. After I'd pulled out the book, I made sure Ryder wasn't in the Library before locking it up and returning to my Suite to finish up for the night. By the time I went to sleep, I'd already sent off an email to Shia, Merlin, and Caden, explaining that I had finally taken another Apprentice. Caden wouldn't answer, he'd just show up at the Palace unnanounced. Shia, however, would email back telling me when he'd be there to meet Ryder. Merlin would probably email me back telling me he'd be here to see me soon. I fell asleep just after one in the morning and didn't wake up until noon.  

 

I headed to Ryder's room, only to find it empty. He'd be in the Library then. I headed to the Library, book in hand, to meet with him about our studies. He was sitting at a table, reading a book on Death Magick, and didn't see me until I sat down. He looked up and grinned, setting his book aside. Setting the book I'd chosen on the table in front of him, I began to explain what we were going to be learning.  

 

 "I'm going to start you out the same way Merlin started me out. With the Ancient Arts. The Ancient Arts are sort of the building blocks for Modern Magicks which means you'll have an easier time understanding the modern stuff if you've studied the ancient stuff."  

 

"Wow. I had no clue anyone besides maybe Merlin still knew the Ancient Arts."  

 

"You've heard of them, then?" 

 

"Of course. I've longed to study them for years."  

 

"Not many still know them. Most people know they exist but have no understanding of how to do them. Those that do aren't usually interested in spreading that knowledge. But I think it's a good thing that you want to learn. It'll make my job ten times easier when it comes to teaching you Modern Magicks."  

 

"Brilliant."  

 

"I'd like you to read the first nine chapters of this book.It will explain the basics of Ancient Magick. Once you've finished the first nine chapters, let me know and we'll officially start working on the practical stuff."  

 

"All right. I've gotta see if Ryan's emailed me back yet and then I'll start reading."  

 

"I'll be in my Suite doing some paperwork. I'm about four doors away from yours. If you have any questions, feel free to come and ask me."  

 

"All right."  

 

He stood, book in hand, and headed to his own room. I followed him out of the library and locked the door behind me. Before I went back to my own rooms, I headed down to my small office on the second floor. Booting up the computer, I saw that there was an email from Byron Lannister. He'd accepted my Apprentice request and said that he'd send a copy of it to the Eternal Order. Which obviously meant that Helena Sullivan would be arriving on our doorstep any day now. Sighing, I left the office and headed back up to my Suite to relax a bit. I picked up the book I'd been reading and sat down in my favorite armchair to read for a little bit before emails started pouring in. I knew emails would soon start pouring in because the news that I'd taken an apprentice would be out soon. Everyone that had my email would start sending messages asking for information. I was tempted to turn my phone off but I knew it wouldn't do any good. It wouldn't stop them from emailing me.  

 

And, just as I'd known he would be, Shia was the first to email me. He expressed his excitement and said he'd come down next month sometime to meet Ryder. As usual, there was no reply from Caden but Merlin did reply. He said he'd come down tomorrow afternoon and that I should probably warn my apprentice. I laughed at that. I'd already warned Ryder but I figured I'd tell him that Merlin would be there the next afternoon. There were already a few more emails from people whose names I didn't recognize asking why I'd chosen to take an apprentice now and what I planned to teach him. I ignored those emails and set my phone aside again. The rest of the emails could wait until I could get to them. I didn't really want to reply to them right then.  

 

After a few hours of reading, I stood up and went over to my laptop. Opening it up, I logged on to my email and found an email from Caden. The subject line was empty but I figured I knew what he was going to say. Opening the email, I read what he'd written and was not surprised with what I read/ 

 

 Dear Styxx,  

 

I am writing in response to the email you sent earlier. I find myself wondering what possessed you take a Sullivan in as an apprentice. Their entire Clan is nothing but power-hungry leeches. I have done some research of my own and your apprentice's mother is Helena Sullivan. She heads the Eternal Order, Styxx. If she refused to allow her second born son to study Magick, she had to have a good reason. I have been in contact with her and she has told me that her younger son, whom you have foolishly chosen to gift with an apprenticeship, is a rebellious and power-hungry young man. She explained that his older twin brother would be a much better choice for you than Ryder himself. Helena is going to visit you tomorrow afternoon to speak with you about these things. I beg of you, Styxx, listen to her. Do what she asks.  

 

Caden. 

 

I rolled my eyes without bothering to send him a reply. I'd been expecting this from him, of course. He was always like that, listening to people's words rather than their actions. Ryder had shown me nothing but respect and a willingness to learn. Sighing, I sent off an email to Merlin asking him if he would mind showing up in the morning rather than the afternoon. I did not want Merlin meeting Helena. He would feel the need to defend both Ryder and I and I did not want that just yet. If we needed his protection in the future, we would ask for it. But for now, we would simply deal with this ourselves. Helena Sullivan and her Order were no threat to me. After I'd heard back from Merlin, I went to Ryder to inform him about his mother's visit the following afternoon.  

 

After I'd told Ryder that Helena would be showing up the next afternoon, I went to my room to send Caden a reply. Originally, I hadn't been planning on replying to him but...he was my brother and he deserved to know the truth. He'd only heard Helena's side of things after all and he deserved to know Ryder's side. If I could convince him to come to Blackwater Isle for a visit, he could meet Ryder and make his own assumptions. Opening my email, I hit reply and began to type out a letter. 

 

Caden, 

 

I wasn't going to reply to your letter as I found it ridiculous. But I realize that you've only heard Helena's side of the story. I don't expect you to take my word for any of this. In fact, I fully expect you to come to Blackwater Isle to meet Ryder yourself. Ryder isn't a power-hungry anything. He wants to learn, Caden. In him, I see myself. He is much like I was at his age. He has told me things about Helena, things that show her true character. Ryder is a decent young man with dreams and aspirations of his own. I'm proud to have him as my Apprentice. If you would like to have the truth, please come to Blackwater Isle and meet him for yourself. I will not trade my apprentice for his brother just because Helena wants it. Sorry but I have made my decision and I plan to stick to it. Hope to see you soon, brother. 

 

Styxx.  

 

I sent the email off to Caden and looked through my other emails. Most of them were from people who simply wanted to know why I'd chosen Ryder Sullivan as my apprentice. I'd have to send out an announcement this week to answer everyone's questions. Sighing, I turned off my computer and went to take a nap. I still had some paperwork to finish and some other things to take care of but I was tired and didn't want to deal with it just yet. I climbed beneath my blankets and curled up to sleep a while. When I woke up, it was the early hours of the morning and I had paperwork to do. I slid out of bed and went to my laptop. Thankfully, most of my paperwork was online and could be emailed so there was no reason to go downstairs to my office. Before I did any paperwork, I checked my email and was surprised to see an email from Caden. He'd actually replied. I opened it and smiled. Maybe there was hope for my little brother yet.  

 

Styxx, 

 

You are correct. I should hear Ryder's side of this as well. I will be there tomorrow afternoon at the same time as Helena. If I believe that Helena is lying about her son, I will gladly take your side as I do believe Helena would be a formidable opponent. Before you decide to tell me how powerful you are, I might add that I already know this. I will see you tomorrow afternoon. I might ask that you prepare a room for me as I believe this could turn ugly and I will be sticking around for a while to ensure that it does not. Good luck, brother. 

 

Caden.  

 

Smiling, I closed my email and opened my paperwork. As I finished up my paperwork, I thought about my baby brother. Caden was more like our father than he cared to admit but he wasn't, as I'd always believed, a cold-hearted a*****e. He had a heart. And he was willing to stand behind me. It meant more to me than I could admit. He and I had never been particularly close but he was still my brother and I was glad to have his support. I was finishing up the last of the paperwork when a servant knocked on the door. I opened the door, staring expectantly at the young man that stood in front of me.  

 

 "Your brother has arrived sir."  

 

"Caden? But he's early."  

 

"Yes. Mr. Caden is here and he's in the Sitting Room."  

 

"Thank you. Since he's here, I need you to set up Suite Ten for him. Make sure it is in proper living order." 

 

"Yes sir."  

 

The servant scurried off to do what I'd asked and I went downstairs to the sitting room where Caden was waiting. When I'd gotten there, I saw that time hadn't changed him much. His dark brown hair, which he'd inherited from his father, was short and his silver eyes were bright. We embraced quickly and I called for tea as we sat down. Caden dropped his bags beside him and I told the servant that brought our tea to take them up to Suite Ten. Caden gave me a small smile before taking a drink of his tea.  

 

 "You do realize you're incredibly early, don't you?" I asked. 

 

My brother nodded. "Of course I do. I decided I would come early that way we had time to talk before Helena arrived."  

 

"A good idea. And, luckily for you, I've just finished my paperwork for the day." 

 

"Still a night owl, then?" 

 

I raised an eyebrow. "You're one to talk." 

 

Caden laughed. "Of course I'm not. I'm a night owl too."  

 

"I know you are. I remember when we were kids and we'd stay up until five in the morning reading or sparring."  

 

Caden grinned. "Oh, I remember. Dad hated it. Said we reminded him of mother."  

 

"That's because it was Mother who taught us to stay up late."  

 

"True enough."  

 

We were laughing when Ryder walked into the room. He was talking on a cell phone when he entered, a smile on his face. He called the person he was talking to 'Ryan' and I knew it was his twin. After he'd hung up, he took a seat in the armchair next to mine and curled his legs under him. Caden looked over at him speculatively before he stood and shook his hand.  

 

 "You must be Ryder. My name is Caden. I'm Styxx's little brother." 

 

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ryder Sullivan."  

 

"He's here to see what your mother has to say. She told him some pretty unflattering things about you."  

 

"Of course she did. Mother has literally never liked me. Ryan's her firstborn and she adores him. Loves Haley too. But I don't matter. She's literally told me that in those exact words."  

 

"Why do you not matter?"  

 

Ryder shrugged. "Probably because of my personality." 

 

Caden frowned. "What is it about your personality that she dislikes?"  

 

"I dunno. I am kind of rebellious. Most of my tattoos, I got before I was legal. I think the main reason is that I'm not the perfect son. I don't do whatever she wants without argument. This last time, the only thing I wanted was to study Magick. I would have been willing to study completely on my own. I wouldn't have asked for an apprenticeship at all. But she refused to let me. She wanted me to be a Soldier for the Eternal Guard. She wanted me to give up everything I'd dreamed just for her stupid Order."  

 

"She told a very different story..." Caden said, voice trailing off at the end.  

 

Ryder snorted. "Lemme guess. She said I was power-hungry and rebellious. She said Ryan would be better suited for my apprenticeship." 

 

"That is almost exactly what she said." 

 

"She's told other people the same thing. Funny thing is, I don't care about the power. I just want to learn. And Ryan doesn't even want to learn about anything but War Magick. Ryan wishes he were the second born, actually." 

 

Caden nodded. "Somehow, I believe you." He looked over at me. "I plan on sticking around until we are certain that she is not going to do something stupid. After what I have heard here, I do not trust her. We should be prepared for anything."  

 

Ryder nodded. "I agree. It would not be beyond Mother to declare War on you. That's if you refuse to do as she asks. You do as she asks and she'll be fine."  

 

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not going to trade you our for your brother. Not only did you say he has no interest in learning what I can teach, I have found the apprentice I wish to have and I will not change my mind simply because some puffed up old hag says I should."  

 

Ryder nodded. "Good. Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to get a few hours of sleep before Mother gets here. I'm going to need my sleep if I'm going to face her."  

 

I gave him a look. "You don't have to face her if you don't want to. Caden and I are perfectly capable of dealing with her." 

 

Ryder shook his head. "No. I'm not going to let you deal with her alone. That would be cruel. I'll be there just come and get me when she gets here." 

 

"All right. I will."  

 

Caden stood up. "I should probably get some rest as well. When she gets here, fetch me."  

 

"All right. I'll walk you to your Suite. I need to head that way anyways. Ryder and I are meeting with Merlin in the morning, but we'll let you sleep through that." 

 

"All right." 

 

We headed upstairs together, talking quietly as we went. As we walked, I wondered about the change in Caden's personality. The last time I'd seen him, thirty years before, he'd been cold and rather distant. This Caden was open and bright, like the little brother I'd known in my youth. What had changed him so completely? I figured he would tell me when he was ready. After dropping him off at his Suite, I went up to my own to get a little more sleep before Helena got there. I'd slept a decent amount earlier, but more sleep would help me keep control of my temper better. By the time I woke up, Merlin was on Blackwater Isle...