Chapter 3

 

CHAPTER 3

She must have had a concerned expression on her face when she found her mentor in the main hall the next day because his had softened and he let out a sigh of resignation. She sat with him quietly for a moment at the council table looking for where to begin.

“Are there any books at all on my magic,” she asked?

“None that I know of, little one,” answered the mage.

“Then how are you teaching me spells,” she asked?

“All magic has common rules to start with. What I'm teaching you are spells that I'm sure can be accomplished with both our magics. Teaching you the common rules. You'll have to start forging your own spells based on those magical rules,” he admitted.

“I tried making a golem out of metal wood and stone. It just fell apart. Tried different ways and got the same thing,” Tepin added, “Why do they call it spirit magic as well as death magic?”

“Because ones a misnomer. Your able to manipulate life energy.. Death is the absence of life. The most effective name is spirit magic. The spirit is just another name for life. You take the little bits of life energy that remain in bones and turn them to powerful effects. The bones exhaust themselves and turn to ash,” he explained.

“Then why do they call it death magic?”

“There are legends of a rare form of mage able to summon the dead from the grave. It comes from those old legends,” explained the mage. Tepin nodded and wondered.

“As for the golem, Try making one out of materials that where once alive,” he said.

“You really cant teach me can you,”she finally asked?

“Of course I can, Tepin. You're source of magic is different than mine but magic obeys common laws. We can both cast the same spells or variations of the same thing,” he explained. Tepin nodded and stood to leave the council room.

“Glad your my mentor,” she said opening the door.

“I'll help you every way I can,” Romah assured her.

“Where should I begin? If I have to make my own spells?”

“Runes are the building blocks of magic. Start there,” he suggested.

She finally smiled and returned to her apartment to clean up after her golem experiments and intended to start fresh. She took out a blank scroll and quill and wondered where to begin. Magic was there to do what people normally couldn't her mentor had explained one day. It came from need. Then her idea of creating a spell would have to wait until there was a need for one. She rerolled the blank scroll and closed the ink bottle. She left her apartment and wandered the castle for a time wondering what needed to be done. Everything was being done by hand or tools, nobody seemed upset about that. Tepin gave up and decided to visit Miandra.

“Well hello Tep,” grinned Miandra, “What are you off to today?”

“I'm looking for a reason to make a spell,” Tepin answered. The woman invited her in and they sat by the fire while Miandra poured tea.

“Reason? You need a reason? Well when it boils down there’s really no real reason for magic. It makes life easier for sure. The world could actually do without it if it came right down to it. Most people get by just by doing what they do, they find someone who can do it for them, or they go without,” explained Miandra. Tepin thought about that as she was offered tea.

“So like everything else its a tool,” Tepin suggested.

“That's the way I see it. What about those light stones you made? The ones that light up the whole castle? You could have done that with torches.”

“But, they don’t cause smoke and they don’t burn using up wood and fuel,” explained Tepin.

“So you found a better way to do something that was already being done and you did it with magic,” grinned Miandra.

Tepin thought about it. She had. She'd had no candles or torches when she first created one of the glow rocks. She had a need and filled it with magic. She could have just as easily found an old torch or asked her mentor for candles.

“Why not,” Miandra suggested, “Sort through Romah's library and make your own versions of spells he has in there? Even if you cant make an identicle spell, at the very least It'll give you ideas on where to begin.”

It was a fabulous idea! Tepin quickly finished her tea, kissed Miandra's cheek and raced out the door.

“Have fun,” Miandra called after her.

She got her mentors permission and borrowed a dozen spell scrolls. None of them would work when she tried to cast them but like Miandra had suggested it gave her ideas. If her magic had to do with life than it stood to reason it could do anything a living thing could do. She tried to think of a living thing that wouldn’t be hurt much by her intention to experiment.

She left the castle and started wandering the fields. She'd start with simple cantrips. She found flowers near the creek and sat with one. She focused on the life in it and commanded it to grow. She was delighted when it started to get taller. She burned it and watched it age. Changed the color of it's petals to a soft purple and changed them back. She drew life from it and it withered away. Her pulse quickened everything got brighter and her head was swimming like she was drunk. It was too much energy she needed to do something with it before she got sick. She cast the life energy back into the dying flower and nothing. The energy was gone, but putting it back where it had come from did nothing to restore the plant. She found another flower and pulled energy from it. Not so much this time and the plant didn't look hurt at all. More than an entire bag of bones could have offered the magic filled her. What if? She cupped her hands together and forced the energy to a simple spot using the rune of solidity and inversion. A ball of light filled her hand and she dropped it on the next flower. The plants the little ball of light hit died withered and wilted. She worried what would have happened if shed dropped that on a person. Now she knew why her magic was called death magic. She didn't manipulate death, but the use of her powers could easily cause it. She had to get energy from somewhere, even if she was to bring something to health to one thing, something else had to die. She knew why her golem never worked. There just wasn’t enough life force to hold it together. She needed a large amount of energy. She started drawing small amounts from nearby plants until she was nearly drunk again. It was easier this time and she walked back to the castle to her apartment. She found the wood metal and stone and set to work. She lifted all of them and mended them. They melted into each other. She swirled the concoction and caused it to take form. A dog, she'd always wanted a dog she flooded the dog with life and it shifted changed and remolded into a wolf. She released it. It fell to four paws with a little growl and sat in front of her. She blinked no longer drunk from life energy. The creature looked to her and lay down. Timidly Tepin approached the animal and petted it. Eyes glowed much the way her glow orbs did but not as brightly. Its fur was soft. The animal certainly resembled a wolf but you could tell a good deal was different. It was the air about it. It had to follow her will didn't it?

“Come,” she ordered and the wolf stood waiting to follow her. Checking back uncertain from time to time she made her way to her mentors apartment. It was nearly lunchtime. She knocked and the door opened.

“hello again, “ and he spied the wolf and he paused. Tepin knelt down and petted the creature.

“He wont hurt you,” she said and hoped it was true.

The mage knelt down with her and extended his hand palm up, “Well hello there. You look like a wolf.. but everything about you says no your not a wolf.” he looked to Tepin, “Your golem?”

“I made him just now,” said Tepin.

“You've earned a raise in your allowance, Tepin,”said the mage and invited them both in. The three entered the large apartment and sat at the table the wolf rested herself at Tepin's feet. “Theres something haunting about your friend. I've heard legends about undead wolves that prey on children. This makes me wonder how much of the stories are fact.”

“I've learned some things,” said Tepin.

“Indeed?”

“I can use life from anything alive, it wont be harmed unless I take it all. Like harvesting a crop of tea. You never take all of the leaves or the plant dies. Take a few from each bush and the plant survives even thrives. When a thing is dead its permanent. I can't bring it back to life. I think my magic can do anything life can do actually,” explained Tepin.

“So you can infuse an object with it, bring it the abilities that life would have,” suggested the mage.

“At least I think that’s how it works,” admitted Tepin.

“Then its far different than what lore would have said about it,” said the mage.

“Lore?”

“Legends and lore are all we really know of your form of life magic. And frightening lore at that,” the mage looked concerned, “its said that the creatures we now know as kobolds and orcs where created by magic. Maybe it was your form of magic that brought them to be.”

“Who would do that,” she asked?

“Only the gods would..” The door burst open

“Romah! You need to see this,” it was Miandra and she had a very serious look on her face.

Romah jumped up and Tepin decided to follow. Her wolf followed immediately. By the time she made it out the door Romah and Miandra where running towards a castle tower. Tepin fell behind quickly and made it to the top a moment later. Miandra was pointing at the horizon.

“They're coming this way. The scouts say about three thousand of them,” she waved her hand for emphasis, “marching this way they'll reach us in two days.”

“Scouts say who they where, asked Romah?

“No idea, reports say there are many different uniforms,” Miandra was quick to answer.

“Whats happening,” Tepin could barly see over the tower walls now that they where repaired.”

“Soldiers, Tepin, and a lot of them.”

“What do they want,” she asked remembering the last time she'd had an encounter with soldiers.

The mage raised his hand and shadow converged. “I’m about to find out,” he said and walked into the shadows leaving Tepin and Miandra alone with a wolf on the tower top.

“Lets go Tep, he'll be fine. Who's your friend,” she pointed at the wolf?

“I haven't given her a name,” Tepin answered as they left the tower. “Maybe I’ll just call her Wolf,” and the beast answered with a happy bark. “You like that do you? Okay your name is Wolf.”

They made there way to the council chambers and Miandra sent the pageboy running to get the council members. Romahs word was final but for some things the council was required. He'd be on horseback all day. The council would convene the next.

“What happens if those soldiers attack us,” asked Tepin?

“Im not sure they plan to, Tep. The scouts said they where many different uniforms. If it was one uniform then I'd be very worried, because then I'd know they came from a single realm. These men came from many different ones. Romah will be back shortly, should be able to tell us something,” Miandra answered. “Meanwhile we sit and wait.”

They sat at the council table and did just that, talking about the weather, there families, anything that would distract them from waiting. Like Miandra has surmised Romah returned but he was not alone. Two people had joined him. When they entered the chambers Tepin realized the two had been traveling for weeks. The woman although dressed elegantly was a fit mess, her clothes tattered and dirty her hair hadn't been washed in what tepin guessed was a fortnight. Dirt smudged a lovely face and eyes that seemed very kind. The man with her was a sharp contrast. Armored in chainmail and covered head to foot in dirt and, in some places Tepin guessed, blood. His eyes spoke of countless battles and lines in them still found any effort to smile. He wasn't smiling at the moment. His hair was matted from the rain the nights before and he was unshaven for days.

“Miandra and Tepin meet the Princess Lian and The captain of the resistance Damires. They are from Talendria and there armies are from several different conquered kingdoms from the northwest.

“Conquered,” asked Miandra?

“Thank you,” replied Lian, “and its wonderful to meet both of you. Yes commander, A force from the northern lands led by a dark mage has decended on the middle world. Six nations fell to him or allied with him quite readily. The troops that we've brought with us are retreating. We thought to fall back into the wilderness. We weren't expecting to find a kingdom here, Nor was I expecting to meet an old friend in the process,” she gestured to Romah. “The people we brought with us are not all soldiers. Most are families trying to escape Toras.”

“Who's Toras,” asked Tepin as the three arrivals sat.

“A dark mage from the north lands who overthrew his own king then drove his armies south. Any kingdom that forbade magic and didn't ally with him met his armies,” explained Damires.

“Why ones who forbade magic,” Asked Miandra.

“Less of a threat we think,”answered Lian, “We believe he fears other mages. He's made no move against the nations of Kastika or Mordonji.”

“Do you believe he'll come here,” asked Romah?

“If he does it wont be for a very long time,” answered Lian. “There are two mages here, It should give him a long moments pause. We'd ask to join with you here the soldiers and families need a place to call home. Our troops will merge with your own. I'd ask to join your council so that these people may be represented,” requested Lian.

“You can address the council on that matter in the morning. My choice may be final but I'd like to hear what the community has to say on the matter. Adding so many people to the population so fast will create difficulties,” Answered Romah, “In the meantime you and Damires may stay in the keep and I’ll open a shadow gate to help people get here more quickly. They may set up camp just outside the village.

“You're most generous, Mage Imbri,” replied Lian. Everyone stood and Tepin bade them farewell. She decided fresh air and a meal was in order since she'd missed lunch and spent half the day thus far worrying about invasion. She made her way to the kitchens and asked the cook for meat and bread which she wrapped and brought back to her apartment.

“Hungry Wolf,” she asked the spirit-wolf. She offered her a bit of meat but the animal simply walked away and lay by the fire. “You don't eat meat,” she wondered what the animal did eat if it ate anything at all? She'd never gotten a bite of the meal herself when a knock came to the door.

“I need your help little one. I want to try something and if it works I need you to help the wounded,” Romah walked in. “You said you can manipulate living things. Do you remember the mending charm?” Teppin nodded that she did. “Lets see if you can mend flesh,” he pulled his dagger from his waistband and nicked his finger with it. He held it up. She knew what he wanted but was worried she'd cause more harm than good.

“Im willing to risk it Tepin, If this succeeds you can do a lot of good today,” insisted the mage

She needed magic to work with and took a bone from her pocket absorbing the life from it. She looked at the cut and passed magic to it. Felt it glowing and mingling with the mages own spirit energy. She called the rune for mending and willed the cut to heal. The wound stopped bleeding closed, reformed and healed completely. It was if there was never a cut on the fingertip. The glowing stopped as the magic exhausted itself. It took her a moment to realize that shed forgotten to breathe. She had been so worried that she'd cause harm that she was holding her breath.

“Now that's impressive,”said the mage,”Think you can heal larger wounds with that?” Tepin admitted that she had no idea. “Willing to try? There are a lot of wounded among the refugees” she gaped not certain what she should do. “if you cant help I’ll understand but if you wont I’ll be very disappointed,. I won't force you. I’m sure they'd be grateful however. I know I would be.”

“Alright I'll try. I'll need a source for this. I don't want to kill off all the flowers to heal wounds that may heal on there own.”

“You mentioned you can store energy in crystals, can you draw energy from the crystal also?”

“Yes,” she said confused.

“Bring a large piece of quarts and follow me,” She grabbed a large bit of rose quarts from her collection and followed him. They walked quickly through the keep while he explained what they where going to do.

“There’s an old tree that the villagers have been insisting I have removed, Huge thing, they’ve been trying to chop it down for days. It just doesn’t want to fall. Maybe we can solve two problems at one time. They walked for half an hour and found a short, very stubby, old oak that stood in the middle of where people seemed to want to have a road. The tree seemed to be dying and it had been chopped nearly half the way through. Branches from high had snapped off and where trapped in the lower branches. They looked ready to fall on any passerby.

“Will this be enough,” asked the mage?

Tepin reached out with her minds eye. The tree absolutely radiated with life. It glowed warm. It had to be the largest single source of life energy she'd deliberately sensed. She nodded that it would be and the mage set to explaining.

“Over and over again draw life from the tree, store it in the crystal. We've learned you can put nearly any amount of energy into quarts and it holds it for you. Work at it until this great beast of an obstruction is dead. When its done the tree should become very brittle and be easier for the villagers to dispose of. Im having a tent pitched nearby I’ll bring the most severely injured there and you can start mending wounds.”

She did as she was instructed. She drew in life energy from the old oak until she was dizzy with it and pushed it into the crystal. Pull push pull push she tapped everything she could at a time from the tree. After an hour she realized the drawing wasn’t making her sick anymore. She pulled more at a time. Pausing only to clear her head. It took three more hours to finally drain the tree completely dry and to realize she had an audience. A tent had been set up nearby and people where slowly coming to it through shadow. There was a soldier standing close by her.

“Why didn't you tell me,” she shouted at him?!

“I was told you where working magic Madam Mage, I thought it best not to disturb you.”

“Is it best to let people suffer,” she insisted?

“Your tents ready, Mage Tepin. The most severe of the injured are waiting for you,” he gestured to the tent.

She drew energy from the crystal that had been charged and walked to the tent. Most of the people where on litters being carried by people who where mildly injured themselves. One woman had had her arm run through. Tepin focused and started mending. She later learned that that injury had been mild. Others where far worse. Some had broken bones others lacerations. They came where mended and more kept coming. Another man had had a jagged bite taken out of his arm. Using a combination of growth and mending she restored it. There where amputees she could do little for but heal the wound. She could regrow small amounts of what was already there but a whole limb would prove to be a painful ordeal for the injured person. With each person came tales of what had happened. Apparently they'd been beset by kobolds several times during there long journey from the middle world. Later a troop of orcs had hunted them. In most cases the soldiers could keep them at bay but not often before they could cause harm. Many would need a good deal of rest after being mended. Tepin had imagined there had been only a few wounded. There where hundreds. Romah found her busying herself with a broken finger, and reminded her to eat offering her food. She broke her routine only for that and realized after eating she was both starving and exhausted. She refused to admit it and wanted to go back to mending. Romah forced her to sit.

“Your only one little mage,” he said resting his hand on her shoulder and she sat back down with a thump. It was if she'd needed someone to give her justification to finally stop. She cried from fatigue. There where so many hurting. She wanted to help them all.

“The most severe you’ve already helped. These people will wait until morning for there mending. Sleep little one,” he patted the bedroll behind her and she lay her head on it. She had dreams of people coming back that she'd already helped with wounds worse than they'd started out with. Then she'd finish with a group only to look up and discover there where more yet. The dream worsened when she discovered she had no magic to help them with and was trying to mend there broken bodies with a stick. Moans screams and cries of pain filled her dream, 'Help us,' they cried, 'Im bleeding', 'please mercy!'

“I cant!” Tepin sat straight up from a sound sleep. Romah was sitting up by a fire made for them. He turned when he heard her call out.

“Are you alright,” he insisted?

Tepin caught her breath and nodded. “Dream,” she said weakly and described it to him.

“You've seen too much pain, little one,” he apologized, “You're nearly done there are no more than two dozen left to help. And they're sleeping.”

“Is it always so hard to be a mage,” she asked joining him by the fire watching the sparks fly up.

“Sometimes,” he said. “There have been days, like this one, when I wished I was a fisherman's son again. Oh for the days of mending nets.”

“Your father was a fisherman?”

“Indeed, he owned a fishing boat. He'd take me out on it every chance he got, teaching me the ways of the sea. Mornings we'd fish catching everything the sea would provide, at night we'd watch the stars, counting them until we fell asleep. I can still tell direction by the stars. I wanted to be just like my father.”

“I wanted to be a farmer's wife,”Tepin offered,” I hoped papa would find a handsome farm boy somewhere to betroth me to. Imagined raising chickens and pigs,” she grinned at how silly it seemed now.

He handed her a cup of tea, and offered a toast. “To simple dreams.” and they drank together quietly. Tepin eventually fished her crystal out of her pocket and admired it holding it up to the firelight.

“How much life is left to it,” asked Romah

“Most of it still there. I thought all the injuries would drain it,” she said

“May I,” he asked extending his hand and she passed it to him.

He held it in his hand admiring it. And shadow converged on it. Its shape changed twisted and molded into a pendent. He took a silver chain from his neck and looped it through and gave the necklace to Tepin. “That should make it less cumbersome and easy to get too.”

“Thank you,” she said admiring it and put it on.

“Should the council let them stay Tepin? Should they accept Lian's request?”

He was asking her!?

“Im only a child and you want to know my oppinion?”

“I represent both the mages and the republic Tepin. You are a mage. Your opinion matters,” he explained.

“Im a mage apprentice,”she corrected.

“Still a mage,” replied. She apparently wasn't going to win this argument and sighed.

“They're exhausted, hurt badly, most of them are hungry,” she said.

“But should they be allowed to stay?”

“It wouldn’t be kind to send them away,” she answered finally. “They should stay.”

“And Lian? Should we reform the republic to that of provincial Talendria? It's what she wants.”

“That's not right. We're not Talendrian. We are Masarian”

“A fair answer,” said Romah. “Try to rest more, there's more injuries for you in the morning, and I have to address the council at first light. I'll send Choba with a message on how it goes.”

She made her way back to her bedroll and returned to a fitful sleep. She woke after the sun rose and damp cool morning air made her shiver. A mist was on the ground. To Tepin it looked beautiful but it added dampness to the chill. There was meat over the fire. The mage had woke before her cooked a meal and set about his day. She took a large chunk of the rabbit cutting it off with the knife that had been left behind. She ate quietly and thought about the day. There where about two dozen people still in the camp. Most she guessed had minor wounds. Looking to the camp she could see them starting to wake and start there days. Tepin walked to the guard was keeping watch and told him to let the injured know she was ready for them. He nodded and called for a civilian who he relayed the message to. After the day before she was ready for anything. People started lining up and she set herself to a routine that she'd memorized the day before. It was noon before Choba arrived with a message from Romha. The refugees would be allowed to stay and Lian was given a voice on the council. The armies would merge and protect the joined kingdom. The little shadow sat on her knee while she worked. He was respectfully quiet while Tepin mended the last few injured. When no more showed she checked with the guards to see if there where more. Finding that there wasn't she made her way back to the castle. Choba had come to a solution for keeping up with Tepin. He rode on her shoulder. She wondered what would happen now, She imagined that this dark mage was an enemy of Masari now.

“Choba, you think that we'll be going to war,” she asked.

Peace, Choba answered.

She hoped it would be peaceful, “Do you speak in more than one word at a time,”she asked?

Ideas, came the response.

“So one idea at a time, that’s better than not talking I guess,” she giggled. The sun had risen and started burning away the morning mist. The world was a pretty place. Passing through the village she paused at the new butcher shop to see if Bronlin had any bones for her. He sold her a large bag full that she sent to her spirit hold. She paid the man three silvers and thanked him. Bones?

“I know, why am I bothering to collect them? I guess its better then hurting something living to get mana to work with,” she explained to the little shadow. “Now that I know how to store mana I can drain all the bones I've collected.”

Better came the response.

“It's definitely easier. And, I'm not leaving bone dust all over the place,” she answered the little shadow who burst into a giggle fit. It was odd to hear the little shade creature giggle. It was like a knowing a child was giggling but being just too far away to really hear the sound.

“So, why are you on my shoulder. You usually don't stay around this long.”

Watching, was the response.

“Master Romah wants you to watch me? Is he that busy?”

Yes. Yes.

“Did you learn how much voice Princess Liam would have on the council,” She asked.

Member. Choba answered with a little blink.

They'd finally made there way to the castle and Wolf was laying at the gate waiting for her. Tepin scratched her ears and gave her a little belly rub when she rolled over. It was good to see her too. The keep was full of people. They where organizing the arrival of new citizens, Tepin guessed and made her way back to her apartment with wolf following close behind. The room was dark, cold and damp, she set about lighting a fire and taking the covers off of glow stones. She thought about the magic shed learned and took up a quill and parchment. She detailed the mending spell with runes and gave a description of how it worked, what she learned she could do with it and the dangers of coupling it with the growth rune. She wondered if the spell could be used to heal the sick as well. She wrote also about her experience with the tree. How she'd stored the magic from one in a bit of quartz. What it was like to pass energy to and from a crystal. She wrote about the discoveries with the flowers and the creation of Wolf. It wasn't long before she realized she wasn't writing a spell book the way she wanted and was ready to burn the parchment. Book of Days, Choba said to her. She thought about it. Several books shed read about magic took the forms of diaries. She rolled the parchment dated and titled it and set it on the shelf with her other scrolls.

“Good Idea, Choba,” she said. Yes, he replied. She sat down and petted Wolf for a time wondering what to do.

“I wish there was someone I could talk to about my magic. Mage Imbri is powerfull and wise but,” She was interrupted by a thought by Choba Shadows.

“Yes he deals in shadows,” she finished.

Choba. The little shadow suggested.

“Talk to you? No offense intended Choba, but Im not sure how much you can help.”

Traveled, came the response followed by Old

“You’re well traveled and old,” she said and the little shade nodded, “Do you know anything of spirit magic?”

He nodded that he did and returned the word Old. That caused Tepin to think. “Just how old are you,”she asked and the little man shrugged.

“There hasn't been a spirit mage in hundreds of years. Theres nothing recorded. Have you met one? Are you that old,” she was dumfounded?

The responses from the little shadow where more startling her each time. Yes. Friend. He'd had a friend that was a spirit mage?

“You can tell me whats possible with my magic.. and make suggestions cant you? Thats why Imbri wants you to hover around me so much,” she surmised and the little shadow nodded , folding his arms, and sent the words Choba Tepin's

“I don't understand,” she looked at the little man getting frustrated. Servant

“What, I.. NO absolutely not! You are not my servent,”

Choba mage servant. Forever servant. Choose master. Want Tepin. That was the most shed ever heard the shadow speak in one thought.

“Your made to be a mages servant? And you're choosing me?”

Yes

Tepin surrendered, “Alright, I could really use your help then if you know anything about spirit magic.” The shade man with blinking red eyes jumped and kicked his heals together and landed on the desk with a little poof. At least he was happy about it.

“I think we should tell Mage Imbri, at least,” she said finally. “Lets go.”

Choba lead the way to the centeral building and she let them both in.

Romah Imbri was sitting at the head of the table talking with two other council members when she approached. The two pardoned themselves as she arrived. It wasn't thought wise to listen in on the conversations of mages.

“We have a traitor,” she began and that raised eyebrows from the mage. She pointed at Choba who was climbing to the top of the table in his fashion. “Apparently, he wants to be my servant now,” she said as the little man stood bashfully atop a book.

“Oh, good! You'll find that he's a good one,” said the mage.

“Did you know he's hundreds of years old, and that he knew a spirit mage” she asked?

“I expected as hes such a very small shadow that he was very young. Maybe he ages slowly. If hes that old his love for serving mages has probably met him quite a few mages as part of his service. I wouldn't doubt it if he knew more than one spirit mage,” admitted Romah.

“You don't mind if he's mine now,” asked Tepin.

“No, but I'm certainly going to miss his antics,” Said the mage. The little shadow giggled and did a jig, “How did things go with the injured?” The change of subject caught Tepin off guard. She'd been trying to set the happenings of the past two days aside in her mind.

“I finished with the last a few hours ago. Then I came home and wrote about the magic I've used over the last few days. Then this one declares his loyalty and devotion to me.

“Spells you've used, Tell me about them.” She told him about making plants grow and changing there color, then about the deadly ball of energy she'd created then about the healing spell which he already knew.

“Deadly ball of energy?” She described it to him and Choba said Spirit Lance for both of them to hear.

“That has a name,” Tepin asked? Choba nodded confirmation.

“Sounds like Choba will be a great help to you indeed. Be careful when creating spells that can be used as weapons.” Tepin nodded that she would. “Liam heard of your helpfulness. They’re building a city a few miles from here and she wants to make you the protector of it.”

“I’m just an apprentice,” complained Tepin.

“That’s what I told her too, she suggested someone to be your regent. He'll govern in your place and take direction from you about important matters until you’re old enough to assume the job on your own. You've made a lot of friends over the last few days and gained a lot of esteem by the refugees. The council voted in favor of the matter, and I agree also,” the mage informed her.

“So, I don’t really have a choice,” said Tepin.

“You do have a choice Tepin. You can decline this but you could certainly use the lessons in leadership that it would teach you. Ill give you a day to think about it.”

She thought for a moment. How she'd helped the people that swarmed to her for healing. She felt connected to them. They probably felt the same way about her.

“I don't need a day,” she said finally, “I accept.”

“So, it boiled down to having a choice,” asked the mage?

She thought for a moment and guessed that in fact it did. She'd never had much of a choice in anything before. This made a pleasant change.

“Good then, I'll take you to the location where they're building . The city and the surrounding province will be your district. The border between your district and the republic district will be marked by the river which we'll share. You'll stay with your people and I'll travel to you daily to teach and guide you in the ways of magic,” the mage said.

“Why cant I travel here?”

“It would be a waste of valuable time. You will need to be with your people even if its for appearances at the moment. Its half a days ride from here. I can be there in a moment however.”

Tepin nodded and they left the council chambers. They went to Tepins apartment to collect her belongings. She cast what she owned into a spirit hold. The spirit energy for the hold she stored inside a crystal for safe keeping, which she pocketed. The mage instructed her to take all of her furniture also as she would need it. The room was completely empty by the time she'd finished. He opened a gate and they walked through with Choba and Wolf.

Normally the mage opened shadow gates well away from there destination, causing a need for them to walk for miles. This time, however, he dropped them less than a hundred feet from the river. They where in a clearing, trees encircled it at about a two mile radius from the middle and people where milling about. Tents where being erected by the hundreds. They walked through the tents for a time until they came to some large ones in the middle. People milled about preparing meals and laying out bedrolls. Guards patrolled the outskirts of the encampment. There where two stationed at the entrance of a largest most colorful tent. Romah announced them and the guards opened the tent to allow them to enter. Liam stood with four men around a table. One was a soldier she'd met before at the mending camp. He was in far better shape than she'd remembered and he'd taken a bath. The others where strangers to Tepin one a fat man who looked like a merchant. He had red hair and a short beard that was braided. Another a short skinny man with blonde hair who was clean cut. Tepin thought he was handsome save for his eyes which had a constant look of temper. Another seemed rather plain to Tepin but he was very tall. The last, Tepin finally recognized from the mending camp he'd have lost his leg had it not for her magic. He looked whole and well, he smiled when he saw Tepin and the conversation paused.

“Our protector has arrived,” announced Liam and the others finally took notice and they each gave a bow to Tepin. Liam began giving introductions.

“This is Captain Shinan Kastamore, hes the captain of your guard here in Rainferrin.,” The guard saluted with his left fist to his shoulder. “, Gran Linmiles will be your commerce advisor. He's a very wealthy merchant,” the stout chubby redhaired man gave a bow, “This is Wiles Mayerton, he represents the farmers,” the skinny man nodded politely, “Bron Kindle, is the chief advisor.” the tallest man shed ever seen fell to a knee, “And I believe you've met Mardgin Toll hes in charge of building.” the strongest man grinned proudly. Tepin nodded to each of them in turn.

“If everything's in order I'll leave her here with you,” asked Romah? Liam assured her that Tepin would be quite safe with them and extended her hand for Tepin to join her. The mage bade his farewells

“Who will be my regent princess,” asked Tepin.

“Im just a council member now, Mage Tepin, The only authority I have here is my status on the council of Masari. I'll be representing the province of Rainferrin on the council. You'll meet Shayla after dinner as she's seeing to the building of a bridge across the river,” said Liam.

“My regent is a woman?”

“And a fine one at that,” said Gran with a chuckle. His comment received a glare from Liam that did little to stifle him.

“You'll find Gran has better manners where money is involved Mage Tepin,” said Bron.

Liam changed the subject to what they where doing, “We're deciding where to put your keep M'lady. Mardgin was pointing out two locations that would serve well. Each has its benefits and downsides. This one,” she pointed to a spot on the table marked by a rock, “ is close to the village but poorly defended. This one,” she pointed to a location marked by a rock on a loaf of bread. Is on a hill, harder to take should there be a conflict but farther from where we want the city. Since we're in a bit of a stalemate maybe you should decide.”

“Can't the city be moved closer to the safer place,” asked Tepin?

“Well.. yes. It'd take a lot more building to bring water from the river, though,” said Mardgin.

“Why not wells,” offered Tepin. It only made sense. The heavy builder thought for a moment and nodded that it was definitely possible.

“Armies dont move by suggestion M'lady, Order us to do this and we will. Until you do its just an idea,” said the captain of the guard.

“Alright, we'll use this location,” she pointed to the bread, “and we'll dig wells. Start work on it in the morning.”she said.

“Yes, M'lady,” Said the captain. “I'll have my men start clearing the area in the morning. Mardgin looks like we start work early.” The men nodded.

“It's getting dark. Make sure the Mage Tepin has a commander's tent set up with guards. Were going to go find Shala,” said Liam. Everyone left the tent and Liam led Tepin, Choba, and Wolf through the encampment until they came to an edge. Half a dozen people where busy cutting trees for the bridge. A tall woman was pointing and giving directions. Shala turned when she saw them and started walking towards them.

“Why is there a child here, Liam? This is a construction area she's likely to get hurt,” said the blonde with blue eyes.

“So its ok if adults get hurt but not children,” asked Tepin pointing to a man who'd just hit his thumb with a hammer and was cursing?

“Shayla, This is the Mage Tepin,” Liam introduced her.

“Mage Apprentice please,” corrected Tepin.

“Forgive me M'lady, I didn't realize you would be so young, I am Shala Delflorin.” The woman bowed low, “Its a pleasure to be your regent.”

“What are you doing here,” asked the little mage.

“We're cutting trees and building a bridge to get the wagons from the other side of the river safely. There are supplies in them the settlement needs,” answered Shala.

“The mage apprentice decided we should build the keep on the hilltop and dig wells for water,” announced Liam who seemed proud of her charge, “They’re setting up a commander's tent for her as we speak.”

“Well done, M'lady,” said Shala.

“Im not really sure how this works, the Regent thing,” admitted Tepin.

“Essentially,” said Shala, “I'm in charge until you're old enough to be in charge. You can override my decisions at any time. Then if I want to do it anyway I have to challenge your order with the city council. If they vote in my favor I can override your decisions. If they vote in yours then I have to do as you and they say. You may make commands and I may override them. I do not need the council. Essentially Im in charge you have the right to oppose it. I hope it doesn't come to that often M'lady. I'd rather we work together to better the province,” explained Shala. Tepin certainly would rather things be kept simple.

“How long will you be my Regent,” asked Tepin.

“Until your sixteenth birthday. Then you're considered an adult even though your apprenticeship wont be completed until your much older. The day you're sixteen I stand down from regent and become your adviser for two more years.”

“How long until the bridge is complete,” the girl asked.

“A few more hours M'lady.”

Tepin was hungry and told Liam and they set for the tent she knew she'd be calling home for a time while they built her better accommodations. They dined on rabbit stew that was being cooked outside of her tent by a plump woman. Tepin learned that Jayla was her name and she'd be the housekeeper for Tepin. Liam and tepin sat with wolf and choba in the tent and talked of what would be happening over the next few days. The encampment would break in the morning. Farmers would set out to lands issued them. In fact everyone would.. A tract of land had been given to each family. There where three hundred families. More than two hundred individuals and the rest where soldiers. When Tepin asked why there weren’t more Liam informed her that many had decided to stay in Jinford, the village outside of the Masari castle. The moon broke over the horizon and Tepin summoned her bed from the crystal store that shed created to Liam's sheer delight. It had been a long time since she'd seen magic worked. She bid her good nights and Liam left her to sleep. Choba wandered off to shadows as he did every night and Wolf curled herself at the foot of Tepin's bed. She slept soundly for the first time in days.

She woke with the housekeeper shouting M'lady! Wolf had her cornered in back of the tent and wasn’t letting the fat cook anywhere near Tepin. In fact wasn’t letting her leave the corner of the tent at all.

“Wolf, its ok.” the dog whined and made her way to Tepin's side as she got out of bed.

“All I did was try to wake you! The screaming mutt bit at me and then wouldn't let me so much as move! You must teach it to trust at least someone,” said the woman catching her breath. She got her composure back and said, “Breakfast is ready, M'lady,” and stormed out of the tent.

“Your making friends fast, Wolf,” she said. The wolf whined at her tone.

“My fat arse she is,” the housekeeper shouted back into the tent as she left! Tepin burst into giggles and got into her day clothes. Sunlight was on the encampment which was starting to break up. People where moving off to there designated lands and today the building would begin. Tepin watched the wagons go by while she ate a breakfast of eggs and ham. Farmers would need to plant as soon as possible for the fall harvest. They'd barely scrape by with it . She hoped the crops weren't being taxed this year. It would be a very poor harvest. and thought to bring that up with Shala. She'd invited the guards to join her for breakfast, and they declined saying that they would eat later. She asked them why they hadn't tried to help the housekeeper earlier. There job was to see that no unauthorized peoples where allowed in the tent. And the housekeeper was authorized. Apparently she was one of only four people who could enter the tent at all. Tepin learned that Liam, Shala, Jayla and the mage Romah and of course the guards on duty where allowed. The little apprentice liked her privacy and instructed them that only Shala or Liam could enter and they where to see to a female guard on duty who could also. The housekeeper, who swore she'd never enter the tent again, reluctantly tried to feed Wolf and complained when Tepin told her the dog had been created by magic and didn't eat. Shala made herself present and talked with Tepin about provincial matters. Tepin would be asked to choose a new standard for the local guard, agreed to reduce the tax burden on the farmers by half, she informed her that a gold vein had been found and several people where mining it. A search should be done and mining allowed to bring some money to the city. Her keep would take nearly a year to build and a house would be built for Tepin in the interim. It would be large but only take a few weeks. Once she moved into the keep the house would be sold, or turned into a public building. Aside from farm taxes did anything concern Tepin? She told Shayla that she wanted females only to enter her tent while she was sleeping. What would her responsibilities be as the protector even though she was young?

“Simply put, M'lady, your responsibilities haven't changed much. You'll be put to simple decisions and work your way up to more complex ones as you grow older. I would be irresponsible if I failed to teach you leadership. You may also have a small number of personal guard in the event you wish to travel, or have projects that would be benefited by them. I'll choose one hundred of the best, anything you want me to look for in a guard?”

“Some of them must be women,” she said.

“I'll see to it,” said Shayla, “I was told you don't have many friends your own age. It's important so I'd recommend spending time with the townspeople.”

“What are people doing with the bones from there meals,” asked tepin.

“They're generally burned and buried. Some are turned to soups,”

“Then I'd like people to save them and bring them to me once a week. They’re a source of magic for me. It keeps me from having to take magic from living things.” That surprised the regent. But she agreed. Shayla finally gave Tepin a morning report. Two hundred families where off to start farms and build there own villages outside of Rainferrin. That cut the population here by half. The bridge was complete and a stone bridge would be built along side the wooden one. Later the wooden bridge would be removed. A company of soldiers had been sent with each group. The treasury had eight hundred and fifty crowns at last count. A smith was being hired to mint crowns for the province since they had found a source of gold in the province. Mining had begun and the mine was owned by Tepin. Money from it would be funneled directly to the accounts. Tepin would receive twenty crowns for spending per month. That concluded business and Shayla said she needed to get to working. It was the weeks end and Romah wouldn't be coming to teach her for two days. Choba who had been exploring shadows all night finally popped out of one and made his way to her shoulder. She was to spend time with the townspeople. Most where busy and children most often helped with what they could. Thinking about it she certainly didn't have many friends that weren’t grown ups. She set about wandering the encampment that was becoming less crowded than before. She came to a group of children finally. Two girls where playing with dolls and the four boys where having swordfights with sticks. None but the oldest boy was her age. She said good morning to the boys who stopped what they where doing and said hello.

“I'm mage apprentice Tepin,” she said proudly.

“And I'm Emperor Dolfrip of Castamore,” said the second smallest of the four boys.

“But I am,” she said.

“Alright then, show us some magic,” said the oldest. Tepin was angry she'd have to prove it but accepted the challenge.

“Hand me your sword,” said Tepin and the older boy did. Tepin focused her energy drawing it from her crystal and filled the stick with it. She began shaping it, flattening the blade and added a hilt and proper handle. When she was done she handed the fine wooden blade back to the oldest boy in knightly fasion. The boys watched in amazement and soon wanted magic forged swords of there own. Tepin was happy to help.

“Im Daman,” said the oldest, “These are my brother Mika, Bromin, and Ciles. My sisters Raina and Marna are over there playin' with dolls.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” she said to all of them.

“We where talking of going fishing. Would you like to join us? You do have a fishing pole don't you,” he asked. Tepin admitted that she didn't. “I'll just make you one then,” said Ciles, “You made us swords after all.” He set off for the tent and Tepin and three of the boys walked to the river. Ciles would catch up. Daman proved himself to be a very sweet boy baiting her hook for her whenever she lost a worm. He told her he did that for his sisters all the time. Choba popped out of her tunic pocket at one point during the afternoon and fishing was forgotten for a time while she made introductions. The boys marveled at the little shadow, who was loving the attention and doing a little jig for there benefit. The boys parents had been given lease to build an Inn and pub. There father loved brewing ales and mead, and mother was a housewife who never seemed to have enough to do. Tepin summoned honey rolls that had been in spirit hold since her banishment from Talendria. They surprisingly where still fresh and she shared them with the boys. They fished until the sun began to set and everyone decided it was definitely time to be home.