Chapter 6 - He's With Me

The struggle continues to have the mages accept Havel.

Gwen Drakin

Her cheeks burned again and she couldn’t decide what she was feeling right now. Even 30 feet away she’d heard the comment. Was he looking at her? She wouldn’t turn back as she lead the horse into the stables. Today was both awful and the most fun she’d had in ages. He was witty and intelligent regardless of the language the boy spoke. She’d tried so hard to ignore his hands on her hips as the rode. Suddenly Gwen decided she was mad at him. That was a little to much and she unsaddled Starlight quickly. Havel tried to help but he mostly just got in the way. The page she caught should bring all the items up to the suite but she was hungry. Maybe swing by the dining hall and see if anything was left.

The castle’s glow lights had been on for some time and she pushed inside the main entrance. Most students would be relaxing in the common rooms or sleeping. Tomorrow they’d be starting classes again.

Inside the dinning hall it was as she feared. Nobody was here except one of the servants wiping off the tables. They probably had the ovens down to coals and were settling down themselves. At least they’d stopped to have that late lunch. Going into into the kitchen she found one of the cooks getting ingredients ready for tomorrow. He looked up as Gwen came in and tried to hide a scowl.

“I’m sorry milady the ovens have cooled.”

“Thats fine, I just want to get some wine.” Gwen said waving the man back to his chores. She pushed open a storage door and found two bottles of port. The glass was a smoky green color to keep the liquid from aging to quickly. She noticed the local winery wax stamp from Bushmont. Gwen handed them back to Havel who tucked it away under arms. Gwen also located two clean glasses.

“Your not really supposed to get into the wine after supper miss.” The cook admonished from his place in the kitchen.

“I'm not supposed to summon humans either, but that happened too.” Gwen said brusquely and pushed back out to the hall. She frowned a little thinking that had been a poor reply. Havel was rubbing off on her already.

“It had been a long day,” she tried to tell herself. Shaking off the guilty feeling Gwen wound her way towards Acolyte Tower. Going up the girls stirs she was right about the commons. Six girls were sitting around chatting. Three had their familiars with them. Ashley with that blood hawk and it was eying the other small animals hungrily. Marin was sitting in the chair facing the stairs petting her cat. It was almost exactly as she wanted, something cute. Vera was there too but Gwen didn’t see a familiar present. Part of her really wanted to just duck into her room and go to bed.

“Hello Gwen,” Marin said spying her first as she came up.

“Good evening to you Marin,” She said back and the other girl smiled.

“Oh sweet goddess, is that him still?” Marin instantly said spying Havel coming up next. She let out a tiny squeal at the appearance of the boy.

“Before I forget Gretchen is waiting to ambush you in your suite.” Marin said quickly.

“You brought wine,” Vera said noticing the bottles. Gwen sighed unable to escape now. It would be rude to charge past them like some minotaur with his prize.

“I did, if you have extra glasses in your rooms I can share.”

“Come sit with us,” Ashely said spying the boy. It was her first time really getting a look at the savage. Gwen glanced back at Havel but he was doing that stupid face right now. He wouldn’t be any help in the coming battle anyway. Stepping into the room she sat down on the open couch. This was supposed to be in her study right now. That didn’t bode well and she already had some inclination why the old hen was in her rooms. Maybe Gwen should start magically locking her rooms when she left. Then the servants wouldn’t be able to clean them as they were supposed too.

“What did you girls do today?” Gwen asked trying to steer the conversation.

“Mostly watched the boys play with their new pets.” Marin admitted as two other girls brought out some goblets.

“Edward was trying ride his drake. It was quite the spectacle.”

“Did he succeed?” Gwen said interested in the topic.

“Not really, he tried a horse saddle. Kept hacking at it with an axe to make it fit.” Vera cut in. Gwen was a little sad she didn’t get to see Edward in action. Havel handed the bottles over seeing this was turning into a party. He had taken a seat on the other end of the couch from Gwen. He only winced a little as he sat.

“I took a couple of naps while Uriel went hunting.”

“What did you do today?” Ashley asked still eying the blond boy in their midst.

“Went to Bushmont, we just got back.”

“I can’t believe it, he’s so cute.” Marin gushed as one of the bottles was cracked open. There weren’t enough glasses so the girls would have to share.

“He’s surprising easy to look at.” Gwen admitted before glancing at the boy.

“I bet Georgi is furious.”

“We saw each other on road into town.”

“Oh?”

“He wasn’t pleased that I still want to be a mage. Swine had the gall to still suggest I could abandon the savage and be his wife.” Gwen said tasting her wine. It was a little sweet for her liking but they did go through it fast here in the castle. She purposely didn’t mention the attempt on Havel’s life. Attacking another mage’s familiar would get him expelled. That would make their Houses instant enemies in the assembly.

The girls weren’t sure if they could stare at the boy. Marin was the exception who continued to watch him. The calico cat in her lap purr’d away ignoring everyone. It didn’t take long for the first bottle to go empty. The six girls chatted amiably for a few more minutes.

“Can he talk to us?”

“I’ll have to translate but I don’t see why not. You can ask a few questions but I'm too tired to keep it up for long.

“What’s it like being bonded?” Marin asked curious about his side of the spell. Gwen stiffened a little but turned and repeated the words. Havel thought for a second before speaking. She had to repeat his words in common.

“I thought I was dreaming.”

“Did it hurt?” Marin asked quickly as she pet her purring familiar.

“No, it was like feeling connected to another person.”

“What’s it like wearing clothes?” Ashley asked maybe a little sneeringly. Gwen frowned and was growing tired of people thinking so ill of him.

“He’s not the savage you all thought.”

“Havel lived in a city as big as Blackrock, went to school like us. He was rather bored with Bushmont.” Gwen informed the group. Speaking of him Havel said a few things in that drawling language.

“He was hoping to see some elves or dwarves. There are only humans in his kingdom of Texas.”

The second bottle was getting opened now and the girls were looking a little flushed from the wine. Havel only sipped at his glass, the wine wasn’t to his taste. The topics suddenly started getting far to intimate as the wine flowed.

“Did he have a girl?”

“No, I was focused on my studies.”

“Wait, he’s educated?”

“Yes, as I said he was going to an academy but not for magic.” Gwen said to them without bothering to ask Havel.

“Did he sleep in your room last night.”

“Absolutely not, I'm thinking of bringing a bed into the study.”

“Speaking of that I think that’s why Gretchen is toiling away in your suite.” Marin said reminding Gwen the big woman was waiting in ambush. Speaking her named seemed to summon the demon in question. The suite door opened and the large red haired woman came out. Her eyes immediately found the boy in their midst and she growled.

“Boys can’t be up here.”

“He’s my familiar and he will be staying near me.”

“That’s against the rules. We have prepared a suitable room for the boy.” Gretchen said and the girls went silent. Gwen though had just enough wine to put her in a mood.

“I bet you have. Considering how poorly you treated him yesterday. Imprisoning and starving him half to death.” Gwen said causticly. Gretchen being first servant of the castle wasn’t about to take that lying down.

“You’ll adhere to the rules or I’ll have a word with the headmaster.”

“Thats suitable to me. If you’ve prepared a suite for him then I require an adjoining room, bath, and study.” Gwen shot back and they glared at one another. Considering what Georgi had just done that day she was not about to let Havel out of her reach. If he tried once he would in all likelihood make another attempt soon.

“Until you’ve secured a proper space for me and my familiar he’ll be staying in my study. Speaking of beds send two boys up to move the couch back inside.”

“He’s a savage unable to control himself,” Gretchen said hotly as she knew what all men were like.

“I just spent 10 hours on the road with him and he was a perfect gentleman. Thats more than I can say for your behavior yesterday.” Gwen replied smoothly making the large womans face go purple. She took another sip of her wine draining the glass. The other six girls were looking on with amazement. Gwen was getting tired of the conversation and wanted to go to bed.

“I’ve never been insulted so completely.” Gretchen was spluttering now.

“Then I should think you aught to treat my familiar with respect as well.” Gwen said growing angry at the general distrust shown Havel.

“Thank you for the consideration for my status. Please do see the head master to discuss my new accommodations.” Gwen said finishing the argument and setting her wine glass down. The woman almost frothed unable to form coherent thought. She stalked to the stairwell before turning.

“I will be seeing the head mage about your attitude.”

“Please don’t forget to send up some boys.” Gwen said dismissively but the first servant was already storming down the stairs. She let out a sigh as the tension left her.

“Thats the first time I’ve ever seen the hen go so purple in the face.” Vera said amused from her place in the room.

“Suddenly I want my own boy.” Marin said with awe. This was the first time she’d seen Gwen act so rashly.

“They might just expel you,” another girl suggested.

“Maybe they will.”

After about five more minutes nobody came up and the girls polished off the last of the wine.

“I'm going to check what they did to my suite. Can I trust you won’t pounce on my servant while I'm away?” Gwen said getting up. She was tipsy from the two glasses of wine she’d just downed. Maybe she should have found something to eat first. Havel stayed at his place on the couch as she pushed into her rooms. Gwen located a basket with more sewing needles in her foyer. It must have been were Gretchen was making her stand. As she figured they had taken the couch from the study. The only other changes in her suite were the packages from town. Satisfied she went back to the common room.

Marin of course had moved to sit next to Havel. She loved boys especially light haired ones and her hand was running through his short mane. The cat was in his lap now and he was scratching it behind the ears. Gwen coughed suddenly jealous. Havel looked over and smiled.

“Help me move the couch back into the study. I don’t think Gretchen is going to send anyone.” Gwen said feeling that strange acid like emotion. Havel nodded and stood up making the cat in his lap leap to the ground. The blood hawk in the room followed the animal every second with its gaze.

“Aww, leaving so soon.”

“Gretchen is probably going for reinforcements. Its better if I make a strategic withdrawal.”

“I’ll let him sleep in my suite if you need to hide him.” Marin said almost but not quite under her breath. The other girls tittered.

“That won’t be necessary but I appreciate the offer.”

“I don’t want a boy sleeping up here,” Ashley finally admitted. She’d been looking at Havel most of the night as well. The strangeness of his situation intrigued the girl but it quickly wore off.

“After tonight you get your wish probably. I’ll be locking him in the study again.”

“What if he climbs out?” Ashley said still dubious.

“We are 6 floors up, if he managed to make it to your room he can have you.” Gwen said once again getting annoyed.

“I'm only next door,” Marin suggested and the girls giggled again.

Gwen and Havel lifted the couch and shuffled into her suite. As soon as they were inside she pulled her ebon colored wand out. It took a second to remember the locking spell through the warm tingling sensation. As a noble she did know a few magic incantations before she’d come here. Technically it was illegal but nobles taught their children the basics before coming here. Her father was quite an accomplished evoker and battle mage. It was what their family was elevated for.

Setting the couch back in the study Gwen felt suddenly tired. She did remember the one thing she purchased. Going out to the foyer she found it laying on top and brought the cloth wrapped bundle into her room. It was something of a present but she was unwilling to give it to Havel just yet.

The next morning she wrote her mother a letter before leaving the suite.

Dear Mother

“First I apologize for putting Aunt Elva’s name on the letter. I’ve written father a letter as well. I’ll be sending it out with the mail in two days. You may have heard the rumors about my Summoning. Its true, I’ve bonded with a human.”

“Havel is a commoner boy my age from a distant continent. The rumors call him a savage but he is anything but. He’s a blond haired child with the cheek bones and chin of an elf. Its very odd having a conversation with him. He speaks a totally different language yet I understand him just the same. If people could only hear what he says they could see his is just the same as any highborn our age. The poor boy has endured every sort of distrust since this accident.”

“I have to go my classes start in an hour. Tomorrow I’ll get this in with the rest of the mail going out of the castle.”

Your loving daughter

Gwen Estell Drakin

“Ps. Please don’t show this to father.”

Gwen stood next to Havel out on the dew crusted grass. Today was the first class and every summons needed to be present. The sun was already feeling great but the wind was something of an annoyance.

“Today you are going to explore the connection you’ve made with your familiar.” Professor Tanner said to them all. He was a teacher of the light school. The underside of his mage cloak was white colored. He was an unusual teacher in that he was so young. Only 25 and he had managed to secure a position here. Red haired and relatively good looking made him quite popular with the female students. He strode between the girls easily and smiled at them all.

“Since we have a drake and a pegasus present in this years summons we have to hold it outside today. Thankfully its looking like its going to be a glorious day.” Tanner continued to talk but Gwen glanced over at Havel. He was looking thoughtful as he watched the teacher. The teacher droned on as her mind spun back to earlier that morning.

Yelling at Gretchen last night had gotten her in trouble. The headmaster had called her into his office and exploded at her.

“I should expel you for your words to the First Servant.” Headmaster Logains yelled. Gretchen was there and she looked victorious in her smock.

“I'm sorry for my rude comments. My demands still stand as they did last night. I require an adjoining suite to Havel’s. Separate bathroom, bedroom, with a study.” Gwen had started.

“Havel is my responsibility to care for not Gretchens.” Gwen started and the headmaster nodded. Every familiar was bonded by magic to the mage. So it really should be her decision where the boy should stay.

“Yesterday First Servant did such a poor job looking after the new familiar I would not trust her look after my charge.” Gwen said as she looked directly at Gretchen. The woman couldn’t retort as it was her temporary duty. She’d completely failed to feed, water, and properly cloth him. Still her eyes had flared in anger.

“I also have suspicions another student may have designs on Havel’s life.”

“Explain your accusation.” Logains demanded barely controlling his temper.

“I met Georgi on the road yesterday and he made insinuations that the savage should disappear.” Gwen said next and the headmasters eyes squinted. This was a lie but she wasn’t going to say Georgi had made good on that threat already. Logains must have known a little of her betrothal to the beast. He kept his comments to himself though.

“If no suitable accommodations are found I’ll be forced to leave the school.”

“You are in no position to make demands.” The headmaster had said coldly. Gwen didn’t respond to this and kept her head bowed.

“Your dismissed.” He said finally. As she backed out of the office she’d looked at them both one last time.

“Im sorry again for my comments.” Gwen apologized again. If it came down to it she would take Havel back to Blackrock with half the gold she’d given the school. She knew deep down that her own life was at stake here. Gwen didn’t trust any of them to keep Havel safe. Everyone would rather quietly sweep the boy from another continent under the rug.

Gwen’s thoughts snapped back to what was happening as Tanner finally started his lesson. It was an annoying habit that he loved to gab.

“The bond you formed with your familiar is a permanent connection between you two. This means you don’t have to physically see each other to talk. Just think about the familiar and imagine thinking the words or directions.” Tanner said and Gwen finally learned why they could understand each other. Whenever she thought of Havel she’d sent her thoughts to him. With some embarrassment this reminded Gwen of something she’d said last night. She vaguely recalled admitting Havel was easy on the eyes.

“Oh goddess I'm so dumb.” Gwen thought to herself.

“The first thing you should do is sense your familiar.” Tanner said like none of them had bothered to do that yesterday. Still each student made the motions of closing their eyes. Gwen pointed towards her familiar like everyone else. When she opened her eyes he was looking amused but still dim.

“Next you should feel the connection between you. Reach out and touch the familiars mind. With concentration you can enter their thoughts. Seeing through their eyes or senses. You can speak to your familiar with your thoughts. This is also how you can draw upon their mana wells.” Tanner next instructed and Gwen was grateful to put her mind on the work. She’d already drawn on Havel’s source a little but hadn’t practiced it in earnest. All of the other students had their eyes closed as they held or stood next to their pets.

Gwen closed her eyes and felt for the connection between her and Havel. She pushed gently on his mind and he opened up. Going inside she could tell right away he thought everyone was being silly.

“I need to take some mana.” She thought to him.

“Mana?” He returned back.

“Your energy.” She thought and he mentally sighed. She pulled on his energy a little and felt the hot sensation fill her. It always tasted electric to her like his mana crackled with power.

“Good now take that energy and make a simple spell. A light spell will suffice for now.” Professor Tanner said next as he looked around the sea of faces. An even two dozen balls of light sprang up as each student cast their spell. One boy raised his hand, the one with the cricket if Gwen remembered.

“I can’t get hardly a thimble of mana from my familiar.” He whined making some of the nearby boys grin.

“That is fine, so long as you know how to enter your familiars mind. Insects can be useful for other things. Your not the first to get a spider or a grasshopper.” Tanner soothed the boy who still looked a bit down.

The class went on as they learned to order their pet about. The teacher instructed them to give me a simple goal.

“Go to the kitchen and get me a roll.” She thought to Havel.

“If they don’t chase me off.” Havel thought back but wandered off towards the Hall. He did managed to make it back with two fresh rolls. These were sugar coated sweet rolls.

Soon they took more mana for simple spells. The only new thing Gwen learned to do was talk telepathically to Havel. Tanner began to explain the telepathic link in more detail.

“Should you die your familiar will sadly also die. Typically this means most creatures can expect a longer than usual life span. If your pet dies you will feel the immediate loss. Many experience massive spikes in pain or mana bleed.” Tanner lectured making Gwen wince inside. She knew she’d surely die when Havel did. Or vice versa she was certain of it now. Closing her eyes she relayed what the teacher was saying to Havel. His face tried to remain neutral but she saw his eyes droop. Keeping herself alive was a tough enough job. Now she had to worry about Havel too.

Professor Tanner then clapped his hands. All the students turned towards him there in the grass.

“Now for something interesting. Im going to teach you a modified light spell. It’s form and shape will be dictated by the mana you put into it.” Tanner said and pulled out a white colored wand. Its similar to the light spell but adds some interesting modifiers. With a flourish of his wand he started.

“It will measure your current mana pool and type. The color of your mana can also assist in casting the right spells.”

“Luminata’rum Karta,” Professor announced and a bloom of whitish light sprang up. It was at least six hands high and nearly white. He said the words again slowly several times so everyone got it.

“Try doing it with your own mana first then your familiars.” The teacher said putting his wand away. The students spread about a bit to make room. Within seconds there were a total mix of lights in grassy knoll. Most of the students had lights between one and three hands high. Gwen was pleased see hers a two hand tall pinkish colored blob.

“An interesting mix Drakin,” Tanner noted as he came around.

“Your almost evenly split between red and white magics. Next year you could take either, or both maybe.”

“Marin thats a very nice colored white you have.” Tanner said moving on to the next girl. The young woman beemed at the handsome teacher.

“I hope to see you in my class next year.” Tanner said nodding and moving on.

“Ashley your an obvious Air user considering your familiar.”

The girl and her bloodhawk looked proud. The teacher finished making the rounds and came back to the middle.

“Now take some of your Familiars mana and cast the same spell. This will give you a understanding of its limits.” Tanner lectured and nodded to the glass. The girls looked eager to impress each other. Gwen reached out and touched Havel’s source. He didn’t resist when she took more. It poured down the connection between them and she said the words again.

“Luminata’rum Karta,” Gwen said pointing her wand at an open spot on the ground.

The light spell grew and she blinked in surprise. It wasn’t a color she could even put her finger on. It was almost four spans high as the ball crackled and pulsed. The boulder sized light ball shifted spectrum. Layers of color came out and swam back inside. White would pulse bright before Red sprang forward.

“That color of mana hasn’t been seen in a long time,” Tanner said coming over.

“Your man from another continent is a magnus. Someone with an equal amount of each mana. Very rare.”

Marin was making sound gasping sounds next to them. There was a little ball of black light. Well it looked more gray than black in the spring morning sun. It was about half a hand tall.

“Thats common Marin. Cats are said to walk the path between life and death.” Tanner said moving on. Havel though was nudging Gwen with his elbow and pointing at the light on the ground. The multi colored ball continued to pulse until she dispelled.

“Its a spell that measures the power of the familiar.” She thought to him making Havel grin. He did a little goofy dance there. She knew the spell didn’t lie though, his mana tasted like power. Annoyed suddenly she vowed to use his mana more often during classes.