After making his own way back to the guild building, he ventured to a very deserted looking dining hall. Knowing there would unlikely be anyone serving, he made his way in to the kitchens at the far end. Hoping that the robe he wore might have some influence, he was glad when he caught the eye of one of the cooks still working. The woman, in her middling years gave him a big smile and asked what she might do to help. After explaining he had been on a long journey and just got back, the woman suggested he go and take a seat out in the dining hall. “I’m sure we can find you something young Sir,” she said politely.
Leo was not completely alone in the hall, as he spotted another figure making its way in through the doors. At first he thought by the brown robe it was his friend Alec, but realised it was too tall for it to be him. After seating himself nearer the kitchen than he would normally do, he sat and waited patiently. He stared vacantly at the far wall as he ran the events of the day through his mind once more. No matter how many times he pictured the short confrontation with Mia, he knew there was no way he could have killed her.
The thing between them had been brief, and although it had been nice at the time he knew it had well and truly run its course. Yet despite all the charges against Mia, he still thought fondly of her, and the very idea of causing her harm was out of the question. The pair of them may no longer have been a couple but he still considered her a friend. Leo was certain she was only behaving as she had because she was sick in the mind.
Alec had explained his theory of her illness shortly after the attack on Surmont, saying it was a kind of mental illness that caused Mia to withdraw. What had happened after her hospitalisation he was unsure as he had been away. From the little he had learned since that time, it would appear Mia was almost a different person entirely; something he thought Alec might help him research if he ever got the time.
His deep thought was interrupted as the kitchen worker placed a plate down in front of, quickly followed by a cup of tea. “I’m afraid it’s only leftovers from this evenings dinner,” she said almost apologetically. Leo replied it was fine and in all fairness what was on the plate looked and smelled quite nice. There was a pile of mixed vegetables, all diced up alongside several boiled potatoes. The meat was roast beef which was covered in a dark gravy which almost spilled over the edge of the plate as it was put down. “I’ll get you a couple of slices of bread and butter if you wish?” she added as Leo already had his knife and fork in hand ready to start.
After having more to eat than he thought it likely and thanking the kitchen staff for going out of their way to feed him, he headed up the main stairs to the dorms. His legs were stiff and aching and each step he took felt a battle. After using a small ball of magical light to find his way through the dormitory door and to his bed, he let the light dissipate away and undressed in the dark.
After slipping beneath the blankets of his bed Leo felt his aches and pains ease. After keeping his eyes open and looking out into the darkness of the room, he slowly closed them thinking sleep would be hard to come by. Surely with so much going on in his mind, there would be no way he would relax properly.
After what felt no more than a few minutes, Leo was awake once more. However, expecting to find the room in darkness he was somewhat surprised by how light it was. Moreover, several of the other apprentices were already up and about which could only mean one thing: He was late.
Without giving it a second thought he threw the covers from his bed ignoring the fact he was naked beneath. “Whoa!” he heard from the bed next to his. He looked up to see Chad cover his eyes, although knowing he was already late for his lessons with Daron, Leo did not care about the other lad seeing him that way. “Master Daron has already been and gone Sir,” he heard the youngster say just as Leo was trying to think of a good excuse for being tardy. After putting on his underclothes, Leo picked a clean robe and some trousers from the storage area beside his bed, before sitting down and pulling his boots on. “Really?” Leo eventually answered realising what had just been said. “Why didn’t you wake me? You know I have lessons with Master Daron early mornings,” he snapped at the young man he had been lumbered with.
Chad looked a little crestfallen. A look that was not without some amount of fear; something Leo picked up on despite him still being half asleep. He sighed heavily, “Sorry Chad. I should not blame you,” he found himself saying. “Come on, we may as well get some breakfast before we’re late for your lessons too,” he added getting to his feet and offering a helping hand to the lad.
As they walked out of the room, Chad explained that Master Daron had called into the dorm about an hour or so ago, and had actually instructed him to leave Leo sleeping. This naturally made Leo feel all the more regretful for the way he had just spoken to Chad, and found himself apologising once more.
The dining hall was bustling and alive with apprentices. Leo paused at the doorway, thinking it had never looked so full. Perhaps, he thought, the steady influx of new apprentices was beginning to show; either that or everybody had decided to take breakfast at the same time. Rather than find a seat for himself Chad waited obediently at the side of his mentor, only moving when Leo did.
Alec was sat with Samuel and a few other faces Leo did not recognise, yet Jake and Mason were on a different table with the others from the Sorcery guild. Leo found himself unsure as to which table to join. Both were his friends, yet for some reason Alec had decided to join the young warrior that had commanded their excursion out of the city. He noticed Alec look up and wave a hand his direction, beckoning for him to join him at his table. Being as neither Jake or Mason had even noticed he was stood just a few yards from them, the decision was evidently made for him.
Chad followed, shadowing Leo’s movements, sitting down beside him and even eating the same breakfast as him. Samuel and Alec had clearly continued the friendship bonded on that trip, as the latter greeted both newcomers to the table. “I hear you captured Mia!” Alec said discreetly keeping his voice low. There was clearly no need for the literary apprentice to do so, as the level of chatter and the banging of plates and bowls reverberated loudly around the dining hall.
Leo was actually a little surprised that word had gotten about so quickly. Daron had not told him to keep quiet about them bringing Mia back, so he assumed it was not to be kept secret. However, it was clear that word had actually spread like a virus through the guild. “How did you find out?” he asked looking up from his bowl of porridge.
“Well naturally such a thing is quite sensitive and to be kept quiet. Which is probably why everybody in this room is currently talking about,” Samuel answered chuckling as he did, thinking his reply a witty one.
“And why are you in the guild dining hall?” Leo asked realising that Samuel was not an apprentice. “You left a few years ago didn’t you?” he added.
“Helping with training. Kenton is about somewhere too. Apparently we are expecting even more newcomers over the next week or two, and we are helping the Masters.” Leo just shrugged and nodded, as he continued eating.
During the time spent at the table, Chad sat and ate quietly, not speaking once. Whether it was because he was not actually the tearaway they had first thought, or whether it was because he was genuinely afraid of him, Leo was not sure. If it was because of the latter then that was something he knew he needed to put right, although not until he had finished his breakfast.
Even the corridors were far busier than Leo had ever seen in his short time at the guild, although the black robed sorcerers were fewest in number. He realised that the guild must literally be taking anybody that showed some sign of magic, and thought that could well lead to trouble further down the line.
When he had been selected by Kian, the Master had told him they only picked good people. If the guild were now taking in just anybody, surely they risked adding unsavoury characters to an organisation that had always been so very selective. During his trip out both Jake and Mason had been given very strict criteria when making any select
ion, although for whatever reason that was clearly not applying to others who had gone recruiting elsewhere. Magic was not a common thing, with it affecting only a small minority of people, and even then it needed to be harnessed within a few years or else it just vanished.
As he led Chad to one of the classrooms in the main guild building, Leo doubted many of the newcomers even knew the meaning of the markings upon his robe. If they did, they surely would have stood aside, letting him pass down the corridor rather than continually bump into him. However, knowing he needed to set a good example to his only very slightly younger pupil, he remained calm and composed.
He waited patiently with Chad outside the door wondering why others were not also stood there with him. After checking with Chad they definitely had the right room and re-checking it was locked the pair had little option but to wait. They stood waiting and watching apprentices old and new slowly disperse into their allotted rooms until it seemed they were the only ones left.
Leo was just beginning to think they had been forgotten about when he heard the echo of boots walking down the corridor to his left. He turned to see Daron of all people walking his direction and was unsure what to expect. Was he in for a further telling off about sleeping in instead of going to lessons, or was he going to be subjected to another lecture about Mia?
Chapter 22.
Daron stopped before Leo and Chad and smiled, “Sorry I’m late boys. Bloody corridors are full of excitable new apprentices and you can’t move without being buffeted one way or the other.” Leo grinned; at least it wasn’t only he that had the problem. “I’m sorry for over…” he started saying before Daron raised a hand stopping him in his tracks. “No need to. I asked Chad to let you sleep. You need rest as well Leo,” his mentor said, surprising him somewhat as he was never usually that nice.
If Leo thought the pair of them were going in to the classroom, they had another think coming, as Daron turned about and gestured for them to follow him back down the corridor. Chad looked over to him as mystified as to where they were going as he was. Leo was unsure as to why Daron was even his tutor for the morning lesson. As far as he was aware it should have been Ayleen, but for whatever reason that was not the case.
Both were led outside and around to the back of the building. Leo was certain they were going to the area set aside for practicing attacks, and nodded with some satisfaction as his guess proved to be right. However, he was uncertain as to why Chad was with him, after all the lad had only just learned to reach his power source and surely could not be ready to start firing off blasts of energy.
“Show him what you can do Chad,” Daron said gesturing for the youngster to step forth and pick one of the wooden targets some fifty or so paces away. Leo watched with some interest as the young man he was supposed to be mentoring summoned a small ball of energy and sent it forward. Although the energy sent was small and moved quite slow, it only missed the target by a few feet; something Leo had taken a while to achieve.
Daron explained that whilst Leo had been away yesterday, he had taken Chad to one side and given him a crash course. “I know his attacks are very small and slow, but I think considering the time he had to practice he has done really well,” Daron said patting the lad on the shoulder. Leo nodded admitting he was surprised by just how quickly Chad had picked up something that had taken his entire class much longer.
“Right now I want Chad to fire at you. Obviously you cannot return fire but feel free to shield,” Daron explained to a rather dumbfounded looking Leo. Neither boy looked sure they should do as they were being asked, but after Daron repeating his instructions and giving them a little encouragement they stepped apart.
Daron stood beside Chad and talked him through the process of manifesting and firing a small bolt of energy. Although it was evidently clear to Leo that Chad was nervous about what he was being asked to do, the lad did as was instructed. Leo had two choices, he either moved aside and took cover or he could try and throw up a protective shield; which he presumed was Daron’s way of getting him to practice.
Leo felt panicked as his first attempt flickered and petered out of existence just as the attack was sent his way. Doubting Chad’s attacks were powerful enough to hurt him badly, he did however decide that was not something he wanted to find out. As a result, he ended up jumping to his left just to make sure.
Daron was clearly not impressed and immediately called a halt to any further attack, “At least try and shield Leo,” he shouted over. “I did,” Leo mumbled back, although probably not loud enough for the words to be heard. After Daron signalled for the pair to go again, Chad fired off another shot although this time it was somewhat wayward. Daron didn’t seem to mind the youngster being so unpredictably hit and miss, he after all was supposedly the novice in the pairing. Leo on the other hand was not spared the criticism and verbal tirade that came his way when he thought it easier to step out of the way from the next following attack. “Thought it was too good to be true, you being nice…” Leo grumbled under his breath.
Leo looked over at the young lad he was supposedly mentoring, and could almost see any respect that the lad might have held for him drifting away. If only to save face, Leo knew he needed to step up to the mark or risk Chad returning to the cocky, rude individual they had thought him to be when first meeting.
As the fifth and six energy blasts were sent his way, Leo could almost sense Chad’s confidence growing. The attacks were fired much more fluently and moved much quicker, meaning he had less time to react. After taking several deep breaths Leo finally held up a resemblance of a good shield and felt the relief wash over him as Chad’s weak attack fizzled out against it. “Again!” he heard Daron shouting, encouraging Chad to keep up the attacks.
To his credit Chad managed several more, before it was evidently clear he was weakening. Nonetheless the lad had performed far better than Leo would have expected, and to his own credit he had managed to shield the final few attacks. Daron clapped his hands together, and waved Leo to come back to where he and Chad stood. “Well done the pair of you,” the old man said patting both on the shoulder. “See you can do it when you put your mind to it,” he said turning to face Leo.
“Yes its actually quite easy,” was probably not the reply Leo should have spoken, but say those words he did.
Daron scratched at his chin, looking at the two youngsters, and Leo could see the man’s mind ticking over. Knowing nothing good was going to come forth he stood and awaited the inevitable. “You boys seem to get on well,” Daron started. “Now I know that Chad is still learning and has no idea how to produce a shield of any kind, but you do,” he added pointing to Leo.
Leo stood beside Chad at one end of the training area whilst Daron stood at the other. The new exercise would see the King’s sorcerer, a man with countless years of experience, pitted against Leo and a boy that had barely had a few days training. The idea being that Daron would fire at both Leo and Chad, but as the former was the only one who knew how to shield, it would be up to him to protect his colleague as well.
Knowing that diving out of the way would not be an option, Leo would be forced to shield or risk Chad getting injured. Although he was certain Daron would not send any kind of strong attack their way, he could not let the other lad get hurt because of his failings. However, when under pressure Leo sometimes panicked a little and results, especially where shielding was concerned happened to be a little hit or miss at best.
“Just get ready to dive out of the way Chad,” Leo said in a loud whisper. The youngster looked back at him, nodding nervously, “Are all your lessons this tough?” he asked. Leo gave a wry smile, “Daron never does things by the book, let’s put it that way.” Before any further words could be passed between them Daron sent a few blasts of energy to Leo’s right, forcing him nearer to Chad. Leo knew this was the old man just playing with them, but had to stay on his toes and focused nonetheless.
As Daron increased the frequency of attacks, Leo grabbed Chad by the sleeve,
dragging him down to the ground in a heap. “Aren’t you supposed to be shielding us?” Chad asked clambering to his knees. “Probably,” Leo replied as he shuffled across the ground avoiding Daron’s next barrage of energy blasts aimed directly at him, “But I usually find diving around on the floor works quite well for me,” he added.
After hearing several shouts from Daron for him to shield, Leo knew it was only a matter of time before the older man hit either him or Chad. The king’s Sorcerer kept up the relentless attacks, firing so rapidly Leo barely had time to think, never mind move. “You’ve lost sight of the one you are protecting,” Daron shouted as Leo hit the ground again. He looked up from his horizontal position to see Chad stood several paces away being manoeuvred skilfully by Daron into a corner of the fenced off area. He had to admire Chad’s ability to duck and dive out of the way, but very soon the lad would be left with nowhere else to go.
Scrambling to his feet, Leo took a deep breath and focused. Thrusting his hand out he surprised himself as a glimmering shield of light grew in front of him. Chad took advantage of the cover being given and darted towards him, looking back to see the first of Daron’s strikes fizzle out against the barrier.
The Rogue Sorcerer: The Caldronian Guild : Book 2 Page 17