The Wizard's Apprentice (The Apprentice)

by Ayre, Janice

  “I wonder whose creation this is?” said Yelena.

  “We certainly have some talent in the Gully,” replied Brock.

  Once the meal was finished the guests began to mingle. Throughout the evening Brock engaged in many conversations. Karmen was anxious to have all his latest news. Kareem also enjoyed talking with him. This did not go unnoticed by either the Elders of the village or by the prominent members of Forest Glen. Brock proudly introduced Yelena to Zebulon and Saniyah, but she was unusually quiet and shy, lacking the sense of presence she exhibited in her home surroundings. The excitement of the day had brought an extra pink tinge to her cheeks making her look more beautiful, but her uneasiness troubled Brock.

  “We are pleased to meet you at last,” said Saniyah, taking her by the hand.

  “You know about me?” asked Yelena in surprise.

  It was Brock's turn to feel awkward.

  “Oh yes, he talks non stop about you,” said Zebulon, his mouth curling at the edges. He was enjoying Brock's discomfort. “Has he shown you any of his magic?”

  “No!”

  “Really! Why not Brock?”

  “I learned my lesson . . . not to show-off.”

  “I think amongst family and friends it's fine to give a little entertainment.” He patted Brock on the shoulder before moving away to talk to other guests.

  As the evening wore on, Brock himself began to feel tired and longed to take Yelena to a private corner and share their first kiss. This is the day he had waited for, so that it would be a special day for them. They had been kept apart so much in the previous weeks that he now grew impatient. His thoughts alternated between being sure of Yelena's acceptance and her rejection of him.

  “Brock, Brock, you are a hundred miles away!” Zebulon's voice carried a tinge of amusement. “Your little lady is lovely, so I don't blame you. We will be departing soon and so I will send you a message when we return to the mountains. Your training will be resumed then.” He clasped Brock around the shoulders in a warm embrace and bowed low over Yelena's hand. Yelena smiled and her face brightened more than it had in the whole evening. Saniyah gave Brock and Yelena a hug and kissed each one on the cheek. When Zebulon left with his bride, other goodbyes were said. The crowd dispersed quickly leaving only those assigned to the clean-up and a few stragglers prolonging their conversations. Kareem and Karmen were two of the last ones to leave. They were anxious to speak further with Brock, his parents and with Yelena.

  When final goodbyes were said and as Yelena began to leave with her parents, Brock placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him in surprise.

  “Wait, I want to talk a little to you,” he said as he took her hand firmly in his so that they ended up behind the parents.

  Yelena seemed uncomfortable and she began to withdraw her hand from Brock's grasp when her mother glanced back at them.

  “We'll be along soon,” Brock called after no one in particular, at the same time tightening his grip on Yelena's hand. He thought he heard a chuckle before the parents moved further away leaving the two young people together.

  At last they were alone. This was the special part of the day that Brock had been waiting for. He led Yelena off the path to a small area, partly enclosed by shrubs and trees. The moon was full and cast a silver light. Brock edged closer to the maiden, feeling her yielding to him as he wrapped his arms around her. Slowly but purposely he lowered his head seeking her tender lips. Yelena pulled back slightly as if fearful of this commitment.

  Wisely Brock restrained his actions and instead said in a voice husky with emotion, “You looked so beautiful tonight.”

  “Not as beautiful as the Lady Saniyah,” she replied in soft accents, equally charged with emotion.

  “Every bit as beautiful!” Brock had kept her in a firm embrace. He was going to have their first kiss even if it took all night to calm her fears. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek. He wished there was a little more light so he could see her eyes but he could feel her body as it alternately relaxed and then stiffened. Remembering how tenderly Zebulon had treated Saniyah, Brock did his best to emulate this behaviour. He did not want to give up the treasured hope he had held ever since preparations for the wedding had begun. This was the perfect night, no other would be quite the same.

  “It's late and we are both very tired, do you think we should go home now”? Yelena said sweetly.

  Brock could feel her drawing away again. He could not understand why she would not want this perfect moment as much as he did.

  Brock released her from the embrace but quickly took her hand in his. “I'm too excited to go home yet. Maybe we could walk a little more first?”

  As they walked across the soft grass, some of Brock's intensity subsided and with that Yelena relaxed also. The evening is not lost after all, thought Brock. Moving amongst the trees, feeling the cooling night breeze brushing across their faces, they became involved in easy conversation. But while they talked Brock still kept foremost in his mind his purpose and desire. He felt Yelena shiver.

  “Are you cold?” he asked in concern. “Here, let me keep you warm.” It was the perfect opportunity to draw her close. She melted into his arms this time and as he lowered his head she raised her face to him. He brought his lips to hers, tasting the sweetness of her lips.

  The moment long awaited, was short-lived for suddenly there was a thump beside them as a small animal fell from a nearby branch. Yelena sank to the ground and burst into a fit of emotional giggling. Brock crouched down beside her and despite himself, began laughing. They clung to each other not really knowing what was so funny while the indignant little beast hurried off into the darkness.

  This end result was unexpected but at least they had had their first kiss, however brief. The amusing incident had swept away tensions and once they had laughed themselves into a state of stupidity and exhaustion, they were ready to return home for a well deserved rest.

  Arm in arm they walked. Little was said but there was no awkwardness in the silence. Brock knew with a new confidence that they had moved from friendship to something much deeper. Yelena quickly responded to a short goodnight kiss.

  Of all the powerful experiences of the last couple of years which had propelled Brock to maturity, none was so significant as that one fleeting kiss and the unspoken acceptance that he and Yelena had stepped through the door from childhood to adulthood, together. She, though older had lived a more protected life than he, therefore he was equal to her. Brock was sure in his heart that Yelena was the love of his life. But, in all his happiness, he knew that way back in his mind was a lurking restlessness which the beauty of the day had not totally subdued. Still, Brock settled his uneasiness with the belief that whatever may follow, this day was theirs.