by Jillian Keep
“Well, I’m sure it will be the first of many trials I’ll have to deal with working with those elves.” Her words were half angry, but all determination. It was motivation to spite them, knowing how much they’d hate her and her powers. “Until they learn that they cannot trifle with the human girl.”
Her words brought a grin to Varuj’s face, and his ruby eyes met hers from across the room. “I knew I hadn’t chosen wrongly. You make me fancy you deeply with that kind of talk, darling Firi,” he mused so sincerely. He tossed back his long hair and beginning to crack open some eggs, frying them as the meat sizzled.
She wish he’d stop saying things like that. She blushed as her gaze fell and she drew her lower lip between her teeth for a moment. “I don’t understand you,” she admitted. “You’re a demon, aren’t you?” Of course he was, she chided herself. She summoned him!
“Like I said, that is your word for us, not ours,” he rooted through the spices and herbs of her kitchen, finding some he liked the scent of and adding them to the eggs. “It’s a wholly strange term from our perspective, however,” he explained, going to her pantry again and taking tiny tastes of what he found there before he mused over the goat cheese.
He carried it back to the stove and mixed some of the cheese with the eggs as he scrambled them up. “It would be like calling humans, elves, orcs, trolls and all other walks of life on your world simply “angels” or some nonsense. I mean, what do you have in common with a troll, lovely Firi?”
“Not much, I’d hope,” she shrugged. Those large, brutish things that lived in forests and practiced their strange, superstitious nonsense weren’t even allowed to compete for the Academies.
They were too uncontrollable.
“So fine, what do you call yourself? The angel from hell?”
Varuj laughed again. “Once again, that would be your term, not ours.” He sighed a little, but began serving up the food. He didn’t seem to like his food cooked very much, she noted. “Would you call your world heaven then? Even the slums of your greater cities? Or would you say it is simply your world, with bad, good and everything in between?”
He took up the plates and walked over to the table with them, setting them out then pouring some water for them both. He pulled out a chair for her in a very gentlemanly fashion, holding it and waiting for her to sit then pushing her in comfortably.
“You said your world is mostly bad. That you couldn’t wait to get away from it. So I’d say that yea, this place is looking alright compared to that,” she retorted, her head tilting to the side and daring him to contradict her.
“Certainly not heaven, but we do have some good here.”
He went and sat down at the table beside her, very carefully laying out a napkin over his lap like the princely lord he so resembled. “Where I come from it, it was rather bad, yes,” he remarked with a faint, wan smile. “It would be like you residing in the orcish slums. You would be far better off than they, certainly, but their sickly state, their poverty and depression would make you ill. Wear away at you each and every day,” he said before biting into his own food with some small relish.
“I would take my chances here with you. This world is richer in opportunity from what I’ve seen,” he stated firmly.
“But that still doesn’t answer my question. What do you call yourself, if not a demon?” As usual she was slow to begin eating, trying to savour the moment.
The two of them sitting together was reminiscent of a familial bond. Somewhat like warm moments with her parents before her mother died, but on a different level. He wasn’t family, or even a friend as such, but there was a warmth there. She felt it. And having him close by, so casually concerned, it seemed right.
“Varuj. I told you that already,” he said with a wry smile before eating some more of the fried pork. “But I am of the Xirai’j: a dying race that is withered and strewn about all of existence. No longer united as one, in purpose or place.” He sounded almost morose about it, though he seemed to be trying to hide it.
“Xirai’j,” she repeated the word, feeling it with her tongue. “I like that. It has a nice sound,” she agreed as she finally began to eat the meal he’d prepared for her. “You cooked a lot back home?”
He shrugged slightly, “It was one of my menial pleasures. Whenever my sorcery would consume me for so long that my mind grew blocked and my inventiveness stagnant, I would break to cook. Replenish my energies and reset my mind.” She got the feeling there was more to his enjoyment of cooking, both from how he went about it and the way he spoke.
“I never cared that much for it, honestly.” She looked across the table at him, staring at his face as he ate. She still kept expecting him to betray her, to be cruel or hateful. She didn’t know how to accept his calm exterior, his kindness.
The way he held her through the night.
“That works out fine,” he said, giving a small smile to her as he ate. “I enjoy cooking enough to handle it for the both of us, so all’s well,” he remarked. “Once you’re done your studies, we could get ourselves a nice witches lair to hone our craft. Something solitary, in the countryside. So that we might live more freely, and I could make you breakfast each morning before we set about our experiments and magical adventures.”
That was getting a little ahead of himself, and her nose crinkled as she tilted her head to the side. “That’s, like… years away.”
“Yes, well…” he smiled and shrugged, “it shall go fast.” He had polished off his plate of food, and he lifted the napkin to wipe his lips before downing the glass of water. “It’s best to plan ahead. I know you just accomplished your big dream, Firi, but realize it is just a stepping stone to true greatness for you.”
Why did he plan on staying with her so long, though? Or was it just another effort for him to try to lull her into feeling for him? Letting herself fall for him?
She took another bite of her meal, chewing it thoughtfully. “And all your dreams hinge on me?”
He hesitated then gave a slight nod. “In a manner of speaking. Somewhat. We’ve worked together this much already, haven’t we? Why should we stop now?” He looked across at her with a curious gaze. “The Academy shan’t be easy. You made it through the trials, but still, you will have catching up to do for the classes, undoubtedly. The other, elvish students have an edge on you still. And I presume that means the students there will have that high caliber of an expectation upon them. Pure power won’t be enough. You’ll need to know spells, various spells, to start through the rigors of the academy.”
She pushed the rest of the meal over to him, never having been a big eater. Not with money so tight. “But why would you want that?”
His eyes moved to her discarded food, and he began to pick at it, eating her leftovers. “Do you imagine or desire yourself to go through life without aid, friendship or companionship? Surely you realize it takes more than one’s solitary self to make it through life? Even in your luxurious world,” he said with a brow cocked high.
“I know what I’d get out of it…” She paused, stopping herself short. He wasn’t talking about her. Her eyes narrowed a bit as she stared at him, “So you don’t have a choice, basically.”
“That is… not what I was getting at,” he said with a bit of confusion. “Do you not have concepts of mutually beneficial, voluntary relationships in this world? I thought you had,” he mused aloud.
She’d never really had any relationships outside of her family; she shrugged. “I guess.” Why was she so suspicious of him? Sure he was from another world, but he’d only ever helped her. Wanted to give her more.
Yet she’d built up a wall to protect her from something she thought to be inevitable.
Chapter 15
Firia had packed up, though she had no idea what to expect. So much loomed unfinished, but her summons had come; what she’d dreamt of all her life was at hand.
The horizon was orange as the sun neared it, though was still not completely set. She saw the stone buildi
ng that was the sole representation of the state in their whole area. It wasn’t particularly big, nor was it much to look at. Despite being made of some smooth, white stone, it was rather boxy, with only a few simple columns etched into the stonework to make it stand out.
It had already shut down for the day, the quiet little nexus of dirt roads silent as she approached. She had only her familiar for company, the shimmering fox at her side at Varuj’s insistence. He told her the creature was gifted at sniffing out magical tricks and would help keep her safe from any potential pranksters.
She was grateful for the fox’s company anyways. It made the walk a little less lonely, and gave her a boost of confidence. She’d left a letter for her father and taken everything she owned in a small satchel.
It would be a fresh start, and every insult would push her towards greatness, she reminded herself.
She’d dressed in her best, though it was still no doubt shabby compared to what the elves would wear. Her black bangs were styled against her forehead and her hair was tied back in a ponytail, out of her face.
This was it.
The area was quiet, only the light rustling of the grass in the fields breaking the silence. As she sat upon the stone steps leading into the building, her fox perked its ears and went trotting off around the side. With a yip he outed the hiding elf behind the column.
“Who’s there?” she asked.
From out of the shadows she saw the tall, lanky figure of Mae’lin emerge. He wore the same thing she’d seen him in at the competition, and he looked bashful as he ran his fingers over his short, spiky blonde hair. “Sorry,” he apologized. “I wasn’t hiding, honest,” he pleaded.
“You were just…. standing behind a pillar and watching me… without hiding?”
His eyes went wide, “I wasn’t watching you!” he insisted. “I was…” he tugged at his collar a little, the lanky elf looking so out of place. “It’ll sound odd, but I was studying the stonework. It’s… actually quite ancient, I think. Yet still so smooth and flawless… obviously the work of some arcane craftsman.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “You were studying the stonework by the light of the setting sun?” Her lips quirked into a half smile as she shook her head. “That’s new.”
He laughed a bit bashfully, and she could see the colour in his cheeks. “There’s not much time left before it goes down completely and I couldn’t see a thing,” he said, sounding quite sincere. “I just never took the time to come by and appreciate this place before.” He smiled to her warmly and approached. “I’m really glad you were accepted too. You deserved to be.”
“Thanks. Sorry I almost assaulted you,” she smiled before biting her lip to hide it. Since when did she get so brazen?
She knew, of course. Ever since she summoned that demon, she’d been feeling different. More herself, as if that layer of fear had been slowly stripped from her.
He waved a hand dismissively, standing a shy distance away still. “Nonsense,” he said. “We were both so into it, if I had won I’m sure you would’ve been a water-logged mess because I couldn’t have possibly hoped to control it at that point.” He smiled at her. “You showed a remarkable amount of control for wielding so much power.”
“Either way, it worked out for the best, didn’t it? I mean… we couldn’t both get in any other way.” She lowered her voice, taking a step towards him, “Best case scenario, right?”
He shrugged his shoulders, “The competition isn’t necessarily a win-lose thing. They often choose both combatants if they display great promise. Though yeah, we both got in, so all’s well, no?” He said with a smile. “I am really glad you’ll be going there. I always thought you seemed pretty special.”
Her gaze fell and that newfound confidence dropped for a moment. Her pulse quickened instead and she felt her skin grow warm. It wasn’t that she disagreed… She wasn’t like most other humans she met, to be certain. But to have him say it…
Mae’lin cleared his throat, “The sun’s about gone down now.” He peered around. “There’s nobody else here yet.”
A voice carried down from above, “Except me.” It was another one of the elvish students, looking rather disinterested in their whole exchange as he dangled his legs from the ledge above the building entrance.
She inhaled, her eyes narrowing at the elf, frustrated at his intrusion and embarrassed that he’d been spying. Still, she was too flustered to really speak and folded her arms beneath her chest. Her fox rubbed up against her leg in a comforting motion, and it managed to calm her outrage for the time being.
The darkness of the evening descended upon them so quickly, or perhaps it was simply being lost in discussion with Mae’lin that made it seem so. However the tall elf looked around, “It seems strange they’d just have us meet here for no reason. Perhaps we should check around. Investigate.”
“I figured they’re just… hazing us. Seeing what we’ll do,” she admitted with a shrug. “I’d be cautious, anyways.”
“Do what you want,” came the other elf’s voice, “but I’m going to wait here. I can see far, and I’m sure they’ll be by to get us soon.” He stayed stubbornly in place, gazing off along the roadways.
Mae’lin shrugged and turned to head around the side of the building. “It’s probably a test, if anything,” he said to her as they went around, inspecting the area. There was so little to see though, just the grassy fields that ended with forests on the east and west sides, and hills to the north and south. The area was mostly farm land, and homes were spaced out so far apart.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. We’re the new ones that are supposed to be, well, bright enough to go there. So if we can’t find our way or just sit by passively,” she remarked with a pointed tilt of her head, “what’s that going to tell them?”
Mae’lin smiled at her warmly. “Exactly,” he said. She was beginning to see that the elf’s warmth was just a natural state of being for him. He was curious and kind, a rare combination amongst the elvish sorts.
Though she focussed her mind on the task at hand. Try as she might, she just couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary. So she turned to her familiar. “Luka?” she asked. “You detect anything strange?”
The swirl of lights that coalesced as her pet looked up at her, then tilted its head about, snuffling at the air. It reminded her of the curious behaviour Varuj had displayed earlier that very day.
What didn’t remind her of him, however, was the strange little yips he gave. He didn’t direct it at anything though, he just seemed to bark randomly at the air, the building.
“Well that’s… something, anyways,” she looked around. “Do you think it’s enchanted?” She took a step closer to the building, her fingers tracing along it. “Surely they don’t expect for us to be able to break into a magical hideaway without preparation….” A lot of preparation. And books she didn’t rightfully own.
“The building?” he asked. “Nah. It’s just an ordinary structure I think. It was just really interesting, I thought. I mean, it’d have to have been made so long ago. It had to have required a special sort of arcane crafter to…”
He stared at her, realizing his own foolishness. “Oh. Yeah, I get your point.”
“Well, since it was the pillar that caught your eye, why don’t we start there and work our way around?” It was actually… kind of exciting. Taking charge, trying to investigate and figure things out. She was losing herself to the excitement for the first time since she found out she was accepted and came crashing down to the news her father was jailed.
Mae’lin took her to the pillar he was looking at. “I was just marvelling at how perfectly crafted the stones were. I mean, it’s obviously quite old, but yet not a single little nick or scratch in the whole place,” he said with some awe and appreciation, running his hand over the white stone.
“Maybe because it’s… protected?” She grinned at him playfully. Her hand went to the other side and she breathed in, trying to concentrate. She
didn’t know if she’d be able to sense anything, but perhaps… some part of her might.
As she focussed on the stone however, she felt… nothing. The fact of the matter was, she had no training with divination. Had not even practiced such things on her own at any length. Without some education on the matter, picking it up then and there was about as long a shot as she could envision.
She didn’t allow herself to fall into despair however, so as the two of them felt out the stone she recalled what Mae’lin had said. She looked to Luka, “Find any flaw in the stone. Any nicks, scratches or missing chunks.” The ethereal fox perked up its ears then immediately went about the task.
The spry creature moved along on its paws as its eyes scanned the building up and down, up and down as it moved, then around the corner.
“It’s amazing that you have a familiar all your own before even going to the academy,” marvelled Mae’lin. “How’d you learn such a feat? It’s supposed to be our big first term project at the academy, and you’re already done and completed!”
“I spent a lot of time reading.” She smiled, her hands feeling out the smooth pillar. “What’s your most favourite spell you’ve learned so far?”
The look of surprise on the elf’s face was hard to miss. There were not many self-taught magicians in the world. It’s why so few humans ever became one, beyond the excuse that a human’s life was too short to truly master the craft, that is.
“I don’t really know a lot of them,” he said with some embarrassment.
Her gaze went to his and she stopped her inspection for a moment. “Well, fine, but I’ll ask you again by the end of the year and I’ll expect an answer.”
Mae’lin smiled meekly, and looked about to say something to her before the excited yip of her fox broke the moment.
“He’s found something?” Mae’lin asked.
“He must’ve!” she said, and they headed off briskly around the building.
She found the ethereal familiar pointing his dark nose at a particular point in the wall, right up against the column, and she went to inspect it. “Here,” she said, feeling the faint little indent in the stone. The only flaw they were able to find in the whole structure, despite its ancient status.