Wizard of Elements

by Calista Lambrechts

  I snorted.

  “What’s the difference?”

  The boy merely waved the question aside. I looked at my three-pieced… uhm… amulet? It was just a silver piece of fragile mythril string with three items attached to it. The one object was a simple grey feather. The second was a long green beautiful emerald, but the third item was something out of the ordinary. It was an unusual oval piece with a flat golden brim and thin wooden base. It had two very small red diamonds on it, one in the middle and the next way below on the frame. The golden piece was divided into four sections. The one had a picture of the ocean’s waves. The second was a picture of a green leaf. The third was an undeniable image of the flames of a raging stylized fire, and the fourth a picture of clouds in the air with a strong wind currant blowing toward them. All had a stunning background as well. The necklace really was something special to me.

  “I found you,” the boy finally said, his smile soft and his eyes dancing in a sense of astonishment, and most probably, accomplishment.

  “What?” I questioned, bewildered. He had caught me off guard.

  “I just needed to verify, and you didn’t prove me wrong.”

  By now I was most likely gaping like a guppy. I always knew a silver knight on a white horse would come for me one day, I just didn’t expect it to go down like this!

  “What?” I was glitched to that one single word.

  There was a scheming glint in the boy’s eyes as he leaned back into his chair.

  “Do you want to hear about my quest…?”

  “Yeah, sure! Wait a minute, no. I mean yes! I mean-” I was forced to silence. My mind drifted back to the thought of what he had said earlier: I’m sorry, but I’ll only tell the one I’ve been sent to find …

  I had a bad feeling about this.

  “Okay. I have been sent by the Wizard himself to find his rightful heir to take his place, for he is growing old and he cannot keep at it forever. He couldn’t tell much about who it is or why, but what he did tell me though, was to keep a look out for that certain someone in Thorodan wearing that amulet of yours. He could feel your presence here…”

  My mouth fell open, my eyes broadened. I didn’t know whether I should believe it or not. I was stunned, confused and left with mixed emotions.

  I had so many questions to ask, so many things I wanted to know, but I knew it would be best if I tried to keep it steady.

  I’ll just ask one question at a time to keep it all calm and on track…

  “Who is this Wizard guy? I know a few of them by legend. Why did he send you? How can I be the rightful heir to take his place? That’s absurd!”

  That turned out differently than expected.

  “Wow, you ask a lot of questions.”

  “I know. It’s a gift,” I grinned confidently. The boy took a deep breath.

  “I refuse to name the Wizard until I know that I can trust you for sure. He sent me because I’m his… apprentice and bound to his service,” he mumbled the last bit. He said the word ‘apprentice’ almost as though he was too shy to admit it.

  “An apprentice you say? Can you do magic?” I started to see some excitement brewing in his eyes.

  “Of course I can. I am a fire mage.”

  “That is amazing! It must be wonderful to be able to use magic.” I said it in such a forlornly voice. My gaze dropped to the table as I let go of a hopeless sigh. I always envied the wizards and elves for their abilities in the arts of magic. Since I was a little girl, I had always wished to be just like them. I thank Millicent for this. Without her, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, I wouldn’t love the things I do…

  “True, but why do you say that? You say it as though you can’t?”

  His eyes narrowed sceptically as he studied me with a frown.

  “You can use magic, can’t you?”

  I shrugged and shook my head. Magic had never been one of my discovered talents.

  “Ah, never mind that, we’ll figure it out later. As for the answer to your last question: I don’t know. I would have preferred someone else though.”

  A pin was stuck into my heart as I couldn’t believe my ears.

  And here I am, thinking we were getting along just fine.

  “Hey! That was offensive!”

  “Sorry.” He said it with another one of his I really couldn’t care less faces again. He crossed his arms behind his head, laying back in the chair for extra comfort.

  Even though I would never admit it, he was really starting to get on my nerves. Thing is, a little bit like Olaf, I was prone to anger fairly quickly. My fuse was rather short.

  “Point is, disregarding what I had just said, I want you to come with me to the Wizard.”

  “What? And just leave my job like this?”

  “Exactly. To be honest, you don’t exactly have much of a choice at the matter. It is dire and absolutely imperative that you get to him as soon as possible. The fates of many rest in your hands.” Once again the boy sat up straight.

  I could find no words to reply with. I merely kept a furious grimace his way. The boy gave another one of his crooked half-smiles.

  “Come on. Let’s go,” he said as he was on the verge of getting to his feet.

  “No.” I simply answered. With both his eyes focused on me, the boy gradually sank back into his seat again.

  “What did you say?”

  “I said ‘no’. I have my own responsibilities to attend to here in Thorodan, at this inn. If you think that I’ll just agree to go with you on this pointless ‘quest’, you’re seriously mistaken. I’m not leaving, and especially not with you.”

  It took us little to no time to rapidly stand from our chairs in unison, eyes locking in a deadly stare off. I grabbed his empty mug and held it at a ready. Even if I had no real training in my life, I was fairly skilled in the arts of mugjitzu...

  “Pointless? This could decide the fate of all Ysellian!”

  “Yeah right! Get outta here!”

  “Not until you agree to come with me.” He leaned in closer, playing on the strings of my nerves like a harp.

  “S-Stay away! I’m warning you! There’s nothing more terrifying, and vicious, than a girl with a mug!”

  “A girl… with a mug?” the boy frowned.

  He didn’t think I was serious. Well, not until I proved him wrong.

  I took a big chance and landed a blow through his face with all the strength I possessed and could deliver with my trusty mug. He winced and stumbled back, absentmindedly pushing the chair away as he did. He gradually brought his hand to his cheek to see if it wasn’t fatally wounded and or bleeding. He shot me a look of disbelieve.

  “What was that for?!”

  “You know exactly what that was for. Read my lips: I’m-not-leaving-this-place!” I hit him again as hard as I could as soon as he was in range. Looking into his eyes, I could see his fury kindled and a small flame ablaze in his eyes.

  Never in my entire life had I seen any one so infuriated, and it made me wonder whether I had just made a big mistake or not…

  “Yes you are!” he demanded.

  Geez! Why don’t you just give up already?

  “No, I’m not!”

  “Yes, you are!”

  “I said no, I’m not!” This went on for a while, but I quickly ended it with another hard smack to his face with my mug. The boy was sent to the ground. Strangely enough, he didn’t make any attempt to fight back…

  “NO, I’M NOT!” I ended it.

  By the time he got back to his feet, I could see his cheek adorned in textures of blood red. I seriously ruined his jaw a bit… I think I caught a part of his right eye on that last hit too though, since it looked a little bit swollen. I had also never seen Olaf so entertained and enjoying himself as much before as now. He always loved a good fight. Luckily for him, it happens regularly at the inn.

  I aimed my mug at the mysterious boy to warn him off, for he knew what would
come next. He obeyed and slowly backed away. I beckoned him closer if he dared. I was actually enjoying this myself.

  The boy kept his hand to his cheek, possibly trying to keep the throbbing down.

  “Look. I don’t want to hurt you, but-”

  “-but I will hurt you. So watch it!” I cut in.

  “Fine, you win,” he sighed, exhausted and somewhat weary. I didn’t see that fight in his eyes anymore. Instead, all I found as I probed, was that same grim expression he had shown me earlier. I felt a sense of guilt clawing to my mind.

  “Just… Last question before I leave…”

  I nodded, cautiously allowing him to ask away.

  “Have you, pray tell, seen three hooded knights in bronze armour? I believe they mask themselves with a cloak and hood. I must know.” I was stunned by the enquiry, completely caught off guard. My heart skipped a beat.

  I took the risk and decided to repay him with honesty, for I already tortured the poor soul enough as it is.

  “Um, yes, as a matter of fact, I have. They’re staying here at the Sleeping Dragon’s Inn for a few nights, on the third floor somewhere, I think.” I lowered my makeshift weapon

  The boy seemed in incredulity, almost frightful as he gradually shook his head. There was a certain pain that clung to him. I almost felt sorry for the guy.

  “I… I have to get out of here.”

  He rapidly dashed out the door and into the cold midnight streets.

  “Wait!” I called from behind, “I’m not finished with you yet!”

  I made for the door, but froze in my tracks at the edge of the threshold when Olaf called out to me.

  “Hey! I need to clean that mug! Bring it back here! It’s part of inventory!”

  “I’m still busy with it. Besides, I would recommend not cleaning it for the sake of the customers’ health.”

  I quickly stepped outside the door with haste pulsing through my veins. The smell of wet earth clung to the muddy cobblestone streets of Thorodan.

  It was quite dark outside, aside from the lit street lamps. The moon also shed some of its ghostly light, reflecting off the puddles of rainwater.

  “Carlaylin! Come back here or you’re fired!” Olaf demanded. I tried putting my best angry face on as I turned around to face him. A realization sparked in my mind.

  I’ve been suffering my entire life in this hellhole with not a single word of gratitude. I’ve been stuck in here for so long. I can’t live my life like this. It’s about time I change a few things for the better good and get out of here. There’s no way I’m spending the rest of my life as a bloody waitress in a bloody horrible inn.

  “Well, in that case… I quit!” I tore off my apron and tossed it to the wet street where I gave it a good stomp for good measure.

  “You can’t do this!” Olaf yelled, his voice almost broken with disbelief and resentment. I shrugged carelessly, raised an eyebrow and ran off towards that boy.

  “If you stop, I’ll drop the mug!” I promised. The gent heaved a miserable sigh and ended up rooted in his tracks. Hesitantly, he turned around and for that one single moment, I could read his eyes.

  What do you want? Leave me be. Haven’t you done enough? I’m rather busy at the moment if you don’t mind.

  “Look, I’m sorry I hit you with the mug. It’s just plain self-defence. Can you please tell me what’s going on?”

  I received no reply. I sighed and gave in.

  “Fine. Fine! If you tell me… I promise I’ll come with you. You can take me to this Wizard.”

  The boy narrowed his eyes sceptically.

  “I’m serious.”

  The boy’s frown started to disappear. I grinned wearily.

  “Forgive my curiosity, but what’s your name?”

  “Terrowin. Terrowin Belanos.”

  I fought back the need to gasp as the name wasn’t unfamiliar to me. My mind traced back to the day of the chase. He was Terrowin, the son of Rowan. Recalling, I could see a slight resemblance between the two.

  My breath nearly left my lungs as I tried to find my words.

  “C-Carlaylin.”

  A moment of silence passed where I merely stood and listened to the gentle pitter-patter of rain dousing the town boulevards.

  “I’m sorry,” Terrowin finally stated, breaking the silence. “I was a jerk to you back there.” It looked as though Terrowin found it extremely hard to manage an apology, but I welcomed anything close enough.

  “If anyone, I’m the one who should be sorry… Something’s still bothering you. Come on you can tell me. You can trust me.”

  “I highly doubt it, but I’m sure I don’t have much of a choice...” He shot a quick look at the mug in my hand.

  “Oh!” I rapidly dropped the mug right there on the sidewalk next to me, keeping to my earlier promise.

  Our eyes locked.

  “So… Want to talk about it?” I asked nervously. Terrowin stared at me.

  “No, thank you.”

  My shoulders slumped, my face met with a deep frown, disappointed by his answer.

  “Aw. Come on, man! You can’t just leave me hanging.”

  “I consider my life personal, thank you very much.”

  “Fine. But I will wriggle it out of you eventually.” Terrowin chuckled faintly.

  “I have no doubt you will. You’re very persistent,” he said as he turned around, gradually continuing his walk, intent on leaving Thorodan. I was suddenly bewildered, questions streaming into my head, screaming for answers.

  “W-Wait!” I called. “Shouldn’t I come with you?” Terrowin smiled teasingly.

  “I thought you wanted to stay here. I won’t force you… again.”

  “I can’t. I have nothing left to turn back to.”

  Terrowin had no words as he merely tilted his head, eyeing me with newfound curiosity.

  “I quit. I no longer work at the Sleeping Dragon’s Inn.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes.” I stared at him, secretly thinking that it was mostly his fault. I could be wrong, but come on! If he never showed up, I never would’ve left in the first place. Though, I can’t lie, I was glad he came. I hoped my stare would send him on some sort of guilt trip, able to work in on my advantage, yet, by my luck, it didn’t.

  How disappointing.

  “What? You don’t think it’s my fault, do you?”

  I shrugged.

  “Maybe.”

  “You can’t be serious!”

  “Look, this is the way I see it. If you never came to the inn, we would have never met and there never would have been a fight. And if there was never a fight, then I never would have left the inn to go after you in the first place!” Instinctively I had raised my voice. I sometimes did that – my built-in system.

  “Don’t yell!”

  “I’m not yelling!” I yelled. Unnoticeably, we had been raising our voices each time we spoke.

  Great! We’ve only known each other for a few minutes and we already had two arguments.

  All of a sudden, a light went on on the inn’s third floor, from one of the rooms.

  Third floor… I know, right? Olaf has quite a thing going on here…

  Both Terrowin and I stopped our bickering, our gazes drawn to the one lit room instead. I gulped. Terrowin quickly pulled his hood back over his head, like the way it was before we met.

  “W-Whose room is that?” he stuttered nervously.

  I yelped.

  “The three hooded knights – the ones that are looking for me and the ones that would probably be looking for you as well.”

  Terrowin nodded frightfully. The window opened with help from a pair of large hands.

  “People are trying to sleep. Keep it down, would you?” Thomason bellowed from above as he peered out the window. Another two shady figures took his side.

  Our eyes accidentally locked. Thomason’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, Cassius taking the words ri
ght out of his mouth, “Is that…?”

  Run, Carlaylin. Why are you still standing here? Run!

  I was frozen. At least I wasn’t the only one as Terrowin, too, had his eyes fixated on his father, which, apparently, proved to be a grave mistake.

  “Terrowin…?” Rowan asked under his breath.

  “No, it can’t be,” Thomason said, squinting his eyes in order to see better past the shadows of the night, “Terrowin sits safely in Hayley.”

  “So…” I murmured unflinchingly, “Who wants to run?”

  “I do,” Terrowin volunteered, swallowing back a marble.

  Together we didn’t hesitate to sprint off, making a run for it before the knights could verify their suspicions. We ran down the darkened streets of Thorodan, heading out of town.

  I knew that once I left Thorodan, there was no turning back. This was a choice that could change my life forever. I was willing to take that chance. At least I knew that an adventure finally laid ahead, maybe even something equal to what I read in my books. May it be strange or not, it was good enough for me!

  INTERMEZZO

  FLASHBACK: ONE DAY EARLIER

  TERROWIN

  I HAD TRAVELLED A LONG WAY from Hayley after I received word from the master. I snuck out of the city and made a stop at the Wizard’s tower where I received my mission. After a long and time-robbing journey, I made it to Thorodan Town. I was exhausted, tired and soaked in the rain that poured down from the darkened heavens above, blown about aimlessly by the fury of the restless wind.

  It was already past dusk and temperatures were dropping.

  I had decided to wear a black robe accompanied by a black hood to hide my identity in case it was necessary. Being who I was, I couldn’t risk being recognised.

  I walked past a place called the Sleeping Dragon’s Inn. It seemed busy that late at night. There I saw three familiar shadowy figures sitting at a table at the jutting window corner. I walked closer in a verge of curiosity to identify the familiars. I suddenly realized them as my own father, Rowan Belanos, and his other two companions.

  I was quick to duck out of sight, back pushed against the wall as I hid myself beneath the window.