Leo had barely noticed how quickly the time had gone, when Daron suggested they call an end to the morning session. “Perhaps you should go and get breakfast, and I will see you again tomorrow,” The old sorcerer suggested. Only when Leo returned indoors, did he realise just how quickly the early morning lesson had gone, as he noticed dozens of other apprentices such as himself, walking the corridors.
He thought at first about going back up to the dorms to freshen up, that was until he was halfway up and saw his group of friends heading down the steps the other way. On seeing him, Mia immediately sped up, grabbing him by the arm and wanting to know why he had been to bed so late and why had he gotten up so very early. “Are you seeing another girl?” she asked bluntly, pulling to a sudden stop, causing everyone else on the stairs to stop as well. Leo just laughed it off, “No Mia…Far from it,” he said before continuing down.
Knowing Mia was not going to leave it at just that, it was no surprise when she started firing off further questions as to his whereabouts, and specifically just who he had been with. Fortunately, Ewan, always the one to try and break Mia and him apart had spotted something else, “Why are you not wearing your white apprentice belt? Where did you get that black one from?” He asked, not giving Leo time to answer the first question, before firing off the second.
Trying to keep things low key, Leo just grinned and decided not to answer anything, which only added to his friend’s number of questions. As he made it through the foyer and down the corridor into the dining hall, he found a suitable table, with room enough for them all to sit at. Mia quickly made sure she was the one who was going to sit beside Leo, almost barging Ben out of the way in the process. No sooner had Mia sat down, when the questioning started again, and Leo knew he would have to say something just to keep her of his back.
“Where were you? Come on tell me!” she repeated again, “Were you kissing another girl?” she added. With Leo being asked to keep the incident about the escaped prisoner quiet, he could not mention that part, and he was quite certain they would never believe him if he told them that he been to see the king, and as a result was now having private tuition with the King’s own sorcerer. “Look,” he finally spat, finally having enough of her constant barrage of questions, “I had to go and do something for Master Aryan,” He said, thinking that technically was not far from the truth.
There was a short silence at their table, as the serving staff placed down the first of the food, along with a large pot of tea. “No need to be so grumpy,” Mia replied sulkily, “We only wanted to know Leo,” she added. Leo just looked up, rolled his eyes back and sighed. Could this be the first stage of him alienating himself from his friends, as Daron had suggested would happen. He hoped not, despite all their foibles and faults, he actually liked each and every one of the small group who had started the guild the same time as he had.
After helping himself to a little more breakfast than usual, something else noted by Mia, who then asked why he was being so greedy, Leo was glad when he spotted Alec, his friend from the Literary guild, sitting a few tables away. “Excuse me,” he said politely standing, “I just need to go and see someone,” he added, picking his cup of tea up in his hand and walking over to the other table.
“Hello stranger,” Alec said looking up from his breakfast, “I didn’t see you last night.”
Leo smiled and sat down, “No, sorry I had to be elsewhere. Can we continue my practicing tonight though,” he asked, hoping that Alec was not going to bombard him with questions as well?
“Of course, I’ll be in the Library until late as usual,” Alec replied, but not asking anything else.
As Leo sipped his tea, he looked over to those he had left at the other table, who were, to a person, all staring his way. “Do you always eat alone?” He then asked turning to Alec. The youngster nodded, “I don’t have many friends, and the other Literary apprentices seemed to have bonded in their own little group without me,” he said. “Why not join us over there. They are not a bad bunch, and I’m sure they would make you welcome…Well maybe not Mia,” he added as an afterthought, making Alec laugh.
After a few moments of doubt, and a little more persuasion, Alec finally stood, and after Leo helping him move his breakfast they made their way back to the other table. “Everybody this is Alec,” Leo said introducing his friend.
“Yes I know,” Mia said in a rather condescending tone. Leo glared at her, and he thought she was going to make some other comment about his friend, but she obviously thought better of it in the end.
“Hi Alec, come and sit by us,” Mason said, shuffling a little closer to Jake to make space for him. Leo nodded his thanks to both, before he found himself a new spot at the table opposite them, and away from Mia. It was clear Ewan was liking the situation between the two, as he had a big smug grin on his face, as if hoping Leo and Mia would fall out, so he could step up to the mark. If truth were known Leo was not overly bothered, and although he had enjoyed the kisses, Mia was starting to annoy him with her behaviour.
Chapter 12.
The Morning’s lesson was with Kian, and that ultimately meant the lesson was indoors, in one of the many classrooms that adorned the ground floor of the main guild building. Leo had sat down and expected Mia to jump down beside him, as she normally did, but had been surprised when she had opted to sit beside Ewan instead. He was not sure why, but he actually felt a little hurt by her action, especially as she appeared to be making sure he was looking as she shuffled up so close to the lad, although even he looked uncomfortable with her being there.
Deciding to let Mia play whatever game it was she wanted to play, and focus instead on the lesson ahead, he sat looking up at the Master, and waited for him to speak. It was soon apparent that Kian was not sure what to say, or at least not quite how to say it, as his first few words stuttered to a halt. “Look what I’m trying to say is that for reasons I can’t tell you, we need to fast-track you all on a little.”
“Why? What is going on?” came the now familiar tirade of questions from the same girl who never appeared to listen. Leo was going to say something, but Jake jumped ahead of him, “Listen Mia, he just told you… Maybe think before you put your mouth in to action,” he added, clearly as fed up with her as Leo was. That actually made Leo smile, perhaps all of the group were not alienating themselves from him after all, perhaps it was just Mia, and maybe Ewan.
After spending several minutes pouting, hoping for people to take notice of her, Mia finally gave up after only Ewan paid her any heed. The lesson today involved the basics of creating a magical power source, something similar or at least he thought, to the magic Aryan had used in the dining hall the previous evening. However, what they were being shown was something a little less spectacular, although he thought, would still come in handy.
Kian explained the theory behind the magic first, and what he was doing as a small ball of light appeared in his hand. However, this small glow, he kept in the palm, and carried around the classroom, as one might a torch or lamp, as opposed to it floating majestically and hanging in the air.
It took several attempts before any of them actually managed to create anything resembling what they had been shown. Maintaining it as a steady glow however, appeared just as, or even more testing, and at first, none of them could keep the energy level at a small constant, with Leo having to be told twice to rein it in a little, as Kian feared the youngster might over-do things.
It was Corey who first managed some modicum of success, as he paraded around the class, moving so very slowly, whilst keeping the small globe of light in his palm. Leo was just thinking he might just be getting the hang of things when the Master called a halt to proceedings, telling them it was time for lunch. Despite his early start, Leo did not feel that hungry, and was surprised at just how quick the morning had gone. Nevertheless, he joined his classmates as they left the room, and headed for the dining hall.
King Haldar sat in his private study, as the latest reports of what was g
oing on in the world, and more importantly his southern borders, were read out to him. Stood just a pace behind and either side of him, were his Warrior and Sorcerer, ready to advise if needed, as well as protect. With the news that Hexley Cross was once more safe, having had the new gates fitted, and repairs made to the walls, elsewhere had reported very little of importance. Although this was naturally greeted as good news, none of them in the room actually thought this whole thing was over.
“What are they doing?” Haldar asked no one person in particular as he perused the map laid out before him. “Perhaps they are just regrouping?” his Warrior suggested, “After all, we have shown a determination to fight, and dealt them a set back at Hexley Cross,” the man suggested. Haldar then turned his Sorcerer Daron, asking his opinion. The black robed figure, merely nodded before agreeing with the words spoken by his associate.
“So we can be sure the enemy are probably planning something big,” the King suggested as he tapped the table with his fingers. “But where and when we don’t know,” he added before turning to one of his other advisors, “Have we heard back from the Rangers we sent to scout Belaria yet?”
“They should be due back with their reports later today Sire,” one of the Masters of that practice answered. The king nodded, and after several seconds of silence, clapped his hands together, “Thank you all,” he said. “I don’t think we can plan anything until we have those reports. I suggest we meet up tomorrow and discuss matters then,” he told those in the room, before adding they all remain vigilant.
As the group started to disperse, Haldar reminded them all of one thing, “Do not forget we need to push the apprentices, and you have yet to give me your reply as to whether we should consider taking in another intake mid-term,” he said, aiming the words at the Guild Masters who attended the briefing.
Those very same Masters were in fact due to have a meet that very afternoon, and vote on whether they thought it necessary. The king may be the ruler, and the man they all served, but even he would never dare start telling them how to run the Guild. In fact, it was commonly known that this very establishment was very much the backbone of any king’s rule, and hence, it was always considered to let them run themselves without interference.
As Leo and the others were finishing lunch, they were surprised to be told to remain seated. Alec, from the Literary Guild had once more joined their small group, and was sat amongst them. With them being told they could not go anywhere until told to do so, the rumours of what was going on naturally started amongst the apprentices, causing the level of chatter to rise considerably.
The level of noise however was soon superseded by an enormous boom, which had the effect of silencing everybody, as all the young faces turned to the back of the room to see who or what had caused the noise. Stood there, in her black robe was Master Ayleen, who noticing she had everyone’s attention, started explaining the reason for their lack of movement. “The Masters of all factions are to attend a meeting this afternoon, and as a result, all apprentices are to be granted the rest of the day off from lessons,” she announced to a loud cheer.
Leo just cheered along with everyone else, despite actually liking the time he spent in the classroom. As the noise quickly died back down, he was unsure as what to do for the remainder of the day. He had of course already said he would meet Alec back in the Library, but that was not until after their evening meal, and as he looked at the faces around the table, it was soon apparent that the others were of a similar dilemma.
Amber and Corey were first to decide on a plan of action, as they thought to go for a walk around the guild gardens and soak up some afternoon sun. Although they asked politely if anyone else wanted to join them, it was clear they would prefer to be left alone. Mia looked undecided as whether to suggest something to Leo or not, and after a few of the others said they were going to the library to finish off some study work they had been given, she finally made her choice. “Perhaps Leo, you and I could go a for a walk,” she said being all nice again. “And perhaps you can finally tell me everything that has been going on,” she added sounding more like her condescending self again.
In all honesty, Leo was still tempted by the offer, but the thought of having to listen Mia all afternoon, made him politely refuse. Ewan was quick to jump in as he saw his window of opportunity, and offered to walk with her, and after staring at Leo for a few seconds, Mia stood and held her arm out for Ewan to take. “Come on then Ewan,” she said a little snidely, whilst keeping her glare fixated upon Leo.
That just left the four of them, Leo, Mason and Jake, and Alec who suggested they also go to the library, and do their practice now rather than later. Jake however said he and Mason were going out of the guild grounds and into the city; a thought that interested Leo. Not wanting to leave Alec by himself, Leo checked with his Literary friend whether he fancied doing that as well, and was quietly quite pleased when the lad nodded his head. “Mind if we tag along as well,” Leo then asked Mason and Jake, who both smiled and said it was fine. “I don’t have any coin to spend, but I would quite like to see the shops,” Leo told them as they stood to leave the dining hall.
As they walked down the driveway that led up to the guild main building, Jake reminded them of their hoods, and each pulled them up to cover their faces as they left the grounds, through the main gates. Leo actually felt a nervous excitement as he peered out from the cover of his hood as the first citizens of Surmont came into view, as the group of four walked slowly along the main street. Although it was not common for those donning the brown robes of the Literary guild, Alec thought he would join in, and hoped by covering his own head, people thought he might be part of the group.
It was soon abundantly clear they were not the only guild apprentices to venture out of the walls, and into the city streets, as he spotted several other groups. Although most seemed to keep to their own factions, he did see one such group wearing the blue robes of the Alchemists and the green of the herbalists. Perhaps, he thought, the sorcerers should branch out and befriend some of the other factions, but even the second and third year apprentices in his faction seemed to keep to themselves; as did the warrior and rangers as well when he came to think about it.
Despite all being inside the same city walls, the noises and smells in the city streets were far different from anything he had experienced in the guild grounds. There, it was much more peaceful, and with lush lawns and gardens, much more beautiful to behold. The city however, was bustling with people chatting and traders shouting their wares, and whereas the guild gardens smelled of the fragrant flowers that were grown there, the streets were not quite so pleasant.
One thing that quickly became clear to him, was how the citizens behaved when his group walked by. The people seemed not too bothered by herbalists and alchemists walking just ahead of them, but seem to take a wide berth from his own group. Perhaps, as Kian had stated on their trip in to the city, that people saw sorcerers as mysterious people. This unknown factor obviously did have an effect, which he noticed again when the group stopped briefly outside a small shop, to peer at the goods on display, despite one of their number being in a brown robe of the literary guild.
Leo had never seen so many stalls, shops, and vendors, selling just about anything and everything, and although he would have liked to have bought something, he was quite content in just browsing. Jake and Mason wanted to stop off at one of the stalls that sold trinkets and small pieces of jewellery, whilst Alec seemed to want to stop and peruse, every trader who had any kind of book for sale. Leo did not mind just following the others, and as far as he was concerned it was just nice being out with friends.
With the afternoon sun being warm, Alec suggested they find somewhere to sit and perhaps get some refreshments. Leo reminded his new friend that as good an idea as that sounded, he for one did not have any money. Alec waved his hand nonchalantly, “My treat,” he said, “And no arguments.”
They found what they were looking for in the small park area s
ituated to the west of the city. This small tree lined park had seating and a lawn area that was surrounded by flowers in bloom; a small oasis of calm in what was a bustling lively city. At the edge of this small park area was a vendor selling drinks that had been chilled in ice, and despite the man looking uncertain as the three black-robed figures stood before him, Alec purchased four fruit drinks for them to share.
Leo sat beside his new friends, and though the sorcerers all kept their hoods up, as was asked by the guild when in public, they chatted whilst taking their refreshing drinks. Leo thought the drink tasted a little bitter, and was sure there was lemon in it, although he was unsure of the other fruits that had gone in to make it. One thing he was sure of, was just how refreshing it was, and just how surprisingly quiet it was, despite only being a stone’s throw from the noisy bustling streets.
The Apprentice Sorcerer: The Caldronian Guild Page 10
