Chapter 32 - [Court Mage of Northwind]

A few minutes later, Beltane and I were walking down one of Sableton’s many cobbled roads. Beltane had let his hood down, revealing a man with dark blonde hair and an easy smile. A thick growth of stubble coated Beltane’s face, giving him a savage look that would be improper in the presence of an Etronian noble. As we walked, Beltane smiled and waved at every villager we passed.

In contrast to Beltane, my face was an edifice of displeasure and irritation. Using [Observe] on Beltane was the wrong move. Beltane’s use of [Observe] was completely justified, since I used the Talent first. I had assumed that he didn’t have [Observe]. Even among mages, only 10% of them had that Talent. I just happened to meet one of the few people in Ferrum who happened to share a Talent with me.

“So, let me get this straight,” Beltane said, continuing the conversation, “you’re a priest with the [Hellfire] Talent?”

“Obviously,” I sighed. “You knew that as soon as you used [Observe] on me. Why are you here, anyway?”

“Because [Hellfire] is the best Talent in the world when it comes to dealing damage,” Beltane said, completely ignoring my question.

“I disagree,” I said without explaining further. There was no doubt in my mind that [Time Stop] was the best offensive Talent. Come to think of it, all the Talents that involved the manipulation of space time could probably give [Hellfire] a run for its money. “Answer the question.”

“I’m here for several reasons,” Beltane said with a smile. “One of which is to act as the Observer for your Ritual of Observation.”

“You said you’ve heard of me,” I said like a police officer interrogating a suspect. I didn’t want to give Beltane the chance to move the conversation on to something else. “What have you heard?”

“Oh, that?” Beltane chuckled. “I just heard that the first son of Count Armond Feldrast awakened at five years old. It’s rare for a child to awaken before their thirteenth birthday, but I’m sure you knew that. A five-year-old awakening is unheard of. I was sure that the rumor was just baseless propaganda meant to make the nobility look good, but - well - I was just proven wrong.”

“Uh huh,” I grimaced. Something about that disheveled man’s stupid face really pissed me off. “So, you’re here because I caught your attention? At absolute best speed, it’s a twelve-day journey to Hinnom, and most of those roads aren’t safe. There’s no way an intelligent man like you would make that journey based on a rumor.”

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“You don’t trust me, that’s good,” Beltane said. “Most people in this world aren’t trustworthy. Half of the people on the roads nowadays would kill you for a silver piece. You’re right, the rumor about you had little influence on my journey. I’m here because King Theophrastus has appointed me the Court Mage of Northwind.”

Who did he think he was? Court Mage of Northwind, my ass. My father didn’t need a Court Mage. Armond’s control over magic was better than anything this phony magician could conjure up. He must have been lying in order to…

God, it was happening again. That must have been the third time in two days. I didn’t even realize that the anger wasn’t my own until it started leading me in an illogical direction. Thale’s emotions were radiating off his soul so powerfully that I felt them as if they were my own.

Beltane Ostara…

Thale’s voice hissed threateningly, as if he had just spotted a predator hiding in the bushes. It was almost as if he was warning me of some threat that I had not yet noticed.

You need to stop that, Thale. When you feel strong emotions, I’m affected as well.

As expected, Thale completely ignored my statement.

My mentor. He was the source of every nightmare I visited upon the innocents of this accursed world. Do not listen to anything he says, demon.

Beltane Ostara was the original Thale’s mentor? That was certainly news to me. Thinking about it, someone must have taught Thale magic other than [Water Ball] and [Mold Earth]. Wait, what did he say at the end?

What? I’m not a demon, Thale.

There was no response.

God! Either stay asleep or stick around long enough to tell me something useful!

Mentally slamming the door on my psyche, I drew my attention back to the present. With the disappearance of Thale’s voice, the anger in my mind also subsided. I just hoped that it wouldn’t happen again soon.

I stopped walking and turned to Beltane, saying, “I’m sorry. I’ve been too suspicious of you. I was just startled by your sudden appearance. How about we get a fresh start. I’m Thale Feldrast,” I said, holding my small hand out for Beltane to shake, “Heir Apparent to the Realm of Northwind and Lord of Gwynedd. It’s nice to meet you.”

Beltane took a few more steps before realizing I had stopped. With a smile, he wiped his dirty hand off on his robe and shook my hand. “Nice to meet you, Lord Thale. You may call me Beltane Ostara, Third-Class War Mage and Silver-Rank adventurer.”

The key to the second part of my plan had just fallen right into my lap. As my hand grasped Beltane’s, my smile matched his. In the absence of a clear plan to prevent the War of Thorns in ten years, my goal was to accrue as much power as I could as quickly as possible. I would gain monetary power through my deal with Sendrick, I would gain magical power through my apprenticeship with Beltane, and my position as a noble assured that I would have political power in spades.

A path forward was starting to form, and I intended to take it.