Chapter VIII: Mistress of fire

The sun was going down behind the hill and the night sky had a red hue to it. Downwards the slope he could see a wheat field and the royal castle was standing on the hill where the sun was descending. Something felt strange but Gandon couldn’t figure out what. He realized to his surprise that he didn’t wear a shirt, it was a warm sunny day, but he should still wear something more than pants when he was outside. Suddenly he could hear a woman laughing in the wheat field. It was a wonderful laugh, only meant for him. He didn’t think at all his legs turned toward the destination the laughter had come from on their own.

He found her quickly enough it was Alexandra, it was her who ran among the wheat field singing and laughing. She wore a brown skirt but from her waist and upwards she was topless. Her breasts were dancing when she ran and her chestnut hair swayed in the wind the same direction as the wheat. Now the heat was intense even though he could see that the sun was about to go down.

He could hear the song now. “Would you give up a kingdom for a lover’s kiss? Fairer than any maiden she was.”

She got out of sight and he could no longer hear her voice.

He started running. “Alexandra don’t leave me!”

“Why are you falling behind? I thought you loved me?” she shouted while laughing.

Why must she tease me so?

He started to sprint but there was no use, he had lost her, he had no idea where she went.

“The smartest man to hold a board piece in his hand but couldn’t make a woman weak in her knees even if his own life was at stake.” She was near but he couldn’t pinpoint her voice.

“That’s not true!” he was afraid now. He had felt a similar fear when he had seen her the first time in Geor’s work room.

“If you love me, how come Ilmur is the only man I have ever kissed? Do you really think that was all we did during our ride in the moonlight?”

“Ilmur would never lie to me!”

“You are a fool, I was wrong. You should wear the jester’s hat for the court to mock you.”

“No, please don’t do this to me! Haven’t I suffered enough?”

“Perhaps you have.” She started singing again. “He grabbed the moon and forged it into a wedding ring. Then they dance throughout the night.” Suddenly she leaped out from the wheats that were hiding her. He could feel the heat from her body and the scent from her perfume.

Suddenly she was on top of him, she guided his hand towards one of her breasts and she started kissing him with her tongue.

“Make love to me, Gandon,” she said with a voice that was dripping with honey.

If this is wrong, why does it feel so right?

He jerked up from his bed breathing heavily. It took a moment for it all to kick in. His heart was beating hard. He tried to get back to sleep but it was impossible, sleep wouldn’t embrace him now.

This is too much; I can’t deal with all of this. His love for Alexandra that had only deepened under the lectures. Also, his love for Ilmur and his responsibilities that awaited him when he left for Alden to start negotiating with the guilds.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

In the dream, Alexandra had been cruel to him, but that had nothing to do with her personality, it was his insecurities that had taken shape in his dream. The dream had still been more pleasant than bad though.

He felt horrible, but he wasn’t sure that Alexandra and Ilmur were the right match. He thought that maybe he would have more to offer. He was still part of the royal family, so Alexandra marrying him would still strengthen House Bellouse. Ilmur would still have plenty of suitors that would fit him. A part of him felt horrible, but he knew he needess of fire leaned forward. “We always have a need for more skilled fire mages. I hope the passion burns hot in you.”

Gandon didn’t know if it was superstition or not, but it was said that fire mages had a shorter temperament. Comparing himself to Ilmur he supposed it could be true.

The master of ice scoffed. “Traitor,” said he while he looked at Yvan. “I’ve heard that you have another apprentice as well, one who learns the art of ice. Why haven’t you brought him forth?”

Yvan looked troubled. “There is nothing special with Ilmur, he is not bad, but nothing remarkable. I would have wasted your time.”

The master of ice persisted. “He is still a prince, that makes him remarkable in his own right. It’s very seldom that the royal family learns magic, bring him to me.”

“It could be the teacher’s fault,” said the master of earth. “You shouldn’t have dabbed in arts you do not understand, Yvan.”

They truly don’t like him. Thought Gandon. What Yvan did, learning two elements was considered an abomination. Why must people be so afraid of change? Yvan had shown that it was possible.

“Ice was the first thing I learned, so why have I succeeded so well with Gandon then?”

Mistress of fire bite her nail. “Who could say? Maybe he is just a natural? If he is as good as you say I can take him under my wings.”

No, never. “I will remain with my master,” said Gandon.

Yvan smacked him in the back of his head. He was surprised how much it hurt, Yvan was always gentle with him otherwise.

“That’s a fire mage for you. You know nothing about rules and structures like us and the earth mages do. You just burn everything away,” said the master of ice.

“Ice is fragile, you need passion in life. The phoenixes burn their own bodies to ash when they need to restart their own life. They know the deeper truths of the world,” answered the mistress of fire hotly.

“I’ve had it,” said the master of ice and left his chair. He walked towards Yvan. “You were my greatest failure; I should never have trained you myself. You are from Oban, what was I thinking? Your lot have never cared about the rules in the first place.”

“If it makes you any happier, Ferguson, I wasn’t only studying fire. I walked with the blue mages as well. I learned a lot from them. They are not educated like you and me, but they are wise in their own way, very philosophical.”

“You have been with the frog eaters? You shame me with every breath you take.” Ferguson left the room at a brisk pace.

“I can already feel the cold evaporating from my heart,” said the mistress of fire.

“Enough Wanda,” said the grandmaster.

She looked like she had been slapped but she held her tongue.

“We are even now. How should we proceed?” said the master of air.

“I think with leaving the room, he has already cast his vote,” said the grandmaster. “How long have you been training the boy?”

“Four months now, grandmaster,” said Yvan.

“Four months? That’s nothing!” said the master of earth.

“He can already light a candle.”

Wanda almost fell from her chair. “That’s not possible, not even I could do that in such a short time…”

“Perhaps a demonstration is in order? Gandon, would you be so kind?”

He didn’t like how they treated Yvan, he saw no need for impressing them. “No, I won’t do it.”

Wanda pointed at him. “Insolent boy! I think the word you are looking for can’t! Come back in a year or two and then we can talk!”

Suddenly he would like nothing more than to shame this Walda in front of her peers. He ate one of his berries that he had in his pockets. He walked up to Wanda and lit one of the candles. “Perhaps, but for now, we have talked enough.”

He left the room while the master of ice and master of earth were laughing hysterically. Yvan was giving his deepest apologies while the grandmaster tried to silence the room.

Gandon grumbled while he walked down the stairs. He had looked forward to meeting the council, but they had shamed his master and therefore they had shamed him as well.ooks without Geor intervening and maybe he could impress her with some magic.

“I’ll go back to my room to read some more, but I’ll talk to you soon,” said Gandon.

Alexandra waved at him when they went different directions.