Birth of a Dragoon

Arcane Proposition

I was annoyed and quite frustrated at the end of class. The ArchMage refused to finish telling the story he had begun and by the sounds of it, in the next class session, he wouldn't finish it either. If he even remembered he had started telling a story after today. If it didn't involve magic in one way or another, he often forgot about it within minutes.

I slanted a glance at Cearúil; he hadn't paid much attention during class, which was extremely unusual. Had he heard the story before somewhere? Did he know how it ended? If so, would he tell me? Producing my most sweetest and innocent smile, which I probably failed miserably at like everything else I tried, I sauntered around to the front of Cearúil and placed a hand on his chest to still him. As I knew would happen, suspicion rose quickly within his yellow-tinged, green eyes.

"What?"

Unbidden, my smile widened. "I noticed you really weren't paying much attention in class today. Does that mean you already heard the tale the ArchMage was speaking of?"

I instantly regretted my words and actions when a smile appeared on his face in response. Just what was he scheming now?

"As a matter of fact Gwen, I have been told Night Shadow's tale before."

All worry fled out of me at his words. He knew the story; I could hear the end of it now! "Night Shadow? Was that the name of the Draco?"

My spirits rose even higher at his nod. "Oohhh, please. Please tell me how it ends. I just know ArchMage Mors is going to forget and not finish the tale."

Cearúil's smile widened. He could definitely work with this. "I'll make you a deal, Gwen. You come with me for a private lesson and I'll tell you part of the story. What do you say?"

My spirits were instantly squashed by his words, his proposition. I really didn't want to try his little private lessons. I wasn't quite certain why. It was probably because I didn't want to fail again when he had such high hopes of me actually being able to cast an incantation eventually. I turned and stalked away without saying a word. Why would I, when I didn't want to add to his hopes?

Though I still really wanted to know the rest of the story, I wasn't willing to fail again at spellcraft. Besides, how could Cearúil be able to awaken my potential when none of the Grandmasters or even the ArchMages could? I sighed as I unlocked and opened my room's door, then turned back to Cearúil. He seemed lost to his thoughts as he frowned down at me. Was he scheming something again? More than likely; once he set his mind to something, it was extremely hard to sway him from that path.

"I'll see you tomorrow before class. Ok, Cearúil?"

"No."

My eyes widened at his tone. Never before had he prevented me from doing something or demanded anything of me. I stared stupefied up at Cearúil, not knowing what to say or do. He backed me into my room and closed the door behind him when the hall began to fill with students.

"There is no reason for you to fear me, Gwen. I only want to help, though you seem to think I have some darker purpose behind my requests. Do you honestly think I would harm you in some way if we were to be alone together? Do you really believe me such a monster?"

"What? No!" Oh crap, did he really believe that's how I felt? That I thought he would hurt me? "Cearúil, I don't feel that way. You're not a monster, and I never thought such a thing of you. How could I, when you have been the only person who can stand being around me? Which I still don't understand."

"My reasons are my own." A slight grin appeared upon his lips. "You'll come with me tonight then, at midnight? I'll see you then."

"Wait…" I called out as he turned to the door and began opening it.

"No, Gwen. I'm not taking 'no' for an answer this time, you'll be up and ready by the time I return. And don't worry about the patrols, I'll handle them on my way here."

"Cearúil…"

He didn't listen or stop, just quietly left and closed the door behind him. What the hell? Did Cearúil just expect me to start doing whatever he said, when he said now? Sighing, I sat upon my bed. Should I actually do what he said and be ready at midnight? I raised my head and peered over at the door. Splintering and ruined wood could still be seen around the framing from six months ago when I was having a real bad day and didn't want to see or speak with anyone.

I had attempted to ignore Cearúil that morning; foolishly thinking he would react as everyone else did, and would leave me alone. He didn't. When I refused to answer, Cearúil kicked in the door. 'I wanted to make certain you were ok', was his reason behind it. Lying out on the bed, I closed my eyes for a quick nap. There was no doubt in my mind that if I refused to answer the door at midnight, Cearúil would kick it down again.