Magic Academy of Elorah

Chapter 6

— No, I'm not angry. The house is in good shape, and clean everywhere. And besides, you helped me — thank you, by the way. I ran into a bit of trouble. I’ll stay here for a couple of days, then head home to my wife. She must be worried.

— You’re married? How old are you? You look so young!

— So many questions! — Erionor laughed. And what's your name, by the way?

— Ellen.

— That’s an unusual name! — Erionor looked surprised.

— Well, I don’t know… my parents named me that, and that’s just how I’ve lived with it.

Only then did I realize I hadn’t really looked at Erionor closely until now. He was of average height, with dark-brown hair, slightly slanted eyes the color of deep wood. Broad-shouldered, muscular, well-built. Clearly a trained fighter — and also a mage.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by another one of Erionor’s questions.

— Do you have magic?

— I don’t know! I answered. I only just barely learned how to read, and I’ve only ever tried writing with charcoal on wood, or drawing in the dirt.

— Hmm… and how old are you?

— I’ll be fourteen this fall. Why do you ask?

— I’ve got three kids of my own — grown now. And soon I’ll have a grandchild. But you… you could use a little help. Out here in the wilderness, you won’t get very far alone. I’ve got a friend — a good man, principal at a primary school. He can help find out if you’ve got magic. If not, you’ll still find a decent job. But if you do… maybe you could even train your way into the Academy of Magical Investigation and Defense. What do you think?

I thought about it for a moment.

What do I have to lose? Nothing.

It could only help me.

— I agree… but I don’t have any clothes or school supplies.

— That’s not a problem. We just need to wait a little. I can’t go into town just yet.

— How long exactly?

— Three or four days, give or take. Why do you ask?

— I need to get to the village — it’s a two-day walk from here.

— Why do you need to go there?

— The healer there still owes me. I traded her some herbs and moss — she hasn’t paid me back yet.