Millennial Mage

Tala took a moment to collect herself. Kannis is going to be Lyn’s mageling, and she’s going to live with us.

She didn’t really know how to feel about that. How could she cope with another person, suddenly rammed into such a core part of her life? What can I do? Can I forbid it?

-Tala.-

-Only when you’re here.-

That caused Tala to recenter, if only just. Fine. Only when I’m here. That crystallization of the thought helped her pull back to the moment, and realize that the others were watching her, waiting for a response.

Tala pasted on a smile. “That’s big news. I didn’t know you were considering taking on a mageling, Lyn.”

Kannis glanced between them, a thoughtful look on her face, but didn’t comment.

Lyn shrugged. “I’ve been considering it, and this one came and asked. I’ve just finished going through her records, and I think it’s a good match. In fact, if I am going to take on a mageling, there likely won’t be one better. She spent the last two months taking an intensive class on the Archive, its history and functions.”

That tracks. I left as soon as they’d let me. Most who arrived when I did would have stayed on for one or more extra classes, to round out their employment opportunities. “That sounds incredibly useful.”

Tala cleared her throat. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of being included on this weighty decision?”

Lyn nodded. “Well, it is traditional for a Mage to provide housing for her mageling.”

Tala sighed. “So, you found your renter.”

“I did. Well, in a sense. She won’t be renting, as I’d be paying for her housing if she stayed elsewhere.”

Kannis looked back and forth between them. “I’m sorry, Mistresses, but I don’t understand. What am I missing?”

“Oh, it’s fine, Kannis. Tala used to rent a room from me, but due to certain…changes, that is no longer required. She can explain if she wishes, you’ll figure it out eventually. Suffice to say, I have an open room in my home, so instead of putting you up at some local boarding house, you’ll live with me, if that’s agreeable.”

Tala cleared her throat. “And me, when I’m in town.”

Kannis nodded slowly. “I don’t think I fully understand, but I don’t think that’s a problem.”

Lyn smiled. “Good. I’ll draw up the paperwork for a Mage-mageling relationship, and we can go over it together.”

“That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Mistress Lyn. I promise that you won’t regret taking me on.”

I might. Tala kept the frown off of her face.

-Tala.-

-Don’t be rude. This has very little to do with you.-

Fair. She took a deep breath and changed the content of her thoughts. The whole “must get my attention” thing is getting pretty annoying. Can you take a moment to see if you can disable the requirement?

-As you wish.-

Tala smiled, forcing a bit more genuineness into it this time. “Well, congratulations to you both. It’s a big thing you’re both agreeing to. We can celebrate tonight?”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Lyn nodded her thanks and looked to Kannis.

“As my master commands.” Kannis grinned in genuine-seeming joy. “That does sound quite nice.”

“Well, I must be off, and the two of you have details to hammer out. See you at home tonight, around dinner.”

“Good to meet you, Mistress Tala.” The mageling bowed.

“Don’t do anything too insane.” Lyn added.

Tala felt a smile tug at her lips. “Me? Never. Terry on the other hand. He gets to join us in sparring today.”

Terry lifted his head and let out an affirmative squawk.

Tala strode away, friend on her shoulder, Lyn left standing, wide-eyed and opened mouthed in astonishment.

That was strangely satisfying.

Alat didn’t reply. The silence stretching for almost a minute as Tala made her way through Bandfast’s streets.

I suppose that delving into her inner workings to turn off the “Tala” requirement, takes more capacity that I’d have guessed.

Still silent.

Tala shifted her shoulders as she walked, feeling oddly lonely in the silence.

Great. She’s going to see these memories when she comes back, and she’ll never let me live it down.

-Oh, I’m loving it, now.-

“Gah!” Tala jumped, landing to the side of the street and scaring several of the people around her.

An older woman had frozen in shock, hand coming to her mouth in astonishment. “Good heavens child. Are you alright?”

Tala felt her face heat in embarrassment and blurted out the first lie that came to mind. “There was a bee.”

Alat cackled with laughter as Tala sped away, not making eye contact, nor acknowledging the woman’s follow-up questions.

-There was a bee?-

She kept laughing in the back of Tala’s mind.

-It’s the middle of winter! There’s snow everywhere. What kind of excuse was that?-

The laughter rolled on.

Tala chose the path of nonconfrontation and ignored Alat. She is a lot to ignore…

-See, that was at least clever.- A snort of all things resounded through her head. -There was a bee.-

How the rust are you conveying a snort and a shake of your head?

-I grow in capacity by the minute.-

That’s just wonderful for you.

-Thank you. I rather think so, too.- After a moment, Alat giggled. -There was a bee.-

I think it was good enough, given the timeframe. Besides, It was a better response than saying that the voice in my head startled me.

Alat paused at that. -True, I suppose, but just because it wasn’t the worst thing you could have said, doesn’t mean it was a good option.-

It wasn’t worth continuing the disagreement. Tala tossed out some jerky for Terry, even while munching on some, herself. As she did so, she had a realization. Hey, you didn’t have to proceed your statement by getting my attention.

-I did not.-

So, you figured it out, then?

-Absolutely. I used your authorization to remove the requirement for me to notify you before adjusting your senses.-

Tala blinked a few times, tossing out another bit of jerky for Terry. Wait. What?

-You asked me to remove the requirement.-

I don’t want you modifying what I sense without me knowing.

-Well, then you shouldn’t have asked me to make that change.-

When you talk into my head, I know you’re talking! That has nothing to do with a removal of notification.

There was a pause. -So, you want that requirement reinstated?-

Without question, yes.

-Tala-

-The requirement has been reinstated.-

You’re doing it again.

-It is required.-

Tala threw her hands up in the air. Thankfully no one was close enough to be startled or inconvenienced by the gesture. No, it isn’t! You talking to me lets me know that you’re talking to me. I don’t need a word or sound preceding your talking. That would be like: You must always give me a book, which tells me that you are going to give me a book, before you can give me a book.

Alat, somehow, hummed in her head consideringly. -So, would you like me adjust my notification to simply be whatever I am about to tell you?-

Tala thought for a moment, looking for how it might be abused.

-I’m not trying to trick you. Your wellbeing is my well-being.-

Yeah…I know…fine.

­-You still sound hesitant. Should I find a way of making my communications stand out more in your mind as well?-

That’s worth a try, sure.

≡Command accepted.≡

Tala continued on her way. How are you doing that? Your thoughts aren’t coming through more loudly, but they are more…emphasized?

≡I am denoting them more extremely as separate from the normal flow of your thoughts.≡

Tala grimaced. I don’t think I like that. Let’s remove the extra distinction.

-Command accepted-

Tala felt some tension ease. She hadn’t really realized it, but the sheer oddity of having such distinctly separated thoughts within her own head had been grating. But she was getting distracted. So, if that quick moment was all it took to make the adjustment, what was the other thing for? Why did you try to remove all notice that you were influencing my senses?

-That was the best solution that quickly presented itself, and I didn’t want to be offline in contemplations for a long stretch, once again.-

But I came up with this other option very quickly.

-Yes, you did. That is some evidence that our different perspectives lend themselves to differing patterns of thought, even though we obviously reside in the same brain, and are the result of the same spirit and soul.-

Is that going to be an issue?

-Not at all. It just emphasizes that we will benefit from each other for a long time to come. It also is a funny bit of evidence that if we switched places, we would become like the other, which would almost be a form of suicide on my part.-

Tala grunted in acknowledgement. That’s an interesting way of thinking about it, I suppose.

-We’re here.-

Tala came out of her reverie and looked up at the glory of the teleportation tower. You know, I never asked why they are towers, instead of just normal buildings. Tala once again marveled at the artistry that went into the motifs covering the entryway.

-Do you want to know why it’s a tower?-

Later, but sure. Thank you for asking.

She could remember clearly exiting through this archway and thinking about how it would have taken meticulous effort to carve each relief, each detailed image. I didn’t realize that there are some Archons who could do this with a wave of their hand.

Even so, it was still a stunning display of control and technique, likely an even greater demonstration of skill than simply carving it all by hand would be.

The artist has likely been practicing for hundreds of years. And she got to enjoy the fruits of that experience.

A contented smile on her face, Tala strolled into the tower.

A chipper young woman, wrapped in a stylish looking winter coat greeted Tala just inside the door. “Hello and welcome to the Teleportation Tower. To better assist you, today, may I ask if you are departing yourself or receiving an incoming traveler?”

Tala took a moment to blink and process the flood of words that had come from the woman. That has to be rehearsed. Who rehearses such a speech? That didn’t really matter, though.

Tala noticed a bit of magic coming from near the girl’s feet, behind the counter. A heater? That’s interesting. Clearly tied into the city’s grid, too. Could that be one of the artifacts that Queue was talking about? She’d have to examine the thing to be sure, but it seemed reasonable.

-Focus, Tala, the girl asked you a question.-

Right! Tala smiled, coming back to the matter at hand. “Oh, no. Thank you, though. I’m here to see Mistress Phoen, if she’s available.”

-I already told you that she was on shift, now.-

Yes, and I asked about her availability, not her presence.

-Oh…right.-

Tala’s smile shifted to one side. Seems we both have an issue thinking through things at times.

-Yeah, we should work on that.-

Agreed.

“Oh, certainly.” The receptionist smiled in return, leaned back in her chair, and called through a doorway behind her and to her left. “Clint, can you run and see if Mistress Phoen is available? She has a visitor.”

An older voice, likely mid-thirties if he wasn’t a Mage, answer. “Sure thing!”

“It’ll just be one minute, and we’ll know for sure. Can I get you anything while you wait?”

“No, but thank you for asking.”

“Absolutely! Let me know if you change your mind.”

“Will do.”

Tala turned to look back out through the archway, taking in a deep lungful of the cool air and enjoying the slightly elevated view over the buildings, which were just beginning to be bathed in the new light of dawn.

She spent a couple of oddly relaxing minutes looking out at the city, through the artistic portal.

“It’s a beautiful view, isn’t it.” The older, feminine voice came from behind Tala’s right shoulder.

Tala turned, a genuine smile pulling at her cheeks. “Mistress Phoen. It is a pleasure to see you once again.”

The other woman was exactly as Tala remembered. -It has only been a couple of months.-

One thing stood out where it hadn’t at their first meeting. She’s a Mage, not an Archon. Is she Forbidden?

-No, she is not in the lists of Forbidden, but that’s a special title for those with essentially no chance to Bound a star, though they can achieve an attempt with relative ease.-

“I’m sorry, young woman, but you seem to have me at a disadvantage. Do I know you?”

Tala gave a slight bow. “I am Tala. You greeted me when I arrived from Academy, and you lent me clothing as well.”

“Why would I have…” Her eyes widened, and then she laughed. “Oh! Mistress Tala, that’s right. How are you?” She frowned. “Did you give up the Mage’s life?”

The lack of inscriptions.

Phoen’s eyes bobbed to Terry, though there was not surprise in them, so she’d likely noticed him before Tala turned around. “It seems you found yourself a friend.”

Tala reached up and scratched Terry. “I have, indeed. But no, no. I’m still working for the Caravanner’s Guild. I’ve not given up magic by any means.”

The older woman frowned just slightly. The expression didn’t seem to line up with any of the wrinkles on her face, making it clear that Phoen didn’t frown often. “Whatever happened to your inscriptions, dear? Did you have to teleport for some reason? Little else would eliminate them so completely and cleanly.”

Tala watched the woman’s mage-sight inscriptions fill with power and activate.

Phoen’s eyes widened again, and she gasped, taking a half-step back. “Mistress.” She gave a shallow bow. “You’ve come far in such a short time, Archon.”

Tala stepped forward, crossing the space that Phoen had created with her half-step and then some, before placing her hands on the woman’s shoulders. “None of that, Mistress. I came to thank you, once again, for your kindness and assistance that first day, not to have you abase yourself.”

“As you wish.” Phoen seemed to struggle for a moment within herself before nodding once. “How is it that you have advanced so quickly? Even among those who make it to Archon, isn’t half a decade considered fast?”

“That sounds about right.”

“So, if I may ask, Mistress. How?”

Tala shrugged, finding herself without a good answer. “I’m not sure what to tell you.”

“Did you just throw yourself off a cliff to get to the bottom?”

-Not an inaccurate assessment.-

Hush, you. “I did take some risks, I suppose.”

“Someone should tan your master’s hide for letting you move so fast.”

“Well, you see, I never actually had a master.”

Phoen cocked an eyebrow. “I knew you were going to attempt to be hired as a full Mage, but you didn’t get a master, even for the advice and direction?”

“Well, I talk with as many Mages and Archons as I can, asking advice.”

“Do you follow it?”

Tala grimaced slightly. “Mostly?”

Phoen snorted. “Well, it doesn’t seem to have done you any lasting harm, at least not yet.” She gave Tala an appraising look. “You’re doing well, then?”

“I am, thank you, and you?”

“Can’t complain. Mact is close to full Magehood, and he’s likely the last mageling I’ll take.”

Tala cocked her head to one side. “Why don’t you…?”

Phoen laughed. “I never could master that spell-form. Something about my mindset as a Material Creator makes me unsuited to such esoteric workings of raw power. I never was able to bridge the quadrants, either.” She shrugged. “But I’ve lived a good life, made a good income, and I’m ready to retire and spend time with my great grandchildren.”

“Do you have many?”

Phoen smiled softly. “Twenty, the twentieth born just last month.” She let out a contented breath. “The healers tell me that I’ve likely got another dozen years or so, at least. So, I’m looking forward to watching them grow, marry, and have children of their own.”

That doesn’t make sense. Ingrit said no Mage dies of old age. Tala almost objected, but Alat cut across her.

-I’ll explain after.- There was a sadness to her alternate interface’s voice, so Tala decided to trust her.

She smiled towards Phoen. “That sounds like a full-time endeavor.” Tala felt like she wanted to be sad at the prospect of Phoen retiring, especially with Alat’s vague comments, but there was an undercurrent of joy in the woman’s demeanor that made it clear that she wanted nothing more in the world than exactly that.

“Precisely.” Her well worn smile-lines deepened as a look of true, contented satisfaction came to rest on her features.

She wants such different things from me. Was that because they were different people, or was Tala a fool, facing the wisdom brought on by age and rejecting it?

-Likely a bit of both. I don’t know that we’ll ever want to take her path, but I think we may want pieces of it at some point.-

There was wisdom there. She might, one day, want a family, and at that time, she’d very much be walking a parallel path to Phoen’s.

Tala glanced around, then nodded into the comfortable silence. “Well, I don’t want to keep you from your work. Thank you for letting me drop through, and thank you, again, for all you did for me.”

Phoen bowed. “It was wonderful to see you, and it is my pleasure to have been able to assist.” When she straightened, there was a hardness to her gaze. “But you listen here, young woman. I’ll give you the advice I gave my own daughters and sons: Don’t advance too fast, Mistress. Life is worth living, don’t let it pass you by. You hear?”

Tala felt strangely touched by the woman’s fervor. “I won’t, Mistress. Thank you.”

Tala bowed to the woman; she bowed to the first Mage who she’d met in this city, the first one to greet her after she left the Academy. With a smile on her face, and a lightness brought on by happiness in her head, Tala departed.

I’m glad I did that.

-Me too.-

So, what was that about? Didn’t Ingrit say no Mage dies of old age?

-I looked it up, and Mages who can’t consciously create the Archon star eventually manifest it subconsciously within themselves, instantly bonding it and beginning the process of becoming a fount. In those cases, it’s a fairly predictable process, which can be monitored and anticipated, without being prevented.-

Hence the twelve year guess.

-Exactly. Apparently, it happens most often in the Mage’s sleep, at which point, they simply get up and leave. The Mage is then unresponsive, and can either be killed or let out of the city.-

That was depressing to say the least. One day Phone would just get up and walk out of her family’s life without a word of goodbye.

-She knows it’s coming, as will her family, even if they won’t know exactly what it is.-

Secrecy.

-Secrecy.-

Tala sighed. I need to hit something. She reached up to scratch Terry’s head. “Ready to spar, my friend?”

He leaned into her hand and trilled with obvious excitement.

“Let’s go.”

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