highest peak that overshadows this place? Up there are the supreme masters of the elements. They can summon great storms; snow and lightning with just the wave of a hand. I would like to learn what I can from them."
"I have heard stories…but I was told that their powers are only used for destruction. A contrast to what we believe great power should be used for."
"Like you I am an orphan, but I wasn't given a home like this or given to kind monks. I had to learn to defend myself from all sorts of bad people. I come from the district of Hallows Gale in the city of Cal’Duun. It is not the beautiful place that most people think it to be. It is run by murderers, thieves and all kinds of demonic evils. What I learn, I intend to use in my defense."
"My apologies. I didn't mean to offend you. My views of the world are very limited, living here all alone. I hope you will attain what you seek at the end of your journey.”
"And what of your journey? Does it begin and end here?" she asked.
He was puzzled at the question, but deep down he knew that he did not want his journey to end here. Despite the warnings, there was so much he did not know and wanted to experience. He hated to think of his home as a prison but in essence he felt trapped. Still, he could not forsake the monastery. He’d given his word to Rolfan to look after it. But he did wish that he could journey with her. She possessed an intelligence that could never be attained from just reading books. His heart suddenly began to ache at the thought of her imminent departure.
"Jan? Are you alright?" she asked in a concerned tone.
"Yes...I was just thinking. How long do you plan to stay here?"
"As soon as the storm is over, I will take my leave. Why? Have I outstayed my welcome?" she said with a mischievous smile.
"No-no. On the contrary I would like if you stayed with me. I-I mean...I can restock your supplies and show you the safest route through the mountains."
She smiled bashfully as if she knew what he was really thinking. He wanted her to remain with him.
"I'd like that very much Jan. Thank you. Maybe it’s just as well. Yazra and I have no home, really. We're constantly moving from place to place. It would be lovely to have a warm bed for a few nights."
“You are welcome to stay as long as you like.” he smiled.
**
The hour had grown late and Jan bid Nyah goodnight. Before he headed to his room, he made sure to show her around. When he last saw her, she’d gone out to check on Yazra. The weather had grown considerably worse and might be unsettling to her mount, as she’d explained.
A mixture of rain and hail pelted down on the rafters and it sounded as if a million tiny pebbles were simultaneously falling from the heavens. Jan loved the sound however, and began to wonder if the school’s mages were the ones responsible for this storm. He hoped that it wouldn’t last too long; otherwise the river might overflow and flood the grounds. That would not be good for him or his guests.
It had happened once before, but at the time he wasn’t alone. It took an entire month for the icy waters to recede and the earth was left a slippery and slushy mess. He remembered how he and the other boys used to splash and play in the icy puddles when they were young. It was a beautiful and nostalgic memory. One he would have liked Nyah to experience. From what she disclosed, he knew that she didn’t have a very good childhood and he worried for her.
As he lay down against his pillows, his mind settled on his new visitor. He wondered if she liked him as well. Or was she only concerned with increasing her strength in the arts of magic? If only he had the means to protect the buxom beauty from danger. Only then would she be able to stay with him. It was unrealistic idea, but for him this thought was as beautiful as a bedtime fairytale. Nevertheless, he became lost in his fantasies and soon
"I have heard stories…but I was told that their powers are only used for destruction. A contrast to what we believe great power should be used for."
"Like you I am an orphan, but I wasn't given a home like this or given to kind monks. I had to learn to defend myself from all sorts of bad people. I come from the district of Hallows Gale in the city of Cal’Duun. It is not the beautiful place that most people think it to be. It is run by murderers, thieves and all kinds of demonic evils. What I learn, I intend to use in my defense."
"My apologies. I didn't mean to offend you. My views of the world are very limited, living here all alone. I hope you will attain what you seek at the end of your journey.”
"And what of your journey? Does it begin and end here?" she asked.
He was puzzled at the question, but deep down he knew that he did not want his journey to end here. Despite the warnings, there was so much he did not know and wanted to experience. He hated to think of his home as a prison but in essence he felt trapped. Still, he could not forsake the monastery. He’d given his word to Rolfan to look after it. But he did wish that he could journey with her. She possessed an intelligence that could never be attained from just reading books. His heart suddenly began to ache at the thought of her imminent departure.
"Jan? Are you alright?" she asked in a concerned tone.
"Yes...I was just thinking. How long do you plan to stay here?"
"As soon as the storm is over, I will take my leave. Why? Have I outstayed my welcome?" she said with a mischievous smile.
"No-no. On the contrary I would like if you stayed with me. I-I mean...I can restock your supplies and show you the safest route through the mountains."
She smiled bashfully as if she knew what he was really thinking. He wanted her to remain with him.
"I'd like that very much Jan. Thank you. Maybe it’s just as well. Yazra and I have no home, really. We're constantly moving from place to place. It would be lovely to have a warm bed for a few nights."
“You are welcome to stay as long as you like.” he smiled.
**
The hour had grown late and Jan bid Nyah goodnight. Before he headed to his room, he made sure to show her around. When he last saw her, she’d gone out to check on Yazra. The weather had grown considerably worse and might be unsettling to her mount, as she’d explained.
A mixture of rain and hail pelted down on the rafters and it sounded as if a million tiny pebbles were simultaneously falling from the heavens. Jan loved the sound however, and began to wonder if the school’s mages were the ones responsible for this storm. He hoped that it wouldn’t last too long; otherwise the river might overflow and flood the grounds. That would not be good for him or his guests.
It had happened once before, but at the time he wasn’t alone. It took an entire month for the icy waters to recede and the earth was left a slippery and slushy mess. He remembered how he and the other boys used to splash and play in the icy puddles when they were young. It was a beautiful and nostalgic memory. One he would have liked Nyah to experience. From what she disclosed, he knew that she didn’t have a very good childhood and he worried for her.
As he lay down against his pillows, his mind settled on his new visitor. He wondered if she liked him as well. Or was she only concerned with increasing her strength in the arts of magic? If only he had the means to protect the buxom beauty from danger. Only then would she be able to stay with him. It was unrealistic idea, but for him this thought was as beautiful as a bedtime fairytale. Nevertheless, he became lost in his fantasies and soon
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