On Being a New Wizard in Arcadia--Part VIII

    The Dragon's Cave was tucked into the corner of the decrepit Arcadia Woods strip mall. Christian stood on the sidewalk, lost in thought. He practically lived there on Sundays, and he had never even been aware that he might be in the presence of men of extraordinary talents. He had just chalked it up to run-of-the-mill nerd posturing, but Sean had assured him that there was a mage there. He hadn't been able to offer Christian any advice as to how best approach the situation, nor who amongst the regulars it might be. Dealing with these types was problematic at best, given how quickly most were to take offense at the most innocent of comments or actions. Standing outside freezing wasn't solving things any more quickly, though, so Christian straightened his shoulders and stepped inside.

    If he was expecting a sudden stoppage of all activity and all eyes locked onto him, he would have been disappointed. Fortunately, he was used to slipping under the collective radar of the gamers flocked around the folding tables. He wished he had asked Sean to teach him a few of those wards, but it had not crossed his mind. He'd have to ask later. A quick circuit of the store did not raise any suspicions, and the wretched arrogance masking mundanity made his head ache. He resolved to come back later and was heading toward the door when someone called out to him.

    Scott was tucked into one of the front corners with his laptop and an energy drink. He had a mock-serious look on his face, and Christian was fairly certain as to why. Short, skinny, and a little frail, Scott had been the resident advisor on the fourth floor of Clarke Hall since Christian's freshman year. He scooted over so that Christian could drag a folding chair to the table next to him.

    "You're supposed to be taking it easy and staying inside," Scott said very softly. "I've let it slide about Sebastian being over so much, but this is a little more than I'm comfortable letting you do." He frowned, studying Christian's face. "I know you didn't get a ride down here; the buses are barely running today."

    "Actually, I did get a ride down here," Christian replied. "I was getting ansty from being in the dorm. What are you doing here, anyway? Your party meets on Tuesday evenings."

    "Well, yes. The computer club from the high school wanted some pointers on the game they're making for a competition, and I was recruited for feedback." Scott tossed his long hair back from his face. "They all went for a late lunch, and I'm stuck trying out this mess. It keeps crashing at the exact same point and none of them have figured out why."

    "Does this earn you some extra brownie points with the Exit Committee?" Christian felt his stomach knot uncomfortably. Senior year at Arcadia was notoriously grueling, and the Exit Committee for each department had been known to refuse graduation to those who had not met the non-academic requirements of their degree program.  The mere thought of an extra year of school made his skin crawl.

    "This? No. This is a favor for the club." Scott fiddled with his scraggly chin hair--it was too scant to even qualify as a goatee--and made a face. "I helped them refurbish their computers last fall, and they just about have me on speed dial for every little thing. I like them well enough, but they're sort of dense."

    "They're high schoolers, of course they're dense." Christian took a long look at Scott. "Are you okay? You look rough around the edges."

    "I may be overdoing it a little. I really need to have a solid Exit Review, because I really need to get out of this backwards little town." Scott nudged Christian's arm. "You know how that feels. I would have gone to Cali if Dad didn't teach at the college." He stopped and grinned at his computer. "Ah, I think I see the problem here. Look, if you're still here when I'm done, I'll give you a ride back up to campus, okay?"

    "Got it. I'm going to hang out a bit, then head back. I think I need a nap." Christian wasn't even sure if Scott had heard him, he was so deeply absorbed in scribbling notes. With a small resigned sigh, he headed to the door. If there was a mage there, he hadn't made himself known, and Christian was past tired. He started heading for the door, determined to come back tomorrow. Dennis, who was manning the register, looked up from the book he was reading.

    "Emmerich wants to see you in the back," he said as Christian moved past the front counter. "Seriously. He wants to see you in the back. Oh, and it's good to see you not dead. I heard you had a stroke in front of the library."

    "I collapsed from dehydration and exhaustion," Christian replied. Rumor had been busy, it seemed. "My brain is fine."

    "Oh." Dennis seemed disappointed. "Well, they're waiting for you in the back."

    Christian made his way past the gamers at the tables toward the back room. It was the stronghold of the role-playing groups, and it was so inhospitable that most people only made the mistake of going back there once. To be summoned so did not bode well, and Christian wondered what petty infraction he might have committed.

    As always, the air of the back room was too warm and heavy with the aromas of incense and coffee. It was deserted except for Emmerich and his friend Samir. Christian steeled himself. He had barely exchanged a dozen words with either of them. It seemed unlikely that he could have actually offended them, and at this point he frankly didn't care to deal with wounded pride. He'd excuse himself quickly and go back to Red House to see if Sean could teach him some wards.

    "Sit," Emmerich said, motioning to the folding chair opposite of him. Christian dropped down with as much force as he could. For a long minute, they stared at one another. Emmerich was tall and muscular, with shaggy, deep red hair falling over his deep-set eyes. A very long, somewhat hooked nose sloped out over his wide mouth. Christian knew for a fact that he had a temper, and the skills to back it. He was a veteran of the SCA and did medieval combat demonstrations for the history department. He sat and scowled at Christian.

    Samir sat at Emmerich's left side, as perfect as his friend was awkward. He was even taller and much broader through the chest and shoulders. His features were straight and strong without being overwhelming, his eyes almost as pale a blue as Sebastian's, but looking more intense with his black hair and olive complexion. He did not look as serious as Emmerich, but curious as to what Christian might do. At last Emmerich broke the silence.

    "Who taught you?" he asked. Christian blinked, confused. "Look, I may be green yet, but I know power when I sense it. And you are blazing like a torch."

    "I beg your pardon?" Christian replied, caution straining every nerve. He was reaching the end of his energy. Samir leaned forward, blue eyes luminous in the dim light. It wasn't a trick of the shadows, Christian realized. They were glowing as Samir looked at him.

    "Forget being green, Em. He's beyond you and yours." Samir sat back, crossing his thick arms. "He's walked the ways."

    "That's not possible," Emmerich said, eyes widening. "I would have known. There are systems in place to keep people from opening the paths. We guard the paths. That's our duty."

    "Handed down from father to son, to prevent those who would unmake the world access. I know the speech too. I'm telling you, he's walked the ways, and came through the other side." Samir showed no emotion, but his mouth was taut. "There's not been one to do that in a thousand years."

    "Excuse me, could one of you enlighten me, or are you going to keep talking about me like I'm not here? I could stand to go home and go to bed for a bit." Christian didn't bother to keep his tone measured. Let them hear every testy, tetchy inflection. Emmerich stiffened a bit, his throat flushed. "I mean, if I'm not actually critical to this discussion, then I'm going back to campus." He made a move as if to stand. Samir and Emmerich leapt to their feet.

    "NO!" Emmerich half-yelled. Christian settled back into the chair. He wasn't sure what look he had on his face, but Emmerich's redness had crept up onto his cheeks. Samir cocked an eyebrow, coiled to strike but seeming to relax. "Er, that is, please, we do not mean to offend. We thought that we were dealing with some self-taught dabbler."

    "A hedge mage, to use the vulgar term," Samir clarified, dropping back into his own chair with a huff. "You're an interesting puzzle. You know next-to-nothing about your own magical ability, and yet..."

    "And yet you sit here with more raw power than we've ever seen, not even trying to disguise it, and Samir claims that you've walked the ways." Emmerich's haughty demeanor had dropped entirely, and in its place was that of a nervous, overgrown kid. "He'd be able to see that more clearly. Aura-reading is one of those skills I never mastered."

    "Look, I keep getting told that I've done something amazing and rare and I keep saying it was not on purpose. Are you two going to give me a clue, or are you going to talk in circles all day? I seriously need to go home and take a nap and do some work. I've missed almost three weeks of classes." Christian was getting past short-tempered and into furious. Emmerich raised both hands in supplication.

    "You're right. I doubt that there many in Arcadia who would be willing or even able to give you information." Emmerich sat in silent thought for a minute. "Samir, how much does he have to give right now?"

    "Not much. I'm not inclined to even let him walk back to campus, let alone start getting even a fraction of the knowledge he needs." Samir smiled, and Christian felt his stomach give a giddy flip-flop. There ought to be laws about people that handsome, he thought with an almost giggle. "Yeah, he's not in any shape today."

    "Okay," Emmerich said, patent relief preventing him from sounding thwarted. "How about if we get together tomorrow afternoon if you're up for it? We could all meet in the student union around 4:30, if that's agreeable."

    "That would suit, yes," Christian nodded.   

     "Great," Samir sighed. "Come on, I'll give you a ride back to your dorm."