True Magic

by CodeMonkey


Chapter 15 - Path of Shadows

Chapter 15 - Path of Shadows

Trixie stopped before the opening between the buildings and looked down the narrow gap. It was dark and didn’t look too sanitary, but at the end was a bright light. Going through didn’t seem like a very good idea, then again, neither was leaving Magus’ side to wander the city at night to chase after a disembodied voice, but it was vital that she find the source of the distress…even if she didn’t completely understand why.

“Help,” the voice cried out again, echoing past her as it made its way through the passage. It only spurred Trixie to push forward even more, despite the doubts that were lingering in her mind.

Taking a deep breath, Trixie entered the alley. Luckily, she was just big enough to fit through the tight squeeze, but could feel the walls on either side of her when she took a breath. Her hat barely fit, the rim dragging against the walls as she squeezed through. It was too dark to see anything except for the light at the end, but perhaps it was for the best, she thought, as she listened to small squeaks and the sound of tiny feet scurrying across the stone walkway. Her hoofsteps echoed as she put one hoof directly in front of the other, like she was walking on a thin line, getting progressively faster as she hastened, not at all enjoying where she was. The confined space didn’t last long with her rapid stride, and she reached the other side, breaking through a dusty cobweb as she emerged. Trixie wasn’t claustrophobic, but, regardless, she was glad to be out of there.

Trixie wiped the mess from her face before having a look around. She was on another cobblestone street that stretched off in two opposite directions, with rows of rundown buildings running along it. A tall lamppost stood before her, producing a bright light that lit up the street. Oddly, a number of small silver rings hung from the top of the post, swaying in the breeze on thin strands of string, childish toys by the look of them.

'Which way?' Trixie thought as she looked down both paths. She tried to concentrate, but couldn’t detect anything nearby.

As if knowing what she was thinking, the voice called out again, “Help me.” Trixie’s ears reached for the sky, listening close for another indication of where to go. “Somebody,” it called again.

Her gaze darted to the path on the left, the darker of the two routes. An unnerving feeling bubbled inside her as the shadows seemed to reach out from the blackness towards her. 'Of course. It would be that way,' Trixie thought, figuring it would be too easy for the voice to be originating from a less creepy place. The sense of discovery overcame her uneasiness and she pressed on, out of the comforting light and into the mysterious shadows.

The lampposts along the path appeared to be in working order, but their bulbs, sadly, remained off. Dark clouds moved in front of the moon, obscuring the much needed light, making it harder for Trixie to find her way. Her eyes were beginning to adjust to the dark enough for her to see a few feet in front of her as she continued to follow the road. Her hoofsteps were the only sound she could hear other than the occasional howling of the wind.

A bit edgy, her pace hastened until she was in a full gallop as she thought, 'Its close. It has to be.' A sharp bend in the road came into view, causing Trixie to smile wearily as she galloped faster, somehow knowing that her journey was almost over. Though how it would end, she couldn’t say.

Without warning, a loud scream broke her focus, causing the energetic sprint to come to a skidding stop. Trixie stood in the dark and listened carefully, stunned at what she heard. The shriek sounded like a mare’s, sending a chill up her spine. Was it really a scream, or was she just hearing things?

It was strange to question it, but, even as fear took hold, it was a wakeup call for her senses. For the first time since she’d heard the voice, Trixie felt a huge weight lift from her body. The desire to find the source of the voice was no longer pounding on the door of her mind. Trixie felt at ease as her head cleared. Shaking the spellbinding feeling that overtook her, she began to slowly back away as she tried to regain her wits.

Before she could get well enough away, the voice called out again, louder than before, “Help!” she froze, and her senses began slipping away as the sound wove its magic upon her once more. Fighting it as best she could, she managed to take another few steps back, but again the call went out, “Help!” Trixie stopped, feeling the pull of the call drawing her in, like a fish on a line. She could fight it no longer and continued hastily forward, only slowing when she neared the corner.

Peeking around the building next to the turn, she saw a small blind alley shrouded in darkness. She could see nothing until a sliver of moonlight pierced through the cloud canopy, shedding some much needed light on the situation. The dim glow barely illuminated the scene, but it was enough to see a shadowy figure sitting in the center of the alley. It had a foal-like appearance with any other defining features being obscured by a deep blackness, making it appear as nothing more than a shape in the shadows.

Trixie was forced toward it against her will as the pony curiously said in a distorted, echoing voice, “Is someone there?” Her vision grew fuzzy with the obscured colt being the only clear image as the world began to twist and warp around her. It felt like she’d had a little too much cider, and her head pounded and her senses dulled. Before she knew it, the foal was directly in front of her. She stared down at its featureless form in a daze, unable to control her body.

“You came!” the figure said in the same indistinct tone. By some unnatural force, Trixie was unable to look away from its blank face. If she was unsure before, she was positive now, she was in danger.

'Run! Come on, run!' Trixie thought, trying to order her body. As she struggled, the figure began to grow taller, tripling her height, with Trixie’s gaze remaining focused on its void of a face.

Whatever this thing was, it was far from a pony. Its muzzle grew long and began showing off rows of jagged, shadowy teeth across its lipless maw. Long, tentacle-like appendages sprouted from its back as the rest of its shape became serpentine. As the creature continued to grow, Trixie, unable to do anything in its wake, managed to move her eyes slightly downward. The darkness around her receded toward the beast as it grew, like it was a part of it.

As the darkness withdrew, a number of white objects were revealed, scattered all around the creature’s base. Trixie immediately identified them as bones, picked clean of any sign of flesh. It was clear where the scream had originated from moments ago. Her eyes widened as the thought of being devoured by this horrible abomination came to mind. There was still so much to do. She still had to show everypony how great she really was, especially those in Ponyville and her pain of a teacher. She couldn’t die here, especially to a creature that was hardly as impressive as an Ursa.

With all her might, she fought the monster’s hypnotic influence as she managed to tighten her eyes shut and shake a foreleg loose from its frozen state. Like a snake, the shadow creature reared back, readying to strike as it grinned widely at her attempts to flee. Managing to take a complete step back, Trixie’s eyes opened in time to see the fiend open its mouth wide, its jaws stretching the entire length of its body. Horrified, she put her all into moving, making one last attempt to escape.

At that moment, she felt it. The same spark that saved her from the timber wolves. This time, however, there were no symbols appearing before her. Instead it filled her with an otherworldly power.

The hold the monster had on her shattered before her mounting energy and she reared back, almost jumping, as the shadowy demon lunged forward, missing her by inches. As the creature slammed into the ground, it dissipated like water, remaining as such for only a moment before it began to move, conjoining a few feet away. Trixie didn’t wait around for it to take form again and she bolted for the exit.

Rounding the corner back to the street, she dashed toward the direction of the gap. The creature attacked again, but narrowly missed, crashing into the road as she barely made the turn. Trixie ran as fast as she could with the creature silently pursuing her, moving along the road as a shapeless patch of blackness.

The lamppost’s glow was soon visible at the end of the road, still shining bright as it signaled the hopeful end of this nightmare. She could almost feel the light on her fur, but before she could reach it, a shadowy vine snapped up from the road, tripping her, and causing her to roll forward with her built-up momentum. The post stopped her uncontrollable tumble as she banged her head against its metal frame. A sharp pain stabbed at the back of her head was acknowledged for a brief moment before she noticed the shadowy creature close in, its jaws springing from the blackness, opening wide for a bite. There was no time for her to get out of the way before the beast was upon her. She was just able to get to her hooves as the creature lunged for her. By reflex, Trixie cringed, awaiting the deadly strike.

But, as if there were a protection spell around her, the shadow was repelled before it had a chance to touch her, scattering back against some invisible surface. Upon being denied its meal, the shapeless monster blanketed the area around her and the lamp in a dense darkness, yet still left her ample room to move around.

Trixie couldn’t understand what happened and why this…thing was giving her so much space. Looking around at where the shadow was avoiding, it occurred to her, the creature was staying out of the light. Whatever this thing was, it appeared to want to remain out of the lamp’s glow.

This gave Trixie an idea. Concentrating, she managed to conjure a light spell that made her horn glow bright magenta. A simple cast, but it should be more than enough to keep the light-fearing beast at bay. A good thing too as she wasn’t sure if she had the strength to muster much else.

With her horn illuminated, she stepped toward the darkness. As predicted, the shadows retreated from her light with a low hiss, bringing a smile of relief and satisfaction to her weary face. Trixie could see the gap she had entered from, beyond a sea of black shadows. With her eyes set on the pass, she charged with her horn pointing forward like a lance, dissipating the creature as she crossed. The demon hissed and wailed as she broke through and dashed into the gap that had led her into this situation in the first place. Before she knew it, she was back in the plaza.

Looking around for a place to run, Trixie saw no trace of Magus. The antique shop’s windows were dark with a sign reading “Closed” on the door, likely locked by the look of it. A deep howl sounded behind her, prompting Trixie to look back in terror. The dark form of the shadow moved through the alley, coming toward her at an alarming pace. With nowhere else to go, Trixie ran out of the plaza, hoping to find Magus before she had to deal with this thing again.

It felt like hours of endless running as dark clouds hid the light of the moon for a second time, blanketing the streets in shadow. At this point, Trixie wasn’t sure if she was even going the right way, all the streets and buildings looked exactly the same in the night. She glanced back periodically to see the living shadow still hot on her tail, but keeping a safe distance from the light that still radiated from her horn. Although it was a simple spell, it was beginning to take its toll on her. The long day of walking and excitement had made her tired, making it difficult to keep even this simple spell active as it sapped her energy. If that wasn’t bad enough, she didn’t know if it was the creature’s doing, but every lamppost she could find was inexplicably out, providing no safe haven for her to rest from her pursuer.

The more her horn dimmed, the closer the beast came, knowing it was only a matter of time before dinner would be served. Trixie noticed this quickly when she almost collapsed, stumbling as she entered onto a wide, dark street. It wouldn’t be long before her spell ran out and she would be at the mercy of the shadow.

Trixie had to do something otherwise she was done for. She didn’t know any spells she could use that could help her, not that she had the energy to spare, though… there was one spell she could try.

She remembered that night in Everfree, the magic she’d used was unlike any she had experienced before. It had been powerful, and had seemed to energizer her rather than drain her strength. If she’d cast it once, she could again, even if she was unsure of how it worked. She just had to remember what she’d said that casted the spell.

Pressing forward down the street, Trixie tried to remember the word that summoned the ability as the shadow crept closer. “Vetero? Etaureeo? Atario?” she whispered to herself, attempting to jog her memory. “Atario? … Atterio? Atterio!” Trixie exclaimed aloud as she remembered the spell’s name. Her suspicions were confirmed when she felt a sensation of power course through her, briefly brightening her horn’s light. It didn’t last long, however, as the radiance quickly faded, becoming weaker than before.

This only hastened the beast’s pace, drawing it closer. With little strength and choice left, Trixie turned to face her pursuer. With a weary face, she readied herself as she prayed to Celestia that this would work.

Taking a deep breath, she concentrated as best she could before uneasily shouting, “Atterio!” …Nothing, not even a pulse of power. “Atterio!” she said again only to be met again with inactivity.

Trixie cursed as her spell failed while her shield of light faded further and faster than before. The shadow surrounded her with its darkness as it took its horrific form in front of her, just outside of her magic’s reach.

“Atterio!” Trixie more forcibly shouted, but again, no effect. Her heart pounded and her breaths hastened as her hopes of survival dwindled.

Calming herself from her failure, Trixie focused, trying to remember back to the first time she used it. How she felt. What the sensation was like. It may have been an accident, but she could still remember what happened before she cast it. Clearing her mind, Trixie assertively said, “Atterio!” Much to her surprise, a small pulse of energy surged through her as the air briefly sparked.

She was running out of time, her light was barely bright enough to surround her, and the monster’s entangling shape drawing closer. Trixie ignored the thought of her remaining moments and focused only on survival. “Atterio!” her voice sounded again, releasing another, stronger wave of energy that electrified the air in front of her.

The shadow leaned in close as her glow dwindled, opening its jaws in preparation. Shutting her eyes tight, she prepared for a final attempt. The shadow leaned back as before, readying for a snake-like strike. Removing all thought, an odd sensation of calm washed over her, and she exhaled slowly.

With blinding speed, the beast lunged forward as her light died. Trixie’s eyes shot opened as she shouted with all her might, “Atterio!”

The air in front of her exploded in an exhibition of sparks and lightning-like streams of power, stopping the beast in its wake. A silvery magical circle surrounded her as the word was spoken; shining as brightly as the energy that had violently erupted. Howling in pain, the shadow’s body crumbled like sand as the power struck it.

It appeared as if the energy would destroy the entire creature, but before the spell could finish its work, the magic violently leapt back at her. As the lightning struck her, it detonated, sending Trixie flying back. She slid as she hit the ground, rolling a few times before coming to a halt flat on her face. Her ears rang and her vision blurred as the spell soon fizzled, releasing its painful hold on the beast. The shadow recovered in an instant, before setting its sights on its dazed victim.

In a fit of rage, the shadow charged toward her, mouth agape. Trixie tried to stand, but was too tired and dizzy to do much of anything except watch the end approach. The creature reared back as it came within range before swallowing the terrified mare whole. Trixie’s horrified vision went dark as she was engulfed.

The nightmare felt like an eternity but only lasted a moment as a flash of red entered her gaze. Her body felt like it was moving, almost dancing as she could feel something rough rub against her belly. She could swear she was being digested if it wasn’t for the cool air that breezed past her and the darkened figures that caught her bewildered eyes.

The dance-like movements eventually stopped, allowing Trixie to gain a sense of what was happening. She seemed to be floating as her vision cleared, revealing the grey, cobblestone ground before her. Lifting her head up slightly, Trixie saw a pony, a mare by her elegant build, wearing a set of black armor that covered her burgundy robe. The pony was standing upright on her hind legs, clenching a curved sword in her forehooves, appearing to be ready for combat. Looking around, she saw more of the armored ponies, five from what she could make out, all with weapons drawn and readied, standing in a V formation behind her. Small silver rings hung from their necks, like the ones that were on the lamppost earlier.

As her senses returned, it occurred to her that she was being carried. Glancing over her shoulder, another robbed pony stood at attention, a stallion by the look of it, as she lay on his back. He and the others behind him watched the shadowy beast as it thrashed and wailed in pain with a rather large gash running partway down its shape.

“Magus?” Trixie jadedly said, still feeling a little lightheaded as she stared at the back of the crimson stallion’s hooded head.

It wasn’t until magic lifted her onto the ground behind him that she noticed the padding of black armor protecting the pony’s frame, marking him as another warrior instead of the pyromancer. Trixie sat up on the ground as best she could and watched as the stallion stood up on his hind legs, drawing two long, jagged daggers from beneath his robe.

In a second, the warriors on the ends of the battle formation threw chains, made of golden light, from their hooves that ensnared the shadow, holding it still. The dagger wielding pony, along with the others, charged forward at an incredible pace with their weapons bared. With daggers and swords in hoof, the band effortlessly sliced through the beast’s form, like a hot knife through butter as they passed by. Red energy emitted from the warriors weapons as they doubled back, making another rapid pass at the creature. Splitting up after the strike, the band quickly encircled the thrashing beast before trapping it with shining chains of their own.

Planting the ends of the restraints into the ground with their armaments, the robbed knights kneeled on all fours and began to chant, “Uthen Uthren Uthraga.” A magic circle appeared around the monster as they chanted. The purple glow of the enchantment grew brighter with every recitation. The creature seemed to shrink as three luminescent rings appeared around the length of its body, restraining it further until it could do nothing more but stand up right, like a black pillar.

In unison, the warriors stood back onto their hind legs before reaching up to the sky, continuing to chant. Their hooves clapped like thunder as they dropped to the ground all at once, ceasing the chant as they did.

Purple lightning rose from the circle, striking the shadow as it spiraled up its body. In a brief flare of blinding light, the shadowy beast was gone, along with the glowing circle and chains of light that had held it.

The streetlights flickered to life, as if aware that the danger was gone, bringing much needed light to the street. Even the moon reappeared, seemingly brighter as a result. Trixie wasn’t sure if it was the relief that her predator was finally gone, but her head felt better and her vision and hearing were normal once again. Just in time to clearly see the warriors approach with weapons, thankfully, sheathed. She recognized the knights from Haven, the same who questioned Magus and her. The Ordo Fatorum as she believed they were called.

As they came near, a familiar voice filled her ears, one that she wished she wouldn’t have to hear again. “You alright Poppet? That shade didn’t ‘urt ya, did it?” the lead pony asked, the hood of his uniform obscuring his face.

“Ri-Ripper?” Trixie asked, shocked at the voice she was hearing behind the guise of the dagger-wielding guard.

He chuckled before throwing back his hood, revealing the smug face of the thug, Ripper. “‘ow’d ya guess?”

“You’re an Ordo Fatorum?”

“Of course! Ya mean ya didn’t know? I’m the captain of this ‘ere group.” He chuckled again.

Trixie was shocked, to say the least. She wouldn’t have expected such an unsavory character like him could be a monster slaying guard. His face was still filthy and his revolting breath was very much present, but, nonetheless, she was glad he showed up when he did.

“That was quite extraordinary, ‘ow ya handled that shade. Not many initiates could do that, let me tell ya.” he said with a jolly grin. “Oh, before I forget, you dropped this.” From thin air, Ripper pulled out a hat with a motion of his hoof. It was Trixie’s purple hat, undamaged by the look of it. She hadn’t noticed it was missing, likely having fallen off when she rolled into the lamppost. Ripper plopped the hat onto Trixie’s head with such force that it came down over her eyes. “It wouldn’t hurt if ya didn’t lose that again,” he said with his constant smile as Trixie pulled the hat off before sitting it back onto her head.

Suddenly, the lampposts around them began to flicker uncontrollably until darkness swallowed their light. Trixie and the guards looked around wildly at what was happening.

“Dang it!” Ripper said in annoyance before glancing back at one of the guards. “Ya forgot to put a sealin’ spell on yer weapon, didn’t ya rookie?”

“A-a-apologies sir,” the young stallion unnervingly replied.

“Well, will just hav’ to do this the ‘ard way then.”

They turned around to see a number of small black shadows converge into a single place, bringing the amorphous being of the shade back into existence. This time, the creature appeared smaller than last time and notably weaker as it had difficulty assuming it’s threatening, serpent shape or getting its head any more than a few inches off the ground.

“I despise these things,” the mare with the curved sword on her back said.

“Form up,” Ripper ordered as they stood up on their hind legs, drawing their weapons once more. Ripper twirled his daggers into a combat stance as the group quickly assumed the V configuration again.

Growing claw-like appendages from its back, the shade weakly lifted its head up and opened its jaws, which had shrunk significantly but were still big enough to eat a pony in a single bite. It bared its jagged teeth to the guards and let out a bloodthirsty roar.

The howl lasted no more than an instant, before the beast was swallowed by an explosion flames. The force of the blast was so great it would’ve knocked Trixie over if it wasn’t for Ripper and the others quickly gathering around her, shielding her from the inferno. The glass of the lamps shattered from the shear heat of the flames that came near. The fire avoided the wood framed buildings, appearing to have a certain degree of awareness.

When the blast died down and the embers emanating from the flames ceased, Ripper and the other guards broke their defense around her so as to get a better look at what had occurred. The fires were so intense that they had difficulty looking at them directly without squinting or partially shielding their vision.

The center of the burning firestorm parted, allowing a figure to pass through. In a way, Trixie wasn’t surprised who she saw emerge from the dividing fire, with his signature crimson robe and silver mane. Magus, who’s eyes glowed bright red, effortlessly stepped past the furnace, the flames disappearing as he passed by.

“Magus, my friend!” Ripper joyfully exclaimed as Magus approached. “About time ya decided to…” he trailed off as Magus obliviously strolled past him, appearing not to have to noticed or cared what he had to say as he moved towards Trixie with a visible spark of rage in his eyes.

“Where were you!?” Magus venomously demanded.

“What?” Trixie responded confused by his abrupt anger.

“I was almost back at the caravan before I noticed you were missing. Did you decide to go for a leisurely stroll without telling me!?”

“A stroll!? You call this a stroll!?” she shouted back in irritation.

Seeing where this was going, Ripper quickly joined the conversation, standing off to the side of them so as not to be in the direct line of fire. “Come now, no need to turn this into a fight,” Ripper said trying to defuse the situation. “What ‘appened was--”

“I almost get eaten and you call it a walk around the park!? How dare you!” Trixie interrupted, too upset with Magus’ to notice what Ripper was saying.

“That’s what I-” Ripper began again, only to be stopped by Magus.

“If you had stayed with me like you were supposed to, then this wouldn’t have happened!” Magus retorted, paying no attention to him as well.

“Well she didn’t ‘ave much of a--”

“I didn’t exactly choose to jump face first into danger. I was lured in by some kind of magic!”

“Now that would be somethin’ a shade has the ability of doin’, it--”

“And you didn’t bother to mention anything to me at all? Here I thought you had some intelligence!”

“I’m sure Poppet was--”

“I did! But your head apparently wasn’t on your shoulders when I mentioned it!”

The argument could’ve gone on for hours, until somepony else spoke up. “GUYS!” the mare with the curved sword shouted.

“WHAT!?” the three shouted simultaneously, directing their irritated attention to her.

Suddenly, a small ray of light above them illuminated the street. Looking to the source, the group saw a glow in the second story window of the house next to them. The radiance was soon joined by another in the building next door, then another and another until the entire street was lit up with ponies waking up from the sound of the commotion.

Ripper cursed, “The spell’s wearin’ off. We’d better go.”

Magus aimed his attention to Trixie as he bitterly said, “We’ll finish this later.” Taking a few steps forward, making sure he was in the center of the group, Magus said, “Inrixia Enfutara!” In an instant, the town around them disappeared into smoke, being replaced by the familiar setting of Trottingham Park with the caravan still sitting not too far away.

Trixie had little time to get reacquainted with her surroundings before Magus moved close to her face and, attempting to contain his temper, ordered, “Inside. Now!”

Another argument was about to ensue until Ripper stepped in-between them. “Now, Magus ‘ear me out, mate.”

Ripper got the instant attention of the pyromancer, with eyes that looked as if they could kill.

Cautiously, Ripper began, with as serious of a tone of voice as he could gather, “Ya think that Poppet screwed up, but it really wasn’t ‘er fault. That was a level seven shade out there, if ya ask me, the girl’s lucky to be alive. Most initiates wouldn’t ‘ave survived an encounter with somethin’ like that. We even found another, Fates rest ‘er soul, who fell victim to that thing. That could’ve been Poppet!”

Magus’ face began to show signs of remorse as his face softened and he looked away, avoiding eye contact with him.

Ripper didn’t seem to like seeing him like this as he said in a more upbeat attitude, “But, you’ll be ‘appy to know, that Poppet managed to conjure an Atterio spell, all by ‘er--”

“What?” Magus said in disbelief focusing his attention back to him with a questioning look.

“Well, she was unable to ‘old it but--”

“What!” he said with rage returning to his voice. He shoved Ripper aside and approached Trixie. “You conjured an Atterio spell and you didn’t know how to control it? Are you mad? You could’ve been killed!”

“And what choice did I have!?” Trixie replied. “It was either try the only spell I knew or die anyway.”

Magus eyed her with an enraged stare, but kept his composure. “Ripper, your services will no longer be required,” he said as he began back to the caravan. “I thank you for your assistance.”

“Uh, yeah, no problem,” Ripper nervously replied, seeing the murderous stare, as Trixie watched Magus go with a scowl.

When Magus entered the caravan and the door closed, Trixie turned to Ripper. “What’s his problem!?” she asked in a fluster.

“That would be ‘is way of showin’ concern,” Ripper said with a slight chuckle. He turned to her and said, “He’s not thinkin’ straight right now. Give ‘im some time. ‘e’ll be better in the mornin’.”

Trixie huffed. “I hope so,” she said as she reluctantly started back to the caravan. “Oh,” she stopped, turning to Ripper and the others. With a faint smile, she said, “And…thanks…for--.”

Ripper laughed. “No need Poppet, no need. It’s our job after all.” With a bow of his head, Ripper flipped his hood back on and walked off, with the rest of his party following.

With a sigh, Trixie collected herself and prepared for what awaited her inside the enchanted caravan. Heading up the porch stairs, she opened the door to see the expansive interior already materialized. Magus stood at the base of the left stairwell, holding a hoof to his face.

As the door closed behind her, he said, containing his ire, “I’m trying to contain just how upset I am with you right now.”

“Why are you mad at me?” Trixie said. “This wouldn’t have happened if you were paying attent--.”

“All you had to do was follow!” Magus shouted, stomping his hoof on the ground before approaching with his death gaze upon her. “Are you incapable of doing even that?” he said as got within inches of her face. They locked scowling eyes for a moment before the stallion started back to the staircase with a groan. “I tell you to stay put, and you defy me. I tell you to stay close, and you disobey my commands.” He stopped and glanced over his shoulder as he said with more force, “I order you not to wander off, and still you challenge my patience!”

“It that all you care about!?” she shouted, taking an aggressive step toward him. “I almost died tonight and all you can think about is how I disobeyed you? If you’re my master then aren’t you supposed to ensure my safety or something? Well, where were you, oh Master!?”

Magus spun around and began to speak, but stopped. His rage filled eyes went blank as he slowly closed his mouth, looking around at the floor as if lost for words. Without a word Magus’ turned his back on her and seemed to stare at the far wall. Silence washed over the room, Trixie retracted her step, bewildered by his sudden quietness. It seemed as if his speech would remain stifled, until he remorsefully said, “You’re right. I should’ve been more attentive. I should’ve been…” Finally turning and meeting her eye once again, he approached in a more relaxed manner. “I’m sorry that happened to you. I promise you that will never happen a second time. Are you alright?”

Trixie was taken aback by is spontaneous expression of compassion. It may have been sudden but it was better than having him angry and shouting. She decided just to roll with it. “I may have difficulty getting to sleep tonight, but otherwise I’m fine,” Trixie said, pleased that Magus was showing some general concern for her wellbeing. With him being so close, she couldn’t help but notice his misting eyes, as if he was about to cry right in front of her.

“That’s good to hear,” he replied without missing a beat as his eyes quickly dried up, “but I hope you do get some sleep, because the real magic starts tomorrow. And, so long as you are within these walls, I can assure you that nothing will harm you. You have my word as an Archmage.” He turned and headed back up the stairs to the west wing. Taking a few steps up the staircase, he glanced back and said, “Good night Trixie.”

Overlooking his strange, mood swing behavior, she was just glad to hear the kindness and assurance in his voice. “Good night…Master.”

He nodded, still not cracking a smile, but presented a look of approval before he continued on, disappearing beyond the top of the steps.

He was an enigma in his own right, but it was late and Trixie was more than ready for some sleep. So long as Magus wasn’t angry or breathing down her neck, Trixie could care less at the moment.

She marched up the stairs on the opposite side and headed straight for her room. Entering, she wasted no time closing the door and untying her cape, relieved to be back in her shabby, plain old room with her nice comfy bed awaiting her. Putting her cape on the dresser and throwing her hat onto the back bedpost, Trixie got into bed. Despite being chased and nearly eaten only a few minutes ago, her eyes closed shut as she fell asleep. The knowledge of being in her room and the powerful wizard only a few feet away put her mind at ease. Not to mention what was going to happen in the morning. The power of true magic would soon be hers to command. The sun couldn’t come soon enough, but it could still wait awhile for her to snooze away.