01/3 - Musings

Alyra lay with her hands behind her head at the cave mouth, looking up at the overcast sky. A warm fur separated her from the cold stone floor and the chill late-winter winds that occasionally gusted into the cave. As she listened to the patter of the rain on the stone, she idly wondered if her assistant had gotten anywhere with the day's grading but decided against Seeking him to find out. Alyra held very strong views on invasion of privacy by magical means, views she tried to instill in all of her students. Magic held so much potential for abuse, she mused; more perhaps even than the potential it held for good. She had seen both in her lifetime. Once the True Masters, the rulers of the five lands, had been masters in more than just name. They were the foremost masters of magic in the lands, brought together to govern the chaos that ensued after the Severing. Thought to be the best equipped to save the world from a danger that was magical by nature, the four first True Masters had done just that. But, Alyra pondered, at what price had security been bought? The harsh restrictions on any public displays of magic outside Academy walls alone had nearly halted the once-rapid growth of understanding of magic. Arbiters walked the streets of the townships at all hours now, free to do as they saw fit to keep the fragile peace. Even now, over three centuries later, the laws laid down in magic and writing by the first True Masters were viewed as gospel. And even though the True Masters of the past generations had had no magical talent, they were still held in awe by the majority of the population. Alyra's mouth twitched in a sarcastic smile. They would not be allowed to become True Masters had they an inkling of magic. The distrust of magic-users ran too deep these days. Perhaps it was best that children who showed magical leanings were still taken from their parents too young to remember they had any and raised at the Academies. At least a few had escaped the mindless prejudices of their ancestors.

Alyra sat up stiffly, wishing now that she'd brought something thicker than a fur cape to lie on. The rain was still going, a steady downpour that boded well for the upcoming spring. She murmured softly, and a dome of light appeared over her head as she stepped out of the cave into the softly falling rain. As the drops touched the dome they gave off a soft hiss, and a steady sheen of steam began rising from the shining barrier. She hugged her dry cape around her a little closer and began the trek back to the Academy, her glowing umbrella following over her head.

Arriving back at the entrance hall of the Academy, Alyra shed her cape into the waiting arms of a servant who whisked it off for cleaning. The darkening sky outside told her the day was almost over; she must have missed the evening meal. Ah well, she thought, I can always retrieve something from the kitchens. Her course set, she had hardly begun to walk down the east hallway before she was accosted by her assistant, looking more nervous than ever.

"Mistress Darkshine! Thank the gods you're here! It's - there's - you've been summoned! By a True Master!" The assistant's eyes were huge as he stumbled over his words. Alyra felt a stab of shock. A True Master at one of the Academies? Everyone knew they only tolerated the Academies because it kept the magic-users out of the way and out of trouble. Her eyes flickered but she quickly regained her composure.

"Show me to the True Master then." The assistant stared for a moment more, then turned and began to almost run down the hallway. He led her to the largest meeting hall in the Academy and pointed dumbly to the door. Alyra nodded at him reassuringly.

"Thank you for your assistance." The assistant took this as his dismissal and hurried away, leaving her staring at the large wooden doors. Gathering herself and composing her features one last time, she pushed the doors open.