Chapter 7: "The Good Magi"

         The metal door slams closed leaving only just the Magi and the triplets, "Come now." commands the black haired Magi as he walks down the rune inscribed carved stone hallway. Fion, Cyon, and Ion follow in step, they reach a set of double doors that lead to a wide spiraling stairs circling upwards and downwards. Every rotation they ascend from these stairs has a landing leading to another set of double doors, after about three rotations they reached the top. Fion, and Cyon jump ahead and wait to open the double doors as the Magi waves his hands. The door audibly clicks open then the two boys open the door for the Magi, this has been a practiced routine for them.

Leading outside the dark stone prison is a bright noon sunny day met with a long expansive stone bridge. At the bottom of the bridge is a barely connecting ocean from the small spire rocky island that the prison is built on. The bridge leading further inland is built wide enough for horse draw carriages to easily go to and from the prison. On each of the parapets on either side shines a rune leading from the prison to the inland gate. The Magi breathes a sigh of relief, "Alright boys we have some time before we have to put the mask back on." The black hair Magi shows a warm smile, "What kind of trouble do we want to get into today?" All of them jump like they are being told what their favorite ice cream is, Ion speaks up, "Oh oh I really wanted to learn how to fly again! I can't practice inside, the ceiling is too short!"

Fion joins in, "Yeah Alphis! we want to learn how fly!" The Magi's hands held up as if being robbed, "Alright that's quite understandable, we can resume the flight lessons once we reach the clearing." Alphis is hit with an idea, "I know, how about we race just before the end of the bridge, that should give us some more time for the lessons and other task that we must perform for today." Cyon asks as he looks at his brothers, "Anything goes?" Alphis responds with a confidant grin, "Anything goes." The boys and the Magi line up side by side and begin to count down in unison. "3, 2, 1 Go!" Fion rockets up with a minor explosion emanating from his hands, with full running form every swing from his arms is met with an explosion that propels him faster, Ion coursing visible lightning from his limbs making his legs seem like a blur.

Cyon conjures a large slab with a small pillar to hold as a handle, he kicks off and spreads ice with little guiding lips to keep his slab in place. Small moments of sabotage are witnessed when Fion tries to melt one of the guiding lips of Cyon' ice ramp. Only after when Cyon spreads an ice patch in front of Ion, only then for Ion to get up from his fall and trip Fion towards the ice ramp. Then for a moment Ion uses Fion as a sled before kicking off and sprinting again. Alphis chuckles to himself seeing these magically attuned children running a rampage on the bridge.

Alphis claps his hands creating runes that circle his legs and arms, he then takes an archers stance with his hands and arms holding an invisible bow and starts running. He fires said bow and blinks out of existence only to reappear next to the boys. With a grin he lines another shot and fires again now blinks past the halfway point of the bridge. The triplets crying fowl double their efforts to catch up to Alphis till they meet up near the end of the long stone bridge.

Once the boys caught up to Alphis they take a few moments to catch their breathes, Alphis congratulates the boys. "That was a fun little run, I hope that did not tire you out of your flying lessons for tonight?" Fion manages to compose himself, "No way I can keep going!" Cyon objecting to Alphis's comment, "We can do more than this!" Ion agrees, "Yeah try us!" Alphis with his back turned to the gate looks on the three boys seeming to have fun. His expression saddens as he then has to put on his Magi's mask, "Alright everyone, we must play our roles again for a bit more." He turns and looks at the gate, "Until we walk past and reach the clearing out of town again." Fion cleans up the ice mess and Cyon manipulates the water off the bridge, the rest of the ice is already thawing out.

The boys compose themselves and walk with Alphis as the group walk towards the gate. Alphis is greeted with a checkpoint guard, he present some papers and signs a ledger after saying good byes the group carries on into town. Cyon asks, "Al-, Magi Alphis what are we tasked for today?" Walking on without looking back he answers, "I've been tasked to help dress the lot of you, so you will aid me in carrying the supplies." The triplets respond, "Yes Magi Alphis." Alphis leads the group with a pained stoic expression as they walk into town, then reach the markets. People and common folk look on in concern and disgust towards the boys. But once realizing they are being escorted by a Magi, those looks are pried away as if there was nothing to see. Arriving at a general tailor shop. Alphis address the clerk behind the desk, "Greetings, I've come to make a purchase." The lady clerk responds with a practiced smile, "Oh yes, how can we here at Jakes in Jackals help you?"

Alphis presents a small bag filled coins rattling inside, "I desire 3 simple outfits for these bo-, creatures." A brief moment of betrayal in the clerks face as she witnesses the boys in disgust but smiles once more for the Magi. He peers at the stock of ready made folded clothing sitting in the cubbyhole displays, "Those should be fine and while I am here I will also be purchasing other sizes as they begin to grow." Moments later the four walk out of the tailors, the three boys in simple brown trousers and a tan tunic, simple as described but much comfier than the rags they had before. With the boys carrying sets of folded clothing the group sets off for one of the town exits.

An hour passes as they finally reach the clearing, Alphis pulls out a sack and gestures the boys to put the clothing in it. "Now that we are out of sight we can forgo this charade." As Ion puts the clothing away he asks, "Why did you have to buy more clothes? Our kind don't really grow anymore than this." Alphis with a grin, "That's because not many know this, plus this gives me a chance to give some clothes to some of the others that are held there." Alphis looks up at the sky, "I can't comfort all of them, not yet." He looks at the three boys, "Sadly I can't explain my other set of "lessons" I have in store for you all, otherwise you could be forced to tell the wrong Magi." With a sad expression that tries to mimic his grin, "Just give me more time lads, I am researching on some old techniques that will... That will make you the greatest Magi at the "empires disposal"..."

Alphis kneels and puts a hand on Fion and Cyon's shoulders while looking at the rest of them, "Now how about we learn how to fly?"