A Keen Eye

I could feel a warmth running across my body. I slowly opened my eyelids and was momentarily blinded by an orange light which filled them. I turned my head slightly towards the window next to my bed and looked out through the glass. It was a beautiful morning. I was sleeping naked in my bed, as I had nothing on under my robe. I slowly sat up and grabbed my robe before throwing it on around me. I sat on the bed for a moment going over the many events of the previous day. Just what was going on? I was still trying to wrap my head around it all. Waking up in an unknown place, meeting Tiaria and fighting the wolves. Finding out about magic and gods. I gave a sigh. What could I do except accept everything? I still couldn’t remember anything, but I had vague feelings that seemed to be coming back to me. It was hard to explain. I stood up from my bed and buttoned my robe together before opening my door and heading down the stairs.

I wasn’t quite sure what time it was, but the restaurant downstairs wasn’t too busy, there were maybe three parties currently dining. I noticed at least one of the parties seemed to be made of people wearing leather armor with weapons mounted onto them. Among them was another woman with, what appeared to be, animal ears. The Innkeeper standing behind the bar noticed me and motioned a younger girl towards me. The young girl quickly ran towards me, reaching me right as I stepped down from the last star step.

“Good Morning mister!” The young girl gave me a quick bow. “Would you like some breakfast?”

“I didn’t see you last night.” I gave her a smile.

“No sir, I only work in the mornings, Auntie says I can’t be here after night.” The girl was adorably honest.

“Your Auntie is a smart one. Sure, I will have some breakfast.”

The little girl ran over to a table and motioned me over.

“This morning we have fresh eggs and milk!” The little girl seemed very happy.

“That sounds good to me.” I was excited to get some good food.

It wasn’t too long before the girl brought me out a plate with eggs on it and a wooden mug with fresh, warm, milk in it.

I was thoroughly lost in my enjoyment of my meal when I felt a slight tap on my shoulder. I turned around and was face to face with Tiaria.

“You took a bath.” I said blankly, noticing the dirt that had been on her face the day before was now gone.

Tiaria immediately looked annoyed.

“I bathe very often, thank you.” She looked like she wanted to hit me.

“Do you mind if I sit with you?” Tiaria was speaking politely but her body language was telling a very different story.

“Mmm.” I answered, eating a spoonful of eggs.

Tiaria took a seat next to me. The little girl ran over and asked her if she wanted to eat anything, but Tiaria politely declined.

“Once you finish eating, I want to take you to the magician’s tower. You have magic resistant robes on and no fighting skills, I figured you might have been a powerful mage. Mira also found your weapon form to be unarmed, that’s typically seen by magicians.” Tiaria was oddly muted in her speech.

“Is everything okay?” I said after swallowing my last forkful of eggs.

“Hmm?” Tiaria looked at me. “I’m fine, just a little tired. I stay up quite late performing my duties as an assistant god-candidate.” Tiaria’s eyes shifted downwards. “Thank you though.”

I gave her a thumbs up while taking a swig of milk. Tiaria looked at me with a soft smile for a moment. After finishing my meal Tiaria and I headed out of the Inn and back to the beautiful streets. Tiaria held onto my robe once again and guided me down a new road. Again the people on the street watched Tiaria carefully as we walked towards the magician’s tower.

We arrived at the Magician’s tower in a short while. The tower was tall and made of the same white brick and magic-resistant blue tiling as the walls. We entered through large stone doors into an open room that seemed almost empty. In the distance the arrhythmic sounds of shoes coming closer echoed.

“Madam Kelstar.” Tiaria gave a slight bow.

“Oh no apprentice, you’re not to bow to me any longer, I should be bowing to you.” The lady who spoke had on plain clothing but had a noble air to her. She was shorter than Tiaria and appeared very old. She seemed like she could die of old age at any second.

“My my, this young man you have brought is quite interesting.” Madam Kelstar looked at me from top to bottom.

“I found him in the forest, he seems to have forgotten everything.” Tiaria responded. “Can you see anything about him?”

“Well, if it were in the old days I suppose I could, but now, with Lord Eg’skar gone, magic is greatly weakened, of course, not that I have anything against Lord Ariet, she is doing that best that she can.”

I suddenly had a realization at the Madam’s words.

“Tiaria, you said the gods perished long ago, but Madam Kelstar speaks as if she was around at that time.”

“She was.” Tiaria answered bluntly. “Madam Kelstar is the foremost expert on magic circulation. It allows her to both see magic in extreme detail and circulate it around her body. She is able to repair the tiniest damage in her body with her expert control.”

“Was, Lord Apprentice.” The Madam corrected, “I have nearly expended all of the magic that I once held on to, it won't be long now until I can no longer regenerate my body.”

Madam Kelstar once again turned from Tiaria to me. “So, what else would you like, dear?” Madam Kelstar was staring at me but speaking to Tiaria.

“Oh, his name is Yu.” Tiaria seemed embarrassed that she forgot to properly introduce me. I gave a slight bow. “He isn’t much of a physical fighter, but Mira confirmed that he does have magic. Do you think he is capable of wielding it in some way?”

Madam Keslter seemed confused at her question.

“What do you mean dear? He is using magic right now.”