Ch. Three

3

            Katdja's roar brought about a universal howl from both Acai and the many patrons of Ariel's, and in it I made my escape. Stepping carefully around a table of lob-sided men, I moved to the corner where Anber sat, pensive and quiet.

             She didn’t look at me as I waited beside her, instead doing a quick repositioning of her scarf, winding it into a steady, but loose, position around her neck where it dipped gracefully atop her black cloak. After a moment, though, with me still remaining, suppressing my snickers, she persisted in ignoring me by brushing at her bangs, the thick, beautiful black of her hair moving swiftly against the beak of her nose before being swiped taut behind the back of her ear. In her face, the noble and scholar gleamed from every facet of her polished beauty, but still there was the bitter distance that she'd held between all of us since her and Acai joined us so long ago.

            Finally, annoyed, she says; "Yes?"

            I smile, big and wide. "Hi."

            The twins were unlike the rest of us. While Katdja came from one of the more battle-ready communes beyond the Lamberdine walls, and Elex and I both learned from abandonment and performing violent, paying jobs from early youth, the twins were raised in the wealthiest, most renowned and honored place of Lamberdine; The Institute of the Magi.

            Lamberdine persists as the nation of neutrality because of its Magi. Sometimes, certain people are birthed with something odd; a blood enriched, a soul empowered, a mind accessible. Something extravagant, in some form unknown and untold to all who don't have it. The twins did, and from their earliest memories the twins knew only of life inside the Institute, and that they were important.

            It's a long study, an "infinite research into the prowess of the mind, spirit and imagination," as Anber had once said, to achieve the title of "Magi." Twenty-five years long, to be precise, where, upon receiving the official Scarf of the Magi, each student is allowed to join whatever area of practice in Lamberdine they like.

            Though the Magi have certain skills that fit very well with that of my own trade, becoming a mercenary for a Magi is, in the most honest of words, a lark.

            Lamberdine flourishes on these special breeds of persons, these Magi. Thus, the Magi manage politics, defense, research, and nearly each and every facet of Lamberdine organization. The jobs are infinite, and solely utilize mind rather then labor, something that nearly every drunkard and misanthrope mutters and wishes for as they complain day and night.

            It's a life of pure luxury, where you are recognized, heard, and deeply respected.

            And yet, the twins had joined with us, and it never made sense entirely. Acai I thought I understood, or at least a little; He's a wild, excitable guy with a knack for adventure and chaos. But Anber isn't, and her consistent disposition more then clarifies that.

            Perhaps it's just a twin thing.

            Eying me harshly, she says; "Tristian, if you'd please skip your little pricks into my sphere and leave me be, it would be appreciated."

            It was one of the nicest things she'd ever said to me, which sent an icy angst into my heart.

            "Is something wrong?" I asked, drowning the glee and sarcasm I'd prepared.

            "I'm tired, Tristian. Can't you see that?"

            I did, but I hadn't before. She was always so beautiful, so strong and simply demanding of attention that it was hard to grasp how strain and fatigue could befall someone like her.

            Though I don't understand how, the powers of the Magi are consuming abilities, and our last job in the North had required much from her and her skills.

            "I'm sorry," I say.

            She nods, and I turn away, my eyes instantly settling on Elex who was standing in the doorway, waving me over.