Apprentices: Third Quarter

By the Campfire

Five minutes later, we’re already walking out of the school, seeing the black sky in its full terrifying glory. Marcus stands still for a moment, staring up in shock. Yeah, I know. It was my reaction, too. And it feels even more strange, now that it’s the middle of the day.

“This is so messed up … In more than just one way,” he murmurs, still staring up into the sky. I breathe in, nodding in response. I know that. And the worst feeling about this, is knowing that my own mother is responsible for it.

“Tell me about it,” I mumble, pulling the jacket more tightly around me. It’s gotten significantly colder during this day. This damn blackness doesn’t let any sun through, which means we lose a significant amount of warmth. Not that the end of February is a very warm time, but still. Five degrees is a lot in winter.

As we get away from the lights, that are now turned on even during the day, we slowly descend into the forest. And under the treetops, it feels like I’m going to freeze. I really wish I took that thick scarf, that was sitting on the top shelf of my wardrobe. To hell with fashion.

We walk in silence, the flashlights on our phones showing us the way. The ground is still cold, but it’s not frozen, like it should be at this time of the year. Right now, I’m actually grateful for that. My toes would probably be numb by this moment.

“I really hope they know what they’re doing. Or that they’re at least making some progress,” Marcus suddenly speaks up, breaking the comfortable silence that has been hanging over us since we left the school grounds.

“Me too,” I sigh in response, then turn to look at the shadow of his face. “But I’m also trying not to get my hopes up too much. Cyrus told me that they literally have no idea what to do. I don’t think that’s changed in one day,” I then add, making my boyfriend grow quiet again.

I swear I can literally hear the wheels inside his head turning as he thinks about my words. He’s too smart sometimes. Now I’m just waiting for him to say something that’s going to make me slip, fall and crack my head open from the shock. I’m exaggerating, yeah, but really. He’s perfectly capable of saying something that would get this kind of reaction out of me.

“Do you think they’ll be able to break this spell at all?” he suddenly wonders out loud, clearly carefully picking his words. It’s not like I don’t know that he’s trying to ask me whether we’re all going to die here or not.

“I hope they will,” I reply in a diplomatic way, not wanting to even think about the other possible outcome of this situation. He doesn’t say anything else, clearly realizing that I don’t want to discuss whether we’re going to live through the next month or not.

I push the thoughts aside, because we’re already nearing the main gate. I can tell that by the sound of voices that are travelling to my ears from close by. It’s the warrior witches, I’m sure of it.

In a way, I hope that Cyrus is here too, and in a way I hope he’s absolutely not. If he’s here, I’m afraid he might make Marcus suspect that he has something against him. If he’s not, I’m worried that I won’t even be allowed to stay here and help. So, yeah, either way, the situation isn’t ideal. But the important thing is, that they let me help.

As we get a view of the gate, I can see that they’ve set up a whole station in front of it. There’s a campfire with chairs around it, blankets and even a few baskets, which I think contain food and drinks. It’s like they’re on a damn picnic, not a life-threatening mission!

I soon hear a familiar voice travel to my ears. Alright, my mentor’s here. Now what? Do I avoid him, or do I let him detect my presence?

Before I can make a decision, someone blocks our path. “No students allowed. Turn around and get back to where you came from,” a wizard grunts at us in a very unfriendly way. I turn off the flashlight on my phone and put it way, then place my hands against my hips.

“Excuse me, sir, I think you forgot your politeness at home,” I remark, not even bothering to hide the sassiness in my voice. I can see that the man frowns in response, but before he can talk again, I already hear someone call me.

“Evelyn, is that you?” I turn towards the direction of the voice, seeing none other than Cyrus, heading towards me. He stops as he realizes I’m not alone. As he recognizes Marcus’s tall frame, he continues, but much more slowly.

The wizard, who practically hissed at us just a few moments ago, suddenly turns all sweet and juicy. Pathetic. “Your Highness, they wouldn’t obey me. I was trying to tell them that students aren’t allowed here,” he tries to explain to Cyrus, but he simply casts a sideways glance at him.

“You’re excused. I’m taking it from here,” he dismisses him in a cold tone. The wizard already takes a breath, trying to protest, but my mentor isn’t having it. “I said it’s my problem now. Get back to doing something useful,” he interrupts him before he’s even able to speak up, making me freeze.

The wizard mumbles an apology, then gets to the campfire, leaving us alone. I look at Cyrus, realizing that I don’t just see shadows, that the flames are throwing at his face. He seems completely exhausted. What is he still doing here? “You look like you haven’t slept in years,” I remark before I’m able to stop myself.

My mentor stares at me for a moment, already making me think that I should duck before a spell comes flying my way. But in the next moment he lets out a short chuckle, waving his hand at me in a dismissive way. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” he remarks, making something inside my chest flinch. He doesn’t notice the flicker of emotions on my face, because I put a mask on too quickly. “I’m glad you were at least wise enough not to wander outside alone,” he then adds.

What I see next, almost makes me bulge my eyes out. Did I just see him glance at Marcus with a gaze of approval? Wow. I didn’t think I’d live to see the day that this happened. “Well, I knew you’d kick my ass if I came down here by myself, even if I were alive and well, not meeting a single soul,” I finally speak up, earning myself a pointed look from my mentor.

Marcus unwillingly chuckles at my words, then makes the mistake of saying: “Now, I’d love to see anyone taking you on.” Cyrus glances at him shortly, then straightens up in a most elegant way. Which I read as a dangerous, predatory way. I laugh awkwardly, before my gaze starts jumping between the two of them. I feel like I’m watching a ticking bomb.

“I wouldn’t dare to lay my finger on a woman, especially not as young as herself,” my mentor suddenly remarks in a diplomatic way, almost making my jaw drop. What the hell is that supposed to mean? That I’m like a kid, or what?

“Of course not, Your Highness,” my boyfriend responds in the same tone, almost making my jaw drop. What am I just witnessing here? No, more importantly, who should I be more mad at now?

Finally, my mouth is left hanging open as a hint of a smile appears on my mentor’s face, before he turns back to me. “You know you shouldn’t be here at all, right?” As he doesn’t get a response, because I’m too busy staring at him, he sighs. “Just … Be on your best behavior, please. My colleagues are all here. If you came why I think you did, you really need to … You know. Not be so you,” he continues.

Marcus covers up his laughter with a snort, making me glare at him shortly, before turning back to my mentor with my eyes narrowed. “What exactly do you mean by that? Are you afraid that the Elite is going to banish me from the Seminary? They’ll hardly be successful, since the wards are blocked, don’t you think?” I remark, crossing my arms against my chest in a challenging way.

Cyrus stares at me blankly for a few long moments, before letting out a defeated sigh. “This is exactly what I was talking about,” he murmurs into his chin.