Chapter 10 (2/3)

The morning came quicker than Darius would have liked. When he finally dragged himself into the dining hall it was past breakfast time, but he found it waiting for him on the table. After a short while, Othis entered the room with blackened eyes.

-Good morning - the Ambassador murmured, searching with his eyes for a pot of strong coffee -I'm sorry about yesterday, I fell asleep before I knew it - he smiled weakly while pouring himself the black liquid -How did the meeting with his aunt go?

-I must admit that it was better than I could have expected, but at the same time I found out that she is a bit overprotective.- Bleist nodded his thanks to his friend as he placed a cup of coffee in front of him.-I managed to get everything done, although I came back quite late.-He tilted his head watching Hugo drink his coffee gulping.-I also learned something interesting.-He added while watching Othis pour himself another cup.

-Even more interesting?- Asked Othis suddenly more animated and less sleepy than a second earlier.-The boy is very surprising, isn't he?

-Draco is truly remarkable in this respect.- Darius smiled as he watched strong curiosity appear on his friend's face.-However, this time I found out something about you.-He saw Othis's face suddenly grow tenser and slightly paler.

-What happened?- asked his friend a little frightened.

-You've talked.- stated Bleist indifferently as he watched the blood drain from the Ambassador's face.

-I blabbed?- Hugo's voice trembled a little.-What and to whom? What happened yesterday?-He looked genuinely horrified.

-Gizel questioned you about everything concerning Draco.- Darius spoke as indifferently as possible, and he enjoyed such banter.-You spilled literally everything to her.

-But...- Othis didn't know what to say.-This...I...I'm sorry.- He muttered abashed.-This shouldn't have happened.

-Oh, don't worry.- Bleist waved his hand slightly.-She would have found out sooner or later anyway, although knowing her it would have been sooner rather than later. There's nothing to talk about.- He bared his teeth as he watched the relief painted on his friend's face.- However, there is something worse.- He added seriously. I think it's a bad habit of mine. He thought amused.I really don't know how to tell you this...- He played along as best he could.

-What... What else happened?- Othis went pale to the point where the colour of his skin began to blend with the snow-white robe he was wearing.

-Well...- Darius shifted his gaze from his friend to a random spot on the wall somewhere over his shoulder so that it looked like he didn't want to say it to his face, but at the same time so that he could watch his reaction.- It's going to be difficult...I don't know how some people will react to it...- He suspended his voice in a way that was supposed to indicate that he wanted to talk about some superior, but changed his mind at the last moment.- Somehow I'll have to deal with it, but I already know that it won't be an easy task and I don't know what will happen during it. I am not able to predict the consequences.- Othis, if possible, turned even paler and his hands started to shake, his gaze was completely focused on Darius.- It will be difficult, even very difficult, but... somehow we will have to get through it... - He paused and lowered his head glancing unseeingly at his friend.

-What have I done?-The Ambassador began unconsciously rubbing his left eye which meant that he had really been knocked out of his usual state of stoic calm and was quite upset.-What else have I managed to do?-He looked at Darius in horror.

-Well...I don't think I can delay any longer. I have to inform you of this, I have no other choice.- He shook his head as if he was struggling with himself and didn't know whether to do it after all, or to wait for developments.- This...- He broke off in a way that indicated that, despite the decision he had made, suddenly even more doubts came over him. When he had waited a few heartbeats he spoke in the most sullen voice he could muster in the situation.- Gizel had written that she was coming to see me this week, and had gained the hint that she would stay for a few days at least.- He watched Othis. His friend first sat with his mouth wide open and his pupils dilated for a few moments, and then the colours began to return to his face, his cheeks lighting up with angry red. The pupils narrowed, he closed his mouth and his face twisted in a grimace of understanding, anger and contempt for his own naivety.

-You've done it to me again!- Hugo shouted letting the air out.-Did you really have to raise my blood pressure to the point where I thought my heart would jump out of my chest?-He shook his head disapprovingly.-Why did I fall for it again?- He whispered with resignation in his voice and picked up the steaming cup.

-Try to look at it positively.- Bleist smiled pulling a sip of coffee.-You're no longer sleepy and haven't been more focused since you took this position. A little stress once in a while does you good.

Othis was already about to say something, but was interrupted by a quiet knock on the door.

-Please come in,- he said trying to calm down and look as befitting an official in his position.

August Vah'rei slipped inside cautiously, holding several sizable envelopes. He looked tired but happy. Darius didn't think the non-commissioned officer would be back from Atlantis so soon. He must have been up all night, but he probably wasn't the only one since he brought back the answers despite setting off well after midnight, and it's only a few minutes past nine. He admitted to himself that he liked the soldier's approach to his own duties and his resourcefulness.

-Mr Ambassador, Mr Colonel.- He bowed to them and with a relaxed step approached Othis, stood at attention and handed him a full packet of sealed documents. Darius noticed that there was the Grand Master's seal on one of them and the Crown Marshal's stamp hurriedly imprinted on another. So they were genuinely interested in a report on how we fared. Augustus saluted the Ambassador and started to make his way to the exit. As he passed the Colonel he stopped and took a small envelope from the inside pocket of his uniform.- By the way, I managed to fulfil your request sir.- He handed him a sealed message.Your majordomo also threw me some heavy box sir.- He smiled and winked with slight amusement and then quickly left.

Hugo took little notice of this unusual behaviour absorbed in reading letters from his superiors. Darius glanced at the address and knew immediately that the message was from Oscar vetSalus, the steward of his estate on Atlantis.

Dear Master Darius,

I am delighted to hear that you have found someone suitable to become your apprentice and I look forward to meeting this young wizard.

Of course, we have taken care of all the preparations, so you can rest assured that everything will be taken care of. I have also taken care of a few things that were not mentioned in your last letter.

I hope you will have a safe journey.

Best regards,

Oscar vetSalus

PS I think you will find THIS useful.

Darius noticed that the letter had been hastily crossed out despite looking as if it had been written by a master calligrapher. Oscar will never admit it, but he's not happy that I informed him of something so important so late again. He shook his head with resignation. He raised his eyes and looked at his friend. Othis had just finished reading the second of the letters from the Masters. Bleist quietly busied himself with his breakfast while waiting for Hugo to share the news with him.

-I have to admit they are quick.- The Ambassador murmured after a moment.-We have received praise for acting so quickly and efficiently.- He continued, putting the sheet of paper down on the tabletop.-To sum up what they have written here, it is fair to say that we have grown in their eyes.- He stabbed his finger at the two open letters.- Both end by saying that they expect us to continue to succeed in our functions.

-Well, that's not bad.- Darius sipped his coffee and glanced at the clock behind his friend.-We got out of this situation defensively.-He combed his hair with his hand in preparation to leave.-Sadly, we didn't have time to hang out together and I don't know when I'll have a moment off again.-He stood up and walked over to his friend to give him a hug.-I hope to see you soon.

-See you.- Othis smiled nostalgically.-I'll drop by as soon as I'm on Atlantis.

After saying goodbye, Darius left and set off towards the southern shopping district carrying two heavy packs, one that Oscar had sent him and one that he had prepared himself, and smiling.

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Draco sat in the living room wondering if he had definitely packed all his things. He hadn't been able to settle down and sit in one place since he got home, he kept going around all the rooms checking that he had taken what he needed.

His aunt would wring her hands over him, unable to convince him that he had really thought of everything and didn't need to worry so much. I could have listened to her more when she explained what the master had told her yesterday, though. He admonished himself once again in his mind. He remembered that Bleist was supposed to pick him up around eleven o'clock, which was getting closer and closer, and then they were supposed to go to Atlantis together. Draco was to live at Darius's estate in the City of Mages and attend the Solvein Royal Academy. He couldn't get used to the thought, but found that once it became a reality he would get over it. He also didn't need to worry about how to transport his belongings, as that would be taken care of by someone from the estate.

Draco jumped up when the clock standing in the living room struck eleven. Why am I so nervous? He had asked himself this question so many times that he didn't even know when he had lost count.

-Can't you really calm down?- Nasua asked while taking a sip of her favourite tea.-He said he would come around eleven o'clock, then he should be here in a while.

-You're right Aunty, but somehow I can't calm down.- He admitted with a hanged head. He got up and went out into the garden to stretch.

A moment later, a soft ringing sound came from somewhere in the hallway. Draco momentarily found himself in the living room and as soon as Nasua nodded he rushed towards the door. He found himself at it almost immediately and, drawing in a deep breath, placed his hand on the doorknob. He pressed it and opened the door widely.

In the threshold stood Bleist wearing a blue cloak and with a sword at his belt. He held two bundles wrapped in grey cloth. He was smiling.

-Good morning, master.- Draco bowed his head slightly and stepped aside letting the mage pass.

-Hello.- With his free hand, Darius ruffled his apprentice's hair causing his hairstyle to turn into a pure mess.-That's better.- He said watching the dragon glance at him from under his head with a flash of amusement in his eyes.-I hope I'm not late.

-No, you're just in time.- Nasua appeared in the aisle looking curiously at the parcels Bleist was holding.-At least before Draco had time to trample a ditch in the garden.-She said without hiding a smile.-Please come inside.-She pointed towards the living room and without waiting for any reaction moved towards it.

-I guess that leaves me no choice.- Darius muttered glancing at his apprentice who only shrugged his shoulders.-I thought so.- He sighed thinking that a dragoness is never refused by anyone.

-Master first.- Draco said glancing suspiciously at the packages he was holding.-Otherwise Auntie will complain later.- He added very quietly as if afraid Nasua would hear him.

-I won't complain, don't exaggerate.- It came from deep inside the house.-Come on, or the tea will get cold.

-I don't think we have a choice.- Darius said, watching Draco make an 'I told you so' face.

They walked into the living room together and Bleist gently placed the packages on the table so as not to disturb anyone. Draco wondered what might be hidden beneath the grey wrapping and noticed that both Master and Auntie were glancing at them as he did.

-Would you like some tea Darius?- The elderly dragoness neither asked nor stated while pouring a cup of brew for the mage.

-Thank you very much.- Said Darius picking up the tea cup with an expression on his face that betrayed that he had expected this from the very beginning.- Very delicious as usual.- He stated with a smile.

-So are you leaving right away?- Nasua asked without even looking at him.

-Basically yes, but before we start to get on our way I wanted to do something else.- Bleist winked slightly amused at Draco staring at him.

-What do you mean...?-The dragon became even more curious. I wonder what it is this time. Maybe it's something in those packages? He wondered, glancing at the grey cloth.

-Since all the formalities are over it is finally time to move on to matters of a more practical nature.- Darius reached for the smaller and less shapely of the packages. With a quick tug, he tore off the cord with which it was tied and gently unrolled the material. He stood up and lifted up a long coat of the same colour as his own from inside.- I hope you like the colour as well as the cut. Madame Nasua gave me all the measurements I needed, so it should fit perfectly.- He smiled as he saw the childlike joy gradually igniting in his apprentice's eyes. He handed him the cloak.-Now you will look like a magician's apprentice.-He winked smiling.-Go on.-He added seeing the dragon's indecision.

-Thank you, master.- Draco said bowing to Darius. Then, urged on by his aunt's gaze, he glanced at the remaining contents of the pack, took it and went to change.

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Bleist looked to where Draco was sitting just a moment ago and smiled involuntarily. Being a master pleases me more and more every moment. He thought still seeing the joy on his student's face.

-I think you really made him happy.- Nasua surreptitiously wiped some lone tear from her cheek.-I haven't seen him smile like that in a long time.

-I think it gave me as much pleasure as it did him.-The mage frankly admitted.-I don't think I even need to ask him if he liked it, do I?

Nasua merely nodded and took a long sip of her beloved tea. Darius followed her example and sipped the aromatic brew. Each time she brews a different type, and each successive one better than the last. He thought with amusement that the dragoness really had sophisticated taste and enjoyed serving tea to her guests.

-Could you please satisfy my curiosity and tell me what is in this box?- Nasua glanced at the other package lying on the table.

-Oh, but of course.- Darius felt like he was just waiting for the dragoness to ask the question. He had long wanted to show off to someone what was now lying in front of him. He stood up from his seat and gently moved his hand over the grey material. With a sigh, he tore off the cord and, with a slow movement, removed the fabric, revealing a box more than one and a half metres long and thirty centimetres high. It was made of dark, polished wood, which had darkened in time with the accumulation of dust, and the hinges and latches had tarnished after years of disuse. Bleist looked at the case with nostalgia.-My and my father's friend, the unsurpassed master blacksmith Matheo Vittoro dropped by our house on the evening of the day I obtained the title of master holding this case in his hands. I will never forget his face. He was smiling from ear to ear, his cheeks were flushed and his eyebrows were burned. He hugged my father and came towards me pointing this- He showed his finger at the case.- towards me. I will never forget what he said then.- Darius coughed and tried to mimic Matheo with his thick voice.- This is my masterpiece. The weapon that was the last to come out of my hand completing my life as a blacksmith. I felt I had to make it, to give it everything I had, to spell into it every bit of my knowledge and skill, however small. I succeeded. It came into being as the culmination of my path of hammer and anvil. He then looked deeply into my eyes with a certainty that could move millions and said something that made me search for so long for the right person to become my protégé.- He began to imitate Master Vittoro again.- I know one thing about it. It already belongs to whoever becomes your first apprentice Darius, that is its destiny.- Bleist gently ran his fingers across the surface of the lid.- I never opened it.- He said quietly. The mage gently turned the case with its front towards the dragoness to show her the symbol burned between the latches-a black dragon.