Black Water, White Dragon, part 1

The Water, chapter 1, part 7

Up on the loft, Ansil and Nerath slept soundly in the bed just to the right of the ladder. Anbar dove into his own bed further in along the same wall and seemed ready to fall asleep immediately. Etin's bed was just to the left of the ladder, but she sneaked on towards the big trunk standing beneath the small window. She set down the enchanted candle in a holder, and pulled out the worn cow-hide scrolls they had borrowed from the winter school. It would start up again after the autumn feast, but by then she might be far from here.

In the city of Kent Lazpar, in the temple to Saylese, center for magic and school for the Gifted.

She opened a scroll on Gifts. In it was written a lot of confusing things about Sources, rare among humans, almost unheard of among dwarves, but almost every elf had an outside Source to supplement their personal power. In it was also written of the Realms of magic - Fire such as Terrekrin had, but also Water, Air, Earth, Illusions, and many others. It said some were connected to only one Realm, while others - like mister Terrekrin - knew several. It said...

"It's late, Etin." Anbar broke through her reverie. Etin lifted her head and noticed he was watching her. The shadows in his face were strangely still in the magical light.

"I want to know," she whispered back. Know about everything - all in the cow hide scroll, all that was within her, how mister Terrekrin could See, everything.

Anbar smiled. "I get that. What sort do you think you have? Plant or Body-realm would be seriously convenient."

Etin shrugged - she hadn't noticed anything yet. "No idea. The scroll says the human Kindred has 'a natural affinity with Fire' - whatever that means. But mister Terrekrin is a dwarf and knows Fire."

Anbar grimaced, thinking hard. "It's been ages since the Saylese-priest visited the winter school and talked of Gifts. Didn't seem so important out here in the middle of nowhere. I guess they assumed everyone who got one, went to Kent Lazpar."

"Like me, maybe."

"Like you, maybe. But anyway, I think he said affinity meant that Realm was more common among that Kindred and that they knew it a bit better. More stronger that is." He was quiet a moment, then said, "I'm sure Mama will let you go."

Etin hoped it, but, "I'm her little girl. You think so?"

Anbar nodded. "A Gifted in the family is seriously convenient. A temple-taught Gifted would make mum and dad's life so much easier. They wouldn't need to pay for so much or work so hard, if we could make our own magic. No matter what Realm - even if it's just a bit of Air to fix the weather."

"Or Void to fix your thoughts!" Etin made a pretend scary face and they both chuckled.

A deep cough from downstairs changed their thoughts. Etin said, "mum and dad will have a hard time anyway, now with the dwarves... We are so dependent on trade with them."

Anbar playfully slapped her hair. "Hey, it's worse for the dwarves! How would you have liked if the rock fall had gone straight through the house or something? They've got nothing!"

"Sorry," mumbled Etin. He was right. They had been lucky. "I wonder why it exploded. And if more are alive. I... I hope my Gift is something I can use to help them, too."

Anbar looked at her with sympathy. "I think anything would be useful - both for us and them."

They were quiet a little after that. Etin half read, half pondered, and didn't pick up much of what the scrolls said.

Anbar changed the subject again finally. He never managed to stay serious for long. "The temple is good for bringing out Gifts as well as learning to use it. And maybe you find a husband there." He grinned.

Etin snorted. "I'm there to learn, not get married. Anyway, you should find someone before me, shouldn't you? What about Pebblebank's eldest? You spent the whole summer in the bushes with her."

Anbar stopped grinning. "She's being betrothed to someone from Icendale at the autumn feast. Probably wedding in the spring. But," and his eyes glittered again, "I'm sure I'll get invited and if I can't find anyone at the autumn feast, a wedding is great for dancing and girls!"

One of the little ones grunted and turned over in his sleep, and the two elder children went quiet. Mum's voice came up from the main room, "no-one goes anywhere if they don't go to bed when they're told to! Sleep! Now!"

Etin put the scrolls back in the trunk and curled up under the blankets, enchanted candle in it's holder on the floor beside her. Despite being tired after a long day, she lay awake for a little while, listening to the conversation downstairs.

"Did you have a family," she heard Mister Sarakhan ask.

Mister Terrekrin replied, "I drank the funeral cup for both my dear parents and my dear master many years ago. They were spared this, Gods be praised."

Sarakhan grunted. "Siblings?"

"I was taken in as an apprentice to an Enchanter when I was quite young. There was not much time and opportunity to keep in touch with those of my blood, so I do not know if fate has been kind to them. And my master-siblings have long since become my rivals in trade. May Saylese and He-who-weeps carry them gently if they met their end. And you, Mister Sarakhan?"

"Saylese carry them gently," the warrior replied simply.