Reflections - a MagiStream Story
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TxCat
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Re: Reflections - a MagiStream Story
Thanks, guys. Working on the next chapter but be patient. I have a new chemotherapy medication to add to the old one in hope it will send the disease into remission. All it's done so far is make the trash can my constant companion.
“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.” ― Harlan Ellison
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TxCat
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Re: Reflections - a MagiStream Story (UPDATED)
Chapter 2
“Everyone and everything that shows up in our life is a reflection of something that is happening inside of us.”
-- Alan Cohen
The High Archmage's suite of rooms could be accessed by walking the long, wide hallway which separated the student living quarters and classrooms from the rooms occupied by fully trained magi. A narrow corridor let to a brass bound oak door which, if one had the key, revealed a winding stone stairway. At the landings arched window panes allowed views of the Keep and its surroundings. Pennington loved climbing these stairs and paused, as was his custom, to take in the world from this unique perspective. He did not, however, linger as long as he might have because his curiosity had been aroused. Usually when Thane summoned him, it meant he would be traveling --- a chance to see new things, find unique creatures, and get away from his tormentors.
At the door to Thane's study, Pennington hesitated. His robes were in ruins, he reeked of smoke, and he'd gotten soot smeared on his glasses. That's no way to appear in front of one of the most powerful magi in the world, he thought.
The door creaked open and a ball of brilliant yellow and rusty orange catapulted into him. The tenera dog capered around Pennington's feet, nearly tripping him up, and pulled imperatively at the hem of his robe. Casama, disliking the huge head and lolling tongue which kept inserting itself into the tarsier's face, scrabbled up to the safety of his magi companion's shoulder. The shrill scolding nearly deafened him. “Knock it off,” he told the tarsier and pacified it with a slice of fruit. Casama took it in his paws, examined it critically, and then with simian greed stuffed the entire thing into his mouth at once while making a face at the tenera dog.
If the tenera cared at all about the slice of fruit, which Pennington doubted in any case, it ignored the tarsier's taunt. Whining softly now, eyes shining in mute appeal, it tugged again at his robes. The tired, charred fabric gave way. “Oops!” He couldn't bear to scold the poor thing for it looked so apologetic and worried. Pennington wrapped his long, thin fingers in the tenera's luxuriant mane and offered it a caress. It calmed somewhat but he could feel its aura of concern, impatience, and urgency. He allowed the creature to tug him further into Thane's study. Casama, with an unusual sense of propriety, uncurled his tail and shoved the door closed behind them.
Large, arched windows behind a massive desk finely crafted from the best hardwoods of the Silva Forest looked out on the bailey. They revealed a reassuringly domestic scene of young and old magi alike studying beneath the trees just beginning to turn color or frolicking with their creatures. The garden had already been turned under for the season save for the herbs and roots which the cooks used in the kitchen throughout the winter. Thane, his back to the door, sat behind his desk in a high backed chair upholstered in deep green velvet. Apparently lost in his own thoughts, he did not acknowledge the magi standing at a respectful distance.
Finally, because he was tired of shifting from foot to foot, Pennington cleared his throat to attract Thane's attention. “Ahem. Arch Magus, you sent for me?”
The chair rotated in Pennington's direction, squealing on castors which badly needed oiling. The tiny Etainian quetzal around Thane's neck flapped its wings in protest and hissed; the arch mage soothed it absently with one hand until it laid its head back along his shoulder and lidded its eyes. “Hmm, I suppose I did, didn't I, or you wouldn't be here.” Thane quirked an eyebrow and blinked, taking in his magi's untidy appearance. “It seems you've had some difficulties.”
Self conscious, Pennington swiped quickly at his glasses with a dirty sleeve but succeeded only in smearing the soot further across the lenses. Casama, no longer interested in the tenera dog, scuttled down from his shoulder and leaped to Thane's desk where he helped himself to the fruit bowl. “Aww, no, don't ---”
“He's welcome to whatever he can grab,” Thane said, chuckling, and gently stroked the feathered orange fringes of the creature's tail. Casama chittered in appreciation and offered the arch mage a half eaten peach. “No, thanks, little one, it's yours. Pennington....”
“I-I-I'll do better, sir, I p-p-promise! A m-m-mere ac-ac-accident, won't happen again. N-n-no time to change.”
“I know that, Stephan. Belmos told me. Take a few minutes to set things to rights. I believe” and a thin smile crossed Thane's lips “you might fit one of my old apprentice robes. We'll talk when you've cleaned up.”
Bowing and and stuttering his thanks, nearly tripping over the tattered edges of his robe as he did so, Pennington backed gratefully out of the room and entered the chamber indicated. To his surprise, he found a basin full of warm water, a bar of soap, wash cloth, and towel already laid out for him. The robe Thane had mentioned lay draped across the four poster bed. He must have already known about what happened today. I wonder if I'm being sent away as punishment or if he really needs something from me? Pennington couldn't imagine what Thane might want of him; although he'd initially been one of the magi Thane chose to train personally, Pennington had never abused that association and had carefully kept clear of the arch mage whenever possible. He certainly wouldn't reward me by sending me out after that fiasco in the classroom...unless something else is wrong.
After taking one final glance at his reflection to ensure he'd gotten the worst of the soot off his face and glasses, Pennington changed his robes and re-entered Thane's office. The tenera dog sat at his feet, leaning against his legs and gazing up in an adoring manner; Pennington's tarsier had curled up in Thane's lap and fallen asleep. The man, a troubled expression on his face, stroked the greenish fur as though it gave him some sort of solace. He looked like a man with a lot of worries on his mind and no real solutions presenting themselves. On the heels of that thought, it occurred to Pennington that Thane looked old. No one knew just how long he'd been arch mage of this keep, but his was the only name which had been associated with it for generations.
“Are you well?” he asked quietly. “S-s-ome tea, perhaps? I can at least do that right,” he added dryly.
Thane nodded and then, as Pennington moved to the shelves and began selecting herbs for brewing, said, “I've taken Alan's phoenix fledgling from him.”
Pennington looked up from measuring camomile flowers into the pot and blinked. “It was injured, then? I-I didn't ha-have time to check on it. Master Belmos said you needed me immediately.”
“It will never fly again. The wing broke at the joint when it careened around the room. The young man in question demonstrated no remorse whatsoever.” Another sigh and Thane rubbed his temples. I haven't had to expel a student since...well, it doesn't happen often.”
“I w-w-wouldn't recommend that, sir,” Pennington managed as he set the cup of steaming tea in front of Thane. “Drink that, it'll ease the tension.”
“You'd stand for him after what he did to you?”
“He knows enough to be d-d-dangerous. Without training, in a few years you'll have a r-r-renegade mage to d-deal with.”
“What would you suggest, then?”
“A-a-apprentice him to Master N-N-Nykos. He can k-keep the boy busy, m-maybe even t-t-teach him some d-discipline. Alan's temper is more suited to the types of creatures Master N-Nykos fosters anyhow.”
Master Nykos was their representative of the Dark Brotherhood. Most of the other magi steered clear of him because of rumors about that order, but Pennington had always found him to be a personable sort. He had a way with stubborn and recalcitrant students which either quickly broke their bad habits or taught them how and when to use them to advantage.
“A good thought, and one worth considering. It would also save me the effort of a confrontation with the boy's father. All right, then, I'll send notice around. Nykos can collect him at the dorms and move him in with the other lads under his care. As for the little phoenix” Thane paused, studying the young mage's expression, and chose his next words carefully “I would like you to see what you can do for it.”
“Y-you mean h-h-heal it? Of course, I can try some of the standard herbal remedies b-b-but...hadn't you better find one of the more experienced magi with healing skills? Y-you know I can b-b-barely b-b-boil water and fire definitely isn't my element!”
Thane shook his head. “Have a little more confidence in yourself, Stephan. I mean for you to adopt the little one and bond with it. I do not think it beyond your capabilities and you certainly have the compassion needed to deal with a wounded creature whose trust has been abused.”
“As you will. Is that why you sent for me?”
“It isn't the main reason, no, but I guess you could say that one incident is as much a part of the problem as the other.” He reached across the desk and placed a pale purple egg with iridescent darker scaling into Pennington's hands. “What can you tell me about this egg?”
He closed his eyes and gently fingered the contours of the shell; soft and ovoid, it felt slightly cool and moist to the touch. When he concentrated, Pennington thought he could hear a small echo of the thoughts of the creature within. “Why, it's just a common koi egg such as you might find in the stream, but....it's static. The creature either cannot or will not come out of its shell. How unusual!” He frowned. “It would like to come out but it doesn't know how any more!”
“It's been happening more often than I'd like,” Thane explained. “I've never come across such magic and if there's someone out there who knows how to do this, we need to find them quickly so that we can protect the creatures from this spell.”
“That would take a p-p-owerful mage,” Pennington said, awed. “D-d-do you th-think it might be someone we can train?” Involuntarily, he shuddered; the thought of someone able to make a creature go completely against its nature, to forget something as fundamental as how to escape its shell, seemed especially wicked.
“I want you to find out. Get your creatures and your gear ready to go. Officially, of course, this is simply another recruitment mission. You might talk to Kimi before you go; he had mentioned a cousin who had some abilities and might want to train with us.”
“How long shall I be gone, then?”
“As long as it takes. I want that mage found and brought in for training.”
“Everyone and everything that shows up in our life is a reflection of something that is happening inside of us.”
-- Alan Cohen
The High Archmage's suite of rooms could be accessed by walking the long, wide hallway which separated the student living quarters and classrooms from the rooms occupied by fully trained magi. A narrow corridor let to a brass bound oak door which, if one had the key, revealed a winding stone stairway. At the landings arched window panes allowed views of the Keep and its surroundings. Pennington loved climbing these stairs and paused, as was his custom, to take in the world from this unique perspective. He did not, however, linger as long as he might have because his curiosity had been aroused. Usually when Thane summoned him, it meant he would be traveling --- a chance to see new things, find unique creatures, and get away from his tormentors.
At the door to Thane's study, Pennington hesitated. His robes were in ruins, he reeked of smoke, and he'd gotten soot smeared on his glasses. That's no way to appear in front of one of the most powerful magi in the world, he thought.
The door creaked open and a ball of brilliant yellow and rusty orange catapulted into him. The tenera dog capered around Pennington's feet, nearly tripping him up, and pulled imperatively at the hem of his robe. Casama, disliking the huge head and lolling tongue which kept inserting itself into the tarsier's face, scrabbled up to the safety of his magi companion's shoulder. The shrill scolding nearly deafened him. “Knock it off,” he told the tarsier and pacified it with a slice of fruit. Casama took it in his paws, examined it critically, and then with simian greed stuffed the entire thing into his mouth at once while making a face at the tenera dog.
If the tenera cared at all about the slice of fruit, which Pennington doubted in any case, it ignored the tarsier's taunt. Whining softly now, eyes shining in mute appeal, it tugged again at his robes. The tired, charred fabric gave way. “Oops!” He couldn't bear to scold the poor thing for it looked so apologetic and worried. Pennington wrapped his long, thin fingers in the tenera's luxuriant mane and offered it a caress. It calmed somewhat but he could feel its aura of concern, impatience, and urgency. He allowed the creature to tug him further into Thane's study. Casama, with an unusual sense of propriety, uncurled his tail and shoved the door closed behind them.
Large, arched windows behind a massive desk finely crafted from the best hardwoods of the Silva Forest looked out on the bailey. They revealed a reassuringly domestic scene of young and old magi alike studying beneath the trees just beginning to turn color or frolicking with their creatures. The garden had already been turned under for the season save for the herbs and roots which the cooks used in the kitchen throughout the winter. Thane, his back to the door, sat behind his desk in a high backed chair upholstered in deep green velvet. Apparently lost in his own thoughts, he did not acknowledge the magi standing at a respectful distance.
Finally, because he was tired of shifting from foot to foot, Pennington cleared his throat to attract Thane's attention. “Ahem. Arch Magus, you sent for me?”
The chair rotated in Pennington's direction, squealing on castors which badly needed oiling. The tiny Etainian quetzal around Thane's neck flapped its wings in protest and hissed; the arch mage soothed it absently with one hand until it laid its head back along his shoulder and lidded its eyes. “Hmm, I suppose I did, didn't I, or you wouldn't be here.” Thane quirked an eyebrow and blinked, taking in his magi's untidy appearance. “It seems you've had some difficulties.”
Self conscious, Pennington swiped quickly at his glasses with a dirty sleeve but succeeded only in smearing the soot further across the lenses. Casama, no longer interested in the tenera dog, scuttled down from his shoulder and leaped to Thane's desk where he helped himself to the fruit bowl. “Aww, no, don't ---”
“He's welcome to whatever he can grab,” Thane said, chuckling, and gently stroked the feathered orange fringes of the creature's tail. Casama chittered in appreciation and offered the arch mage a half eaten peach. “No, thanks, little one, it's yours. Pennington....”
“I-I-I'll do better, sir, I p-p-promise! A m-m-mere ac-ac-accident, won't happen again. N-n-no time to change.”
“I know that, Stephan. Belmos told me. Take a few minutes to set things to rights. I believe” and a thin smile crossed Thane's lips “you might fit one of my old apprentice robes. We'll talk when you've cleaned up.”
Bowing and and stuttering his thanks, nearly tripping over the tattered edges of his robe as he did so, Pennington backed gratefully out of the room and entered the chamber indicated. To his surprise, he found a basin full of warm water, a bar of soap, wash cloth, and towel already laid out for him. The robe Thane had mentioned lay draped across the four poster bed. He must have already known about what happened today. I wonder if I'm being sent away as punishment or if he really needs something from me? Pennington couldn't imagine what Thane might want of him; although he'd initially been one of the magi Thane chose to train personally, Pennington had never abused that association and had carefully kept clear of the arch mage whenever possible. He certainly wouldn't reward me by sending me out after that fiasco in the classroom...unless something else is wrong.
After taking one final glance at his reflection to ensure he'd gotten the worst of the soot off his face and glasses, Pennington changed his robes and re-entered Thane's office. The tenera dog sat at his feet, leaning against his legs and gazing up in an adoring manner; Pennington's tarsier had curled up in Thane's lap and fallen asleep. The man, a troubled expression on his face, stroked the greenish fur as though it gave him some sort of solace. He looked like a man with a lot of worries on his mind and no real solutions presenting themselves. On the heels of that thought, it occurred to Pennington that Thane looked old. No one knew just how long he'd been arch mage of this keep, but his was the only name which had been associated with it for generations.
“Are you well?” he asked quietly. “S-s-ome tea, perhaps? I can at least do that right,” he added dryly.
Thane nodded and then, as Pennington moved to the shelves and began selecting herbs for brewing, said, “I've taken Alan's phoenix fledgling from him.”
Pennington looked up from measuring camomile flowers into the pot and blinked. “It was injured, then? I-I didn't ha-have time to check on it. Master Belmos said you needed me immediately.”
“It will never fly again. The wing broke at the joint when it careened around the room. The young man in question demonstrated no remorse whatsoever.” Another sigh and Thane rubbed his temples. I haven't had to expel a student since...well, it doesn't happen often.”
“I w-w-wouldn't recommend that, sir,” Pennington managed as he set the cup of steaming tea in front of Thane. “Drink that, it'll ease the tension.”
“You'd stand for him after what he did to you?”
“He knows enough to be d-d-dangerous. Without training, in a few years you'll have a r-r-renegade mage to d-deal with.”
“What would you suggest, then?”
“A-a-apprentice him to Master N-N-Nykos. He can k-keep the boy busy, m-maybe even t-t-teach him some d-discipline. Alan's temper is more suited to the types of creatures Master N-Nykos fosters anyhow.”
Master Nykos was their representative of the Dark Brotherhood. Most of the other magi steered clear of him because of rumors about that order, but Pennington had always found him to be a personable sort. He had a way with stubborn and recalcitrant students which either quickly broke their bad habits or taught them how and when to use them to advantage.
“A good thought, and one worth considering. It would also save me the effort of a confrontation with the boy's father. All right, then, I'll send notice around. Nykos can collect him at the dorms and move him in with the other lads under his care. As for the little phoenix” Thane paused, studying the young mage's expression, and chose his next words carefully “I would like you to see what you can do for it.”
“Y-you mean h-h-heal it? Of course, I can try some of the standard herbal remedies b-b-but...hadn't you better find one of the more experienced magi with healing skills? Y-you know I can b-b-barely b-b-boil water and fire definitely isn't my element!”
Thane shook his head. “Have a little more confidence in yourself, Stephan. I mean for you to adopt the little one and bond with it. I do not think it beyond your capabilities and you certainly have the compassion needed to deal with a wounded creature whose trust has been abused.”
“As you will. Is that why you sent for me?”
“It isn't the main reason, no, but I guess you could say that one incident is as much a part of the problem as the other.” He reached across the desk and placed a pale purple egg with iridescent darker scaling into Pennington's hands. “What can you tell me about this egg?”
He closed his eyes and gently fingered the contours of the shell; soft and ovoid, it felt slightly cool and moist to the touch. When he concentrated, Pennington thought he could hear a small echo of the thoughts of the creature within. “Why, it's just a common koi egg such as you might find in the stream, but....it's static. The creature either cannot or will not come out of its shell. How unusual!” He frowned. “It would like to come out but it doesn't know how any more!”
“It's been happening more often than I'd like,” Thane explained. “I've never come across such magic and if there's someone out there who knows how to do this, we need to find them quickly so that we can protect the creatures from this spell.”
“That would take a p-p-owerful mage,” Pennington said, awed. “D-d-do you th-think it might be someone we can train?” Involuntarily, he shuddered; the thought of someone able to make a creature go completely against its nature, to forget something as fundamental as how to escape its shell, seemed especially wicked.
“I want you to find out. Get your creatures and your gear ready to go. Officially, of course, this is simply another recruitment mission. You might talk to Kimi before you go; he had mentioned a cousin who had some abilities and might want to train with us.”
“How long shall I be gone, then?”
“As long as it takes. I want that mage found and brought in for training.”
“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.” ― Harlan Ellison
DC: Nyoka: Flowergame:
DC:
Nyoka: Flowergame: 
Re: Reflections - a MagiStream Story
I'm glad to see you're still working on this story and am looking forward to the next chapter.
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ellebellie
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Re: Reflections - a MagiStream Story
Yay! It's fantastic! More please. 
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PaleoMage
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Re: Reflections - a MagiStream Story (UPDATED)
TxCat wrote:“As long as it takes. I want that mage found and brought in dead or alive for training.”
Very nice.
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SilverDragoness
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Re: Reflections - a MagiStream Story
Wowwowwow ... amazing.
I have 25/25 gifts 
Thank you!For kind
and 
:
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LightningDragon
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Re: Reflections - a MagiStream Story
I adore this story, and Pennington. I'd love to see what comes next (:
