Resigned (Route B)

Chapter 1 – Arrival (continued)

His guest room was small, but had washroom facilities, complete with a vanishing vase to eliminate any dirty water or other waste he dropped into it. He spent some time checking his gear, before sitting down to read from his spellbooks, pouring over the more complicated spells he had yet to master.

Eventually, Neiah came to escort him to dinner, where Kaylen tried his hardest not to let his disappointment with the days revelations color his interactions with his hosts. He made polite conversation with the four women at the table. He smiled briefly when Neiah feigned surprise at Aranni revealing Kaylen had trained as a battle mage, asserting that she’d been certain he was an enchanter. Kaylen wasn’t in a very receptive mood for compliments, but he appreciated the effort.

Neiah was obviously the most outspoken of the three apprentices, but that didn’t mean the other two were unable to contribute to the conversation. Marcel was a girl close to Neiah’s age, but seemed to be a bit more reserved. She didn’t speak much unless Neiah or Aranni asked her a question, and she had a habit of hiding her face behind the curtain of her straight brown hair when she wasn’t talking or spooning food to her mouth. It was the other apprentice who saved the dinner in Kaylen’s opinion. Adalan was boisterous and loud, laughing easily, and prodding Kaylen with words or occasionally a utensil whenever it seemed his attention was drifting.

She seemed to be the youngest of the three apprentices, around fifteen, maybe as much as seventeen. Though Kaylen wasn’t a very experienced judge of such things.

When he was finished eating, Kaylen excused himself to be alone with his thoughts. He found himself at a balcony on the third floor overlooking the shorter buildings nearby. This side of the tower faced the sun setting over the ocean and Kaylen found himself captivated for a few brief moments. It was rare to have a vantage point he could see the ocean from inside the city. He warred with his own thoughts, trying to find the silver lining in the day’s events. After a quiet minute, he sighed to himself. Was this it? Was he destined to be alone? Aranni’s words lingered in his mind as he turned to go back inside to return to his room.

But he didn’t make it very far.

He yelped and jumped back after almost running right into Adalan, who had come up behind him while he was lost in thought.

She squeaked and also took a step back, her hand flying to her face, but not quite covering her mouth. Her pretty eyes were quite wide for about half a second, but then she recovered and made a visible effort to offer a shy smile, “I thought you might want some company?” She told him softly.

Kaylen decided not to comment on the kind of company he’d just been contemplating. “I had intended to be alone.” He answered instead. “But I wouldn’t mind some company.” He offered when he saw her crestfallen expression. “If you’d like to walk with me?” He gestured for her to walk alongside him toward the stairs.

Adalan’s smile returned once more, and she nodded before walking in the direction he indicated, falling into step beside him. He made a conscious effort to slow his steps so she wouldn’t have to rush in order to keep up. “You seem lonely.” She told him after a moment of comfortable silence.

“That’s not inaccurate.” He shrugged, suppressing another sigh.

“It’s hard, coming to a strange town. Not knowing anyone.” She suggested, obviously trying to connect in some way.

“It’s not so strange. I grew up here.” He informed her, trying not to be dismissive, though he was already starting to feel weary of the topic. “But it’s been years. I haven’t even visited my family yet. Not sure if they’d be glad to see me.”

“Because you’re a mage now?” She asked, sounding more understanding than she had initially, surprising him.

Kaylen nodded, not sure if he trusted himself to speak after her insight.

Adalan glanced at him periodically, but didn’t appear to wish to interrupt his contemplative silence. But ultimately, her patience must have worn thin, for she spoke up, “Master Rylan has told us that relationships between mages and non-mages are difficult, at best.”

Kaylen nodded, “She said the same to me. From my experiences I have no reason to doubt her.”

“So when a mage comes along, especially one who is charming and handsome, I figure I should take that opportunity. Would you agree?”

Kaylen saw immediately what she was getting at, and he knew he couldn’t encourage her, no matter how pleasant it sounded. They stopped walking, having reached Kaylen’s room, and he turned to face her in front of the closed door. “Under normal circumstances, it would probably be a good idea not to let the opportunity pass you by, yes. However,” He held up a hand to forestall her, “This isn’t really a normal circumstance.”

“Why not?” She asked, pouting a little. “You did say you wanted company. This doesn’t have to be the end of the night.”

Kaylen opened his mouth then closed it. He studied her for a moment, considering, and stalling for time to think and really process what she might be offering. He wondered momentarily if he’d misjudged her age. “Aren’t you… how old are you? Don’t say you just turned sixteen…”

She started to respond, and then stopped. Her blush deepened, “My birthday is in four weeks.” She practically whispered.

“Which will make you…?”

“Sixteen, in four weeks.” She repeated, a little louder. “But I’m old enough. Sixteen is the age of consent.”

“It’s not just age. Aranni would certainly turn me into a lizard, and probably cook me for good measure.”

“She doesn’t have to know…”

“She’d know. You really think she wouldn’t find out?” Kaylen raised one eyebrow.

Once again she closed her mouth before speaking, but then nodded, and shrugged. “No, you’re right. She’d find out, one way or another.”

“I appreciate the offer. But, you should head to your own room.” Kaylen held back yet another sigh, not wanting to burden this sweet girl any further with his melancholy.

She nodded again, though she still seemed concerned, “Will you be okay?”

“I’ll be okay.” He said, forcing a smile for her.

She smiled back then hugged him forcefully, only to release him before he could recover enough to return the embrace. In the next moment she had turned and rushed off down the hall. Left alone with his thoughts once more, he couldn’t help but smile, genuinely this time. He wasn’t terribly hopeful of his romantic prospects, but it was hard to remain dour with someone like Adalan whose cheerfulness was apparently infectious.