Ask Blake to explain further

"So tell me more," says Xabar, feeling in a much better mood, now that he has food in hand and the prospect of a hookup with not one, but two, lovely ladies this evening.

Blake reaches across the table and helps himself to a dinner roll before proceeding.

"Doesn't it seem a bit unfair to you that only a select few are permitted to use magic in our fair kingdom?" he asks.

"I've heard this bit before," answers Xabar. "You sound like the beginning of a Resistance propaganda piece: 'Magic equally borne. Equality mutally assured.' Usually that lot goes from talking about unregulated magic to a heated exchange about how the earth is flat, Santa Claus is real, and size doesn't matter to women."

"Is it such a far-fetched notion, though?" asks Blake. "Think about it -- not from the point of view of a privileged student at an elite magical training academy. Think about it from the standpoint of an ordinary civilian, who is dependent upon the benevolence of those who wield such incredible powers. Doesn't it bother you that the very ones who possess magical powers are the ones who tell everyone else that they cannot have them?"

"Magic is dangerous in the wrong hands," countered Xabar.

"That's true about anything," answered Blake. "We could be having the same conversation about an axe or a butter knife. And who is to say whose hands are the right hands to wield magic? You have been licensed to do so for most of your life; did you always use your abilities with benevolence to aide and enrich all mankind?"

Xabar frowned, contemplating Blake's words. There is merit in what he says. Truth be known, very little of his use of magic has been for the benefit of mankind. In fact, the vast majority of it has been for the sole purpose of getting himself laid, drunk, or to make money.

"So what are you trying to do? Overthrow King Malcolm and take over Mirantia?"

"Nah... nothing quite so ****," says Blake. "Oh, there are those in the Resistance who dream about such things, but around here, we're quite a bit more laid back. We just want the freedom to use our skills without anyone telling us we can't."

"And what about that troublesome thing about the **** penalty for the unlicensed use of magic?" asked Xabar.

"You mean if I do something like this?" asked Blake. He snapped his fingers, causing Xabar's sandwich to come out of his hand and fly across the table into Blake's awaiting grasp.

In answer to Xabar's unasked question, he says, "It isn't as if there are magic-sensing monitors around. It's a big kingdom, and they can't possibly be watching everything. Basically, if you don't get caught, you'll be fine. And that's why I'm talking to you. I get the sense that you not only have magical skills, but you are pretty good at avoiding getting caught. Am I right?"