Wizard born, p.26
Wizard Born, page 26
“Minister,” Soren said with a slight smile. Soren knew the man hated him and the feeling was mutual. The Minister expected him to forget about everything since Soren lived a decent life. He expected Soren to fawn all over him the way many people with magic had and was disappointed when Soren refused to.
“Mr. Derlens,” Relvis said.
“How can I help you today Sir?” Soren asked.
“May I come in?” Relvis asked. Soren moved out of his way and directed him to the single chair that was in the room. Soren went over to sit on his bed.
“How can I be of service?” Soren asked.
“You are trying,” Relvis said. “Your father must have had a talk with you.”
“My father had his head chopped off and fed to the pigs, you were there,” Soren replied. “But Mr. and Mrs. Derlens did tell me to treat you better. The same way I would treat them even if I was cross at them.”
“When I say your father, you know who I am talking about,” Relvis said in a slow and annoyed tone.
“And I only have one father, he was killed and you thought it was all splendid,” Soren said. “I am assuming you keep calling Mr. Derlens my father as a way to insult me somehow but I cannot imagine why you would come over here to do so.”
“Robert Derlens helped raise you, so in a way, he is your father,” Relvis said. “It was not meant as a slight, I live in the present and think about the future. I do not dwell on the past because it cannot be changed and if I asked you to pick out a father figure then his name would be at the top.”
“I took it as an insult and I think that is all that matters,” Soren can. “We can agree to disagree, nothing you say will change my thoughts just like nothing I say will change yours. So how can I help you?”
“There is no agree to disagree,” Relvis snapped. “I know what I meant boy!”
“And I know how I took it,” Soren said. “If you are expecting me to think any differently, it will not happen. This is my third time asking how I can help you Minister. I am assuming if you do not answer the question again that you came down here to berate me. If that is the case, I would like one of my superiors around. It is my right as a Soldier when dealing with discipline.”
“Derlens I have kept my eyes on you,” Relvis said as Soren could tell he was still angry. “You were supposed to spend a few months in the military and then beg to get out. I was not the one who came up with that plan but I did enact it. I should have known a magic user would find ways to get around menial labor and being uncomfortable. You have taken the spells in my book and made yourself stronger and you have been enjoying your little training sessions with Senior Commander Haggerty. I let them go on so others could see how effective magic could be in the right body. I still expected you to come running back.”
“You expected me to come running to you?” Soren asked as it took all he had not to burst in a fit of laughter.
“You were supposed to go running to whatever magic user was close and complain about being a Wizard,” Relvis said. “Eventually you would have done something. I wouldn't put it past any of your military commanders to offer you an easy spot in exchange for some magic. Their deal would have been worse than what you were given and eventually you would have gotten in touch with your parents and they would have gotten in touch with me.”
“I am assuming from this point on that you are trying be disrespectful,” Soren said. “I am leaving to find a military officer to be in here for this.”
“What are you...” Relvis grunted. “They are your parents, deal with it. If it makes you happy, just imagine that I said the word adopted before the terms mother, father, sister, brother or any other term used when talking about family.”
“I will not,” Soren said. “I don't like you Sir. It is never going to change and I will always think the worst of you. You wanted me to bond so I can turn into some kind of deformed thing. You wanted that and was going to pay me like the Mages, who do not feel that kind of pain.”
“It is not painful,” Relvis snapped as Soren raised an eyebrow. “Sometimes it isn't and I had no idea what would happen. There is already talk in the Senate to offer more compensation to Wizards because of this new information. It will be given to any Wizard, regardless of power and will be retroactive.”
“Good for them,” Soren said. “Not worth it for me. The stronger the Wizard, the more drastic the change. Wendy Jacks can't even feel from her waist to her neck. I hear her skin doesn't just look like stone, that it is stone. Your Granddaughter can at least do something for daily relief. Wendy Jacks is stuck like that, even if she finds a spell to turn her skin a different color, it is still stone. Can you imagine what could happen to me? I feel better that I didn't jump in bed with you after I remembered your face from the executions. Now what do you want? I am tired of being nice and dealing with someone who keeps insulting me.”
“What could make you bond?” Relvis asked.
“Absolutely nothing,” Soren replied. “I think I have a good thing going with the Mancer staves. Maybe I can even sell some to the military and really start bringing it in.”
“You have been offered an obscene home along with servants to work it,” Relvis said. “A lot of Senators have their eyes on you now and want to know why you are not behaving like the others. They know of our history and plan on talking to you themselves. Some even want laws enacted that forces magic users to bond.”
“Then they should do it,” Soren replied. “I don't know how that would make the Wizards forced into being monsters feel. I don't think there is anything that could be done about that. Can you just imagine Rose, with thorns covering her entire body? I couldn't fathom her being happy with it no matter how much money she was given. Or poor Wendy, she could become a living statue, could she even have kids? Stone doesn't yield and her child would likely be squashed in the birth canal.”
“I am not an idiot,” Relvis snapped. “I brought up concerns. Just like the concerns that people like you could just leave our nation and be done with it. Killing you would be stupid, we get two years out of you and all of your future children would be citizens of our Nation.”
“I don't think we have anything else to talk about, Minister,” Soren said. “I am not going to be turned into a monster for no one and if a war starts I have already proved I'm not scared to be on campaign.”
“The next thing that needs to be brought up, is your relationship status,” Relvis said. “You are not behaving as many rich and powerful young men would by laying down any girl willing. That would have been good for our Nation but it just proves that you have standards. You and Wendy Jacks would make a smart couple and your children would be the strongest magic users of their generation and the one after that and the one after that.”
“You want me to be with the stone girl?” Soren asked.
“Which is what the other Wizard brought up as well,” Relvis said and sighed. “What made your brother, your adopted brother if that term makes you feel better, decide to give my granddaughter a chance?”
“He was scared that if he didn't,” Soren began. “That she would get angry and just join with him anyway. We thought you may be involved, either directly or indirectly. No way for him to do anything but get married. At least this way it is of his own doing. He has been scared to go out with all of the groom nappings, he could possibly get himself married anyway and without all of the money that comes with Rose.”
“And you are not worried?” Relvis asked.
“Minister,” Soren began. “Seriously?”
“You are a Wizard but all it takes is one good shot,” Relvis said.
“You all care about what abandoning a wife would do to your standing,” Soren said. “I don't care at all. I would do and say anything to avoid being tortured and then leave.”
“You would leave an impossibly grandiose home depending on who you married to a girl you don't like?” Relvis asked. “There has already been a case of a magic user being nabbed and married to another magic user.”
“Pit,” Soren said. “I don't know if I would do that. I couldn't imagine some girl getting to live in a great big house and enjoying herself with whatever man wants to lay up with her. Especially if it was her bonded or something. But her children from such a man would be ridiculed.”
“And she would care while she is making money from the bonds because?” Relvis asked. “Her husband ran out on her, there was nothing she could do about it.”
“Never thought about it but your threat is well received,” Soren said.
“I didn't come over here to threaten you,” Relvis said. “I came over here because you are making me look bad, like I do not have our Nation’s magic users in line.”
“If having me in line is forcing me to become a monster or agree to a joining with some girl then they are correct,” Soren said. “I think I have won this game, I don't need you or even Mr. and Mrs. Derlens. I can make money on my own. It is a small victory, considering I have had your smiling face in my nightmares for years but it is a victory.”
“You have a good day Derlens,” Relvis said as he stood up. “Your sister gets married tomorrow, I look forward to seeing you there.”
Soren smiled to himself as he thought the Minister was barely holding everything together. Soren knew the wedding was tomorrow, Robert and Danica Derlens had been delayed and would get into town later on that night if they weren't already around. The wedding gift Soren gave them was difficult to make, two stone busts in the bride and groom’s likeness. Soren always liked art so he thought he had gotten the details correct. Soren was able to do it in one go and wondered if a Mage would be able to do the precision work he did. Soren thought it was about time he left his room anyway, he still had gold he needed to put in the bank.
Soren had liked counting it but knew he was courting danger by keeping it in his room. Someone could steal it and Soren doubted it would be long before many people knew he had the fortune. The other reason Soren hadn't put it in the bank because Bob had gotten him paranoid. Bob had been seen more with Rose but was still worried about someone taking him and winding up like the healer. Now that Relvis Whousey had confirmed magic users were doing it to each other, Soren was more paranoid than ever. Soren shook himself of the thought, he had fought and killed men before. He wouldn't be cowered about going to the bank, especially since everyone was already out working and things would be slow in town. Soren grabbed his things and went to find Crawley and Tedford. Soren thought it was odd they were both out. Normally the two spent time in the barracks or in the dining hall. Soren checked both twice and didn't see them there. Soren snuck up to Bob’s room and his brother was also gone, maybe he went with the other two into town.
“Now Soren,” Amanda said as Soren was leaving Bob’s room. “What are you doing up here?”
“Just looking for Bob,” Soren replied.
“He left to be with your parents,” Amanda said. “Why have you been hiding out?”
“Hiding out?” Soren asked.
“Yes, you are practicing with those Champions but you are working during that time,” Amanda said. “You came to the healers’ once but that was quick. Any other time you are in your room with your brother or in the barracks with your friends.”
“What do you want Amanda?” Soren asked. “You were content on having your idiot brother pick on me and didn't care then.”
“And now that I know you are a Wizard you must think I am a horrible person,” Amanda said. “I would have healed you afterwards. I just couldn't go against my brother while he was trying to get the girl.”
“Good on you then,” Soren replied.
“If you wanted,” Amanda said. “You could take me to lunch sometime.”
“You want me to go spend my money on you?” Soren asked.
“Well you are the boy,” Amanda said.
“If it is as friends, I wouldn't mind,” Soren said. “I don't plan on dating anyone and you can bring your friends along as well.”
“I am talking about for a date, Soren,” Amanda said. “My last guy turned out to be a creep.”
“Maybe if you would have asked before you found out who I am,” Soren replied. “Then I would have said you were interested in me for me, not because I have magic.”
“You were just some Soldier then,” Amanda said. “And you did embarrass my brother.”
“Look who it is, the little Mage,” Cedar’s deep voice said from behind Soren.
“There he is, the married man,” Soren said as he turned around and started laughing. “The great Cedar Thorn, done in by three women. I hear they didn't even need to use men to get you crying. You would have married a warthog you were so scared.”
“Leave him alone!” Amanda snapped. “Laurie loves him, at least she will and he will grow to love her.”
“I will leave big bad Cedar alone,” Soren said. “I hope he was invited to my sister’s wedding. If not I will hand him an invitation myself. I am sure all of his friends from back home are going to be excited he settled down. What about that Mage girl you were parading around in front of me at the party? Why Cedar, you do move quickly when there is magic involved.”
“I am not scared of you runt,” Cedar growled.
“You are talking about your fire magic?” Soren said. “Well I would hate to get hit by that. It looks like it hurts but you are not even the best fighter in your family. Your wife took you down easily enough. Did you take her name? Are you now Cedar Divine?”
“He is just trying to get to you,” Amanda said as she stepped in between the two.
“This runt is angry I bedded his sister,” Cedar said. “And his little crush Jasmine and his other little crush Flossy.”
“You did,” Soren replied. “But I still didn't get beaten up by a bunch of women and then married off to a girl that I know isn't your type. You can call me whatever you want, I was fighting men on campaign while you aren't even the strongest one in your bedroom.”
“Soren that is enough!” Amanda said. “Cedar went through a difficult time but he is stronger because of it and he has a woman who dotes on him. Just like you could if you were not such an ass.”
“My apologies,” Soren said. “I don't want any trouble with the Divine women. Either Cedar is incredibly squeamish or you Divine women are all incredibly strong. Of course since there isn’t a scratch on him….”
“What has gotten into you runt?” Cedar snapped.
“You mean other than spreading my business around?!?” Soren said just as angrily.
“Is that what this is about?” Amanda said. “You are angry that he spoiled the little secret you were trying to keep. Why would you keep such a secret anyway?”
“You want to answer that, Cedar?” Soren said.
“So he wouldn't end up like me,” Cedar said as Soren saw the fight leave his eyes.
“There is nothing wrong with you,” Amanda said.
“I wish bride nappings were a thing,” Soren said. “Find you a nice penniless bum to take care of for the rest of your life.”
“My sister is not a bum and any man would be lucky to have her,” Amanda said.
“Your sister is a criminal and has made me a laughing stock,” Cedar snapped.
“You have almost as much magic as a weak Mage,” Amanda said. “Many casters would love to be you.”
“The great Cedar Thorn used to have Bob and I jealous,” Soren teased. “I never said as much, especially with him being a smug show off. I can guarantee that I am no longer jealous. Looking at you now, all I feel is pity. You could beat Bob and I up everyday from now until the end of our lives and I will still be happy I am not Cedar Thorn. Enjoy yourself Cedar, maybe if you flex in front of the mirror you will feel better.”
“At least I don't hide who I am and my parents are alive,” Cedar snapped.
“If I were you I would hope for their deaths,” Soren said. “So that they do not have to live in shame with their boy being beat up by a group of women. Don't act tough to me, if you want to prove yourself then go fight them.”
“That is enough!” Amanda snapped. “You are just trying to make him feel bad. He has more magic than practically any other Caster and he is big, tall and handsome.”
“I am glad I am not big, tall or handsome,” Soren said. “It might be me joined off. Then again, I would rather die first than be some coward who cried and begged to join with a woman he had no interest in because he was caught unaware.”
“Just go!” Amanda said. “Your brother is not here and you are just looking to bait him.”
“Call me a coward again!” Cedar growled.
“Me, you would fight,” Soren said. “But you know you are a coward and an inept one at that. Fighting me proves nothing, it's the three women that put you on your ass that you should try acting tough to. At least you got your magic, you always wanted it and all it took was your manhood.”
Soren left and laughed loudly as he went, Amanda was right when she said it was not like him. Cedar was a bully so Soren didn't feel the least bit bad. Soren wished Bob was around to hear it all, at least Soren knew where Bob was. There weren't that many inns in town and Soren was going to pick the closest one. Soren had just walked out of the gate when he was approached by a rough looking man who had his hand on his sword hilt. Soren didn't think anyone was stupid enough to try and rob him and if it was the Minister then at least he would have had Mages involved. Soren walked for two blocks while the man followed, he had gotten close a few times and Soren thought this man probably had back up somewhere.
“Alright, we are far enough,” Soren said. “What is this about?”
“We have your brother,” the man smiled. “You are going to come with me.”
“Where is he?” Soren asked.
“I said that you are going to come with me,” the man growled.
“You think you can take me by yourself?” Soren asked.
“I have friends,” the man smiled. “Friends that will do things to your brother and your friends.”
