Page 7 of Charmed
I hoped that encounter would be the last I’d see of him, but fate had one more interaction in store before the day concluded. Later that evening as I stepped into the settling darkness to gather firewood to stoke the hearth I did so cautiously, on high alert for any glimpse of a handsome wizard or his flowing green robes.
He wasn’t anywhere to be seen, yet I still squinted through the fading light as I trod the familiar path to the stack of firewood. Suddenly the darkness dissipated, thanks to a handful of firelight cupped within an all-too-familiar palm to illuminate not only the path, but the wizard’s smug greeting.
“You!” I gritted my teeth. Whatever game he was playing, he was annoyingly good at it.
His unrepentant grin only widened. “Shall we continue our lesson on the elements? Fire can be wielded as a source of light for your chores…quite useful, is it not?” The flame flickered in his hand, as if silently taunting me.
In all truthfulness, firewouldprove quite useful, especially in the winter when the extended darkness made my chores more difficult, as well as for dear Corbin when he grew frightened at night, magic that would allow me to comfort him much more quickly than lighting one of our precious candles.
Yet my stubbornness persisted, too much a part of me to be so easily dispelled. I’d been getting along just fine with candles until now and they’d continue to serve me well in the future. Below my desire for self-reliance lay a deeper issue, a lingering doubt that this stranger could so persistently attempt to convince me to learn magic out of pure benevolence. Yet the flame drew my gaze nonetheless, so beautiful against the night, even otherworldly, such a contrast to my ordinary surroundings.
“It can even change colors.” He demonstrated, using his mysterious magical force to cause the orange flame to ripple through a variety of other shades, a confirmation that magic worked behind the scenes to create the phenomena before me. “Do you have a favorite?”
He so happened to ask this when the flame settled on a rich plum, as if he’d somehow sensed through some magical sixth sense that was indeed my favorite. While I doubted magic could allow one to read minds, I had to wonder…
Much to my own annoyance, that wasn’t my only question. “How can you hold it without burning yourself?”
He brightened. “Become my apprentice and I will share this and all of my other magical secrets.”
I sighed. “I can’t.” Despite my increasing desire to understand, it appeared that my curiosity would forever remain unsatisfied.
I expected him to press his cause, but when he next spoke it was about a rather unexpected topic. “You had an interesting discussion with your brother.”
My breath caught. For an anxious moment I wondered if the man trulyhadrendered himself invisible…before I considered an alternate explanation, less alarming but still just as annoying.
I scowled. “Eavesdropping?” I took an instinctive step to place myself between the wizard and my home, as if I had any hope of protecting them should he choose to use his magic maliciously.
He maintained an entirely innocent expression as he spoke a word I couldn’t quite decipher and snapped his fingers. Suddenly the sound of Mother’s bedtime story from within the house accompanied by Corbin’s cheerful laughter surrounded us, as clearly as if they stood beside me.
“Magic can do all sorts of things…including overhearing what one isn’t supposed to, a trick which often provides some fascinating insights.” He snapped his fingers again to instantly mute the conversation we’d briefly overheard, his eyebrows raising. “Eccentric wizard?”
My cheeks warmed at the insult he’d inadvertently overheard. “I had to call you something, considering I have yet to know your name.” I gave him a pointed look, which he ignored.
“You were discussing magic.”
The heat filling my cheeks deepened, as if I’d been caught doing something I shouldn’t have, but the wizard only seemed intrigued, even pleased.
“It’s natural to be curious,” he said. “I myself am quite interested in the ways your brother believes your magic has manifested itself.”
“The things he mentioned aren’t magic.”
The wizard tilted his head. “Aren’t they?”
I frowned, suddenly unsure. He continued.
“Let’s analyze your supposed skills: he said you have the ability to bring joy to others, which leads me believe you have a natural affinity for emotional spells. Your storytelling skills likely prove a natural connection to spoken spells, your ability to make your food extra delicious makes you inclined towards potions, and your ability to make your brother feel better is naturally healing.” He extended his hand, as if in invitation. “Don’t you desire to further develop these gifts?”
My mind immediately fixated on the last magical skill he’d mentioned. “You can use magic to heal?” The wizard opened his mouth to respond, but in my excitement I talked over him. “You must teach me. Please.” This skill alone caused the excitement at the prospect of learning magic I’d worked so hard to contain to finally burst free.
For someone who’d been driving me mad from the moment we met with his attempts to persuade me to embrace my skills, the wizard’s expression faltered. “Ah. Well, certainly magic is often used for healing, but…” He made the admission reluctantly, as if afraid to part from his primary bargaining chip. Conflict struggled on his face before compassion softened his expression. “Who’s ill?”
Emotion clogged my throat. “My brother. He’s been sickly ever since he was born. It’s a miracle we haven’t lost him.” It was a reminder I’d fiercely clung to ever since the winter when he’d almost died…the same brutal season that had stolen Father’s life. “I’ll learn whatever I need to if it means I might be able to heal him.” When the wizard remained silent for too long, fear eclipsed my rising anticipation. “Can magic not be used in such a way?”
He hesitated a moment before sighing. “Itcan…but the journey to wielding such power is an arduous one. I fear if this is your only incentive, the length of your training might lead you to give up before you see the results you desire.”
“But Iwillsee results…won’t I?” That final accomplishment was all that mattered, regardless of the challenges involved.
He bit his lip. “In theory…but I cannot fully promise. The healing arts are some of the most difficult magic you’ll ever encounter; even I am not entirely proficient at it. And while I suspect you might have an aptitude for it, I cannot guarantee success.” His shoulders slumped. “Still being in training myself, I only have so many spells to demonstrate. At this rate I fear it’ll require my entire arsenal before I can persuade you. If you’re unable to achieve the one aspect of magic you’re drawn to…I have nothing more to offer you.”
