Ferron
Lightning flashed one last time before Ferron pulled her powerless body out of the crevice. The trembling stopped. He bent over her protectively, his hand making a circular motion. She hung limply in his arms, but to him, she was as light as a feather as he stepped through the portal.
◊
He stepped out onto a deserted square in the center of a circular monument. Relieved, he looked up at the shimmering blue-violet dome and took a deep breath. Complete silence surrounded him. He turned round and carried Glandera into the shadows.
Jacob's voice sounded in his mind again. "Master Ferron? Master Sverker will take over."
"Thank you very much." The earth mage also thanked Allah for this providence.
Away from the burning sun, he sank to his knees and looked at the sleeping woman in his arms. Their closeness crackled almost imperceptibly. If she had completely spent herself, she would have died.
"Are you all right?"
"Mmh," she mumbled in her sleep and didn't move, and Ferron gently let her slide onto the sandy floor. Then he took off his robe, folded it several times and gently placed it under the sleeping woman's head. The headscarf slipped from her hair and remained at her side. He watched her chest rise regularly and relaxed. Reluctantly, since she was a mage like him, he delved into her mind to determine the cause of her outburst. It was a continuous loop in which the foreman approached and she panicked.
He clenched his hands into fists. He didn't hear anything. It was only with great difficulty that he evaded their presence and stood up. Shaking his head, he reminded himself to be sensible because he was neglecting his duties.
The earth mage established a telepathic connection to the water mages: "This is Ferron, I need a free healer."
A soft female voice spoke up. "Greetings, Magister Ferron, this is Nereida. How can I help you?"
May I ask you to examine a young woman? Glandera is her name. I need to know if she's all right."
"With pleasure. Bring them to us, I'll take a look at them straight away."
Ferron shook his head. "I can't do that. She's an Incantatrix and the reason that the whole of Chattenberg has just shaken. That's why I brought her to the Arena of the Elements."
"A ..." the magistra fell silent for a few seconds. "We'll be with you as soon as possible."
Nereida stepped through the portal with her acolyte Melody. The arch mage's robe fell lightly over her curves, giving her a tender, motherly aura.
They bowed their heads in greeting and knelt right next to the sleeping woman. Nereida gently placed her hand on Glandera's, then the color of her irises changed. Stunned, she shook her head as she analyzed the messenger substances in her blood. "This woman is anxious, confused and full of worries. In this state, one drop is enough to break the camel's back." The eye contact was enough, and her student examined her too.
Ferron ran his fingers through his short hair. "I was afraid of it."
Nereida squatted down cross-legged on the floor and placed her hands in her lap. "How do you know her?"
"Glandera works in my mine and I noticed her energies."
"You really found an Incantatrix with earth powers?" the arch mage asked, shaking her head in disbelief.
"That's a wild mage?" Melody said, her eyes widening.
Nereida nodded calmly and held her index finger in front of her lips. "That's wonderful news, Magister Ferron, but in this state she's a danger to us all."
"That is correct," he agreed. "Can you balance Glandera's mind?"
"Certainly, but the effect is only temporary until the cause is remedied." She nodded to her acolyte, and Melody's eye color changed from blue to green as she began to work magic.
"I will take care of her, but I must proceed with caution. She is afraid of our kind."
Nereida's eyebrows shot up. "Then she doesn't even know she's a maga herself?" She looked sympathetically at Glandera. "You have a long road ahead of you. Firstly, she has to realize what powers lie dormant within her."
A smile stole onto his lips. "I'm already working on that. This event was unforeseeable."
"You are not to blame, but in this fragile state of mind, Glandera needs the constant supervision of an earth mage. Do you want to take on even more responsibility? You can't take her with you on your travels."
"As a member of the Mage Academy, she would be supported," Ferron murmured thoughtfully and turned his face in the direction of Chattenberg. His jaw tightened. As the monument was magically shielded from the outside world, Glandera could not destroy anything here. But it was just as impossible for him to analyze the surroundings.
Melody let go of her hand and nodded to her master. The arch mage checked her acolyte's work and smiled with satisfaction.
"Magistra, I urgently need to check the state of the city. Would you stay with Glandera for a moment? I won't need much time."
"Work in peace, Master Ferron. You must also take care to balance your powers. Glandera is exhausted and recharging her energy. We'll let her sleep until you return. She won't notice our presence."
Ferron nodded gratefully. Then he opened a portal and stepped through.
◊
The arch magus placed his bare hand on the edge of the fountain in the market square. Instantly, he connected with the earth. Objects made of magnetic metal shone brightly in his perception, and he extended his senses over the whole of Chattenberg. Firstly, he looked after Glandera's family. He paused and magically followed the movements in the house. Only when he had seen all three residents did his tension ease. They were safe and sound. Then he checked the building. He had a precise memory of it and was able to compare it with the current state. Fortunately, there were only a few cracks.
The earth mage focussed on the operations manager. "Sverker, this is Ferron. What's the situation?"
"Ferron! By all the gods, good of you to get in touch. There are only a few casualties with minor cuts. A few fires have broken out, which we have extinguished. The water mages report damaged pipes. What about your element?"
Ferron furrowed his eyebrows. "Cracks in the ceilings and walls, I'll fix the displaced water pipe. Is there any damage in the academy?"
"Some windows are cracked and objects have fallen down. This event reminds me of the one last autumn."
As Ferron was not present at the time, the fire mage shared his memory of the earth vibrating and people running out of their houses. The earth mage immediately realized that neither earthquake had a natural origin. Sverker's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Were you able to find out the cause of the quake this time?"
"Yes," Ferron took a deep breath, "a young Incantatrix didn't have her powers under control."
"That was an earthquake. She would have to master earth magic for that."
"That's correct."
"You... you mean..." Sverker stuttered.
The corners of Ferron's mouth pulled up, and his eyes lit up. "Yes. I've been watching her for a few days, Sverker. She's incredible. This intuitive gift that she doesn't realize she has. I've hardly told anyone about it, as it would overtax their attention."
"I'll have to explain the cause to the college tomorrow."
"Leave that to me."
"You can't keep it a secret for long, especially as we've been looking for more earth mages for so long."
No one knew this more painfully than Ferron, so he ignored the remark. As the analysis of the city was complete, he took his hand from the fountain. With a quick movement of his hand, he created a blue-violet portal. "The academy and the houses can be entered without hesitation. The gold mine is in danger of collapsing and remains closed. I'll get back to you."
"Thank you very much, my friend. See you soon."
◊
Apart from the reliable guards from the mage academy, Ferron discovered no one in the square in front of the mine. Not even the foreman had returned to fulfil his duty. With his eyebrows furrowed, he placed his hand on the rock face. His brown irises turned gray as he dipped his hand magically into the rock.
As feared, the earthquake had caused deep cracks in the basalt. Only closing the fissures would prevent the mine from collapsing soon. He drew his magic from the rock and looked at the sun. Instinctively, he reached into his breast pocket to retrieve his pocket watch, but it was empty.
"Do not allow anyone to enter the mine until you receive new instructions from me," he instructed the guards.
"Yes, Magister Ordinarius," they replied in unison.
His gaze wandered over the dusty square and the full lorries. Suddenly, he grinned and telepathically instructed the Academy's kitchen assistants. Then he opened a portal and returned to Glandera.
◊
Fifteen minutes later, the water mages took their leave. Nereida had assured him that the Incantatrix would soon awaken, and so he settled down next to her in the sand. He looked at the dark hair that framed her face for a few minutes until he could stand it no longer and brushed a lock from her forehead. As the energy between them crackled with fine sparks, the corners of his mouth turned upwards. Following an impulse, his hand lit up blue-violet, and he removed the dust from her skin without touching her. Her full, red lips opened as she smiled in her sleep. A lightning bolt flashed through his body - she was beautiful. Without touching her, his hand stroked her arm, little sparks crackling pleasantly between them. He savored the feeling and sighed deeply.
Glandera stirred, and Ferron withdrew his hand. She stretched extensively and yawned before blinking and opening her eyelids. Her smile widened as she looked into his maroon irises. Then it froze, and a crease appeared between her brows before she straightened with a jerk.
"Are you feeling better?" Ferron noticed how the slight vibrations of her heartbeat became faster and faster.
"Erudite magister? What? Where?" Irritated, she looked around. Her stomach growled loudly. Embarrassed, she put her hand on it.
"There was an earthquake in Chattenberg and the mine was evacuated," he explained to her in a gentle voice.
"An earthquake?" Her eyes widened. "I have to go home, my family..."
Ferron reached out to help her up. "They're fine. I can assure you that I've made sure of that."
"You were there?" she asked incredulously, frowning. Sparks flashed as she tried to take his hand, and she pulled it back.
"Yes, I was in town to check its condition," he explained, rubbing his skin in frustration.
Slowly, she looked at the circular square. It was divided into quarters like pieces of cake. Her gaze lingered for a moment on the waterfall and pond before she stared at the dancing vortex of air. She looked skeptically at the fire, which would not stop burning. Then she looked down at the stones between the sand and the earth. A stone table with two blocks for seating stood next to them, completely unreal. She blinked when she saw the food, and her eyes darted to the arch mage. "Where are we?"
"In the Arena of the Elements on the Academy estate."
She backed away. "How did I get here?"
He clasped his hands behind his back and bowed his head. "You were unconscious. I brought you here because it's the safest place for you."
"For me? Then where are the other miners? And why is there no more dust on my clothes?" She looked skeptically at the arch mage standing next to the table and remained silent. She scratched her head. "I want to go."
"Of course, I'll accompany you back to the city. But first, I'd like to invite you to dinner. You'll be hungry." With a gallant movement of his arm, he invited her to sit down.
Glandera tilted her head and scrutinized him for a long time. Her gaze travelled from the arch mage to the table and back. Her stomach growling, she hesitantly approached. "This is all for us?"
"Believe me, you underestimate our energy requirements after an event like this. These are gnocchi," he answered her unspoken question as he filled the plates. "The cooks at our academy are just as good as those in Italy."
She sat down at his renewed invitation.
Ferron took the jug of water. "Would you like a drink too?"
Her mouth opened slightly as he served her again.
"Let yourself savor it."
"Thank you, erudite master. Enjoy your meal." She stabbed her fork and tentatively tasted the unfamiliar dish. Then she closed her eyes and savored it.
It took some time before her shoulders finally slumped and her expression relaxed. She was as hungry as Ferron had expected, and she loved potatoes, which also confirmed his suspicions. Together, they emptied the entire bowl.
"Thank you, erudite magister, that was delicious," Glandera stood up hesitantly, "but I should really get back to work now." She dutifully cleared away the empty crockery.
"Leave it, the servants are clearing up."
The table and blocks sank to the floor before their eyes. Glandera looked in disbelief at the place where they had just eaten and where only the crockery remained. "Oh, then ... where can I find the exit?"
The arch magus pointed to the edge of the arena. "It's offset behind this wall. But you don't need to go back to the mine. I have closed it."
"Forever?" asked Glandera, her voice wavering.
Intuitively, Ferron read her thoughts. "No, temporarily, as it is no longer safe after the earthquake. I don't want to jeopardize people's lives. What are you worried about?"
She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Zulkis won't pay the time."
"That's against the rules!" Ferron retorted angrily.
She looked up at him with wide eyes. "It wouldn't be the first time."
"Is there more to tell about him?" He eagerly followed the images in her head. Memories of her colleagues flashed in her mind, but he didn't find out what happened after she noticed Zulkis. He was sure that this was the trigger. Ever since Ferron got to know Glandera, he had gained an entirely new impression of the otherwise overzealous employee.
Without answering him, she shook her head and looked down.
"All right, I'll personally make sure that all the miners receive their full pay for this week."
"Thank you very much, erudite magister."
A tentative smile played around Glandera's lips. The earth mage withdrew from her thoughts and remembered Nereida's comparison with the overflowing barrel. He hoped that this gesture would alleviate her distress in time. He bowed his head gallantly and accompanied her to the outer edge of the arena.
The exit was almost invisible in front of them, and Glandera's steps became lighter. She turned her head towards the waterfall and stopped. "If you will allow me a question, erudite magister. What is the purpose of this strange place?"
He smiled at her. "This is a training ground for elementalists."
She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You're practicing magic here?"
"Regularly. Of course, this training center must also have an area for this purpose. It is secluded and shielded from the outside world. We don't want to destroy anything."
Glandera
The pressure in her chest eased as Glandera strolled through the small forest beside the arch mage. It smelled of resin. A narrow path led them past beech and fir trees until the area cleared.
The view of the mage academy was clear. Although Glandera's stomach clenched, she stopped for a moment and looked at the imposing building. She had never seen the back part before, but this was how she had always imagined a fairy tale castle to look. The whitewashed walls shone white in the afternoon sun and vines ran up to the second floor. Red roses bloomed in front of the windows and tables and chairs on the small terraces invited guests to linger. The bushes in the garden were a lush green and perfectly pruned. The scent of roses mingled with thyme and crickets chirped in the lush grass. Hundreds of butterflies flew through the garden. It hadn't rained for months and the harvest was withering all over the county, but here she hadn't noticed anything of the hot summer.
A cold shiver ran down Glandera's spine, and she walked on, shaking her head. What am I doing here, she thought. It makes no sense at all that I'm the only one being brought to this place because of an earthquake. Everyone can see from my dirty clothes where I really belong.
A forgotten umbrella was leaning against a glass pavilion. Ferron nimbly opened it. "You'll want to protect your skin from the sun."
She took the ornate handle with the crocheted lace sunshade in disbelief. Her voice failed her, for she thought it was worthy of a queen.
Fortunately, Ferron led her in a wide arc around the building, showing her the beehives and the hen house. Glandera savored the feel of the cool, lush grass beneath her feet. She secretly looked for toys, like a ball that a child had left lying around - but she found nothing. Was her grandmother's story true? She didn't dare ask, and for the most part, the arch mage remained silent as he accompanied her through the town to her street. There he gallantly said goodbye to her.
Hilde rushed towards her daughter and hugged her as soon as she had closed the front door behind her. "My dear! At last! Are you all right? Where have you been all this time?"
"Safe." Glandera scratched her head. "I was taken to safety."
"I'm glad about that." Her mum hurried back to the window. "Is that him?" She kept moving her head to get a better look at Ferron, who was leaving the street in the direction of the market square.
"Who do you mean?"
"Well, the handsome man who brought you home. Is he the admirer you've been keeping a secret from me?"
Glandera rolled her eyes. "You certainly can't call him that." She resolved to be more careful. Otherwise, the whole town would soon be talking about her.
"Then what is he? First he sends us food, then he escorts you home..."
Glandera quickly hurried up the stairs. "I don't know, Mother." She shook her head slowly. I don't know, I really don't know.
Ferron
Without his robe bearing the insignia of his rank and the earth element, Ferron looked like a wealthy citizen of this city in his clothes. Smiling, he turned around. Of course, he had noticed her mother rushing to the window to inspect him. He laughed as Hilde called him 'Glandera's admirer'. But that was all he learned.
This family was still a mystery to him. Arminio had told him that only the marriage of Glandera's parents was recorded in the church register. They were devout Christians, and he was sure that their children had been baptized. Why hadn't this been written down? And why didn't she carry an artifact like the other mages that showed her origins? Her brother didn't need it, as he didn't show any magical talents.
He was glad that nothing had happened to her family during the earthquake. Lost in thought, he grabbed at his right side to get out his silver gloves and reached into the void. These, too, were still tucked into his robes. He smiled, for he had not felt the desire to wear them for a moment in Glandera's company. His path led him behind the archway directly into the fire wing to his friend Sverker.
Tired from the long debriefing with the fire mage and the many unfamiliar events, Ferron returned to his study. Since Sverker was writing the report, he had time to make notes about Glandera and plan his next steps. The servants had returned his robe and cleaned it. He reached into his pocket, took out his gloves and put them on. He paused in mid-motion.
A servant had placed a silver tray on his desk. On it lay Glandera's dusty headscarf. The image of it slipping off her head and revealing her brown curls flashed before his inner eye. Her red lips that brought a smile to her face. A warm feeling ran through his body.
Hesitantly, he approached and placed the gloves on the table. Carefully, as if it were Glandera herself, he took the cloth in his hands and examined it. Slowly, he lifted it to his nose and sniffed it.
He was not surprised that it smelled like the mine where she worked, but there was another intense odor: that of thunderstorms. That special moment when the energy had built up in the clouds, the lightning flashed overhead and thundered at the same time, and then the first raindrops fell with a loud splash on the heated ground. The scent when they evaporated and the earth eagerly soaked up more rain was unique.
Ferron took a long breath. It electrified him. The desire to plunge his nose deep into Glandera's hair flashed through him like a bolt of lightning. His fingers clutched at the headscarf. He wanted to see her every day, to be near her. In return, he would concentrate all his efforts on taking away her fear of magicians.
