or, Why Kieran Doesn't Like to Travel Alone
After Kieran finishes his second term, he's headed home for a little vacation. But what happens when a thirteen year old ends up in a forest full of creatures who think he's a good snack? Remember that Kieran, Calliope, Piers, and pretty much anyone else in this is mine unless I specifically say otherwise. Caden is Gabs'. He rocks. ^.^
And now, without further ado...
***
Kieran was ecstatic. He was going home for month-long break between terms, and he was leaving as soon as possible. He was even going to travel on his own. He wanted it to be unexpected when he arrived at home, hoping to find his family pleasantly surprised.
He was packing that chilly autumn morning, happily and quite carelessly cramming a pack full of food and small vials filled with gods-only-knew-what. He planned to walk - while he'd been making a bit of money doing magical-style favors for those with fatter purses than he, it wasn't enough to purchase a horse or anything serious for traveling - and the trip would take quite a while. He had enough spare change rattling around to get what he needed for a long walk, and getting food was easy enough as well. Traveling on foot was the order of the day.
Calliope sat on his bed, watching him in amusement. It was so funny to see Kieran when he had his breeches in a bunch; the boy tended to literally -vibrate- with energy and be on hyperactive edge all day. It was reminiscent of Caden's permanent state. Usually, Kieran was too composed to be so very actively wired, but when he got like this, he no longer cared. He would scamper about and talk to himself, a book in one hand and a handful of small bottles in the other. Kieran was cute when he was excited about something, Calli thought, smiling to herself. Then again, Kieran was cute period. But -that- line of thought could, and would have to, wait for another time. More important things were at hand, like the matter of some hundred miles to travel.
"So you're walking from here to Stonesbreach? You -are- aware that the walk itself will take the next three weeks, right?" she asked doubtfully.
Kieran blinked, frowning as he paused in his packing. "But it's the only way I can get there," he murmured slowly. "I don't have enough money for anything else." He should have thought about this in more detail beforehand, he realized, a pout curving his lips.
Calliope shook her head. When would Kieran learn? "You're pretty much screwed, then," she said brightly. "Why don't you ask one of the senior mages here to send you home? You might not have gold, but you could probably pay them in chores, or copying books and scribing scrolls, or," she snickered, "sexual favors."
Kieran made a face, eyeing Calliope in disgust. "You are a very sick little girl, Calli," he said with all solemnity. She might have been right; it would have been possible for him to make an arrangement with a more experienced wizard in return for transport. Of course, sexual favors would NOT be involved. The thought of sex as a favor made him a bit sick. Hell, the thought of sex at all did very little for him to begin with. Except, of course, when Caden was involved, but that was different. He loved Caden, even if it wasn't like the way Daddy and 'tousan loved each other.
Calliope snorted, oblivious to Kieran's mental soliloquy. "You have no right to call anyone little, you scrawny little twig," she teased, ruffling Kieran's hair. He just frowned up at her, reaching up to smooth it back into place.
"I'll make my way there, just you see," he said, voice thick with quiet intensity. Calliope just laughed.
"Sure you will," she said amiably. "And I... I've got a sonata to finish, so I'd better scurry off and add that bridge. I was going to make it A minor, but now that I've had the piece playing in my head for three days, I think a B minor would be best, don't you think?" She was talking very quickly, which, for her, wasn't too outof the ordinary, but she didn't really babble this much on a regular basis.
Kieran nodded, not having the slightest clue what Calli was talking about. "I'll see you when I come back," he said warmly, pulling the drawstrings of his pack tightly shut and turning toward her with a sweet smile.
Calliope was holding very still, looking at him oddly. She managed to nod, a blush creeping over her cheeks, and as Kieran eyed her, wondering just what was wrong, she stepped forward. Instead of hugging him like he expected, though, she rested her hands on his shoulders and leaned down, pressing her lips to his. It was barely a kiss at all, and Kieran's eyes hardly had time to widen to the size of saucers before she straightened, grinning like a total dork, her cheeks flaming red. "Bye Kieran," she said softly, a bit -too- softly. Then she darted out the door and was gone down the hall.
Kieran stood motionless for a very long while, completely poleaxed.
What had -that- been about?
***
The classroom was light and airy, a perfect circle in shape and large enough to fit a good fifty people comfortably. Cocentric semicircles of tables at angles to one another were opposite a large oaken desk, the top of which was covered with crystals and a suspended globe that shifted colors only when one wasn't looking right at it. It was in one of the towers, huge windows around most of the room, with a large door set in the wall that led down the stairs. Two people were in this room, one an older, handsome looking man, the other a tiny young boy with long black hair.
"I'm sure we can arrange something, Kieran," said the mage. This sorceror was perched on the edge of his desk, a dark blue crystal moving from one hand to the other. He was dressed in black leather breeches and vest, high boots completing the quite un-wizardly image. Straight red hair pulled back in a ponytail and enough freckles to give him a permanent tan graced a smiling face that belonged to a man who couldn't have been more than thirty. He had sparkling green eyes that regarded the student before him with a neverending glitter of amusement, as though the world was one great joke and everyone else had yet to realize it, while he already knew the punchline. Kieran didn't find it patronizing, though, only interesting. He was Piers Cikota, Kieran's instructor in theoretical evocation, and for a sorceror powerful enough to be a teacher here, he was young. Kieran liked him immensely, and hence had first come here to explain his dilemma and plead aid. It appeared as though Piers would be able to help him.
"I can scribe scrolls, translate between languages, and even cook," Kieran said hopefully, looking up at Piers with imploring black eyes.
Piers laughed. "Cook, huh? Well, I'm sure that would be satisfying, but you're of more use to me helping the younger students meditate properly."
"Like a teacher?" Kieran blurted in surprise, eyes wide. That would mean addressing a roomful of people, being looked up to, being somewhat in charge, and having to deal with lots of excitable children all at once. Maybe he really should have just walked. It probably would have been safer, both for his physical health and sanity.
Nodding, Piers smiled. "Yes. Like a teacher. You're patient and good at meditation, and you're close to their age, or can pass for it. This'll be when you come back, of course, so you'll have some time to think about how you want to go about it. Teaching's not easy, but you shouldn't have a problem with it. The kids will respect you and you're good with meditation, so you'll know what to tell them. Is that really such a bad thing? Are you that shy?" he asked gently. He knew that Kieran was indeed very shy; the boy hardly ever spoke up in class. Despite this, he got perfect marks on everything he did. He needed to get used to just how many people would be looking up to him when he was an adult, when he grew up. And for the boy's self-esteem, Piers quite strongly hoped that Kieran -would- grow up, in the literal sense.
Kieran bit his lip. It wouldn't be too bad, would it? 'Tousan liked crowds about as much as he did, and he still taught the village children swordwork with Daddy. It might even be fun, if he could stifle the urge to hide behind Piers' lovely desk. He thought about it for a moment and then nodded slowly. "I suppose I can handle it... for how long?"
Piers' smile grew. It would be a good thing to bring Kieran out of his shell, and this would do just the trick. "I was thinking for next term. I have meditation twice a week, as you know, and I'd be sure to have it worked into your schedule. And that will look very good if you ever want to get into one of those elite, snobby wizard clubs, having helped teach -here- at age thirteen," he said, sounding amused.
Kieran flushed and nodded. "A-alright. It's very kind of you to do this for me, Cikota-sensei.," he said softly, looking up with a shy smile.
Waving a hand negligently, Piers smiled to himself. Kieran really was a good kid. "Don't worry about it, kiddo," he grinned. "I've got to do something with this magic, after all, or it'll shrivel up on me. I did tell you rhat I can't send you all the way there, right? I dare not; I've never seen the place, and I don't want to splice my future assistant into a nearby tree, wall, or rock. I'll have to send you to a small glen about twenty miles from where you told me you live. You can make that hike in a day, and it's easy terrain, with a lot less orcs than in the past, thanks to certain local heroes."
"Yes, sensei. It's not a problem. I'll enjoy taking the rest of the way on my own, and I'll be careful. Thank you, thank you ever so much," Kieran said happily, his black eyes sparkling as he smiled adorably.
Chuckling, the instructor patted Kieran on the head. "It's my pleasure," he assured the boy. "How soon did you want to leave?"
Kieran bit his lip, looking up at Piers hopefully. "As soon as possible?" he said timidly.
Piers laughed, shaking his head. "Precocious little thing you are indeed," he said fondly, grinning. "But lucky, at that, because I can send you off this very eve without a hitch."
A stunningly bright smile spread over Kieran's face, his eyes glowing from within. He seemed to be possessed with ecstatic energy at that point, nearly quivering with excitement. "Oh, thank you, Cikota-sensei, thank you thank you thank you!" he crowed.
"You're welcome, Kieran. Just come by with your things after supper, and we'll send you on your way," Piers said warmly. Kieran's happiness was tangible and infectious.
Kieran nodded, almost bouncing where he stood. "I can't thank you enough, Cikota-sensei," Kieran gushed, still smiling to put the sun to shame. His face was starting to hurt, but he didn't care; he'd be home in three days at the most. He wanted to squeal and run in circles, but he had more self-control than that, so he just grinned stupidly and stifled giggles.
"Sure you can," Piers chuckled. He suspected Kieran might explode if he didn't expend some of that energy. "Now run along," he told the boy. "Go pack your things, say farewell to your friends. And make sure you practice that Isis incantation we went over while you're away, eh? No getting rusty on your laurels. Or something like that. Off with you, child, you've made me babble," Piers grinned, waving a hand at Kieran. The boy nodded again and obediently turned and nearly danced right out the door, giddy with glee.
He was going home!
***
Kieran bounded up the stairs to Piers' classroom, pack strapped tightly to his back. He had supplies enough to last three days in the Savage Frontier - it should only take one, but better safe than sorry, he figured - crammed into it. He'd forgone every book he wanted to take with but for the one that held his spells. Imagine, Kieran -not- taking every book he could carry! Most of the space in his pack was dedicated to rations, a set of knives, alchemical bottles and packets full of interesting things he wanted to show his family (and that might come in handy on the trip, like the pouch of powder that exploded when touched by water), and his spellbook.
When he reached the topof the staircase, he politely knocked on the thick door of the airy tower room. Hearing a muffled invitation from within, Kieran pushed it open and slipped inside, pulling the door shut behind him. Piers stood in front of his desk and the incomplete circle scribed on the floor. "Ready for a ride, Kieran?" the professor asked with a smile.
Kieran nodded happily, delicately picking his way through the sigils and the opening in the circle. Pies closed it with a stroke of blue chalk, the ring taking on a shimmering quality as the sorceror stood north of the circle, raising his hands into the air and sketching sparkling symbols there, chanting in a low, hypnotic tone. Piers was sending him to that little glade twenty miles from home. The sorceror knew every rock and tree of that little clearing, and could hardly mis-cast.
Dancing green and red lights surrounded Kieran, yanking through reality with a queasying twitch.
The world went dark.
***
Kieran landed in that same darkness, the forest around the glade just settling into twilight. He tumbled directly to the ground, landing on his hands and knees as his stomach violently expelled his dinner onto the ground before him. As he panted, he tried to reorient himself. He was dizzt and his belly still felt as though it was going to purge itself of his lunch and breakfast as well. Kieran spat, pulling himself back and up off the ground.
"Oh, gods, that was horrible," he muttered, wrapping arms around his belly and getting to his feet. he had been planning on setting off right away, but that had been very unfortunate. He was just going to sleep here. He spotted a likely tree and slowly, much more so than usual, clambered up into its branches, finding a nice spot to curl into and fall asleep, making a half-awake pledge to use magical travel as little as possible.
He was asleep before he could finish mumbling it to himself.
***
Kieran awoke to the sound of birds happily chirping in the trees, one incredibly close to his ear. He cracked one eyes open, squinting into the morning sunlight. Perched on his shoulder was a little wren, eyeing him curiously as it heralded the dawn in trilling tones. He shifted and the little bird flew away with a startled cheep, surprised that its perch had decided to move. Kieran, however, was busy blinking sleep from his eyes, one hand wrapped around the branch next to him.
It was a stunningly beautiful day, the sun shining from the east and turning everything into a golden, green-hazed fog. He wanted to set out right away, but he knew that first he had to get out of the tree and stretch, eat something and study his spells for the day. He really didn't want to be wandering through a forest alone with only his quarterstaff to defend him.
He leapt down from the tree, neatly landing on his feet and straightening from his crouch. He spread his arms, rolling his head on his neck and running a hand through his hair. He'd had a good night's sleep, and he liked trees; they made nice beds. He settled to the ground, back against the oak's trunk, and pulled out his spellbook, opening it and beginning to read happily.
By the time he was done, the sun was in full flower over the forest, the whole world green and bright. Squirrels and birds were everywhere making noise; deer scampered by, as did foxes and feral cats. Kieran blinked the haze of ink and parchment from his eyes and put his spellbook away, digging out a biscuit and piece of jerky and setting on his way down the path, eating as he walked.
He wandered along for quite a while, for an hour at the least, humming lightly to himself and oblivious to the forest around him. After a time, though, he noticed that the forest had suddenly gone silent. He half-turned, ears twitching back against his head as he peered nervously about, quarterstaff clutched tightly in one hand. What he saw startled him.
It was a large cat, with dirty grey and brown fur and a long, fluffy tail that flicked lazily from side to side. This cat had glittering green eyes that were fixed irrevocably on Kieran. It almost didn't seem too out of place, and it would have been entirely unsuspectable had it not possessed the facial features of an aged hound. Loose skin hung about its jowls in folds, giving it a misleadingly harmless look. Kieran had no idea what it was and would have gladly remained ignorant of its existence altogether, but it looked hungry and it was advancing slowly, backing him down the path.
The cat prowled forth, Kieran dead in its sights. Normally its kind did not eat humans, but game was scarce and the pickings were slim. If Kieran had known his, he would have been no less frightened by the cat. This was not good. He had no idea how to fight it, and he would rather not have killed it. He didn't think he could run from it or beat it unconscious easily.
He had, however, been raised to keep his head in danger, and to be good at fighting when he had to. Thanking every god that bothered to listen that he'd had the forethought to memorize his spells that morning, he lifted his hands to cast a spell.
The monster preempted him, lunging forth and up as the loose skin peeled back from its face, exposing pink muscle pulled tight over bone. The cat opened its mouth, a sickeningly unearthly screech emitting from its throat. Kieran squeaked and fell flat on his ass, eyes wide as his quarterstaff went flying.
For one desperate moment he was scared stiff, but the cat, accustomed to its prey running at this point in the hunt, paused in confusion, giving Kieran the time to regain his wits and hiss an incantation, hands lifting up and touching to spray lines of yellow fire at the cat as Kieran scrambled to his feet. The cat yowled in pain and pawed at its face, pulling back to pounce on Kieran. The boy jumped back, but not far enough, and claws tore into his ankle, a searing pain shooting up his leg. He let out a cry and jerked his foot away, scooping up a spiderweb from a nearby bush and reciting another spell.
Thick white ropes of webbing shot forth from his hands, knocking the cat backward and tying it up in the sticky mass. Kieran panted, eyeing the cat warily. He could either leave it, kill it, or try to knock it out without killing it. He got to his feet and staggered backward, thinking hard. He couldn't kill it. It had only been looking for dinner. But he couldn't very well just -kill it- and leave it there. And he couldn't leave it awake - what if its angry yowls attracted friends? He couldn't take the chance. So he had to try and seperate it from wakefulness long enough for him to get away... which might take some time, he thought painedly. His ankle was a throbbing center of agony right then.
He gritted his teeth and bent, scooping up the quarterstaff and turning to the feline, trapped neatly in his webs. A slight smile crossed his face - he WASN'T completely helpless - but a stab of pain from his ankle reminded him that he had not escaped unscathed. Hefting the quarterstaff, he steeled his nerves. He mumbled an apology before bringing it down across the beast's head, the wood connecting with a dull thud. The cat let out another screeching cry and Kieran winced, hitting it again. It slumped into unconsciousness and Kieran stumbled back, biting his lip. He felt horrible for doing that to the poor beast, but he knew that it was him or the furry, and he had to get out of here, and soon, before its kin showed up. And with his luck, it would have lots of kin. Lots of very hungry, much more vicious kin. Using his quarterstaff as a walking stick, he turned and left as quickly as he could.
It only took a handful of steps before he realized that his ankle was screaming with pain now that the battle-fever had left him. It had been hurting before, but now it was agony, and as he bent to see to it, he nearly fell, unbalanced by a sudden loss of equilibrium. He sat down hard and stayed there for a moment, daunted.
He had NO idea how Daddy and 'tousan managed this stuff.
He sighed and set about tearing strips from his tunic and wrapping his ankle with them, starting to wonder if Kagami wasn't right about the whole armor thing. He was injured worse than he ever had been before, and it was hard to think through the pain. He had to keep moving, though, he was only about ten miles from home. Normally, that was less than two hours' walk, but like this, it would be closer to five. He braced himself against the staff and set off again, moving slowly but surely as he made his way through the forest, stoically ignoring the pain and the tears it sent down his cheeks.
***
to be continued...
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