Chapter 2: The Mage Revealed

"Those lips of yours, honey-glazed, they are venom for my veins,
let me drink, they mustn't go to waste..."

Nerissa's POV

I've never liked the rain- it ruins my hair, smears my makeup and takes from my grace. No, it has never depressed me in particular, but it has always been annoying. I know what rainy days used to mean for my friends too- they managed to find something in them, unlike me; for me, rain was just another silly meteorological occurrence that had no relevance to myself, other than the crapped looks it could as well leave me with. But back to my friends: for Yan Lin, these days of gray skies and clouds were time to think- about life, about her future and her surroundings in general. Kadma liked to sleep in during every storm, but at the same time she loved to see the Earth being regenerated by the falling water -"the mercy of the Gods", as they call it in her mother's homeland; Halinor was always scared by thunder, but she was also able to look at the change of scenery from a more romantic perspective. She liked to watch old movies, cuddle and just be with someone, at most Kadma, as the majority of the boyfriends she has had were never interested in mere cuddling; true, men can be pigs. And Cassidy... Cassidy loved to play under the rain. What else could one expect from her? She was the guardian of Water, after all. She has always been so full of life, so child-like and pure...

My heart ached each time I remembered my sweet friend. But that day I wasn't going to mourn her, no matter how terribly I missed her; I was about to celebrate her. Her life, her likes and her philosophy. By playing under the rain. Yes, that was right, I was about to disregard my dislike for the annoying little droplets and the damage they did on my appearance (well, to be fair, my looks during this period of my life were mostly a glamour spell, so I guess that helped too), and have some good old fun in the style of Cassidy.

Well, I was planning on more than simple child play, but it's the thought that counts.

Ever since I had started seeing Julian, I was down to do crazy things. Making up for the years lost in imprisonment and isolation, you might call it. Or maybe having the knowledge that I had limited time before the very next terrible period came. Yes, my care-free days were limited and that I couldn't change. That was exactly why I wasn't about to waste them while I still had them. I was very much aware that once Meridian collapses, I would have to wait at least another decade or so to be happy, and that was without realizing my vision. Only after I made my vision come true would I get a true happy ending...

But that particular day, I was forgetting about everything. Every little goal, dream, up to the biggest of plans that my mind had given birth to throughout the last years. That rainy day was meant for something else.

Passing through the town square was always a challenge, for I had to do everything in my power to avoid being recognized by God knows who. Everyone had sure forgotten about the old guardians by now; the majority of the folk had mostly died- the kingdom was facing hard days for years to come and yet... I had to be careful. At least I no longer had to hide my face with scarfs and cloaks at that point, as I had, thankfully, thought of an entirely new way to fool people. After my first meeting with Julian, when he had accidentally seen me in my guardian-like form, my real self, he had made it impossible for me not to show myself like that in front of him. I didn't want to, either way- knowing that he likes the real me was much better, it made our tale that realer...Long story short, I had to find a way to make him see me for me, but everyone else not. They had to be fooled. And I had succeeded.
Multidirectional glamouring was a tough thing to do, but I did it each time I was out to meet him. Each time I was to leave the identity of the "Mage" back at her old house, where I continued to reside... Multidirectional glamouring made it possible for me to choose one form to be seen by one specific person. In my case- Julian, the handsome stranger, who I had gotten to know quite well in the last two months. Thanks to this type of glamour spell, he would always see me in my guardian-inspired self. He got to see my face, my hair and my eyes, my body...he could touch the real me, while the rest of the world saw me as a totally different, random image of a person. Each time. Multidirectional glamouring would change some part of me so that in their eyes I didn't look like the once guardian that they might have known. It was convenient, albeit hard, and it made sure that I wouldn't be recognized, regardless of where I was. Because when I was with him, I couldn't think as clearly. I was a bit intimidated by the possibility of falling in actual love at a certain stage, but I ignored it. Once I saw him near one remote well, I ignored and forgot everything.

"I'm late, I apologize."- I said daringly, in a voice that showed just how I wasn't sorry in actuality. Making a man wait from time to time is an unwritten female rule. It was raining lightly. Julian turned to face me and forced a smile as he gave me a white rose.

"Hail! You look beautiful."

"A-a? Thanks, but is something wrong?"- I immediately knew that something was wrong by his lusterless gaze, and even suspected what it could be, but I still asked. He was already so open to me, he hid nothing.

Julian hesitated for a moment:

"I don't want to start our rendezvous with such talks, Rease. I... I don't want to bore or disinterest you, because I'm very much interested in you. You know that, don't you?"

I spun the flower between my fingers; he always brought me flowers. Yes, I had presented the Mage's name as mine, but he didn't know that yet. I had done it just in case I ever had to reveal that the Mage is in fact me...I looked up at his sincere gaze and smiled reassuringly:

"You can't bore me or make me less interested, Julian. Come on, tell me what's on your heart. We can talk as we walk; As we get away from all this hassle."

That statement brought a real smile back on his face, he offered me his hand and we started walking away from the town square. As he walked, he began telling me, what I had already somehow foreseen:

"It is just that situation which occurred with the providers that had to come to the Capital in order to discharge a great amount of goods this morning, I don't know whether you've heard. Everyone's talking about it...The providers and the royal receivers met at the southern entrance of the Capital, but they've also met with a disturbing tragedy..."

"What tragedy?"

I watched the color leave his face as he paused and went on:

"A fire...a fire broke out all of a sudden. All of them- the providers, the Queen's men...they've all perished, Rease. It is rumored that just before the fire engulfed the wagons, the Prince was heard quarreling with his father. This fire ... it was the fruit of his fury, and these men died because of that. I'm sorry to say it, but tomorrow his fury might reach our families and our homes. He's so young and yet... the Prince is dangerous. He is not fit for King."

"No."- I sighed. "Apparently, he's not."

I had seen that coming. I had already heard rumors about the tragedy, but the impact it obviously had on Julian was unignorable. He was in real pain over these people's death and I could empathize with him...Even if, to me, their death was just the beginning. Death's a terrible thing for the living, those who are left alive to witness it happen all around them, especially when people that mean a lot to them go out like candles. I had more than personal experience with that...

"Something has to be done."- he stated firmly and as he said that, I met an even more firm look in his eyes. An ardent look of decisiveness.

"What do you mean- "

"I mean that something has to be done in case that boy ever gets to the throne. I feel awfully bad speaking like that of a mere child, but looks can be deceiving, can't they?"

You have no idea...Thankfully, he didn't notice my poor attempt to conceal the trembling of my body at these words. Julian had led me to a very remote, quiet garden. He took my hand and gazed into my eyes:

"You're an intelligent woman, Rease. Perhaps more intelligent than anyone I've ever encountered before. I think that you know as well as I do, that time is flying. If her Majesty Queen Weira fails to conceive a girl, our world will be in serious danger. Who's going to help us then, the guardians?"

"The guardians?"- I pulled my hand free by instinct as a suffocating, cold feeling took over me. What did he have to say about the guardians? I was the guardians. Well, their leader, but nonetheless... "What do you know about them?" - I asked a bit more sharply than I intended to.

"Nothing, I- "- Julian sighed and suppressed the erratic notes in his voice. "- I don't discredit the guardians of Kandrakar, Rease, but they haven't been around for years. I've only heard about them in fables! I know they're not what they used to be when my father was my age, for example. If Phobos turns out rotten like it's feared that he will, what are we going to do? What is Meridian going to do? Someone has to think of these things in advance."

I looked down and then up again. It had stopped raining. I could feel a small smile starting to dance on my lips when I looked up at him again, and I could tell it was the last thing he had thought I'd display, by the look he gave me.

"Julian, how much are you willing to risk in order to protect Meridian?"- I inquired again, looking deep into his soul. His soul was as pure as snow and as earnest and brave as a hero's, but I had to be sure. I had to get his consent...

"There's no price that I would hesitate to pay for my homeland."- he retorted seriously, even though there was still a tiny hint of bewilderment in his eyes. "Meridian is more important to me than my own life...you already know that. Why ask? Do you have anything particular on your mind..."

"I might as well do."- I retorted mysteriously and just smiled while wrapping my arms around his neck. He could as well be that special person I had needed all along. How great it would've been for that person to be exactly him..." Trust me, Julian. Put your trust on me and forget all your worries, tonight, once the celebration is over, I will share something with you. Something I believe to be rather amazing...you and I will unite for one cause; I truly believe that...But until tonight, have fun with me."- I suggested playfully. My voice has always been simply perfect for delivering such lines... "We can both use some real fun in our lives."

"I would love that. What-what celebration though?"- he mumbled under his nose, as he wrapped his arms around my waist, but that cute little smile of his had already started rising up.

"Oh, you haven't heard yet? About the big celebration down at that new pub the opening of which happens to be tonight? Well, that is a shame, because we're going. We're going and we're going to enjoy ourselves."

Normal POV

"I haven't done it, Cedric! They all say that I have, but I haven't done any such thing!"- the young prince demanded as he walked around his room. The sun was going down. Prince Phobos and his most loyal companion were locked in the prince's chambers by the magic of the Queen herself.

Cedric was a heedful eleven-year-old boy, who was maturing most prominently. In spite of the fact that in the last three years, his one and only light in life had been the young prince, he didn't just take his words for truth implicitly. He truly believed him with his heart.

"Phobos, perhaps your anger-"- he began saying, but the young prince turned around and glared daggers at him before he could go on.

"My anger was provoked by my father, Cedric! My father!"- he cried. "They've never wanted me, I've suspected that for years, but today. Today he said it with his own mouth! He said that he and the Queen have never wanted me to be born. I'm a shame for the Escanor royal family."- Phobos's upper lip trembled and then stiffened again. His eyes also grew darker. "All these years, I've felt the crown and the throne slipping away from my fingers. As if they were sand...my dreams of being King succumbed to my parents' truth. But now I know. Now I know that they'll never let me rule. They don't want me..."

"My prince, perhaps your father's anger got the better of him today. Why were his Highness and the consort arguing to begin with? Perhaps you've both pulled a nerve and- "

"I didn't do anything, Cedric."- Phobos closed his eyes and opened them again, clenching his teeth. "I did not argue! All I said was that I look forward to doing something better for my kingdom one day. I said that I'd rather have the providers work together with some of the flying shifters-"

Cedric's eyes went wide at that. It was a brave idea, keeping in mind the way the crown looked down upon the different. It was perhaps not the brightest thing to speak in front of his parents, but Phobos couldn't help speaking what was on his mind, Cedric knew. That only made him even more beholden and devoted to his friend of three years, who he considered more than special by now. In three years, he had lived to know the joy of having a friend...He could understand some of the royals and their perceptions of their bond, but he was sure that deep in their hearts, even they couldn't deny the fact that both him and the young prince had too many things in common to simply be ignored. An unlucky fate, knowing maturity at an earlier age, cold parents and so much more...

"- I said that would benefit the markets and sellers as well, because that way the products would be delivered faster; anyone would comprehend my words. You do, right? Of course you do."- the prince went on with his story. "That enraged Zaden though, and made him lash out at me. I got angry in my own turn. I closed my eyes and when I opened them again, the f-flames... the flames had engulfed the entire road, I- "

"You killed ten men today, Prince Phobos."- a voice interrupted him from the door that had just opened. "You killed them. Are you pleased with yourself?!"

Cedric and Phobos both turned their attention to the old nanny, but as soon as he saw her, the prince hissed under his breath and turned his back on her.

"Lychinda, why are you here?"- Cedric began, but the old woman just growled at him and attempted to slap him with her cane.

"Stay out of this, monstrosity! This punishment is for the prince to take, you are nobody in this Palace. Had it been up to me, both of you would long been banished."- the old governess said spitefully. "What did you say, that you haven't done it? You said that you have not killed these men? Go tell that to their families. To their children that you left fatherless! You do evil without even trying to anymore, accursed prince! You will never be on the throne, am I clear? Never!"

Her gray hairs in an updo and her ancient body robbed in a ghastly red and black uniform, the image of governess Lychinda was especially hated by the young prince. The woman had been his late great-grandmother's maid. The mere fact that she was still alive after so many years, tormenting him, was astounding.

"What do you understand from politics and what's good for this kingdom. You're a murderess whelp!"- Lychinda hissed hatefully, forcing the boy to turn around with her bony hand that clutched his shoulder. "You did the worst to your people by coming to life. What more do you wish to imprecate us with?!"

"Get out of here."- Phobos hissed at her. "I don't wish to talk to or look at you!"

It astounded Lychinda. He had once been quiet and an easy prey, but the more he matured, the more his attitude worsened. He long had no respect for her or the other people working in the caste. The more he matured the more he got closer to his true nature...

"Is that the proper way to talk to your elders, you monstrous murderer?"- she exclaimed indignantly and slapped him hard across the face.

Phobos endured the pain, but he looked back at the nanny with undisguised hatred. That look seemed to fuel her anger even more, because she cornered him like a furious hyena and kept bashing him with her fists. Cedric tried to rush to his friend's aid, but the old governess stroke him down on the floor. She might've been older than time, but her hits were quite hard.

The two boys endured her punishments and violence. If they rebelled, she'd resort to more painful instruments than her hands...

Once her senseless fists started to hurt from slamming them in the youngsters on the floor, Lychinda took a step back, breathing hard. A gray strand had fallen down on her old wrinkled face.

"There's no punishment harsh enough for what you've done today."- she told the prince, who turned his blood-covered face to her. His lips were cleft from her hits. "There are NO WORDS to describe how evil and unforgivable what you've done is! What you always do... Evil. You are evil beyond compare, it's your sin nature!"- her fanatic voice grew louder. "And if I can't have you hanged like the people of Meridian deserve to see you, then I will break your evil arrogance like a twig, your Highness. I will break you, and when I am done with you, you will have no desire to live any longer. I swear to that!"

"Old witch...Gods, can't you just take her already?!"- Cedric wailed quietly once the governess had left them alone again.

Phobos keep staring at the closed door with a dark grimace on his young face as his friend struggled to get him back on his feet. In his mind, he gave a different vow. He vowed to see everyone who had mistreated him crushed. Once and for all.

Lychinda kept walking towards the Throne Room as fast as her old bones allowed her to. It was more like trotting than walking, actually. However, before she could even get to the gates, a male voice caught up with her:

"Governess? Governess could I speak to you for a minute?"

Lychinda turned around and narrowed her eyes at the young knight, whose name escaped her at that moment. She then turned to the guards by the two ends of the entrance to the Throne Room and nodded before following the younger man a few feet back.

He, in his early twenties, was definitely a feast for the eye. Tall, with broad shoulders and countless, defined muscles and a strong jaw, Raythor was relatively new in his position in the royal court, but he had spent enough time in the Palace to have an opinion of his own. An opinion that was about to enrage the old governess:

"Excuse me, governess, but don't you take into consideration that perhaps your punishments might have an opposite, unwanted effect? I saw what you just did, I think that we'll have to agree to disagree here that-"

"You dare question my methods?"- Lychinda interrupted him testily. "My morals?! I've worked here for longer than you can imagine. I'm devoted to the crown, I've nursed generations! Who are you to even speak to me in such a disgraceful way?"

"Governess, I don't wish to insult you, I'm just saying that your harsh punishments might be fueling the Prince's sin nature you speak of-"- Raythor tried to reason with her.

"Raythor, that was your name, right?"- Lychinda's face stretched into an ugly toothless smile. A smile that displayed only hostility. "Now I recall who you are. Well, Raythor, I'm sorry that my pedagogic methodology doesn't appeal to your green brain, but I'm certain that I know a little better than you. What's right and what's wrong. The Prince killed ten men today. Ten men! Any punishment will be too light on him after that."

"I understand, governess, I'm just saying that- "

"Don't say anything!"- the old woman insisted and pointed at him with her regal cane. "I know people like you, boy. I've always been right and those who share your meekness have always been wrong, my vast experience shows that! You may think that the boy deserves less severe handling, but you're wrong, because that boy was born evil!"- she said." His evil cannot be controlled unless he's broken down! I will not see this great kingdom fall in ruins with a male monarch! Never!"

The man was about to say something else, but Lychinda was inexorable.

"Out!"- she hissed. "Out of here and my way! I have to talk to her Majesty. Mind your own business and tend to your job, unless you'd like to be kicked out of the royal court forever!"

Darned harridan, Raythor thought as he watched the governess trot towards the Throne Room. All that you preach and believe in is wrong. Once this kingdom truly falls because of sheer incompetence, that boy will indeed be a monster to many. A monster created by the crown...

"Weira, we cannot afford to do this any longer. We cannot have him control everything; we both know it. The entire kingdom knows it, and yet each time he succeeds. He succeeds in every little endeavor. When he wants something, your son just goes for it. No matter the price."

Weira sighed as she sat on her throne and listened to her husband. The Throne Room was sinking into the last rays of the setting sun and the twilight of the coming evening.

"He has everything his way. He made it possible for that shifter to live here. In the Palace. We were all against it, but it happened, did it not? And after what happened today...I think that by now his dark magic is tampering with more than the visible. I think that he's tampering with our brains..."

"I know that, Zaden, but what do you suggest I do?"- Weira sighed, burying her fingers in her blonde hair. "The time to change him is over...Do you suggest that we kill him?"

He could hear the tears in her voice even before they wet her eyes. He swallowed and looked down:

"No, my Queen, you know me, I'd never suggest that we murder our own child. However- "

Her gray-blue eyes fell on his posture. The consort could only lick his lips and meet them with caution:

"However, we can still save Meridian from Phobos's dark doom. There is still time...we have to give the people their proper heir. The future light of Meridian."

"Zaden..."- the Queen was tired. "We have tried everything...it's impossible for me. For my body...I'm slowly dying anyway. Bearing a child in my condition is-"

"It's going to heal you, my love. Not quite everything."- there was excitement in his voice. "We have not tried everything. Yet."

Weira looked at him in disbelief:

"What do you mean heal me? Nothing can heal me, we've had all the doctors, sages and priests examine me, you know that I'm-"

"No, Weira. Your illness is going to be healed once you give birth to a girl! I spoke to someone today...Years ago, I received a blessing. It was just today that I learned of how to use it. Listen, my Queen, there is a chance your weakness was caused by birthing...by birthing Phobos."- the consort sighed and approached the woman. "You can live normally again. You can give birth to a girl and live your life. All we have to do is pay a price..."

"What price?"- her hopes were down as fast as they had gone up. Weira watched her husband's face in the twilight. She watched him carefully as he made the effort to utter his next words:

"Phobos's happiness."

The music was roaring. Wine was being spilled. Everyone was dancing. Rease and Julian, a cut above everyone else.

Yes, it had been an amazing evening for sure. The pub was full and the Meridianites were enjoying themselves. An evening that had got them away from all their worries and problems, just like she had promised. There was something so very enchanting about her that he couldn't describe with words. That was what Julian thought as he watched her take his hands again and again, restless, even after hours of dancing. Her beauty and her laugh, the way she wrapped herself around his body, were sure to have an effect over his male nature, undoubtedly, yes, any man would fall charmed, but she had someone managed to leave a mark on his soul too.

The more he danced with her and kissed her, the more he held her in his arms, the more he got closer and closer to the realization. He had fallen in love with her. He had fallen in love with Rease and it was real love. His hands refused to ever let go. It was not like anything he had ever felt for another woman in his life before. With her he was just...flying.

Julian had spent literal hours dancing, drinking and having fun with her. Fun...that had been her promise and she had kept it. The way her slender body moved was driving him crazy. Her dark locks and her angelic eyes bedazzled him. Her voice and her sharp mind made him want to be by her side forever.

"Come with me!"- at a certain point, he couldn't wait any longer. He wanted to be alone with her so he took her hand and started leading the way.

Julian led the woman out of the loud pub into the cool night. Soon, her laugh stopped and she relaxed herself, throwing her hair aside and a curious look at his face:

"Where are we going? We haven't danced on all the tables yet."- the brunette joked and rested her head on his arm as they walked. Above them, the moon was shining, bathing their way in intimacy and seclusion.

Julian laughed and met Rease's eyes. They were sterling, like two green diamonds.

"I wanted to steal you from the crowd that was eating you out with eyes. Especially the men."- he told her and watched her make an amused face. "If you don't mind, I would like to take you home with me tonight."

His voice had acquired a whole new intonation at this part. She eyed him playfully and replied with a respective amount of seduction. Only in her case, it almost made his knees soft and other parts of his body hard:

"Only if you promise you'll make love to me like a beast."

"I think it's safe to say that you've got yourself a deal with that, madam."

She smirked, wrapped her second arm around his, and just kept walking in silence for an entire minute, until he spoke again:

"All lecherous things I want to do to you aside, I had the best time I've had in my life as an adult man, Rease. I've never been with a woman like you, and I'm not saying it just to flatter you or convince you to go to bed with me. I mean it. You are amazing in all aspects of the word."

Her long black tresses moved around her face like the waters of a dark waterfall as she turned to gaze at him with fondness:

"Oh, Julian, I appreciate it. Even more since I know it's sincere coming from you. No, I'm not being immodest, I just have the ability to read people- "

"No. A woman like you has no reason to be modest. It would be out of place."- Julian told her and touched her cheek gently. "To be honest, at times I even wonder what are you doing with me- "

"Oh, please, you're quite aware of your charm and appearance, are you not?"- she said slyly. He just rubbed his jaw with pretend humbleness:

"Well, yes, but- "

"You're the best thing that has happened to me in years. Long years, that is."- the woman confessed and smiled at him. "You have brought so many pleasures in life back for me, that I'm beginning to believe that I'm to feel-"

"-love?"- he helped her in a hopeful voice. They had stopped walking and were just looking at each other. "Because I've most definitely fallen in love with you by now. Knowing that you feel somewhat of the same would make me even happier."

The green-eyed woman opened her eyes to retort to that, but she didn't get the chance to. Of course... The laws of fate...her fate, especially. Suddenly, they were approached by two male figures that had no intention to let them go on their way undisturbed.

"Officer, what's the problem?"- Julian asked as one of the men shook his club at them.

"Your papers."- he demanded. "Show us your papers."

"I don't have them on me."- Julian murmured reluctantly, glancing over at the woman. "But- "

But to his surprise, she didn't appear intimidated one bit. If anything her whole eyes had changed. Looking at the two officers, they were...dangerous.

"Neither do I."- she said calmly.

"Well then we do have a problem."- the second civil worker said. "You can't just go around the kingdom of Weira Escanor without your documents. You two are coming with us."

"Come on, I always carry the darn documents, I forget them one night and you have to do this?"- Julian complained. "Can't you close your eyes just this time?"

"So that you can go on with your night and your harlot?"- the taller officer laughed gruffly. "Forget about it, mate."

"Hey, watch your tongue and never talk like that about her again!"- Julian raged.

"Why? Is she your wife?"

"No, but-"

But before Julian could lash out at the two civil workers mindlessly, the woman had taken a step forward.

"Oh, that assumption was a dire mistake, officer!"- she hissed threateningly. "You have one minute to apologize and let us go or you'll get to experience just how bad I can get."

The two men looked at each other and then burst out laughing. But Nerissa just narrowed her eyelids and lifted her hand. Unfortunately, these two had reminded her of her promise. A promise she had given to both herself and Julian. Both had forgotten about it, lost in their chemistry... But it was night. The end of the night in the pub. It was time to reveal a bigger part of her truth to the man, who she considered more than just a lover at this point:

"Woah, what the devil- "- Julian exclaimed when her hands erupted in blue lights. The two officers gasped in shock, but it was of no use. Once the lights died down, they were no longer in their previous forms. They were turned into two big, fat frogs that hastily started jumping away...

"You...you're a magic user?!"- he exclaimed. Nerissa turned to him again, ignoring the fatigue caused by the magic she had just used and the rebelling butterflies in her stomach:

"Not just any magic user, my dear Julian. You're very important to me, hence it's time you knew. It's time you knew that I'm the Mage. I'm the Mage of Meridian."