Part 8 (2/2)

The goswig walked over to the side of the bed and jumped up onto it. He lowered into a seated position on the mattress, put his small wooden cane to his side, then took a deep breath. What he was about to do was forbidden, but he had to know the reason Marcus acted the way he did. He began to search his master's memories. Something had to be the cause of all his hate, resentment, and fear.

Gage closed his eyes. The memories presented themselves in a vision as clear as if he had been there.

”Mother! Mother!” a young boy's voice, full of excitement, shouted as he entered the school of magic.

Gage recognized the boy and the school. The boy was a memory of the past, a young Brayson Id who looked no older than 13 seasons. The school was under the care of the boy's father, Hedron, the Head Master whom Brayson would replace as an adult.

A moment later, another boy ran in, but this child was younger by nearly four seasons. The badger also recognized this child. It was Gregory.

”I'll be right down!” a stout female voice shouted. ”Stay on the rug and off the floor ... it's been polished.” A heavy woman began making her descent down the spiral staircase. She was an elf with a rounded face and clearly out of shape. Her outfit, although nice, could not hide her heft. She waddled as she walked. Her face was broken out and scarred because of it.

Gage looked for Marcus, a.s.suming he must be nearby. When he did not see the boy, he noticed a small crack in the door that led outside to the village. He moved to take a look, pa.s.sing through the door as if it was not there. On the other side was the child, about 11 seasons old. He was waiting, crouched, ready to jump out and scare his brothers when they exited. His ear was pressed against the door, close to the crack, and he was listening for his brothers' footsteps. He could hear the conversation inside.

”Mother, Gregory cast his first spell today!” Brayson shouted.

”Yeah, I turned a frog into a mouse. It was neat.”

”That's wonderful. Your father will be proud. I'll tell him once he has finished the lesson with his new Mystic Learner. I'm proud of you, Gregory.”

”Thanks! Where's Marcus? I've got to show him.”

What Gage heard next out of Helen's mouth was unbelievable.

”On how many occasions have I told you boys to stay away from Marcus? He's a mistake your father made with the local wh.o.r.e. You two need to stick together. Marcus isn't worth your love. He's an abomination, an ugly little thing that won't go away.”

”But, Mom,” both boys said, almost at the same moment.

”No! I'll hear nothing of it. You stay away from Marcus. I pray to Mieonus that tragedy will find him and take him from this world.”

Gage watched Marcus lower his head and walk down the village road. The badger could feel the rejection and pain the boy felt.

The vision began to fade. A moment later, Gage found himself in a different memory.

Marcus, still only 11 seasons, crept into his father's bedroom. The Head Master was not home, but Helen, now nothing more than another fat corgan that he hated, lay sleeping beneath a quilted cover. The badger could feel the boy's anger as he approached the bed.

Helen's words were playing in his mind as her snoring filled the night. On how many occasions have I told you boys to stay away from Marcus? He's a mistake your father made with the local wh.o.r.e. You two need to stick together. Marcus isn't worth your love.

Gage watched as Marcus lifted the cover, careful not to wake Helen. The boy pulled a cossenger from his pack. The snake was the deadliest reptile on Luvelles. Once bitten, the venom would kill its victim in a short series of moments.

The badger desperately wanted to cry out for Marcus to stop, but this was only a memory. The past could not be changed and Marcus could not hear him no matter how loud he screamed for his attention. All he could do was watch. It was only a matter of moments before the bite would happen.

When it did, Marcus covered Helen's mouth so she could not scream. The boy just looked into her eyes until she was lifeless.

Gage's heart ached for Marcus as the boy put the snake back into his pack.

”I hate you, too,” was all the child said before leaving the room.

Many other memories, filled with pain, were pulled from Marcus' mind as Gage sat next to the chancellor's sleeping figure. After a while, he focused on another memory.

The boys were in the Head Master's office, but now, all three had grown into adult, elven men. They were standing in front of their father. Hedron spoke. ”Brayson, the moment has come for you to visit the Source ... you too, Gregory. Let's see if what I've taught you has sunk into those brains of yours.”

”Am I going, Father?” Marcus asked. ”I'm ready. I can make you proud.”

”You won't be going. Only your brothers are ready.”

”But I can do everything they can. I'm better than they are, and my magic is stronger.”

Hedron waved his hand across the top of Brayson and Gregory's heads. Once the brothers had vanished, the Head Master responded. ”You're not ready. Something isn't right with you, boy. Until you figure it out, I cannot send you to speak with the Source.”

”But-”

”But nothing! You're not ready. We'll continue your training tomorrow. Now, fetch my dinner.”

Gage could not believe how directly Hedron had spoken. It was as if Marcus was an annoyance, not a son.

The vision faded. After a moment, another memory surfaced.

It was many seasons later. Again, it was a vision of the Head Master's office, but during this series of moments, Marcus was not standing before Hedron. He stood before Brayson, the new Head Master. Gregory was not present.

”I don't know what to say, Marcus. I can't help you anymore. I allowed you to speak with the Source. It's not my fault you were found lacking and denied the opportunity to look into the Eye.”

”It is your fault! You knew I wouldn't be allowed to pa.s.s! You could've told me the secret! All you had to do was tell me how to get past the dragon!”

”Why would I do that, Marcus? That's not how it works, and you know it. It wouldn't be much of a test if I told you the answer. Some things need to remain sacred.”

”Of everyone, brother, I thought you'd be the last person on Luvelles to hold me back. You could've helped me. You're the Head Master. You can do whatever you want. Tell me the secret and allow me to speak with the Source again.”

”No! You had your chance. I won't give you another. There are things you must learn before you deserve the power you seek. The only person holding you back, is you.”

The memory faded.

Gage lifted from his seated position and stood on the bed. He looked at Marcus and thought, Master, you're a mountain waiting to erupt. I'm sorry, but I don't wish to be in your presence when this happens. I'm not strong enough to share your hate. When you awaken, I'll be gone. I must get away from you ... far enough to avoid sharing your mind. I hope you find peace.

The badger vanished.

Lasidious plans to meet with the Book of Immortality in the morning. He will address various topics and set a meeting of the G.o.ds.

Celestria plans to visit Grogger's Swamp to secure a hiding place for the third piece of the Crystal Moon.

Head Master Brayson will meet with George. He needs to explain the responsibility of taking on a goswig. Other matters of George's training are also necessary subjects of conversation.

George is with Kepler and Payne. He is going over a few last moment instructions before teleporting their group to Brayson's floating office.

Athena and Susanne are inside Susanne's home again. Garrin is still crying. They are finding it hard to comfort the child.

Both women feel like the addition of Payne to George's group is odd, but Athena was quick to point out her husband's tendency to pick strange companions. The conversation turned to the absence of Maldwin, the rat.

<script>