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The choices we make 60
The marketplace was one of Marys favourite places ever she soon discovered. It was a sensory overload with bright colours, people from all over the world, talking in different languages and the air was filled with the aroma of spices and food being cooked. The market was located in an open part of the city. Tenac told her it had originally been an open square. But now parts of a roof had been added to some places. In other places there were cloth hanging overhead. Tenac explained to her in the summer it was to protect from the heat, in the other seasons it served as protection from rain and snow. Still there were places where you could see the sky. It was a strange place. Mary tried to take it all in but was overwhelmed by it all and didn’t know where to begin.“Have you ever had coffee?” Tenac asked her. Mary shook her head no.“Let me buy you a cup and we can have a break and decide where you want to start looking” he said with a smile.“Okay, thank you” she said. He led her over to
Last Updated : 2023-08-18The choices we make 61
“She’s not here alone” Tenac objected. “She’s here with me, I am to teach her about the city”. Mary nodded as to confirm what he said.“Man, you get all the nice assignments” Jontak whined, earning a disapproving look from Tenac.“I wouldn’t mind tagging along on your next trip” Sinhera said. “I can show you some great places, I still owe you for helping me.”“That would be nice, but you don’t owe me. I was just happy to help” Mary told her.“Tenac, let me know when you are taking Mary out next time and I will see if I can’t come along” the female rider said. Tenac didn’t seem too happy about it but he nodded.“I need to get Mary home; her parents will be worried if she isn’t home by supper” he said.“Bye” Mary said as she felt him tugging her arm to move toward the booth to get her knife.“Bye Mary, it was nice meeting you” Jontak said.“Bye Mary, see you soon” Sinhera added. Mary got her knife back and hung it at its proper place. Before them leaving.“Do you want to take the same w
Last Updated : 2023-08-18The choices we make 62
“We will need to go to the other side of the river today” Bettina told her.“Is there a difference between the two sides of the city?” Mary asked.“No, not really. On the west side, where we live, there are the marketplace, the artisan quarters, and then mostly residential areas. On the east side there are the warehouses, the docks and most of the inns, and then residential areas.”They continued walking and crossed a smaller bridge to get to the other side of the river. On the other side of the bridge there were an older man standing. He was lean and tall with hair that originally had been dark brown, but now had silver streaks running through it.“Good morning, Bettina” he said as they reached him.“Good morning, Dr Genict” Bettina answered.“How many times have I asked you to call me Jonhu, Bettina?” the man said smiling.“Very well, Jonhu, this is Marry, she will be joining us today. Mary this is Dr Genict, we work together sometimes. It’s his patient we are seeing today” Bettina
Last Updated : 2023-08-20The choices we make 63
“Doctor, could you please tell me if the symptoms Mrs. Waske experienced are the usual symptoms of, migraine?” Mary asked, hesitating on the name of the disease. She was surprised she had been able to follow along the conversation during the day as it had been in Salamis.“Yes, it’s the classical symptoms, easy to diagnose in this case,” he responded.“I have a friend with similar symptoms where several doctors diagnosed it as woman’s issues” it wasn’t a question, Mary just wanted to take the focus of Bettina. “Your friend must live in one of the remote villages, the doctors out there can be more traditional in their thinking” Dr Genict said with a condescending snort. “No doctor worth their name would ever diagnose anyone with woman’s issues” he added. Mary tried to continue to ask him questions and when she saw the bridge, she was quite relived. She had run out of ideas on what to ask him. Bettina and Mary said goodbye to the doctor and continued their walk home.“Thank you for you
Last Updated : 2023-08-20The choices we make 64
Bettina listed to Mary’s story and her heart broke for the young woman sitting in front of her. She hadn’t had an easy life, and to add the heartache on top of everything else. It didn’t seem fair. She was so happy and proud that Kopa had taken her from that place so she could be part of their family. Bettina wowed she would protect Mary from any further pain. It also explained to Bettina why Mary didn’t see all the admiring looks she was getting from men. In Mary’s mind no one wanted her. Once Mary had told her everything, Bettina drew her into a long hug. Bettina just wanted Mary to feel safe and loved. She had a feeling that Mary hadn’t gotten many hugs after her parents had died. Bettina was a believer in the healing affect of a good hug. So she squeezed Mary long and hard.“I’m sorry sweetheart, I wish that hadn’t happened to you. I wish I could give that boy a piece of my mind. But I’m happy you are here, and I will do everything I can to help you heal. I know that things don’t
Last Updated : 2023-08-21The choices we make 65
“Did someone hurt you?” he asked.“No, nobody hurt me, or Marry, or tried to hurt any of us. Just listen will you” she said with a smile, putting her hand hon his arm. He nodded. “We went on a consultant case with Dr Genict” Bettina started and Kopa huffed when she said the name. This time Mary agreed with him, huff indeed. “Yes, so, Dr Genict were a bit overfriendly towards me. Mary noticed and was smart enough to divert his attention”“Did he put his hands on you?” Kopa asked angerly.“Nothing like that, he just flirted with her Kopa. Bettina needs your help to make sure Dr Genict understand the boundaries, so he doesn’t make her uneasy” Mary cut in, placing one of her hands on his other arm.“He flirted? With my wife?” Kopa asked, looking between the two women. They nodded.“I’m going to make him realise that you are my wife” he then said, beginning to stand.“No Kopa, not like that” Bettina tried.“Kopa, Bettina still need to work with him. We need to do this in a good way” Mary a
Last Updated : 2023-08-21The choices we make 66
The following morning Mary got ready to go out on the town with Tenac before she went down for breakfast. Unlike most days, Kopa didn’t leave as soon as he had eaten.“Is there something wrong?” Mary asked him.“No” he just answered and just sat at the table. Mary looked at him quizzical.“He’s not going to work until Tenac comes to pic you up. I think he needs to intimidate the poor boy some more” Bettina laughed, being able to read her husband like a book.“Surly you are not going to do that?” Mary asked.“I’m not saying I will, but I might.”“Kopa, why?” Mary asked looking at him. He just shrugged and kept sitting on his chair, staring out into nothing. Mary looked to Bettina for guidance.“Oh let him be. I’ll make sure he doesn’t go overboard. A small bit of intimidation won’t hurt Tenac”“Bettina!” Mary said in chock. Kopa had a smile playing on his lips but did his best not to show it. The only reply Mary got was a shrug from both her parents. Just as Mary was about to argue wit
Last Updated : 2023-08-22The choices we make 67
“It smells like the meat skewers they have at the market in Dermes” she replied and tried to home in on the scent. She turned a little to the left and a couple of stalls further away she saw a stand that looked to be from Dermes. They even had a small grill set up with the skewers going. Mary let out an exciting squeak and grabbed Tenacs hand without realising it. She started dragging him in the direction of the stall in question. She loved the meat skewers at the market, they tasted divine, and she hadn’t had any for over a year.“My treat this time” she told Tenac that looked at her as if she was going crazy.“Four please” she told the woman manning the grill. She hadn’t realised she still spoke Salamis until the women asked if she could repeat it in Common. Soon Mary had paid for and received four delicious looking skewers and was handing two to Tenac. Now they only needed someplace a bit quieter to eat them. Tenac seemed to know what she was thinking.“This way” he told her and wa
Last Updated : 2023-08-22
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“We finished Procecsa’s experiments today, and we think we can see a pattern,” Mary told Tariana excited. She didn’t know how Tariana already knew about it, but it was the only thing exciting which had happened lately. Tariana laughed again.“That is exciting to hear, but no. I was thinking about the fact that you have gotten some control over your fire magic,” Tariana smiled.“Oh, that. Yes, Procecsa helped me with it last night,” Mary said. She didn’t understand what was so exciting about that.“Do you think you could summon it now?” Tariana asked.“I think so,” Mary nodded. Tariana stood and went over to the bookcase. She got a small tray and walked back, placing it on the desk in front of Mary. On the tray there was a candle, an empty bowl, a feather, a pile of what looked like soil, and a plate with a dried bean.“Please light the candle,” Tariana asked Mary. Mary focused and after a while she found the now familiar feeling of her fire magic. The candle lit. “Fill the bowl with w
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The time until the winter solstice went by quickly and before she knew it, Mary was running around the equipment she had helped Procecsa set up the day before the solstices. They were outside the wall, on a flat part of the plain. The grass had been cut down and a light dusting of snow barely covered the ground. The area was guarded by grey riders. Not for the fear of someone sabotaging their experiments, but to keep curious people away. There was a lot of preparation to be made. Luckily for Mary, she had already done this a couple of times before. According to magical theory, occasions such as the winter solstice and full moons could affect magic in different ways. But to Mary’s surprise, it had never been proven, even though everyone used the principle. Procecsa had therefore designed an experiment to perform some basic magic, which was easy to perform and evaluate the effect of and repeat this during the different beneficial celestial occasions. They had already done the control ro
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“I would love to,” Mary said, looking at him. “But I don’t want to take time away from you seeing your family. I know you don’t get to see them that often,” she said. Tenac shrugged.“I will visit them as often as I can while they are here. It’s okay, I wouldn’t have asked if it weren’t,” he said.“Okay, then I would love to come.”“Good. Now let’s get you a new horse,” he smiled.“No, Tenac. I have told you, Buttercup will do,” Mary objected.“I’m not letting you anywhere near my grandfather whilst you are riding Buttercup, Mary. If you are going to visit a Che’hul camp, you can’t be on a horse like her,” he said. Mary looked at him. She really wanted to go with him to visit his family. Her curiosity and thirst for new things was going crazy at the thought of getting to see this whole new culture. At the same time, it felt like she was betraying Buttercup. The horse had been patient with her from the start. Mary recognised Tenac was dangling the visit to the Che’hul camp as an incent
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“In my case?” Mary asked.“For some reason, you have been conditioned to suppress your fire. Most likely not in an effort to suppress the magic, but a characteristic which goes with it. Like anger,” Procecsa said. Mary could hear that she tried to be gentle. Mary sat quietly for a while and thought things through. Her time in the kitchen had made her put a tight lead on her emotions, especially anger, but also passion and love. It would have been the last thing she did in the castle if she had become angry with someone higher up the rank than her. Which had been most people.“So, what do I do? Do I have to get angry at Tenac?” Mary asked, making Procecsa laugh.“No, I don’t think he deserves it. He’s just trying to help you, after all” she smiled at Mary.“I need to get angry at someone else?” Mary asked, confused.“I don’t know if you need to get angry at anyone, Mary. I think it would be okay just for you to accept it is okay for you to get angry. Just to allow yourself to experienc
The choices we make 97
It had been over six months since Mary had started her training, and each day offered new opportunities to learn and to explore the world. She discovered she had a craving for learning. The more she learnt, the more questions she had. Her mentor, Procecsa, had picked up on this and gave Mary more and more books to read. Mary was helping her mentor with all sorts of experiments. Procecsa was good at explaining things in a way Mary understood them. In just a few weeks, the winter solstice was to take place and Mary was looking forward to it. Several of the experiments that Procecsa had Mary help with depended on it. In the class for basic magic, they had learned certain celestial events could impact magic. The winter solstice was one of those. Mary was to assist her mentor in trying to figure out just how much it affected certain types of magic. Mary found the whole thing fascinating and couldn’t wait to get to see the results. After the solstice, they would have a two-week break. It wa
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Zerden stood looking at the men under his command. They were training, and they looked tired. Zerden knew he had been pushing them hard this past month. His bad mood had made him irritable, and every mistake was now punished with a gruelling training session. He knew he needed to back off a bit. His men were well trained and the minor mistakes they made didn’t warrant this punishment. Zerden needed to get his temper back in check. Which was easier said than done. It would be easier if he just had known why he was in such a bad mood. If he was honest with himself, he knew why. He just wasn’t up for admitting it just yet. So instead, his bad mood continued and everyone around him endured and stayed out of his way as much as they could.“Don’t forget to put everything back before you head to get dinner,” he shouted. He didn’t wait around to make sure they did what he told them. No one wanted to disobey him at the moment. He walked inside and headed to his room in the castle. Zerden had j
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“Sure, happy to help,” Jontak said, smiling. Firlea looked at Mary, slightly panicked. Mary smiled at her.“Thanks, Jontak,” Mary said. She and Sinhera looked as Jontak and Firlea left the shop.“Not the smoothest hint, but I think that will do,” Sinhera smiled.“It’s a good start at least,” Mary nodded.“What are you two plotting?” Tenac asked as he walked up to them. “And where are Jontak and your friend?”“Firlea needed ink. Jontak escorted her there as it’s her first time to the market,” Mary smiled at him.“You two are scaring me. Please don’t help me like that, ever,” he said. Both Mary and Sinhera laughed. They waited for the two to return before heading towards the weapons stalls. There were a lot of different weapons. Some Mary didn’t even know the names of and couldn’t figure out how to use.“Do you want to look at a new knife, Mary?” Jontak asked her.“No thank you, I’m happy with the one I have,” she told him.“Do you even know how to use it?” Tenac asked her.“Well, it’s
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As Mary got back to her room, both her friends were sitting in the bay window reading. Mary had things she needed to read as well. But she felt like she needed to write her last letter. She wanted to let go of the past. She settled down at her desk and stared down at the empty paper in front of her. This was going to be difficult.‘Dear Anna,I’m so pleased to hear that things are looking up for you. That gives me hope this wave of the sickness will fade as well. I want to thank you for your kind words. They mean so much to me and I will always remember them. I told my father about your kind words, and he was grateful. That brings me to the difficult part of this letter. This is not something which is easy for me to write, or to think about doing. But I feel like it has to be done. Last time I wrote, I was taking the acceptance test to become an aari. Well, as you predicted, I made it and have now moved into the sanctum to start my training. With my training, my lessons with Tenac an
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“What did you need to talk about?” Kopa said, as the two of them sat down at the table. “I read the letter you gave me,” Mary started. “And you got upset?”“Not like last time. I’m angry this time, more than I’m sad,” Mary admitted, which earned her a surprised look from Kopa.“I know. Who knew?” she said, laughing at his expression.“So, what advice do you need?”“I think I know what I need to do, but I don’t know if I should do it, or if I really want to,” Mary told him. “Okay, can you tell me what made you angry?” Kopa asked.“Do you promise to stay calm?” Mary asked.“I do”“I won’t go into details, but the jest of it is that Zerden told me I was a disappointment for choosing to live my life the way I am. For the choices I have made since coming here,” Mary said, looking at Kopa. He had clenched his jaw and there was a muscle tick above his right eye. But he kept his promise and stayed calm, at least on the surface. It made Mary smile. “Are you okay, dad?”“Fine. The letter was
