Master Stradus stared at me, not saying a word. The expression on his face was unreadable. He sighed. “You are the One, Hellsfire. I believe that. You haven’t fully mastered your powers, and you know not all the dangers that lie in the world. You have started to learn some of these things. But you need to master your powers and learn about the world, or you’re going to fail.”
“I thought you said I did well in the training room today?”
Master Stradus rose, reaching for his staff. He dusted himself off. “You did, but you could have done better. You should have paid more attention. In battle with another wizard, you must think on your feet. You only paid attention to my cloud, but you never thought of the ground beneath you. You always have to think ahead, Hellsfire. Always.
“In warfare, it’s different. You’ll have plenty of time to work your spells, and you’ll have the support of others. Even then, you must still think ahead. You must see the things that are not there but might be. Think of all the possibilities. That's one of the things that makes a wizard. The magic is but a small part of it.”
My face sagged, and my anger dissipated. He was right. I had a lot to learn, but I thought I was doing my best so far. If my best wasn’t good enough, then perhaps I wasn’t the One he thought I was? Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps I had wasted my time and his.
Master Stradus walked over to me and placed his hand on my shoulder. “My son, you came to a great realization today when you knew I wouldn’t always be here for you. I’m sorry I’ve placed so much pressure on you, Hellsfire. Remember what I’ve taught you, and most of all, follow your heart.” He smiled at me. “You’ve grown a lot over the past three years. I’m proud of you. But you still have a lot to learn, and so do I. For a wizard, the learning never stops.”
Master Stradus walked out of the garden. A hot, stinging sensation crept into my eyes. I wanted to be alone, so I went out on the ledge, staring down at the landscape below. I tried in vain to imagine what was happening in Alexandria. Because I was exhausted from today’s duel, I didn’t last more than a couple of minutes in the weather. The cold pierced into my skin. I went inside to the library to read some stories, in hopes I would be able to laugh and lighten my mood.
We ate later in the day, but little was said during the meal. I went to bed earlier than normal. I wanted to think about the things Master Stradus had said to me in the garden. Fighting Premier was going to be even harder than I had thought. I had little hope of standing against him alone. I was glad my master would be with me.
----
We spent the next three days in practice duels and making potions to take with us. Each morning I woke up sore. My first thought was always of Krystal and the others. I wished we had a way of seeing if they were all right, but Master Stradus had hesitated to use a maleika for fear of conjuring the one that had almost killed me.
On the fourth morning, I woke earlier than usual. The elves should be nearly to Alexandria by now. We should be leaving soon.
Master Stradus had breakfast prepared. He waited until I had taken a bite of freshly baked bread before he spoke. “You should know this. Premier has taken Alexandria.”
The bread dropped from my hand. “No,” I whispered. I immediately thought of Krystal. Pictures of Premier doing unspeakable things to her formed in my mind. The flames grew still like my heart. “Master, how do you know this?”
“I used a maleika.”
“But you said—”
“I know what I said, Hellsfire. It had to be done. Precautions were taken.”
I didn’t care that he took a risk in doing it, and that he did it without me. I jumped to my feet and paced, fists clenched. “Godsdamnit! If only we had left sooner! I knew I should have stayed behind. If only—”
“Hellsfire, there's nothing you could have done. Premier captured Alexandria long before the dwarves or elves got there. By the time you arrived here, it was already too late. And if you had stayed behind, he would have killed you.”
I stopped pacing and perked up. “The elves and dwarves are there?”
He nodded. “I've sent a messenger hawk to tell them about our arrival. We fly out later today.”
“At least the armies are there. But I still wish we had done something to prevent this.” My initial burst of emotion faded. The flames resumed their normal burn. I sat back down on the stool and slumped over the table, ignoring the food.
“I know how you feel.”
I looked up at him. “You do?”
Master Stradus set down his cup of tea and cradled his staff in his hands. “I never told you this. I never got a chance to enter the war.”