Annie Hayden's Arc

Chapter 8 of 27

Annie's wrist still ached from the burn. Aelindor and Kaelen stared at each other over the workbench. At last the mage set down the crystal-topped wand. "You claim she needs more than I can give," Aelindor said. "Prove it. Take her to your teacher, not just your words." Kaelen nodded once. He turned to Annie. "Come. There is someone you must meet." The fox rose, tail flickering. Annie gripped her wand and followed him into the cold. They climbed a path out of the village. Snow crunched under Annie's boots. She watched Kaelen's back and finally spoke. "You keep showing up when something wants to kill me. Why? I don't even know you." Kaelen slowed. "I know what hunts you. That is enough reason." "That's not an answer," Annie said. He kept walking. "You will have your answer soon." At the top of the hill stood a tall house. Green shingles curved over pointed windows. Vines wrapped its stone steps. Annie recognized it. "I saw this place from the mountain," she said. "Your stag was here." "My home," Kaelen said. He pushed open the carved door. Inside, a fire snapped in a wide hearth. An old elf stood beside it, leaning on a gnarled staff. A pink crystal glowed at its top. His hair fell white and long. His eyes were the same icy blue as Kaelen's, set in a face lined by years. He looked Kaelen up and down, then fixed on Annie. "So this is the human," the old elf said. His voice was rough but calm. "My son has spoken of little else." Annie's mouth fell open. "Your son?" She looked between them. The same dark brows. The same eyes. "He is High Mage Frostwyn," Kaelen said. "He taught me. He can teach you what the apothecary cannot." The old mage crossed to Annie. He studied the wand in her hand, then her face. "Empty of magic. Borrowing through a beast." He glanced at the fox. "The valley mage keeps you small. Small flames. Small threads. That will not save you from what smells your warmth on the wind." He tapped his staff on the floor. "I have hunted those things for a hundred years. I know how they think." Annie's heart pounded. "You'd really train me?" "If you can bear it," Frostwyn said. "My lessons are harder than a burned wrist." He turned to his son. "You were right to bring her. Aelindor built her a foundation. I will build the rest." Annie let out a breath. For weeks she had run from one danger to the next with no real defense. Now a mage who hunted her hunters would teach her. She looked at Kaelen. "You could have just told me this from the start." A small smile crossed his face. "Would you have believed me?" Frostwyn struck the floor again. "Enough. We begin at first light. Rest while you can."