Magical Hearts

Magical Hearts: Chapter 1
What good my deeds earns.


The night had turned cold as an icy wind blew strongly from the north. The heavy clouds that had been threatening rain finally released their burden and the rain was steady and cold. I continued through the night, I was late returning to my studies, my Master probably would not be pleased at my late arrival. The assignment he sent me on should not it taken as long as it did, but there is always one more person that required assistance.

The eerie scream that I heard chill me more than the rain and the wind. It was too short to get anything more than the general direction from where it came. I began heading in that direction facing directly into the wind when a softer cry come to me. The second more muffled, but it spurred me quickly onward.

My Master hated the fact that I would charge toward danger. He said it made me look like a hero, and heroes normally died horribly. I never thought of myself as a hero, but I was no coward and run from the danger either, especially if they were someone my assistance may save.

From the sound, it could not be much further even though I know the wind can carry a softer sound much further than normal. As I crossed the tree line stepping into the wide clearing I saw what had made the scream and why. Face down in the mud was a man about fifty paces from me, a beast, a werewolf ripping at his flesh, from my position I can see another small figure trying to hide but still could not fully muffle her crying.

Anger boiled in me as my magic sore to new heights; instinctually my first attack knocked the werewolf away from the victim. As the beast struggled to regain his footing, a lightning bolt flashed across the distance separating us. The beast howls as lightning burns its flesh for a few seconds. It finally drops to the ground as smoke rises from its body.

I approach the body on the ground and it lies unmoving, even from a few feet away I know he will never rise. I turn and find the girl to check and see that she is hopefully unharmed, even a scratch from the beast could be very bad. My footsteps flushed the crying girl from her hiding spot, and I have to sprint to catch her. Once I do we come to a sliding halt, and I had to step back quickly to avoid her small dagger, I finally brought light into existence and the girl’s eyes widened realizing I was no threat to her. Her hood is down and I cannot truly see her face, but from the way she stands, I can tell she is calm now.

She returned her dagger to its sheath. I bowed to her, rising I say, “I am Julius, apprenticed to the Master Wizard Justin of Benton.”

She takes a deep breath and says, “I am Isabel. Is my manservant alive?”

I shake my head no before I ask, “Are you uninjured Lady Isabel?” Not many people nowadays could afford a manservant so it stood to my reason that this young woman was the child of a noble.

Even in the dim light of my fading spell, I could see her smile. Isabel says, “I am uninjured young wizard, I am also no lady my father is a merchant of some renown. I am Isabel daughter of Jeremiah from the house Morgan.”

I knew Isabel, and of her father Jeremiah Morgan a very wealthy merchant, Jeremiah was leader of clan Morgan. I remember Isabel, a young girl maybe four years younger than I am; she just sprung up over the last few years since last I saw her. Although, his household usually did not remain in any one city for a great deal of time, they have traveled through this area many times. I had always look forward to their passing. For the last few years, I seem to have missed them for one reason or another. That did not explain why she was here by herself with only a single manservant. I ask, “What brings you out in such a dangerous place Isabel?”

Isabel explains, “Julius if you would be so kind to take me to your Master. I bring goods for your Master. He has a long-standing order for rare spices. We did not expect any trouble or father would have sent me with a larger escort.”

To set Isabel’s mind at ease I explain, “I can very well understand that, we had never had problems with werewolves before. They are usually solitary and seldom hunt this close to civilization. I must see to the bodies before we can leave.”

I began a summoning spell and it drawn dead wood from the woods and pine groves it formed into a large block as it gathered in the center of the clearing. I split the block into half then caused each the block to double in size creating openings for which air could enter the wood. I pull forth turpentine from stumps in the pine groves coding each block, finally clearing the area around each large block of all the flammable grass. I brought the bodies to the top of each block. I spoke the three words that ignited the funeral fires.

In the light of the fire, even though the wind and rain keeps Isabel’s cloak pull tight I can see how much her body has changed over the last years. The last time I saw her I cast a light spell above her head, I told her it was her halo, because she looks so much like a young angel. Isabel was the oldest child born to Jeremiah Morgan, and her younger brother and sisters teased her about me.

The flames leapt high quickly, and before long, nothing but ash remained. Now certain that the werewolf truly was dead and his victim would not return I led Isabel away.

We had retrieved the small pack that held the spices wrapped tightly in a waterproof layer of skins. I carried it along with my normal pack. We were not far from our journeys end although much delayed by the events earlier. It was very late as I reach my Master’s door. I spoke the words that communicated to my Master that I have arrived. We waited at his door until he finally poked his head out.

Once he sees Isabel, Justin’s sour disposition changes instantly. Throwing the door open wide, he takes Isabel into his arms. They hug briefly until he pulls back to look at the beautiful girl, probably only fourteen or possibly fifteen years old. Black hair so dark yet glistens in the lowlight coming for my Master’s home, her eyes are so deep blue, and they remind me of the deep ocean at night. She stands tall for a girl the top of her head reaches my shoulder. Her cloak hides most of her figure, and all I get is a few glimpses in the fire light. However, from the sway of her hips as she walked with me I could tell her body was lean and fit.

Justin orders, “Julius build up the fire.” I bowed and slip past him.

I am beginning my work as I hear Isabel say, “Uncle Justin, Julius save my life tonight. A werewolf had attacked and killed Remus as he stood to defend me. I was too scared to run, and only hid a short distance away. Once the werewolf had finished poor Remus, I am sure the beast would have killed me. Julius arrived just in time to rescue me.”

My wise Master has a smile that plays a crossed his face as he turns to me. The smile vanishes as he begins to speak, “Young Julius how often have I cautioned you, now you will suffer a fate far worse than any you can imagine. By the laws of our clan, Isabel now belongs to you. You are to be considered betrothed until such time as a wedding ceremony is performed.”

Isabel and I are both shocked, now in the light for the first time we get a good look at each other. I say addressing my Master, “My Master is this a jest? Isabel is a very beautiful girl, surely I am not worthy.”

Isabel giggles and questions, “Young wizard Julius, did you just say I am beautiful?”

Turning to her in getting a better look at her beauty before I reply, with a smile I say, “Most beautiful girl I have ever met, I would say the most beautiful girl in the whole world.”

Isabel is well traveled, bright with a quick wit about her she asks, “Julius have you met every girl in the world?”

My eyes taking her face, how the smile plays a crossed her lips her eyes glow with merriment.