Mark of the Fool

Chapter 140: The Talk

This was it, the day Alex and his fellow xyrthak hunters would be meeting up at the restaurant to celebrate. It was cloudy, but the air was its regular Generasi warm and he and Selina were having a brother and sister only picnic beforehand.

He watched his little sister for a long moment while trying to pick the best time for their talk. In a way, he was still dreading the conversation. Shed been pretty calm and relaxed lately, except for a few rare mornings and evenings when shed gradually turned sombre. But those times had been growing less and less, so he was afraid of opening a wound that might be on its way to closing.

He was still working on different ways of normalizing her power and affinity to fire. The work theyd done together on the golem had kept her within the world of wizardrys wondersnormalizing themwithout rubbing her face in her own affinity.

After the xyrthak fight, Alex had told her about his classes adventures in The Barrensincluding the fiery escapades of Rhea and Shianito maybe present flame magic to her in a neutral way. She had listened to the stories with rapt attention and little discomfort when the two fire wizards were mentioned.

But, shed gotten really quiet when the story turned to Malcolm and his spells. Alex was beginning to see a connection between that and when hed cast Call Through Ice in front of her. He knew how much Selina loved snow, andwith her dislike of fireperhaps what she wanted was to practice ice magic: something that would nearly be impossible because of her affinity.

A gentle talk should work, but it would be a difficult balance. As the adult and head of their little familystill a strange thought to consider now that they were out of Mr. and Mrs. Lus houseit was up to him to make sure that his little sister was well taken care of and guided in responsible directions.

Young children lacked information and naturally couldnt decide their futures as yet: half of the boys hed gone to the church school with when he was Selinas age had wanted to be knights-errant, not knowing that knighthood required either noble blood, or a peerage from the king. Knowledge most wouldnt have until they got older.Still, he didnt want to force Selina into something so important if she didnt want it, especially considering their own trauma from fire.

It was a hard-line to walk, but all he could do was hope that the support hed been providing her would help make it easier on both of them.

He turned to face her: she was in the middle of stuffing her face with cookies that hed baked the day before, and making little sounds of appreciation as she wolfed them down. She had actually finished a big lunch beforehand, and was full and hopefully, happy.

She certainly looked happy.

She startled when she saw him looking at her, then gave a mischievous grin and opened her mouth to reveal a mess of chewed up globs of cookie.

Ugh, gross, little goblin, gross! he made a face and recoiled.

She swallowed. Youre gross.

No, you.

No, you!

He shook his head. Selinacan we talk about something? Alex paused. I mean, I think we need to talk about something.

She stopped mid-bite. I didnt do anything wrong.

No, no, you didnt do anything wrong, we just need to talk about certain things that are becoming important as you grow up.

She frowned suspiciously. Is this about making babies?

If Alex could have willed himself to die right then and there, he would have been in the afterworld, cracking his knuckles and looking to give Minervus ghost a punch. Unless The Mark was still on hisshoulderafter he died. Well, that was a dreadful thought...for another time.

No, its not about making- He paused, looking all around, then lowered his voice. -no its not about making babies.

Oh okay, because I already know about that, she said matter-of-factly.

What!? Did some kid at school-

No, Mrs. Lu told me awhile ago. She chewed her cookie. So, I already know all about that.

Alright, okay, thank you Mrs. Lu, holy crap, he said with feeling. Anyway, no, I wanted to talk to you about you, and maybe starting to learn wizardry this upcoming year.

She paused, and her shoulders began to sag a little. Oh. Okay. I was wondering if you were going to bring that up. She looked at him sadly. My friends are all talking about it. Everyone who has mana is going to start learning next semesterpeople keep asking me if Im going to.

Have you thought about it? Alex asked.

A little, she said. Butfire.

Oh, you dont have to learn fire magic if you dont want to, Alex said quickly. You can learn any other magic you want. You can learn to summon things. You can make potions, you can make golems and build magic itemstheres all kinds of stuff you can do. You never, ever have to touch a fire spell if you dont want to.

Yeah, Selina said. But I cant use ice magic or water magic, can I?

Alex winced. Didwere you thinking about that?

Yeah.

Howwhat do you feel?

She paused. Sad.

Yeah, he said. Its tough. You want to do ice magic but cantyou can do fire magic instead, and you dont really want to do fire magic, do you?

Selina shook her head rapidly. I thought I could make a snowman with everyone if I had magiceven here. So, it makes me sad.

Alex winced. Suddenly, he felt really sad too. He was glad that hed picked todaywhen they were going to have dinner with all their friendsto have this conversation. At least after it was done, Selina would have something good to look forward to at the end of the day.

Yeah, thats tough, he said. I dont know he paused, searching for words. Its just not fair, is it?

She nodded. No. I dont want fireI want iceI want waterI want mom and dad.

Alex paused for a moment.

Yeah, I want them too, he said, looking at her closely. He noticed something. A strange look crossed her face briefly. Is there something else youre thinking about?

Um. She frowned. A little bit.

You can tell me if you wantor you dont have to if you dont want to.

She looked at him for a long time, her large green eyes searching his face forsomething. Promise you wont be mad?

I promise, he said quickly, even if he didnt know if that would be true.

Um, she said. I think about what Shiani said when we were eating together. She took a deep breath and her face became very serious. Almost grave. Fire can heal and fire can protect. Its like a sword, or like Brutus or even a hand: they can hurt and they can help. Fire is like a child with no mind: it hurts when it runs free. It cannot help itself, but if it is directed, fire can heal and protect like no other thing in this world. Thats why its beautiful.

Alex blinked. Youyou remember all of that?

She nodded. I said it to myself again and again so I would remember, like learning my multiplying tables, or Uldars prayer.

Oh wow, he said. So you think about that a lot?

Mhm, she said. Its hardits hard to protect people isnt it?

I have no idea.

Yeah you do, she said. You did all that work to build the golem and you did it in She paused, then finished in a whisper: in the Travellers cave.

Uh, Alex thought back hard. YeahI guess its hard work. Maybe not for someone like Baelin because hes so powerfulbut yeah.

Mm, she said. You have to do things you dont like, right?

Well. Alex scratched his head. The silence-spiders werent very fun, were they? Sometimes making the golems body was hard too, but, you dont have to worry about protecting anybody, Selina. Youre ten years old: its adults jobs to protect you.

Butyou could get hurt too, she said. Just like mom and dad.

Ithats not going to happen, he said, though he knew he couldnt really promise her that.

And that personthat guy at your workhe died, right?

Alex blinked. Where was this going? That was a tragedy, it was justsomething happened. You know how dangerous things can be out there.

Mhm. She nodded. And in the Cave of the Traveller she paused. You and Theresa protected us with She paused again, and had to force the next word out: fire.

Selina, that has nothing to do with you, he said. You take your time with getting used to anything having to do with fire. If you dont want to ever touch fire magic, you dont have to. If you dont want to touch magic at all, you dont have to. I know you dont like it-

Something passed over her face for an instant.

-and I know you think its scary-

I hate fire, she said suddenly. I hate it! I hate it! I hate it!

There was a desperate firmness in her voice, almost like she was trying to convince him of her words though he already knew they were true.

I know, I know, Alex said. I didnt like fire either. Its okay, Selina. You dont have to do anything you dont want to, but if you decide to become a wizardwell, itd be good for you to learn, and I could help you-

Okay.

Hm?

I want to learn how to be a wizard like you and Khalik, she said. JustIm sorry that Ive got fire in me, Alex. Im sorry.

Hey! Hey! Dont be sorry! Alex said. Thats like saying youre sorry that you have hands just because some people use their hands to hurt other people. Its okay, Selina. Youve done nothing, and Ill always, always, always love you, okay?

She was silent.

Okay? he asked again.

Okay, she finally said. is being a wizard as fun as it looks?

Yeah, Alex said, smiling warmly. Sometimes even more fun.

He spread his arms. Now, come here and give me a hug, little goblin.

She made a face, looking around. Thats embarrassing.

Hey, in like two years you wont want to hug me at all, come on have mercy on your big brother, he said.

No.

Alright, if you dont then Ill start wailing about how my sister hates her big brother right here and-

Okay, okay! She quickly scooted over and gave him a hug.

He hugged her back. Ill always love you Selina, no matter what you do.

She nodded, though he couldnt see her face. I love you too, she said in a tiny voice.

He smiled back. Alrighty, I release you from the hug.

She held onto him for a little longer before finally letting go.

So, are you ready for dinner tonight? he said. You can talk to Shiani for a bit if you want. Theresas going to take you there with Brutus: Khalik and I are helping Thundar with one of his assignments for Magic Lore, then well be along right after, okay?

Okay, she said.

And dont eat all the food before I get there.

I wont!

You know, Thundar, Alex grumbled as the sky-gondola finally pulled into the city. Im almost done the assignment doesn't usually mean, I still need help writing half the damn paper.

Oh by the gods, will you drop it!? Thundar said. I was almost done! And then this guy-

He pointed a finger accusingly at Khalik. This is the guy that went theres a better way to do this, and said I needed to re-do half of what I did before you got there!

Both Alex and Thundar looked at Khalik, who shrugged. Does a man apologize for telling the truth?

I would have been fine! Thundar whined. It would have been a solid paper! At least a mid-eighty!

And now it is a mid-ninety, why are you complaining? Khalik looked at him. You say you are leader of this cabal, and yet now you go on about how your efforts are good enough. Since when do we accept good enough?

When its good enough!

Khalik shook his head. You will thank me when you get your assignment back.

I might be dead by the time I get my assignment back, Im starving! Thundar growled.

Najyah, perched on the side of the sky-gondola, shook her head in a surprisingly human gesture.

Oh, now the birds sassing me. Keep it up, and Ill make you into emergency food! Thundar snapped.

The magnificent eagle squawked in false fright as she took off and flew into the city.

Khalik smiled. Shes off to the restaurant first, I think she will eat before we do. On purpose.

Thundar snorted. Your familiars evil. Crazy useful, like some kind of super minion, but evil.

She suits me fine when she is not in her evil moods. She has a sweet side too, Khalik said.

Too bad she never shows it, Alex chuckled, drawing a glare from Khalik. He looked over the side of the sky-gondola and saw their restaurant a few streets ahead. The crowds werent too thick, luckily, and there wasnt much in the way of sky-gondola traffic.

His eyes widened when he saw a familiar sky-gondolier lifting off from a nearby street, no doubt giving her dead-voiced speech to her customers. Well, theres Lucia.

Who? Khalik asked.

Alex blinked in surprise. Oh, I never told you guys about Lucia?

Thundar shook his head. Doesnt sound familiar to me.

Right, well when we first got to Generasi we-

Khalik gasped, his eyes going wide. His hand grasped his chest as though he was having trouble breathing. Nono! He looked at the sky-gondolier. Set us down! Now! Now!

Their gondolier blinked. Were still a street away from-

The sky-gondolier gasped as Khalik barked out a spell and earth armour formed around himself.

Did you not hear me? He reached into his purse and threw a gold coin. Set us down or I will bring us down myself!

Thundar and Alex sat up in alarm as the gondolier abruptly landed them beside a shop.

Whats wrong? Thundar demanded.

Khalik vaulted out of the sky-gondola and was already running as he shouted back. Its Najyah! he cried. I can feel her mana being drained!

Alexs body went cold.