[Mkguild] Mage Guild Reborn-Part 1

[Kamau]

A smile crossed Master Jesse's face as he wound his way up to the gate 
at Metamor.  It had been far too long since he had attended to business 
here himself.  Each time he had planned a visit some business or concern 
in Mycransburg had prevented him.  Sib had become his agent so he could 
still conduct business that needed to be done there.  Then the plague 
broke out less than a month ago halting even that.  The business to be 
conducted this time only he could do himself.  To conceal his true 
intentions he had told Sib it was some business that he had with the 
guild that was forcing him to go himself.  Really that was only a half 
lie.  It was in fact business with the mage's guild that brought him to 
the Keep.  He intended to go to the hall and ask that both she and 
Rorlyn be granted letters from the guild certifying them as Journeyman.

This however brought a darker thought that furrowed his brow.  If what 
Sib had told him was true there was trouble with the guild itself.  
Seeing it had been months since he had received any communications from 
the guild he was certain that something was amiss.  While mages were not 
known to be the chatty type the Head Master, Raughat, had always made 
certain to keep all the guild members informed.  This was mostly through 
the monthly reports but of late even these had gotten smaller and then 
stopped entirely.

Once inside the gate he made his way to an inn and stabled his horse.  
He expected it would take less than a week to complete his business and 
to catch up with some friends he had not seen in a long time.  Placing 
some of the items he had brought in a shoulder bag and taking up his 
staff he headed for the marketplace.  In a short time he stood before a 
shop whose sign was that of an owl, the shining guild mark displayed in 
the corner.  Smiling he opened the door and entered.

"May I help you Master," a deer asked from behind the counter.

"Yes, I am Master Jesse and I seek Master Nestor," he replied in a firm 
but friendly tone.

"Right away Master," the doe replied with a bow as she darted to the 
back of the shop.

Moments later a tawny owl, the size of a child, appeared in the doorway.

"Master Jesse," the avian cried launching himself over the counter with 
a flap of his wings. "It is so good to see you."

"As it is to see you my friend," the blond bearded man replied as he 
stooped to embrace the owl. "How have you been doing?"

"I'm well," Nestor exclaimed beaming with pride. "Business has been good 
and I now have two apprentices and a Journeyman.

"You are off to an ambitious start," the human mage said.

"Come, let me introduce my newest apprentice," the owl said extending a 
wing toward the deer. "Lucero, this is Master Jesse from Mycransburg.  
He is the Master I studied under."

"A pleasure to meet you Master," the deer responded bowing again.

"How long will you be with us?" Nestor asked looking up at his former 
Master.

"I expect to be two or three days in the Keep," Jesse told him. "There 
are matters in Mycransburg that I need to keep an eye on."

"Of course," the owl Master said with a nod. "Still I do hope that will 
leave you time to share a drink with a former student."

"Indeed I would very much like to do that," Jesse answered with a smile. 
"But first I have a bit of business to conduct with you."

"Oh," the owl said tilting his head. "Some of your handy work?  The 
wares that Sib has been bringing are always in demand."

"That and more," the mage told him opening the bag he carried. "See what 
you think of these."

The human mage laid several bracelets and medallions on the counter.  
Nestor hopped onto the countertop and began to examine them with his 
mage sight.  Tilting and twisting his head about for some time he probed 
the magic each item held.

"Luc, tell me what you see," the owl mage said to his young apprentice.

"I will try Master," she replied and stared at the items for a few moments.

"They are wards of some kind," the doe stated, a bit of doubt tingeing 
her voice.

"Is that all?" the owl pressed.

Again the deer examined the items blinking repeatedly.  Finally she 
shook her head and faced her Master.

"There is something else radiating from them," she told him. "but it is 
bound too tightly with the first for me to discern what it is."

"Very good," the owl mage exclaimed. "I'm pleased that you saw it."

"Indeed," Master Jesse added. "How long have you been an apprentice?"

"About three months Master Jesse," she answered.

"That was very good for someone so new to the trade," the blond bearded 
mage told her. "You were correct that those are wards but of a special 
type.  The second is similar to a ward but it does not protect 
directly.  There is also a third spell beneath them both however."

"The one looks something like a gate ward," Master Nestor commented 
searching for the other spell. "Yet the first spell is clearly one of 
protection for the wearer.  So why would it reach out to the danger that 
triggered it?"

"That is because it is meant to warn the attacker," Jesse said, his 
broad smile lighting up his face. "These are meant to be worn by our 
animal Keepers when they assume a full animal form."

"But to what purpose?" Luc asked then covered her mouth realizing she 
had spoken out of turn. "Oh, pardon Masters."

"You are excused this time," Jesse said, his tone more of a teacher now. 
"As for their purpose; have you not seen or heard of Keepers attacking 
each other because they didn't know both were Keepers?"

"Yes, I've heard of that," the doe replied.

"Well if a Keeper is wearing one of these it prevents that," the Master 
Mage said. "The spell that reaches out instills a feeling of uneasiness 
in any attacker dissuading them from attacking.  The protection spell 
will shield the wearer from any primal attack and the third embedded 
spell warns the wearer and the attacker that both are Keepers."

"Interesting," the owl mage commented. "That is a nice little trinket to 
add to your line and one I'm sure I could sell to some of our patrons here."

"It's not my work," Jesse told his old student.

"Not yours?" he exclaimed. "Then whose is it?"

"My apprentice, Sibylla Messitt," the human mage said beaming. "The 
clever girl came up with this all on her own."

"This is more then the work of an apprentice," Nestor gasped. "I dare 
say I would not expect work like this from less than a Journeyman."

"Exactly, and that is why I'm here," Master Jesse told the other Master. 
"While the spells are adaptations of my own work Sib has crafted them 
into these items in a way that makes a most useful device.  That is why 
I will be asking the guild to grant her letters to be a Journeyman."

"Well that work is certainly worthy of that rank," Nestor said somewhat 
distracted by the conversation between the doe and a customer.

"I can count on your recommendation then?" Master Jesse asked following 
the owls gaze at the counter.

"Most certainly," the owl mage replied. "Follow me and we can do that 
this very minute."

The shop's Master led the human mage through the back room and to 
another chamber.

"Please have a seat," Nestor said gesturing to a chair. "Would you care 
for some wine?"

"Yes, that would be rather pleasant right now," Jesse answered.

The owl gestured to a cabinet that opened of its own accord.  From 
within a wine bottle and a glass gently floated to the table.  With a 
flick of his wing the avian mage drew the cork out and poured the wine 
into the waiting glass.

"I see your skill with levitation is as good as ever," the bearded mage 
commented.

"All thanks to you," Nestor replied. "You were the one that insisted I 
learn them."

"For a mage who has no arms it is a very useful if not necessary skill," 
Jesse told him as he picked up the glass.

"Yes, it has served me very well," the owl replied taking his place on a 
perch near the table.

"So what is this I've been told about difficulties in the guild?" Jesse 
asked Nestor as he took a sip of wine.

"Where to begin," the avian mage said with a sigh. "In many ways the 
Guild exists only in name."

"Will I have trouble getting the letters for Sib and Rorlyn?" Master 
Jesse asked his brow furrowing with concern.

"You'll have no problem with that," the owl mage said ruffling his 
feathers and puffing up some. "So long as you've enough silver in your 
belt."

"I've brought enough to cover the usual fees," Jesse replied noting the 
owl's tone and posture.

"Hah, You'll need a good bit more than that." the owl Master cawed. 
"Grand Master Kuna will need his administrative fee as well.  Even after 
that who knows when the letters will be granted."

"Grand Master?" Jesse questioned. "Who or what has made Kuna a Grand 
Master and why would he get a fee?"

"He's not a Grand Master in the broadest sense of our trade," Master 
Nestor explained. "But he felt the title Head Master wasn't exalted 
enough for the head of the guild here at Metamor."

"Kuna is Head Master?" the human mage gasped.

The owl simply nodded.

"Still he can't just single handedly change that title," Jesse exclaimed.

"Somehow he got a quorum together one day and changed it," the owl said.

"And he increased the fees at the same time?" the bearded mage asked.

"No, he pulled that off by the compensation clause in the charter," the 
younger Master told Jesse. "He claims that since he is doing all the 
work and that it's distracting him from his business he deserves 
compensation."

"Doing what work?" the human mage questioned. "All he does is sign as 
head of the guild.  Oh sure, there's a bit of review and paperwork but 
most of the work is shared among all the guild Masters.  The Head Master 
also gets a stipend to cover any possible loss of business due to his work."

"Not anymore," Nestor informed him. "He single handedly reviews all 
applications and approves them.  He's also got his paws in just about 
every other part of the guild."

"What of the other Masters?" Jesse asked. "Surely they are asked to 
review the progress of those likely to be raised in rank?"

"We haven't had a guild meeting let alone any reviews for at least six 
months," Nestor told his former Master.

"That's impossible," Jesse exclaimed. "The charter calls for meetings 
and reviews."

"So many of the mages here in the Keep and outlying area have become fed 
up with Kuna's antics that they refuse to meet," the owl mage said. 
"He's all but destroyed the guild."

“How in the world could someone like Kuna destroy the guild?” Jesse 
exclaimed. “Even in our darkest day right after Three Gates when only 
three Masters were left in the Keep it stayed together. Certainly it was 
weak and had to rebuild but we were getting very near to our old 
strength both in Masters and lower ranks.  One person certainly couldn’t 
destroy all that.”

“He didn’t” Nestor replied. “After the Winter Assault the ranks of 
Masters grew very thin.”

“I know, it took a toll on the entire valley,” the human mage answered. 
“The reports we got showed a lot of mages were in bad shape.  The few 
reports we got after that didn’t give much detail in how fast they were 
recovering.”

“Many never did.  All the ranks were greatly reduced.  Mages were high 
priority target during that attack.” Nestor told him. “If it weren’t for 
my winter plumage I’m not sure I would have survived. Head Master 
Raughat never recovered from the wounds he took defending the tower.  He 
lingered for months but nothing could be done.  That’s when Kuna got 
elected to the office.

"We didn't even hear about that in Mycransburg," Jesse said. "Raughat 
was a good mage, the first Master made after Three Gates. I'm sorry to 
hear we lost him.  But how was this election held without the Masters 
being present?"

"Legal double talk and politics," Nestor answered. "Kuna convinced the 
guild that it had to act and somehow persuaded most of those not able to 
attend a meeting to give him their support."

"We are talking about the same mage?" Jesse inquired. "Kuna; short, 
stocky, gets hyper at the drop of a hat or at least before the curse 
that was him."

"That's the one," the owl said. "And being a meerkat hasn't done 
anything for the voice and arm flailing when he's having a fit."

"Meerkat?" the blond bearded mage exclaimed. "Is that what he became?"

"Yes," the younger Master confirmed. "He hid himself away for a couple 
of years after Three Gates.  Only started being an active mage again I'd 
say four years ago.  Even then he kept a low profile."

"Then that's why I've lost track of him," Jesse said with a sigh. “The 
curse has made some outstanding mages absolute hermits.  Even at meeting 
they hide themselves under hoods or other clothing.”

"No one seems to know what he did during the assault," Nestor continued. 
"But with our losses and so many others healing from their wounds he 
just stepped into the vacuum and took control."

"Have you tried to get him removed?" Master Jesse asked.

"Yes, we have, though not recently," his former student answered. "He 
either comes up with a reason to cancel the vote or we don't have the 
quorum of Masters needed to do so.  There's been enough attempts that 
many have simply given up and went their own ways."

"It sounds like someone needs to do some cat herding." Jesse commented 
stroking his beard. "Start pulling the Master Mages together and get the 
guild to stand up to Kuna."

"With the current feeling among the mages here that will take a bit of 
persuasion," the owl mage replied.

"Well then I guess someone is just going to have to persuade them," 
Jesse said standing and turning toward the door. "I assume you would be 
interested in his removal."

"Certainly," the owl replied.

"Good that's two," the blond Master said. "Now all I need is the 
remaining sextyne and we can render the letter demanding the meeting."

"Not even that," Nestor replied sadness in his voice. "As I said, we 
lost a lot of good mages in the assault."

"We never heard the final count, at least not officially," Jesse 
explained as the full impact of that event on the guild became clear to 
him. "So what do I need for a quorum, a dozen?"

"I'm afraid not even that," was the owl's short reply.

"All the more reason for us to get a real Head Master," Jesse said 
firmly as he headed for the door. "I'll see what support I can come up 
with while I'm getting the signatures on the letters."

"Wait," the avian mage called out. "I haven't signed yet."

"I can do that when I come back to get you for our night out," the blond 
bearded mage replied. "I want to catch up on more pleasant things over a 
good meal and some drink."

Jesse left the shop and headed to another part of the market.  He was 
certain he could find other Masters that would support Sib for 
Journeyman.  His greater concern was how many had seen Rorlyn's skill 
now that he had recovered his voice.  But with what Nestor had just told 
him he had the added task of feeling out who would join him and Nestor 
in getting Kuna removed from his position.

It didn’t take long to get the additional signature for Sib and Jesse 
now set out to find those who would have knowledge of Rorlyn's regained 
abilities.  Leaving the marketplace he headed up the street that would 
lead him to the Mages' guild tower.  Though he did not visit it often, 
aside from the guild meetings, it was one of his favorite places in the 
Keep.  The tower was much more then a meeting place.  It had been built 
and equipped to be a focal point for the powerful magic that coursed 
through the city.  The size, shape and location had all been carefully 
chosen so it was in harmony with the magic of the Keep.

This, of course, also made it a place of great power.  Anyone who could 
feel magic was immediately aware of that when they entered the place.  
The guild always made certain that protective wards were in place to 
prevent enemies and the least savory of mages from tapping into that power.

Coming to the door of the tower the blond mage immediately knew 
something was wrong.  He had expected the usual probing by the threads 
of magic that were the first lines of defense but what he felt were weak 
and disordered.  Passing through the arch of the door he again noted 
that the wards, while still present, were very lacking in power.  It 
didn't take long for the Master Mage of Mycransburg to see more than the 
magic of this place was ill maintained.

The entrance chamber was disordered with benches pushed together in 
various places and the desks, usually manned by one of more junior 
mages, were not only out of place but vacant.  A boy of perhaps fourteen 
years was near a set of shelves attempting to put some books in order.  
As there was no one at the desk the Master Mage decided to use an old 
greeting for occasions when there was not a standing watch.

"Jesse Öresund, Guild Master and Master Mage of Mycransburg seeks 
admission to the hall."

The lad spun about, a book sliding from his hand, as he was taken by 
surprise at the formal greeting.  The child, whom Jesse was certain, was 
age regressed, stood staring at him, his mouth moving like a fish in 
water.  After it became obvious the boy would not regain voice 
immediately the blond bearded mage spoke again.

"Excuse me, could you tell me where I might find one of the duty mages?"

"I, I guess that might be me Master," he stammered eyes wide in either 
fear or shock.

"And whom am I speaking to then?" the Master questioned.

"Evan," the boy replied. "Evan Rehfuss, apprentice to Master Vaughn.  
How may I help you Master?"

"An apprentice?" Jesse asked, an eyebrow raised in disbelief. "There is 
no journeyman on duty?"

"Not that I am aware of Master," the apprentice told him. "I'm not even 
sure if I'm the person you seek.  I was just putting some books back in 
their place as my Master had ordered."

Jesse extended his arm and the fallen book rose from the floor and 
floated gently to his hand.  Briefly flipping through the pages he sent 
it back to the hands of the boy standing before him.

"Not only an apprentice," the Master Mage observed. "But also very new 
to the craft if that text was used by you."

"Yes Master," Evan said. "I was taken by Master Vaughn only last month."

"Are there any other mages here at all?" the blond mage asked, glancing 
about the empty hall. "Certainly there must be some in the library."

"I've only seen three others," the age regressed Keeper told him. "I 
believe they are using some of the workshops."

"One wouldn't happen to be a dragon would he?" inquired the Master Mage.

"Yes, Rugger is among them," the apprentice told him. "Shall I see if he 
is available?"

"No," Jesse answered. "For what I need from him I can go to where he is 
working.  Just point me to the workshop he is in."

"Through that door Master," the lad replied pointing. "The last room on 
the left."

"Thank you lad," the Master said as he moved toward the door where he 
paused for a moment. "Oh and lad.  Suggest to your Master that you learn 
a levitate spell.  It will aid one like yourself greatly."

Proceeding down the curved hall the blond mage noted that all the rooms 
were empty.  For Rugger to be the only one using a room was highly out 
of place.

As he reached the room Evan had indicated Jesse noted that the occupant 
had not set the do not disturb sign.  After a moment of listening for 
anything that might indicate a casting was in progress he gave a gentle 
knock on the door.

Moments later the door opened revealing the scaled form of a dragon Keeper.

"Rugger," Jesse began. "I am Master Jesse Öresund, from Mycransburg.  I 
was wondering if I might speak to you for a moment."

"Certainly," Rugger replied. "Please come in."

Jesse stepped into the chamber being careful not to disturb anything 
that might be preparation for a casting.  Aside from what looked to be 
light armor he saw nothing to indicate what Rugger was working on.  Then 
his eyes fell to the floor where he noticed a series of runes inscribed.

"Strengthening runes?" Jesse exclaimed in surprise. "What could you be 
working on that you need them here?"

"The channeling spells for the workshops are in great need of work," the 
dragon replied with a shake of his head. "For me it is far simpler to 
use the runes then to do that work."

"No one is assigned to maintain the spells?" the blond mage asked. "That 
was typically assigned to either an advanced apprentice or a Journeyman 
putting in his guild hours."

"I can see it's been some time since you were last here Master Jesse," 
Rugger replied. "Most apprentices now work only in their Master's 
shops.  And even if there were a schedule the Journeyman find no value 
in being here as they get no training, meaningful tasks or assistance 
for the labor they would do."

"No schedule," Jesse echoed with a slow shake of his head. "No 
maintenance, no one working it the rooms or at the entrance of the 
hall.  Yes, this place has fallen greatly."

"So it has," the dragon replied. "But this is not why you have come.  
How can I help you Jesse?"

"No it is not," the blond Master confirmed then added. "Or at least not 
when I first arrived.  I was wondering if you have any knowledge of my 
apprentice Rorlyn."

"The large gryphon mage?" Rugger asked.

"Yes, the curse made him that early last year," Jesse answered.

"I have seen him and had some conversation with him," the dragon mage 
acknowledged. "A rather interesting fellow in the way he crafts his magic."

"Oh I agree.  His manner is not what I would expect," the human mage 
replied. "But just as I craft magic different from a rune caster like 
yourself so Rorlyn does with his methods."

"Yes, I won't deny it works," the scaled mage agreed. "Lately I've seen 
him produce some impressive castings."

"Ah, that brings me to the core of what I'm here for," Jesse said seeing 
a good opening to ask. "From what I hear you are an advanced 
Journeyman.  Would you say his skill is at a Journeyman's level?"

The dragon seemed to think for a moment, running his clawed hand about 
his muzzle as he did so.

"He can certainly channel power," the dragon began. "And what I've seen 
of his work he is well controlled in directing what he crafts. I've not 
seen him do much fine work however."

"For that I have a solution," Jesse told him reaching into his bag and 
drawing forth some objects. "These are some of his work."

Rugger carefully examined each of the objects placed before him.  He 
handled some of them and tested another to its intended use.  With one 
final examination of the collection he turned back to Jesse.

"If he has done these with those massive claws of his," the dragon said. 
"I have no doubt of his ability to do fine work."

“Thank you,” the gryphon’s Master replied. “It’s good to know others 
feel as I do.  Do you know of any Masters in the Keep that have seen 
much of his work lately?”

“None that I can think of.  I know Electra has seen some of what he’s 
done,” the dragon answered. “as has Saroth, though he’s not a Master.  
You might ask either of them.”

He paused for a moment as if debating something he might add.

“Master Jesse,” the dragon started. “You do know that with the current 
state of the guild expecting someone to be raised in rank is a futile 
endeavor at best.”

"Futile," Jesse said. "Oh not entirely futile I assure you.  That has 
also become a part of my business as I have become aware of the illness 
infecting our guild."

"And how would you propose to expel that illness?" Rugger responded. 
"Others have tried you know and been thwarted."

"Perhaps, but I believe I have a means of preventing that," Jesse 
explained. "All I need is a clear majority of the Masters of the guild 
to sign a partition.  Once that is done there has to be a meeting called."

"This has been done in the past," the dragon reminded the human mage. 
"But the meetings were always postponed until a quorum was no longer 
present."

"Leave that to me," the blond mage replied. "The charter has a seldom 
used clause that should force him to meet in a timely fashion."

"If you can assure that," Rugger said with lightly veiled enthusiasm. "I 
guarantee you most Masters that I know of would sign the partition for 
such a meeting."

“Excellent,” the blond bearded mage exclaimed. “That is encouraging to 
hear.”

Leaving the room Jesse returned to the main hall and found Master Vaughn 
speaking with her young apprentice.

“Good day Master Xima,” Jesse called out. “How are you today?”

“I’d be much better if someone would keep the books here in good order,” 
she shot back even before she tuned to see Jesse. “It’s a disgrace to 
the guild that a young mage can’t even find a book he’s been told to 
fetch by himself here.”

“Or someone on duty to aid him in his search,” Jessed added. “Your 
apprentice is the only person I saw when I entered the tower today.”

“Hah, that would be too troublesome for our Grand Master,” she growled 
looking about the room. “Too busy to make a schedule, to appoint 
journeymen or Masters to be here to aid in learning the trade.  And when 
was the last apprentice workshop or Masters meeting we’ve had?  Months!  
How are we going to get our numbers back to a reasonable level if the 
guild doesn’t provide for its lower levels?”

“I know.  That’s become one of the reasons I’m here,” Jesse said hoping 
to slow the rant to a conversation. “I’ve been told that all the recent 
meetings have fallen short of having a quorum.”

“Every single one,” Xima replied in a harsh tone. “And I’ve been to them 
all.  Talk to the Masters in their shops or on the street and yes, 
they’ll be there but come meeting time not even a handful show.  Try 
scheduling the meeting further ahead so schedules will be clear and 
still no quorum to allow business to be done.  Now even when asked Kuna 
refuses saying no one will show.  Something’s not right here I tell 
you.  This is not like us.”

“Have they tried majority request or an emergency session?” the bearded 
mage asked. “The Head Master has to call a meeting for both of those.”

“Oh sure, if you could find enough Masters willing to sign,” the female 
mage snapped back. “You’d have better luck herding all the cats in 
Keeptown into a single room then getting that number of signatures.”

“I’ve been known to have a fair amount of success with felines,” Jesse 
said with a grin. “and considering one of my apprentices is half feline 
I’m in good practice.”

“Yes, Rorlyn, the gryphon who works magic with twitching talons,” Xima 
replied surprising Jesse at her knowledge of him. “I’ve been meaning to 
talk to you about him.”

“Oh? Has he done something wrong?” Jesse asked now concerned that there 
was something he hadn’t been told.

“Yes and no,” the female Master answered. “I’ve seen him helping others 
apprentices with their magic.  Not exactly something you’d expect or 
want someone of his level to do.  Still I must say he never seems to be 
in error with what he does.  It’s also the only time I see him weave 
magic as most of us do.”

“Before he came to Metamor he was an apprentice to a Master who had to 
leave on a journey,” Jesse began to explain. “Before he left he assigned 
Rorlyn to oversee the other apprentices in his shop and was told he 
would be raised to journeyman status when the Master returned.”

“If that’s true why is he not a journeyman now?” she asked.

“His Master never returned from the journey,” Jesse continued. “After 
waiting years he saw to it that the other apprentices went to other 
Masters and he set out on his own.  That brought him to Metamor.  He 
thought he could escape the curse by using a spell to turn himself into 
an animal like those in the Keep.  It didn’t work and instead he became 
a gryphon when the curse took him.”

“So let me get this straight,” Xima began. “He oversaw a shop by 
himself, taught others and convinced Masters to accept those he 
trained?  And as if that’s not odd enough he’s an apprentice who is able 
to weave morphing magic?”

“I’ve seen it myself,” Jesse said recalling his first encounters with 
him. “And he has a fair number of powerful combat spells as well.”

“Now that I’ve heard from others who have been with him,” she confirmed. 
“But with all of that why isn’t he a journeyman already? What did you 
see that you didn’t get him advanced?”

“Nothing,” the blond mage replied. “When the curse took him he lost both 
the ability to speak and one finger to work magic with.  It is only 
recently that his voice has come back to where he can again fully craft 
spells requiring vocalization.  His advancement also happens to be one 
of the reasons I’m here today.”

The female Master opened her mouth to speak almost as if she had her 
next question ready before Jesse finished but halted before asking it.

“You’re joking.  In this disorder you expect to get a letter for a 
journeyman?” Xima said with a sarcastic tone to her voice. “From what 
you’ve just said and what I’ve seen and heard I’d certainly say he’d 
ready but it will never happen.  Not with Kuna pulling all the strings 
here.”

“You are not the first to tell me that,” Jesse said reaching into his 
bag. “I just got a sponsorship letter signed by two of the Masters for 
Sib, one of my other apprentices and I’ve another letter for Rorlyn.  
All I need are the signatures of two Masters.”

“I see.  So you’re intent on pushing this with Kuna?” the well-endowed 
mage asked. “Well if you are I’ll gladly sign but I’ll tell you right 
now I’m not expecting it to account for much.”

“You can sign it right here,” Jesse said pointing to a table and placing 
the letter upon it. “I’ve quill and ink here as well.”

Placing the writing tools on the table Xima quickly picked up the quill 
and placed her name in bold strokes at the bottom of the page.

“I may also soon have another paper for you to sign,” Jesse told her 
drying the ink and returning the page to his bag. “If all I’ve heard 
holds true and I can prove it I’ll be forcing a meeting with Kuna shortly.”

“That one I’ll certainly sign,” she stated firmly. “But you be careful.  
There’s something not right about all this disorder that’s come to the 
guild.  I’ve not been able to feel or see anything but people are not 
acting like themselves when they come here.  I’ve made it my habit to 
shield myself before I enter anymore.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Jesse said taking a look around the chamber 
before heading for the door. “With the weakness of the wards and 
defenses here I would not be surprised to find something has snuck in.”

Leaving the tower Jesse knew he now had another ally to aid him in 
getting to the bottom of what was pulling the guild apart.  He also now 
only needed one more signature to complete his original task for his 
coming to the Keep.

For the next few hours Jesse visited the magic shops in the Keep but 
while some of the Masters knew of Rorlyn none felt they had seen the 
range of magic they needed so as to sign the letter.  As he was nearing 
the Twin Hearth Inn he kept a careful eye out for his winged 
apprentice.  Unless there had been a change the gryphon was out on 
patrol for the next few days which gave Jesse time to obtain what he 
needed without Rorlyn knowing.

Looking up at the peak of the building Jesse could see the large door 
with a landing pad before it.  The door was closed, a good indication at 
this time of year that the gryphon was away.  When at the Keep Rorlyn 
called the Hearth his home and the owners had provided him with a roost 
in the Inn’s attic.  Darion and Jami, the owners of the Inn, had been 
very generous to the gryphon from the moment of his change and all three 
had grown very close.

Looking back to the street he was pleased to see a small figure he had 
hoped to find coming toward him.  As with so many of the age regressed 
Keepers her physical form hid the true power and ability she had.  The 
sun dancing off her red hair and a smile on her face gave Jesse 
confidence that this would be a good time to speak to her.

“Good day Electra,” the blond mage called out.

“Good day Jesse,” she replied changing her course to come before her 
fellow mage. “What brings you to the Keep?  You usually keep yourself 
locked away up to the north.”

“Yes, my duties there keep me busy,” he told her with a smile. “just as 
your weather duties keep you busy here.  What brought me to the Keep is 
a matter of guild business and one you may be able to aid me with.”

The girl’s smile faded as she replied.

“Any business you have with the guild may well be beyond my help. Some 
of us still work together but trying to do anything meaningful with the 
guild is like walking against a full blown gale.”

“So I’ve heard from every Master I’ve spoken to,” the mage of 
Mycransburg said with a nod. “Still what I’m here for I want to finish 
before I attempt to tackle the guild problem.”

“What is it you need?” she asked her expression a mix of concern and 
curiosity.

“I’m told you’ve had some contact with one of my apprentices, Rorlyn,” 
he continued. “I was hoping you might give me your opinion on whether he 
is ready to be advanced to journeyman rank.”

“He is one of several people I know of that should have been raised in 
rank over the last year,” Electra told Jesse, her tone stressing should. 
“Saroth and he seem to enjoy exercising together both in flight and with 
spells.”

“Now that’s something I’ve never heard him mention,” Jesse said stroking 
his beard as he considered the dragon and gryphon playing in the air.

“You can’t imagine the difficulties I have when those two get together 
and start some of their aerial antics,” she explained. “If they’re not 
seeing who can turn tightest about or through trees they’re chasing each 
other above the clouds in some winged follow the leader.  I’ve also had 
to warn them about where to play with some of your gryphon’s lightening 
spheres.”

“Now that I’ll see comes to a halt,” Jesse told her not amused in the 
least at this report.

“Don’t be too harsh,” the child mage suggested. “They were not 
endangering anyone or causing damage.  It’s just that I get questions 
about flashes and thunder in a clear sky from some of the logging crews.”

“I’ll remind him of his practice limits,” the Master Mage replied. “But 
back to business for a moment.  Would you be willing to sign the letter 
of sponsorship for Rorlyn?”

“I’d be pleased to do so,” the weather mage said with a smile. “And I 
certainly hope you can make it happen for him.  He needs the recognition 
with all he’s been doing for others.”

“We can step into the Hearth for a moment and sign it there,” Jesse 
suggested motioning toward the Inn. “We can also speak some more about 
what’s happening with the guild over a drink if you have the time.”

“I could use a break from the day’s routine,” Electra answered as she 
turned to the door. “And the Hearth is one of the better places I can 
think of to talk to someone about the guild’s problems.”

“Then let us proceed,” Jesse said making a broad gesture toward the 
double doors of the Inn.

Leaving the Inn Jesse saw that there would not be the time to complete 
all he wanted to do at the guild hall.  Leaning on his staff for a 
moment he considered his options until a happy thought put him into 
action.  This was the perfect time to just browse the shops here at the 
Keep, something he had not done in ages.  And so he spent the rest of 
the day until it was time to collect his former student for what he 
hoped would be a relaxing evening.

Jesse entered the shop just as the deer apprentice was closing the last 
of the cases.

"Good evening Luc," he called out. "Is Master Nestor still in the back?"

"Yes Master Jesse," the deer answered as she set the ward over the case. 
"Shall I get him for you?"

"Yes, but first I think you'd best examine that ward," the Master Mage 
suggested.

The deer looked at the small coin like item and blinked.  Raising a 
hoofed hand once again she lowly spoke the words.  Immediately her ears 
fell in disappointment.

"Intonation," Jesse said softly. "Do not allow my presence to distract 
you as you did the first time.  Try it again but this time keep your 
pace steady and your intonation clear.  Be precise with the words."

The doe nodded and taking her time once again tried to activate the 
ward.  This time a small glow that quickly faded assured her the ward 
was active.

"Thank you Master Jesse," she said. "I will fetch the Master for you."

Shortly Nestor hopped onto the counter and cast a glance about the shop.

"Very good Luc," he called to the back room. "You got all the ward set."

He then directed his gaze to the bearded mage before him.

"So did you succeed in your business today?" he asked.

"Yes and I've come to fetch the last signature I need to present the 
letter of request," Jesse said placing the paper before the owl. "And to 
carry a certain feathered friend off to a good supper."

"Luc, quill and ink," the owl shouted to his apprentice then said to 
Jesse. "So where shall we go?"

"We could do the Mule, the Hearth, Bricks is usually good," the human 
mage began. "We both like about the same fare"

"Bricks was never rebuilt," the owl told Jesse with a shake of his head. 
"And the land it was on is now going to be part of the Ecclecia convent."

"Convent?" the blond mage questioned as Nestor placed his name on Sib's 
Journeyman letter. "I do have a lot to catch up on here."

"Well let's be on our way," Nestor suggested. "Both the Mule and the 
Hearth are in the same direction so we can talk and decide on the way."

“Sounds good to me,” Jesse replied. “Would you care for a lift so you 
can chat in my ear?”

For a moment the feathered mage stared at him then an avian smile spread 
out on his face.

“Why yes I would, “he said as he shrunk down to natural owl size and 
form. “It has been some time since I’ve done that.”

Leaping to Jesse’s arm he added.

“Just mind that hat brim.  I don’t need my crest and ear feathers 
brushed all asunder.”

“I’ll do that if you mind those talons,” Jesse said feeling the owl’s 
firm grip on him “This robe doesn’t need any addition opening nor does 
my arm.”

Both mages laughed as they walked up the street seeking a relaxed 
evening of food and fellowship.

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