[Mkguild] Mage Guild Reborn-Part 1

[cokane8116 at aol.com]

 Good to have you back Kamau!


Chris
The Lurking Fox
   

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Kamau <jc2blion at taconic.net>
To: Metamor Keep <mkguild at lists.integral.org>
Sent: Tue, Feb 16, 2016 3:36 am
Subject: [Mkguild] Mage Guild Reborn-Part 1


    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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