THE THIRD MAGE

Even though Denaire couldn"t take down notes, she could remember what the Queen has been discussing. Of how the Laws of the Land were founded by the Four Great Mages a long, long time ago. And that there was no one who could change the law unless the four kingdoms in Aenario discuss about it. But it would seem impossible now because all four kingdoms are at war with each other.

Lady Samarra expressed her views against the oppression directed to the no-mage. She would sometimes curse the Four Great Mages for creating a self-centered, unfair law when she hears of a no-mage being enslaved by a n.o.ble to the point of dying.

There was one day that she blurted this out to the Queen. But the Queen could only agree to her. She said she couldn"t do anything about it. What they have been doing was lessen the violence and oppression, but still, it was not enough.

"Denaire, don"t you worry. I will unite the four kingdoms so that we could change this stupid law."

Denaire just laughed it off, feeling like it would never be possible.

While Prince Amon"s academics were handled by the n.o.ble scholars living near the palace, his music lessons were taught by Aria together with Lady Samarra.

Lady Samarra had taken to liking playing the harp, which delighted the heart of Dior. Being near the Lady was his dream. Teaching her the harp and showing her his magnificent skills was a bonus. He sometimes dreamed that Lady Samarra would fall for him, as he was for her.

Prince Amon, on the other hand, had his interest on the piano. And so, Aria would teach him. Sometimes, Denaire would a.s.sist her to make it easier. Prince Amon liked playing the piano so much that even if Aria wasn"t around, he would seek Denaire"s help in finishing an a.s.signment piece.

Denaire"s bad impression on the Prince slowly faded away as they spent all that time playing together. She found it rather comforting that the Prince finally warmed to her, no more cold and arrogant att.i.tude towards her. Maybe it was because Lady Samarra forced the Prince, but Denaire didn"t care. As long as she"s treating everyone good, all good things would come back to her a hundred fold.

And on no cla.s.s days, the Queen would sometimes find the three children playing in the garden, laughter ringing throughout the estate.

The Queen was rather fond of Denaire, and as such, she didn"t mind that she was playing with her son and daughter. She sometimes would think that what if Denaire marries her son, her grandchildren would be very pretty and handsome. Of course, Denaire was the prettiest girl she had ever laid eyes on, even prettier than her own daughter. Denaire with her wavy, ash grey hair and a piercing pair of almond-shaped amber eyes. She was even taller than most girls of her own age.

The Queen sighed. "If only she was a mage, and a royal one..."

"Who is the royal one?" the King interrupted his musing Queen.

"Oh nothing. Tell me dear, what do you think of Denaire?"

"Denaire? Well, she"s a smart kid and beautiful, very beautiful."

The Queen"s sigh left the King curious.

"Why darling?"

"Nothing. I just thought how beautiful and amazing our grandchildren would be if Amon marries a girl like Denaire."

"You are not seriously thinking of marrying off our son this early! He"s still 10 years old! By the G.o.ds Iris!"

The Queen laughed at the King"s outburst. "Relax dear, it was just a what if."

"Well, that was a scary what if. But you know that can"t be possible. Our son"s a royal."

"I know," the Queen said weakly.

***

Years pa.s.sed by. Prince Amon could only come by at Lady Samarra"s once in a while. His military and magic training has finally started. The two girls missed the boy"s company, but it was a part of their growing up.

A short while after, Lady Samarra began training her magic as soon as it was getting stronger. All her time has been spent in controlling and using her magic. So Denaire was left alone, wandering around the large estate. She could only talk to Lady Samarra when the lessons were over.

It was then at that moment that she discovered crafting.

She was sitting at a shallow pond somewhere at the back part of the estate. She came across playing with mud. She was rather enjoying the feel of the mud in between her hands, and the thrill of creating something out of her imagination. Unbeknownst to her, she had created little mud sculptures. They were of plants, animals and everything found in nature.

After that one day, she went there everyday to make more creatures, as what she made the previous day was destroyed by the morning drizzles. As soon as she realized that she"s had a knack for art, she set a new goal. She will make the same thing over and over again until she perfects it up to the smallest detail.

So that day, she was creating a mud dandelion. It was her fourth day studying and recreating one. She hoped that she would get it this time.

"Denaire, what are you doing?"

Denaire was surprised of the voice and she nearly rolled to the pond, destroying the mud dandelion in the process. She suppressed her frustration and looked at the speaker.

"Your Majesty."

"Oh no!" The Queen caught her red-handed.

"Denaire, have you made these?" the Queen gestured to the small mud dandelions she had created earlier.

Denaire was afraid of telling her the truth. "But I am caught now, so I don"t have any choice." she thought.

So, she looked straight up to the Queen apologetically, "Yes, Your Majesty. I am so sorry for doing this during work time. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The Queen, defying all odds, laughed only at her. Denaire thought that maybe the Queen was getting on her age, she might not be thinking straight anymore.

"No Denaire it"s alright. I know you"re getting bored. You are not allowed to see Lady Samarra"s magical training. Am I correct?"

Denaire looked down in agreement.

"Come with me, I want to show you something."

The Queen led her further the pond, further into the back of the estate. Denaire only realized at that moment how huge Lady Samarra"s estate is. They were walking on a path covered with moss and gra.s.s, and small flowers unknown to Denaire.

They reached a cl.u.s.ter of small houses. The Queen stopped at the center and looked back at Denaire.

"So, this estate belonged to a craftsmanship school before, handled by my grandfather. It was abandoned because of the decline of students and talented people. Craftsmanship nowadays run in selected families, most are in the Middle Cla.s.s."

Denaire dragged her sight to the cl.u.s.ter of houses, confusion evident on her face.

The Queen chuckled before adding, "I saw you were rather interested in doing crafts, so I"m giving you this whole place to learn and practice. This has been last used for so long, but I made sure that it is still operational. Come, I"ll show you around."

Denaire hesitated a bit before frankly asking the Queen, "But Your Majesty, no-mage are not allowed to learn-"

"This is just our secret. Who would look for a lost no-mage? None. Just make sure to be back at the house when Lady Samarra"s lessons end, and that is by sunset. Don"t be afraid, you got me."

And Denaire believed, as she saw the twinkle of love and happiness in the Queen"s azure eyes.