This chapter is unfinished. When you come across the <more> tag, it meant I was not finished with that scene/thought and was going to go back and expand upon it. Obviously this will not be happening now. Keep all that in mind.’
Quin was chanting quietly to himself, trying to conjure a spell to disperse the fire while students screamed and ran out in panic. Tavyan was unsure of what to do so he turned and ran out with them.
“What is going on here?” came Welis’ voice as he came running into view.
“Ask the white-haired freak” Amendel sneered.
“Tavyan?” Welis kneeled down next to him.
“I’m sorry” Tavyan said as tears filled his eyes. “I was lighting the candle and?”
“And instead he lit the room, nearly killed us all” Amendel said as Tavyan sniffled loudly. Welis put his hand on Tavyan’s shoulder and turned to look at Amendel.
“That’s enough. Leave him alone Amendel.” Moments later Quin emerged from the room, followed by some light smoke. “Quin, what is going on here?” He stood up as Quin coughed loudly.
“Welis, we must speak privately. Students, lessons are over for today. Please retire to your quarters and stay there until further notice.” Quin and Welis walked back into the smoking room leaving the students to themselves.
“Tavyan,” everyone was staring at him with mixed looks, but it was Jerril who had spoken. Tavyan backed away, still wiping tears from his face. “What happened? What did you do?”
“He tried to kill us.” Amendel spoke again. “Or were you not paying attention Jerril?” Amendel took several steps forward and pointed at Tavyan. “I say we return the favor right now.”
“Stop it right now!” Melia had stepped forward in between Jerril and Amendel. “It was not his fault.”
“Then who’s fault was it Melia?” Several other students were now starting to speak up and join ides with Amendel.
Tavyan decided he had heard enough. With sobs of pain he turned and ran as fast as his legs would carry him. He ran back through the cave, past the gates and straight out of town into the thick forbidden forest. He ran until his body could no longer withstand the strain and he collapsed. While catching his breath he noticed that it had grown very dark, like nightfall. He wondered where he would go but realized he really did not care. He just wanted to get away. Away from Draco and what had happened there.
Deeper and deeper he progressed, following the narrow path. As he walked he felt the sense that perhaps something or someone was watching him but try as he might he could see nothing. In fact, he noted, he could see no movement or living thing anywhere. Odd, he thought, considering the forest was supposed to be filled with dangerous animals.
Hours passed as he wandered and just when he felt as if he should turn around and give up, he finally began to see a small dim light ahead. He broke out into a run again and only stopped when he saw a wall of thick branches that carried very large thorns blocking the path. He noticed that the branches seemed to be connected to a fluffy bush nearby.
Frantically searching the ground, he found a jagged rock and rushed to the thick wall of thorns. “I must get through this” he said aloud, and began to hack away. He heard a squeal of pain and stopped. “Who’s there?” He heard no response. He tried again and heard the same noise. He raised his rock again only to see the bush shoot a branch out of it and directly onto his leg. Red blood splashed onto the ground and waves of pain went flying through his body. He screamed loudly.
<more>
“Please move. I’m begging you!” Tavyan shouted at the bush. It did not respond.
“Are you trying to argue with this bush?” came a voice from somewhere above. Tavyan glanced up into the high trees and saw a figure of a man who was falling down towards the ground. With a solid thunk! the man landed. Even in darkness the figure seemed majestic in appearance. He wore bright silver armor with a large two-handed sword strapped to his back. His hair was long and dark as the ocean on a moonless night. “The magical bush of Dagwall Woods will not move for you, young one.”
“Dagwall Woods?” Tavyan glared at the stranger.
“That is what this place is called.” He waved his arms to indicate the entire forest. “You honestly did not think it was called ‘The Forbidden Forest’ did you?” He hesitated and seemed shock at the thought that Tavyan had, in fact, believed it to be the name. “The elders of Draco planted this protective bush to not only protect the village from invaders but to keep runaways from leaving.”
“How troublesome” Tavyan mumbled and struggled to return to his feet.
“Troublesome is it? I have never heard it put quite that way. This bush has saved Draco countless times from the would-be bandits and the monsters. You should show a little more respect.” He lifted Tavyan straight up into the air and back onto his feet. “Why were you running away from Draco?” Tavyan explained the best he could about what had happened. “I see.” The man considered this. “Then I will offer you a choice.”
The man walked forward towards the menacing bush and whispered something that Tavyan could not hear. The wall of thick thorn branches began to retract into the bush itself and disappeared. Tavyan covered his eyes from the bright sun that now shone through. “You may pass if you wish” the man said seriously “but if you go now you will not last a week. The world is a harsh place. You will never find anyone quite as hospitable as Rnea to care for you when you are weak, hungry or ill.” Tavyan noticed his stomach growling as the stranger talked.
“So what am I to do then?” The stranger laughed at the question.
“I sense within you the potential to be great. You have more power than anyone at the academy you were running away from. I can teach you to unlock this potential and defend for yourself so that when you do leave Draco and enter this harsh world, you will be able to defend yourself.”
The decision came easy. He would choose to stay with this stranger, learn to defend himself. He spoke his decision. “Excellent. Now, go back to Draco and to Rnea. Tell her only of what happened at the academy and do not mention me or any of these plans. When night has fallen upon the village and Rnea has retired, go to the fountain and I will meet you there to begin your lessons. Understood?”
“I understand.” Tavyan started to walk back towards the village then stopped, realizing he never asked the man his name.
“Cyprus” he said, as if he could read Tavyan’s mind. “I am called Cyprus.”
Rnea seemed very upset with the news of what happened on the first day of Tavyan’s stay at the academy but seemed relieved when he had told her no one was hurt. “That’s always the most important thing” she told him. She had asked him how he was going to spend his days and he said that first he would explore, and then perhaps work for one of the shop keepers. She seemed happy at this and left him alone.
The first night he snuck out and approached the fountain. Cyprus was there waiting for him alone. “Good, you did as I asked.” He withdrew the large sword from his back and tossed it towards Tavyan who caught it then dropped it from the weight. “Pitiful. Pick up the sword.” He tried. “Defend yourself if you want to live.” With those words Cyprus dashed with amazing speed towards Tavyan.
Crack! Tavyan was sent lurching forwards when Cyprus kicked him in the stomach. He fell to his knees winded and in pain. Tavyan wrapped his hands around the hilt of the sword and grinded his teeth in anger. This was not what he agreed to. “Get up. I say it again. Pick up the sword and defend yourself or you will not survive this night.” Tavyan could see Cyprus backing up, preparing for another rushing kick but this time would be different. He stood up and lifted the sword with ease and prepared to block whatever came his way. <more>
