Chapter 3

  Ray watched the two talk, a smile crossing his aging face as he saw the boy relax. Rolund seemed to relax as well, he had been stressed the past few days. It seemed that seeing the one person he was able to save get out of his coma helped a lot. He watched the boy carefully, Caspian had been attracted to the Sun Drop. Ray wondered if he had the potential to become a sorcerer, if he did, it could be a way for him to work through his trauma.

  He cleared his mind as he noticed an aura lock on his soul, he looked up and saw Rolund waving him over. Ray chuckled and began making his way over, careful not to bump into anyone and spill the tray of drinks.

  “I see you two have become acquainted.” Ray said joyously as he set down the tray, a jug of ice cold fruit juice with several cups arranged around it.

  “Yes sir,” Rolund said with a chuckle. “In fact, we were just discussing your history as a sorcerer.”

  Ray cocked an eyebrow with an amused expression. “Giving away all my secrets are we?” He lowered himself onto the bench next to Caspian.

  “Oh please, you love telling people about your life.” Rolund remarked, snatching a cup and the jug, filling the cup and passing it to Caspian.

  Ray rolled his eyes as he too grabbed a cup, Rolund filled it before filling his own. Caspian watched the two banter with a soft smile on his face, one that didn't reach his eyes. Rolund turned to Caspian and his grin faded slightly as he knocked on the table lightly.

  “Hey,” He said, his voice careful. “You alright?” His face showed his worry.

  Caspian nodded, taking a sip of the juice before speaking.

  “Yeah, it’s just.” He paused, his gaze drifting downwards. “My parents used to talk to each other like that.” His voice was a quiet whisper, if the two hadn't been sorcerers, then they wouldn't have heard it at all.

  Ray placed a hand on Caspian’s shoulder, giving it a reaffirming squeeze. Caspian turned up to him, small tears forming at the corners of his eyes. Ray smiled softly.

  “That’s good. You should always remember the good times with them. Let the rest of it fade out of your mind.” He advised, his words almost like a command.

  Caspian took a slow breath, willing his mind to calm and clear. Eventually, he opened his eyes and nodded once, wiping away the tears that had fallen down his face. His smile returned and he turned back to Rolund.

  “You said he had a building all to himself here. Is that true?” He asked, his excitement returning in force.

  Ray turned to Rolund with a flat look on his face. Mouthing really? at him. Rolund waggled his eyebrows at Ray before turning back to Caspian, whispering conspiratorially.

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  “Yep, It’s one of the largest buildings on the grounds too.”

  “Woah!” Caspian uttered in awe, eyes sparkling.

  Ray rolled his eyes as they continued to gossip about him, he refilled his cup and took a sip. Setting it down he nudged Rolund’s soul with his aura, their thoughts intertwining in a chaotic dance. The thoughts weren’t so much words as they were the intention behind them.

  ‘He has the potential to become a sorcerer. The Sun Drop caught his senses.’ Ray’s thoughts echoed in Rolund’s mind, their auras allowing him to make sense of the jumble of magic and intentions.

  Rolund didn't turn his attention away from Caspian, splitting his focus between the boy and Ray. His aura pushed at Ray’s senses with a clear aggression, the intention making its way into his mind.

  ‘He just lost his parents. We won’t push this life on him yet, wait until he’s ready for it.’

  ‘He is ready Manir. This is the perfect way for him to move past his parent’s death.’ Ray’s thoughts remarked, his gaze was leveled on Rolund like a crossbow trained right between his eyes.

  ‘He needs time. He needs support. This isn’t what he needs sir.’

  Ray sighed, clenching his jaw as his next thought was carried by a wave of aura that pressed down on Rolund’s soul with a commanding force.

  ‘This is the right path, Rolund. After we are finished here, I’m taking him to the registry office to test his potential. This is not a request, but an order.’ Ray seemed almost uncomfortable as he exercised his command over Rolund, his lips tightening as his face scrunched in reluctance.

  Rolund, didn't care how much command Ray had over him, he wasn't going to let this happen to a traumatized young man. He stopped talking for a moment as he focused every piece of his will into pushing away Ray’s aura. He pushed it away from him and clamped down on Ray’s aura with a force so unyielding that Ray stumbled for a moment. As Rolund sent his final thought into his old friend’s mind, he laced it with a threatening undertone that Ray picked up on.

  ‘If you try to do this, I’ll bring you to the Grand Warlock.’ Ray’s face hardened as the threat was made clear. He took a deep breath before slowly nodding.

  The tension in Rolund’s shoulders loosened, he let out a deep sigh that he didn't even know he had been holding in. Caspian glanced between the two, confusion covering his features. He did manage to notice that the air around the two seemed thicker than normal, even in the stuffy tent. Caspian wondered what they were doing, their eyes having been locked on each other for the past minute. When Rolund turned back to Caspian he gave the boy a wide grin.

  “What was that about?” Caspian asked, bewildered. He glanced again at Ray, who still stood in silence.

  “Oh it’s nothing to worry about, kid. Me and Ray just had a disagreement of sorts, it's all settled now.” Rolund said cheerfully, grabbing the jug and refilling both their cups.

  Caspian gave one last look at Ray, who seemed to be doing the same for him. He decided that if Rolund didn't want to tell him, then he probably didn't want to know. Caspian shrugged his shoulders and took a large gulp of the juice in his cup, sighing as the refreshment made its way down his throat.

  “I um…” Ray said, clearing his throat. “I do believe I have other business to attend to today, I will see you both later.” He nodded a respectful bow and turned to leave, as he reached the tent he turned back. “And, Caspian.” Caspian turned to him. “It was nice to meet you, young man.” Without another word, he left the tent, Caspian waving a goodbye after him.