Walking back down the same red carpet they’d been on only the day before, listening to the fanfare and staring uneasily at the guards, Era and Gabriel once more gained an audience with the King.
“Good day,” he greeted them.
They both bowed to one knee. “Good day, your highness,” Era said politely.
“Rise,” he commanded gently. “I am sure you are wondering why you are here.”
“I am,” Era said, nodding without breaking eye contact.
“Well, you see,” he said, “it has to do with a request made to me by Archmage Dashito yesterday.” At the mention of his name, Dashito stepped out from behind the throne, standing tall beside the King.
Dread began to fill Era. What does he want? he asked himself. Is he upset over Caine’s demise? He’s testifying against us, right?
“Dashito, here, is sadly inexperienced in his position,” the King explained. “He feels that his master was so wrapped up in personal concerns that their apprenticeship suffered because of it.”
“I… see,” Era said nervously, not really seeing at all.
“Therefore, he has a proposition for you,” he said, giving a nod to the Archmage. Dashito walked slowly over to stand right before Era, looking him right in the eye with all the courage he could summon.
“Eravisté,” he said quietly, “I would like to be your apprentice.”
Shocked and caught off-guard, Era looked at him in confusion. “You… you what?”
“I wish to be your apprentice,” he said again, “while you take the mantle of Archmage.”
Era’s heart began to race, his eyes widening. “I… the Archmage? You want… you want me to be the Archmage again?” Gabriel, too, looked blown away beside him.
“Yes,” the King said. “You are free to refuse, but I am offering you the position of Archmage once again.”
“I…” he began. “Sire, I mean you no offense, but… but I committed atrocities while I had that same power you offer me now. I would not want to risk your trust again.”
“Are you not the one who said you had changed?” he asked lightly.
“Yes, but… the Archmage,” he said incredulously.
“There is no denying that you would be a great asset to this country,” the King elaborated. “The power to manipulate the human soul, even if you never used it again, is nothing to scoff at.”
“But…”
“Furthermore,” he continued, “the attitude you bear now is much more favorable than the one you had the last time you took the position.”
Era was silent a moment, trying to find a place for his eyes to rest. “I really don’t know what to say,” he whispered.
“All we need,” the King said, “is a ‘yes’ or a ‘no.’”
Looking to Gabriel, who smiled and gave him a shrug that said “it’s up to you,” he then turned his focus to Dashito. “You would be my apprentice,” he said quietly, “despite what I did to Caine?”
“I’ve known you weren’t the same person he talked about ever since you were imprisoned,” Dashito said. “I’d like to believe in second chances.”
Era looked up to the King. “Then yes, your majesty,” he said confidently, “I accept.”
“Damn, Era,” Gabriel said incredulously as they left the castle. “You’re the Archmage. Again, I mean. Fucking hell, kid, how do you feel?”
“Ah,” he said nervously, “very overwhelmed.”
“You seemed just fine when you were actually telling the King you accepted,” he joked, playfully punching his arm lightly.”
“Yes, but… I can’t believe I accepted!” he said, suddenly on the verge of a freak-out. “Why did I do that!? Gabriel, what if I, I don’t know, revert or something!? What if I can’t stomach the job? What if I hurt Dashito too, he’s such a nice young man, I don’t—”
“Era.” Gabriel grabbed his shoulders and stared him in the eye. “You need. To calm. Down.”
Taking a deep breath, he nodded. “I know,” he said, “I’m just… the Archmage, Gabriel, it’s unbelievable.”
“Heh, yeah,” he said with a smirk. “Just don’t forget about ol’ Gabriel up in your tower there, alright?”
Realization suddenly struck Era. “That’s right… I won’t be seeing much of you if I’m in the castle all the time, will I?”
Gabriel shrugged. “We all have to move on eventually, kid. I’ll come see you or something. There’s always letters, too.”
“Yes, but… it won’t be the same,” he protested. “I’ve gotten used to you just… being there, you know?”
“Same here, kid. Same here.” He looked ahead as they walked, masking his reluctance.
Feeling as if a lead weight had just been tied to his heartstrings, they continued down the path in silence.
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