The Hand That Mocked Them

Kivvien headed out to his cart. He'd rest out there until he was sure the old man had gone to sleep.

Eventually Laurean drifted off on his bug-riddem cot. Hieronymus was still diligently transcribing the information.

Kivvien made it to the cart andreached for his satchel. He'd read over his old notes while-

Empty. The bag was nearly empty.

Panic gripped Kivvien's frantic heart as he lept into action, searching the cart once, twice, until cold reality sank in.

The old man.

"I changed my mind"

That decrepit liar.

Hieronymus's hand was cramping badly; he glanced at his master and sighed, then dipped his quill back into the ink.

Kivvien rarely had use for a defense spell, his wand was certainly not designed for it, but as he stormed back to the cottage every horrible, painful, spell he had ever learned flew through his head.

He entered with faux-calm, but was unable to hide the rage with which he gripped his faintly glowing wand in his trembling hand.

He approached Laurean's door. Gently tested the knob.

It was still locked. Hieronymus's head necked up at the sound, and he glanced between the journal and his master, then crept under the low cot to continue writing.

Every spell he had ever learned to deal with a lock fled from his head in that moment, replaced by white-hot rage. A loud CRACK filled the cabin as he kicked in the door. The tip of his wand aimed at the old man's chest, Kivvien spotted two of his journals on the cot. One was missing, but he'd find it later.

"Those are not yours," he growled.

Laurean was awake in seconds, heart racing as he stared up at Kivvien. "I-I-I don't know what you're talking about," he stuttered, startled but trying his damnedest not to give away the game.
Hieronymus was trembling badly but he kept writing, holding his breath.

Kivvien reached over, not lowering his wand, and picked up the journals. He tucked one in his satchel and flipped the other open, glaning at the familiar inside.

"A thief and a liar. You truly are reprehensible."

Laurean was shaking like a leaf but his gaze was defiant. "Keeping information as important as that for yourself is what's reprehensible, boy!'

"Even children know to ask for information before resorting to thievery," he retorted. The light of his wand brightened slightly as the magic swirled around his intentions.

"Would you have given it freely?" He scooted back against the wall to avoid the wand. "Or would have you kept it for yourself?"

"We'll never know now."

"Well you have your journals now," he spat. "Get out of my house!"

Kivvien barked a laugh. "You know as well as I that there's one more. And Hieronymus will be coming with me. I won't allow you to abuse your creation any longer."