I don't believe in Magic

Chapter 1

Zia

Apprentices

"Am I late?" he panted.

"Good morning to you as well, Athos." she said dryly. "No thankfully you are not late. Where were you? You're never
late."

Athos looked a little ashamed, "I was just wanted to look my best for the Masters." he said blushing. "I'm... I just hope-" he looked down.

"One of them will give me a chance." he finished in a rush.

Zia felt terrible for him, Athos was a good kid and the closest thing she had to a friend. She wished there was something she could do. She wasn't nervous about the upcoming choosing at all. But then again she didn't have to worry; she wasn’t really one of the Kings wards.

It was an interesting story how she ended up here, so far from home. Home.Perhaps home wasn't the right word anymore.The place where she was born then. She was originally from Tarok, a costal kingdom.

That was a long time ago though, how she came to be at the Castle Juniper was simple enough. She'd saved the kingdom of Julan from complete an utter destruction nearly killingherself in the process. Young King Hendrick the ruler of Julan he felt it his duty to take care of her while she healed, and the best way to keep her out of the public eye was as a ward.

The seventeen year old Hendrick promised Zia he would not allow a master to choose her, but
to stay until after the choosing. She could then slip away without any notice and do whatever she liked.

So Zia thought she had nothing to worry about. But of course that was before the Wizardess showed up.

Chapter 2

Magic in the Throne Room

Athos

Athos filed in through the throne room door with the other apprentices, nervously wiping
sweaty palms on his trouser legs. He bowed to the King then to his place to the right of the dais across from the Masters. He swallowed and tried to look taller than he was.

He hoped that Master Gerald the Bowman would take him on, but that was unlikely especially
with Moran to contend with. Moran who was a year older had muscles like steal
and a good grip. More likely Mastress Tog the Scribe would take him- if she
didn't choose Elizabet.

Oh who was he kidding? No one was going to pick the smallest, clumsiest, youngest kid. He
would be left until the last and be sent off to some farmers’ fields, unfit for anything else. He broke into a fresh sweat and looked panicking up at his friend Zia.

Zia.

The girl who against all odds was his friend. The one who protected him with her an acid tongue. The mysterious girl from Tarok who was three years older and yet talked to him like
an equal. While the other wards were mean to her too she never defended herself, but the slightest jibe at Athos was taken as a personal insult. So calm and quiet most of the time but if someone irritated her enough, was vicious in rebound.

Why the blazes she did it was beyond him, but Athos saw her as beautiful avenging angel of sorts. Before she showed up the others were absolutely merciless to him. Now when they would start to aim some cruel comment at him, they would find Zia's steady and piercing gaze, unblinkingly fixed on them. Daring them to say it. Most often the offender would shut their mouth and quickly drop their eyes.

No one wanted Zia beating their pride black and blue. Her insults were sharper than a diamond
edged sword. If someone made a jibe about her the same gaze would stare at them steadily until they finished. Then she'd go straight back to whatever she was doing, and never say a word.

She only got angry at a personal insult once: Boris who was the biggest, oldest, and cruelest of the boys said Zia's father was a liar and a thief just like his reject daughter. Everyone froze, spoons in mid-air. Athos wanted to tackle the brute himself.

Zia's face was completely white. Slowly she got to her feet.

"I hope you didn't mean that." she said quietly.

Boris the Brainless answered, "Well listen up Tarok, because I did."

"Do you care to repeat it?" she asked her voice cold and deceptively calm.

"Sure, your fath-" something flashed past his head and buried itself into the wall by his ear.

Boris turned to stare at the knife embedded three inches into the wall, then back at her. Zia picked up another knife twirling it expertly.

"Yes?" she said flicking yet another small knife out of her sleeve.

"I, uh.... mean..." he swallowed.

The smaller knife landed less than an inch from his fingers. He stared at its quivering handle mouth open in shock.

He looked up into Zia's icy gaze. "Never mind." he gulped. She nodded and sat back down resuming her soup, like nothing ever happened.

No one ever said a word about Zia's family again.

Zia looked down at him, one of her rare smiles suddenly softening the sharp, dark, hawk like features. She really was beautiful when she smiled. Her dark brown and gold flecked eyes
sparkled like fox who was about to play a trick and she winked at Athos. He immediately
felt better.

And then the choosing began.

Boris was immediately chosen my Master Kurk the Weapons master, which was no surprise. Then Jan (Jan was fairly nice but a bit silly) was chosen by Mastress Kathrine the head Lady
in Waiting. So on down the line they went oldest to youngest. Well, mostly oldest to youngest. Zia was right before Athos. She should have been right after Boris, but either she didn't
know or she didn't care. Or maybe she just didn't want to stand next to Boris.

So on down the line it went until it came to Zia. Not one of the Masters said anything. Athos held his breath for a long moment, why was no one stepping up? Zia was really smart and
a hard worker. Then panic seized him again, if they weren’t picking Zia what chance did he have? Master Gerald and Masteress Tog had already chosen apprentices! True they could have more than one apprentice, but that didn't mean any one would take him. Athos looked wildly at Zia again.

Zia was studying the silent Masters without a trace of, well, of anything at all actually. Suddenly she exhaled with, was that relief? She bowed to the king giving him an almost imperceptible
nod, then nodded to the Masters and stepped back.

"Athos step forward." came the king's voice.

Athos jumped startled and stuttered out, "Yes sir, Your Majesty, Sir."

Laughter rippled through the throne room making Athos's face turn beet red and look at his
shoes. It was quickly silenced by a stern look from Hendrick, and probably Zia too. Zia could leave a person gnawing their nails and jumping at shadows with the killer looks she gave.

There was a silence that seemed to last an eternity and Athos felt his heart plummet. No one wanted him! He was stuck waiting until next year. Again.

King Hendrick looked at him pityingly but started to say the all too familiar words.

"The Choosing is-" the double doors burst open and a tall woman of about thirty dressed in
a billowy, black, and almost stylish robe strode in. Her hair was long and extremely thick, pulled back with gold bands into a sort of braided cord; which draped itself over her shoulder and hung down to her waist. It was a dark auburn red-brown coppery color which complemented her flashing cat green eyes, and fair skin. She was stunningly beautiful in a bizarre way.

The king was on his feet, hand on his sword hilt as was every guard in the room.

The woman stopped and performed a flawless deep curtsy, "Your Royal Highness."

"What are you doing here Electra?" king Hendrick asked sternly.

The woman Electra gave him a dangerous smile. "I came to see my dear monarch of course. What ever happened courtesy fora lady?"

"You became a Mage." Hendrick answered bluntly. "Why are you really here?" he asked.

Electra sighed "Business, business, business. You used to be a cute little kid you know. But if we must talk business first, fine. I came to claim an apprentice, as is my right as the Royal Wizard of Juniper. And you kept one back for me I see. Come here young man, and let me see-"

"No."

"Excuse me?" Electra looked up at the King her tone quiet and suddenly, dangerous. The silly
bounce was gone, replaced by silky, slyness, and sudden power. Athos could feel it prickling his along his skin like a shiver you couldn't shake off. Behind him Zia made a strangled noise.

"It is my right." she started walking forward "And I have come to claim it." her voice rose, "And claim it I shall."

King Hendrick snapped his fingers and the guards rushed towards her. The first two were blasted with bolts of blue energy, leaving them wheezing on the floor. She waved a hand dismissively still
striding towards the dais and five more collapsed unconscious. Then they were upon her getting in between her and Athos slowing her down, but far from stopping her.

The throne room was in chaos everyone running and shouting, when with a loud popping sound Electra made a motion like shoving curtains aside. Her attackers flew backwards shoved away by an invisible force, leaving her three feet away from... Zia?

Athos dazedly realized she was standing between him and the sorceress. Electra lifted her hands as if summoning all her power and focused it on Zia...

~By Gypsianna