Cradle of the Ages by Jonathan D Wilson

Author:Jonathan D Wilson [Wilson, Jonathan D]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780998875668
Publisher: Endurance Press
Published: 2018-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

46

UNSEEN TRUTHS

A

PPRENTICE BEN’JORE PIVOTED in his chair, antsy, and eager to be doing anything but stay where he was. He huffed as he stood, wandering over to the open window and glanced out at the surrounding houses, shops, and streets that were becoming more vacant by the moment. He drew his attention to the grand display of stars above. A small smirk perked up on his lips as an idea popped into his head.

He turned back around, put on his hooded cloak, and picked up his staff. He glanced at Master Xaephon and his fellow peer, Apprentice G’hral, on the far side of the room. The two men were relaxing in the room that they had rented for the night in the Smiling Stallion Inn–located in the poorest district of Arshessa.

Ben’jore skillfully produced a look of boredom. “I think I’m going to go for a walk. It’s a good night for it. The stars are out tonight.” He glanced at G’hral who was lying on his bed. “Do you want to come?”

G’hral looked over and shook his head. “No, I’m tired. I think I’m going to turn in early.”

Ben’jore turned to Xaephon who was sitting on the edge of his bed cleaning his sword. “What about you, master?”

Xaephon looked up and smiled. “I’d like that.”

He stood and sheathed his sword, strapping it around his waist. He walked over and grabbed his staff that leaned against the nearby wall. He put a hand on the knob of the door but then turned back to his apprentice.

“On second thought, Ben’jore, I better stay here. I need to meditate on the Eternals. I haven’t done it for a while. My heart is getting heavy, and they have a way of lifting my spirits.”

Xaephon opened the door and gestured for his apprentice to go on without him. “Enjoy the night wonders without me, my boy.” As Ben’jore neared the door, Xaephon’s countenance suddenly changed, his voice showing stern warning. “But don’t wander to the brothels like last time you walked the streets alone! Such actions are not becoming a thaumaturge, least of all, an apprentice of mine.”

Ben’jore chuckled, but it quickly faded when he saw the outright seriousness of Xaephon’s face. He swallowed nervously and nodded. “Alright, master, I promise. No more prostitutes."

Ben’jore slowly walked from the room, trying to think on what the point a walk now served.

* * *

The night outside was overly warm for early autumn, and the sky glittered with stars. He had hoped that his late night walk would be more interesting.

Ben’jore dragged his feet through the muck of the cobblestone street as he wandered the lower streets of Arshessa. He went and studied the wares of the various stands in the square that were still open. Out of boredom, he even returned to the tavern they had eaten at, hoping to flirt with the serving wench that had attracted him earlier but learned she had gone home for the night before his arrival. The only thing left to him was to drink away his woes with pints of ale, making him tipsy.

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