Caedmon rested a hand over his pocket. “Felt? And what exactly did this sensation feel like?”

Alistar thought about how best to explain it. “A warm feeling, sort of like somebody was trying to get my attention.” Brushing a hand through his recently shortened hair, he sighed. It was quite a difficult thing to explain.

“And?” inquired Caedmon. “Do you still feel it?”

“Yes,” Alistar said slowly. “But it’s different, somehow.” The feeling that had been coming from Caedmon’s office was different from the others that he had sensed throughout the property. If he likened it to temperature, the distant signals were cool, while those nearby were warm, with the area around Caedmon’s office red hot. “The feeling…has cooled off.”

“But it’s still there?”

He nodded. “Before, it was as if the whole room was on fire, and that I could feel the heat from the guest room where Patricia folds the laundry. Right now, it’s more like the heat of the embers from the cook fires in Crystellum. It’s still hot around you, though.” His uncle must have thought he were crazy. He knew that not much of what he was saying made sense.

Caedmon turned to his friend. “What do you think, Alder?”

Alder smiled, looking back and forth between the two. “I think your nephew has gained his magical awareness.”

“What? I can do magic?”

Alder shook his head. “That’s not what I’m saying. Usually, magical awareness comes a while after one breaks into their energies.”

“Then, if I have this magical awareness, shouldn’t that mean that I can do magic?” Alistar’s mind was racing. First, he would find all of the thickest, most informative books on magic that he could get his hands on. After reading as much material as possible, he would save up his allowance so that he could afford a grimoire, or a spell book, as he’d read about one day in Caedmon’s library. Being able to use magic would make saving Kaila much easier. But before that, since it was still many years away, he planned to show off his abilities to Anice the moment he could manifest them. Once he could conjure flames above his hands like Servan had done, she would have no choice but to respect him.

“There are many cases where people gain magical awareness but aren’t able to work a single spell during their lifetime.” Caedmon walked to stand beside Alder. “Just because you’re aware of the energies around you doesn’t mean that you can manipulate them.”

Alistar’s shoulders drooped. Though it might prove useful, he could already tell that this magical awareness would become a constant buzzing in his ear. “Oh. Is there a way to block it out then?”

“Yes,” said Alder. “Just ignore it. I know it sounds simple, but if you avoid thinking about it directly then you’ll be able to manage it in no time. It’s a natural development, after all.”

Caedmon nodded. “The moment you focus on a substantial source of energy, your mind can’t help but scour your surroundings for other signs of life. It’s an instinctual reaction.”

“Ignoring it will also muffle the energy that your body emits, but there’s a better method for erasing your signal.” Alder clapped Alistar on the back, laughing affably. "But that's something that only an arcanite or a full-fledged magus can do.”

Alistar found it worrisome that people could sense his presence even if he wasn’t within view. His uncle Raidon had told him that several magi worked out of Crystellum, the ones responsible for maintaining air circulation throughout the tunnels. He was aware of the gardeners that stood well over a hundred paces away from him, and he was only minutes into the discovery of his magical awareness. Wouldn’t the magi in the mines sense him the moment he snuck inside? Not if he could conceal his energy, he thought. But according to Alder, one had to at least be a full-fledged magus or an arcanite to do so. Surely there existed a way to manage it at a lower stage. If there was, then his hopes rested upon long hours of research.

“So I just ignore it?” Alistar couldn’t hide the displeasure from his voice. “But there are so many sources…”

“Those are people,” Caedmon said ponderously. “People with energies to them, that is.”

“So both of you can use magic?”

“Yes,” smiled his uncle, “but Alder is more proficient, if only by a tad.”

“A tad!” Alder laughed. “You’re speaking to a magus that is two tiers above you. You might want to watch your tone.”

The two men chuckled as Alistar stared at them with shining eyes, his frustrations forgotten as he was seized by a whimsical sense of awe.

They’re both magi! That must have been why the heated feeling coming from Alder was more noticeable.

As he pondered the man’s aura, Alistar realized something and suddenly stilled. Alder was the name of the man that had found him unconscious on the side of the Winding Road. Wheeling around, he bent forward with a forceful bow. “I’m sorry! We haven’t even introduced ourselves to each other and I’m bothering you with questions. Thank you so very much for bringing me here, Mr. Alder. Thank you for saving my life!”

Sticking out his sturdy chest, Alder put on a happy grin. “Don’t mention it.”

“But, you saved my life.”

He struck a triumphant pose. “Saving children, it’s just something I do.”

Caedmon motioned toward Alder as if he were a new piece of furniture that he wasn’t keen on keeping. “He might seem reliable, but as you can see, this is the type of person he is.”

Alder turned on him. “What do you mean by that?”

His uncle continued. “Although you’re already aware, this is Alder Sein, my most trusted friend. If there’s ever a time when you need something and I’m not around, then be sure to seek him out.”

“Come to me even if he is around.” Looking at his friend, he said, “What? I’m your chamberlain. I basically do everything around here anyway.” Laughing, he left with a lazy wave. “Nice meeting you Alistar.”

Alistar and Caedmon watched him leave.

“The documents!” Remembering something, Caedmon ran to his desk and snatched up a stack of parchment. Running to the door, he called out into the hallway, but his friend was already gone. He shook his head with a sigh.

Once Caedmon closed the doors, he sat Alistar down at a chair by his desk. After rummaging through a drawer, he withdrew three crisp sheets of parchment. “Now, regarding my plans for you. Shall we start with your education?”

“Yes.”

At long last, Alistar thought, the change he yearned for was finally in his sights.

Suddenly businesslike, Caedmon held up two ink-stained fingers. “As far as your education goes, you can either attend local classes at the collegia, or you may be taught here in the manor house by a private tutor, as with Anice.”

“If I chose to learn at home, will Anice and I share the same tutor?”

“Yes, but you will be taught separately.”

He recalled how uncomfortable he’d been at the Hanging Hill, with so many other children around. “For now, I’ll learn at home.”

“Alright,” Caedmon nodded. “In addition to your lessons, you will read two books of my choosing each month.” Reaching over, he handed one of the papers to Alistar. “This is the list of books you will need in the coming year. They can all be found in the library.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”

Alistar received a second piece of paper.

“That’s your timetable. Going by that, you will only have about half of each day to yourself. It’s a lot of work. Are you sure you’re prepared for it?”

“I am!”

“Sundays are holy days, and thus will be rest days, so after you’ve attended mass at the cathedral you will be free to do as you please.”

Before Alistar could thank him, Caedmon shoved the third piece of parchment into his face. “And this is your certificate of enrollment under Swordmaster Tramon Lawson.”

“Ah.” A startled gasp leaked from Alistar’s mouth, which was slightly agape. In addition to his schooling, he was also set to learn the ways of the sword? He had always found magic more alluring than swordsmanship, but still held an interest in the latter. It would play a crucial part in his future plans, so the more capable he became, the better.

“I’ve heard that he’s a tough teacher, but you will be fine so long as you give it your utmost.” Caedmon was a whirlpool of satisfaction and pride. “Just getting him to agree was a task indeed. Truthfully, even with the favours that he owed me, I never expected for him to say yes. It’s hard to believe that I actually managed to get him to come out of retirement.”

Retirement! Images of a cane-dependent old man filtered through Alistar’s mind. “Is he…strong?”

“Strong? He’s the most skilled swordsman in the kingdom! He was once the commander of my father’s city guard, but they had a falling out. Father forbade any of my brothers from accepting him into their territories, but it seemed that he forgot to contact me, so I welcomed the man with open arms. Isn’t this exciting? You’ll be learning from a legendary swordsman!”