Life continued the same for the next several days, while Zepar studied relentlessly under Master Edarin. But while Zepar was not lacking in terms of raw talent and power, not everything came easily to him.
"Boy, you don't even know what you want. Why should I listen to you?" These were the words spoken by the rock golem Zepar had summoned under his master's instruction. The summoning itself went well, but for some reason, the construct refused to obey his will.
"Because I summoned you," Zepar declared angrily. "That makes me your master!"
"Pffft," the golem snorted. "When you've mastered yourself, then you can master me. But until then...farewell." With that, the golem broke apart, returning to the pile of rocks that Zepar had gathered for the casting. Zepar cursed loudly, kicking the pile of rocks.
"I will not be bested by a pile of dumb rocks!" he shouted. He attempted the summoning again, and again the golem refused to obey him. Five more attempts, five more refusals to obey. Eventually, Zepar swallowed his pride and turned to face his master. "What am I doing wrong, Master?" he asked helplessly. "I know I'm not lacking the power. I know the incantations and infusion of mana perfectly," he continued through gritted teeth. "So why won't it obey me?"
Master Edarin, who had watched his disciple's multiple failed attempts, sighed before placing a hand on the young man's shoulder. He knew the answer before Zepar had even started. But he also knew that Zepar was obstinate and confident in his abilities. No matter what he told his disciple, he would refuse to accept it...until he saw the proof for himself.
"Zepar, it's not about power alone, nor is it about technique," Edarin explained slowly. "Magic is all about will, and your intent must be absolutely certain. But you, who live with many uncertainties, will struggle as you attempt more complex spells." His words struck a chord in Zepar. He couldn't deny what his master had said.
"Doesn't everyone live with uncertainty, Master?" Zepar asked softly.
"Well, you're not wrong, but the difference lies in what those uncertainties are," Edarin replied. "I'm uncertain what I want for dinner tonight, or which book I should read next. But you are uncertain about something far more important, aren't you?"
Zepar nodded with a solemn gaze. "Who am I?" he stated in a low voice. "Who do I want to be?"
"And that is your dilemma," Edarin said with a nod of encouragement. "You must know yourself, truly know yourself, if magic is to properly obey your will."
Zepar nodded in understanding. In truth, there were many things he didn't understand about himself. And he had noticed spells resisting him as of late. This was because he had recently begun training to use higher level spells. Magic was separated into thirteen circles. The more powerful and complex the magic, the higher the circle.
Master Edarin was a seventh circle mage, which was considered incredibly impressive by the standards of the region. Zepar, by comparison, had risen to a fourth circle mage without formal training, and had done so before the age of twenty. This had impressed Edarin, which was why he had invited Zepar to become his disciple. After just under two years of Edarin's teachings, Zepar was now attempting to step into the ranks of sixth circle mages.
Though Zepar still wasn't sure what he wanted to actually do with the power he was cultivating, he did have one long-term goal. Most young mages coveted the thirteenth circle, to exist at the pinnacle of known magic. Zepar was different. He wasn't content with the thirteenth circle, he intended to prove that there could be circles beyond that.
An hour later, Zepar walked quietly towards the cabin in the distance. Located at the very edge of town, this was the home of Lady Aya. Some called her a witch, some a wise woman. Regardless, there was one thing everyone agreed on. She was the one to go to if you needed hard-to-find answers. For this reason, Zepar figured it couldn't hurt to pay her a visit.
The cabin itself was well built, sturdy but not elaborate. The plain cabin appeared to be built from simple logs, with mud and clay packed between them to block the elements. The windows were shuttered, but the slow billowing of smoke from the stone chimney served as proof that someone was home.
With a look of determination, Zepar steeled himself for whatever Lady Aya would tell him. He simply hoped whatever it was would be helpful. He approached the door, and was about to knock when he heard a gentle voice call out from inside.
"You may as well come in, let's not waste each other's time, now."
After a brief moment's hesitation, Zepar slowly opened the door with a wry smile. "I wasn't aware that I was expected," he said with a hint of amusement. Upon entering the cabin, Zepar's amusement grew as he spotted a young woman, maybe a year or two older than himself. She had long, fiery red hair and shimmering sapphire eyes. She wore simple brown robes made from what looked like deer hide, with a leather pouch tied to the sash around her waist. What amused him was the bow in her hand, and the arrow aimed directly at his chest. "Look, I'm not here for trouble," Zepar said calmly. "But I know at least three different ways to disarm you before you get a shot off, and each one involves great bodily harm. So lower the weapon while I'm still being polite."
The young woman kept her aim fixed on his chest, refusing to back down. "I'll only ask once," she said firmly, pulling back on the bowstring. "Who are you? And what do you want?"
"My name is Zepar," he answered with a dramatic bow. If he was being honest, he was impressed. Most would have backed down, intimidated by his cold eyes and threatening words. "And I am here seeking your services. They say that you are quite adept at finding answers."
"Zepar," she said thoughtfully. She lowered her bow, relaxing her posture a bit. "I see. I've heard similar rumors regarding you." She smirked before setting the bow aside and gesturing for him to close the door. "They say that you are uniquely gifted in dealing with...problematic individuals."
He did his best to look innocent. Indeed, he had gained a reputation for inconveniencing troublemakers. Usually this would take the form of hexes that would make the malcontents end up as laughing stocks. Although he had been known to employ more...forceful methods whenever necessity—or simple boredom—demanded it.
Zepar closed the door to the cabin, finally taking the time to look around the interior. Just like the outside, the inside of the cabin was very plain and practical, the flickering light of several lanterns illuminated what the fireplace did not. In front of the fireplace sat a simple sofa, clearly constructed from animal bone and hide, with a blanket made from furs. On the other side of the cabin sat a table with two chairs, and at the back was a large cabinet with a lock.
"So then, you are Lady Aya?" Zepar inquired.
"I am," she confirmed. "Please, just Aya will do." She gestured to one of the chairs at the table before taking a seat herself. "Now, how can I help you, Zepar?"
He chuckled as he took a seat at the table. "I need to know more about my origins. I haven't confirmed this yet, but you are a seer, are you not?" Zepar asked calmly.
"I am," Aya said, her gaze wary. "And what do you mean exactly when you say your origins?"
"I know that my father was a necromancer, and my mother was the daughter of one of my village elder's friends," Zepar began. "But that's about all I know. I want to know where I truly come from. I want to know who they really were."
Aya gazed at Zepar with a thoughtful expression for a moment before looking back towards the locked cabinet. She returned her gaze to Zepar with a determined expression. "I think we can help each other here, Zepar," she said firmly. "Normally, I'd simply have you pay me twenty gold for a reading. But I have another idea for payment."
"I'm listening," he said, leaning a little closer.
"I need you to complete a task for me, after which I'll give you a reading and tell you everything you want to know," Aya explained. "Don't worry, the task won't be a hard one."
He arched an eyebrow. "I'm very flattered, but my body is a temple," he said with a grin. He could tell that this wasn't what she was after, but the faint blush on her cheeks made his joke worth it as far as he was concerned.
"W-what kind of woman do you take me for, Zepar?" she demanded. Her cheeks darkened a bit further, causing Zepar to lose his composure and begin laughing heartily. His whole body shook as he laughed.
"My apologies, truly," he managed to say after his laughter had subsided. "I couldn't resist. And it's been a very long time since I've had a good laugh."
She glared at him with a face filled with injustice at being made the subject of his humor. Her cheeks were still quite dark and he couldn't help chuckling softly.
"If you are quite finished..." she began, her voice a bit high from embarrassment. "Can I tell you the task I require now?"
"Very well, as long as it's reasonable...and not indecent," he said playfully.
"It is very reasonable," she replied coolly, ignoring the last part of his comment. "My father makes it a point to be away from home every day around midday and doesn't return until morning. For personal reasons, I can't have that." She stood up and walked back to the cabinet, taking a large brass key from the pouch at her waist. She quickly unlocked the cabinet and retrieved a crystal ball the size of Zepar's head before relocking the cabinet and sitting down at the table again.
"I need you to bring my father home, alive, and by any means necessary," she explained as the image of a man appeared in the center of the crystal ball. The man had gray hair and a thick beard of the same color. He seemed rather thin and frail to Zepar's eyes, which made him wary as opposed to confident.
"Is he a mage?" he asked seriously.
"He's not," she replied. "Nor is he a warrior of any kind. So he should be easy to detain."
Zepar nodded in understanding. He looked closer at the image of the man in the crystal ball and realized he recognized where he was. "I know that place," he remarked with a devilish smile curling the corners of his lips. "It's a few towns over, the Hidden Butterfly Inn."
"Isn't that place..." Aya began, but couldn't finish. She looked at her father's image in the crystal ball in disdain.
"A brothel," Zepar finished for her, nodding. "I stopped there once while travelling before I first arrived in Gilramore." He looked at the sidelong glance Aya was giving him and chuckled. "Don't give me that look, I was too tired to do any of the things you're thinking of," he told her with a look of mock indignation. "I am still very pure...in that regard at least." He gave her a playful wink. She blushed again but made no further comment.
"In any case," Zepar began while standing up. "I know where I'll find him, and with magic, I can be there within the hour."
Almost an hour later, Zepar streaked across the sky, standing on his staff which he'd enchanted to fly through the air. Eventually, he'd learn to fly without it, but that was ninth circle magic. He smirked as a familiar sight came into view. The Hidden Butterfly Inn was so named due to its outer appearance, which made it seem to be a simple tavern. But Zepar had learned otherwise when he'd stopped here during his travels. He'd had to tell the innkeeper more than once that he didn't desire company in his room. He had neither the energy nor the inclination to entertain 'guests' on that particular night.
Zepar touched down softly and dismissed his staff inside his storage ring. "Alright, he'd better not give me any trouble," Zepar muttered, referring not to his target, but to the innkeeper. The suave bastard had been quite pushy the last time he'd been here. He walked through the door and was immediately assaulted by the strong scent of incense and perfume mixed with the aroma of wine and ale.
"Some things never change," he sighed. Just as he was about to make his way over to the bar, where his target sat, the innkeeper swaggered over to him.
"Lord Blackthorne! It's been an age," the innkeeper, Hugo exclaimed. "Come back to finally get a taste? I just knew you couldn't stay away forever." Hugo, the innkeeper of the Hidden Butterfly Inn, was a middle-aged man with hazel eyes and short, slicked-back black hair with gray flecks. He was clean-shaven and wore elegant maroon robes with silver trim.
"Sorry, but I'm actually here on other business," Zepar said coldly. "Perhaps another time." Zepar was trying to be diplomatic, since he didn't want to make a scene, but Hugo was just so obnoxious and insistent.
"Nonsense," Hugo insisted. "My friend, I'm telling you, with a face like yours, it'd be a crime to deny the ladies a chance to properly worship you." He leaned in to whisper to Zepar. "I'll even give you a free night, just tell your friends all about our top-notch service."
Zepar had had enough, and his expression turned dark. "Hugo, I said no," he said quietly, his voice laced with killing intent. "I will tell my...friends, all about your 'top-notch service'. But I really am busy at the present."
Hearing the razor-sharp edge in Zepar's voice, as well as the murderous look on his face, Hugo quickly apologized and hurried away, going to count his earnings in his office. Zepar nodded in satisfaction before heading to the bar and taking a seat next to Aya's father.
"Jared?" Zepar asked casually. The man stiffened upon hearing his name. He moved to leave, but Zepar's hand quickly gripped his shoulder, subtly using enhancement magic on his grip and arm muscles as he forced the man to remain seated.
"Please, I'll give you whatever you want." the pitiful man begged.
Zepar sneered at the coward. "Your daughter has already offered me what I want, in exchange for bringing you home." Zepar smirked slightly, realizing how his words could be misinterpreted.
"You bastard!" Jared roared, coming to the exact conclusion Zepar had expected.
"Temper temper," Zepar warned, squeezing the man's shoulder tightly, smiling inwardly as he heard a whimper of pain. "She's going to give me a reading, in exchange for my help. So you and I will be going now."
"W-wait, I can help you," the man pleaded. "I...I am also a seer."
Unconvinced by the man's claim, Zepar just shook his head. "Yeah, and I'm a healer," he said sarcastically.
"No, really. I'm a seer. Aya, she inherited her gift from me," the man insisted desperately.
"Fine," Zepar hissed. "If you truly are a seer, give me a reading. If you're bluffing, it will be an unpleasant trip back home for you. If your information proves useful, I'll pretend you were already gone when I arrived." Zepar then explained exactly what kind of information he wanted, and Jared nodded quickly before turning to face Zepar.
The man closed his eyes and focused on Zepar, paying extra attention to his birth and early years. But just as he was about to look closer at his parents, another sight invaded his vision.
"Well?" Zepar asked impatiently. "What do you see?"
Snapping out of his trance, the man's eyes shot open, and he stared at Zepar with a horrified expression.
"Y-you...just what are you?" Jared stammered. He ran from the bar, making a break for the exit. He was only a few steps away when he felt the muscles of his body all lock in place, causing him to fall on his face. A second later, his body was able to move again, but just as he had stood up, a pair of red rope-like streaks of magical energy encircled Jared, one trapping his arms against his sides, while the other bound his ankles together.
"Well I guess we're left with plan A," Zepar sneered.
"No, stop him! You can't let him take me!" Jared screamed as he was dragged by Zepar. "The fires! The blood!" He whimpered.
When Zepar touched down in front of Aya's home, he was surprised to hear raised voices coming from inside the cabin. He dragged Jared with him, ignoring the whimpering man's protests as he approached the door.
"Look, it's nothing personal," a smooth voice stated. "I got a job to do here."
"That 'job' has nothing to do with me," Aya shot back. "It's my father you're after, that leech's mistakes aren't mine."
Zepar couldn't help but smile faintly at her words. He could easily relate to her stance. He didn't bother knocking, instead he simply pulled the door open and stepped inside.
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked, voice low. His eyes immediately narrowed as he took in the scene. Four men stood inside the cabin with Aya, each wearing black tunics and cloaks. Aya was pinned against a wall, her arms held above her head by two of the men, while a third held a knife against her chest, her robes already partially cut. "Release her...now." His voice lashed out with killing intent as he glared at the men.
"Get lost, pretty boy," the man holding the knife sneered. "The lady's just about to pay for her daddy's debts." That was the last he was able to say before his eyes suddenly burst into flame, burning from the inside. The man dropped the knife and collapsed, howling in pain as he clawed at his burning eyes. The other two men instinctively backed away, releasing Aya. Aya, who had been looking fierce and defiant a moment ago, now gazed at Zepar, her breath unsteady as she stared at him with a mixture of fear and awe.
"You're making a big mistake, friend," the fourth man said as he turned to face Zepar. "Our boss will have your head."
"I doubt it," Zepar said coldly. "In any case, I believe you're looking for this sack of shit." He tossed Jared over the threshold like a sack of grain.
"So we're just meant to take him, and ignore what you did to our man?" the fourth man asked sarcastically.
"You have ten seconds," Zepar warned. "After that, I'll make the decision for you. I am trying to be kind at present."
The three men all glanced at their comrade, who was whimpering in pain. The flames had died, but it was clear he'd never see again. They then decided that continuing to antagonize a man who could casually do that while 'trying to be kind' was not in their best interests. Without another word, the fourth man grabbed Jared and dragged him out of the cabin while the other two helped the blinded man to stumble after them.
"Well," Zepar said brightly, once the men had left. "That was interesting."
"Interesting?" Aya scoffed. "You burned a man's eyes out. Are you insane?" Her words were harsh, but something in her tone softened at the end.
"I'll get back to you on that one," Zepar joked. "And from what I saw, he planned to do far worse to you." His face turned serious. "I am not a righteous man, Aya. But there are certain crimes that I will not turn a blind eye to." He looked into her eyes, hoping that she'd understand his point of view. He would never pretend that his actions weren't objectively horrible. But he felt that his actions were the lesser evil.
"Th-thank you," she said quietly after a few minutes had gone by. "I may not approve of your methods, but you saved me from a fate worse than death." Her face softened and her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Perhaps after your reading, I can thank you properly."
"I told you, my body is a temple," he reminded her softly, struggling to maintain a straight face.
"N-no, I only meant—" she stopped herself, trying to regain her composure even as her face turned beet red. "I meant, that perhaps I could treat you to a drink."
"You're too fun to tease," he said with a chuckle. "Okay, I'll play nice." He sat down at the table and gestured for her to begin the reading. She shook her head helplessly as she retrieved her crystal ball from the cabinet before sitting down across from him. She hadn't expected that she'd meet such an interesting man. He was dangerous, violent, unapologetically crude...but, he was also gallant, charming, and honest. It didn't hurt that he was very easy on the eyes. She blushed again, biting her lip as she forced herself to focus on her crystal ball instead of on his face. After a few minutes, her face was no longer red—it had turned pale.
"Lichspawn," she whispered in horror.