"I like her" Sarina told Caspar. "She was very kind. Look she even gave me some chocolates to take back with me." Sarina held up the bag, letting Caspar see.
Caspar smiled at her. "She has always comforted me since I came to Azzaran. Her son Farhad was just as kind and animated as her. We would play all kinds of games and he could make Nasir and I laugh until we cried" Caspar told her.
"What happened to him" Sarina asked quietly.
Caspar stopped walking, making Sarina stop as well. Caspar's face was distraught, she didn't think she had ever seen anyone look this sad. No, maybe her mother when she sent her away.
"Farhad had just reached the age when he could begin to learn practicing magic" Caspar began to explain, watching the sun begin to make its descent. "One of the rules which was later explained to me is that an individual can only practice magic that their soul can sustain. Each mage will have a certain calling if you will. For Vashti that you met, it is healing and for Mary it is imbuing objects with emotional benefits."
While he spoke, Sarina remembered the keeper and his prophecy, guessing his gift would be fortune telling.
"For Farhad" Caspar continued, "he learned that his calling was elemental. He could change the weather with his magic. It is a very rare gift bestowed on few. After he died, it was understood why so few are blessed with the gift. The witch or mage also has to be strong enough to cast the spell they wish, as it drains them to channel so much energy from the source. This is why they must practice and build their tolerance so they can cast larger and more complex spells. Farhad was excited and wanted to try a more complex spell than he could handle. His body could not withstand the energy from channeling the source, and he passed away."
Caspar kept his eyes on the horizon while telling her the story. She could see the pain on his face and wished he didn't hurt so badly. She could see a little of what Mary had mentioned, the burden he seemed to carry, yet no one to support him in it.
Wanting to comfort him, Sarina reached her hand to his, grabbing it softly and squeezing, trying to give him some strength. Sarina felt like electricity was running through her when she touched him, buzzing happily in her hand and up her arm. Caspar looked affected by her, shocked with her show of concern.
He did not want to grow attached to her, however, and so he drew his hand away, almost jerking it out of hers.
"I ...I am sorry" Sarina stuttered, embarrassed by his obvious rejection.
"It's fine" Caspar said dismissively and began walking again.
Sarina wasn't sure what to say to him after that so they continued the rest of the walk back in silence. She did not want to admit this to herself, but his rejection had hurt her. She was also upset and embarrassed that she had let Mary influence her so quickly to care about him. She had just met him and he had helped her, so she thought they might share a bond, but that was obviously not the case.
Sarina was immersed in their thoughts when they arrived in front of the estate so she did not see the beautiful woman that was walking towards them. When they got close enough, Sarina realized that is was Vashti who was walking towards them.
She was once again dressed beautifully, maybe even more so than the last time she had seen her. This time she had on a deep violet colored dress, with silver embroidery on the neckline, accentuating her generous bosom. There was a silver cord tied around her waste to show off how slim and curvy she was. Sarina felt her confidence sink even further, there was no hope that Caspar could feel anything at all towards her, no wonder he had spurned her touch. Why would he want her to touch him when Vashti could.
"Oh, I see you are still here" Vashti said to Sarina with no hidden distaste.
Sarina was shocked with her obvious disdain and didn't know what to say.
"Well you should run along girl" Vashti continued rudely, "I would like to talk to my fiancé ALONE" Vashti said, stressing the lasting word.
Sarina looked at Caspar. She did not know that he had already accepted the council's proposal. She was under the assumption that he was considering it still, but when she saw that he did not refute what Vashti had just said, she turned quickly and walked through the door without saying another word to them.
She almost ran to her room she had been given, but she would not give everyone the satisfaction of watching her run like a child who had been scolded. She finally reached her designated quarters and flung herself inside before closing the door behind her. She leaned on the door and slid to the floor.
She wished she wasn't curious, wondering what Vashti and Caspar were discussing now.
****************************
2 chapters today since I missed yesterday. :) Hope you all enjoy.