Arthur knocks on the seemingly huge double door, he wasn't very tall. About 170cm, the door however was 2 meters tall. A powerful voice spoke "Come in"
Arthur opened one of the doors and walked in carefully. "Hi ma'am" he said as he bowed. Marida smirked at the kind and gentleman-like gesture. It amused her.
"So, Arthur. After coaxing my staff they tell me you're getting bullied?" She said while letting her brown hair down letting it flop down onto her shoulders "Yeah, you kinda saw didn't you" he said sheepishly. "I did" she said as she turned around the chair in her office and stood up.
"You're weak Arthur. Remember, if you're weak no one will want you, you cant even defend yourself. You might have difficulty getting a job aswell,"
Arthur looked at her a little stunned. She noticed this "What, you thought I was gonna sugarcoat it? You don't even have magic" she walked over to him and picked up his arm "flex for me" Arthur felt pathetic as he flexed all he could. Marida then let go of his arm, stood up straight and walked back towards her seat.
"You will train with me from now on from 5pm sharp, tell that beekeeper. You're 16 now Arthur, it's time for you to learn to defend and fend for yourself. This will be both beneficial for the last two years and when you grow up."
She sat down towards Arthur "I'm sorry I haven't been here much, I'm on a lot of adventures. I am the protector of this town, but also the protector of you."
This shocked Arthur, he had never heard Marida speak so softly before "No problem at all ma'am." He nervously said. She then waved her hand signaling him to go
"We start tomorrow and don't call me ma'am. I'm only 30" Arthur nodded and left the room, closing the door on the way out.
On his was down the hall he couldn't help but feel jittery with excitement he walked down the stairs with a certain grace.
At the bottom he could see Allison sleeping on a chair close to the entrance. He goes over to her and when he's about to touch her shoulder "No Arthur you're gonna fall!" She shouts as she stands up out of breath.
Arthur jumps a little then holds his arms around her. "hey, hey. it's okay it's okay. I'm here" She calms down in his embrace snuggling her head next to his. They are the same height after all.
"I'm fine now, let's go to see the bees. You promised" she whispered. After a few more seconds she let go of him, Allison then goes towards the entrance and puts on her shoes, as does Arthur. They step out into the morning sun. Arthur and Allison walk down the path left from the orphanage. After walking a bit they come to a little building with a huge garden, on a sign on the outside it says "Honey" Arthur holds the door open for Allison, who was currently wearing more casual clothing.
Arthur steps in after Allison. After entering the cozy shop with different types of honey on the walls Arthur shouts "Master I'm here!" A man's head peeks out from the top of a staircase so steep you might as well call it a ladder. "Arthy! I've been waiting for you" The man steps down the steep stairs from the second floor. Arthur has only been there once, there is a hammock and usually some beer bottles. When he reaches the bottom of the stairs he pats his apprentice on the back while rambling "Oh Arthy I've missed ya dearly!" Arthur responds casually "I was here yesterday Master Theodore" Theodore looks at him with a weird look "Does that change the fact that you're great company? No"
Theodore then looks over at Allison "You brought your girlfriend too. How wonderful, so. Ready to begin some beekeeping?"
Arthur cursed his masters ability to speak exactly what was on his mind, was he going to have to deal with this the rest of the day?
He takes Arthur and Allison to the backroom of the shop, there are several barrels of honey and the room is quite cold.
"Mr. Theodore, how is it so cold here?" Theodore looks at her for a second "well, obviously magic. Actually I'm using rune-magic. Some of these honeys are more prone to deterioration than the standard"
Theodore scratches his thick brown beard with grey stripes. "But isn't rune magic frowned upon?" She asks curiously.
Theodore looks at her with a glint in his blue eyes. "True, but only in combat. Runes are only to be used by those the ancient rune carvers consider worthy. It's kinda like doing a spell without any effort"
He lifts his hand and drags it in the air with precision. "This magic comes from the world around instead of within. With usual magic you would need an affinity, but with runes" he snaps and a small fire appears where he put the rune.
"But, alas I only use it for practical reasons, so no-one will be annoyed with me" he lectures confidently "Now enough lectures, let's go see the bees"