By the time the evening sun cast its warm, golden hue over the landscape, Gareth decided they should find a place to rest. The spot he chose was a small clearing beside a babbling brook, surrounded by towering trees and lush undergrowth. It was still early evening, but the location seemed perfect for a night's stay. Luke took it upon himself to set up their campsite, knowing Gareth's injured thigh left him unable to walk.
Luke had never gone camping before. He was surprised by how quickly he had picked up the skills needed to set up the tent and build a campfire, having learned by watching Gareth a few times. Each action felt strangely intuitive as if he had been doing this his whole life. The satisfaction of achieving something so practical made him feel a surge of confidence. Maybe, just maybe, he could gamble his time on the City of Purewood and find a way to be useful until the envoy departed.
With the campsite established, Luke fetched supplies from the carriage. He brought out a couple of sets of meat, some bread, and a bundle of greenery for Tora. He set the meat to cook over the campfire and then took a moment to stretch, feeling the day's exertions settle into his muscles. As the aroma of cooking meat filled the air, Luke's mind wandered to thoughts of other delicacies he missed. Back in his previous life, despite being poor, he had occasionally saved enough money to indulge in treats like pasta and pizza. The memory of those flavours made his mouth water.
Luke's attention shifted back to the present as he tended to the fire. The simplicity of their meal contrasted sharply with the elaborate dishes he remembered, but there was a comforting quality to it. The crackling of the fire, the gentle rustle of leaves in the evening breeze, and the rhythmic sound of the brook all created a serene backdrop for their rest.
Gareth watched Luke from where he sat, impressed by the young man's adaptability. Despite his injury, he felt a sense of calm knowing that Luke was capable and reliable. Tora, having finished his stretch and wandering, settled near the fire, contentedly munching on the greens Luke had provided. The sight of the tiger peacefully eating brought a smile to Gareth's face.
As the meat slowly cooked, Luke sat back and let his thoughts wander. He missed the variety of food from his old life, but he also recognized the simple pleasure in this moment. Here he was, in a strange new world, managing to hold his own and even finding some semblance of peace. Perhaps there was more to this journey than just survival; maybe there was a chance for growth and discovery, too.
The tension from their earlier conversation about Luke becoming the city's mage lingered in the air. Luke and Gareth had exchanged only the most necessary words since then, simple yes or no answers to direct questions. The unspoken disagreement between them created an atmosphere that Luke found increasingly unbearable. Who would have thought that Luke, the one who had always run away from people, would now be the one chasing after understanding and reconciliation? He was determined to keep his promise to live differently, even if it meant confronting uncomfortable situations.
As the moon rose and night fully descended, they finished their meal in near silence. Luke's eyes kept drifting to his briefcase, filled with his street magic tools. He hadn't had a reason to use them since arriving in this world, and their current utility seemed limited to mere entertainment. But maybe, just maybe, a bit of entertainment was exactly what they needed to bridge the gap between them.
Luke got up and fetched his briefcase, catching Gareth's curious gaze.
"What are you doing?" Gareth asked, his tone cautious but not hostile.
"I'm going to show you the magic of my world," Luke replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Gareth watched with mild interest as Luke began rummaging through his items. Luke's fingers danced over his deck of cards, coins, and other tools of his trade. With a deep breath, he began to perform one of his usual street magic routines. He started with a simple coin trick, making a shilling appear and disappear between his fingers. Gareth watched intently, his eyes narrowing as he tried to follow the movement.
As the performance continued, Gareth's initial scepticism began to give way to genuine curiosity.
"Where did the coin go?" he asked, leaning forward slightly.
Luke grinned and moved on to his next trick, pulling cards seemingly out of thin air and then "vomiting" them out, much to Gareth's bemusement.
"It's all about sleight of hand," Luke explained, showing the cards tucked neatly up his sleeve. "Nothing more than quick fingers and misdirection."
Gareth's interest grew as Luke performed more tricks, making objects vanish and reappear in unexpected places. With each trick, Gareth asked questions, becoming more engaged with the performance.
"How did you do that?" he asked, his eyes wide with amazement.
"It's just a trick," Luke said, smiling. "Nothing magical about it. Watch closely."
He then revealed the secrets behind each illusion, demonstrating how simple techniques could create the illusion of magic.
As the night wore on, the atmosphere between them began to thaw. Gareth's scepticism gave way to a new understanding and appreciation for Luke's skills. He realized that there was a form of performance in Luke's world that mimicked magic but was ultimately just clever trickery. It was a different kind of talent, one that required skill and practice but not the actual ability to conjure magic.
"I understand now," Gareth said finally, nodding. "You're not a mage in the sense I was thinking. But you do have a special talent."
Luke chuckled. "I guess you could say that. It's just a different kind of magic."
They continued talking late into the night, the earlier tension between them dissipating with each exchanged story and shared a laugh. By the time they were ready to sleep, the animosity that had lingered from their previous disagreement was gone, replaced by a newfound respect and camaraderie. Luke had managed to bridge the divide between their worlds, one trick at a time.
As the fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows around their camp, the atmosphere grew heavier. Luke, feeling the need to address the elephant in the room, looked at Gareth.
"So, are you still fixated on having me become the city's mage?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Gareth nodded.
"Yes."
Instead of feeling angry or frustrated, Luke felt a sense of curiosity. There had to be more to Gareth's insistence than he understood.
"Why?" he asked, his voice gentle. "Maybe there's something I'm missing about your ideals."
Gareth took a deep breath, then began to explain.
"Having a dedicated mage can be incredibly beneficial. With a mage, the City of Purewood could evolve into the Kingdom of Purewood. We could forge stronger alliances with neighbouring kingdoms and palaces, ensuring greater safety for our people. A mage could help us protect our city from the dangers that constantly threaten it."
"Dangers? You never mentioned anything about danger before," Luke was taken aback.
Gareth nodded solemnly.
"Let me show you something." He gestured for Luke to fetch the map, and after a short while, Luke returned with it.
Gareth spread it open, pointing to the City of Purewood, located at the eastern edge of the map.
"Look here," he said, tracing the edge with his finger.
Luke had seen the map before, but this time he noticed something he hadn't before: the eastern edge of the map was shrouded in blackness as if someone had rubbed charcoal along it. The western side, however, showed clear depictions and writings, indicating the vast sea beyond.
"The east is the Unknown," Gareth explained. "It's a place no one dares to venture. The City of Purewood is the last checkpoint before the Unknown, which is home to monsters, beasts, and evil beings—creatures like the Aerdeich and Plyburg. These threats are real and constant. No other kingdoms or palaces want to help us. They see the City of Purewood as replaceable and suggest abandoning it for safer places. Only the Empire of Virencia has offered any assistance, and even then, it's minimal—just a few knights."
Gareth's voice grew more passionate as he continued.
"That's why I became a knight. To protect our people. To protect her." He paused, his eyes distant, filled with a mix of determination and sorrow.
Luke was stunned. He didn't know who 'her' referred to, but he understood one thing: Gareth's determination was driven by a deep-seated need to protect. Gareth had a clear purpose and was willing to sacrifice everything for it. In contrast, Luke realized he was still primarily focused on his survival, despite his promise to help others.
Gareth's words echoed in Luke's mind. The City of Purewood needed protection, and Gareth saw Luke as a key part of that protection. Luke's sense of duty and his desire to live differently conflicted with his reluctance to take on such a huge responsibility. He felt the weight of Gareth's expectations and the reality of the danger surrounding the city.
As they sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts, the fire between them seemed to symbolize the flickering uncertainty of their future. Gareth was committed to his cause, and Luke found himself at a crossroads, torn between his fears and the possibility of making a significant difference. The journey ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: their paths were now intertwined, bound by the need to protect and survive in a world filled with unseen threats.