Foolproof? No, but believe it!

Two of three things

What is a truth when the liar believes it?

Casual kidnapping

Training begins!

The First Pupil: Mattias

Wayward Malice

&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;It was an odd experience leaving the house. The door just appeared when Maude reached for it, and they emerged into the aristocracy, the top and wealthiest part of Mfsac. Nearly every individual carried with them a golden trail of light like gleaming peacocks of power. Compared to their display of power Avei was like a mouse surrounded by very hungry cats.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;Following: Avei quietly gripped her hat nervously as she followed. Like previous travels in the city, the people seemed to avoid her. Though it seemed more because of the one she followed rather than herself this time. With a gentle chime of song, they entered a simple bakery.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;Two of your finest cupcakes Isis.&#x201D; Moving to the counter, Maude brought out a gleaming ball of light and placed it down upon the counter. The woman brought her hands to bear on it, and gleaming motes of energy sailed from the orb, and into the shopkeeper as she removed her hand a moment later.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;Plucking two of the most ornately decorated animal-shaped cupcakes Avei had ever seen, Maude admired the cute bear and bird as they were placed on the counter. Maude snatched them up and handed her one, and Avei delicately took a bite. An explosion of fluffy sweetness overwhelmed her as she nearly stumbled back in shock.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;A-Agh! It&#x2019;s so sweet!&#x201D; Rarely had Avei tasted something so filled with the scent of addiction and luxury that she found herself soon staring at the empty palm of her hand. Each bite had been an explosion of flavour that also stung as she ate. It wasn&#x2019;t bad per se, but her mind dwelled on the pain that hadn&#x2019;t been in any stolen goods from her previous &#x2018;shopping trips&#x2019;&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;I&#x2019;ll be honest kid, er-Avei. I didn&#x2019;t bring you out here just for cupcakes.&#x201D; Maude stepped out of the shop and moved to sit down on a bench as she motioned to the crowd that passed by.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;It was the main reason yes, but while we&#x2019;re out here. Tell me what you think of the area.&#x201D; Looking around, Maude motioned to the golden trails while Avei adjusted her sunglasses.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;...It looks great, love what they&#x2019;re doing with their magic. Excellent use.&#x201D; Avei had to admit it did look nice, and it was an inventive way to carry it. Though she wondered how efficient it was.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;Exactly! Wait-&#x201D; Pausing, Maude went cross-eyed for a moment, and then shook it off.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;Well, my point is: why can&#x2019;t dark mages be allowed up here. I know good folk, and I mean really good folk, who don&#x2019;t live the most honest lives but are wonderful people in their own right. Not that any of these folk are bad people, they&#x2019;re brutally honest. To a fault.&#x201D; Looking over, Maude let out a sigh.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;I just&#x2026;&#x201D; she trailed off. Looking down at her hands, Maude put two and two together.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;I get it. You feel people who have great skills are being overlooked simply because they might not live the most honest of lives. Living honestly doesn&#x2019;t mean you&#x2019;re any good at governing.&#x201D; Looking up, Avei watched them going about their day. Pride filled smiles and happy chimes of joy.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;I&#x2019;ll be honest with you Avei: honesty isn&#x2019;t always the best policy. I&#x2019;ve lost many things by being honest. People have died because I was incapable of even being so much as slightly sneaky. Because I see that as deceitful. And just look at things! Do I look like someone who should be running a country?&#x201D; Maude motioned to herself in exasperation.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;Yes,&#x201D; responded Avei blankly.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;...Well. &#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;em style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;Anyway&#x3C;/em&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;. That&#x2019;s why I want to train you. Showing that even dark mages can be strong, and might even be a great addition to our culture would be just what I need to stick it to these snobs.&#x201D; Clenching her fist, Maude shook it at those who passed by. None glanced toward them.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Aren&#x2019;t you like&#x2026;in charge? Couldn&#x2019;t you change the laws to allow such things?&#x201D; Leaning back slightly, Avei couldn&#x2019;t help but ponder the sad and strange woman in front of her.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Well, yes. But that would take ugh-Paperwork. So I&#x2019;m trying to avoid work, and changing the laws, by instead taking on a pupil to change them for me!&#x201D; Maude grinned brightly at her &#x2018;brilliant&#x2019; plan.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;So&#x2026;in order to avoid doing work, you are going to work hard and train me instead?&#x201D; Folding her arms, Avei wondered just how to break it to her.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Well, when you put it like that it makes me sound stupid. But it makes sense in my head alright!? I got a whole three-stage plan.&#x201D; Motioning wide, Maude regaled Avei with her tale.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Step one: train you. Step two: we show them your fancy magic that&#x2019;s not evil, probably. Step three: they change the laws and I don&#x2019;t have to be in charge anymore. It&#x2019;s not foolproof and it has a ton of holes, but I believe in it and that means it has to work!&#x201D; Turning to grab her pupil by the shoulders, Maude ignored the blank look and smiled excitedly at her.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;I mean it worked with my first pupil. I don&#x2019;t see why it won&#x2019;t work this time too.&#x201D; At that bit of information, a groan echoed out from Avei.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Please tell me you don&#x2019;t take on students just to avoid doing work&#x2026;&#x201D; A deep feeling of dread began to fill Avei as she couldn&#x2019;t help but mirror the glare of Mattias unknowingly.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Alright, I won&#x2019;t tell you. I won&#x2019;t say it&#x2019;s not true though.&#x201D; Giving a cheerful laugh, Maude leapt to her feet and spun in place.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Just trust in me Avei! I&#x2019;m going to make you make history!&#x201D; With that proclamation, Maude turned and ran. Staring at her for a moment it took a solid minute for Avei to realise her situation. Glancing left and right, she suddenly rose and hurried after her mentor. A soft whimper escaped her as she began to get looks.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;Fortunately, Maude hadn&#x2019;t gone far, and she found her standing in front of a building and knocking on the door marked [open].&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;Kevin! Hey! Kevin! Kevin hey! Let me in Kevin!&#x201D; The door opened to a man with an exhausted air about him. Avei recognised the portrait, but just barely. Compared to the cheerful and bold painting, this man carried the age and weight of an entire nation upon his crooked shoulders.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;Maude. What is it this time? I&#x2019;m not making sea bass illegal. We don&#x2019;t even have a port why the hell I swear.&#x201D; The man rubbed his temple as he stopped himself from ranting at the one woman that would never listen. A deep breath in, and then out escaped him.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x201C;What? Oh right. Yeah, I still want them banned. I am the law. Make it happen, Kevin.&#x201D; Maude pointed a finger at him. This was the distraction that allowed Avei to catch up, and she stared at the two adults arguing in a busy street.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x2018;&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;em style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;Dear light, my mentor is a literal child.&#x3C;/em&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;&#x2019; The conversation only continued as they argued and bickered, and Avei brought herself a small spoonful of courage.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Maude. Why are we here again?&#x201D; To the relief of two out of three people involved, Avei&#x2019;s question reminded Maude why she was here.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Ohhh right. Kevin this is Avei. My new student. A dark mage,&#x201D; the smug smirk on Maude&#x2019;s face only grew as the man seemed to turn as red as a tomato. The irate screaming of the goat echoed even further around them as he turned and slammed the door shut behind him.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Heh,&#x201D; snickered Maude. Staring at her, Avei missed seeing the figure standing behind her until his mouth opened to speak.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Can you stop mortifying your advisor please Maude?&#x201D; The figure rubbed his nose as he adjusted his glasses. Mattias had been hoping to wrap up his business before things exploded. Perhaps that had been too optimistic.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;He hasn&#x2019;t quit yet. I want to see how long he lasts!&#x201D; Brutally honest, Maude moved to motion toward Avei.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Avei, Mattias. Mattias, Avei. Pupil on Pupil action. Now fight for my affection! Go!&#x201D; Crouching down, Maude shuffled around to the side with her butt sticking out behind her. Watching them excitedly as Avei slowly tilted her head all the way up to meet the man&#x2019;s eyes. Kneeling down, Mattias sighed.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Welcome to darkness. Population: us.&#x201D; There was a pause as he saw her confusion, and he moved to stand back up.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;It&#x2019;s a&#x2026;you know. Bad children get stolen by darkness and swallowed whole? All the bad people go there? It-nevermind. I&#x2019;m here to equip you on how to survive your years of learning under Maude.&#x201D; He lifted a finger and pointed to the empty air where Maude had been.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Lesson number one: always keep your eye on-&#x201D; They both stared at the empty air like a bomb waiting to go off.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Lesson number two: if she vanishes don&#x2019;t panic. It could just mean she&#x2019;s bothering a vendor for food. It doesn&#x2019;t necessarily mean there&#x2019;s some sort of chaos happening.&#x201D; Once more, Mattias might have been a bit too optimistic. Because a moment later the sound of crackling lightning echoed out from two streets away. Briefly, his gaze lifted to glance in its general direction.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Lesson number three,&#x201D; he continued. &#x201C;If you hear explosions or lightning: it&#x2019;s not your problem. Let me escort you back to your-&#x201D; He stared at the blank air around him, and firmly shut his mouth. Then he turned and entered the open door to the administration office.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Hello Kevin. I see Maude still hasn&#x2019;t figured out it&#x2019;s a &#x2018;pull&#x2019; door yet.&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;

&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;A promise is a powerful thing, especially in Alefrun. One need only look to the strongest mage in the country: Maude Floran. To the structures of light that glimmer and glitter with the energy that constructed them. Most cannot even fathom the promises made to conjure such strength, Avei certainly cannot.&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;span style=&#x22;background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);&#x22;&#x3E;With her lack of any potential at all, let alone the capacity to cast a single spell, she can&#x2019;t even fathom it. And yet here she was as an apprentice to Maude. Can a pathological liar ever glimpse a fraction of the power the most honest mage in the kingdom holds?&#x3C;/span&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;