Apprentice of Death

“You have three months, Cinder, to find Celeste and start your apprenticeship,” reminded Sybil. Sybil was packing rations into one of Cinder’s saddle bags on the dining room table. “You should have enough time to make the journey and settle in before you start, as long as she agrees to take you on. Send word to us once you arrive and if you need anything, ok?” Cinder smiled and walked over to her mother. Taking Sybil by the shoulders, Cinder planted a kiss on Sybil’s cheek.

“You need not worry, Mom. Sebastian is with me, and as you know, I can take care of myself,” Cinder reminded her, smiling down at her.

Sybil was well aware that after over a year of intensive training with Darius and Brane, Sebastian and Cinder were almost as deadly as their instructors. In truth, they could have spent another year or more in training, but their time had run out; Cinder’s deadline for starting an apprenticeship was approaching and had cut their time short. Darius and Brane had parted with promises to see them again, perhaps finishing their training after Cinder’s apprenticeship. Cinder would miss their company and sincerely hoped they would see each other again someday.

Sybil carried the saddle bag under her arm, out of the house, and handed it to Sebastian with a sad smile. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulders, giving her a smile and a nod of encouragement.

“She’ll be ok, Sybil. I’ll look after her. You have my word,” he promised her, meaning every word. Sybil nodded at him and did her best not to cry, still fretting over them both.

Sebastian pulled Sybil into a hug and then turned to secure the last forward saddle bag; the others were already packed with their clothes, medical supplies, and other pieces of their life.

The horse was a special breed called a Prowess that was raised and trained to be used around all manners of magical creatures and in battle. They were large and black, with flowing manes and tails, and had a sharp intelligence not found in other breeds. They were often taken into battle in history because of their ability to withstand large amounts of magical attacks, incredible strength and speed, and fearlessness when facing magical creatures, even Lycans.

Sebastian stroked the black steed’s neck and mane, receiving a snort and stomp of impatience; he seemed to be the only one eager to get on the road. Cinder had named him Obsidian.

Cinder came out of the house in her riding gear, with Harold following behind. She wore black hunting boots over black leather slacks, a black short-sleeved tunic, and a bustier. Over that, Cinder wore a hooded riding frock of black leather that came down to just above the top of her boots. On her person, she wore various knives, including the large dagger on her left hip, and over her back, she had placed her short sword in its scabbard.

Sebastian’s weapons were stashed on the horse as he intended to travel in wolf form. Cinder turned and kissed Harold goodbye on the cheek.

“Thank you, Harold. I will miss you.” She turned and walked to her mother to give her a goodbye hug.

“I love you both and will miss you so much, Cinder,” choked out Sybil.

“I’ll miss you too, Mom. Thank you for all your support and love over the years. I take both you and Harold with me. I do promise to write as soon as we are settled to let you know how we are doing. We will take care of each other, don’t worry,” Cinder tried to reassure her mom. Sybil nodded, but inside, Cinder could hear Sybil’s continued worry. Sybil had dreaded this moment from the first day she had held Cinder in her arms.

Cinder gave her mom another kiss and then turned and walked over to Obsidian. She took ahold of his reigns, and with one last look at her family, she turned and led the horse off into the forest, with Sebastian walking beside her. She was nervous and only let it show by reaching for Sebastian’s hand as they walked out of sight. He was her source of strength as she took the first steps leading her away from their childhood home, all she had ever known.

Once they were out of sight, Sebastian stripped off his clothes and changed into wolf form. Cinder took the clothes as he handed them to her and put them on the top of her saddlebags for easy access. She then mounted Obsidian and urged him forward leisurely to clear the trees.

They traveled across the land leisurely, her on Obsidian and Sebastian softly padding along as a wolf. He would sometimes run ahead to scout their path or check on a noise in the bushes. Each night, as dusk would hit, they would stop and make camp for the night. Sebastian would hunt small game, and on occasion, they would find a small deer. Cinder would go on foraging walks around their camp, searching for nuts, berries, and any tubers or edible plants she could find. They would bathe in streams along their route and sleep in lean-tos that Sebastian constructed. Their life on the road was simple.

They traveled along back country roads, for the most part, staying out of the towns and cities. Cinder would go into a town here and there by herself to resupply them as needed, but otherwise, they avoided them, not wanting to attract attention. Werewolves were not welcome in many towns and only marginally in some for trade purposes, so they figured it was better to avoid them altogether if they could. A witch keeping company with a werewolf would undoubtedly draw attention, possibly negative attention that could turn explosive.

They occasionally came across other travelers and exchanged pleasantries and news, but they mostly kept to themselves on their month-long journey. Sebastian would carefully evaluate each person they approached, listening to Cinder’s insights to see how they would respond to his presence. On several encounters, he simply disappeared in the bushes, keeping the traveler unaware of his presence but watching to keep Cinder safe. In one encounter, a man had made a move to try his luck at robbing Cinder, drawing his sword, and Sebastian had transformed into his Lycan form to scare the man off. They would camp away from the pathways they traveled on to avoid others. They found a place well away from anyone for the full moon night when Sebastian changed.

At last, they were getting close to Celeste’s Fortress, high in the mountains. Cinder had heard from travelers on their way, that many ventured here seeking help, as a last resort to their illnesses and problems. Many different witches and warlocks also ventured to Celeste’s Fortress in hopes of being allowed to apprentice under her or one of her coven; they were the most prominent and powerful coven in the world.

The pair had also been told stories of a great evil that lived in a Keep a short distance away, higher into the mountains than Celeste’s place. It was always referred to as ‘the great evil,’ but no one could give her any details when she inquired about it; they were either too frightened or honestly didn’t know anything. They would each, in turn, warn her to steer clear of it, though; those that ventured close never returned.

There were also rumors of a secret werewolf Kingdom hidden in the mountains nearby and a warning that the woods surrounding the mountains were fraught with dangerous Ferals, more than any other place in the world. Many travelers warned her away from the woods entirely, between the Ferals, werewolves, and ‘the great evil.’ When she would explain that she had to go see Celeste, Cinder would receive looks of pity, their thoughts wishing her well while believing she would never return.

Cinder took a deep breath for courage as she looked up the mountainside to their goal. The forests around her felt different than her childhood home. These felt wilder and eerily dangerous in a new way to her. Even the birdsong seemed to call on something darker, more sinister. Cinder’s eyes wandered the great trees covered in hostile thorns bigger than her, and green moss draped on the branches.

At last, Celeste’s Fortress was in sight, giving Cinder a measure of relief. It was made of grey stone and had two massive wooden doors on the front of the high wall that she assumed opened to some kind of courtyard. She rode up to the gatehouse outside the doors and dismounted to speak with the attendant inside. Sebastian sat on his haunches near Obsidian and waited; he didn’t want to bring undo attention to himself.

“I’m here to see Celeste,” Cinder told the man.

“You and everyone else in the world,” retorted the middle-aged warlock sitting there. He hadn’t bothered to get up to greet Cinder or even look in her direction, away from the book he was reading while lounging. “Unless you’ve been summoned, Celeste has no time for you. She has given me strict instructions to turn everyone who just shows up away. You must write your issue down in advance and then get slotted into a waiting pool. When it’s your turn, you’ll get your summons,” he said in a monotone, licking his thumb and turning a page in his book.

“And how long does that take?” Cinder asked the man.

He snorted at her and replied, “Constant flow of people here. On average, it takes about four months between being put on the waiting list and being seen.”

“You don’t understand; I only have a couple months left before my time is up to be taken on as an apprentice. I need to see her!” Cinder was frustrated with the man. He hadn’t even looked at her once and continued reading.

“It’s time you left,” he stated, turning another page in his book. In his mind, she heard the novel and his boredom with his post, not sparing a thought for her. He had no intention of helping her or even moving from his seat. Her irritation grew as she left the guard house.

Sebastian had heard everything and asked, “What now?”

Cinder sighed in frustration, thinking, “Honestly, I have no idea. He wouldn’t even look at me, let alone hear me out. There must be some way to draw Celeste’s attention.”

Cinder turned and strode to the large gates almost as tall as the fortress walls, several stories high. She pushed her magic out, feeling the others inside, looking for Celeste. She found her in the Northeastern tower, talking with a few others. Cinder knew it was Celeste by the overwhelming capacity she could feel in the woman. All the others in the room with her had impressive capacities, though not as large as Cinder’s.

Cinder focused on Celeste’s mind and spoke to her from outside the gate, “I would like to speak with you, Celeste. I understand you are busy, but I need your help. You are one of my only options for apprenticeship in our world.” Celeste’s mind showed surprise and then began searching for the source of the words she was hearing.

Cinder felt Celeste’s power reach out like a wave, extending to cover her Fortress and then expanding beyond to finally locate Cinder at the gate. Cinder could feel more shock in Celeste’s mind as the woman examined Cinder with her magic, taking in the size of her capacity and knowing Cinder’s gifting. Questions flew through Celeste’s mind as her power heaved on the great doors, opening them wide to allow Cinder access.

Cinder walked back, took ahold of her horse’s reigns to lead him, and walked through the gates into a great courtyard in the center of the Fortress.

The buildings rose up several stories around the courtyard, all made of stone, containing touches of flowers and foliage here and there in planters and beautiful garden spaces. Walkways with stone railings framed the perimeter around each story, surrounding the courtyard, where people were walking and talking. The fountain in the middle of the large courtyard had a calming sound in the background that mixed with people’s voices and Obsidian’s hooves on the cobblestones. Some people stopped on the various walkways above to look or turned their faces from their reading on the benches around the courtyard to look at the visitors.

Sebastian stayed by her side, examining the courtyard for threats. Cinder felt Celeste making her way down from the tower, walking through hallways and taking stairs leading down to the courtyard where she and Sebastian waited.

Celeste was dressed in a white flowing gown with an empire waist that caressed her slim frame. She had a light silver-grey shall draped over her shoulders. Her wavy blonde hair, slightly greying at the temples, was done in curls and pinned up to create a beautiful relaxed updo. Her hazel eyes studied Cinder with wariness and curiosity as she crossed the courtyard. A group of witches and warlocks in grey robes and dresses followed close behind her. Their minds revealed that they were her personal guard and attendants, including a couple of strong Seers.

Celeste examined Cinder with her eyes and magic, taking in her appearance and noting how deadly Cinder looked in her armor and weapons. Her earlier surprise at Cinder’s capacity added to Celeste’s curiosity as she looked for clues and insights into who the woman before her was; usually, any witch of high capacity was known, the news spreading at the time of the witch’s or warlock’s birth. Cinder had been kept a secret from birth, being raised in the woods away from others, so no one knew of her.

Celeste’s wariness rose significantly when her gaze fell on Sebastian; she knew what he was in a second.

“Why have you brought a wolf into my home?” was Celeste’s first words. Cinder could feel the irritation in Celeste’s mind, along with her shock, wariness, and growing curiosity. Cinder was surprised to see that although Celeste was irritated with Sebastian’s presence, she didn’t hold hatred for his kind in her mind like most witches.

Cinder met her gaze and answered, “He is my Bondmate.” Several of her attendants gasped, and Celeste wore an expression of pure surprise as she looked at the wolf again. Cinder could feel all of them examining her and Sebastian with their magic, discovering the powerfully strong bond ties present.

“What is your name?” Celeste asked.

“Cinder, and this is Sebastian. As you can already tell, my options for apprenticeship are limited, which is why I’m here. Can you help me?”

Celeste waved an attendant over to her, “Bring the horse to the stable attendant and deliver their things to a guestroom suite you have prepared. Arrange for an evening meal to be brought to their room.”

He bowed to Celeste and did as she said, coming to Cinder for Obsidian. Cinder handed him the reigns to Obsidian, and he led him away, off toward the stables.

“I suppose, after all of your travel, you would like to take some time to freshen up. After you feel refreshed and have eaten, we can speak about what can be done,” Celeste’s eyes turned back to Sebastian. “For as long as you are in my home, I would ask that you remain in your human form. It will make others less nervous around you and communication easier.” Sebastian answered her with a polite nod, looking her in the eye as he did. He would transform later in their room, so he could dress. Celeste turned back to Cinder, “I will find you in your chambers after the evening meal.” Cinder gave her a slight bow and turned to follow the attendant that had walked up to show them the way.

Cinder walked behind the attendant, following him across the courtyard, Sebastian falling into step right next to her. Cinder suddenly felt someone watching her just before heading up some stairs. It was a dark presence and made her draw in a silent breath at its attention; she felt a great interest in her within it.

She quickly glanced in the direction where she felt the gaze coming from and saw a man watching her. He was handsome and had long black hair, smoothed back and tied at the nape of his neck, black eyes that shown with sinister intelligence, and he wore fine, expensive clothes with a black hooded cloak over them. He was tall and broad, with an imposing presence that demanded attention, possibly fear. His expression was unreadable, save for the glimmer in his eyes, as he examined her closely, and Cinder had never felt a mind or presence like his before. It was dark and dangerous, in an entirely different way than she had ever experienced before, even in all of her training. She couldn’t entirely place something about him as she looked at him, feeling out his mind as he looked back at her. It felt different than the evil she had felt from Rhys; this was ancient wickedness.

Examining him with her magic, Cinder realized he was also extremely powerful, having a capacity only second to Celeste herself that Cinder had ever felt. His capacity was larger than her own, making him the second most powerful warlock in the world that she knew of. She could feel him examining her in the same way, almost gasping at the revelation of her capacity, which was second to his own. His interest in her magnified and Cinder could feel a hunger in his mind and see it in his eyes, as he stared at her.

She looked back to the attendant, who was leading her up the stairs, and continued on her way. The dark man’s eyes never left her until she was out of sight, and even then, she could mentally hear him following her, with his magical sight trained on her.

The attendant led them to a set of rooms two stories up, inside the outer wall of the Keep, with a view out the north side. The tall mountains, tipped in snow, with surrounding forests and giant condors circling the air, made for a beautiful sight. Cinder spotted their things in the sitting room and several doors leading off of the room.

“A couple of baths will be brought up for you shortly. The evening meal will be served in two hours. Is there anything else I can help you with in the meantime?” asked the attendant, directing his question to her, almost ignoring Sebastian.

“No, thank you,” Cinder replied to the man.

“Very well,” he said, bowing and taking his leave.

Cinder looked behind the doors to find two large bedrooms, each with a fireplace and tall windows that came together at a point at the top. Each room had a four-poster bed, vanity, sitting area, and enough space to place the copper tubs that the servants carried into each room. More servants came and filled the tubs with hot water, leaving a wash kit with each and towels.

Cinder dug through the saddlebags, set out Sebastian’s clothes next to one of the tubs, and then made her way to the other room to bathe. The water felt delicious, as she slid her body into the large tub and she sighed at the feeling of it. She just soaked in the hot water for a short while before washing her hair and then scrubbing all of the dirt off of her body. It had been so long since she had had a hot bath because even when she lived at home, hot baths were only for the wintertime.

She got out of the water when it started to cool and dried off. She chose a softer look for their evening and put on a lilac-colored gown with a gentle sweeping neckline. She sat down at the vanity and began combing out her hair. This is how Sebastian found her when he knocked and entered her room. She looked at him in the mirror as she brushed her hair. He had put on black pants and a white tunic with a golden doublet that matched his eyes.

“You look very handsome and refined, Sebastian,” Cinder thought at him while looking him up and down in the mirror. The sight of him had her heating and drawing in a breath.

She turned to really look at him, thinking, “You’re not worried about meeting Celeste, are you?”

He smiled at her, shaking his head, answering, “No. I just wanted to ensure she understands I don’t intend to make trouble and that I can be seen as more than a dog. I didn’t want to hurt your chances of getting an apprenticeship. I’m not worried for myself, just trying to give you the best chance at success.”

She went to him and placed her hands on his arms, thinking, “That is not the feeling I got from her mind, concerning you. She was surprised, but all who come across us are; we are the first. She is wary and wants to protect her people from us both, but it wasn’t a sense of hating werewolves, that so many I come across have. She has a general wariness of your kind, and just doesn’t know what to think of us and our partnership.”

He gave her a smile, replying, “Which is why I want our meeting to get started off on a good foot, Cinder.” Cinder swept his hair across his face as always and laid her hand on his face.

“Don’t worry. Somehow, things will work out, I just know it. It has to.” He caressed her face, appreciating her optimism.

She turned back and went to the vanity to sit down and finish her hair. She used her magic to do her hair into intricate braids that swept around the back of her head and fixed them there. Most of her hair hung loose, as she usually wore it. Sebastian stood there watching her, soaking in her beauty, until a knock on their main door announced the evening meal.

Sebastian opened the door, to allow the servants carrying trays to enter the sitting room. They placed the trays on side tables near the seating area, bowed, and left without a word. Cinder joined Sebastian in the sitting room to eat their meal. It was a flavorful venison stew, served with soft bread and butter. There was an excellent wine to drink and cool water.

After they finished their meal, they sat in the sitting room together, while Sebastian read a book aloud that he had found in his bedroom. He had always had a passion for reading and learning, it was how he knew so much. He would often read to her, during their evenings together.

A knock came at the door, and Cinder rose to answer it while Sebastian set his book aside. More servants entered the room and removed the trays, right before Celeste entered.

“I hope you have found the rooms to your taste?” Celeste directed her question to Sebastian because Cinder was still shutting the door and coming to join them.

“Yes, thank you. Everything has been wonderful,” Sebastian answered her.

Celeste sat across from the couch he occupied and waited for Cinder. Cinder walked around and sat next to Sebastian and looked at Celeste. She was dressed the same as before, and upon closer examination, Cinder found her to be beautiful, with a lovely presence of mind; powerful but kind overall. Cinder felt Celeste’s magic surround the room, creating a sense of being hidden from the outside.

“I will guard our conversation if you don’t mind?” Celeste asked her.

“It doesn’t bother me but who would you need to hide our conversation from, in your own home?” Cinder inquired.

“We, unfortunately, have a guest at the moment, who does not have my trust,” Celeste answered her. Inside Celeste’s mind, Cinder saw an image of the man she had spotted downstairs, the same one who had stared at her.

“Who is he, Celeste?” Cinder asked her, curious.

Celeste was visibly taken aback, that Cinder had seen into her mind so easily, but she answered Cinder anyways, “His name is Dominique. He is a vampire sorcerer that just happens to live in the Keep, not far from here, up higher in the mountains. He is visiting on business, and I’m afraid you couldn’t have come at a worse moment.”

“Why not?” Sebastian asked her, agitated that there was a vampire so close.

“He is not a good man. He saw you, Cinder, and he has approached me with an offer I’m not sure you will be able to refuse, I’m afraid,” Celeste stated with a measure of regret. Cinder was completely confused by this remark but waited for her to continue. “He knows I already have a full-time apprentice, as does he, but under the law, you must be apprenticed. There are such allowances for this circumstance under the Apprenticeship laws, though. You may be placed under the supervision of the witch or warlock of greater capacity that you wish to apprentice under while you work on your trade through different work releases until you can be taken on as an apprentice or are granted an exception by the Council, after a demonstration of knowledge.” Cinder needed clarification.

“I’m afraid that I don’t understand, Celeste.”

“I already have a full-time apprentice. Dominique is the only other person who could give you an apprenticeship, and he also has a full-time apprentice. I am willing to take you on as my next apprentice after finishing my current one in a year, but until then, you will simply be under my supervision as you complete some work releases as opportunities come along. Basically, you will build up your experiences to further your apprenticeship while waiting.”

“Alright, but where does Dominique come into this?” asked Sebastian.

“Well, in simple terms, Dominique has threatened me for control over Cinder’s apprenticeship,” Celeste answered him. Turning back to Cinder, she explained further, “Either you take on a work release at his Keep with him for a part of your time, or he is going to petition the Council for you to be his future apprentice instead of mine. His apprentice will be done a few months sooner than mine, and they would most likely side with him. Either you work for him for part of the time, or you become his apprentice full time.”

“But why?!” Sebastian almost shouted in anger. Cinder’s hand on his chest kept him from standing in outrage, but his eyes flared quickly and faded. Celeste couldn’t help but lean away from him, at that moment, having a wariness for werewolves.

“He wants Cinder to bond with him, I am sure. That or he plans to manipulate her into giving him her capacity, upon death.” Both Cinder and Sebastian reacted simultaneously with a gasp and a hiss.

“I already have a Bondmate, and I would never give him my capacity,” argued Cinder.

“I’m aware, as is he. That doesn’t mean he won’t try, and an apprenticeship is the best way to get what he wants from you. Either you agree to work for him for part of your time, or you will be his next apprentice full-time. My hands are tied, I’m afraid.” The three of them sat in heavy silence.

“It seems I have no choice, then,” Cinder stated.

Celeste sighed in regret, “It would seem so. I will look into other work opportunities for you as well.”

Celeste looked at Sebastian and said, “You won’t be able to go with her when she goes to his Keep. He would never let a werewolf inside.” Turning back to Cinder, she continued, “He will also have complete authority over you when you are inside his Keep, working for him. He could do just about anything he wants with you other than kill you; there is nothing anyone could do about it. This is one part of the Apprenticeship Laws I wish I could change. I would advise you to tell him something other than the truth about your specialty and to never reveal it to him. What is your chosen Pathway Occupation?”

“To be an Eradicator.” Celeste’s eyebrows went up.

“No, you must not tell him that either. What else do you have experience in?”

“Well, I could pass for a healer,” Cinder thought aloud. Harold had given her enough training to be a healer if she wanted.

“Then that is what we will go with then. You will be known as a healer until your apprenticeship with me begins. You will go to Dominique’s Keep in a few days to start your work release.”