Scorn

‘It was crowded’ was an understatement for the masses of people who swarmed the city of Baltain this time of year. They ranged from rich merchant families to the poorest of fishermen and from the slyest of thieves to the dumbest of the dockworkers. The air was thick, humid and the sweat practically flowed from the masses. However on the east side of town it was less crowded at least by human population of the city. All sorts of animals were stored in pens, cages and crates. A loud bird squawked in indignation as it was sold to its new owner. A horse wicked in fear of the caged cats across the way, as the cats let out accumulative hiss at the young children poking them with sticks. A man let out a yelp as one of the cats poked a paw out of the bars towards the giggling children. Rushing over, the man pushed them back as the cat’s paw, which was roughly the size of aforementioned kids head, swept by.
The man sighed at his hot-tempered wards and caught one of the startled children by the collar. Dragging him up in front of the cage, he gave the boy a shake. “Look ‘ere, Boy. These aren’t mousers or the well bred pusses of merchant ladies.” The boy shook his head in agreement. “These are killers of mounts, mammoths and men. I would know. Look what they managed to do to me through solid iron bars.” He dropped the boy’s shirt and held out one gloved hand. The boy seeing nothing out of the ordinary stopped shaking and tried to look unafraid in front of his buddies. “This.” The man took off his glove and showed him the stumps of four fingers, and the fake final joints made of wood and leather. The boy jumped a little and ran back to his buddies who melted back into the crowd.
A harsh laugh rang behind him and the man turned. A woman with long black hair stood in between the cages and stroked a cat on the head. “You didn’t, I suppose, point out to the boy that the cats gave you the small scratch on the back of your hand and the fingers are just a showy side piece.” She chuckled as the cat she was petting craned his head between the bars, yearning for more attention. The man walked up to her and grinned, speaking  “I don’t suppose I did. But do you suppose that we should advertise our ‘wild’ cats as friendly and social, eh? Hmmm, it might be a new fad.” He winked and walked back inside the tent in the ring of cages. “What do you think Hern, me boy?”
The tall stringy boy looked up from his book, his wire glasses falling to the end of his nose. “Hmmm… they are cute, fluffy, 150 royal terets in weight and they will keep your house free of unwelcome intruders at the price of 2 steaks a meal and a separate servant devoted to all of its needs. A deal only idiots would agree to.” The man at the tent flap let out a loud bellow. “That’s fabulous news,” He declared. “because that’s the exact type of people we sell to, so lets get to advertising!” Hern sighed and went back to his books, a little smile on his face.
No sooner then the boy turned back to his books, two little girls popped out from beneath the desk and knocked him right over. “Advertising!!” They squealed and ran into the other tent room, leaving the disgruntled boy to pick up his papers and two adults in fits of laughter. “Ta-Da!!” With a cheery call, they flew out of the tent with two baskets in their arms full of little papers, flowers, candies, good luck charms and a collection of about anything that someone might consider wanting in return for being told about the cat stall. They were about to run into the crowds when the man and the woman scooped them up and whispered into their little ears. The girl’s eyes flew open and simultaneously they shrieked, “REALLY?!?!” and hopped out of their parent’s arms. The man pulled out a ring of keys and walked to two smaller cages by the side of the tent. Unlocking them he pulled out two fuzzy little kits and sat them by the girls. Small as compared to the big cats, these cats still managed to make the two little girls look like rag dolls. They were spotted in brown and looked around, their bright green eyes adjusting to the change in light. “Now Minna, you get Axim. Annim, you be careful with Mixa, last time I let you take her out on a walk she got her tail pulled.” The little girls hugged their twin cat counterparts and skipped outside. The crowd, noticing the girl’s companions gave them their breathing room and stared at the bobbing golden tails and little golden heads as they passed by.
The man chuckled. “Now Erin, those four are as closely bound as any cat and human can get. Ever get jealous?” The woman shook her head and hugged the man close. “I got a wild cat for a husband don’t I?” She winked,  “I got plenty of wild love, Ord dear.” And gave the man a big kiss. Gag noised resounded from inside the tent as the boy heard them. The two laughed and entered the tent to hug the boy, who retorted. “Isn’t it bad enough for you both to talk so much about how much you love each other?” Trying not to laugh Ord laid a hand on his adoptive son’s shoulder and said seriously. “Well there is a time went a man loves a woman ….” The boy stood up abruptly and sniffed. “If you have nothing better to do then tease me, then leave, my studies are suffering significantly since we arrived in this town. You two are too restless, what is it? No more space to explore in this town, no wilderness for you barbarians?”
“Well, you certainly a damper on good spirits lad.” A brightly dressed figure stood at the tent flap, a small frown on his face. “What’s with the weapon of words? It is a weapon that is too sharp to use in response to a simple and well placed,” He winked at the two parents. “and well deserved joke, little Behern.” The boy’s face lighted and he ran to the man and embraced him. “Master! Why are you here?” The boy blinked and stepped back and took a second look at his master. “And what under Meroth’s bright skies are you wearing??” The man at the door looked at himself, and waved a bright scarlet sleeve tinged with yellow embroidery in front of his pupil’s disgusted eyes.
“Huh? This old thing is a traditional outfit from your country, young man. It is to celebrate the vibrancy of life. In fact since you are so taken with it, I happen to have a smaller copy back in my room.” The master shared a large grin with his pupil’s guardians, much to the irritation of young Behern. “Master,” He gulped. “That is not necessary. I assure you.” Clothed from head to toe in clothes shading from dull gray to dirt brown, the young man waved a sleeve in front of his teacher’s eyes. “I thought it was a rule that mages should be modest in mind, money and clothes. That we shouldn’t draw attention to oneself, despite if it is traditional.” The boy stood straighter and smiled at his master in silent victory.
“Alas, that would be the case if anyone thought you knew you were a mage. So if you don’t advertise the fact to everyone, you can do as you please, in fact dressing like someone who isn’t a mage will keep that small detail hidden. And what is a mages second rule?”
“Surprise is the greatest skill a mage has, because the knowledge of who is a mage and who isn’t can turn the tide of war, winnings and the world.” The boy had not as much finished reciting the last word as four little golden lighting bolts struck him full in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Purring, the cats pawed at his hair while the two little girls sat on his chest and grinned. “Brother Bernerd!! We have found buyers!!” Squealing, the two girls looked up at their parents. “Two merchants want to look at the big cats! One from Abalone and the other from the East!” After a moment’s consideration, they spoke again. “Mixa and Axim want to go look at the sheep pens again.” The two cats stopped playing with Behern and looked up at the mention of their favorite sport and rushed to sit right in front of their twin counterparts, all four with looks of pleading plain in their eyes. Minna whispered. “We will make sure to ask Mr. Govern this time.” The others three in her group slowly nodded in agreement and Ord let out a chuckle. And shooed them out, as Behern who was taking gasping breaths trying to refill his lungs, stumbled up off the packed dirt.
“Children are never wanting to be part of business talk anymore, are they?” Ord sighed. Erin took her husband’s hand and led him out to talk with the two families who stood at the cages. “Master Talaman, we will return in due time. Excuse us.”
The tall man nodded and turned to the Behern who had just about straightened himself up and was looking for his reading glasses. “So, how do you fare with these fine folks? They are kind, outgoing and adventurous, the exact type of family you requested at the Institute. Have you changed your mind, yet again?”  Bernerd turned his back to the man and sighed. “Yes, Master they are fine folks and we get along all too well. It’s just… ” He ran his hand thru his black hair and looked at the dirt that came off with distaste. Then proceeded to pass his fingers thru his hair, shaking out the fine dirt, muttering something about human dustdevils. Talaman frowned. ‘This boy, is troublesome and seems unable to recognize the burden he is. With all the compatible families we have put him with, this one has lasted the longest. In which he will stay with this one, or he will not get as good as a chance next time.’ He tapped one gnarled finger on a discarded book and glared at the boy’s bowed head. “Bernerd, the Institute can’t have you keep having you do this. There is a limit for how much we will tolerate. What is wrong with this group? You said the Wolf Trackers was too busy, the Sailors too risky, those people who studied the Ancients were too ‘smart’ and now these Cat Tamers are too what?” He turned the boy around and put his hand on his shoulders. “You are getting too old for this Bernerd.” Bernerd refused to look at his master, shame written in the creases on his face.
“They are so active, constantly wanting me to do this, see this, help with this. They are so accepting and kind and… Ord is always encouraging and Erin is attentive. The twins just love me and crawl all over me like one of their cat’s climbing trees. It’s just something isn’t right, Master. I love them like friends but… I could never count myself as one of their family.” The boy met his master’s eyes, his own close to tears and pleading. He shook his head, wiped a stray tear off his cheek and chuckled a little. “I don’t know what to do, honestly. I need more time to think, will you visit again after the festival?” A sad look on his face the older mage straightened up and nodded. A small ball of light flew from his palm and placed itself at the boy’s forehead.
“Bernerd, I don’t know what to do with you, but I will return in a weeks time. Meanwhile study this and think clearly.” He said as the small light sank into the boys skin. “Don’t forget that there is no such thing as perfection. Study that light and find out what it is. I should have shown you that light much earlier, it would help in your decision.” He stood up and left, the tent flap closing silently behind him. Lost in his thoughts the mage wandered up the street, slipping through alleys and backwater paths to his room. He paid only glances at the black painted signs on the corners of buildings that told of the street name, direction. The many colorful strings of clothes above the traffic swayied in the hot dry breeze and only the street beggers were as smart as the mage to traverse in the cool shaded alleys. After walking over two dried up canal bridges, across one major street and turning over the remains of his lunch to two beggers, did the tired man finally reach his destination. ‘Oakberry Inn’ said the sign, though people in this area knew not what an Oakberry was. The Inn next to the Weavers Hall, as it was more commonly referred to, was a cheery place with one central room with a huge fireplace at one end, with random assortments of furniture on either side. With ten rooms per floor, going three floors up made this main room quite crowded during the day with people coming and going. Master Talaman was unfortunately a bit of a noticeable person in his wardrobe and habits and always seemed to get unwanted attention from most of the Inn’s crew.
“Master Talaman, sir! ” One of the serving girls stopped him at the stairs. “My Master would like to see you, sir.” With a small curtsy she dragged him off towards a small room beneath the stairs. The Owner of the Oakberry was a portly man, and it was a sight short of hilarious to seem him in such cramped conditions. The room held accounts, fines, lists and was the general place for all business matters that happened in the Oakberry, so the matter why the mage had been dragged there was hard to understand. Talaman sighed and sat down with a small plop. “What is it, now?” He said discharitibly. “Hmm, oh well.” Tiredly muttered, the large man behind his desk. “One of the girls here said you were a magician, some rumor or something that she heard. Now is that true? I don’t know what to think if you have been keeping secrets from me, Mr. Talaman.” One little foot tapped the ground as the Owner leaned forward to glare at his visitor.
“Sir, I can assure you that if I was a ‘magician’ I would of told you. Now why would me being one, not saying that I am, have anything to do with you and your establishment?” He spoke plainly, sarcasm thick in his voice. As he leaned back in his chair, the man behind the desk sighed.  “Simply put that I would prefer to know if one of my guests had the ability to flatten my ‘establishment’, if you will, its more a wanting to know more then a requirement.” Running one hand through his hair, he spoke again. “And if you were a mage I would like to ask if a favor could be done, to spare me a fair dose of worry.” Looking close at the Owner, Talaman whispered. “If I were to ask if this conversation could be continued over a cup of chai later tonight in my room, would you approve?” The pudgy man let out a huge breath and nodded his head. “My considerate Master Talaman, I do think that that could be arranged, along with a deduction on the rate of your rooms.” He extended his hand and gave the mage’s hand a hearty shake. Talaman straightened, “I will see you later Mr.…” and paused.  “Loland, just Loland.”  Loland straightened up and waddled to the other side of the table. “I will come at 9, Master Talaman.”
“Yes. Until later Mr. Loland.” Said Talaman in a sarcastic tone of voice as he pushed his way through the crowd up the stairs. In the process shoving many people to the side in his rush to get to solitude. As he opened his door he put a hand to his temple as he closed the door behind him, sliding the lock home. ‘Why do they always find me? I don’t stand out as magical, except for these clothes but they are celebratory clothes from back home. Nothing overly unusual.’ He sighed and went to the window. It was the highest floor and the view was quite spectacular. The sun was well on its was to the east and the roofs and tent tops shone in the reflected light. He had waited until after the cresting of the sun to go find Bernerd. It was hotter then should be allowed by Meroth, the god of constant life. His poor servants would cook if he let his brothers of the sun and sky continue in this path. Once again he sighed, after so he realized today had been very full of sighs. He frowned and remembered his duty. Getting out his bags he rummaged around pulled out a glass ball and set it gently on the table. Rolling from side to side the apple sized orb kept him from focusing on it. In irritation he gathered a small ball of light at the end of his finger, similar to that of which he had given the boy and tapped the top. The globe stopped rolling and balanced perfectly on the slick surface of the table as if suddenly glued. Talaman grinned and rapped the globe once more and murmured under his breath some small words. Waiting no more then a second, a distorted face appeared in the globe. The face toggled around and focused on Talaman.  “Oh, Talaman. Good to hear from you. How goes the mission?” The voice seemed to come out of nowhere and didn’t seem to bother the mage at all. In fact he smiled. “Heh. Which one? I have Bernerd about to turn down yet another family. And the Institute’s council wants me to be on hand for the entire fair down here, in case of an emergency. Not to mention they want me to check up on old Sourpuss while I'm down in this area.” The face squished up its eyebrows and spoke sympathicly. “Oh, yeah. Good Luck with that last one, evidently he has even refused to turn in annual reports anymore, the old bugger. Meroth’s prayers when you visit him, old friend.” The man in the globe winked. “Now what is this with Bernerd and his family problems again? I thought he would of grown out of it by now. What’s his excuse this time?”
“Well, I think that he really just doesn’t know what he wants anymore. All that time with him in the Institute really messed him up. I told them it wasn’t healthy keeping the boy there like that. A kid’s got to at least have one person to play with; even the southern barbarians have childhoods with mistakes and mothers. Friends even!” He shook his head. “It’s down right sad, that’s what it is.” The man in the globe nodded as well and then spoke. “Well, I know you’ll do your best for him. He is the only one left you know?” As Talaman nodded, the man in the globe looked over his shoulder. “Ah, the scribe is here, time to make your report, buddy.”