Journeymaster 6
Just when things were going good, there was always that down point that spoiled everything. This was one of them, the day when Fu had to talk to his father. There was no getting around it. He needed official paperwork signed and Father was the only one that could provide that.
For not being a Master, they sure do need a lot of things signed off by Father.
Fu put off visiting his father’s office as much as he could. Part of it was lingering frustration that solidified into stubborn refusal. The other part was a hint of shame, knowing this was not what his mother wanted. Still, pride prevented him from apologizing for anything. After all, he was the one who deserved the apology, something Father never had the guile to offer.
Do this. Get it done. It is purely business.
Fu paused by the doorway, taking a deep breath. For all of his so-called confidence, he never did understand why he felt nervous that one moment before he approached his father. Father was only Father. He always told himself that.
Then he knocked.
“Come in!” called a cheery voice. A voice that did not belong to Father.
He pushed the door open, looking inside. The office was in its usual state of disarray with books and parchment scattered all around. In the center of the mess sat a strange, freckled boy, right in Father’s own seat. He was busy scrawling something in a notebook, which he closed quickly at Fu’s approach.
“Can I help you?” he asked, folding his hands in front of him on the desk, trying to appear grown-up. The tufts of soft violet hair that fell in his eyes and the slightly dimpled grin ruined the effect.
“I’m looking for…”
“Master SoYa?” the boy interrupted. His first strike. “He’s at the Literacy Outreach right now. Should be back pretty soon, though. Can I take a message?”
“Who are you?” Fu’s brows lowered, giving his best intimidating glare. Either the boy was too witless or he just didn’t understand the situation he was in, because he did not react to it.
“I’m KiNaTu, Master SoYa’s apprentice,” he responded cheerfully.
“Apprentice? When did Father take an apprentice?” Fu glared even more sharply. He tried not to let his surprise show, but he knew some squeaked through in his voice.
“Father? Oh… you must be Fu!” he chirped, then had the gall to stick his hand out. “It’s good to finally meet you. Master SoYa has spoken a lot about you!”
Fu just glared at the hand as if he could melt it with a look. “All bad, I’m sure.”
KiNa got the idea that time, slowly retracting his hand. “Actually, no. He’s said nice things about you.”
“Misplaced optimism. He does not change,” Fu grunted.
He didn’t know why. He knew it was petty and childish. But he couldn’t stop the feeling of jealousy that choked his chest.
So he lets the Manor take me and picks up this little rag-tag as his apprentice instead? What is so special about him?
It was against his principle to mind-search someone. Fu really did know better, but at that moment, his emotion was getting the better of him. Besides, he was skilled at this sort of thing… the boy wouldn’t even know what was happening until it was over with.
Who are you? Where do you come from… and why did Father pick you over me?
Fu reached out with his mind, slowly and carefully surrounding the boy with his will and presence. Then with a needlelike precision, he stabbed forward, moving to pierce into the other’s thoughts and glean the information he desired.
Wait… what is…
An impenetrable wall of mind-silence met his attempt, blocking the passage within. Surprised, at first Fu thought perhaps Father placed some sort of protection around the boy to prevent meddling. Those thoughts, however, scattered quickly as the other boy paused and very purposefully turned to meet his gaze. There was something behind the green eyes. Fu could feel it. Something similar to himself.
Then the boy gave a wide, knowing grin.
“You are a mind mage,” Fu said.
“So are you,” KiNa answered cheerfully. “That makes us friends, right?”
“No.” He lowered his brows again. “That does not make us friends.”
The boy’s face fell. “Why not? Master SoYa said that mind mages need to stick together.”
“Father is a fool and teaches foolish things,” Fu snapped in return. “Mind mages are nothing but a danger to each other. You would do better to stay clear of them.”
That certainly earned a reaction, all trace of friendly cheer quickly fading from KiNa’s expression. “Don’t call Master SoYa that.”
“I speak it as it is,” he retorted.
“Your opinion doesn’t make something real,” the boy argued. Very clearly, he didn’t know who he was arguing with.
“You have not been around here very long, have you?”
“No, why?”
Fu put on his best intimidating tone. “Because I could have you tossed out for talking to a Journeymaster like that.”
“Why don’t you take your ego and go suck on it,” KiNa snorted.
“What did you say?” He took a warning step forward.
“You’re not my Master and I don’t take orders from you!” The boy stood up, glaring right back, unflinching. “You can talk all you want, but I’m not afraid of you.”
The boy was calling his bluff. As angry as Fu was about this or anything else, he really wasn’t the violent type. Instead, he just lowered his voice even more. “You should watch your mouth before you find your time here in the Manor has become much, much more difficult.”
Before KiNa could respond, the door to the office opened. Father tromped into the room abruptly, already talking before even looking inside, as was his way.
“I’m back! Let me tell you, today has been a real–” He paused, glancing up as he hung his sash over the wall peg. “Oh, Fu! I didn’t know you were coming by today.”
“Neither did I,” he grumbled turning away from KiNa. “It was a rather sudden order to obtain your signature.”
“I see you boys have met?” Father wrung his hands together, painfully aware of the tension within the office.
“Unfortunately,” KiNa muttered.
“The feeling is mutual,” Fu muttered right back.
“Well, that’s good.” Father winced.
“Since when did they let you take an apprentice?” Fu intoned, handing him the paperwork. “I thought that was something reserved for Masters.”
“This was a special case,” he answered, pulling out his pen and fishing through the pages, looking for what he needed to sign.
“Yes, I can see that. He is quite the special one,” Fu murmured, putting all his stress on the sarcasm in the sentence.
The boy’s mouth opened for a retort, but Father was faster.
“KiNa, why don’t you get us some tea,” he said smoothly interrupting. Then he glanced over at his son. “It’s really quite good. Why don’t you stay for a while?”
“No thank you. I have other things to attend to. I just need your signature,” Fu answered sternly.
Father straightened, looking at him, the pen poised in one hand. There was a deep sadness in his eyes. Sadness and sorrow. It was enough to almost soften Fu’s outer defenses. Almost.
“Fu, I know you’re angry with me. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you… to apologize,” Father attempted, spreading his hands.
“There is nothing to say.”
“Yes… yes there is. Won’t you hear me out?” he pleaded.
“I really do not have the time for this,” Fu interrupted.
“I know you’re angry. I know what’s going on, Fu.” Father kept trying, picking up another parchment from his desk, handing it to his son. “That’s why I’m trying to fix this. That’s why I’ve been working to–”
“Master SoYa!” KiNa’s voice broke through the stammer. He seemed nervous, almost afraid. The teacup rattled in one hand.
SoYa stopped, peering sadly at the boy.
“I mean… he said he didn’t have much time.” KiNa turned and looked down.
Fu frowned. Something odd just happened, but he couldn’t sense what.
Drat mind mage thought walls!
“Right… right…” Father rubbed the back of his head and signed the final pages. “Sorry. You must be very busy now… I…”
He took the pages from his father with a frown.
“I’m proud of you, Fu,” the man tried again. One last time. “I just want you to know that.”
“We can only make the best of the place we have been put in,” Fu answered with a grating voice, making it very clear that his father’s pride did not rectify the situation he was forced into.
“Yes, of course.” He looked down.
The Journeymaster just snorted a little before heading for the door. “Have a good day, Father.”
“You, too, Fu,” he answered from behind.
Grunting a bit at the whole thing, Fu sorted through his thoughts and feelings as he walked down the hall.
Why did that kid bother me so much? Why should I care if Father has an apprentice?
He paged through the papers, making sure his Father didn’t absentmindedly forget to sign one.
But, more mind mages in the Manor is a disturbing thought. I wonder where Father found him?
Fu flipped to the final pages of the papers and paused in surprise. The last page was not a part of the papers he brought. That’s when he remembered Father handing it to him when he tried to explain something, but was interrupted by KiNa.
It is… Anarchy’s Newsletter.
He squinted at the paper, trying to make sense of it.
What was Father doing with this?