Notes in Ochre

Chapter 10 - Part 1

I found myself staring down the the great wooden door with its mysterious metal enslavement, a criss-cross of shimmering shapes, all different, binding the door to the wall. Upon closer inspection, the metals all shifted and moved, as though they were little rivers still flowing underneath a frozen surface. It was all very peculiar and exciting. We had approached the door directly upon exiting Sir Ian's tidy office and I was doing everything I could to contain my mounting anticipation at the magic I was to behold. That's when it struck me. How was I to escape this place with such a formidable barrier to surpass? I only realized it, then. I was going into a deep dark pit deep beneath the ground with no escape route other than through this very door. I did not possess magic and Briar did not know how to use hers. I gasped involuntarily, but fortunately, my host seemed to again misinterpret my response.

"Ah, do not be worried. I'll be by your side the entire time," Sir Ian said. I found his soft tone to be quite intimate, so much so that I turned my face towards his in order to ascertain his expression. He was looking down on me, a little too intensely for someone who was just my new acquaintance, his cheeks flushed at his own proposal. I had not been wrong, or imagining things. He was clearly flirting with a Priestess. Tried as I might, I couldn't stifle the sharp inhale of my own breath in response to this obvious advance. I found myself quite at a loss of words, only capable of nodding in acknowledgement. I wasn't sure how to take Sir Ian's forward behavior, especially given that I now believed he may suspect I was not, in fact, a Priestess. In light of this theory, it was all the more perplexing. Who did he, in fact, believe I was?

I studied his face, his steady gaze meeting my own, and while I saw the heat behind his eyes, I saw something else, a determination. About what, though, I couldn't guess. As curious as it all was, I eventually turned away in my own embarrassment and asked about the gate.

"Yes, well, I am a key to it's operation," Sir Ian said. My eyes widened considerably at this.

"You're a Elemental Mage?" I said, unable to hide my delight. His grin broadened and he puffed out his chest, suddenly proud of himself.

"I am, and you shall get a display of my talents forthwith," he teased gently, leaning in close to my ear as he spoke, as if letting me in on a secret. I was unable to suppress my own laughter at this, as it was all rather cute. I realized, not without some surprise, that this was the second time I'd had that very thought since making his acquaintance.

True to his word, he spoke a few words with the other two gate keepers and soon they had placed themselves in a triangular formation about the door. I was told to stand a ways back, when suddenly, I felt a prickling at the back of my neck. This time, I was a little quicker to the take. It felt the same as it had when approaching the caves, and the same as on that fateful day of Prince Uther's banishment. This sensation, whatever it was, was the stirrings of magic!

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Author Note:  I mean, who doesn't want a magical hottie hitting on you?  Vote if you feel the saaammme.  Lol!  Love you all, hope you're having an amazing day! <3