The Apprentice's Apprentice

Part 27

Philippe folded his arms across his chest a frown drawing lines around his mouth. "I really must insist."

Warren shrugged. "Then you're welcome to take it up with my master. I'm sure she'd be happy to speak with you about it."

He sighed heavily. "No. No, that would be rude. A mage's apprentices are their business. However, if you run into any trouble and would like some advice or help, please feel free to come to me."

"Thanks," Warren said.

With a wave at both of them and a smile for Cora, Philippe turned and walked away. Warren watched him for a moment then jerked his head towards the house and Cora followed him inside. Whatever Philippe's concerns were, even he had to agree that it was important that Cora learn to control her power.

They'd barely gotten into the library when Warren turned to look at Cora. "What's his problem?"

Cora grimaced, letting her bag slip onto the ground. "I told you, he's like my big brother. He's just a bit protective of me is all. I mean, he was when we were kids and I guess he still is. I don't know."

"He's borderline nuts. I mean, yeah, an apprentice teaching another apprentice is weird, I get that. But when I say my master's overseeing this, anyone reasonable would have backed off. And why does he keep waiting outside school like that? It's kind of creepy. I mean, he's like what, in his twenties? A full mage should know better."

"He's twenty. Or should be. I'm pretty sure his birthday's in June or July. I can't really remember. I'm sure once he gets to know you better he'll be fine."

Warren shook his head and began to pace. "It's his assumption that just because he's a full mage that he can teach you better that's pissing me off. I mean, I haven't mastered visualization yet but I have spell breaking basically done. Not to mention he's basically questioning the hag. It's one thing to say that shit to your own master about training and stuff, it's totally another to be talking about someone else's. You have an issue with another mage's apprentices and you take it up with the master, not the apprentices."

Cora frowned, following his movements with her eyes. "I don't get much of this stuff, and yeah, Philippe's being ridiculous about you teaching me, but he's not that bad. He's just really worried about me is all. I wish he understood that I'm not a little kid anymore and don't need him to look out for me all the time."

He stared at her for a moment before grimacing. "No, I'm not going there," he said. When she looked at him quizzically he just shook his head again. "Look, let's just forget Philippe for now, even if he is crazy even for a mind mage."

There was something about the way Warren said mind mage that made Cora think he was using it as a replacement for asshole. "Do you have a problem with mind mages?"

"Do I have a-" he choked before turning to stare at her. A moment later he sighed. "I keep forgetting you don't know. Not that this is the common knowledge most Line mages would know, but it's still something you'd generally be aware of."

She stared at him and he sighed again. "Look, it's nothing that has anything to do with you and I've been doing my best not to let it colour my teaching of you."

"If it's bugging you and affecting how you act around Philippe then yeah, I think it does have something to do with me. Or is there some reason you can't tell me?"

Warren rubbed the back of his neck and then dropped into the armchair. "Fine. Fine. It was bound to come out sooner or later and I suppose you should know, at the very least as a warning about the darker sides of magic. It's not something I really like to talk about, so I'll just give you the quick version."