Chapter 14

Holding Ernand’s hand, I walk down the road. Lynn on my left and Ernand on my right. We reach the edge of town and I point out a small path. Together we walk a few more minutes until we reach the gate in a short fence. Opening the gate with a key from my pocket, I motion for them to enter.

Lynn and Ernand look around, curiosity clear on their faces. I escort then down the short pathway, and we all look at the door to a modest home built against the clift wall.

I toss the keys to Lynn and say, “Open it, and invite us in!” unable to keep the victorious grin off my face any longer I say “It’s your new home!”

Stunned she stutters for a moment and then says “You purchased a home for me? How? Why?”

Grinning, I stand there waiting, without saying a word until she turns and excitedly unlocks the door and says, “Please come into my home, although I expect an explanation.”

Heading inside, I pull Ernand in after me. Lynn follows and closes the door. I walk through the foyer and into the living room.

Casting a warding circle, I turn to her and say, “The day you accepted me as your teacher, I talked to you about the danger you were in. So far, we have kept you a closely guarded secret. Now that you have finished studying under me, that job has become much harder. Most people ignore a student practicing enchanting, or an apprentice working on a new spell.”

“Now that you have graduated, your research and experiments will not be ignored any longer. Anyone that pays attention will quickly realize you are working at a level they can’t reach, and gossip will spread.”

“I’ve spent the last year preparing the only solution I could think of. A private study.”

Lynn takes a pointed look around and says, “This is far more than a study.”

I reply, “Yes, well I can’t exactly add a new room, or ban people from any room you research in at the college.”

“You can’t continue to live in the student quarters now that you’re a full mage anyway. You need a new place to live, and you need a private place to study. Let me show you around.”

“As you have already seen, there is a privacy fence outside. Inside, once you pass the foyer you reach the living room, where we are now. Follow me.”

Walking to the hall I point to three doors and say, “That’s the kitchen, guest bedroom, and guest bathroom.”

Smiling, I watch Lynn and Ernand visit each room talking excitedly. When they return, I take them down the other hall. “This is the master bedroom.” I say, opening the door and stepping in. When they finish looking around I say, “Now for the exciting part.” I place my hand against the back corner of her room and mutter a quiet spell. The illusion fades and an opening appears.