(III)

Ricard’s mind drifted, his thoughts were as though they were wrapped in wool. He tried recalling the group he had to train in a few bells time. Letting his head rest against the edge of the bath he relaxed and slid just a bit deeper with the water reaching the underside of his chin. He realised that going out to celebrate had been a poor idea, especially after the final test where he’d faced all twelve Magji guides, masters in their specialism at the same time, winning all challenges in less than two chimes.

Nobody had ever beaten all of the Magji guide masters. The previous record had been nine Magji guide masters defeated, this was held by Jastin, he’d been defeated by the then head fire Magji master. Jastin’s test lasted four chimes before he was finally defeated. Thankfully most of the Magji protected the guides from any serious harm during the bout.

Delic’tag the young athletic water guide was not so lucky. He would be using crutches for a couple of risings even after being healed; Ricard opened the ground beneath him then rather forcibly snapped it shut around his legs. If he wasn’t shielded Delic’tag would have lost more than his legs; his life. While Ro’toms the white bearded elderly air Magji would need a guide until his sight returned, as the light blast Ricard used not only slammed him into a wall but temporally blinded him. He refused healing saying,

“It was my own foolishness, it will remind me to never underestimate my opposition in such a way.” Remembering the celebration he wondered how he could have refused his friends their chance to salute his prowess?

It was only now did he wish he’d listened to the Power in curbing his own celebrating, as his body was rebelling at being forced into action after so little rest. Bundling his clothes from his celebrations he stepped out of his room making his way downstairs to the outside door. Automatically he set his feet onto the path and headed for the male bathing pools, situated around the rear and under the student block.

A long soak in one of the thermal pools would be just the thing, he thought as he walked. The cauldron broke into his thoughts as he walked, occasionally reminding him of future problems he would assuredly face in the confines of the garderobe. He prayed to the Power they would wait, as he visually kept a firm hand on the cauldron.

Walking through the open doorway he then dropped his bundled clothing into one of the empty washing baskets. Reaching for a woollen robe which was hung with others lined around the changing room walls. Slinging the robe over the bench he stood naked then stretched before scratching the back of his head. Scratching complete he walked to the nearest pool, going down the few steps along its side, slipping gently into the mineral rich waters letting them lap up to his chin.

A contented sigh escaped his lips as the waters began their wondrous healing, he willed his self-abused body to relax and heal. He looked down at his chest and biceps, inspecting the final linking tattoos which marked his mastery and completion of all his testing. Letting out an audible sigh he settled back against the edge of the pool. Closing his eyes, he was more than pleased for the cauldron had stopped its complaining allowing his mind to drift back a few short circuits.

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Already late for a session at one of the practice rings, he was moving quicker than was prudent, practically running along under the covered walkway which led to the ring. Not only was he running but he was also carrying a tumbler of water he’d drawn from the source earlier that rising. Thinking about the session which he was assuredly late for and not looking where he was going he literally ran into a woman, causing them both to tumble to the floor. Smiling in the pool he remembered how instinctively as he fell he positioned himself underneath her so she didn’t land under him.

Gently lifting her up and across him to the side he flipped back to his feet, then bent down offering his hand. A smile was plastered on his face as he helped the poor unfortunate woman back up then watched while she struggled to collect her books from the floor. The tumbler of water which on the initial collision had shot several spans into the air chose at that point to upend emptying its contents over his head.

His head now dripping he shot out a hand as he caught the descending tumbler then with his empty hand picked up the last book from the floor. Looking up he glanced at her body checking she was not visibly harmed, though as he looked at her face her azure eyes drew him in.

Shaking his head, it was like time had stopped, he saw the expanse of the sky without a cloud in sight, captivating him for an eternity. Hundreds of water droplets from his head were caught mid fall reflecting her face, over and over again as he was held unable to move. It was definitely her eyes, he thought, that took all of his words out of his head as this exceptional beauty looked back at him.

She returned his gaze looking deep into his eyes, a smile pulled at their corners, at what he hoped she glimpsed there. Time rushed back, the droplets of water splattered on the paving stones while her smile lit her face fully as though the sun had risen within her. He could hear words as he watched her lips move but couldn’t think of anything to say while he stood there mouth agape. Water running down his back reaching under the waist band of his trews didn’t even register.

The sudden banging of a door somewhere in the bathing area awoke Ricard with a jerk, pulled from his dreamy relaxation. Standing quickly, his Magji gift automatically gathering ready, to react either offensively or defensively to any threat as water and suds ran down his well-honed body. He walked out of the pool in a far better condition than before.

He made for the pile of soft towels his mind raced as he tried recalling Za'fira, that was her name he later found out. Yet the memory of his first bumbling meeting evaded his pursuit. The thoughts drifted away while he snagged the largest towel and completed his drying, before dressing using a set of the common student clothes. Shaking his shoulder length hair so it would dry naturally he returned via the kitchen to his room.

Shuddering at the mess he quickly tidied the last night’s evidence away before eating the large snack he’d pilfered. Throwing on a clean set of his own clothes before hunting for and finding his missing boot, which to his surprise held an empty Wy’ske bottle. Hidden on the top of his armoire.

Placing the empty bottle on his pilfered snack tray for the cleaner to tidy away, he made for the office of Jastin to receive his orders. Humming as he walked under the covered way which connected the student block and the academy offices; his thoughts once more centred on Za’fira. Wishing that they could have had more than the scant few circuits they’d spent together before their going to face an uncertain future fighting in the demon war.