Callus sighed in relief as he watched his apprentice leave the room. He put his feet onto the table and leaned back in his chair for a stretch. He took a deep gulp from his tankard, and looked at the painting of a beautiful woman hung above the fire.

“What?” He asked it in a cranky tone. “I only have the morning to relax”.

The painting remained silent.

“Because it all changes when he gets that medallion” he snapped. “That boy is something else, you’ve seen it”.

He finished his drink, then refilled it. “Like you would know, you’re just a painting”.

He gathered the dishes from the table, and dropped them into a hole that he summoned into the floor.

“I can’t keep him in this tower forever” he said, starting to dust the painting. “Quinn will see to it that I can’t, might as well get it started”.

Just as he said that, there was a knock at the door. “Damn the gods” he sighed, “I need to learn to shut my mouth”.

He cautiously opened the door, to see a small man standing outside. He was brushing dust from his simple clothes. He had a deep brown, long braided pony-tail, and wore wire-framed spectacles close to his eyes. He looked unremarkable, aside from the many runes tattooed into his face, neck and arms. He was covered in magical tattoos, making his meek demeanour suddenly imposing.

“How did you get through my traps” Callus asked curiously.

“Oh, I didn’t notice you had traps” the man said politely. He spoke in an educated manner, Callus thought he sounded pompous.

The old man looked his visitor up and down, grumbling to himself. “Come in then” he relented, swinging the door wide open.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

The man obliged, and made his way to the hearth to brew some tea. “It’s good to see you too old friend” he said over his shoulder.

“What are you doing here?” Callus asked bluntly.

“I think you already know the answer to that” Quinn replied. He walked casually over to a dusty chips board on the edge of the room. There was a game in progress, but it was obvious that no one had touched the pieces in a long time. He looked over the board thoughtfully, but didn’t touch it.

“I’m getting to it, you must know that” Callus complained. “I’m still not sure he is ready though, the boy is an idiot”.

“I don’t think I need to stress the importance of this enough” Quinn said, looking at the old man seriously. “She is rather insistent about this I’m afraid”.

“Oh spare me the story” Callus moaned, “end of days, chosen warriors, blah blah blah. The maiden will get her way, don’t sweat in your socks about it”. He drank deep from his cup. “I just wanted the boy to have more time”.

“Sometimes I forget how soft you’ve become in your age” Quinn chuckled.

“Fuck you” Callus snapped, “You’re older than me”.

“Even still, your time in this tower has changed you”.

“That’s out of line” Callus snapped seriously, “You know damn well I’d be on the other side of the world if I could”.

“You often are” Quinn countered.

“It's not the same” the old man slumped into a chair. “Being bound to this place is a punishment, nothing more” he sighed.

Quinn sat next to him, and put his hand on his shoulder. “You’re time will be up soon friend, you can hold out and leave this place for the next idiot wizard” he said with a smile.

“That’s not important anyway” Callus said, waving his friend's kindness away. “We’re talking about the idiot boy”.

Quinn smiled, and stood to tend to the tea. “I know you’re worried, but it’s important he takes this journey”.

“I understand that, I said I was seeing to it didn’t I?”

“Sometimes it’s hard to just take you on your word”.

“Sometimes it’s hard to look at your stupid face, but we all do the things we must”.

Quinn laughed, and poured the old man a tea, he put the pot back before pouring one for himself. “I suppose I must take you on your word then” he said, walking back to the dusty chips board. He looked it over for a moment then slid one of the pieces through the dust. “Check” he declared with a smile.

“Show off” Callus scoffed.

“Until next time old friend” Quinn said, taking a small bow “I’m off on a trip, but I will be seeing you soon”. He opened the front door. On the other side was a large room filled with people working away at desks. He stepped through, and the image faded back to the outside of the tower.

“Can’t wait” Callus groaned.

He shut the door, and slumped back into his chair. Determined to resurrect his relaxing morning, he summoned a book to his hand and leaned back. He smiled to himself and started to read, but was soon interrupted by the sound of an explosion booming through the rooms of the tower.

He kicked his feet in a tantrum, causing him to fall out of the chair. He held back a sob on the floor and looked up at the painting.

“Just one fucking morning” he whimpered.