The two of them sat by the pond. Classes had since concluded and the various students were idling about, trimming the trees, hanging clothes, and tending the garden. Syndra was sitting by the pond, deep in thought. The pond reflected in the young girl’s eyes, each threatening to swallow the other. She heard the taps of her master’s sandals.
Next to her the tapping stopped and with Konigen close she felt more at ease and relaxed the tension she hadn’t realized she’d held. Steeling her gaze looking over the pond, towards the straight and towards Navorri. She finally broke the silence with a whispered apology.
“Sorry”
“Hmm?” Konigen glanced downwards towards the child, as though he had only just discovered her presence.
“For my lack of control” Syndra whispered, only audible to Konigen.
He remained silent for a while. He drew breath as he lowered himself, and with a groan he rested himself against the sandy moss by the pond. He made a long drawn-out sigh.
“I will not pretend that your lack of control and balance isn’t dangerous. However, what might you think this temple is for? Why do you think I brought you here?”
After a moment she tentatively answered: “To teach us?”
“One who does not know defeat, will be unable to learn from their faults. The type of magic I teach is not exactly well known… To most, magic is an ambient force, weak and polluted. We take what we can muster, and we shape and use it. When this reservoir empties, there is no more magic to be had.”
Syndra listened intently, it wasn’t often Konigen deliberated on his teachings outside of his classes. Konigen also stared towards the shadows lengthening. Like a long shadowy hand, it reached out from the foot of the cliffside temple, and covered the townscapes below in a blanket of shadow.
“Why do you think I teach this magic?”
“To avoid us hurting other people with magic we can’t control”
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The two sat in silence for a few moments, before Konigen spoke once more
“To bring you balance. That is why I invited you here. To steady the brazier, lest it became a wildfire.” Konigen raised his hand, and like molehill a stone pushed the water aside. Its smooth surface revealing itself to be native to the currents.
“Sorcerers are crude. They breath the ambient magic, and shape as much as they can hold. Magic from the source instead is pure and more powerful. But the physical form is limited. The magic that passes through us must be in perfect balance, lest it devour us.” He lowered the smooth rock back from where it came. “
The master looked wistfully across the lengthening shadows that reached eastwards. Entertaining the idea that one day his pupils could spread his teachings from his masters. There was much that could be learnt and much to gain from it.
“Knowledge comes before training. Training before mastery. Mastery before balance. Balance before control. You seem to start the journey halfway completed. Give it time, learn and understand, and I have no doubt in my mind, you will become one of the greatest mages this world has ever seen.”
Feeling a sense of pride, Syndra straightened her back. Words of confirmation where few and far between. Absorbing this rare praise, pride swelling up from inside her chest, she couldn’t help but stand. Konigen gave her a smile, and that was the last push she needed. The girl ran off to check in with the quartermaster to take part in any tasks remaining before the sun had completely disappeared beneath the horizon.
Konigen however remained sitting, his smile faded as suddenly as it had arrived. Staring towards the reddening sun. There was much to be done, before he himself could achieve control.
Would his masters even approve of both means and ends? He took a deep breath and pushed his fears aside.
For now, he simply enjoyed the moment.