Triss paused with her hand on the latch. She took a deep breath, and did her best to calm her frazzled nerves. She hadn't been in this room in two weeks. Not since she killed Thomas. Finally she pushed the door handle open and stepped inside.

The room was bright, sunny, and warm. A chill ran through her nonetheless, and she almost left. Her eyes were instantly drawn to the spot where Thomas's head had landed, but it was, of course, gone. No trace of the murder remained. Not murder. She told herself forcefully.

No trace of the spell forms Thomas had drawn remained either, though they had been burned up when she threw anti magic powder on the circle. She had shown Reginald the book Thomas had read, and he had consulted Percival about it. Unfortunately, there too many gaps in Percival's knowledge to make the portal work. Thomas had been right, he was the only one in the world who could open a portal to earth.

"Ah. Yes. You're here." Percivals voice drew her out of her black thoughts. "Is it time already?"

Triss nodded in response. Then, since he seemed to be waiting for more she spoke. "Yes. Reginald should be by in a few minutes with lunch."

"Good, good. Well. Have a seat. We have a few things to discuss, as I understand it."

He pointed to a tall stool that had obviously been brought to the room for this meeting. The stool wobbled precariously as she sat, one of its three legs obviously much shorter than the others. Percival sat on his own stool across from her. He stared at her, saying nothing. "Well?" She eventually asked.

"Well what?"

"You had something to discuss with me?"

Percival shook.his head. "No, you had something to discuss with me. Reginald said...." He trailed off, both of them realizing they'd been manipulated at the same time. "Blasted lizard." Percival grumped, folding his arms angrily.

Triss didn't have a chance to respond, and the door swung open and Reginald walked in, awkwardly holding a tray full of small silver dishes. Steam rose from several, and the smell was absolutely intoxicating. "Lunch is served." Reginald said happily, setting the tray on the bench and dishing out small white plates loaded with an extraordinary variety of foods.

"Now look here you malodorous...." Percival paused his complaints as the scent of the foods drifted over to him. "Is that Rincontia?" He asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.

"It is." Reginald said, handing over a plate.

Percival took the proffered dish, inhaling deeply. His eyes widened in surprise. "That's..it can't be. Can it?"

Reginald smiled. "I've had a small amount of the rarer spices in stasis since....well, since your mother gave them to me I suppose. Enough to make it once more."

Percival smiled, taking a utensil that looked like a spoon and scooping a heap of a grey mushy looking food from the plate. The bite was halfway to his mouth when he suddenly froze. He looked at Reginald through narrowed eyes. "What are you after?" He asked suspiciously.

"After?" Reginald repeated, his face an unconvincing mask of innocence.

Percival stared the Draconic down, eyes burrowing into the hapless lizard. Reginald maintained his innocent look the best he could. Without breaking his stare at all, Percival are the spoonful of food. His eyes went wide at the flavor, then half narrowed to continue the glare. Anger and delight warred in him, and his face was the loser. Triss burst out laughing at the indescribable expression on the wizard's face.

"What's so funny?" Percival snapped.

"Your face!" Triss said through fits of laughter. "You look like a constipated squirrel!"

"Excuse me?"

"There is absolutely no excusing that expression. It would probably be a good defense against Redback Vanishers though. Should frighten them enough to leave you alone." She continued, still laughing.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"Why you..."

"Oh stop. Both of you." Reginald snapped.

Percival turned to glare, but paused when he saw the determined look on Reginald's face. He considered the lizard a moment, then quietly nodded his head.

Reginald inclined his head in response before beginning to speak. "It has been now almost three months since Triss was pulled from her world and brought here against her will. That would be your fault, Percival." Percival shrugged his shoulders. "In her time here she has improved our relationships with our subjects, assisted in removing a hostile army, and saved your life."

"I saved her life too!" Percival retorted. "And nearly died in the process."

"But you didn't." Reginald replied calmly. "Besides, Thomas was likely here following the summoning spell as we already discussed." Percival grunted in response. "Which would make what happened to her your fault."

Percival started to protest, but Reginald held up a hand to stop him. "And she allowed herself to be taken in by Thomas, which was nearly fatal for us both."

"Hey!" Triss snapped. "That's not my fault, how was I supposed to know what he was?"

"Maybe if you weren't so ignorant you would have!" Percival said angrily.

Reginald smiled. "Exactly."

"Hey! Whose side are you on?" Triss protested.

"Mine." Reginald said simply. "You're here because Percival summoned you. Everything that's happened since is a result of that summoning." He turned to look at Percival. "And as you have said, her ignorance of magic and this world in general have caused her to make mistakes. Mistakes that almost ended in your death."

Percivals brows furrowed in thought as he digested Reginald's words. Suddenly his eyes shot open. "You aren't proposing....not a chance! I'm not doing it!"

"Not doing what?" Triss asked.

"Taking you as an apprentice! That's what this blasted creature is working us towards."

"Me? Your apprentice? That's insane! No way would I apprentice under you!"

"You insolent child! You should be grateful it was even suggested!"

"You should be grateful my fist isn't in your wrinkly face!"

"Ok, that's enough." Reginald said calmly. He waited until they both looked at him before continuing. "Of course you can make your own decision regarding this. I was merely suggesting what I feel is the wisest course of action." He smiled at their suddenly relieved faces. "I do hope you both know how to cook though."

Triss and Percival sat in stunned silence for a moment. Triss went to speak, but Reginald stopped her, holding up his hand. "I should mention, I spoke to Jonal. Unfortunately with everything that's been going on he's decided he's far too busy for houseguests."

"Hey Percy?" Triss asked.

The old wizard glared at her. "Yes, Beatrice?"

She scowled back. "Percival, just out of curiosity, would you happen to know any spells that would draw ants into someone's bed?"

Percival grinned maliciously. "Why yes, Triss, I believe I do."

Reginald swallowed hard.

*******

"You're a devious man, you know that?" Triss said casually as she and Reginald walked down the hallway.

He shrugged. "We work for a dark wizard. It's basically in the job description."

Triss laughed, the sound echoing around the hallway and rebounding back to them. It had been too long since she had last laughed.

They turned a corner, and found a stretch of hallway where the lights were already lit. Triss smiled, then knelt on one knee and began calling softly. "Here kitty kitty."

Reginald stoped in shock. "You know about the cat?"

Triss began petting the air. "Amelia? Of course I do."

Reginald frowned. "Amelia?"

Triss nodded. "Yup. I named her. I'm assuming it's a her. Kind of hard to tell, with her being invisible and all."

"But...how? How did you figure that out?"

Triss laughed again. "You're not half as devious as you think. Or else I suppose Percival is more aware of your schemes than you realize. When you two were hurt by Thomas he asked me to make sure she got fed just in case you two died." She continued stroking the air. "I believe his exact words were 'make sure to feed that damnable invisible cat.'"

She stood and continued down the hallway. Reginald hurried to catch up to her. "The one thing I don't understand though is why the cat is invisible." She said as they strolled. "Are cats normally invisible here?"

"No, they're not." Reginald smiled. "but Percival said he didn't want to see the cat anymore."

They were still laughing as they reached Triss's room. She noticed that Reginald had made her bed for her at some point during the day despite her request, but at least hadn't put out new flowers. Too many bad memories there.

"I have something for you." He said as they entered. "A gift for a new apprentice." He handed her a long, narrow wooden box with a bright red ribbon. Triss opened it excitedly. Inside, nestled in rich velvet cloth was a wand. It was made of a beautiful dark wood with blue dyed leather wrapped around the base to create a handle. She removed it reverently, placing the box on the edge of the bed. She gave it a few experimental waves, lines of light forming in the air as it moved. She grinned at Reginald, then held the wand up.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

Reginald grabbed the end of the wand quickly, stopping it's movement before she could flick the end. "I'm not sure what Wingardium Leviosa is supposed to mean, but I can assure you it's not a valid spell."

"It's leviosa, not leviosaa." She replied, stifling a giggle.

"Please don't make me regret giving this to you."

"No promises." She retorted playfully.

Reginald sighed, then smiled. He released the wand. "I would expect no less I suppose. Goodnight Miss Triss." He bowed slightly, then turned to leave. He paused at the door. "It's good to have you home."

"It's good to be home."

He nodded, then left. Triss clutched the wand again, smiling ear to ear. Then she strolled to the window, throwing open the curtains. The last rays of sunlight were disappearing over the horizon, bathing the room in purple, yellow and orange light.

She sat cross-legged on the floor, and waited. The familiar lavender moon soon rose into the sky. Stars, like radiant jewels appeared suddenly in the inky black expanse, filling the night with an explosion of color.

It was beautiful, alien, and for now, home.

End of book one.