Chapter 1
"So, there's one more matter to cover with you before I hand you the keys to the tower." Grayson thrummed his fingers against the desk as he appeared to trail off in thought.
Dorian simply raised an eyebrow and waited for his elder to continue.
Grayson's eyes snapped back to Dorian's and he let out a soft sigh. "I need to tell you about the oldest resident of the tower."
Dorian cocked his head to the side. "I assumed that you were the oldest resident of the tower, sir - and I mean no offense."
Grayson only smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his blue eyes showing the signs of his age. "No, believe it or not, I'm not the fossil you'd believe me to be!" He let out a soft chuckle.
"There's a Sorceress far older than I, who resides in the bottom level of the tower. The knowledge of her existence is passed down from Archmage to Archmage, like a rite of passage." Grayson turned to gaze out the window as he continued.
"You'll meet her when she's ready to meet you, and I suggest you take her up on any offers she makes when you do."
"What sort of 'offers' are we talking?" Dorian inquired, a look of confusion crossing his gray eyes, thoughts of being chained in a dark dungeon flitting through his mind momentarily.
"It's not my place to explain" Grayson responded, shaking his head softly. "What you should know is that she works directly for the King and Crown of Mortessa. She is not your subordinate; rather consider her a peer. However, she is of course, a wealth of knowledge, and generally willing to help with things around here if you ask nicely.....which I suggest you do."
Dorian had never been more confused nor intrigued at the same time. He pictured a weathered old crone pointing a brittle finger at him and bossing him around. He shook the thoughts from his head.
"So, when did you say I'd get to meet her?" He asked.
Grayson only shook his head again. "She'll find you when she's ready. I'll be sure to let her know about you on my way out."
Dorian nodded. His curiosity was gnawing at him, but he was eager to get to work and prove himself. As one of the youngest Archmages ever selected by the King, he felt he had incredible shoes to fill. Even more so now, as there had been threats of war and turmoil spreading across the land.
The Tower of Mortessa had been a bastion of magical power for thousands of years. Magical beings and creatures from all walks of life came to the illustrious tower to study and hone their abilities. The greatest were handpicked to become permanent residents of the tower, furthering magical research, training, and serving as the magical arm of the Mortessa army when needed.
Dorian had been a student himself years ago, with his prodigious magical talent, business sense, and duty to his Kingdom eventually positioning him as the next Archmage when the current one retired. Which, as it so happened, was this week, as Grayson stepped down due to his advancing age.
"So, do you have any further questions?" Grayson's question snapped Dorian out of his thoughts.
"Can you tell me her name at least?"
A huge grin broke out across Grayson's face. "Scarlett" he replied.
"Is it time already?" Scarlett asked, her green eyes peering over the top of her teacup.
"Afraid it is" Grayson responded, settling back into the plush armchair with his own cup of tea.
"I remember the day you were first named Archmage, you know. You were so nervous; so far from the confident man you eventually became." She teased lightly.
He chuckled. "I have you to thank for a lot of that. You've been my confidant and my friend for years, and really helped me through a lot. I think it made me a better person, and having you to talk to gave me the reassurance I needed on more than one occasion."
She snorted into her cup. "And you thanked me for that by dragging me to all of those stuffy balls so that you never had to find a real date."
"That's because I didn't want to be with anyone else but you." Scarlett opened her mouth to protest, but Grayson simply waved her off. "I know, I know. You're not interested in mortal men, even the magical ones, because of our 'fleeting' lives and all that."
He sighed, reaching out to gently tuck a strand of her black hair that had fallen from her braid back behind her ear. "Just know that I was always content to take whatever you would give, even if it was never your heart, because to me there would never be another like you. I have no regrets, and promise you I never will."
Scarlett blinked away silent tears from the corners of her eyes, refusing to meet his gaze.
He cleared his throat, perhaps to hide his own emotions, before continuing. "You should give Dorian a chance, I see some bright potential in him."
"I'll make sure to introduce myself and offer him the same companionship as I have you, but that's all I can promise."
"That's all anyone could ever ask for." Grayson stood, setting his cup down on the table. He extended his arms and Scarlett stood, accepting his embrace and wrapping her own arms around him.
"Promise me you'll come visit still" she whispered against his chest. The gray had already overtaken his hair and beard, and wrinkles crossed his face. She knew that in the grand scheme of things he wouldn't be around all that much longer.
He leaned his cheek down on top of her head. "I will. Promise me you'll never forget me?"
Tears fell to the floor. "I promise. After all, it's my curse to remember everyone, even after they're gone. Such is the price of an immortal life."
