Rogue

Snow covered every shrub of the hedge garden. Some pathways were completely blocked by snow, turning the playful labyrinth into an inescapable trap. 

As beautiful as it was, The Magician felt lucky to be observing it from indoors, protected by the heat of a roaring fireplace. His eyes lingered over the frozen shrubbery as he wondered if a part of him was out there in the hedges: Anxious and trapped.

“No one leaves The Order. It’s out of the question,” said Master Kang. 

“I guess I’ll be the first. You always did teach me to think differently,” responded The Magician. 

Master Kang smiled. He stood up and walked around the room, flipping through grimoires and stoking the fire. Several minutes passed before either of them spoke again.

“How is the tea?” asked Master Kang. 

“Wonderful as always, Master,” responded The Magician, taking another sip of the black tea and placing it back down on the table.

“Did you know almost all teas come from the same plant? Black, green, oolong, all from the same plant Camellia sinensis. The difference comes from how they are processed.”

The Magician rolled his eyes, “Yes Master, you’ve only told me a thousand times.” 

“Ah apologies… I just find it to be a neverending source of amazement. And even more strange is that millions of people enjoy their tea every day without knowing this fact. So many people… blind to the magic of nature.” 

The Magician smiled at his master, momentarily forgetting his anxiety. He would miss this… How could he not? The Order was his family. But Julie’s voice called to him from the bottom of his heart, beckoning him towards the future. 

“So tell me, what is this really about? Why do you wish to leave?” 

“I’ve met someone. I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her.”

“Yes, we have noticed the changes in you. Your motions… so much more vivid, your incantations filled with vibrance. Your powers seem to have all but doubled recently. It is a wonderful change this person has brought in you.” 

“Great! So you will let me leave?” asked The Magician. 

Master Kang sighed, “We both know it is not that simple. Your work is here, with The Order. Outsiders must not interfere. You are lucky we have allowed it to go on this long.”  

The Magician felt a flash of anger. The implication that The Order had the right, let alone the ability, to tear him away from his destiny lit a fire of rage in his eyes.

“My work is out there in the real world. With people like her, making a real difference. Not here conjuring up fireballs and talking about tea.” 

Master Kang looked disappointed but not surprised. He knew his pupil well, the situation was well beyond words, his conviction written in the core of the planet. This conversation was nothing but a hollow formality, the countdown before the draw. They stared each other down, keenly aware of what needed to happen next. 

The Magician stood up, keeping one eye duct-taped to his master. No sooner than he had taken two steps, a set of flashing blue chains rose up from the ground and bound his wrists, holding him in place. 

“I’m sorry, pupil. I can’t let you leave.” 

With an imperceptibly quick flicker of his fingers, The Magician charmed the fireplace. Ferocious flames burst out from the firebox and floated in the air only briefly before taking on the shape of a sickle. The burning weapon flew across the room like a demonic sigil before settling cozily around Master Kang’s neck. 

“Let me go. I’ll burn this whole place down if I have to.” 

A tsunami of sorrow passed through Master Kang’s eyes, but only for a brief moment before being replaced again by the tired solemnity of a man resigned to his duty. Regardless, the millisecond melancholy ingrained itself into The Magician’s mind, sure to haunt him for the rest of his life. 

Suddenly, the sickle disappeared, followed by the chains around The Magician’s arms. The master and student looked around the room in shock. The Grand Sorceress was walking towards them, her hand raised in a disarming charm. 

“Let him go. He is the least of our worries right now,” she said.  

“But Madam, that’s why we need him… more than ever,” said Master Kang. 

“A spellcaster with his heart in the wrong place is worse than useless. He is an active danger to himself and everyone around him. Besides, he has already left. Only his body remains here.” 

The Magician listened silently. Surprised that The Grand Sorceress was not only taking his side but seemed to understand him so well. 

“Don’t think that I’m saying any of this for your benefit. We simply cannot deal with an extra headache right now. You really did choose the best time to pull your little drama stunt,” she said. 

“I’ll certainly miss your words of encouragement,” said The Magician, trying to lighten the mood. It was about as good as pouring half a cup of water onto a burnt down house. 

“This decision of yours will cause a great disruption of balance. There will be consequences. You understand? Will you be ready to face them?” she said. 

The Magician nodded.

Without another word, he scurried towards the exit. Once he was at the door he took one last glance at Master Kang. His expression was blank, impossible to read. 

Without another thought he opened the door and stepped out into the snow, free at last.