“Well, Vinna Aylin, I’m twenty-six, same as the other guys, but you know that already. I’m a Paladin Conscript, but you know that, too," he smiles at me cheekily. “What you may not know is that I’ll be the first in my family line to become a paladin.”
“I didnotknow that. How do your parents feel about that?”
“They were surprised at first, but they’ve always been supportive. I think they were more shocked when my reading showed that I had strong elemental magic, instead of Spell magic like they assumed I would have.”
“Why did they think you’d have Spell magic?”
“Because the entire coven has Spell magic, and when both biological parents have the same magic it’s incredibly rare that the child would have something different."
“I thought covens were made up of casters with different magic, for balance or something like that?”
“No, only paladin covens are built that way. Outside of the paladin, casters can build covens however they want to. Covens like my family’s aren’t rare at all.”
Darcy snorts and flaps his tail around like he’s participating in our conversation, and I chuckle.
“Are you ready to pick up some speed?” Sabin asks me, and I nod eagerly.
Darcy begins to trot when Sabin clicks at him again, and I find myself suddenly bouncing around. Sabin walks me through how to find the rhythm in Darcy’s faster gait and how to use my body to work with the rhythm instead of against it. The ride smooths out, and I’m able to let go of the horn of the saddle, no longer feeling like I might fall off.
A huge smile takes over my face, and I look over to find Sabin has the same happy smile and pride shining in his eyes. He’s lighter, more carefree in this moment then I’ve ever seen him, and I can’t lie, it’s hot as fuck. I shake off my hungry thoughts and focus on what we were talking about before.
“If your coven isn’t paladin what do they do?” I ask.
I’ve only really been exposed to ways of the paladin so far. I’ve visited in town. I haven’t given much thought to the various types of magic that other people have and what they might do with that magic.
“They own and run a spell shop in town."
“Oh, that’s cool….” I’m quiet for a minute. “I know you said shop, but I’m totally picturing a rickety cabin like building with a small fire and a bubbling cauldron sitting over it. Are there rows of dusty shelves that are filled with bottles and jars containing weird ass shit?”
Sabin laughs. “No, nothing like that. Picture more Bath & Body Works, but everything’s a spell or potion. My family members are some of the strongest Spell casters in Solace.” His statement isn’t boastful. It’s just matter of fact like he’s telling me the trees are green. “Some people come in to order bespoke spells from them, and then there are the generic spells available to purchase anytime.”
“Like what?” I ask excitedly.
“There are things for healing and illness.”
I turn to him confused, and Sabin answers my curious look.
“Not all casters have access to a healer, and some can’t afford one even if they have access. What Ryker can do is special, and we’re lucky to have him,” he explains. “Healing and wellness spells are the most popular, but other spells range from dying your hair, to birth control, to spells that help you study. If you can think ofsomething, there’s probably a spell for it.”
“Excuse my ignorance here, but I would’ve thought that all casters could spell. I thought it would be a staple of magic in general, or maybe that’s me falling back on what I picture about witches, and let’s be honest most of that comes from the movieHocus Pocus.”
Sabin laughs. “I love that movie.”
“Right, it’s a Halloween staple.”
“Damn straight it is,” Sabin agrees, and I can’t help but smile.
I adjust myself in the saddle and run my fingers through Darcy’s mane as we continue to trot around the paddock.
“When it comes to Spell magic, I’d compare it to cooking. Some nons can cook, some can’t, and then you have your master chefs. The ones who are so talented and innovative that people will pay anything to consume their creations. Spell magic is like that.”
I smile at Sabin and his comparison. The image of a dusty room with a cauldron bubbling over a fire fades away, and I picture a state of the art kitchen with cauldrons bubbling over an enormous gas range, in its place.
“I’d love to see their shop sometime,” I blurt out, not thinking through the fact that I’m inviting myself to meet his family.
“I’d love to take you. I’m going to up the ante again and have Darcy canter. It will be faster but feel a little smoother than his trot. Just remember to find the rhythm and use your legs to move into it. Okay?”
I give him a thumbs up and do exactly as I’m told. A trill of giddiness flows through me as Darcy and I move faster. I have a coupleoh shitmoments in the beginning, but eventually, I figure it out. This experience is incredible, and the feeling I have right now as Darcy and I flash around the ring is joyous and liberating. I can feel some of the armor I always wear slip off and my defenses lower.
