He shifted his weight slightly, nearly imperceptible in the flickering candle light of his study, and created all the space he would need for his hands to work the magic. The anger that had danced in his eyes moments before was replaced by his normal stoic gaze. When he spoke, the fire he let simmer in his words was intentional rather than an uncontrolled outburst, though he did take pleasure in watching his pupil wince.
“I may be getting old, but don’t think for a second that means you are ready to replace me.”
Despite his student’s insolence, the elder wizard was impressed with the young man’s confidence. It proved he had chosen wisely when selecting who to train. Still, there were many lessons that needed to be taught and learned before the student would ready to take over the duties of the master.
“Nothing to say for yourself?”
When no answer was forthcoming, with a wave of his hand, he motioned for the young man to leave.
His student stared him down instead, and, hoping to catch his teacher off-guard, quickly unleashed the most powerful spell he knew. Lightning raced from his outstretched fingers.
The room swirled with energy and the master smiled sadly. Perhaps he hadn’t chosen wisely after all. His warding charms easily deflected the magical energy bolts, sending them sizzling into the wall behind him.
The pupil’s face fell as his master rose unscathed and the energy in the room exploded. He could feel the weight of his master’s wrath before the spell had even finished being cast. It crushed him from all sides, squeezing the light from his eyes and stealing the strength from his legs.
The last words he heard before he lost consciousness were, “You still have a lot to learn.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Word Count: 298
This is a continuation of the story I started writing yesterday, and is still very much a work in progress as I want to expand it into a much larger piece. Again, I could have, and wanted to, write more for this posting, but had to keep it under 300 words to meet the prompt criteria for this week’s Writing Challenge from The Daily Post:
The challenge
Not sure how to get going? Here are a few ideas to nudge your muse.
- Write at least one piece of flash fiction. Each piece of flash fiction must be 300 words or less.
- Write a six-word story. Need some inspiration? Check out some of the responses to the six-word story Daily Prompt.
- Feeling extra sassy? Write at least one six-word story and one piece of flash fiction.
- Not feeling into fiction? Write a flash fiction biography/autobiography.
- Write a real-time flash fiction piece: the entire action takes place in the time it takes us to read it.
Do you like where I’m headed? Do you think the student/teacher standoff is too overplayed in fantasy novels?
Nice! Looking forward to reading more about this magician and his pupil…
You’ll have to kick me into gear if you don’t see new posts on them in the near future. Don’t let me forget about them. Don’t let me walk away from them.
I won’t let you forget. I want to know what they get up to.
world domination…
an improved cup of tea…
messing with local politics…
adjusting crop yields…
the ultimate world-ending spell…
oh, the possibilities…
endless…
Wait, what? Did you want me to keep going?
I meant to say that the possibilities you mentioned were endless, but by all means, keep going! You write; I’ll happily read. There’s no downside for me at all! 😀
Other than all that reading… I could write some absolute drivel and then you’d be stuck…
I somehow think you wouldn’t be satisfied with that arrangement.
You are probably right about that.
This is all to the good.
You being right? Me not writing drivel?
I’m always right. You wouldn’t allow yourself to write drivel. So, yes.
Oh. Okay.
But, to make a point. I’ve written drivel at least twice this morning.
Well, three times now.
Perhaps, but there are exceptions to every rule. And I assume that all of these exceptions are in the form of comments. Your posts, on the other hand, are drivel free. Or did I miss something? I might have missed something…
Hahaha
Go back and look at some of my first posts. Drivel abounds.
I’m going to do that. 🙂
Be prepared to avert your eyes!!
I think you’re trying to make me say I’m not always…
I wouldn’t dream of it.
::gives you the ol’ once over::
::one good, firm, nod::
*nods back*
*giggles*
*smiles broadly*
*skips down the road singing a bawdy sea shanty*
This is awesome! Quite the cliffhanger. Will be tuning in for more.
😀
Fun, thank you!
Darn whippersnapper. He had it coming!!!
And get off my lawn!!!!!
Hahaha
Exactly
OoO, with a bit of Clint Eastwood from Gran Torino thrown in for good measure.
can’t wait for more…..
😀
Didn’t write any more today… hopefully the muse will be back tomorrow.
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Much to learn, you still have – Yoda.
Yep, I know. – Me.
I was paraphrasing for the master, not speaking to you….silly jester.
Yes, yes I am. Thanks for noticing.
Needing a bit of silliness today… hoping that is enough, but, still in a pretty dark place. I’m just angry and confused and that’s a bad combination.
Yeah, I’m crumbling under the weight of multiple emotions, too.
This is where I’m supposed to say, “stay strong,” and, for Zoe, “there is hope,” …
I’m tired of trying to stay strong…
I hear that.
[…] The Matticus Kingdom not yet ready […]