Serali yawned and stretched lazily. The morning sun was slanting in her window. She was pleasantly surprised at the lateness of the hour. Usually by now she would have been well into her daily routine, but apparently today Janus had allowed her to sleep in.

She dressed herself in a plain working outfit. Lady Valerie had insisted that she get better working clothes as well, though they were still drably colored and practical. Descending the tower stars, she emerged into the kitchen. Janus was sitting at the table sorting through a heap of little cards and envelopes. Serali peered curiously over his shoulder at the stack, wondering what they could be. "What are those?" she asked. "Cards, letters, and invitations from various people that you impressed last night, not a few of which were delivered in person." "That many?" "You made quite the impression, especially on the young men present. That's where most of these some from." "Do I have to answer all of those?" "No, that's why I've been sorting through them. I'm taking out the ones form people who are unsavory types, there are a few of those, and of those who want things that you can't give as yet, including, I'm afraid, a few offers from families looking to marry off an undesirable younger son or two. You'll have to answer most of them eventually though. Don't worry, they don't' expect an immediate reply." "I hope not! Tying to write back to all of those would be a real pain." "Yes, and you're also expected to visit some of these people in return, I'm afraid. There are a few here you can't afford to offend. We'll be going to a fair number of parties in the next few months." "After last night, that doesn't sound so bad." "You enjoyed yourself then?" "I did. It was a wonderful night." "Well, I've finished sorting out the ones that you'll have to answer. Why don't you go through them and find any that you want to respond to and then we can toss the rest out." He handed the larger of the two stacks sitting on the table to Serali. She sat down and started flipping through them. Most of them bore names she didn't recognize. "Janus, who in the world is the 'Right Honorable Lord Jasper Alexo Random'?" "One of the flunkies that's forever hovering around the royal family. Why do you ask?" "That impossible name. 'Right Honorable Lord Jasper Alexo Random,'" she mimicked in a pompous tone. "He's overly fond of titles. Most of his set are, I'm afraid." Serali went back to her reading. Most of the cards and letters went into a growing heap of discards. A very few she set aside, those belonging to people she remembered favorably. The majority of the notes though seemed to come from people whom she hadn't even been introduced to. "Why on earth would any of these people be interested in me?" she asked. "I'm afraid that a lot of this is my fault." replied Janus. "I've been absent from the social scene for a long time, and I've repeatedly refused to use my magic or my political influence on behalf of any of these politician types. They see you as a way to get me involved in their causes." " They should know better." "And how would they? They've never met you, how do they know that you're not some silly thing who'll fall to the wiles of the first man that happens along." Serali shook her head and went back to her sorting. One card almost escaped her notice. Small, plain white with a name on it in neat black print, it was just like a dozen other nearly identical cards. The name caught her eye before she could toss it away. "Galen Marten" she turned the card over. There was a message on the back, written in a neat even script. "A walk in the park would be enjoyable on such a fine day, and twice as enjoyable with such a fine lady. Would you meet me at D'Trevius Park at the third hour after noon?" She stared at the note. Galen� He had remembered her, he wanted to see her again�then she shook her head. Silly girl, staring off into space. He's probably just after Janus, like everyone else. Still, it couldn't hurt to go. She had at staring into space so long that Janus remarked, "Are you going to sit there forever, or are you going to finish sorting those?" "Huh?" Serali was startled out of her thoughts. "Oh." She blushed. "Janus, do you know who Galen Marten is?" "No, I've never heard the name. Though Galen is a very common name for young men these days. One of the royal princes is named Galen, so of course half the people in the kingdom who had baby boys around that time named them Galen in the prince's honor. But Galen Marten isn't anyone I know." "Too bad� I was hoping that you would be able to tell me if he was for real, or just after your influence." "I'm afraid you'll have to find out for yourself. At least you have enough sense not to let infatuation blind you to the possibility that he might be up to no good." "I'm aware of it yes, but well� I'd really rather that it wasn't the case. I could get to like this particular young man very easily." "Is that an invitation for him there?" "Yes. Do you have any plans for this afternoon?" "Nothing that can't wait until tomorrow." Janus smiled. "I'm sure you'd much rather be with a handsome young man than an old relic like me." Serali laughed. "You're not much of a relic. If it weren't for the fact that I know you're ancient, I'd never guess." Janus just shook his head. "You have no idea, Serali." The next few hours flew by in a daze. All Serali could think of was that she would meet Galen again. She kept reminding herself that he might not be what he seemed, that he could be just another power seeker, but she just couldn't imagine him that way. Of course she'd only met him once, and they had talked for only a few minutes while they danced, but still he had struck her as being a good person, an honest person. But then, she thought, what do I know of people? I've only known the few dozen at Land's End. The city is different, Breck always said it was. She shook her head. Enough of that, I'll just be careful and see what happens. Though I hope� she left the thought unfinished and went upstairs to get dressed. Dressing had always been simple, she just picked whatever outfit happened to catch her eye. Even after acquiring a large wardrobe of fancy dresses, she used the same method, but today nothing seemed right. She tried on half a dozen things before giving up and putting on the fairly simple frock of emerald green that went well with her eyes. She still had far too many of the fancy dresses that Lady Valerie had purchased, but she seldom wore them. Realizing that it was almost time, she hurried down the stairs to the base of the tower. D'Trevius Park was only a few minuets walk away, and she strode briskly down the street, eager to arrive. The park was right next to the city walls, on the outside, so she didn't have far to go. Our here near the edge of the city the traffic was light, merely a few carts and a scattering of pedestrians. Sreali hardly noticed them as she headed toward the park. As she reached the trees that lined the edge of the park, she looked around. There were quite a few people in the park, couples strolling, children playing, solitary men and women out enjoying the fine afternoon, but Serali couldn't see Galen anywhere. Then she spotted him. He was standing only a few feet from her, looking off toward where the top of Janus' tower was just barely visible over the tops of the nearby buildings. He hadn't noticed her approach because she had gone by a route that was actually shorter, but meant that she approached the park form a slightly different direction from the tower. She walked over to him, suddenly hesitant, shy, something she had never been. He turned his head and saw her. For a moment they just looked at each other, and then Galen walked over and said hi, and Serali answered without making a fool of herself. He took her hand in his, giving her a pleasant tingly feeling, and they walked into the park. After Serali couldn't recall the details. They had talked about their lives, the differences between being raised as a nobody in a small town and as a noble in the city, things like that. The subject didn't matter, talking with him was wonderful in and of itself. He walked her home, leaving her at the front gate with a brief kiss. It wasn't a kiss to write poems about, but it was the first Serali had had, since parents don't count, and she went inside in a daze, wishing that every day could be like this one. Janus didn't comment, other than to say that tomorrow they would have lessons as usual, but also as usual her evenings were her own. And lessons did continue, though Serali found herself unable to devote herself to them quite as much as before. She had previously spent all of her free time studying or reading, but now the spare time was being spent in walks in the park, or rides in the country, or other similar entertainments. Still, if magic was no longer her first priority, she still loved it. The theory was fascinating, and the practice interesting as well. Her only gripe was the slowness with which she was allowed to progress. "Janus, this is too easy! Must I be doing cantrips for the rest of my life?" "Serali, you're strong on theory, but book learning doesn't equal experience. Cantrips are an excellent way to get that experience without the risk of a major spell." "But I've done cantrips by the bushel, by the ton! I'm sick of them. When do I get to do real magic?" "You want real magic? You really think you're prepared for a mage spell?" "Yes! I've read nearly that whole theory book, and I think I can apply it just fine." "All right then, we'll see what you've learned." He walked over to one of the big bookshelves that lined his workroom. Running a finger over the books, he stopped at one of a set bound in red leather. Pulling the volume off of the shelf, he walked back over to where Serali sat, eager to see what she would be doing. "Here, this is a book of first level fire spells. Pick one, and study it tonight. You can cast it tomorrow at the start of our lesson." Serali let out a whoop. "Great! I finally get to do something!" Janus shook his head. "Just don't get too ambitious. Those are all low level, but that's no reason not to look for an easy one to start with." Serali nodded absently, already flipping through the pages. Janus sighed. She would just have to learn the hard way, like every other apprentice did. Serali had her usual walk with Galen that evening, but after saying goodnight, she rushed up to her room to study her chosen spell. She didn't want one that she would use for this test and then never use again, so she had found one that looked interesting and useful. She was still attending the social scene, though somehow Galen never seemed to be able to come to the parties that she attended. Still, she was a mage's apprentice an as such she was as much a part of the noble life as any highborn lady. The problem was that most of the nobles had no clue about magic, but were fascinated by it. She had often been asked to demonstrate her magic, and she usually used a small cantrip to put out or light a candle, the fire magic coming easily. The problem with that was there were others with magic insufficient to be mages, but more than enough to duplicate her tricks. The book of fire magic had offered a solution to this problem. There was a spell that could allow a mage to shape fire, either by simply willing it to move, or by holding it in her hand and physically molding it. A side effect of the spell kept the mage from being bunt. All in all, it would be a great deal more impressive to form illusions out of flame than to simply light a candle. She set about studying. The spell wasn't the simplest in the book, and the formulas were quite complex. Nothing she read was unfamiliar to her, but there were a few things that she'd never seen used quite that way before. Still Serali didn't doubt that she could master the spell. After all, hadn't Janus himself told her that she was an exceptionally talented fire mage? She awoke the next morning with a crick in her neck. She had fallen asleep over the spell book. Good thing I was reading in bed and not at the desk she thought to herself with an inner grin. Otherwise I'd really be sore. She opened the book, glad that she hadn't damaged it, and looked over the spell again. Through the whole rest of the day she continually sneaked glances at the book whenever she could. Even during her etiquette lessons with Lady Valerie, which she was still required to take. Lady Valerie wasn't too pleased with that, but Serali didn't really care by this point. She was eager for lunch to come and go so she could try out the spell, wolfing down her food so fast that Janus made a remark about giving herself the hiccups and ruining her spell, after which she slowed to a more normal pace. At last lunch was over and Serali and Janus went up to his workroom on the third floor of the tower. Seralli was all set to begin at once, but Janus insisted on setting up what he called "working screens" protective spells designed to contain any misfire or mistake. "This is fire magic, and while you may be quite immune to flames in dragon form, you wouldn't fit in here anyway, and I'm not immune myself. I insist on this as a precaution. It won't take too long." It was almost all she could do to contain her excitement and impatience, but at last it was ready. Stepping into the circle that was incised in the floor, she began to recite the incantation that began the spell, carefully gesturing in the appropriate places. Then she carefully visualized what she wanted, and spoke the final word and made the final gesture toward the fire that blazed in the fireplace. The flames flared higher and for just an instant she could see them moving into the shape she had imagined. Then the fire flared again, erasing the images, rushing higher and higher. It reached toward the ceiling, and then fell down, the flames winking out leaving only the swiftly cooling ashes behind. "What happened?" Serali asked incredulously. "It should have been perfect, I didn't say a single word wrong!" Janus shook his head. "The words aren't everything, the gestures, the intonation, even the state of mind that you're in all can change the spell. The book never tells it all, there are some things you have to figure out yourself." "How can I do anything then, if it doesn't tell me how?" Sreali groused. "This is impossible." "No it isn't, just very hard. Here, let me show you�" They spent the rest of the lesson discussing why the spell hadn't worked and hwat Serali might do differently next time. "Don't worry, it takes practice, but eventually you'll find your own system for doing things, and after that it'll be easy. And as for this spell, I think by next week you'll be ready to try it again." And when, after a log week of study, Serali attempted the spell again, it went without a hitch, the fire dancing into shapes of dragons and castles as Serali directed it. Life is good, thought Serali as she lay in bed that night. My magic is going well, I'll make journeyman mage in only a year or so at this rate, and getting to know Galen is great. I think I'm falling in love. Who would have even guessed it would be so much fun? And indeed Serali and Galen were enjoying themselves quite a bit. They went for walks, they spent long hours just talking, they had long rides and picnics in the country. Galen had even bought Serali a horse. She had protested the expense at first, but Galen said "I'm a high noble, remember? That means I'm filthy rich. If I don't spend it on you, what else would I do with it?" Actually, the horse incident had been interesting. Serali and horses had never gotten along. She guessed it was because they could smell that she was a dragon and carrying someone who normally would have eaten them wasn't something most horses could put up with. But Galen had insisted that he had found the perfect mount. ' "I promise, this horse had been trained to be the calmest thing on four legs. I don't understand why you make horses so nervous, but I can assure you that this one won't be as high-strung as the others." So Serali had come along to the stables. The Stable Master had proudly explained that he had trained this horse himself. "He's a special one, he wouldn't move a muscle if you stood in front of him and screamed at his face." "What was he trained for?" Serali asked, curious. "Some fool knight with more money than sense decided that he wanted to go dragon hunting. He had this horse trained so that he would have a suitably noble mount for his battles. He couldn't wait though, and went off without the horse saying he'd be back and pay for the training with dragonscale, but he never came back. I've had the beast sitting here ver since, and I've finally given up on the fool ever coming back." He led the way to a stall near the back of the stable. Inside was a beautiful golden stallion. Serali held her hand out to him, to let him get her scent before she got too close. He tossed his head and shifted nervously for a moment, then stilled and relaxed. Serali stroked his neck. He was rock still, a slight trembling betraying his nervousness. Amazing, the one horse in the whole kingdom that won't bolt at the sight of me, and Galen wants to buy him for me. It was one of a great number of things that he had gotten her. He seemed to love spending money on her. He often bought magical components for her spells, since that's what she said she could use. One present she had to laugh at though. Unicorn's horns and gryphon feathers were all things that she needed, but in spells calling for dragon's blood, she found her own worked just fine, even when she was in human form. So, when she was presented with a vial of dragon's blood, it was all she could do to keep a straight face. She lay back in bed and smiled. Yes, life was good.

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