Thayne Nycknell

Psyhne was an Old Place. The school had been built five hundred years ago right over the Talfry or 'Well of Magic'. Located on an island off the coast of Engola, it was built on the island's mountainous west coast. Surrounded on three sides by sheer cliffs, it was highly defensible and only approachable from the east side by sailing upstream on the river. The school itself was a castle built from the local rock and, in some places, built right into the cliffs.

Thayne Nycknell stormed the charms classroom, his mind racing, his jumbling thoughts fuel for his indignation. 'I thought he understood; he knows what I'm going through.' Reaching the door, he steeled himself and reached for the handle. He hesitated a moment when the door swung open, giving the man he sought time to say,

"Come in, Thayne."

Frowning, he stepped forward quickly. 'Why must he...'

"Hurry up and tell me what's on your mind; it's like a little thundercloud."

'That confirms it; he's trying to show off. He can't even read minds,' Thayne thought as he slammed the door and strode forward. Professor Globulus turned from the cauldron on his desk and regarded him severely.

"Now, was that entirely necessary? You almost upset my work." He gestured to the bubbling cauldron in front of him. Professor Arthur Globulus was the most mild-tempered teacher at Psyhne, the School of Magic. He had gone to school with Thayne's grandfather, they were both Aquamancers, and as members of Florean House had become and remained very close. They shared many things, including a love of rich foods. Globulus's long hair was steel grey, and hidden under his tall, pointed hat was his shining bald pate. Seeing Thayne's gaze on his hat, he lifted a hand to make sure it was sitting properly. His brown eyes glimmered merrily at Thayne, but Thayne narrowed his own in response.

"You told him," Thayne growled, his hands clenching into fists.

The professor did not notice, his attention once again on the cauldron. "Indeed I did," he replied distractedly without looking up, stroking his long beard as he examined the bubbling contents.

"Why? You know it just gave him more ammunition." Thayne threw himself dejectedly onto a nearby chair. "Not that he needs any more," he muttered, turning to look up at the professor hopefully.

"Why? Because I don't need the bother of fixing whatever he decided to do to you in his temper. You never think things through do you, Thayne? Has Patrick ever expelled a student?" Globulus turned, placing his hands on his hips, entirely unsympathetic.

Opening his mouth to answer, Thayne's mind went blank. While Globulus waited, the hint of a smile on his lips, Thayne thought hard. Professor Patrick 'Old Cob' Cobronus was the complete opposite to Globulus. His fuse was not short; it was non-existent. But still he had to admit, to himself at least, that Globulus was right. He had caught Gregory 'Porky' Trent with food in class once. It had taken a week before the professor was calmed down enough to change him back into a human. Porky still snorted when he laughed sometimes. With nothing else coming to mind and the professor's grin growing increasingly irritating by the second, he replied carefully, "There was Peter..."

"Peter Yientz? Being thrown out of a window doesn't count, Thayne," Globulus cut him off and stared hard at him, making Thayne feel uncomfortable.

"At least it got him out of this hellhole," Thayne muttered darkly and frowned. Even he knew that was a lame excuse.

"Yes, and into the infirmary for three months."

But he had to do something. He hated Psyhne. He should be in his fourth year by now, but... he felt pathetic, so pathetic. No one had ever repeated their first year at Psyhne, ever, until Thayne. For four years he had been a first year, stuck in Varian House. He could do magic but it didn't always work, and never the same way. He didn't even know which path he was on, whether he was a higher or lower magician. Everyone knew what path they took; the path was after all the conduit to your magic. Whether you could draw and shape raw magic, the higher or elemental path, or whether you used spells, incantations and charms, the lesser or summons and words path. He did not know what was wrong with him. Even being Ghee would be better; then his lack of Talent could not be denied.

Thayne turned his back on the professor and wiped his eyes, trying to stop the tears of frustration. Without knowing his path, it was impossible for him to know the nature of his magic. He sometimes thought that he was an Aquamancer like his grandfather, sometimes he felt like a Geomancer, but those times were rare since it needed emotional and physical calm and strength. He even felt like a Pyromancer at times, particularly when he was angry. But none of them really felt right, it was like there was a wall inside him holding back the magic that he just couldn't break through. He was the butt of every joke, every prank, even the teachers used him for sport. His parents were so desperate that he not embarrass them that they wouldn't let him come home. Expulsion was his only option. He had been the first to repeat his first year, and so he was determined to be the first to be expelled as well.

"Cob-face said you wanted something," Thayne stated rudely, the using best derogatory name he could come up with in his anger.

"Cob-face, Thayne? That's a new one." Globulus wiped his hands on the front of his already filthy robes and put out the fire under the cauldron. He turned and regarded Thayne a moment then nodded. "Yes, I need you to do something for me."

Beckoning him to follow, he left the classroom, leaving Thayne to follow reluctantly behind. They walked a short distance and Thayne guessed he was being taken to Globulus's office. He was proven right as they reached the end of the corridor and turned left.

"You betrayed me. What makes you think I'll do what you ask?" Thayne asked, not ready to let go of his anger.

"Believe me, Thayne. You'll like this errand."

Ignoring his bitter muttering, the professor continued to lead the way to his study.

"Bloody errand," Thayne muttered loudly. "What am I, a... bloody... errand boy? Oh here, Thayne take this to the Charms classroom, now don't you feel useful? Oh yes, why thank you, you have brought meaning back to my life..."

Globulus stopped at the door and pulled a large ring of keys out of his robes and fumbled around looking for the right one. Already not in the best of moods, Thayne started tapping his foot impatiently, his eyes darting around nervously. He didn't like to stay still for too long; you never knew who might be sneaking up on you to test out some new spell on a helpless victim, and none were more pathetic than he. Finally, the professor found the right key, unlocked the door, and they entered.

Watching the professor lock the door and begin to place silencing charms, Thayne's interest perked up. What could be so important that the professor feared being overheard? The room was small, a cheap pine desk and an uncomfortable looking matching chair stood in front of a tiny window. There were small curiosities, both antique and cheap fakes, arranged haphazardly on the desk with scrolls scattered in between. The desk was pushed against one wall, and there was barely enough room between the desk and the bookshelf to squeeze past to the chair. A twin to the desk chair stood in front of the desk for visitors. What could anyone with such an office possibly say that someone would want to overhear? And why would he be telling him something so important? Shifting from foot to foot, Thayne started to feel apprehensive. Maybe Globulus was angry with him and didn't want anyone to hear? Thayne's eyes strayed to the door. Globulus was standing in front of it ignoring him, his attention on his spell-casting.

So with no way to escape, Thayne resigned himself to his fate and sank into the visitor's chair, finding it as uncomfortable as it looked.

"I need someone I trust to return this book to an acquaintance of mine," Globulus said abruptly behind Thayne, making him jump. The professor didn't notice Thayne's nerves as he squeezed past to his desk and sat in his chair, placing an old volume in front of him. "It is vitally important that no one learns of your purpose or what you carry."

Questions buzzed through his mind as Thayne reached for the book. The professor slammed a hand down on it and met his eye. "I mean no one."

"Right, I understand," Thayne replied, now insufferably curious. He carefully took the book; it seemed heavier than it looked. The cover was old and frayed. The leather binding was cracked and almost split in a couple of places. There was no title, just a strange symbol, a circle that didn't quite meet at the top, the right curve turning into a tail that ran through the middle. "Where am I going? Down the hall?" Thayne half-joked.

"This is not a joke, Thayne. I will give you directions. You will take it to Kailim Halliwen."

"Halliwen... wasn't he the High Druid of Msytax? I remember Father talking about him... He said...wait, isn't he dead?" Despite his misgivings Thayne's heart leapt. It meant leaving Psyhne. He'd finally escape.

"Yes, he is," Globulus said firmly, giving him a significant look. "Take great care, Thayne. Kailim has many enemies."

Thayne nodded soberly a couple of times before blurting out, "Well of course he does! He stood up to that..."

"Thayne! Do not. It is dangerous to voice or even think ill of the Supreme Mage. The world has become a very dark place. And this is a very great secret I have given you."

With a frown Thayne pursed his lips and nodded. What was so secret about a book? He suddenly had the feeling there was a joke there somewhere that he was not getting. "You're just trying to get rid of me, aren't you?" he asked, bowing his head.

The professor's chair scraped back, and moments later, Thayne felt the warmth of his hand on his shoulder. "No, Thayne. Never that. This is truly dangerous. I do not want to send you, but Professor Tolhan..."

"The Astrology professor?" Thayne asked incredulously, raising his head to look into Globulus's eyes.

He nodded, taking the book out of Thayne's hands and placing it back on the desk. "Yes, the Astrology professor. He had a True Dream. He did not know what or to whom, but from the details it was clear to me. All he knew is that it must be returned, and it must be you that takes it."

"But he hates me!" Thayne burst out, standing and striding the three paces to the door.

"He knows better than anyone that True Dreams are not to be taken lightly," the professor replied softly.

Thayne turned back to him, his hands raised helplessly. "I don't understand."

"I'm sorry, Thayne," Professor Globulus said with a weak smile. His gaze on his feet, Thayne missed the concern and doubt that passed briefly across the professor's face. "You must leave as soon as possible."

"Oh, right." Thayne was confused. He should be excited to leave Psyhne and the hell he went through everyday, but the professor's mood really worried him. "I'd better go pack," he said, gesturing to the door.

Professor Globulus's gaze shifted to the floor for a second, before giving Thayne a decisive nod and muttering the short incantation to unlock the door, not bothering with the Silencing Charms for the moment.

Walking to his dormitory, despite his earlier misgivings, the excitement Thayne had expected to feel began to surface. He was finally getting out of there. Leaving the embarrassment and ridicule behind. Besides Globulus had not said anything about having to return, at least, not yet. Maybe he could get a job and live as the Untalented do? The thought made him sigh. He wasn't particularly fond of the idea, but he was sure he'd never be a wizard and what else was there?

He reached the dormitory and entered. It was empty. The other students were in class. His footsteps echoed as he walked the rows to his bed. There was no other sound and it felt eerie. He managed to shake off the feeling as he reached the foot of his bed, though he glanced around a few times before opening his trunk. After a bit of rifling, he located a bag and started filling it, packing enough clothes for a few days then, after a pause, adding a few more changes of clothing, just in case. He moved to pack his bedding as well, and his eyes fell on a large lump, under the covers, near the middle of his bed. He tugged at the blanket experimentally, and the lump moved towards him. With a resigned nod, he turned his back on the bed, picked up his bag and left, heading back to Globulus's office.