Apple awoke to the resistance of fused eyelids. Lazy crust had formed outside his eyes whilsthe had slept. Blink after blink after blink, until the skincurtainsdrapedaroundhis pupils returned to their normal position.


    He scanned his surroundings while he stretched and groaned. Itappeared thathe was still in the damp room he had used forshelterearlier, except now there was not a single haze of light entering through the cut holes of thehut’swalls. Apple must have slept until nightfall.


    He rattled through his memories, as theystillremainedhidden somewhere behind his grogginess.


    “The girl!”Apple suddenly remembered thathe had fled from the city’s guard with astrangegirl in his arms andhadhidden themselves in thisrandomderelictshack. He looked towards the corner of the roomwherehe had placed the girl and found her sat there, staring at him with bright yellow eyes.


    Apple fumbled in the darkness, searching for the rough texture of his catalyst. He did not feel safe without out it and wished to use it to conjure a lightorb. Apple’s heart began to race and his blind search failed to find what he needed. His sight darted across the room frantically in search of his staff.Itdid nottakehim long to notice the faint shine of amber laid across the strange girl’s lap.


    “Give me my staff back.” He ordered in a neutral tone. Yet, if she heard his request, she did not show it. She just continued to stareback at himwith wideeyes the colour of daffodils.


    “I mean it, girl. Don’t make metake it from you.” He saidagain,stilltrying his best to not sound too threatening.


    Again, shesimplyignored him.


    With no other option Apple could see, he sighed and walked towards her. He crouched low and moved slowlyin anattempt tolookless intimidating.


    As soon as he got within arms distance ofher,she scowled fiercely and aimedthe amber of his staff at him.


    Apple paused. “You know not just anyone can hold a catalyst and make a fireball fly out of it. You tend to need some training and have some goodol’dwimmerflowing through yourveins.” Appleinformedthe girl.Yet, she still continued to scowlat him,causingAppletoonce againlet out another tiredsigh.


    “Look, little lady. I’m not going to hurt you. If I was, I would have done it by now. Doesn’t make a lot of sense to risk my life protecting you and treat your wounds, just to incinerate you at the end, now does it?”


    Nothing. She just stared at him as if he was an exotic-looking beast. Every time Apple moved his body forward a mere inch, she growled and jabbed the air with his staff.


    Apple in turn stared right back at her, his eyes beginning to adjust in the dark. From what he could tell her facial swelling had gone down a bit, since he had covered it in ice. “Wait a second!” Apple yelled to himself. “Can you even understand me?” He then asked her.


    Nothing but silence and a seemingly never-ending glare was all Apple got for an answer. It was certainly possibly, Pier was a docking city full of people from various lands. Hestill could notquite seeall thedetailsof herappearanceand was too preoccupied earlier to noticethem as well. She certainly did seema bitdifferent from the folk Apple hadcome acrossso farinLoncia.


    Tanned skin, yellow eyes, and above average sized canines, maybe shepossessedother queer features hidden in the darkness.


    “Look, I don’t know if you can understand my words, but surely you recognise my intent.” Apple gestured with an open palm:“I need thatwood in your handsto protect the both of us...Tell you what, how about a trade?” He bargained, even though he was almost certain she could not understand him.


    Apple reached into a pouch strapped to his belt with his gesturing hand and produced several pieces of deer jerky. “Here,”he said as he moved the jerky closer to her. “I bet you’re quite famished.”


    The girl stared hard as the dried meat in Apple’s hand.With a surprising speed, she snatched the jerky out ofhisloose grip and wolfed it down in oneswiftmotion.


    “Oi!” Apple barked. He was annoyed at her rude behaviour, but was even more frustrated by how easily she had stolen from him. He was getting dangerously close to taking his staff off her by forcenow.


    He took several deep breaths and eventually calmed downsomewhat. He decided hewould give this girl one final chance to hand it over peacefully, before he had to risk being bit in the potential scuffle they might have.


    “This is my finaloffer, you turn this down and I’ll personally hand you over to thatfat fellow.” Apple paused andretrieved the iron knife from his belt, holding the blade towards himself.“If you give me that,” he pointed to his staff, “I’ll give you this knife. You can’t use magic and my catalyst is a bit too big for you to use as a club.”


    He looked at the girl with intense yet placid eyes, while he awaited her decision.


    After about a minute, sheslowly stretched out her arm and gripped the knife’s handle. Applefollowed suite and slowly took hold of his staff. Once Apple felt the girl’s gripon his staff loosen, he releasedhis on theknife; carefully they swapped weapons.


    “Welp, I lost my only knife and a days'' worth of food, but at least I can once again manipulate the elements, damn shame I’m not very good at it.” Apple grumbled, as he now once again possessedhismagical catalyst.


    With their exchange complete Apple was unsure what to do next. He began pacing around the room. He had notforgotten his plan to board Captain Phil’s ship, but the matter of getting there was giving him a headache. Another conundrum was what to do with the girl.He could notjust take her with him – even if he could afford the coin to. He didnot know anything about her except she was most likely a slave and may have a taste for man-flesh.


    So, what was he to do? Apple highly doubted he could find someone to take care her and he hadalreadylost too much for her sake to just abandon her. His health, his food, his knife, his safety had all been forsaken because of this random girl.


    “Can you understand me?” He asked again, just to be sure.


    No response excepted for the slightest tilt of her small head.


    “Yes...” Asmallhoarse voice answered.


    Apple threwhis entirebody in her directionin a suddenact of bewilderment. “What! You can understand me?” He asked a third time. This time she simply nodded her head up and down.


    “Then why the bloody abyssdidyou not said anything?” He scolded.


    “Scared.”


    “Scared?” He repeated. “You? The girl whohastaken a bite outof at least three grown men, two of which were magicians.”


    “Scared,”was again her explanation.


    The way this girl replied and her hunched stature reminded Apple a lot of a cornered animal and those are the ones that tend to be the most fearsome as well.


    ‘I see...” Apple untied the water skin from his side and handed it to the girl. “Drink, your voice sounds awful.” It appeared she was reluctant to accept the leather bag. “It’s not poisoned.” He affirmed his statement by taking a small swig of the skin’s contents.


    She eventually excepted the water skin. As soon as the first nervous drop fell down her throat, she proceeded to inhalethe entirety of the liquid with adesperatepassion.


    Apple decidedwouldtoo have a drink,realisinghe was struggling to talk as well due to his dry mouth. He raised his staff above his mouth and invoked water to fall from the amber. The water was neither warm nor cold,nor bad or good. There something about drinking something that could be described as‘nothing’, Apple found uncomfortable. Also, for some reason magically created water doesnotsatiate a person quite like normal water, although it was certainly better than nothing.


    “So...Do you have a name?” Apples asked the girl, attempting to fill the sudden silence.


    “Mula.”


    “Mula ‘ey. Never heard that name before.Where are you from, Mula?”


    “Mula don’t know.”She replied quietly. A strange accent was becoming more noticeable with every word she spoke.


    “What do you mean you don’t know? Surely you must know the name of your country, or at least the village you grew up in.”


    “Mula doesn’t know what country is. Mula walk alot.” She explained.


    “I see...” Apple hummed. “Wherever it is, it can’t be too far fromLoncia. I may have slept through most of my history classes, but I at least know thatLonciaowns only a few insignificant islands, all of which are close by. I guess yours must be one of older ones, since we both share the same tongue.”


    “Mula don’tshare tongue. Mula have own.”She opened her mouth andpointed at her tongue to affirm her statement. “See.”


    “It’s a figure of speech.”


    Mula responded with a blank stare and a slight crane of the neck.


    “So, do you remember how you got here?” Apple asked, changing the subject.


    She hung her head. “Mula was sleeping, then Mulawake tied onweird house thatmoveson water, like a frog. So much water, take years for Mula to drink it all.SoonMula on ground again.Men make her stand withothers in front of many men. Fat man buy Mula but Mula take key to chains when no one is looking.”


    “But they saw youeventually.That’swhy you bumped into me. You werefleeing your captors.” Apple interrupted.


    She nodded. “Yes. They notice but Mula fast. Ran and ran until I ran into you. Bit you then hit my head. Woke up to you fighting scary colourful man. He somehow makes fire come out of stick without rubbing it with another stick. You stop fire with large stick. Mula bit scary man and now Mula here. Tried to make fire with your heavy stick, but Mula couldn’t do it.”


    “I’d be surprised if you did. You need magic tosummon the elements, regardless of how good your catalyst is, or how hard to wishfor it to work.”


    “What’s magic?” Mula asked with emptyeyes.


    Apple hesitated. He wasnotsure how to answer. He was notparticularlysure what magic was himself either,although he supposed a very basic explanation of it would satisfy her.


    “Hmmm...That’s a tricky question. I guess simply put:magic is the term used to describe a phenomenon of unnatural ability, which is created by an individual. Whether it be with the aid of nature, spirits, or an energy that few people possess calleddwimmer.” Apple informed her. He thought to dumb down his knowledge on the subject but after explaining it, it occurred to him that he had told her all he knew.


    “Mula doesn’t understandmany words. Use words Mula knows.” She huffedwith crossed arms.


    “Oh.Sorry, I forget most commoners don’t have an extensive vocabulary.” He said more to himself, than the girlfrowning at him.“Anyway. I think the best thing to do right nowto get some rest.We’ll talk later– probably.We’ll head out when the night is at its darkest.”


    “But Mula nottired.” She complained.


    “Well get tired. Lie down and I’ll make some more icefor your face.” He told her as once again began casting a water spell, laced with wind.


    “What you do whileMula sleep?”


    “I’m going to keep guard andsee if I can figure out some temporary clothing for you.”


    Mula stared at him slightly for several minutes before she finally responded. “Kay, Mula sleep...Please don’t touch Mula.” She asked, her croaky voice getting quieter with every word.


    “Why would I touch you?”


    Mulafailed torespond,shetook the fresh ice-filled cloth from Apple and retreated back into the corner. Apple noticed that even as her breathing become softer and slower, the grip on her new knife never loosened in the slightest. She laid on her back, her ice-covered face looked blindly at the ceiling, her hands rested the blade on her chest like a bouquetof flowers.


    Apple took a deep breath and straightened his back. While he did plan on guarding the girl, he couldnotafford to waist the free time he now had. He had used about three quarters of hisdwimmertoday and desperately needed it all back. Without potions orelixirs, the next best method was meditation. He thought about telling Mula, but decided he couldnotbe bothered to explain what meditation was.


    He joined his fingertips together, hovering them several inches in front of his stomach. After about ten minutes of calming breathing techniques,Applevisualised a white pulsating sun dwelling within his gut.Hethenimagined ropes of light coming from all directions of his body; wrapping themselves around the orb likea ball ofyarn.


    Slowly and slowly he added to the ball, too quick and it would become looseand it could causeApple vomitas well. The process was already causing him discomfort. It feltas ifsomeone had placed their knuckles upon his stomach and was causally applying pressureever so slowly. Every so often the pain would become too intense and Apple would have to start the meditation process anew. If only he had learned how to absorb the glowingenergy of the moon and stars, another thing to add to his to-do list.


    **********


    Three hours passed, or at least that was the amount of time Apple assumed had gone by. The sky was no longer black and instead a thick greyhungin its stead. A dull almost calming monochrome that signalled the arrival of dusk.


    Apple decided it was now the best time for him and his new companion to head out. The streets should still be mostly devoid of any bipedal life and he and Mula had rested to a level he was almost satisfied with. Most of hisdwimmerwas back and warming his stomach, even despite falling asleep on several occasions throughout his meditation.


    He stood up and walked up to the still sleeping Mula and nudge her gently with his foot. “Mula,Mula,”hewhispered.


    At first, she merely grumbled and tossed in response but after a couple softer kicks, she arose with a slump. The soaked cloth that rested on face fell upon her lap with a squelch.


    “Rise and shine, girl. We’ve got a big dayaheadof us.” Apple informed her, even though he still had no idea what to do with her. At this point, he was just hoping an epiphany would strike him as they headed off to the docks.


    “Where are we going?” She yawned.


    “To the beach. There we should be safe.”


    “What’s a beach?” Hercurious child mind asked, as she rubbed therheum from her eyes.


    Apple was truly amazed at the ignorance of his new protégé. “Why, a beach is whattheycall the place where the land meets the sea. Usually the land part is made of sand or pebbles, or a combination of the two.”


    “What’ssand?”


    Apple was almost speechless. “My word!” Almost. He did notconsider himself a curious sort but this girl truly wanted to make Apple investigate thesheerlack of awarenessthatstreet urchins possess. Though, the more he thought about it, the more it made sense that someone who hadnomeansto travel would be knowledgeable about things unknown to them, especially ones so young.


    “Never mind that.” He finally answered. “You’ll see what it is soon enough. Put this on, anyway.” Apple removed his shirt and handed it to Mula. It was the only piece of clothing he owned that was notso big it would cause her to trip on it.


    She surprisingly obeyed immediately and armoured herself with Apple’sstainedonce-white shirt.He also gave herthe sheath for her new knife and his hat for extra warmth andto help hide her uniquefeatures.Appleonce again put his leather jacket on and took hold of his staff. There was little point him trying to disguise himself thanks to his oversized catalyst.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    “Follow me. Try to be asquite as possible.” He ordered.


    “No problem. Mula sneaky.” She boasted.


    **********


    They clung to walls like shadows. Weaving throughthememories of Apple’s travels inthe city.Slow and steady, only ever making the briefest appearance on the wide streets whenno other option could be seen.


    Luckily, so far, all Apple had come across was thesqualor holesof the homeless and the occasionalhalf-awakeguard. The guards frightened him butluckily,they hadfar all of them had remained static, fulfilling their role as guards and not hunters. However, Apple didnotallow their morbidity to relax him, there was no noble in existence that would forget such humiliation he and the girl had broughtto them.


    Apple ate a breeze of cold air and pressed on.


    It would seem that their journey has taken them tomarket district. There Apple sawover a dozen of people assembling stalls of various sizes. Apple could feel the front gate of Pier beckon to him now that he was so close.Too late for that, however, Apple was confident that thereweresoldiers lurking under its frame, waiting for them.He turned from the direction of thedoor and ventured on.


    Moreand moreweaving and sneaking,onlyeverinterruptedbythe occasional twist of sneaking and weaving.


    As the air grew colder and became seasonedby thefreshseasalt, Apple knew he was close. He frowned every time he turned and looked at his companion behind him. Such a frail thing with nothing but a thin shirt to ward off the chill. Even her feet were bare and Apple could see them shakeand hop from the chill of the ground. The vulnerability he saw invigorated him; forced to movewith a greater haste.


    A sudden stingpenetrated his mind. Only for the fractionof a second it came and went. Something sharp and hot. Something that barkedhatred and barbarism.


    ItwouldtakeAppletoo longto figure out what itforetold.


    A lump of heat slammed into the wall besides,followedby a plume ofgreat heatthatscolded Apple’s arm.


    “I found you sorcerer!” A muffled nasally voicecackled.


    Apple recognised the voice immediately. Asharpcondescendingtonehe never wanted to hear again. He turned instinctively and had his confirmation on the voice’s owner.


    “Itisgood to see you again, sorcerer. I was sad that our bout yesterday was interrupted by Master Henderson’s new mutt. Oh! I see that you haveclaimedthe bitchas your own.” He whistled in delight.“Magnificent! Now I donot have to wastemytime looking for the both of you.” The robed man cried. Beside him were two guards, armed with short spears and little round shields.


    Apple began to invoke a spell without the use of words, a technique he was woefullyunskilled at. It was a simple spell, yet it could take minutes for it tobreathe life. Apple needed to stall.


    “Lovely to see you again,” he paused. “Forgive me, but it seems I forgot to ask you your name during our last encounter.” Apple noticed the man’s right eye was now hidden behind a piece of cloth that was tied around his head. His face was also an impressive display of reds and purples.


    “Ah, it seems that wandering confidence of yours has made an appearance. Oh my; oh dear.I want to burnyou everso badly.” He shuddered and grasped his shoulderstightly, digging his nails into the pink of his flesh. “But I am abenevolent noblemanbefore arighteous-warrior. The name is Chester Magen Maxwell Ramm, third of his name. Ward of Ramón household and esteemedEspavailier.” The man boasted, his pride almost visible as it poured from hisprestigiousnostrils.


    Apple smirked,“I actually outrank you, good Chester, or at least I did. Youso-called warrior,being able to fling fire doesnotmake you a warrior, you stuck up git.Also, what the abyss is anEspavailer?”Applemusedto himself, although hewas most certainly not going to say any of those thoughts to his unhingedopponent.


    “My, what a wondrous name. Many men must envy you for possessing such an esteemed title that shines with suchapedigreeandheritage.” Apple replied; trying not to visualise the magician’s arse while he kissed it.


    “You sure are an accomplished groveler,” Chester praised. “You may have made a good servant in a different life. Sadly, for you that is, in this life you are faced with a man whoseems to be unable to stop imaging your skin turning black as coal and flaking off your body like dried paint. Oh, how I remember the smell of your flesh as it cooked yesterday.” He grinned. The slightest peak of his tongue through the tight gap of glossy flesh.


    Apple wanted to vomit. The battle of emotions he felt while conversing with this man made it incredibly difficult to focus of casting his spell. “You’re a bit of a twisted bloke, now aren’t you.” Was the tamest thing he could musterinresponse?


    “Twisted? Oh my no. Only a fondness for burning things, as all of us who are favoured by the red possess. You would notcall a cook twisted for roasting someham,now would you?You should be pleased that it was I who found you two. My compatriot from yesterday had much different plans on what to do with the two of you, especially the girl. What I want shall be over ten minutes at most.He on the other hand, didnotplan to kill you at all. What a twistedlittlefellow he is.”


    Apple could hear Mula beside him growl.She clutched the knife with white knuckles and ever so slowly walked backwards.


    He was close now, just another minute and his magic would he ready.


    “Oh my, should wondrous words of wisdom. Never have I heard such insight beforeandthank you for saving us from your companion. Truly you are a great man.”


    Chester scowled. “You know there is such a thing as too much flattery, especially from an advisory, even one as loathsome as yourself. Yoursugar-coatedwords have turned sour from the amount of the itsglossypowder.” His scowl turned rounder, revealing several deep wrinkles and cracks in theEspavailier’sface. “Guards, seize the pair!”


    Apple’s eyes bulged and his spine stiffened. Thetwo-armedmen on either side of the magician were approaching with long strides. He had been too submissive in his flattery, he had forgotten the sarcasm that births from large numerous compliments. He saw at his side Mula hunched low with bowed legs, her knife waved threateningly at their opponents.


    He was so close but still needed more time. Running would distract him too much. Cowering would probably entice thesadisticpyromaniac. Perhapshe should try a different method to persuasion. A more aggressive one.Apple stood tall.


    “Halt!” He bellowed at the guards.To his surprise the men did as he asked. “Do you know who you are dealing with?”He asked with a voice deeper than his usual tone.“I am the great and mighty magician of thenorth! Lord of theSickle Mountains –peaks ofmy own creation, I might add.” Applelied, not giving them time to answer his question.


    “Donotlisten to him men!” Chester cried. “Heisjust some lowly forest dweller. I tested his mettle yesterday. His magic in on par with athird-year apprentice, at best.”


    Apple smirked and covered his eyes in a shadow of condescending superiority. “So, says the man that sends his troops to do his dirty deeds.” Apple stood on his tiptoes and looked down upon theEspavailier. “Tell me, ohnoblewarden of some other bloke’s house, how did your face become so decorated with cuts and bruises? Are you unused to living in a building with a staircase so high? Didm’lordperhaps have a tumble?”


    Chester’s face flushed red. Redder than any blush a young maiden could ever produce. He began to pant and mumble. Theguardsthatwerealmost upon Apple turned to look at their master, even they looked frightened at the sight of him.


    The red-magiciansquawked an indecipherable word, roared another, and then whispered the next. If it wasnotfor the magician so blatantly aiming his wand at him, Apple would have had no idea the man was casting a spell. Apple aimed back.


    It was unfortunate for Chester, forApple’s magic was finally readyto enter the physical world.The amber of his staffhissed, causing the guards to flinch.


    An eruption of white smoke gushed from the orange gem and engulfed the two men. They became invisible in the dense white but their voices were as clear as day. Apple cringed at the sound of their screams as they became cooked by his creation. He had no desire to kill somerich-man''spawns but had little choice. Death by steam was both a terrible and unusual way to go.


    “Run!” He ordered Mula as he grabbed her wrist and ranfrom the battle.


    Apple once again darted through the gaps in buildings, still intent on reaching Pier’s shore. Once he wascertain that Mula was aware of the situation, he let go of her so she could follow easier.


    For a short while his morningsprintwas pretty uneventful, then the air became hotter. About every ten seconds he would feel a sudden gush of heat, sometimes even see balls of blazing orangewhizzpast him.


    He took a glance behind him and saw theEspavailier: Chester charging after him. He screamed his spells in between his laboured breaths. His shaky wand would spit globs of fire with an accuracy of a blind drunkard. It would seem the combination of using magic while running and lackingoneof hiseyesmade the magician a terrible shot, not that Apple was complaining.


    Although,evenApple was notfoolish enough to rely on only these two factors to stop him from being incinerated. He rested his staff on his shoulder with its heart aimed behind him. “Potiagingwyminumghar,fli!” He chanted through his own hard breaths. A strong gustof wind was birthedfrom his staff andspiralledtowards his hunter.It was a weak spell; only enough power to ruffle a man''s clothes or sting his eyes. Apple hoped itwould be just enough tocause thewindedmagician to trip over, or at least slow himdowna tad.In the same manner asChester who would create a new fireball immediately after the previous one, Apple too usheredin anothermild gale after the lastone.


    “Fuck offyou cretin!” Chester screeched at Apple, as he shielded his eyes from the sorcerer’s seventh wind attack. Apple was pleased to know that his magic was having an effect on theEspavailier.


    Apple could see the protruding wooden docks now, causing him to leap for joy. His happiness was sort lived, however, when he realised he could not just lead his foe to the docks. Apple doubted Chester would kindly wait for him while he engaged in pleasantries with Captain Phil and then climb abroad his ship. There was also the matter of what to do with his new companion. Hestillcould notthink of anything, especially whileballsof fire keptthreatening to consume hum. He needed some breathing room, something he wouldnotget until Chester was dealt with.


    Instead of the docks, Apple darted towards the beach beside it.He ran and ranuntil he was so close to the sea, the tide swept at his ankles.He turned around and waited for the magician to catch up.


    “Run away, Mula.” He ordered the girl to his left.


    “No.” She protested. “Mula stay with you. Help you fight magic man.”


    “Don’t be an idiot!We only just met, there’s no need for you to risk your life. I think we can both agree he’s more interested in me. Also, you’re not really much help to me right now.” Apple bluntly stated.


    “Mula is too!You would have died if not for Mula yesterday.” She huffed.


    Apple smiledat that comment,“oh, I know, trust me. I’m not telling you to run to the other side of the country. You’re no use in a direct fight, but if you flee, sneak around and shank the red-faced bastard while I’m distracting him...I think everything will be fine– probably.”


    Mula was silent, a deep look of concentrationappeared on her face. “Okay.” She nodded andfled along the coast.Just in timetoo, for the man of the hour had arrived.


    “It would seem that your pet was abandoned you. A pity. Though Iam sure finding her shall not be too difficult.” Chester said, while he tried to act as if he was notcompletely exhaustedor consumed by rage.


    “I don’t aboutthat,Chester-my-boy, she’s a small one. All sorts of places she could hide.”


    The magician’sreaminingeye twitched at Apple’s informality. “Well it would seem there is nowhere who you to hide, sorcerer. Unless you know a spell that can turn you into a fish.”


    “No.” Hesighed “Sadly I fell asleep in that class. Just thought it would be nice to cool my feet while we try to kill each other.”


    “So, youarea water user., is that it?All this time I thought you were a wind whisperer, albeit not a very good one.”


    Apple kept a straight face. He had hoped that theEspavailierwould nothave figured that out. “So, you caught me, aye. It’s so time-consuming conjuring water. Much easier to find a natural...” Before he could finish his sentence, a globe of emberscatapultedtowards him. Luckily its trajectory was crocked, allowing Apple to dodge to side withoutmuch difficulty.


    “Enough talk,sorcerer! Fight me!” He yelled.


    “Rude git.” Apple muttered as he splashedaround in the shallow ocean.


    He did as he was told and began to transmute thedwimmerhe had beenstoring within his staff.


    Apple aided his spell by slapping the water in front of him withthe bottom of hisstaff. The water sprang from itsidlestateand formed the crude shape of a wall. The wall was immediately struck by a torrent of blaze. The wallmanaged to fend offthe attack well, yet the heat caused a portion of his shield to turn to air in theaftermath. Fortunately, Apple had plenty more water.


    He had been on nothing but defensive in their confrontations and Apple was sickofit. It was timefor him toattack.


    He dipped the bottom of his staff in the wateronce more:“Brinregwyminumgar,flienerondfesta.”He breathed. Thespellcosthima lot lessdwimmerwithout the need to create the elementfrom nothing.


    A pillar of water grew from the shallow poolin front of Appleandcharged towardsChester like a battering ram. The water never touched him, however, as theEspavailier’sown stream of fire crashed into it. The sight of his opponent disappeared through the cloud of steam theyboth created.


    As Apple began forming more magic, something struck him in the shoulder, causing him to fall into the sea. His noseand mouthfilled with water, making him gag, causinghimto choke upon the cold liquidwith even moreintensity.


    Hehurriedlysprang to his feet andspatthe water out of both orifices. His shoulder felt the ache of blunt trauma but it seemed nothing was damaged internally.


    Still unable to see Chester, Apple fired several wild water blasts at the mist, hoping that one would find its target. In retaliation, a multitude of objects going too fast to appraisedartedfromthe mist. It was only when Apple heard the nostalgic sound of something small hittingthewater did Apple realise what they were. His foe was flinging beach pebbles at him with a speed no human arm could muster. It never occurred to Apple that theEspavailierwould also use the terrain as a weapon.


    Apple remained still. His foe could notsee him but could most certainly hear the splashes of movement. Apple had an idea. A spell that would drain most of hisdwimmer. A spell that was only possible due to the large volume of water around him.“Brinregwyminumghar. . .fli!Hacanteondretre.Hacanteondretre.Hacanteondretre! Fli! Enerondfesta. Enerondfesta. ENER OND FESTA!”


    The water swished to andfro. The magnitude of its aggression increasingwith every word Apple uttered. Until, with a climatic shout of the final word, the tide erupted.


    A tidal wave as tall asa grand oakarose from the ocean and stormed Pier’s beach.A wave so wide it would have been impossible to dodge.


    Unable to avoid in his own attack completely, Apple rode the wave and landed on the beach with it. With a controlled roll as soon as he met sand, allowinghim to come upright almost immediately.


    His advisory laid upon the wet sand in a daze. Apple sprinted towards him with the intent to finish his bludgeoning from yesterday.


    Just as he was about to make contact with the prone Chester, theEspavailierunleashed a chaotic plume of fire. The spell was weak and Apple managed to shield himself with his leather coat arms,yetthe flames still managed to warm the tanned hide to a point thatitcausedApple cry out in anguish.


    Before Apple could regain his composer, Chester fired anotherpebble at him, he feltthebone in his arm creak in protestatthe action. Another barrage of pebbles forced Apple to maintain his cowered stance, less the smooth rock should strike his skull. It was fortunate that thepanickedspeed of thevolley slung made them slow enough to ricochet offhisleather guarded bone.


    It was a stalemate. Chester’s hurried barrage was too weak to kill Appleandif he was to invoke a more powerful spell, the time it would take would allow Apple to regain himself.


    So, for now Apple was forced to kneel upon theground with him vision hidden behind his own arms, hoping his attacker would grow tired ofhis assault. He tried several times to cast magic, but every time he felt thesting of rock, his concentration was broken.Apple only had one trick left in arsenal, an incredibly risky one at that.


    “Deathto the Circle!” He roared hoping theEspavailierwould hear him.


    “What did you just say?”Chester responded, as he continued to pelt the sorcerer with rocks.


    “You heard me, Chester! Your Circle is a false god and smells ofcat piss!” He yelled even loud than his previous comment.


    Chester stammered. Apple could feel the sudden growth of hatred inhis attacks. “You, you dare? Heathen!” He spat.


    “Oh,I dare. To me your precious Circle is more akin toa square. A stinky, stinky square.”


    “I’ll fuckin’ kill you!”


    The moment Apple had been hoping for had arrived. He no longer felt the kiss of cold stoneand instead heard the quiet buzzing of heat. It seemed his opponent could no longer abide his existence and wished to extinguish itimmediately.


    Apple charged at Chester.He held the staff at its end and jabbed theEspavailierin the chest with its heart. TheEspavailiercoughed and held his chest with his free hand. While his enemy was stunned, Apple switched to atwo-handedgrip and whacked the man in his wand holding hand.


    Chester yelped butto Apple’s dismaydid not release the wand from his grasp.


    Through all these movements Apple had be chanting. He retreated with a jump and pointed his catalyst at theEspavailier. An icicle almost the length of his staff grew from its amber and pieced the man’s gut, almost half of it breachingthroughthe other side of the magician.


    Apple still did notrelent, swiftly he jerked the staff to side, snapping the ice offits heart. He swung the long stick intohisfoe’skneecap,creatingan audible snapping sound. Chester fell to the ground barely making a sound during the descent.


    Apple was upon him in an instant. Herippedthe wand fromenemy’sclaw-like handsand tossed it aside.


    “Not bad for a lowly forest dweller, don’tyathink?” Applepantedas he stood over his foe.


    Chestermerelygroaned in response,“what’s wrongEspavailier?Bloodin your throat?” Apple sneered.


    The man once again merely grunted in response. Apple concluded their conversation wasfinallyover. He looked down and saw the perfectly stitched white circle, shining proudly in the rainbow sea;Apple lost his condescending smirk.


    “Can you see me, Lysander?” Appleaskedthe circlestitching on Chester’s robe.. “I’ve always wondered that...You’ve managed to infect the minds of hundreds of thousands. They worship you as a shape. I have no idea why you chose to known as a circleto be honest. You’rea smart onethoughisn’tya?I wonder, am I speaking to you right now? Or just a crippled man’s clothing.You know, every time I talk to someone, I’m always wondering if you’re watching, I’m still not sure to be honest. But surely you must be able to borrowyourmagician’s eyes, you’re one yourself after all.Or should I be calling youanEspavailernow?Does the circle represent an eye, Lysander? Is that what it means? That you’re always watching? Hey Lysander, wouldthis make youblink?” Apple raised his staff above his head and slammed into the centre of the circular embroidery.


    Chester’s body lucked upwards, blood, bile,andphlegmflew from his mouth.


    “Did you feel that, Lysander? Did you at least feel an itch on yourillustriouspupils?” Apple beganto pant with a greater intensity. The bottle that held ayears''worthof rage had become loose.


    “You bastard. You evil, sadist fuck! Do you have any idea what it’s like to spend every waking moment of your life terrified of every single living creature? Unable to ever go home?Unable to relate to anyone because their minds have been altered.?They don’t remember things properly...Just a single wrong word can turn a town of harmless peasants into rabid beasts.” Apple began to grind his teeth. His body shook and his eyes blinked with a chaoticrhythm.


    He once more raised his staff and brought it down upon the circle. Again; and again; and again...


    TheEspavailier’sbody continued to spasm as it was struck,yetno soundor protest came from his lips.


    Apple soon grew too tired to raise his catalyst. He was now forced to use it to help him stand. He stared at the round stitching once more. “Ipray thatyou felt that.”


    With that final wishuttered, Apple turned and walked away. His goal of boarding the Captain Phil’s ship forgotten. The girl called Mula, forgotten. Right now, he just needed to be alone. So, along the barren coast he walked.Never did he notice a petite figure in the distance collect afinelycut stick with a precious ruby stuck to its tip from the sand.