Chapter 10 - First day in Hell

Sitting next to Mery, I enjoy my tea, facing us cross-legged and looking at me curiously, Jocely enjoys her cookies, delight stamped on her face.

Mery on the other hand never seems to run out of topic, without appearing to have the urge to stop.

And so half an hour of endless conversation (listening to Mery) Jocely finally seems to decide to question me.

'' And who would you be, little boy? A hidden child of Mery? Or maybe her new boyfriend... although I never thought she was interested in little boys, I won't judge... ''

My face is flushed, and I can barely articulate a retort to what Jocely said, looking at Mery I see she's worse off than me, the panic and despair on her face are so evident she's just standing there, opening and closing the mouth.

I look over at Jocely and see the victorious smile and glint of mischief in her eyes, and I finally realize that we were the target of a joke on her part.

'Let me introduce myself Miss Jocely,' I say rising from my seat.

"My name is Jon Snow, and I am here as I wish to learn the art of the Water Dance, Miss Mery, I happened to be told you could teach me and accompanied me here."

Rising from her seat, Jocely walks towards me, the smile has faded from her lips, and her eyes take on a predatory glint as she surveys me, prowling around me as she unleashes small amounts of murderous intent, unconsciously forcing me to assume a defensive posture and unconsciously reaching for the hilt of a dagger hidden under my cloak.

Jocely, noticing my attitude, returns to her seat, where she resumes her huge smile before speaking again.

'' An interesting little boy you are, Jon Snow, although your dagger would not be useful against me, it was still a good reaction, still tell me why you want to learn the water dance. Considering the fact that you hail from Westeros, and your current physique, why not learn to wield broadswords and become a knight?

''To be honest with you Miss Jocely, I was trained since I was little in using broadswords and I still use them, my focus however is on magic, besides my master said that maybe his fighting methods suit me more than the fighting form of Westeros. ''

''Little boy! What did you say is your focus?" Jocely, looks at me with a disbelieving expression and Mery beside her looks like a mirror image of her though, blonde, and blue eyes and white skin.

"My focus is on magic, Miss Jocely," I say, breaking into a smile and lighting a small flame over one of my fingers.

Jocely's P.O.V

A sorcerer, a damned sorcerer, and I teased him at the beginning of our conversation. I'm screwed... literally screwed.

Without realizing the state of mind I'm in, the little sorcerer in front of me speaks again.

"Tell me Miss Jocely, do you accept to teach me or not?" His question along with that innocent smile finally snaps me out of my stupor.

''Alright young sorcerer Jon Snow, I accept to teach you know about the price and the number of lessons per week...''

After a few long minutes of conversation and much of my wealth disappearing into the seemingly bottomless pockets of this beautiful miser, we finally decided on 3 lessons a week, from sunrise to lunchtime. But something still bothers me, the way she looked at me and named me isn't right.

'' Miss Jocely, please call me a wizard and not a sorcerer, and more importantly why did you show fear when you saw me use magic? '' My question seems to bring confusion and curiosity to Jocely.

''In Braavos and in all free cities we know about magic, and all those who practice it are called sorcerers, currently the best known are The Red Sorceresses of R'hllor.'' His answer, besides surprising me, allowed me to understand your thoughts from before.

After our conversation, Jocely took me to the practice yard, located at the back of her house, arriving there my first task was to demonstrate the sword techniques I knew, in addition to giving a practical demonstration of any weapon I knew of. To handle.

An hour had passed since I started demonstrating my skills before I finally took a break, Jocely's look at me with satisfaction and the slight nods of her head as she muttered something I couldn't hear, due to the distance, sent shivers down my spine. Still, I walked towards her and waited for her to speak up.

'' Very good Jon, I am very satisfied with your current capabilities, but from now on we will work with your elasticity and movement. Although his movements are good and quick for his age, his stiffness is something that needs fixing. Also, her speed can be increased and, that's what we'll do.'' And so for the next two hours she tortured me while making me stretch or she herself stretched my limbs, making me feel pain in places I didn't even know I was able to feel.

It was around lunchtime when Jocely allowed me to return to the inn, and that's when I knew I was screwed… I could go, but my body wouldn't obey me, every muscle of acquaintance was against me.

When my teacher, she was getting ready to help me, we heard a sigh. Ahead of us, my weird cat materialized with a sadistic smile on his face and a slight nod to Jocely causing her eyes to widen, he made me float and carried me back to the inn.

Despite his fickle behavior the cat apparently didn't want to draw attention, performing a little magic that allowed us to go unnoticed, he led me to my room where he dropped me onto my bed. I have never been so happy to be called up. I need to get the name for him soon, as calling him a cat is not healthy in the long run.

After a few hours of rest, I was awakened by a knock on the door, struggling to get out of bed, I went to the door only to be greeted by Gandalf's cheerful face.

Explaining my day and inquiring about his, I exposed my knowledge of red witches, which earned him a lift of an eyebrow and nothing more.

"Jon, now that you're working with your flexibility, I think I can teach you something useful and that will keep you from looking like a walking corpse like you are now."

Such words brought a look of greed and adoration to my face, startling Gandalf, who had not expected such a reaction. Still, Gandalf continued with his explanation. And for the next two hours he taught me some small self-healing and relaxation spells, which although not directly and instantly healing open wounds like cuts and perforations, would assist in the healing process, through the circulation of my magic internally I would be able to heal faster from wounds. And I would tire less during training.

How much relaxation spells would help me to calm down and maintain concentration, preventing emotions and pain from easily knocking me down.

And so my first day in hell finally came to an end after a good meal I went to sleep...hopefully the second day will be better...