Chapter 15: Joy and Suffering

As the work year for the wizards came to a close, Ashton, Alther, and Charlotte gathered them all in the great hall for a thank you banquet. Several long tables had been set up, each filled with platters of food varying from roast turkey to various types of pastas to mashed potatoes and salads. At the end of the room three more tables had been placed, covered in tarts, cookies, pies, and a beautifully decorated four tier cake.

When the wizards entered the room, they stopped in shock at the sight. Unsure what to do, they gathered near the door until Ashton smiled and approached them.

"This meal is for all of you. You've worked very hard all year for the kingdom. Consider this our thanks."

A tall middle-aged woman with sharp green eyes and her hair pulled back tightly in a bun smiled back. "Thank you, Your Highness. It is not often that we are shown such generosity," she replied. Ashton recognized her as Margaret Tillie, or as he'd heard the younger wizards call her, Lady Margaret. Though she didn't come from nobility, it was obvious to Ashton that she carried herself with an air of grace and power befitting of the unofficial title.

"Please, have a seat. We have the staff ready to wait on you hand and foot tonight," Ashton led the group to the table.

"There's no need," an elder wizard smiled as he sat. "Tell the staff to enjoy the feast with us as well. There's more than enough food and we're more than willing to serve ourselves."

Ashton nodded towards the servants and more chairs and tables were brought for them to join the feast. There was a brief moment of chaos when most of the younger wizards bickered over who got to sit where, but once settled they all say quietly and bowed their heads to say grace.

"Would you like to lead us in prayer, Lady Margaret?" Ashton whispered, and the older woman smiled.

"Our Lady Athora," she began. "We thank you for this feast that has been prepared today. For being with us and taking care of us through our tribulations and our celebrations. Without you watching over us we would not be here today. I ask that you continue to look after and bless those of us here today. Thank you once again for all that you have done. Amen."

After the chorus of amens, everyone began digging into the food. Ashton watched in amazement as platters full of food were gracefully floating around the tables in an elegant dance, stopping in front of people momentarily for them to grab a helping before continuing on their way.

"Would you like some soup, Your Highness?" Lady Margaret asked, her finger guiding the ladle into the pot.

Ashton reached for his bowl and lifted it up. "Yes, please." The ladle emptied its contents into his bowl, the pot whizzing away back to its place with nary a drop spilling on the table.

As he finished up his meal, Ashton set his spoon down and turned to face Lady Margaret. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you planning to do now?" He asked, fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth.

Margaret thought for a moment. "I'll take anyone who wants to come with me and we'll buy some land. We'll start a new life where we don't have to hide who we are for anyone. That's my hope at least."

"Mine too," Ashton replied. "If you ever need anything, you can always come to us for help. Alther, Charlotte, and I will do everything in our power to make sure you're all being treated fairly."

"I don't doubt it, Your Highness."

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Five months had passed since the wizards had left the castle. On the night of Alther's 15th birthday he'd been surprised to find his mother and father waiting for him in the dining hall and a small banquet prepared. As the cake had been brought out Queen Haven had pulled him aside and handed him a small box, inside of which rested a silver ring inlaid with sapphires.

"Your father wanted to get you one that would match Ashton's..," Queen Haven began awkwardly. "but I thought you'd like this one more. If you don't like it we can get it remade, of course." She finished.

"No, it's perfect." Alther put the ring on his right hand, admiring the details on it before facing his mother. "Thank you." He hesitated for a second before he giving her a hug. Queen Haven stood in surprise, but then she wrapped her arms around her youngest.

"Happy birthday, Alther," she smiled, pulling away. "Now, let's go eat some cake."

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Once a month, the young royals would head into the town to check on how the wizards were doing. They would visit the shops, ask if everything was as it should be, and ensure that they were being treated fairly by the regular townsfolk. Alther loved these expeditions, as he'd hardly been allowed out of the castle until now and it was exciting to see the regular hustle and bustle of daily life. When the day arrived, Alther put on his best town outfit and practically ran to Ashton's room.

"Ashton!" He called as soon as he opened the door. "We're heading into town today, right?"

Ashton looked up from his desk, stacks of work scattered all over. His normally neat blond hair was messed up from the countless times he'd run his hands through it mindlessly while he worked.

"Is that today?" He asked, checking the calendar. "I guess it is." Ashton sighed, pushing his chair away from the desk. "I don't think I can make it today, little brother."

"Oh..." Alther sat down on Ashton's bed. "Tomorrow then?"

Ashton looked at his workload, wondering if he'd be able to finish it by the end of the week. "Why don't you ask Charlotte to go with you?"

Alther blushed slightly. "Actually, I wanted to buy her a birthday present. That's why I want to go with you."

Ashton looked at Alther for a moment. His usual quiet demeanor was falling away to reveal a confident and capable young man. Ashton felt proud as he realized how much his brother had grown in one year.

"You're old enough to go into town yourself, I think," Ashton finally said.

Alther looked surprised. "Really?"

"Definitely. You know what to do already. You should still take a guard with you, just in case."

Alther brightened up immediately. "I'll do that then!" He shot to his feet and was out the door without a second thought.

An hour later, Alther was looking through the shops, hoping something would stand out. He'd asked Jacob to accompany him and the young knight also seemed to be looking through the items for something suitable.

"What exactly are you looking for, Prince Alther?" The young knight asked, putting a bracelet back on the table.

"A birthday present for Charlotte. I don't really know what yet," Alther replied. This was the fifth shop he was leaving empty-handed.

"Well what does the princess like?"

"She likes painting," Alther replied.

"Well let's find her a paint set. You could pick out some new brushes too," Jacob suggested.

At the next shop Alther picked out his presents: a set of 12 brightly colored paints, a new palette, and several brushes that the clerk offered to engrave with Charlotte's initials.

As they waited, Alther heard a commotion behind them. He glanced back to see an angry shop owner yelling at three teenagers.

"I already told you, I don't serve your kind!" The owner shouted. "Now scram before I tell the guards you're threatening me!"

"Threatening you? For wanting to buy here?" The only girl in the group shot back.

"We don't sell to wizards." The man spat on the ground in front of him.

Hearing the commotion, a guard approached the shop, weapon at the ready.

"Is everything alright here, sir?" The guard asked the owner, shooting the wizards a glare.

"Of course not. These three ruffians have been threatening me since they walked into my shop. I told them to leave and they refused," the owner claimed, crossing his arms.

The guard turned towards the teens. "Threatening a shop owner? The use of magic on other people is still illegal, you know. Now get out of here before I haul you all to prison."

"But we didn't-" one of the boys protested before the guard shoved him to the ground.

"I said leave!"

The other boy stepped in front of his friend immediately. "We're leaving. There's no need for you to use force." He tried helping the other boy up, but the guard pushed him down again, delivering a swift kick to his ribs which caused the boy to cry out.

"Stop it!" Alther shouted, and tried to run towards the commotion but Jacob grabbed his arm, shaking his head. The guard continued to beat the boys, paying no heed to Alther.

Unable to bear it, Alther yanked his arm free and sprinted towards the guard. "I said stop!"

The guard looked surprised for a moment before straightening out, his arms pressing themselves to his sides. Had it not been for the panic in the guard's eyes, one would think he was just showing his respect to the young prince. However, his face began to purple and his body started convulsing.

Everyone looked on in horror as the man's eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed to the ground. The guard was no longer breathing.