A loud banging woke me from a wonderful dream. Like most pleasant dreams, it left me as soon as I rose from unconsciousness. With a groan, I grabbed my gloves and new medallion, muttered a few bindings, and walked to the door. I worked late the night before, so I was loath to get out of my warm bed. It was worth it, though. Creating a small three-inch wide silver medallion with runes created from Elis's gold coin was well worth it.

The circuit was wonderfully efficient. So efficient in fact that I had to consider the rarer metals like platinum and orichalcum. Neither of which I had even seen. Either way, so long as I was within the range of my energy furnace, I would never have to worry about arrows. Pushing the strength even further would make it difficult for someone to stab through the force field. Plenty of time for me to turn them to cinders.

I cracked my neck, opening the front door. Surprisingly, Derek’s son was standing outside my home for some reason. 

We had practically the same expression, bemused by confusion. It was likely from the fact that I was barefoot in nothing but a thin shift. 

"Why are you here?" I asked. 

Then I noted the large, burly men carrying a crate. Then I sniffed in amusement, "Your father has you playing delivery boy."

He tried to pierce me with Derek's unemotional gaze, but failed. My greatest skill was acting, a skill he most definitely lacked.

"My father can't just trust just anyone with these expensive items. Let's get this done." He said, annoyed, then tried to barge his way into my home. 

'Did this fool forget what I was?'

I expanded the pushing sphere until it encompassed him and the two animals. They were all, of course, wearing chainmail or studded leathers. So, when I strengthened the binding, they could feel something pushing against them. 

Jorm looked angry, as if he were used to people bowing to him.

One fool decided to pull a blade. I strengthened the binding, pushing it to the limits of my animus. Immediately, they were all pushed back by an invisible force. The sword fell skipping away as the pushing field sent it flying. 

"Listen to me, Jorm, you are not your father. Don't ever try to barge your way into my home again; you will not receive a second warning."

Jorm's anger dissipated, replaced with a smirk, "It seems father was right. You wouldn't kill immediately." 

'Oh, it seems this was a test.'

I rolled my eyes and weakened the binding.

"I assume you have the teapots?" I asked. 

"Indeed, and your payment..." He cautiously stepped forward, "What was that?"

I sighed and said, "I'm a magus. Did you think I wouldn't have protections against being rushed with knives?"

Jorm nodded, "I suppose you have a point. Is this something we can purchase?"

'Why would I give away advantages like this for a coin. Is this man a fool? Regardless, expanding and regulating the state of the pushing field was something only a magus could do.'

"No."

"Why not?"

"That doesn't concern you, now, do you have my item, or were you just here to waste my time?"

He stared at me with his father's cold gaze. He didn't like my tone, it seemed. Though this time he pulled it off rather well.

"May I enter? Such deals shouldn't be done in the open." I shrugged and turned around. Showing him my back, also demonstrating my lack of concern. The two men brought in the crates, dropped them in front of me, and with a signal from Jorm, they left, leaving me alone with him.

"All this space and you use it for nothing." He commented.

"It's useful for testing things. Now my payment." 

He nodded, "Everything is in the crate." Then he proceeded to examine my body. 

"See something you like?" I asked. 

"Curiosity, mostly. Not many women would allow a man into their home in just a thin shift." He commented.

"Not many intelligent men would willingly walk into a Magus's home. Yet here we are." I walked over to the crate and removed the lid. Revealing five elegantly decorated tea posts. With gold embossing in beautiful patterns, taking one out, I examined the base nodding as they followed my specifications. Then I moved on to the simple wooden box, opening it to reveal its contents, filled with silver.

"You know my father instructed me to seduce you?"

I laughed so hard I nearly dropped the teapot. I carefully placed it back into the crate and looked at him.  He was rather handsome, but it did nothing for me.

"How do you plan on doing that?" I asked, amused.

"I don't. There's a saying amongst men. Never stick it in crazy. And you, my dear, have enough of it for several women."

I wasn't offended. "I'm sure your father has been using that to his advantage."

Jorm crossed his hands and smiled, "Oh, that he has, I assure you. Unto why I'm here."

From out of a pocket, he pulled out a small silver platter with an indentation in the center for a glass ball. I immediately recognized it. 

"Ah, you know what this is," he said. 

'I need to school my expression when it comes to observing new magical items.'

"Yes, it produces light."

Jorm's handsome smile became sly, "They’re used in many noble castles. This one was stolen from the baroness herself. Where did you happen upon one?"

"You think I haven't seen enumerable examples of magical items."

He shrugged, "Perhaps."

'I see what you're doing, Jorm.'

Regardless, you've delivered the items. Now leave me."

 He nodded. "Very well, Lady Magus,” he said sarcastically.

I watched him walk out the door. Seeming pleased with himself. 

'They're investigating my origins. But sadly, for them, by the time they figure it out. I'll either be long gone or this city will be left in ruin. I wonder how long Steve plans to spend on my order.’

~

Since it was an eight-day The Kingfishers wasn't full, but Lily was more than willing to give me a share of whatever was on the cookfire. It was high hour, and the siblings should be walking through the door any minute now. Though it was equally likely that they took the coin. It was a significant sum. Coin was useful, but beyond its use, it meant nothing to me. Power was all that mattered, and coin was just another tool. 

From my observations, four pillars were necessary for the successful pursuit of power. These traits separated the wheat from the chaff; The sheep from the wolves. The weak are not weak because they were born without power; they simply are missing one or more of the four pillars. 

First was Solidity. ‘How firm are you in your pursuits? Do you desire to become a general, wealthy merchant, king, or queen? If so, this goal must become a part of you. As much as your flesh and blood. It must haunt your dreams and plague your mind at every waking hour; be imprinted upon your very soul. Anything less and it will wash away like loose sand in the morning tides.’  Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel⁂fire.net

Second was Determination: ‘How long are you willing to work towards the goal? Could you be led astray by sentiment, comfort, love, or faith? Any individual who pursues power should not be distracted by such things. And if such a distraction arises, they must be tossed aside. Any less and you are doomed to failure. Power was the ultimate goal, the only thing worth achieving in one's limited existence.’

Third was Malleability: ‘Situations can change, and as such, in the pursuit of power, you must change with it. The blade that is too firm will shatter upon impact. Being able to bend and shift according to your needs is necessary to achieve ones goals. Become a fool or a sage; villain or hero. What you are at any given moment is meaningless, so long as it serves in your pursuit of power.’ 

Fourth was the most important and greatest barrier to the pursuit of power; Destruction: ‘Sometimes we are met with a wall that cannot be passed with reason and logic. It cannot be convinced or cajoled to move, so it must be destroyed. This wall could be a law, person, country, or morality. If you are to pursue power, then you must be willing to destroy everything in your path, even yourself. Power needs no justification, reason, or pretext.’

~

I was snapped out of my musings by the entrance of the two red-headed siblings. It was surprising, but reassuring. They spotted me and I gestured to the two empty chairs at my table. It had been three days since I saw them. Plenty of time for them to investigate and make their decision. 

They were dressed in simple brown and grey homespun clothing. Both had red hair and green eyes. Though the girl looked older than I had expected, perhaps twenty summers, while the boy looked around seventeen, whose beard had only barely started growing in. They both eyed me as they sat. 

"I have to admit, I'm surprised you two came to see me," I said. opening the conversation. 

"We weren’t gonna...But," The woman whom I knew from Lily was named Ashe, said.

"But?" I asked.

"Been lookin' you up," Mar said. 

"What did you find?"

"You work for Derek, but they're other things. People been whisperin' 'bout magic." Ashe said.

"If there was. Is that a problem for you?"

"We ain't participatin’ in no sacrifices," Mar said firmly.

They were Ferosian, I knew that much. That was why Lily was so concerned about whether I cared about where they were from. 

"And what misconceptions do they have about magic in Ferosia?" I asked.

Ashe shrugged, "They say you sacrifice human lives and pigs and things to make it work. And yous need blood and such."

I smiled, amused, "Hardly, I'm aware Fersoia has a bias against magic. But it's a bit more mundane than you assume."

"So, no sacrifice?" Mar asked. 

"None, I assure you. Now, let me ask you, what are Ferosians doing so far north?" I was rather curious.

"We was slaves, and we ran," Ashe said defensively. 

'Let's not poke at that for the moment. Seems like a sensitive subject. Their origins matter little. But still, two former slaves, how interesting.'

"You know what I want," I asked.

"You lookin' for a crew? All the lieutenants have a few people. But why us?" Ashe asked.

I leaned back, "You weren't born here; you have no family within the city; All your robberies ended in vicious beatings, no death; though I can tell from your eyes that you're no bleeding hearts either. And finally, Lily said you were upfront with whatever job she assigned you. Though she refused to elaborate on what that was."

"So, what do you want from us?" Mar asked.

"Simple, keep order, my territory is small, I don't need a large crew. Do the collections, patrol, and watch out for trouble? That's all, really. Occasionally, you two might need to bloody your hands a bit. When I walk the streets, you two will serve as lookout and protection." 

"What 'bout killin'?" Ashe asked.

I shrugged, "If the need arises, then, can you?"

Mar bit his lips. "We don't kill little ones or mothers," he sounded firm. But it was fine by me; I had no interest in terrorizing the people, it served no real purpose. I wanted peace so I could focus on my magic.

"Agreeable," I said, nodding.

"What do we get?" Ashe asked.

"Five silvers a month each." Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads. It was an enormous sum, but that was also on purpose.

"You will also live in the area; I have space in my home. And I assure you, the home of a magus is rather comfortable." 

Ashe looked at me as if I were an idiot, "You'll let us live in your home?"

I smiled maliciously, "There are few places more dangerous than a magus's home. You are free to try to rob me."

Ashe's arrogant smile disappeared.

I continued, "If you choose to join my crew. No one but I will command you to do anything. Of course, you will have access to luxuries. Eat meat every day, fresh bread, fruits, vegetables, a soft bed, and the added protection that comes from me being a magus. Magical baths as often as you wish, clothes, arms, armor, weapons. Everything you need to protect yourself and me."

Ashe looked suspicious, "All that and five silver, I don't trust it." Mar nodded in agreement.

"You think I offer too much for too little service. But such coin means nothing to me. The items you will have access to would seem like a great treasure, but in the end, they're little more than trinkets to me. Providing them to you costs me nothing. What I value is time. I am a magus; therefore, I am always studying and improving my abilities."

Ashe's suspicion decreased, "So that's why you want us to deal with the collections and such."

I nodded, "Aye. I want my area of the city to be stable. And I can use that peace to study. So, do we have a deal?"

Mar bit his lips and said, "We ran into trouble with Kent."

I shrugged, "Some pathetic gang leader means nothing. Once you're in my territory, you have my protection. If his men come searching, they will be sent packing or be killed; it makes little difference to me."

Mar was looking me up and down as if seeing me for the first time. "How old are yous?"

"Almost sixteen summers."

Ashe chucked under her breath, " Yuh don't seem like it,"

"There's a difference between age and experience. I've lived more in the last two years than most in their entire lives," I said.

Ashe reached into her canvas pants and pulled out my coin purse, tossing it on the table.

"We'll take the job." She said, and Mar nodded.

I smiled, "Keep it, consider it a first taste of the benefits of working with me."

Ashe shrugged and quickly grabbed the coin purse.

"So, what now?" Mar asked. 

"For now, we share a meal while you tell me about life in Ferosia. After that, well, we do some shopping, you'll need some furniture, better clothes, and a few luxuries. Then we introduce ourselves to everybody. I've been a rather neglectful neighbor."