Pavel Treereach wasn't happy with his job. It wasn't anything specific he could put his finger on, just a general dissatisfaction, a hollow feeling that would not go away. Being a soldier was the family tradition, and Pavel was good enough at what he did and decorated enough to have worked his way up from the pikes to command a squadron of the Royal Moorgate Lancers. Protecting the Crown and safeguarding the people was all well and good, and leading a charge against a horde of roaring trolls was certainly exciting, but Pavel always felt that there was something else he'd rather be doing, even if he did not know what that thing was.
Pavel's mother died when he was very young, so Pavel was raised by his grandmother while his father was often called away on duty. Grandmother Treereach was full of bedtime stories for young Pavel, and most of them involved a wicked mage as the villain. Summoning demons and creating ghouls was what magic was about, his grandmother explained to young Pavel, and brave knights are called upon to rescue damsels from the clutches of magic-users and to stop their evil deeds.
Pavel took these stories to his heart, and made a point to keep his ears open for the sound of leathery wings beating the air, so he could hide from the mage who might be looking for a boy to feed to his dragon. Pavel even took the long way around the city to reach the Library just to avoid upper Brent Street. The Library was Pavel's favorite place in the world, full of old books just bursting with stories, and the librarian always had a smile for the boy.
Eventually Pavel grew up enough to enlist, and he served the banner of the King Pellinore for many years, always at the forefront of battle. His fellow officers often commented on Pavel's tendency to volunteer for missions against magical beasts, and how he always sought out the magic-using monsters in any skirmish.
But Pavel was still not satisfied, no matter how many magical creatures he slew. Pavel suspected that soldiering would never be for him. After a costly battle against some giant raiders Pavel walked out onto the streets of Moorgate. He thought to stop by the library and read to take his mind off his troubles, but the kindly librarian of his youth had retired, and he did not wish to endure the combative woman who replaced her today. Instead, he turned down the street and headed to the other library he had heard about but never visited. Supposedly this library was full of mages, but Pavel was confident enough of his abilities to feel that walking into such a lair a small thing, especially for a chance to read something other than the same old stories he was used to.
As he stepped into the large stone building, Pavel noticed a few things. The smell of brimstone he expected was absent, and the shelves were made of old wood, not skulls and bone. There were mages there, scurrying about alone or in small groups, talking quietly with armfuls of books. They were not laughing maniacally over some fiendish plan, or busy with unwholesome activities, unless the game of draughts a seated pair of mages were playing counted. Eyeing the seemingly subdued magickers, Pavel made his way to a secluded corner and picked up a book.
That became the soldier's routine for months, then years. Pavel continued to spend his off-duty hours in the library, reading and watching the mages. If the mages thought it unusual for a man to wear armor in this quiet place, or to keep his sword on the table within easy reach, they did not make any comment on it. Eventually, Pavel did not bother to take such precautions, and even began to return the friendly nods of passing mages instead of narrowing his eyes and gripping his swordhilt. One day, he was searching the shelves, looking for something new to read, when it happened.
"Good afternoon."
Pavel spun to see who had addressed him, laying eyes on a short, well-fed woman whose glasses seemed ready to slid down her nose.
"G-good afternoon." He croaked. This was the first time he had ever been addressed by a mage, and certainly the first time he ever said anything back.
"Looking for something in particular?" The mage asked, seemingly unaware of Pavel's discomfort.
"Not... not especially. I, I was just looking for something new."
The robed woman nodded. "Perhaps you might try this one. I found it rather interesting, once upon a time, and I imagine it might keep you diverted for a few days." With that, the mage pulled a book from the shelf and offered it to Pavel.
Pavel hesitated for a moment before accepting. "Yes, I'm sure it will be... fine. Th-thank you."
The woman smiled absentmindedly. "I hope you enjoy it. It opened new worlds for me. Good day." And the mage wandered off.
Pavel stared after the woman till she disappeared behind some stacks and glanced down at the book. And nearly dropped it.
The Basics of Magicks and Other Aspects of The Art
"Well, why shouldn't I?" thought Pavel. "What harm ever came from just reading a book?"
Pavel did not put down the book for three days. Even when leading a patrol, his men snickered among themselves as Pavel rode at their head, lance in one hand, reins and book in the other. After he finally closed the book, Pavel was stunned. Is that REALLY what magic is? Pavel returned to the Library to check other books, going through the shelves of the Magic section he had previously shunned. For months, he systematically read every single book on the subject. He hungered for more, reading up on Enchantment, Elementalism, Healing, he even read about the uses of magic in gardening. Pavel had never thought about all the fascinating aspects of life that magic could play a part in.
Fascination gave way to frustration. It's one thing to read about magic, but Pavel wanted to try it for himself. Years earlier he would have been offended to hear such a suggestion. Even a year ago he would have been very uneasy just contemplating it. But now Pavel hungered to learn magic. This was what he was meant to do. This was what would bring him contentment. He asked after the mage who gave him the book in the first place, but even the other mages were not sure who he was looking for. "Perhaps she's studying in the Spire of Knowledge," they'd say with a shrug towards the doorway in the south wall.
One day, Pavel had enough. He had been a good officer, and good officers know that sometimes, you have to take risks. Pavel left the barracks that morning and went down to the Library once more. Squaring his shoulders, he marched to the doorway that he had so far not even dared to approach. With a deep breath, he went through the door.
A great tower that could only be the Spire of Knowledge loomed over Pavel, who barely hesitated before he made his way towards the entrance and up the winding stairs. The soldier passed dozens of scribes and mages, who stopped to watch him silently, or to whisper among themselves. Pavel found himself ducking into a nearby room to escape all the watching eyes. What had possessed him to do something this foolish? This is not where I belong. I'm a soldier, not a mage. Why would I think they'd let me learn magic just because I barged in here? Pavel took notice of where he "barged in" for the first time. An office with a large globe, and shelves and shelves of books and maps. His doubts forgotten, Pavel began to go through the books on the shelves, none of which he'd ever seen before, but which his fingers itched to open and read.
"Careful, some of those are rather old."
Pavel jumped, and turned to see that he had apparently overlooked an inhabitant of the room. A tall woman, who wore knowledge and wisdom like a cloak. Her office, of course it has to be her office. Pavel could not help but be conscious of what he must look like now. Hulking shoulders. Breastplate. Warblade on his hip. Even the weapon calluses on his hands seemed to stand out jarringly next to this woman.
"I-I'm sorry, My Lady, I don't belong here." Pavel's head bowed.
"On the contrary, Pavel, you belong here as much as anyone."
Pavel's head snapped up. "What? Why-How did you know my name?"
The mage shook her head. "It does not matter, Pavel. What matters is that you want to learn. Knowledge is something the Labyrinth holds sacred. You want to learn about magic, and I will teach you."
Pavel now teaches others some of his impressive array of knowledge, his armor and weapons gathering dust in the corner reminding the one-time warrior of the reward for risks in the name of understanding.
Alley back to the library foyer.
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