This is a work of fiction. All characters portrayed in this story are fictional and representative of anyone living or dead. (c) 2010 by robertx5sf@yahoo.com, all rights reserved, may not be reproduced in any form without the author's consent, with exception of license granted to Nifty.org per Nifty's terms of use.
Author's Note: With holidays and travel new chapters will be a bit more sporadic for a couple weeks. My apologies, Robert - robertx5sf@yahoo.com
Squires of Telisan Keep - 7
MIKEL
Mikel was awoken by a gentle tugging on his arm. He opened his eyes and saw he was alone in his small room. The shutter on the lantern had been opened but the door to the room was closed. Figuring that Sir Valen had somehow used magic to wake him, Mikel quickly dressed in one of his new tunics and a pair of hose. He then looked over at his door and pictured it opening in his mind. Instantly the door responded and swung open.
A few minutes later while Mikel was seated at the table eating a breakfast of fruit and buttered bread while reading a short book titled, "Magic -- A Layman's Summary". It was one of four books that had been waiting for him on the top shelf of the bookcase. There had also been a note from Sir Valen on the table:
Mikel -- I will be away for several days. Do not neglect your reading for I will question you on the information and lessons to be gleaned from the books when I return. -- V
So for the next five days the young apprentice's life was very boring. He would be awoken in the morning by the mysterious tugging on his arm. At least he assumed it was morning since there was no way to keep track of time at first. It was much later that day when he had been soaking in the bathtub while reading one of his books that he heard the sounds of a fire burning in the study's fireplace. He got up and investigated. Naked and dripping he padded into the study. An obviously magical fire, since there was no fuel present, was burning in the fireplace. It sounded natural and as he approached he could feel heat radiating from it. As he examined the fireplace he noticed that in the center of the mantle was a small engraving of the setting sun. As he stood watching, the engraving slowly changed as the sun fully set and disappeared from the engraving, leaving only the engraved horizon. The next day he kept track of the engraving and believed he was able to decipher its meaning. In the morning it would show the sun starting to rise. Over the course of the day the sun would rise until it completely cleared the horizon, then it would begin to descend. So at least Mikel was be able to keep track of the passing day, from sunrise, noon, to sunset.
There was not much else to do in the small portion of the tower that Mikel could access. There were times he felt he was more a prisoner than an apprentice. Other than reading the books that appeared, usually one or two new ones each morning, the only other activity Mikel had to pass the time was pleasuring himself. He would take occasional breaks from studying and lie in the warm water of the tub, soap up his cock and give himself some relief from the boredom. While he jacked himself, he focused on the image of the shirtless Rynil, his golden hair, his green eyes, his strong arms, the smooth pale chest, his muscular thighs, and the bulge in his blue tights. `Maybe one day I'll get to see him without the tights,' thought Mikel as he would cum, shooting his thin boy cum onto his stomach and chest.
When Sir Valen returned, the daily routine changed a bit. Sir Valen would eat dinner with Mikel and spend a couple hours discussing the reading. After getting to read about the different types of magic and how it worked, it was time for Mikel's first lesson, how to detect magic. "Mikel, when you give mental commands to the various magical objects in the tower, such as your door and the bathtub, does it feel different then when you are just thinking about other things?"
Mikel considered the question, "Yes, I feel like I'm pushing a little bit with my mind."
"Good," said the wizard. He then produced a small prism and handed it to his apprentice, "Now I want you to do the same thing with this prism, focus your thoughts on trying to see magic while focusing through the prism with your eyes."
Mikel took the prism and tried to do as instructed. The two sat in silence for several minutes as Mikel focused on the prism. Just as he was starting to get discouraged at trying to focus his eyes on some nebulous space inside the prism he saw a flash of color inside it but then just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.
"Good, you had it there for a second. That is better than most do on their first attempt. Rest a minute then try again," instructed the wizard as he reached over patted his apprentice on the arm.
Mikel cleared his thoughts and took a couple slow deep breaths and tried again. It took him just a couple seconds to find the same focus point again but he was not able to hold it for any length of time. Back and forth he went until finally he was able to see the colors and hold it. Once he was able to hold his focus on that spot for more then a second, the colors seemed to pulse then quickly spread out across the room around him.
"Now, keep `pushing' with your mind at the prism and look around the room," instructed Sir Valen. Mikel did as commanded. He could see that most of the room and objects were a dull grey but others, like the bookcase, the cupboard, and the fireplace were brightly colored with yellow and green swirls. The outer wall of the tower pulsed with a dark blue. He looked over at his Master and saw nothing. His Master had disappeared. The surprise of his Master disappearing caused Mikel's thoughts to lose focus on the prism and the colors vanished and the room returned to its original appearance. Seated next to him was his Master, chuckling.
"Excellent! You should be able to get the hang of it now. Keep the prism and practice detecting the magic around you. Since you are attuned to the tower, the magic here will recognize you and it will be safe for you to investigate. With practice you will be able to feel the magic rather then just see it. Study the magic, get to know the various spells that in place and you will be able to figure out what and how they work."
"Master, why'd you disappear when I used the prism?" asked Mikel.
An amused laugh emerged from within the darkness of Sir Valen's hood. "These robes are enchanted with spells that make me undetectable to most senses, both mundane and magical. Hence why you can not see me when the hood is up, nor do I omit any odor, and the sounds of my movement are muffled. To those relying on magical senses I am completely invisible, unless their magic is stronger then that of the magic in the robes."
"But why do you need to hide yourself, even here inside your tower? Aren't the defenses of the tower strong enough to protect you?"
"Most likely but there are certainly wizards and magical creatures out there that can overpower the defenses of the Tower. And what protection will the defenses provide you when you are not here? Until you are strong enough to defend your own mind from magical intrusion, any of my secrets that you learn would be vulnerable. So the less of them you know the safer you will be. But do not worry; I shall seek to make sure you are protected until you have learned enough to defend yourself. Now for the time being practice seeing the magic around you, using the prism as needed. Someday soon you will find you will be able to focus and see the magic around you without the aid of the prism. A word of warning, you will find using your mind in this way will quickly exhaust you, so make sure you get your sleep." With his final instruction of the night given, Sir Valen took his leave and headed up the stairs.
After his teacher had left, Mikel picked up the prism and he begun to explore his quarters with his new sight. He went into the bathing room. He commanded the tub to fill then using the prism to focus his sight and watch the magic in operation. Next he studied the waste hole and the linen racks. He practiced trying to feel the magic as well see it. Downstairs he noticed that there was little magic in his room, just the lights, the walls, and the door. He could sense the magic in the door was responsible for its opening and closing upon mental command, the magic in the walls radiated strength and protection, it gave him a sense of security. His Master had been correct; using his mind in this new way was exhausting. It wasn't long before he fell asleep, prism still in hand.
The next morning he felt the familiar tug on his arm waking him. Reacting quickly he grabbed the prism and looked for magic. A couple feet away from, floating towards the door was a roughly humanoid shaped outline, glowing light blue. As he concentrated on the shape it stopped its movement. Mikel sat up; he pushed with his mind, trying to command the shape to move over to the desk. It responded to his thoughts and obeyed. Mikel decided to experiment a little. He set the prism down. He could no longer see the shape but he guessed it was still there. So he tried to remember what it `felt' like and commanded it to bring him the quill from the desk. Almost instantly he saw the quill rise and seemingly float across the room towards him. He reached out and grabbed the quill and could sense the magical force release it. Even though he was just directing magic his Master had created, Mikel was in awe at being able to manipulate magic so easily.
Later that day, as he lay in the bath tub taking one of his breaks' from his studies, he summoned the magical servant and had it bring him the prism. He wanted to make sure he could see the servant for what he was about to try. So with the prism in the one hand and his other hand rubbing his cock he focused until he could see the magical outline of the servant. He had it reach out an arm' and take over the stroking of his hard dick. It was a little awkward at first but he soon figured out how to adjust the pressure and the pace. Mikel enjoyed the new sensation of getting jerked off without using his own hand. As he lay there he imagined Rynil was kneeling next to the tub and reaching in to rub his cock. To help picture the fantasy he closed his eyes. Rather than darkness he saw the colors of magic. He felt the magic and could sense there was magic in his mind that linked him to the tower. There was something else there and when he reached towards it, it quickly vanished but it gave Mikel the feeling of an eye, watching him.
The mood ruined, Mikel quickly rinsed off and had the servant fetch him a towel from the linen rack. He quickly dried off, dressed and went into the study. He was not surprised to find his Master seated at the table waiting for him, he knew it must have been his Master that was `watching' him inside his mind.
"I am impressed Mikel. You have done well to detect and learn how to use Selaris so...quickly," said the wizard with a touch of levity in his voice.
Mikel blushed and asked, "Selaris?"
"The magical force that serves the tower, I find it easier for reference if I give it a name," replied Sir Valen.
Mikel mustered up his courage to discuss what had just happened. "Um Master, about what was happening in the tub, I sensed some magic inside me. Some of it I could tell is what ties me to the magic in the tower. It is through that link that I can make use of the other magic in the tower."
The wizard interrupted, "yes, it does that as well as lets the defenses of the tower know you belong. It keeps you safe while you are here."
The young apprentice nodded, "I could feel that, it gave me a sense of safety, similar to what I feel from the walls. But there was another magic there, I could feel it...watching me. It was you Master wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was. You are showing that I was wise to select you as my Squire. You have a natural affinity for magic."
"Thank you Master," said the Mikel, torn between pride at earning praise from his Master and embarrassment at being caught masturbating.
"Mikel, do not be ashamed at what you were doing. Selaris was upstairs helping me when you summoned it. I was surprised that you were already strong enough to summon it from another part of the tower, so I took a look to see what you were doing. I apologize for lingering. You were having a private moment as all boys are want to do. It is perfectly natural, well except for using a magical servant to do it, which does not often happen `naturally'," said Sir Valen with a chuckle to diffuse the tension. "In the future I will give you a bit more privacy. I suspect at the rate you are learning to use magic that it will not be long before you will be able to recognize immediately whenever I check in on you."
Mikel looked into his Master's hood, trying to give him what he hoped was a seductive look, "I don't mind Master. I am your Squire and I am here to serve you and do whatever you command. You can do whatever you wish."
Sir Valen reached out and ran his gloved hand through Mikel's messy black hair, "yes, yes I could, if I were a regular Knight and you were a regular Squire. Sometimes I wish that was the case, you are a beautiful boy Mikel and I am sure I would enjoy you very much. Perhaps too much, and that is the problem. With magic, when two people share a very close bond it can present an opening through their defenses that enemies could exploit. So if I were to request sexual services from you I would likely find myself developing too strong an attachment to you. I am already quite fond of you as it is."
"Thank you Master," replied Mikel with mixed emotions, happy for the compliment yet saddened at the rejection.
"There is one other matter we have to discuss. I was reminded when I got back the other day that as a Squire you have to perform some work duties in the castle. I believe you are required to serve for a half a day once every four days. I spoke with Lord Velarik and requested that you be exempted from this duty but he denied my request. So you will have to report to the Chamberlin's office tomorrow morning. There will be a Page waiting for you outside the door tomorrow morning who will show you the way. The front door will now obey our command so that you may enter and exit the tower."
Mikel gave him a puzzled look, "Master, if I may ask, why'd you request I be exempt from work duties?"
"To be honest with you Mikel, I did so because I fear for your safety. There are many Knights that fear arcane magic, they do not understand it. They think it dishonorable at best and some even think it the result of pacts with demons. Many of the Squires and Pages have learned that same attitude from their Knights. This irrational fear combined with the circumstances of your choosing lead me to believe that one or more of the Squires will seek to `put you in your place' while you are outside the tower."
"Master, does Lord Velarik share this fear of magic?" asked Mikel.
"Fortunately he does not. And he has reminded me that since you will officially be on duty while outside the tower that any attack on you would be considered a direct attack on his authority. When the Squires are performing their duty to the castle they are performing their personal duty to him. If anyone gives you any trouble, simply remind them that you are currently performing your service to Lord Velarik. If they wish to challenge you to a duel, the Lord will act as your Champion, as he would do for any Knight or Squire that was challenged carrying out his orders."
"Master, but what if they do not challenge me to a duel but instead just attack me?" asked Mikel, a little confused by the honor code of Knights.
"If they just attack you then they are committing a crime against the Lord, and the punishment for that is death. The Lord made a very convincing case as to why he was denying my request. He even seemed a bit insulted that I would ever doubt that you would not be safe in his castle.
"Now I have one rule for you when you are outside the Tower. You are not to discuss anything about the Tower or your training with anyone when you are outside the protections of the Tower. You must give me your word that you will not discuss anything about what happens inside the Tower or the magic you have seen here while you are outside," commanded Sir Valen.
"Yes, Master, I swear it," said Mikel.
"Good, now you have some reading and other things to finish before bed," said the wizard as he got up and headed back upstairs.
The next morning, when Mikel was woken by Selaris, he found there were a hairbrush and a mirror on his small desk. Mikel took the hint and worked two weeks of tangles and knots out of his hair, making himself look presentable. After all, his appearance and behavior would reflect on Sir Valen, so he wanted to make sure he looked his best. He made sure his black tunic and hose were free of lint or other blemishes and then made his way upstairs to the front door. With some trepidation, he opened the door to the tower and exited it for the first time in ten days.
Standing in the hallway outside the door was a young boy, probably around eight years old, dressed in a Page's uniform, dark green tunic and light blue hose. Mikel waited for a moment expecting some response from the boy. After a moment he noticed that while the boy was standing there, his eyes were closed. The Page was asleep on his feet. "Excuse me," said Mikel, hoping to get the Page's attention. The boy jumped backward, startled out of his standing slumber.
The boy recovered quickly and gave a slight bow, "Page Kenton at your service."
"I'm M.."
"You're Squire Mikel, the wizard's apprentice!" finished Page Kenton, his initial shock at being woken up wearing off. "I'm going to win a silver now," he boasted.
"Huh?" replied Mikel a little confused.
"Oh, sorry for interrupting, it's just that I have a bet with Page Telgan. He bet me a silver piece that the wizard had killed you and ground your bones up to use in a spell. I bet you were still alive, and now I'll have proof I was right," explained Kenton.
"Well, I may not be alive much longer if I don't find the Chamberlain's Office. I am supposed to report there for a work assignment. And his name is Sir Valen, not 'the wizard'," said Mikel.
"Follow me, I'll lead you there," said Page Kenton as he headed off down the hall, talking non-stop as they made their way through the keep. "I'm on duty right now, I'm assigned to be available if the wizard, sorry, Sir Valen, needs a Page, to send a message or fetch something, except he never does. I don't know why they make one of us stand there all day. Usually a big waste of time, except today, of course. It's the worst duty a Page can get, cause it's so boring, no one else ever comes over here. You spend hours just standing in the hallway. I'm currently stuck doing it because the First Page is mad at me cause someone told him I made a joke about his horseback riding. I think it was Telgan that told him cause Telgan was on wizard watch, err, assigned to stand outside Sir Valen's tower, before me."
"What was the joke? asked Mikel.
"Oh, I won't repeat it, I don't want Staven finding out I told it again or I'll never get reassigned! What is it like inside the tower? Is there a lot of magic in there? What do you do?" inquired the curious Page.
"Well if I tell you any information, my Master will turn you in to a toad," replied Mikel.
Page Kenton stopped in front of a door. "Oh, then you'd better not tell me, I don't think I'd like being a toad," said Kenton frowning. "Here you go, the Chamberlain's Office. I'll be getting back to my post. If you need help finding your way back to the wizard's, err, Sir Valen's Tower, there should be a Page down at the end of the hallway there that can guide you," said the young Page pointing. He then gave a quick wave and headed back the way they had come.
Mikel knocked on the door of the Chamberlain's Office and immediately an impatient voice called out from inside, "Enter."