Legends of Belariath
Scathien
Revenge of the Phoenix: Epilogue
Soon he snapped out of his train of thoughts, for he had students to attend to. After all, they were –his- students now. Scathien rose to his feet and addressed them all, “As you may see before you, your former guild master is dead and I have taken his position. Any of you who do not wish to follow under my rule may leave, if they can survive long enough to get to the front door.
Suddenly the doors to the room burst open, and Jared made his appearance looking prepared to denounce Scathien for who he truly was. However, as he saw the dead guild master and Scathien standing there addressing everyone he just stared in complete shock as he heard his words. Scathien paused for the briefest of instances and smirked down at Jared, “Ah yes, welcome to my coronation ceremony Jared. I’m glad you woke up in enough time to attend for you see; I need someone to govern this place in my absence. I have found that your particular skills would do well in this department, and as long as you hold true to me I won’t need to return here and kill you.”
Jared’s eyes just widened slightly, “After all I have done you’re putting me in charge? For what reason?” Scathien just held that quiet smirk before speaking, leaning back in his chair as he did so. “It’s quite simple Jared, I’ve seen your loyalty to the former guild master and I know that you would easily extend such to me. I won’t be able to stay here and govern the daily business of this Guild on my own so you shall run it in my stead. I have a life to return to elsewhere, far away from here in the town of Nanthalion. For all supposed intents and purposes the guild is yours. However, if I should send call for aid for whatever reason, you will answer it without hesitation or I shall return here and personally remove you from your new position and place someone more trustworthy there understand?”
Almost stupidly, Jared nodded and then moved to stand at Scathien’s side as the Phoenix-born mage rose to his feet to address the graduating students of the guild. “As you know, today marks a wondrous occasion. For many years you have studied here, mastering magic and power far beyond a normal peasant’s comprehension. You all may feel that your training is at an end; that you may venture out on your own and make use of your skills in whatever fashion that you desire. Unfortunately, I will be taking ten of you with me as I return to my home where you will enter into the service of the noble Qu`selashya to make up for the hideous mistake your former guild master made when he incinerated my men. Obviously, I will be taking the top ten ranking students from this year’s graduating class, excluding myself and Jared of course. If you decide you do not wish to join me, step forth now and we will calmly discuss the situation…”
Almost foolishly, one of the top ten stepped forward. Scathien calmly turned toward the man and before he could utter a word he lifted a hand and unleashed a burst of flame that consumed the fire mage on the spot. As his ashes drifted to the floor Scathien turned to the others. “Does anyone else wish to speak against me?” Almost predictably, not a single man or woman stepped forward to challenge Scathien’s decision…
Two more days passed before the front doors opened, and Scathien left with his entourage of Fire Mages. Two weeks would pass as they traveled the lands and returned to Nanthalion. However, Scathien had a stop to make first, and so he paid a visit to the noble he had pledged his loyalty to, giving her command of the small retune of ten fire mages as a specialized force for her, as well as letting her know that the Western Guild of Fire Mages was now at her beck and call through Scathien’s command should she ever require them.
As he walked away, headed back to his home a smirk formed on his lips as he thought once again on everything he had done to bring him to this point. He could now call himself a guild master, and one of the more powerful pyromancy users in the realm. These thoughts soon passed however, for he headed home and allowed the stress of the past weeks to slip free from his mind…