Chương 4: Book 1; Chapter 3 - Drawn together (2)

"What should I do now?" – Anniet said in a bit distressed voice, looking at the rain battered by the wind outside. A little shiver went over her. This place was warm, but her body could remember the cold rain pouring and the wind blowing through her wet clothes. Bare feet on a cold floor didn't help to chase away this memory either.

"There is only one thing we can do," – he said, standing up and inviting her to follow. – "Make ourselves comfy and cosy and wait till the storm passes." He led her back to the sofa, then walked towards the bed to bring a large blanket to place over her shoulders.

"Lift your feet up," – he said in a voice that didn't leave room for disagreement. After she obeyed, he wrapped her in the blanket, put a few cushions around, and finally, pleased with his work, sat himself in the armchair on the other side of the room.

"Thank you," – she said, touched by so much attention.

"Pleasure," – he said with a smile on his face. His dog followed them too and lay down next to the sofa.

"By the way, my name is Anniet," – she just remembered that she never introduced herself. He didn't reply to it. Anniet bent down to stroke the dog and was surprised to find how small he was.

"I don't know why, but when I don't look at your dog, I think he is big, and every time I look at him, I am surprised to see him so small," – she laughed at herself aloud.

"He should be a bit bigger," – Anthony confirmed – "he is just suffering from a little spell. Hopefully, it will fade soon." Oh, right, she almost forgot that he was one of the magic carriers! She had seen only a couple of them and only for a very short time while they were visiting the village. The elderly in the village said that there are not that many of the magic carriers left these days! So he really must be something very special then.

"Where did you learn magic?" – she asked. She didn't expect him to answer; in fact, she didn't even know why she asked… It was known to everyone that magic was taught in some secret places. There were lots of books about how to learn magic in the King's libraries, located in every town, but no one who tried learning from them had ever succeeded.

"I learned it in this School," – he answered to her surprise.

"So this School is where they teach magic?" – now she was really surprised.

"This School can teach you many things," – he replied –"you just have to choose what you want to learn. Magic is one of them. There are many books in the School library."

"There are many books in any King's library too, but there is something wrong with them. They must be false books."

"There are no false books in the King's library," – he said softly –"and there is nothing wrong with these books. Your friends, who tried to learn from them, didn't take into consideration the fact that magic is mainly about a person who is doing it and very little about the knowledge."

"So you have to be special to learn magic then!" She knew it! She always thought that way. It is not for everyone; that's why no matter how much you read, it never works.

"And yes and no," – he replied with a laugh –"you might say you have to become special – there is some truth in it. But no one is born this special – everyone has to become that way. But each of us can become this special. Instead of going and reading books on how to wield magic, it would be good to read books on what person you have to become to be able to wield magic and how to achieve it. If you skip this step, then reading about how to wield magic will not be of any use to you.

It is the same as reading a book about how to ride a horse. It will be of no use to you unless you have a horse that you can try riding. No horse – no riding, no matter how much you know." It made so much sense! How no one ever thought about it! There were so many books about how to become this or that in the King's library too. But they were the least favoured as it required a lot of thinking, feeling, and working, and the results were difficult to understand – there was no clear line when you have succeeded.

So they skipped them for sure. How could they be so blind?

"So you have become that special to wield magic! How does it feel to become one of them?"

"I guess it feels great," – he laughed again at her statement and question –"but don't you feel great about everything you know and have learned? There is no line drawn when you become this or that – it's a never-ending process, and you don't have to finish it to have the results. If that would be the case, we would never be able to see the results.

People like to compare, and if one is better than the rest around, they think he is the best, but that is very feeble because the same person who is the best among some people might be worse among others. If you live by this and you value yourself by what other people around you do, think, or are capable of, then it is a very sorry state, as it can lead only either to stagnation or disappointment."

"I don't understand it," – Anniet said with confusion.

"I know what I know and I can do what I can," – Anthony said –"how much I know and how much I can doesn't depend on others. People like to devalue or glorify. If I value myself by what others think about me, then I am destined to think about myself either too little, if I live among people who devalue, or think about myself too highly, if I live among people who like to glorify. Does it make sense?"

"Sort of," – Anniet agreed.

"But no matter what others think about me, or in fact, it doesn't even matter what I think about myself – I know what I know and I can do what I can do. I would not become any wiser if people think I am wiser than I am. Would I? Neither would my knowledge decrease because people think I am not smart enough." Anniet was sitting and thinking that all this was so simple and so true, but also somehow so difficult to understand…

How can it be that such a simple thing is so difficult to understand, and why has it evaded her until now?

"When you pay too much attention to what others think, it brings you an illusion, or rather delusion. You may start to believe that you know things that in reality you don't know, and by doing so, you will stop seeking to learn. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Why would you try to learn something you believe you already know?

The other side is not much better – you become convinced that you don't know things that you know and stop using them, or even worse, start to believe that others know better in areas where you know and can do a lot, and they know very little. You place doubt where there should be no doubt, and you not only stop believing in yourself and being what you are, but also restrict yourself from ever improving.

I think the second part is much worse than the first, as in the first part you just stop learning, but at least keep using what you have, whereas in the second, you disappear completely."

"So are you saying that I should not believe anyone? Wouldn't it mean that I should not believe you either?"

"I am saying that you should not attach yourself too much to what others say – they might be right or might be wrong, same as you. And it doesn't matter if ten people, or a hundred, say one thing, when you think it to be different, the odds are still the same – they might be right or they might be wrong. Or," – he added with a wide smile on his face –"you can choose who to believe.

If you feel that someone is somehow better, in a way you would like to become, then you trust them on it, no matter how strange what they say sounds."

"But can it be that they might be wrong too?"

"They might, but areas where they would be wrong don't concern you until you reach that level. In the areas that are important to you, they would not get it wrong."

"I don't even know such people," – she answered.

"Surely you do," – Anthony said – "King is always right." Anniet laughed at this statement.

"He well might be, but I have seen him only in pictures that don't talk."

"It doesn't mean that you cannot see him," – he smiled back –"now, when you left your old life and are on a quest to find a new one, you can aim for anything. Why aim low?"

"Have you ever seen the King?" – Anniet was interested.

"I have," – he confirmed.

"Wow," – Anniet thought – "he really has seen a lot!"

"And how is he?" – she asked carefully.

"One day, when you see him, you tell me," – Anthony avoided the answer. After that they fell silent for a bit. Anniet snuggled herself in a warm blanket, thinking about what she just heard. All these distant magical places filled with kings, and knights, and dragons floated in her mind. Where people could be what they want and others would not tell them what to do, and would not expect anything from each other because all are strong enough to do things themselves.

Riding on unicorns, flying on dragons, living the way they want to live… What a strange life it must be. He said anyone can become anything… What an idea. However, it didn't look real, but then again, why not? She looked back at that mysterious handsome man sitting peacefully in the armchair across the room. He was still looking at her with these eyes full of curiosity. She knew she should be feeling uncomfortable from that. It always gives her creeps when someone looks at her for a bit longer than necessary.

But strangely enough, it wasn't the case. If anything, she felt safe and secure, and this place felt more like home than any other place she had been yet in her short life. The fire was burning lively, the blanket was very warm and soft, and she felt so… cosy? That's what he said – make themselves cosy and wait till the storm goes by. She was so tired; she realised it just now. There was no reason for her to be tired. It probably was from all this stress.

She could feel her eyes closing slowly and becoming more difficult to keep open. Hopefully he will not mind her snoozing a little bit. She looked at the window, and all she could see was just rain washing the glass. So the storm was not over yet, and there was no reason for her to go. That's good, she was glad about it, as at this moment she didn't want to go anywhere. Her eyes landed back on Anthony, who was sitting casually in the armchair with his chin resting on knitted hands.

She saw only his silhouette but knew that he was still watching her. She smiled at him before finally losing the battle and falling asleep. Anniet woke up feeling completely refreshed. She lay for a bit enjoying herself – the pillow was soft, the blanket was warm, the bed was comfortable, and she felt well rested. It was very quiet around; all she could hear was the sound of birds in the distance. There was also a touch of fresh air around that smelled very nice – like a hot summer day after good rain.

That triggered some memories, or was it a dream? Anniet wide opened her eyes to realise that it wasn't a dream after all. She was in that little cottage, lying on a sofa, well tucked under the blanket with a large soft pillow under her head. She lifted her head and looked at the armchair across the room to find out that the owner of this cottage was still sitting there watching her silently in the same relaxed pose, same as she saw him last night before falling asleep.

She must have slept for a long time, as there was bright daylight outside. The window of the cottage was wide open, the storm was gone, and the bright sun was evaporating water from the meadows around, creating that nice fresh smell. She had slept all night until the late morning or whatever time it was now! She looked back at Anthony, who smiled at her. Was he sitting there all night? Hopefully not!

"Good morning," – she said, sitting up – "I am afraid I overslept." He didn't say anything, just kept smiling.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality. I didn't intend to stay for so long… You should have woken me up much earlier."

"Are you late for something?" – he asked.

"No, I am not. I just didn't want to…" She nearly said that she didn't want to cause any inconvenience, but stopped in time not to say it aloud. She remembered what he told her last night about knowing in advance for others and not giving a chance for others to express what they really think… Anthony seemed very pleased with it. In fact, he seemed very pleased and happy overall, so maybe she really didn't cause any inconvenience. But she double-checked just in case.

"Did I disturb you in any way? Did you have any plans this morning?"

"No," – he replied – "you didn't disturb me in the slightest. If anything, you brought a little happiness to my dull and monotonous existence." That was a relief to hear. She looked at his bed and realised that after all, he must not have had any sleep as she was granted the pillows and a blanket from it. She gave him a questioning look.

"I don't need sleep that much any more," – he said with a calm smile on his face. He must be right, as he didn't look tired at all. If anything, he looked all fresh and rested… And also very handsome. For some reason, Anniet lowered her eyes at this thought. She looked to the chair where last night she had left her clothes to find out that they had been nicely folded and waiting for her.

"If you don't mind, I will go and get changed," – she said, standing up.

"By all means," – he agreed. She picked up her clothes and walked to the bathroom. To her deep surprise, the clothes were nice and fresh. After being soaked in rain and then dried up by the fireplace, she expected them to be rigid and to smell of smoke. Instead, she found them to be clean and soft as new, or even better, with a lovely fragrance on them. Even after a proper wash, they never looked as good! That reminded her about some extraordinary abilities her host had. He must have used some magic!

Anniet was touched by this thoughtfulness. She walked out of the bathroom to find out that Anthony was just finishing food for them. This time he made a meal for two and joined her at the table.

"You are spoiling me," – she laughed at it – "I might get used to it and come more often."

"Oh, but please do," – he smiled back at her – "make this place a second home." While eating this lunch or brunch, it was difficult to say what time it was now, but it definitely wasn't morning any more. Anniet tried to question Anthony about where he came from and what he was doing there and in general, but couldn't get too many answers. Despite trying to be as open as possible, there were many times he had to say he could not talk about it.

All she got was that he was not local there either, that he was a student in this place some time ago, and now he came there because of his friend, and instead of studying, he chose to be a cook for students. That's all. Well, he must be a very good cook as the food he made was really delicious. After the meal, she said she would be heading to her place. She wasn't sure where this place was, but it couldn't be that far away from the town. He didn't argue but walked with her.

So all three of them, as the dog didn't stay at home either, walked out of the cottage. The day was really glorious, and there were very little traces of yesterday's storm left. Birds and squirrels were keeping themselves busy in the trees around. There were outstanding views of the mountains from the front side of the cottage. In this direction there was only one more house that could be seen in the distance, on a hill, surrounded by trees and meadows.

When they walked through the cottage gates on the right-hand side, she saw a town not that far away. So she was heading in the right direction and would reach her home yesterday. But she was glad she didn't. Walking next to Anthony, she realised that to knock on that cottage door was one of the best things she had done on this new adventure she had taken. Well, in reality this adventure wasn't even that long… Only two days… She was very fortunate!

When leaving home she was prepared to take on some proper hardship and difficult times. Instead, she walked into this place where she was offered a new home to stay and even met this strange character who was so friendly. She had friends in the past, but now she started to realise that her friends weren't that friendly after all, in comparison to this person. The house where she was given a room was very close, as it was on the same side of the town.

After reaching it, she felt a little bit sad to part with her new friend, but didn't dare to invite him either. So she bade goodbye and walked inside. After closing the door, she had a sneak peek through the window to find out that Anthony stayed on the street for a short while, deep in his thoughts, before turning around and slowly walking away.

With his hands in his pockets, shirt loose at his back, and black raven hair falling lightly on his shoulders, he looked as relaxed and carefree as a person can be in this world.