An Apprentice’s Lesson
Erotic Evocations Book 1
By: Cassandra Harper
Published by Cassandra Harper at Smashwords
Copyright 2012 Cassandra Harper
Smashwords Edition
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The following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event.
Mikkael squinted at the beaker in concentration. The purple liquid was bubbling merrily, darkening in hue as he watched. As it started to blacken, he pulled it from the fire and set it in an ice bath. Steam rolled out around the edge of the bowl. The potion was nearly complete. Mikkael prepared a small bottle, and once the potion had cooled sufficiently he poured it into the bottle, and sealed it with a cork stopper. Smiling in satisfaction, he held it up to a nearby candle. No light showed through the inky liquid and he knew he had finally been successful. The potion, one that would enhance the user’s night vision, was a particularly difficult potion to brew, requiring several hours of observation and careful mixtures.
Maybe now Kelben will finally let me move along in my studies, Mikkael thought as he cleaned up the workstation. His mentor had been strictly opposed to allowing him to try more complicated potions, though Mikkael thought many of the recipes looked simpler than the one he had just completed. There was no use arguing with the old man, however. As kindhearted as Kelben was, he was also as stubborn as a mule.
Mikkael had just finished cleaning up when Kelben walked in. Although the age disparity between them was nearly three decades, Kelben could have passed for Mikkael’s older brother. The only differences between them were stark. Mikkael’s raven black hair was in direct contrast to Kelben’s steel grey. The colors of their eyes were similarly at odds; Mikkael had dark brown eyes while Kelben’s were light blue. Beyond that they had similar builds. Part of Mikkael’s requirements for being Kelben’s apprentice was to keep himself in peak physical condition. The use of magic was highly demanding, requiring prolonged stamina and heightened concentration.
“Have you finished yet?” Kelben asked casually. This was another tactic of his. By adopting an air of nonchalance, Kelben could feign ignorance of Mikkael’s progress with his work, and therefore test Mikkael’s knowledge of the current subject.
“Yes, sir. The potion came out perfectly this time. You were right, I was using too many newt tails,” Mikkael responded. He knew the game, and played it well. By now he knew to acknowledge any hints his teacher had given him, proving he did indeed listen during his lessons!
“Very good, Mikkael. Once you can reproduce your results reliably we shall move on to the next chapter in your text. For now, let me show you the proper technique for preparing and storing essence of fairy wings. While there are many uses for this ingredient, it happens to be the main ingredient in a fairly potent love potion.” So began many of his lessens, with Kelben explaining the various practices and implements of magical subjects.
For the first hour Kelben described the natural habitat and basic behaviors of the fairies themselves, before going on to explain their use in potions and some spells. This was Mikkael’s favorite part of the lesson. He admired his mentor and the way Kelben’s voice became impassioned as he spoke. Mikkael found himself enthralled as the hours passed, absorbing all the knowledge Kelben had to give him.
“Come Mikkael, we will move on to the practical portion of this lesson,” Kelben said while walking to the work table. He began pulling various instruments out of drawers, and taking bottles down from shelves. Mikkael moved to join him. Their proximity caused Mikkael’s heartbeat to quicken, though he tried his best to maintain an inner calm. Emotions played a large part in the creation of potions, and Mikkael needed to be careful to avoid interference. Still, it was difficult to remain calm while standing so close to Kelben. The tower in which Kelben lived was in an isolated location, and Mikkael had not left since his apprenticeship began.