A Mage Born Ch. 01

Note: There is only a hint of sex in this chapter.

***

It was a nice day in Erette. There was a thin layer of clouds that spread across the sky, serving only to dapple that sky in a more pale blue than the usual and contrasted against the gaps between those clouds. The temperature was surprisingly comfortable for the time of year, but that wouldn't last long. Soon the transitional rains would come and then the cold would descend and the world would be blanketed in white.

Until that happened though, the streets of the markets would be bustling in celebration of today's good weather as much as for the normal course of business that drove everyone in the city here in the same way that everyone was drawn to the markets in their own cities. It was one of the few places where all classes mingled.

There were still overt examples of stratification, of course. The poor were quickly moved out of the section of the markets frequented by the upper classes if they were simply there to dream of things they could never afford to buy and the upper classes didn't often frequent the section inhabited by vendors from the poorer southern quarter. And, if they did, they almost never browsed. There was one specific quilt maker or baker that they knew of, got in, got their goods and got out before their fear of being a victim of crime got the better of them. There was crime, of course, but it was nowhere near the level of prevalence that the elite whispered about to one another. Or before they were somehow contaminated by exposure to the lesser peoples.

Many loud voices were the sign of a good day.

On any other day like today Hanah might have managed to lose herself in the wares to be had or at least the idle chatter with the merchants as they tried to get her attention, sell her a bauble, or just discuss the day during an ebb in business. But today was not one of those days. Today was one of the days where she waited impatiently and looking at the wares for sale was something to do to distract herself while she did. It was almost always a mix of emotions, which caused anxiety by itself.

There was excitement at what the afternoon might hold and fear that it may not happen at all. Sometimes it didn't happen. Sometimes it couldn't and, the worst part was, there was no way to know beforehand which way the day would go because there was no real way to get a message to her one way or the other. So Hanah would do what she would always do: wait as long as possible, then head home. Sometimes she'd buy herself a little something as a consolation and to tell herself that the day wasn't a total waste.

Every moment that went by, even when it was still early enough that she really didn't have to entertain the idea that her love might not be able to make it, like now, deflated her a little. As those moments piled onto one another she would fight with herself, asking herself why she put herself through the torture of it all.

You're never going to be together, not really. Why do you waste your time, Hanah? Goddess, you're young, you're attractive, so why are you doing this to yourself? You could at least find someone who isn't someone else's. You could find someone that could at least be there for you and be there with you. You...

When she looked up from the small ceramic pieces she'd been looking at while interrogating herself to see Dina moving briskly up the stone walkway. For her part, Dina moved quickly to reach her goal: to escape her life for a time with someone she adored. For a while she could pretend that everything was as she always hoped it would be. There were no constraints on in these moments and the next, however many there would be.

There were no familial obligations that led her to a man that she did not love or want. There was no living in the daily torment that came with knowing you were mated to a monster. His veneer of a reputable merchant hid the fact that at least half of his wealth came from the darkest vices in this kingdom and at least two others. No vice was beneath his ability to cater to so long as the price could be met, and he maintained control over all of it through any means necessary. If threats could be mollified with kind words, invites to parties where those threats could make new connections, or simply be bribed or purchased outright, so be it. If those threats needed to be ended, they were ended in brutal fashion, as much to send a message to others as to end the problem.

Dina learned who he was a piece at a time. She knew that he tried to keep it from her, at least in the beginning. It was a matter of a piece of paper left behind here, or a bit of conversation overheard there. Maybe he thought she wouldn't care because she was absolutely well taken care of and wanted for nothing. Maybe he just thought she was too stupid to put it all together. Whatever the case, a life with him that already felt like a prison sentence now felt like daily torture.

But, ahead of her, for a time, was peace, and she couldn't get to it fast enough. It was just a personal quirk to her that she felt few women could wear their hair short and still look feminine. Hanah managed it. The style of her thin chestnut brown hair seemed playful, much like the woman herself and it helped to emphasize her delicate cheekbones and brows. Add to the mix her doe eyes and a broad, easy smile and Dina fell for her so completely that there were almost no words for what she felt. She's who I belong to. She's who I belong with. A twinge of sadness tempered the smile for a moment, as the idea of the two of them together with any permanence seemed like a fantasy.

But for now, right now, she could live it. The two embraced briefly, but fiercely, both keenly aware of exactly how long would be appropriate before glances became stares. "So good to see you, Hanah." Dina's nose lingered near her neck just to experience her sweet, spicy perfume.

"You as well, Dina. " She looked to the other, hungering for a moment for the soft pear-shaped form beneath.

Dina noticed the lingering glance. "How is the shopping today? Is there anything that piques your interest?"

The corner of her mouth turned up, "One or two things; how is your day?"

Dina's tone carried a hint of mirth and conspiracy. "It goes well, even if things are a bit boring at the moment."

"Boring?"

"Yes, sadly," she opined, her green eyes sparkling in a way that Hanah always found almost hypnotic. "With only the servants at home until late, I'm left to my own devices all day and into the night."

Hanah's mind wandered to really the only way she was really interested in wiling away the afternoon. "Such a shame, that your day has been so boring, that is. So you've come here to shop about and see if you can find something that appeals?"

"As I often do," Dina said, walking down the path, letting her fingers graze along a green and white tapestry, glancing at Hanah and trying with only some success to suppress a smile. "But you know me, I'm very particular about what what moves me. It has to be beautiful...stunning, really. Just looking upon it has to make my heart skip a beat. It has to be so unique and so one-of-a-kind that I simply must make it mine."

"You do seem very passionate about what you want," Hanah said coyly.

"How could I not be? So many people have things in their lives and no appreciation for them. Because I am so fickle I value those things in my life and look forward to the moment every day when I can look upon them again, be in their presence and have that moment again where my heart stops to look upon them."

Hanah drew closer to her as they passed a kiosk of various ceramic works. Some of them seemed so fine she feared even touching them. Her hand rested on Dina's for a long moment before picking up a small curio with a cartoonishly depicted bird that looked so adorable that she resolved to come back for it if it was still there. "You have a unique perspective, my lady. I should like to hear more."

Dina's eyes closed at the touch, submerging herself in what others would see as such a small thing. It sated her cravings and fed them at once, "Should we go to the inn and discuss it?"

"I found a different place," Hanah said smoothly. "I understand how...delicate such discussions can be and why we shouldn't be seen arguing so routinely. It's not as nice as the inn, but it's quaint and it's clean."

"Sounds wonderful. I think you should show it to me."

* * *

Hanah was right. It was a smaller place that usually only saw much business when the larger inns in the city were full, but it was nice enough. The rooms felt barely large enough for two and this one felt smaller still because, by accident or design, it lacked a window. Lamplight created dancing shadows everywhere, and the lack of a view to the outside world and the small size of the room created in Dina an extra feeling of liberation with the seclusion. She could simply be, and be with who she was meant to be with.

Thoughts of love for Hanah were always there. Sometimes they were the only things that got her through the day. But now they took a backseat to the hunger that was a part of her being almost equal to the love. They carefully but quickly removed the shackles of propriety that kept them apart and hidden from one another, letting the other unbutton, untie, pull and peel them away until gravity took them. The two would confine themselves within them once again soon enough.

But, for now, they were free.

Hanah took a moment to let her eyes feast upon Dina's voluptuous form. Her heavy breasts and wide hips were some of the ways Hanah defined femininity and desirability though, honestly, every body type had its charm. Dina's body was a dream to Hanah, her voice like a song, and her touch, like answered prayers from the Goddess. This was why she came to the market and sometimes wasted her days. This was why she scolded herself mercilessly when she went home alone, swearing that she would break it off because going home alone cut too deep, but, with a note from Dina, she would be back at the markets waiting.

The squeak she heard when she bit the flesh of Dina's neck sent a tingle through her entire body, "My, you are ready, aren't you?"

"I have been ready for days," Dina breathed, craning her neck to capture Hanah's pink, puffy left nipple to suck it and bat it about. "Oh, how I've missed you, Hanah."

"I was afraid you wouldn't be able to come."

The other sighed. "It was all I could do not to leap in joy when I knew I'd have the day."

Hanah let her fingers run through Dina's hair as she tweaked the nipple with her tongue and pulled it gently with her teeth. "Since you made me wait so, you should kiss me by way of a proper apology."

Dina's smiled, looking up at the eyes that always seemed to sparkle, "I think I've only given you a few dozen so far, I certainly think I owe you a few more."

"Seems reasonable." Hanah took her shoulders and pushed her back roughly. Taking the cue Dina scurried back on the bed as Hanah crawled on her knees to position herself over her lover. Giving a smile, she leaned forward and gripped the headboard firmly with both hands and waited for the kisses to come.

The kisses came.

So did Hanah.

* * *

They didn't need a window to know that the afternoon was bleeding into evening and their time together was running short, which made Hanah's heart ache anew. That warmth and sense of absolute security was about to vanish again for who knows how long this time. She kept much of the ache from her voice just because letting it out was unlikely to change anything and do nothing but ruin their last few moments. She decided on the honest, yet generic, "I wish you didn't have to go."

Dina's thumb traced its way along her lips, and she smiled when Hanah's lips pursed to kiss it. She needed to burn every moment of their time together into her mind, for sometimes it was all that sustained her until the next time. "So do I. I wish it could be different." Tears threatened to roll down her cheeks, "But some choices made cannot be unmade...no matter how much I would want them to be so."

"We could just go." It was something she'd given thought to a thousand times, but had never spoken until just that moment because she knew how that path would resolve itself. "We could just pack up some belongings and go. We could simply ride out and be gone. I have a friend that owns a trade ship; spices and oils. One note to him and we could slip away, your husband would never know where we went."

Dina let her eyes close and, for a moment, let herself be on the deck of that ship. She let herself smell the salt in the air and feel the wind against her cheeks. She let herself have the freedom and wonder of where they might end up. She let herself feel the joy of knowing that as long as the two of them were together it didn't matter.

That moment faded when the fear and dread of reality made its way back into her mind and soul. "We can't. He would know. He'd find us no matter where we went. We'd never have peace."

"So you will just remain a prisoner for the rest of your life?"

She wanted to sob. "It's the only way to avoid things much worse."

Hanah believed she understood, letting her hand drag down Dina's arm as she rolled out of bed and began to collect her clothes. "I know you're worried for your family, but once we were settled somewhere, I'm sure we could make some arrangement. It couldn't be as helpful as you can be now, but we would do all we could do, I promise."

"That's not it," Dina said quickly, not wanting to begin to confess what she knew because she was afraid she wouldn't be able to stop talking and that, eventually, Hanah would flee as fast as her legs could carry her. What she thought she knew included things even worse and those were things she didn't want to have confirmed because she might never sleep again.

Even though that would probably be the best thing for her. All you do is hurt each other. You can never be together and you know it, but you're too gutless and selfish to break it off like you know you should.

But Dina just couldn't. She knew she should, but these moments were the only time she felt alive. She left almost all the fear and dread out of her voice, "I wish it were that simple."

Hanah held her gaze as she dressed. "What if it were?"

Dina puzzled over the words because the impossible was impossible. "What do you mean?"

"Just what I said," she continued as she began to methodically button herself into her dress. She had done this often enough in small rooms with no mirror to speak of that she could feel how she looked, certain to leave the room looking as neat as she looked when she entered it. "What if I could come up with a way that we could slip away and he really would never be able to find us?"

It was simply an insane dream, but part of her wanted to grab onto it with both hands, "How?"

She buttoned from bottom to top, "Leave the details to me, but, if I could do it, would you want to?"

"Yes," Dina said almost before Hanah even finished speaking. Rationality took the reins a moment later however, "Before we go ahead, I'd have to know what the plan is and we'd have to talk it all through first."

She shook her head and smirked, "Of course, my darling." Dressed now, she leaned down for a long, rapturous, goodbye kiss, taking her time as she felt her tongue caress hers and tasted her breath. The kiss broke with a soft pop, "But next time we will really have something to talk about between bouts of eating that lovely pussy until my tongue goes numb. Until next time, my heart."

"Until then." Her fingers brushed Hanah's cheek as they parted and she watched the other go. They never arrived or left their meeting places at the same time. Dina loved that time when it was her turn to linger. The scent of them together lingered in the air and she usually spent the time remembering the best moments of this time, imagining the next, and daydreaming about the life that couldn't be. She watched the lamplight dance along the walls and ceiling because the shapes could be anything; the possibilities were almost endless.

She had no idea what Hanah could plan to make their dreams possible. Honestly, she believed that nothing would come of it, but she found bliss for the next hour or so contemplating those possibilities and fashioning those dreams. Reality could go to the depths.

At least for a while.

She focused on those fantasies so completely on the way home in the hopes that that they might replenish the reservoir of endurance that she called upon to survive her days that she didn't notice the tall, lean man watching her intently from across the street when she finally did leave the inn.

* * *

This is probably not a good idea. It's the only idea, but it's probably not a good one. That thought bounced around in her mind as she paced the living room of her small, modest home. Her grandmother had provided her with a few baubles since she had no other grandchildren to leave them to. They didn't amount to a lot. She didn't have the wealth to do anything she wished like the High Houses, but she was left with enough to have a nest egg and see her way through an emergency or two.

She hoped it would be enough.

It will be. It has to be. Of course, she had no idea what would be asked of her because she'd never dealt with the mages. She'd always heard rumors and whispers, of course. If you needed healing you couldn't afford, needed things done that weren't exactly legal, or needed things that simply couldn't be done without magic, there were mages practiced in all manner of forbidden skills that could meet those needs or wants...for a price.

She'd heard the stories of healing, which were certainly believable because healing magics had been part of the world for countless years. Some of the other stories were less believable, but with the very word 'magic' being attached, nothing could be discounted as unbelievable. The only other thing she'd heard about dealing with the mage guilds was that they kept up their end of any deal and were...unkind...to those that failed to keep up theirs. Knowing that, she made the choice to ask a friend to pass a message like a chain to their friends until they reached the one that had some contact with the guilds.

She told herself that she certainly wasn't going to make promises to them that she couldn't keep. She felt a quick rush of fear as she followed that thought to its logical conclusion, What if they ask something you can't give? How far are you willing to go? Her mind began spiraling towards all the possibilities, finding that, in the end, there would be very little that she wouldn't do to have that future with Dina.

Hanah understood Dina was frightened for her family and concerned that her husband might take it out on them, so it'd be up to Hanah to take the first steps. So engrossed in thought she was, that when the door knocker rapped against the wood three times in rapid succession she nearly jumped from her skin. The silence hung heavy after the sound as she fought back another wave of trepidation, almost literally trying to flee it as she headed to the door, deliberately slowing her pace. Calm down. You haven't committed to anything. You're just going to talk, it'll be fine.

She opened the door to find a most unassuming young woman in a blue gray dress with gold buttons and white lace at the cuffs and collars. Her eyes were an almost translucent green with her hair naturally curly and brown. Her plump frame and round cheeks implied youth, but there was something in the way that she carried herself just standing there that implied more. Perhaps she was as nervous as Hanah, even though she hid it far better. Unlikely, but at least it made the young woman feel better to think so. "Hello," she began, clearing her throat to lower the pitch of the sound that came out. "Can I help you?"