I Built This City Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Read chapter 24 of I Built This City by ThePudding on NovelPedia.

Apprentice Ellen Ellen found Miriam just where she’d been told the mage would be: down by the riverside. She didn’t approach immediately. Miriam had warmed up to her in the dungeon, but when they’d returned to the village the blonde woman had retreated back to her sullen scowl. Ellen wasn’t sure what to make of it, so she was hesitant to just call out. That hesitation let her hear the soft singing that Miriam was doing. Ellen couldn’t make out the words, but the pleasant melody and the lovely voice of the mage were giving it a soft, soothing tone that Ellen couldn’t help but stop and listen to. She nearly forgot, for a moment, why she’d come down to this place to begin with. As the song faded, Ellen crept closer, letting her boots make the faint squish of someone approaching on the damp mud of the shoreline. The noise caught Miriam’s attention, and the blonde whipped about, scowl on her face already. Not a good sign. Ellen waved politely and smiled. “Hi, Miriam. Pretty song. Sorry for interrupting, I just wanted to see you before you left tomorrow morning. Do you… have a few minutes to talk about something?” For a moment, Ellen thought Miriam’s glare would continue, and that she’d be denied any chance to speak to the mage. The woman’s scowl visibly softened after the initial stare, and Ellen relaxed. “Is it something you need another girl who isn’t your sister to talk about?” Miriam chuckled. “I’m afraid if you want romantic advice, neither of my companions are good choices.” Ellen blinked, her face warming at the misunderstanding. “Really? What’s wrong with Vincent? He seems—wait, no, that’s not why I’m here! Don’t distract me!” She sputtered and waved her arms, causing Miriam to actually laugh. Maybe she wasn’t as hostile as she seemed. With a loud huff, Ellen refocused and tried to get her nerve back. “I was just wondering if you could talk about magic with me,” she explained, gesturing vaguely in the air. “I’m still early enough along that I could change class if I wanted, but… I don’t know if I want. Could you give me the quick explanation like you would a new apprentice? Maybe show me some spells, how I’d cast them? Even if it isn’t for me, maybe my sister could be interested.” Miriam’s smile faded, her eyes looking upon Ellen with a stern, measuring stare. “I don’t think someone already focused on physical fighting will work well as a mage, and I doubt you have the conditioning or the discipline to be a true Hybrid Class.” Ellen’s face fell, eyes dropping away from the woman. She sighed, opening her mouth to apologize. “However, I like your curiosity,” Miriam went on. “And I’m quite bored at the moment. If you can promise me you won’t wander off halfway through, I could share some of what I know.” That sinking feeling vanished immediately as Ellen looked up again, eyes and smile bright. “Oh! I can spare today, it’s fine! I know I’m um… not the best student sometimes, but when I put my mind to something I stick with it!” She stood up to her full height of five foot two and grinned. “I made it all the way out here, didn’t I? That was a long trip!” The mage arched one eyebrow. “You never did say where you were from, Ellen.” Oops. Ellen shook her head quickly. “Not important! I mean it is important but only because… my parents may not have approved, so I’m trying to keep at least a little quiet until I’m more successful, you know? They’re good people, don’t worry, just a little um… they don’t like the idea of me being an adventurer.” Words poured out as Ellen finally let out at least part of her story, her blush rising as she realized she was opening her heart. She snapped her mouth shut before she could say anything more embarrassing. Or revealing. Miriam lightly touched Ellen’s shoulder. “That’s a more common story than you think. My only advice would be to not stay away from your family for too long. They’re worried, if they’re as good as you say they are. I know I wish I would have returned home a few years earlier than