When Time Stood Still

Cassandra was young for a wizard. At 27 years old, she was the youngest wizard tutor for hundreds of miles. Some would call her a witch, but a name like that carried such a stigma. Witchcraft is an incredibly misunderstood form of magic. Thanks a lot, Salem.

“Professor Anker, I don’t quite understand the purpose of this,” Eric said, pointing to his ancient textbook. While Eric was older than Cassy, being 29, he was much younger than the textbook, dated 1297 AD. “What is the point of turning a man into a chicken?”

Cassandra gracefully approached his office desk, placing her hands on the edge of the mahogany surface and leaned toward Eric and the textbook. Glancing at the text, and then to his forest green eyes.

“Eric, not everything in magic has an obvious purpose.” Anker replied. “But, I guess you could finally determine why the chicken crossed the road.” She smiled at him and he chuckled.

Their relationship was a bit strange for Cassandra. She had only recently been anointed as a wizard at the request of her dying uncle. After practicing witchcraft for her entire life, the title of wizard seemed pedantic to her. But she loved her uncle Don, he raised her after her parents were slaughtered by Quay in the battle of Hyppe. She was only 11 when her parents died. An only-child with nowhere to turn.

“Have you thought about why you want to be a wizard, Eric?” Cassandra asked inquisitively, furrowing her brow and staring deep into his mind.

“Don’t try your mind tricks on me, Professor Ankers” he said through a smile. “Us Tissot’s are impermeable to wizardly mind tricks.” He crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. Cassandra stepped back, respecting Eric in his own house. She nodded towards him and turned facing a large bookcase on the wall.

“Are these all for show, or have you actually read them?” She asked, motioning towards the bookcase filled with magical texts ranging from ancient to modern. On the wall, there was a framed scroll that must have been 2,000 years old.

“I have tried, but I don’t have an amazing grasp on the Asusian language.” Eric said, standing up and approaching Professor Ankers. He walked up to her left and stopped, standing shoulder to shoulder. At 6’1 he towered over her.

“Nearly everything you see here was passed down to me from my parents. From generation to generation.” Eric said proudly.

Along with this mansion of a house, Cassy thought to herself.

He stood there, looking up with his hands on his waist in amazement. The collection of books stretched from wall to wall. There must have been thousands of books.

“Do you mind if I ask, what happened to your parents?” She wondered aloud. Almost instantly regretting the question.

“No, it’s fine,” he replied. “Their disappearance remains a mystery. They were on a routine mission to Osklen when they vanished about 16 years ago”

“Quay….” Ankers whispered, terrified to even utter the name. Eric stared at her, perplexed by this name he’s never heard.

“Quay? What does that mean?” He asked.

“Oh, nothing. It's just a saying in Asurian, don't worry about it.” She replied. “I think we’re finished for today. Let’s pick back up tomorrow where we left off. Turning people into pigs, was it?” She smiled to ease the mood.

“OK, if you insist Professor Ankers.” He told her. She locked her hands front of her skirt and gave him a soft smile. Eric was charmed by her, even smitten at times.

Suddenly, time stood still as she held her gaze. Eric began to look around awkwardly. In a panic, he shifted from side to side to get her attention.

Oh no, it’s happened again. Eric thought. Well, this is going to be hard to explain.