Can't Do it Without You (Revised)

“Hurry up!” I growled at Synna as I strode down the dirt road, my pack slung over one shoulder and my wizard staff in hand. The glare from the mid-morning sun burned my tired eyes; I had stayed up too late last night preparing for today. I ran my other hand through my tangled brown mop of hair in a futile attempt to smooth it down. I grimaced as I touched my chin full of stubble; I hadn’t any time this morning to groom, all thanks to her. My ire at how the day was progressing grew.

“Well, if you let me ride on your shoulder, I wouldn’t be slowing you down,” she mewled as she scampered after me, her small feline frame no match for my long human legs. Synna looked ridiculous trying to keep up. Her white and blue striped fur stuck out in all directions, a sign that she was stressed. Her tongue was hanging out from the exercise, which she was unaccustomed to.

“I don’t want your claws anywhere near me,” I barked. Even though I was angry at her, she was an easy target for predators. I scanned the horizon, over the grassy fields on either side of the road. I knew I should pick her up, to protect her, but I didn’t see anything threatening, yet.

“I swear I didn’t do it, Master Daedrin,” she simpered. “I slept through the whole night.”

“Then you must have clawed through my clothes in your sleep!” I walked faster, incensed by memories of my fancy leather boots and ruby red robe tattered and torn. “And how many times have I told you to use my last name? It’s Master Olsune.”

“Yes, Master Olsune.” Her ears flattened against her head. After a moment of silence, she pointed out, “But I thought you didn’t like that outfit.” Under her breath, she meowed, “Being all stiff and painful.”

I tried to ignore her truthful comments as I glanced down at myself. I had to admit that I was very grateful to be in my comfortable blue robes and work boots. Then I frowned, remembering the extra time it had taken to try to repair my good garments, only to give up and throw on this outfit. “Maybe I should have left you at home!”

“Don’t say that, Master Olsune. You need me at your interview, they said so.” She leapt forward, almost catching up to me. When I didn’t slow, she plopped down on the road and began to cry. Between her sobs, I heard her say, “I’m useful. Yes, I am. Useful.”

I sighed, realizing how harsh I was being. “You’re right. I do need you. You are very useful. I wouldn’t be what I am today if it weren’t for you. And I won’t pass the interview if you’re not by my side.” I stopped and lowered my hand. “I’m sorry for being so mean. Things happen, and I shouldn’t overreact the way I did. How about a ride?”

She bounded up my arm and snuggled across my shoulders, around the back of my neck. “I’ll be better, Master Olsune, I promise.”

“I’m sure you will.” I scratched behind her ear as I continued down the path. “And you can call me Master Daedrin.”

A deep purr rumbled from her belly. “Thank you, Master Daedrin.”

Smiling, I also acceded, “And you’re right, Synna. I am much more at ease in these clothes.”

Her lips curled back in a toothy smile. “It’s what you’d wear when you teach, right? Might as well have them see up front that you don’t like being pretentious.”

A low laugh erupted from my chest as I realized just how well Synna knew me. A modicum of positive energy flowed through me as I focused on the fact that we still could make it, if I hurried.

Walking as fast as I could without dislodging Synna, I rushed along the road. The grassy fields gave way to rolling meadows. Then the first of three hills loomed in front of us. I steeled myself and plowed up the first hill. Panting, I crested over it and sailed down the other side. The second hill was a short bump in the road and posed no obstacle. However, as I got to the top, I spied a problem that I could not ignore.

An old woman was attempting to coax an equally old donkey up the next hill and she was failing miserably. The donkey had squatted itself at the base of the hill. Each time the old woman prodded, the donkey brayed and shook its head, its pack precariously swaying and threatening to fall off.

Synna whispered in my ear, “You can just go around.”

I sighed, knowing I could, yet I could not. My old master, may the gods rest his soul, had taught me many things. One of which was to help those in need, even when you are busy. I trotted down the hill and stopped a few feet away from the old woman, trying to stay clear of the donkey.

“Excuse me, my dear lady. Can I be of assistance?” I asked cordially.

“You can bugger off,” the crone sneered as she continued to tug on the donkey’s reigns. “My obstinate ass here won’t get up over the hill and I need to get to Hirshfield by noon.”

She wasn’t the only one who had to get somewhere by noon. Trying levity, I offered my help again, “Now, my dear lady, that is no way to speak of yourself.”

This stopped her and she stared at me a moment. Synna tensed on my shoulders, probably readying for battle if needed. Then the woman did something I didn’t expect; she laughed. Not a giggle or chuckle, but a deep, belly-wrenching guffaw like my father used to do; may the gods rest his soul.

I smiled politely as she wrapped her arms around herself and wobbled like the monstrous gummy square I had accidentally conjured one night when I was trying for chocolate pudding.

Synna hissed a warning. I petted her head to calm her. There was no danger here, though the woman’s laughter did resemble a seizure.

Finally, the crone’s movements slowed to a stop and she wiped her eyes. “Oh, sonny. Thank you. I haven’t laughed that hard in decades.” She smiled a toothy smile, not unlike Synna’s, but with fewer teeth. She turned back to her donkey and sighed. “Unless you got some Grittlebunk Gourd, there’s not much you can do.”

My nose wrinkled automatically from the remembrance of the disgusting thing that passed for food. I glanced at the donkey and realized that it would take such a horrible creature to like such a horrible vegetable. I remembered how happy I was as a child when spring finally arrived so my mother would no longer be able to feed the green mashed goop to me.

“Oh,” I said out loud as I realized that it was early fall. There would be no Grittlebunk Gourd for several more months.

“Yeah,” she replied. “I ran out several weeks ago. This mule gets more and more stubborn every year. Used to be, I could stock enough to last me the year, but this beast eats it all up by late summer.” She tugged on the reigns, but the donkey didn’t even blink.

“I can help you,” I finally said, realizing I was getting too engrossed in her problems and needed to get back to mine. I closed my eyes and concentrated on summoning an endless basket of Grittlebunk Gourd. Sensing my intentions, Synna pressed a paw against my neck and transferred some of her energy to me.

Through my mind floated the words of my late master, may---yada, yada, done enough praying today. Whenever the chance is upon you to help others with your magic, do so. But remember not to give your gift permanence, else you will be taken advantage of.

It took me several minutes to prepare the spell, much longer than normal for I had to weave in conditions for how long the basket would last. Sifting through the many choices, I settled on having it end when she reached Hirshfield. I also added the caveat that if she detoured to any other destination, the basket would disappear.

The last thing I needed was for her to make a fortune off Grittlebunk Gourds. Though, how anyone could make money off the foul things was beyond me. Still, I didn’t want to take any chances.

Once the spell was set, I drew upon the energy around me and in me to conjure the basket. Hands held forward, a ball of crackling magic swirled between my palms. The spell ran through me, from my mind to my hands and out to the magic sphere. I opened my eyes to see the basket appear. As the magic faded, it dropped into my hands.

Feeling a little light-headed from the exertion, I almost dropped the basket as I held it out to the old woman. “Here, this should solve your problem of getting the donkey to Hirshfield.”

The woman’s eyes gleamed with that awful, greedy glint I had seen in many people’s eyes before. She snatched the basket and hugged it close to her. As she turned to the donkey and held out a gourd, she exclaimed, “Thanks so much, sonny! You’ve indeed solved my problems.” Cackling, she started feeding the donkey, which miraculously got up and slowly started following the nasty-smelling gourd.

I was about to clarify, when Synna again whispered in my ear, “She won’t listen, and we don’t have time. Not if you want to make it to your interview, Master Daedrin.”

I sighed inwardly and said to the woman, “Have a good day, my dear woman.” With that, I quickly passed the lumbering pair. Sprinting to the top of the hill, I nearly rolled down the other side in my rush to make up for lost time.

The hills flattened out to fields of flowers and a babbling brook joined alongside the road. It was very peaceful and I took the time to absorb energy from my surroundings, unsure of what we would face next. Soon, we reached a crossroads. I paused long enough to read the signs. One sign pointed left and read Hirshfield. The other sign pointed right and read Magic Academy. I turned down the right path and again increased my pace.

“You could cast a haste spell?” she purred.

“No,” I replied. “The instructions were clear. Any use of magic to transport directly to the Academy will eliminate the applicant from consideration.”

“That’s stupid,” she hissed.

I shrugged, almost dislodging Synna from my shoulders. She dug her nails in and I winced in pain. Biting my tongue, I muttered, “Let’s not worry about it. Let’s just get there.”

Synna’s claws released my flesh as she mumbled, “Sorry.”

As I walked, I tried to appreciate the beauty around me. Lining the path were trees in various stages of life. Some were still in full bloom and their sweet fragrance assaulted my nose. Others had progressed to leaves of red, gold and yellow which drifted off the tree, landing on me as I passed below. The birds' high-pitched songs assailed my ears.

As I longed for the silence of home, I felt a chill as a cloud shielded the overhead sun. I glanced up, not remembering there being any clouds in sight when we started down this path.

A deafening roar froze me in my tracks. Synna looked up and shrieked. A large bronze dragon flew overhead, belching fire. I ducked as a line of flame scorched the trees to the side. Synna scrambled off my shoulder and stood in front of my crouched form.

As the dragon circled for another strike, Synna started to glow as she drew magic power to her from our surroundings. Not having any spells in my repertoire to battle such a foe, I gave my magic to Synna. I closed my eyes and used my wizard staff to focus on her. As the energy rose up in me, I guided it down my arms as I touched her back. Under my hand, I could feel her grow, not just in magical power, but size.

I opened my eyes to see her transform into a large feline with wings. Her blue and white stripes morphed into elaborate swirls, hypnotic and beautiful. She roared as she took off, the wind from her wings blowing me back. My staff flew from my hand as I landed hard, though my pack softened the impact a little. Dazed and drained, I lay prone watching her battle the dragon in the air. Though the dragon was stronger with a fiery breath, Synna was agile and deadly with her claws.

They circled each other several times becoming a bronze and blue blur in the sky. Suddenly, the dragon dove at Synna. I cringed and almost looked away, but breathed a sigh of relief when Synna nimbly swerved out of harm’s way. It roared at her and spat short bursts of fire. Zigging and zagging, Synna was able to dodge all of the blasts.

My heart beat fast in my chest as fear clawed at me. Synna had never fought a beast so large. I wasn’t sure if she could do it, and there was nothing I could do to help her. I only knew basic combat skills and a dragon was anything but basic.

Flying high above, Synna folded her wings in to dive-bomb the dragon’s back. It didn’t seem to notice her as it was focusing back on me. My eyes went wide as it dived towards me. I scrambled to my feet and started to run when I heard a high pitch roar.

I looked over my shoulder to see Synna fly away from the beast with bits of bronzed scale and dripping blood in her claws. The dragon’s eyes burned bright red as it reared back to breathe fire. A large, hot blast shot forth towards Synna.

“Synna!” I yelled, my heart leaping into my throat.

Synna again dodged the fire and zoomed in to strike its neck, raking more scales and rending flesh. It cried out and started to flee, but not before it blasted at Synna one last time. Twisting in the air, most of the shot missed her except for one wing, which burst into flame.

“No!” I cried. As she spiraled down, I manipulated the air around me, hoping I had enough left in me. Just before she hit the ground, I sent up a small gust of air to slow her descent. It worked, though she still crumpled on the path ahead. As she rolled around, putting the fire out, I ran to her side to tend her wounds. Once the fire was extinguished and she lay still, I laid my hands on her wing and cast a basic healing spell, using up all my remaining energy.

As the minutes ticked by, her breathing steadied and she lifted her head. “Thank you, Master Daedrin.”

A few more minutes were needed to complete the spell. When I gingerly touched her wing and she didn’t flinch, I smiled at her. “You are welcome. And thank you.”

I looked up at the sky, realizing that the time for the appointment had passed. I sighed, all my dreams of becoming a teacher flying from me. I watched as Synna returned to her normal cat-like form, no signs of the battle marring her fur.

She came over to me and rubbed against my leg, trying to give me hope. “Maybe if you explain what happened, they’ll be lenient.”

“No,” I said firmly. “No excuses. I didn’t make it because I didn’t give myself enough time to handle any situations that may have arisen.”

All of a sudden, thunder rolled and a crack of lighting struck the ground nearby. When the dust cleared, Alrin Tadnus, headmaster of the Magic Academy, stood before us. Though clean cut and dressed professionally, he was a robust and hardy man. He was also grinning from ear to ear.

“Congratulations Daedrin Olsune. You have passed the tests.” The headmaster strode forward, hand extended. Numbly, I offered my hand. He shook it with all his might. Wincing, I withdrew my hand and let it fall limp to my side. I stood there, unable to form a single coherent thought.

“Come.” He slapped me on the back. “We have much to do before the term starts next week. Your quarters need to be prepared. We have an office ready as well as your designated classrooms. You’ll be teaching Familiars 101 through 105. Once you’ve got some teaching under your belt, we’ll see about promoting you to teach the higher level classes.”

“Wait a minute,” I interjected, finally comprehending what was going on. “I got the job?”

“Yes, you did my boy!” He laughed. “Your application was outstanding in terms of accomplishments and education, and your recommendations were glowing. The only things we wanted to test were your strength of character as well as your relationship with your familiar, which is key to teaching students about familiars. ‘Live what you teach’ is our motto. And now it’s yours.”

Synna leapt with joy as she exclaimed, “I knew you could do it, Master Daedrin.”

Grinning from ear to ear, I replied as I scooped Synna up in my arms, “We did it Synna. I couldn’t have done it without you.”


(2,925 words)