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Gailia awoke to her door being knocked on again. William soon comes in with a tray full of food. She moves to sit in her bed as William puts it on her legs. “ We need to talk."

Gailia takes a piece of toast and bites it. She found herself famished. “ What about?"

William looked away from her. “ If you are going to continue to ignore everything but your books you are going to become unhealthy."

Gailia became surprised in hearing worry in his voice and set the half finished toast down. “ A magician can survive on magic energy alone."

William grabs his hand and looks away from her further. “ It is not only your physical well being. Like it or not I am reliant on you. Not only reliant but dependent. If you become out of touch with the outside world so much you do not need food. How am I to survive?"

Gailia paused again. She had forgotten she is responsible for him as well. “ But if I do not research diligently to grow my power how am I every going to get to a level to take you back home?"

William starts to turn to look at her but stops showing his eye to her a moment. She saw sadness in it. “ And what future in my old home do I have. I have little family, no significant other or children, no direction and no motivation. I work day to day without a break. At best I get along with my coworkers and my brother only sees me when he needs money."

Gailia looks away ashamed. She never considered he may want to stay here with her. “ We need to clarify the terms of our contract."

William continued to look away from her. “ As I understand it I must give you a measure of sustainability. In return you grant me a level equal of service. Being you did all the work with the balms you will receive a sizable sum of the profit. As with anything else you help me with work related you will be rewarded for your contribution. Now with that I will continue to research and grow my power with one goal in mind. That is to find a way to take you home. If you desire to go or not will be taken into account when the time comes. Now being you sense that my habits are not beneficial you will have to keep an eye on me. Making sure I eat, sleep and bathe regularly. As well as do my part on any job we do."

Gailia takes a breath and eats some scrambled eggs with the rest of her toast to let William think on what she said. She was half way threw the plate when he finally looks at her. His face seemed red. “ Will it be fine if we, well kept having sex."

Gailia almost choked half swallowing a bite of food but recovered within a moment. After that she put the food down again. “ I would much enjoy that as well, but it will have to be mutual."

William nods accepting that. “ Now as I understand it I am to be your guard where ever we go. Is this correct?"

Gailia nods before continuing to eat again. “ I would like to have something for me to my preference had. As well as guidelines to go by. An understanding of the laws and customs here will help with this." Gailia nods while still eating thinking that was reasonable. As soon as she was done with what she currently had Gailia gave him a stern look. “ Now for an important matter. The contents of your book and the book itself. If it is found you have such knowledge this will make you a target. You are free to use it in my home or with my permission but any other time you will not. Is this understood?"

William paused hearing her say that. He slowly nods after some consideration. “ I understand."

Gailia sighs relieved and pushed the platter of food away having her fill. “ So tell me of our food reserves."

William looked away. “ What is in front of you is the last." Gailia raised up shocked. Five days or more should not have passed her by so easily. She quickly started to rush toward the door and William caught her shoulder. “ It can wait till after a bath couldn't it?"

Gailia paused and raised her arm to smell under it. He was right. She stunk.

After the wash Gailia set out with a wagon of creates. William followed to be sure none stole any on the way. Gailia was glad William asked the old lady she gets her groceries from to loan the wagon to her. William had made more healing balm when he woke up and continued to do so all day till he tired. When he woke up again he made some the meal for Gailia. As soon as she arrived at the order's delivery center she knew none would steal the delivery.

After filing the paperwork for the job and a few quality control bottles done she was paid. She did not account for a large order for the balm from the army and received almost thirty thousand oZ for the order instead of the fifteen to twenty she thought she would. She let the order hold ten of it and took the rest with her to see to her next job. She gave William half of the money to pay the old lady with as she went shopping herself for some new supplies and books. It cost her three thousand alone to buy the book relating to the gateways magic and she had almost nothing left with her shopping spree done.

She found William again later that day waiting outside her door to her home. The three thousand oZ as his payment had been at least in part spent she noticed by a few straps and belt on him. There were several pockets on each. He seemed to smile seeing her as they pass threw the doorway. “ Tomorrow we will begin our tutoring of the lady princess. You will be my guard and assistant in one."

William nods. “ I had a thought. Sense I am not a fan of magic I was hoping to have something made. I asked that old cat lady to order me some special made armor with most of the money you gave me for the balms. However sense you specialize in magic I was hoping you would complete it. Being that I do not like to have my will further taken from me I want to protect myself from outside influences."

Gailia pauses hearing that and turns to look at him. “ The level of magic craft you are asking for is in the realm of the highest ranks. It is not something I can do overnight."

William nods. “ It will not be in your best interest either if whatever has that bind on me gets altered to use me against you."

Gailia pauses. That point was much more valid than hers. She was not specialized in any form of magic and anyone with a stronger power than her could easily break her control over him. Contract or not. “ I can ward that armor but I do not know how effective it will be. I am a novice at best."

William nods again understanding. “ With your best effort done then I will be content with that. Shall I ready you for your rest at a proper hour?"

Gailia smiles not thinking of even getting any sleep. She only nods to him and they take to their own direction. Gailia got the book from under her robe and took it to the library. She was barely into it's pages when William came in with something to eat for her. He watched her eat it and she was dragged away to a spare bedroom and left to lay in it's bed. Sleep came easy to her and she awoke without a knock this time.

Gailia soon found William in the kitchen just finishing cooking and setting the plate to be carried. He smiled seeing her and they both ate there before taking to the bath to clean up. Gailia put on the first robe she can call her own. The symbol of her house was on it, an eight pointed star inside a circle and outside it a diamond. Inside the star was her mark. She decided to have a gateway there. William wore one of the plain house robes when they left.

The first place they went was the old lady's place to pick up William's armor. A simple vest to be put over his robe. Gailia knew the enchanting for it will take some time after today's lesson. Warding magic was a lot easier if she did not have to worry about physical protection as well. By the look of the vest when he checked it it had several layers of thin steel and chain mesh to stop arrows and bolts, but offered much less protection against something with weight behind it. It was also bulkier than he would like by his reaction of putting it on. She knew simple compression methods she could employ to help with that and they were on their way again.

Gailia did not mistake that William seemed more confident now as they walked. There was also something strange with her as well. She put that aside as they came to the gate of the castle. They only need to be seen for a notified guard to take to leading them threw the maze of halls and corridors before arriving at a garden surrounded by four walls. In it was the princess and her uncle.

Gailia bowed respectfully and William gave a smaller lean forward and nod. The princess seemed happy to see the two of them and came to them joyed. “ You came!"

Gailia looked at her a little happy. “ You do have a contract with me. It is not as if I can ignore it. Now I brought a few items so I can assess your ability."

Gailia went under her robe and first brought out a sphere. The princess was not amused. “ These again? Blue, four by three by five, you twist and pull the lock after you push the key in at an angle. Those your tests?" Gailia puts the orb back and decides to try something else. If she can read it then the princess was far more gifted than her. Gailia pulls a scroll with some of the writing she translated from Williams book. It was a legal notice spell defining ownership. It did not have detailed words but the script was of his homeland. Gailia handed it to the princess and she looked it over. “ The rights to this work belongs to."

The princess then turns it over to see if there was more to it. Gailia opened her jaws shocked. To read such a foreign language with just a glance without any magic to aid her was astounding. Gailia soon controlled herself as she took the scroll back and put it into the storage void built into her robe. She brings out an emblem and hands it over next. “ As custom of a teacher to student I present you the mark of my house."

The princess nods understanding. Gailia guessed accurately that she was not her first magic teacher. The fact she was annoyed by the standard tests made that obvious. “ For the record of the contract state your name and who your teacher is. I am Gailia eighth master of the house of the mystic star."

Her previous thought was confirmed as the princess took to her knees and held up the emblem. “ I Princess Bersa of the kingdom of Jystom decree from now till her tutelage no longer desire that Gailia eighth master of the house of the mystic star is my teacher."

Gailia steps forward and puts a hand on the emblem. “ I Gailia take Bersa as my student. Till a time she no longer desires my knowledge or I have nothing new to teach."

William watched what happened a little surprised to see the light seemed to focus on the two. As if a magnifying glass was focusing the light on them. It seemed to surprise the other there as well. The two took to standing beside one another and now seemed a good time for a little small talk. “ The name is William."

The captain looked at him humored. “ Smart waiting till they are officially student and teacher; Karter."

William offered his hand to him and it was took just like last time. “ If anything happens to her it will reflect badly on Gailia. So I will do all I will as if needed for Gailia."

Karter chuckled humored this time. “ Damn, and here I was thinking you was gentle." William looked down toward his feet. “ I am not fully me. My will is not my own all the time, but for Gailia my will and my desire will likely be the same."

Karter looked at William a little closer. “ I see, a control spell of a summon. A tricky thing. I am not a proprietor of great magic myself. I can only use artifacts and imbue my weapons with my element."

William starts to watch Gailia show her how to make glowing shields looking circles with her hands. Bersa seemed very adept at it. “ Do you know any who can teach me a few skills with longer blades?"

Karter looked at the two training a well. “ I am sure you can find those who will teach you for a few oZ, but I am assuming you already know some basics. You want finer details."

William did not move or say anything. “ As I thought. I am sorry I can not help you." William remained still as Gailia started forming shafts of light. They shattered apart when they hit Bersa shields and Gailia nods pleased seeing her do well and increased the power to a damaging level of her attack. Both Karter and William watched this for a better part of an hour. They both could tell Bersa easily outmatched Gailia in defense. In fact Gailia was becoming exhausted. William stepped forward and lands his foot on a stone. He bends over and picks it up before moving forward again. “ Take a break. I wish to teach her a thing or two."

Gailia looked at him puzzled but nods to gather her strength. “ Turn your back to the door. Do not react till after I open it again. Stop this rock with your magic."

Bersa smiled amused. “ You dare think I fear a pebble?"

William tossed the rock in the air. “ We will start with pebbles. Then we will start using daggers and eventually even faster attacks." Bersa paused still confident. William left and passed threw the doorway and waited. This was one thing he was taught by his co in training when he was overconfident in his own ability. This was just modified to fit the situation. He sighs and the guards outside was curious as he tossed the rock again in the air and caught it again. He pushes threw the door as fast as he could and threw the rock and it passes by her head so fast she was only half turned looking at where it passed by her. Bersa took a moment to compose herself before laughing. “ Is that all?"

Karter looked at William surprised. He saw him have a decent throw arm and he was not sure if he could have dodged that in such a situation. “ What good is all your magic if that pebble was a dagger and I was not aiming to miss you?"

Bersa paused. “ What if I was an assassin hired to kill you just now?"

Bersa went wide eyed. “ Do not mistake things for the illusions they are." Bersa turns away angry. “ I can have you killed for saying such things." William gave her a cold look that made her pause. “ Do not forget who has who's life at their whim!" Bersa backed away frightened and Karter step's in between them. William sighs annoyed. “ And the lesson gone. What is she to do if she is attacked by bandits or worse? Who will save her when all her guard are dead? Would you enjoy her beaten and raped before being killed off, if she was lucky enough to receive that fate?" Karter looked at him surprised. The fact Gailia had not spoken up to stop him told him he should not have tried to protect her either. Gailia did not look happy but she did not disapprove he noticed. “ You are trying to teach a child the adult world."

William picks up another rock and gently tosses it to Karter. “ You do not need to be a man to kill do you?"

Karter paused hearing that. What history did he have to say that he wondered. “ Perhaps I was a little too hard on her. I intended to only teach her to hone her reflexes and reaction speed. Not having my own will made me have no restraint."

Karter looked at the stone he was given a moment. “ Perhaps to move on with the original lesson then. You say that your lesson is as important as your masters?" William looked at Gailia. “ She is not my master! I have none!"

The two of them looked surprised as he said that and even Gailia was slightly shocked. “ But I am under her care. That much is true. Back to the reason we are here. Tell me why I had her turn her back to the door. She knew it was coming but did not have her defenses ready at a moment. You reacted faster than her. Tell us how?"

Karter took a moment to look at the princess. She was still slightly in shock and not ready for more training. “ I have spent my whole life preparing to be a warrior. As a boy I was taught how to fight."

William nods and looks at Bersa. “ The truth is unforgiving. The same can be said of your home and mine. If you let down your guard then you be ready to put it back up in a moments notice. But then it is as if you never let it down in the first place."

William pauses to look at Karter again. “ The speed of her body and thoughts. For those like you and me they come natural threw training. But there is some things that training can not teach you. Gailia can teach her magic. I can teach her ways of using that magic."

Karter almost smiled in thought. “ I see, you hope for a bonus then?"

William shook his head. “ Even one like me who has almost no idea about magic can tell she has had many tutors. Perhaps you will keep her on if more than magic is taught."

Gailia stands and moves to William's side. “ I am a young sorceress and before that I lived in the world without shelter you have had. What practical I can teach you is little and while I teach you I grow my own power. I knew her power outstripped mine when she was able to enter the order's office without being bound to a house. It was my foolishness to let him take over while I caught my breath. For that I must ask for forgiveness."

Gailia bowed her head and William followed her lead. “ And with this the limit of my tutelage is reached. All you have learned you can master on your own. Come William." Gailia turns to leave and William follows. They were not a few steps away when Bersa moves past her uncle. “ Wait! You still have more to teach me."

Gailia stops and William does as well. Only she turns back to look. “ The only other magic I know in proficiency is not for the likes of a princess. And a master can not be bested by their student at every turn." Bersa paused and looked away sad. “ This is the first time I wanted something for myself. I do not want it to."

Bersa pauses again tears in her eyes. “ What he said is true. I should gain the ability to take care of myself. I put up a strong front because I was scared."

William looked over his shoulder. “ I was afraid the first time I saw my own death come for me. I have been in the state so much I have grown use to it. That is no way to live. It is your life and I had no right to show you my nature like that. For that I apologize. Come on Gailia, I feel like going out to eat today."

Gailia looked at him surprised as he starts to follow her when she starts moving again. “ Wait I want to say one more thing. Teacher I know of your past and that magic you do not want to teach me. Not an hour after I made it known of your visit I heard word from the servants."

William got to the door and opened it as Gailia turned back again. Before she said anything she went under her robe and got out a book. “ This is a book on gateways. Read it thoroughly before you try anything in it. The mark of my house is a key and guide to the gateway to my house. If you find yourself in need come to me. Come if you desire to read from my library or wish to serve me like a proper student. If you have a problem and wish to talk my door is open to you."

Gailia set the book on the ground and passes by William. “ Will you not need it?"

Gailia pauses her step and answers without looking back. “ I have read it already. At my level I would never hope to use anything in it's pages that I would need to reference the book for, but when you have mastered it's pages return it to my library." William closed the door and they were gone.