Xander: “For one in particular, actually. Do you know how the mage rebellion started?”
Raven: “How?”
Xander: “An affair.”
Raven: “All of this started over an affair?”
Xander: “Yes. Between a member of The Order and a mage. Very scandalous.”
Raven: “What happened?”
Xander: “As you know, it’s very taboo for a jailer to fall for his prisoner. That’s what happened here. A romance formed between a mage named Alexandra and her guard, Aidan.
Raven: “Wait, this sounds familiar.”
Xander: “Ah, so I take it you’ve read the Mage’s Diary?”
Raven: “Yes! That’s my favorite book! Is it based on this?”
Xander: “Loosely. From what I hear, the ending is far happier than what actually happened.”
Raven: “How does it end?”
Xander: “Are you sure you want to hear it?”
Raven nods.
Xander: “It wasn’t…uncommon for such romances to take place during that time. What makes this one different was the circumstances. Aidan was the son of an Elder in The Order. When their relationship was found out, they made an example of him.”
Raven: “What did they do?”
Xander: *sighs* “They…executed her right in front of him. Burned her there, in that spot.”
Raven: “Oh my god. How could they do that?”
Xander: “How else to you ensure obedience? That wasn’t the worst of it. They found her diary not long after her death. She was pregnant. Can you imagine? Having to plead for your life and for that of your unborn child? News of the brutality of her death spread throughout the citadel. Rage turned into riot, riot into rebellion. Once the war was over, this memorial was built to remember ‘the mother of the rebellion’.”
Raven: “Whatever happened to Aidan?”
Xander: “He was exiled by The Order. It’s said that he went into madness, saying he could see the ghost of his love. Regardless, he died a broken man.”
Raven: “That’s the saddest story I’ve ever heard.”
Xander: “Indeed. That is why we have to remember our history and the mistakes of our past so that we do not make them in the present. It sounds like it’s getting worse outside. We should start rounding everyone up.”
Enchanter Sweetwater: “Good afternoon, class. I’m sure you would all like to know who the young man who’s standing behind me is. This is my new assistant, Xander. He’s studying to be an enchanter himself, so he will be observing and helping me with classroom protocol as needed. Please welcome him and treat him with the respect that you would give me. Would you like to say anything, Xander?”
Xander: “Um...just that Arcane History is my favorite subject and that I look forward to meeting all of you and helping you get the most out of this class.”
Enchanter Sweetwater: “Well said. Now, on that note, I’ve arranged for a trip to the first Citadel that was established before it was moved to Glimmerbrook. I will not be able to attend but rest assured Xander is very knowledgeable on the subject and will fill in for my absence. Raven will you come here, please?”
Raven: “Uh, yes sir.”
Enchanter Sweetwater: “Xander, this is Raven Winter. She’s my best student in the class.”
Xander: “Nice to meet you, Raven.”
Raven: “Um, you too, Xander.”
Enchanter Sweetwater: “Raven, will you assist Xander while I’m gone?”
