Aldric Mulgrew scanned the scroll again. He mouthed the words and mimicked the motions being described as he read. Well, the spell seemed simple enough. He laid the scroll down. He focused on the apple on the table in front of him. He uttered the words to the spell and made the motion. The apple did nothing. Aldric frowned. Did he do it wrong? He scanned the spell again. No, that should have been right. He glanced back to the apple. Suddenly, the apple began drying up and withering until it was barely the size of the core. Ah! There was a delay. Aldric wet his quill and jotted down a note about the delay. This would not be good for an instant need. Not until he mastered it.<br/><br/>The small brass clock next to him chimed. He glanced at it. It was late. Much later than he though it was. He rolled the scroll up and replaced the tie. He set it on the shelf with the rest of his current studies. Tomorrow, he would look into having Harlan re-organize the shelves. They were in need of dusting, too. His apprentice was fine kid. He learned well. The boy was just not as motivated as Aldric would like. Young men without a little ambition worried him. Aldric felt as though it was a waste of his time if the boy did not go on to achieve something. It didn't even have to be anything grand or even great. Owning a magic shop would suffice. Harlan just struck him as a young man who would go through the ten years of wizard training only to be a cabbage farmer. This training was an investment to be used.<br/><br/>Aldric stood up and stretched. He was too tired to mull over his dreams for Harlan anymore. He had walked from his study to the front entryway when the doorbell rang. Aldric's eyebrows raised. Keena's breath, who is calling this late? Aldric felt a touch nervous and curious. He readied a spell, just in case. He approached the door and opened it. He recognized Ronald, a local courier. Ronald smiled and waved.<br/><br/>"Good evening, Ronald."<br/><br/>"Good evening, Aldric. Letter from the council."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">A letter from the council?</span>Aldric was both relieved and yet more concerned. He nodded and paid Ronald what he was due including a tip. After saying goodbye, Aldric closed the door, staring intently at the letter. He stood directly over the candle burning by the door.<span style="font-style: italic">Oh, dear. This isn't good.</span>He could not understand why two people who break such a deep, well-established law. Inter-marriage and...breeding... among the magical lines has been forbidden since ancient times. It was even frowned upon to be seen in regular, intimate company with one from the other side. But to make a child? He shook his head. Now there would only be pain for them. He grimaced. Taking the life of a child would not please him, but it must be done.<br/><br/>Aldric plodded off to bed. He awoke early the next morning. It was good that he didn't sleep much. Others might have been off-set by the lack of eight hours of sleep. He packed a heavy-duty backpack, preparing for a great journey. He left a note for Harlan when he came in today. He was leaving him to clean and organize the study. It would take several days. After he was done, he was to report to the council hall in town. They would see that he's studies continued while Aldric was gone. Once he was satisfied that all of his loose ends were tied, he set of at a decent pace to check in with the council before he left. The revelation awaiting him there was one he never saw coming.