Mercy Chapter 19

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Chapter 19

Previously ...

“Faith! I think we’ve found a way to flush Brand out!”

And now ...

“What? Really?” Faith exclaimed.

“Yeah, come on, our magic teachers will help explain.” Arwen said.

The two girls went to the magic building, and came into a room where several teachers were waiting for them.

“Arwen said you guys might have found a way to track Brand?” Faith asked once they were seated.

“Yes, dear, but to confirm our suspicions, we would like to to examine your memory of your encounter with him.” One of the teachers said.

“How can we do that?” asked Faith.

“Just focus on that moment, and we’ll recreate the image of him.”

Faith took a deep breath, and tried to recall her encounter with Brand. Soon, hovering just above the table was an image of Brand as she had seen him.

Arwen pointed at the markings on Brand’s body and asked, “Was I right?”

“Yes.” One of the teachers said.

“Right about what?” Faith asked.

“These markings. From the way you described them, we assumed they were glyphs, or summoning tattoos, like what you have. But they are much less ... complete than that. They are like ... crib notes for spells.” Arwen said, excitedly.

“Crib notes?” Faith asked.

“A way of cheating, my dear. A dishonest student would write probable answers to an upcoming test on their body, hoping to not be noticed.”

“So what does this mean for tracking Brand?”

“Such ... messy spellcasting leaves a trace, dear. A magic trace we can search for, and soon be able to find him, wherever he may be.”

“And it means one other thing. We believe it means Brand is not cooperating with Vendetta. He’s ... resisting, at least to some degree.”

“How can you tell that?” Faith asked.

“Because unless Brand is a fool, which I don’t think he is, he has to know those marks can be traced. Maybe not by you, but he has to know this school has magic experts who could do so.”

Faith asked, “Does this mean I should prepare to face him again soon? Like much sooner than his one year deadline?”

“Perhaps, Faith. But before you face him, we want you to be as prepared as possible.”

“So back to studying.” Faith said, with a sigh.

“You’re doing fine, hon. You’ll be ready before you know it.”

“Thanks” Faith said, blushing.

Shortly after Faith left the magic building and went towards Poe. As she walked, she set off a magical alarm she had left in her room to let Talia know she was on her way, in case Talia and her girlfriend were still ... “busy”.

By the time she got to the room, Talia was alone.

“Did you two have fun?” Faith teased.

“I don’t kiss ... or do other things ... and tell” Talia responded, and stuck out her tongue.

Faith giggled, and got ready for bed. She planned to spend some time in her dreamscape letting her family know what she learned about Brand, and while she could do that almost anywhere, her bed was the safest place.

Once in her dreamscape she spent time with Ava, her mother, and of course Fido. She updated them on what had been found out about Brand, and the renewed hope she felt that he could be saved if only Vendetta could be expelled from him.

Then she spent some time studying the Book of the People, hoping to learn more about how to expel an unwanted spirit.

After an hour of reading, she said her goodbyes to Fido, Ava, and her mother, and returned to her bed to get some sleep.

The next day, Faith tried to keep her focus on the here-and-now, and not think too much about Brand and how she could possibly help him.

Fortunately, she found her classes challenging enough to keep her focus, and the day passed without any real trouble.

That night, Faith decided to check on the Night Owls, the small group of students whose biology or powers meant they were up for part or all of the night.

She had just left Poe when she heard a voice call her name from behind her. She turned, and saw a young man in the uniform of campus security. She stopped, and waited for him to catch up.

He stopped a couple of feet away, and his mouth moved, but no sound came out.

Sensing his anxiety, Faith joked “Aren’t you a little short for a security guard?”

He blinked, and then said “Er .. no. I’m Richard. Student auxiliary security.”

There was silence for a moment, and finally Faith asked “Was there something you needed?”

“Oh! Er ... it’s just ... well, perhaps you needed an escort. You know, for safety.”

Faith looked at the young man, and even without touching his mind she could read him like a book. He was attracted to her, but intimated to the point he could hardly put two words together. “I Can look after myself.” she said, with a little mock anger.

“Of course you can! I ... “ He paused, and looked down at his feet. “Of course you can” he repeated softly.

Faith decided to take pity on him, and said, “On the other hand, company is always pleasant. Shall we go?”

The boy looked stunned, and finally stammered “Go? Er, ... I can come with you?”

“Well, only if you hurry up. I do want to meet with the Night Owls before the sun comes up.” Faith replied, while trying to desperately hide a giggle.

For a while, they walked in silence. Faith snuck a look at him once in a while as they walked, and realized he had a dazed expression on his face, like he was afraid he was dreaming and desperately wanted to not do or say anything that would end the dream.

When they got to the small building where the Night Owls held their meetings, Faith paused at the door, and said, “Thank you for your company, Richard.”

Then, impulsively, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and slipped inside the building, leaving the boy standing there with a hand touching his cheek as if he could capture the kiss and keep it forever.

Faith managed to get partway down the hall before she broke out into giggles.

“I guess being a pretty girl does occasionally have perks.” She thought, and then still giggling, she went into the room where the Night Owls were playing games.

The next morning, Faith told Talia about Richard, and both girls giggled.

“I think he would have done anything I asked, poor boy., It was ... a heady feeling, knowing I could do that to him.”

Then Talia sobered, and said, “Now you know a bit of the power a pretty girl can weld over a guy. Make sure it doesn’t go to your head. Abuse that power, and one day you might make a guy angry enough to lash back. Or worse, get addicted to that power, and become a truly awful person.”

“I ... dont want either to happen.” Faith said. “I’ll be careful.”

“Good girl.” Talia said, and the two girls hugged.

“Let’s get dressed and get some breakfast before classes.” Faith said, and the two girl went to do just that.

To be concluded ...

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Comments

Yes, I'm famished!

Your deli or mine? (Giggles Talia!). Loving Hugs!

giggles, Talia.

thanks for the comment.

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Maybe Richard had the

Maybe Richard had the unfortunate result of asking another very pretty girl out and was rejected in a mean way; so he is not real sure of himself now. I can only hope that he will again meet up with Faith and the two of them might "click" to the extent that they at least become very good friends.
Now off to partake of the wonderful buffet found in the Crystal Hall. Yum, Yum

some guys go are a little awkward

but sometimes, those guys are the sweetest people to have in your corner.

thanks for the comment, Janice!

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Learning

I almost forgotten Faith is still learning about being a girl and on top of that a girl with special gift. Being a friend to a boy may also help her knowing more about being a girl in my opinion. I think Richard can be a good friend if not a 'boy friend'. And having many good friend around helping in time of need may be matter of life or death just like in Kayda case, even a monstrous powerhouse like Rohanna owe their life to friends helping them out. Vantier may be an exceptional case though because she is god like. ;)

If Brand can be save, I just hope they all can do it without casualty. Just one thing for sure is Faith will not be alone unless she was caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. Then again she still have Fido by her side, lucky her. hihihi
And who knows bein a 'dog', Fido can sniff Brand from far. ;)

Thank you Dorothy. I always wait for next chapter of Mercy. :)

Tracking hounds

Jamie Lee's picture

Now they know how sloppy the spells were cast, Brand is as good as in the pan. But Faith needs to gain not only knowledge but self confidence before they go after him.

Richard is acting like many boys do who are smitten with a pretty girl. They don't feel they could measure up to other boys who might show interest in the girl. Like they aren't handsome enough to attract the girls' attention. What many boys don't realize is that many girls are able to look beneath the surface and see the real boy encased in flesh. Richard might be just such a boy.

Others have feelings too.

Richard is a good young man

but even good young men sometimes get awkward around pretty girls ...

Thanks for the comment!

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