[ WP ] Write a story about an elderly wizard and his young female apprentice .

He has had many apprentices before. They came in droves, really, journeying far and wide in hopes of becoming his assistant, in hopes of flying under his wings. Oh yes, in his many, many years, the great Arch Mage Mikalah had many apprentices. 
 
 But none quite like her. 
 
 Lachesis sat beside him on the carriage, throwing a fireball back and forth to herself lazily in attempts to preoccupy herself on their long journey. Lachesis may not have been the poster child for femininity or beauty, but that hardly mattered in her line of work. Lachesis had the soul of a warrior, and the tenacity of a dragon, and was one of the most talented young sorceresses he had ever seen. The moment Mikalah saw her, he knew she was destined for greatness. If only she wasn ’ t the most stubborn thing he had ever encountered. 
 
 She was beyond bored, and restless, her foot drumming constantly against the floor and her hands refusing to sit still. Mikalah sighed, slowly closing his eyes. 
 
 “ Patience is the virtue that the grand masters take great pride in, ” he reminded her. 
 
 “ I ’ ve been patient for the last three hours, ” she muttered, now twirling the fireball between her fingers. “ Why couldn ’ t you let me ride a horse, or a gryphon, or SOMETHING, other than keeping me cooped up in this little dingy? ” 
 
 “ We ’ ll be there soon enough, now patience. ” 
 
 Lachesis threw her head back and groaned loudly, the flames evaporating from her hands. But she didn ’ t say anything, and for that Mikalah was grateful. He turned his attention to the carriage window and watched the passing scenery. 
 
 The Autumnvale Forest was quite beautiful in the spring. All the trees were in bloom, with the blossoms covering the entire spectrum, from fiery reds to subtle blues to the most vibrant yellows. He enjoyed this path. If only Lachesis took the time to appreciate it as well. 
 
 “ So have the High Council nagged you at all this week? ” Lachesis teased, breaking the silence. At this, Mikalah ’ s weathered face showed the wisp of a smile. 
 
 “ Oh, just the other day, as a matter of fact. ” He turned back to her. “ They are VERY concerned about your work in Demonology. ‘ A fine young lady shouldn ’ t be parading around with a demon, much less a Beta demon ’ “ Mikalah mocked with a laugh. 
 
 Lachesis laughed as well. “ Well, let me summon Skit and have him shove his pitchfork right up their crotchety old arses! ” 
 
 “ Language, ” Mikalah scolded, but only half-heartedly. He couldn ’ t help but feel a pang of guilt deep within his chest. He knew full well how talented Lachesis was in the... darker arts. And she was fully aware of the High Council ’ s disapproval in studying such magic. 
 
 “ But just because it ’ s dark magic doesn ’ t make it innately evil! ” Lachesis had argued. “ It is wholly misunderstood because of this ridiculous stigma attached to Shadow magic! There is so much undiscovered potential! Throw aside these ridiculous taboos and let magicians understand it! ” 
 
 She was right of course, and Mikalah fully supported her. He had done some tampering of his own, but not nearly to the extent Lachesis had. And she was good at it. She was a master of shadow magic, and had grown to be a master. She was famous for her work, for taming ferocious demons and quelling the vilest of curses. She was known across the lands as the most prominent shadow magician in the land 
 But this journey... Mikalah sighed again. It would not be a pleasant one. 
 
 More time passed. Lachesis nodded off to sleep briefly, but the constant potholes kept waking her up, so with a muttered “ Hell with it ” she proceeded to stare out the window. A city appeared on the horizon, and she sat up when she saw it. 
 
 “ Caveros? ” she muttered. “ What are we doing here? ” 
 
 “ We have a meeting with the High Council, ” Mikalah said calmly, masking his own dread. She spun to face him. 
 
 “ What the Hell for?! ” she exclaimed. “ Oh Hell, did I break another law I was totally unaware of? ” 
 
 Mikalah smiled briefly. “ No, no you haven ’ t. ” 
 
 “ So? ” 
 
 “ They didn ’ t say. They simply requested our presence. ” 
 
 “ Ok, definitely not good news then. ” 
 
 “ I ’ m afraid not. ” 
 
 Now Lachesis was twisting her hands together out of nervousness than out of boredom. The next ten minutes just approaching the Council Square were the most agonizing she had to endure. Usually when the High Council summoned her, they were never shy to say why, whether it was because she broke some obscure magic law, or she had accidentally blew up half an alchemy lab, or even when she had successfully tamed a Beta demon ( which wasn ’ t even illegal! ) they weren ’ t shy to reprimand her harshly before she even set foot in the Square. The uncertainty made her nervous. 
 
 The carriage finally stopped in front of a massive palace-like structure, with towering pillars and a great golden dome. This was the Council Square, the headquarters for the world ’ s greatest magicians. And home to the High Council of Grand Magicians. 
 
 Lachesis gulped as she climbed the many pearly stairs to the front doors. 
 
 Mikalah and Lachesis were greeted unceremoniously by a pair of guards and escorted down the gilded halls, lined with gold leaf pillars and brilliant murals that covered every inch of exposed wall space. Stained glass windows sent a cascade of rainbows across the marble floors. It truly was a magnificent place. 
 
 If only Lachesis ’ s nerves would quiet themselves. 
 
 They entered the Council Room, and before the two of them stood a circular room, and at the head behind a massive ornate table sat the five High Council members, all glaring down at her angrily. 
 
 Lachesis strode confidently to the middle of the room, and bowed. Mikalah followed suit. 
 
 The head of the table cleared his throat and spoke up. “ Lachesis, do you know why you were summoned here? ” 
 
 “ No, sir, ” she said. She glanced up at Mikalah, but he didn ’ t dare to meet her gaze. “ Is there something the matter? ” 
 
 “ Summon your... *demon*, ” the head said venomously. 
 
 **CONTINUED**
