The Silent Mage
Duryn sat on the bench just outside Grand Master Nobu's office; his foot tapped out a furious rhythm. Master Nobu had a way without words. He could snap his fingers and make everyone in a crowded room stop and take note. Duryn's foot froze to the floor.
Normally Duryn was only summoned into one of the Silent Brothers' offices for reprimands, however, today was different. He stood before the simple oaken desk for what seemed an eternity. The beauty of the solitary star-gazer Lilly, the only adornment on the desk, offered no comfort. Duryn's lunch threatened an encore appearance. After a time, Grand Master Nobu slid a copy of the Silent Brothers' charter across the desk to Duryn.
"Grand Master? I don't understand," said Duryn.
Grand Master Nobu put his hands together as if to pray, then opened them like a book. Duryn followed suit and opened the charter. Grand Master Nobu smiled at Duryn.
Duryn began to read. Nobu snapped his fingers, and Duryn began to read aloud. "All brothers must tend their own fields. Tend your own field first before you offer help. Never do anything that you are not willing to pay the price for; the consequences are unknowable. All words have power, actions have consequences, debts have collectors." Grand Master Nobu closed the book for him.
"I still don't understand."
Grand Master Nobu turned up his right hand, followed by his left, and then gestured toward Duryn. In that moment Duryn understood. He must weigh his options and make a choice. Change his ways, or ring the bell of submission.
"I never thought a few harmless pranks would cause this much of a disturbance. It's just, well, none of the brothers seem to remember how to have fun."
Grand Master Nobu nodded his understanding. He brought out two pieces of paper and placed them face down and again gestured toward Duryn.
"This is a difficult choice, drastically alter my lifestyle for my chosen path, or choose an easier path. I have shamed myself Grand Master and for that I..."
Grand Master Nobu stopped Duryn from finishing his sentence, and produced a third piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Duryn.
"This paper is one of three. Which of the other two you receive depends on your choice. I caution you to think carefully and deeply about your choice. Life here is different from your earlier life, all of us had to adjust to life in the sanctuary. If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life."
"I understand, but I don't think I could live my life without joy, without fun. I thought becoming a brother would be the greatest thing ever. I love magic, even the smallest things I have seen done are amazing." Duryn hung his head. "I just don't think I have what it takes."
Grand Master Nobu's gentle smile faded. He nodded and handed one of the two papers to Duryn. It read, "There is no shame in the choice you have made, however, I urge you to reconsider. There may yet be aspects of life at the sanctuary, which you have not yet experienced. Remember, you cannot un-ring a bell."
Duryn regarded the note for a few minutes. He took a deep breath and said, "I understand. Please gather the brothers, I wish to apologize and say goodbye." Master Nobu nodded.
***
Duryn made his apologies and said his goodbyes before picking the striker up from its stand. He took a deep breath.
An unknown voice intruded upon the sanctuary. "Stop!"
The brothers searched for the source of the unknown voice. Their eyes finally settling on a boy of no more than ten summers running toward them. When he arrived he pushed past the brothers, went straight to Duryn and handed him a piece of paper.
Master Nobu signed something and one of the initiates interpreted. "Who are you? What is the meaning of this?"
The boy turned not to the interpreter but to Master Nobu. "A thousand apologies Master Nobu, but I am here to un-ring a bell."
Master Nobu's hands dropped to his side, stunned into stillness. Duryn dropped the striker. Master Nobu snapped his fingers and held out his hand. Duryn ran the paper to him. When Master Nobu had read the note, he placed the note on the ground and began what seemed a dance. This was no ordinary dance, his hands and feet flowed from one position to the next, there was a power to his movements. It was beautiful.
The note began to move about as if trapped in a whirlwind. It rose into the air, a soft golden glow about it. When he finished, Master Nobu plucked the note from the air, inspected it, and sank down into the dirt. The initiates nearby rushed to aid him. He waved them off. One of them grabbed Duryn by the collar and asked, "What did you do, what did the note say?"
"It said, 'Duryn, do not make this mistake again, the bell represents a binding magical contract. One cannot un-ring a bell, so I shall do it for you.' signed, Grand Master Deket. Who is Grand Master Deket, how does he know my name, and what does he mean again?" The wind rustled the leaves in the trees around the courtyard. The initiates were as perplexed as Duryn, but the Silent Brothers looked as if they had seen a ghost.
One of the brothers finally approached and signed, "Grand Master Deket died more than fifty years ago. In his last days, he said he was working on correcting a tragedy. All of us were very confused because we knew of no tragedy. He sequestered himself in his office for days at a time, we had to remind him to eat and drink. He spent his last day in the sanctum. We don't know what he did, but for a Grand Master to cast a written spell is no small undertaking. What is written, cannot be unwritten. A great light poured from the sanctum. When we entered, we found him dead, with his quill in hand, but neither the spellform nor the parchment could be found."
Duryn looked pale. "How could this be from Master Deket if he is dead?"
"We don't know, but Master Nobu verified it, the note is genuine."
Duryn picked up the striker and placed it back on the stand, then retired to his bunk.
