“Only just getting back, Barton?” Leo asked as Barton walked to the table he was sitting at.
“Yes. I was forced to stay and see my spell through. I sent a message with Kay.”
“I got it. I was just asking to ask.”
“Where’s Xan?”
“I’m still overwhelmed that you have a Kentai as your Betave.” Leo thought on that. Betave was just a crude joining of ‘better’ and ‘half’. When a magician was born, sometimes a creature of the forest would come to him. This creature would ultimately take on more human characteristics. It would do so in much the same as a Kentai, so one could clearly see what the animal was, even though it had been altered. Its height either grew or diminished to around the same two feet as a Kentai.
The Betave was a direct extension of the magician it was connected to—all its secrets, desires, and everything else. This made Betaves valuable assets depending on the status of the magician. Along with learning to speak, they gained certain magical qualities and were almost as hard to catch as unicorns. But being so valuable never stopped others from trying to capture them and extract secrets from them; this was even harder to do than actually catching them.
Betaves matured by the tenth name day of the magician, and their magical strength was determined much like the magician’s strength, based solely on their ability to learn, train and grow. If an animal didn’t naturally come on the birth date, at age five the child would pick any creature of its liking.
Leo was always shocked to hear that Xan was there the day he was found. Kentais were one of the three spirits of the realm. They almost never became a Betave and were revered by all humans. Why would he, a nobody, be of interest to a creature such as this? Things like this only happened to great wizards, whether good, bad or both. They accomplished great things. Being a musician, it just didn’t add up to him. But now that he knew he was something more, it was becoming clear. He could only hope what he would do to make history wasn’t going to be evil.
After thinking about this, Leo thought about Barton’s story. He didn’t entirely believe his explanation for staying with Torak so long but couldn’t find an alternative. He was going to have to deal with it another time.
Kay, Barton’s Betave, was a rabbit. Unlike Kale’s joining with Danais, a Betave’s joining meant the start of that direct connection that made their thoughts and actions, though independent, as one with the magician. Kay was also attracted to the eyes. Barton’s were grey. She adopted it into her fur, a lovely shimmering grey. She was previously a tan rabbit, and she loved her new form now that she’d transformed. As Betaves go, she was exceptional. She made the transition from mere rabbit to talking magical being smoothly. And as all Betaves have wings, she went for hawk-style wings for herself. It was her favourite bird before she became enlightened. The wings disappeared into a Betave’s body when not flying. All Kentais naturally had wings, but they looked more like angels’ wings than those of a bird of prey, they were also completely retractable into the body.
“You are right, it is impressive, but even Xan has praise for Kay. She may not be a spirit of the earth, but she’s exceptional. Xan trains her sometimes,” Leo responded back to Barton.
“I’m just happy he deems me worthy to talk to. I know it’s more than special to have a Kentai talk to a human. Xan. Kay.” Barton said as the two of them arrived.
“We were training. Xan is an excellent teacher,” Kay said.
“Learning lies in the abilities of the student. Even the best teachers can do nothing for the inept,” Xan said.
“Don’t compliment her. It’s not good for Barton’s head,” Leo said.
“My head,” Barton said in protest.
“Yes. Kay can take a compliment with dignity,” Leo said, and Barton playfully scoffed. Xan was snowy white with blue eyes just like Leo’s.
“Walk with me,” Barton said, and the two of them headed out into the streets. Kay and Xan climbed up onto their shoulders and sat as the two walked. Leo knew exactly where this was going, but he refused to broach the subject. He was going to stall as long as he could.
“So you had a nice time today?” Barton asked.
“It was okay. Nothing to thank the gods for.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I wake up to a beautiful woman, have an extended lunch, a late afternoon rest, and now I’m here with you.”
“So would it be safe to assume he was the person from the dock.”
“Pardon?” Leo was stumped. He was prepared to be drilled about him acting out of sorts during the lunch. He had his answers—denials actually—all lined up. This, however, was not a question he prepared for. He was going to have to think fast.
“So I see I am right.”
“That is merely an assumption.”
“Then why the informal introduction? Trying to get him to like you before knowing who you are?”
“That’s insane.” Leo was glad to be back to the lunch. This accusation he could respond to. “Why would I be pining for someone I just met?”
“Unless you hadn’t just met.”
“Again: only assumptions.”
“Why so defensive?” Barton had a very calm smile across his face.
“Uh, because I’m being attacked,” Leo said.
“I’m just asking for answers, and you have neither confirmed nor answered anything.”
“He’s a child. I’m ten years his senior.”
“Bah. Age is but a number. And he may be young, but he is clearly well trained and capable of serious talk. He’ll mature fast enough. And don’t you deny that you were evaluating him as well.”
“Why can’t you let me be?”
“I’ve never seen your mind so preoccupied after a mere glimpse. For our whole walk through the market, you were in a daze. You only came out once we saw Mai’n. More than two hours of floating on air, that was.”
“And you wouldn’t let me walk him home,” Leo finally relented. He knew Barton was going to keep at it till he admitted it. He wondered why not admit it with a statement, instead of a direct answer
“No. You’re going to have to work for this one. No easy bedding.”
“I have a feeling it would be hard work without your interference,” Leo said as they reached the dock. They walked out to one of the emptiest loading platforms and sat on the pier. The smell of salt air and wood was calming to them both. The glow of the city reflected in the water, giving the ripples a nice sparkle.
Leo thought about Danais: green eyes, skin the tone of perfectly milked chocolate, and an infectious laugh.
“It was obvious I was taken with him. I could not hide it. I doubt he noticed. I got him too drunk.”
“He thinks of you as a Richie, so that’s not a good start. And he’s an ungifted Atorathian.”
“The lowest of peasants. I know. I feel like a fool. He’s bound to have ill feelings toward magicians. Especially if he gets stoned or attacked often, like today. It can’t work.”
“This is true.”
“Then why do I not care?”
“Well, you aren’t getting any younger,” Kay said. Leo tried to give her an evil glare, but it was weak. Xan laughed at his feeble attempt. “Why haven’t I seen him before? Three years I’ve been travelling to the town.”
“Destiny. It just was time,” Barton responded.
“He will be good for you. For us. Pursue him,” Xan spoke in a way that only a Kentai would—clearly stating it as an order, but leaving room for freedom of choice.
“Do you see this, Xan?” Leo asked. He wanted to know if it was a vision or just intuition.
“I had a vision. It tells me this is the road to travel.”
“Then I’ll follow. Did you find your brother?”
“You’ll meet him on the seventh day.”
“Is he also a Betave?”
“I cannot say. He did not reveal all in our mind link, as it is not time.” Leo knew Xan well enough to know that this was wordplay. The more accurate statement was that it wasn’t time for Leo to know. As Leo stared into space, wondering about the discoveries of the day, Xan made eye contact with Kay. She nodded in receipt of the message. This went unnoticed by both magicians.
Finding out there was more to himself was one thing. However, finding out that Barton isn’t who he seemed as well was also intriguing. And what were the odds of meeting someone and having Xan tell him it was wise to pursue his interest? He was also going to meet Xan’s brother at the end of the week, and he would be coming with a human. But Leo had no idea if he was coming as a Betave or a regular companion. He was certain there was a connection but couldn’t find it. Some piece was missing. A small clue he couldn’t grasp. Good things came in time though, and Leo was a patient man. Maybe the answer would come in the morning.
“What are you doing?” Barton asked.
“Removing my clothing. I’m going for a swim,” Leo said, then dove into the water. Xan dove in right after. “You joining us?”
While Leo was underwater, Kay looked at Barton. He too nodded in receipt of message. Barton decided a swim wouldn’t be so bad as he stripped and jumped into the water.
“Now don’t you try anything. My betrothed would not approve,” Barton jested as he swam to Leo.
“What you mean is she’d be jealous.”
“Bah. Who cares about wording?”
“Besides, you aren’t my type.”
“Ah, so I don’t have green eyes and aren’t chocolate enough.” Leo shoved him underwater in response to that comment. Xan and Kay laughed.
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