Topaz 4

Returning to the cabin, Topaz found Haran diligently chopping firewood. Split logs were piled high around him. Merdina, with a single arm, was carrying and stacking an enormous pile of firewood. Karjen, returning with only a basket, tilted his head as he observed them.

“Why are you chopping firewood?”

Even in the northernmost regions, known for their harsh winters, this was the seventh month, the warmest time of the year. It wasn’t cold enough to warrant a fire in the hearth.

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“This cabin doesn’t have hot water or climate control. If you want to wash with cold water and eat only dried grains for a week, I won’t stop you.”

“Ah… so it’s for washing and cooking? You should have said so.”

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Karjen smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Stand back, it could be dangerous.”

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Karjen moved his hand in the air. With a careless flourish that barely qualified as a hand sign, a small flame appeared.

“This flame can burn without fuel. It’s sustained by my mana. May I make it a little larger?”

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“…..”

A magically created flame. Topaz felt a flicker of unwanted fascination, but he managed a nod. Perhaps sensing his apprehension, Karjen said, “I’ll change the color a bit,” and the flame shifted to a vibrant blue.

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The beautiful blue flame flickered from his fingertips. Just as it grew to the size of a fist,

“Cough.”

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Karjen suddenly coughed, covering his mouth. The flame, deprived of his concentration, vanished like a candle in the wind. Karjen’s eyes widened.

The first thing Topaz registered was the familiar scent of blood. Then he saw the reddish liquid seeping between Karjen’s fingers.

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“Karjen!”

The two knights rushed forward.

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“Are you alright?”

“Hmm?”

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Karjen looked down at his hand, his expression suggesting he had no idea why there was blood there. Such an idiot…

“Open your mouth.”

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Topaz gripped the back of Karjen’s neck, tilting his head down, and pressed a piece of undyed cloth to his lips. Another cough, and the faint metallic scent of blood spread through the air.

“I’ll get a cloth and some water.”

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“I’ll get it.”

Haran hurried into the cabin. As if finally realizing the gravity of the situation, Karjen’s eyes drooped.

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“I suppose I won’t be able to light the fire…”

His voice was slightly muffled by the cloth. Still not thinking straight. Annoyed, Topaz pressed the cloth more firmly over his mouth and nose.

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“I can’t breathe, Topaz…”

Karjen mumbled, feebly tugging at his wrist.

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***

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In the dead of night, careful but not entirely stealthy footsteps echoed on the cabin’s wooden floor. A creak, the soft sound of a door opening, followed by rustling movement. Someone was sneaking into the room like a stray cat.

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Instead of stealing anything, the stray cat knelt by the bed, seemingly observing Topaz, who was lying down.

“Are you asleep?”

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A hand reached towards his face, accompanied by a soft question.

“No.”

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Thwack. Topaz, without opening his eyes, grabbed the wrist. As he opened his eyes, he saw Karjen sitting beside the bed, as expected.

Even with his wrist caught, Karjen wasn’t surprised. He simply smiled, as if he’d known Topaz was awake all along. Topaz released his grip and sat up.

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Karjen’s gaze followed the red hair cascading over his shoulders. Was he reaching for my hair instead of my face? Neither scenario made much sense.

“If you’d been holding a weapon, I would have attacked you.”

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“Of course you would.”

His tone suggested it was only natural. Topaz frowned. He couldn’t fathom this mage’s intentions.

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“Topaz, would you mind sharing your bed with me again tonight?”

Karjen rested his freed arms on the bed and pressed his pale cheek against them. His upturned face, as beautiful as a lily, held no trace of threat.

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“Why?”

“As you saw earlier, I’m still recovering… I need looking after.”

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“Your friends are right outside.”

“Neither of them is particularly skilled in patient care. If I go up to the attic, Merdina will remove the ladder with an annoyed look on his face, and Haran sleeps so soundly he wouldn’t notice if I died beside him.”

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“There are knights who sleep that soundly?”

“Indeed. So, it would be best if you looked after me, Topaz.”

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“If you die, there’s not much I can do about it.”

Karjen chuckled softly.

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“Still, I feel safer with you.”

Safer with someone he’d known for only three days, barely a day from his perspective. It was an incomprehensible line of reasoning, but Topaz reminded himself once again that Karjen was a mage. Perhaps he was desperately restraining the urge to dissect his head and study his brain.

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Topaz considered briefly. The sickly mage had coughed up blood earlier; a more comfortable bed would be beneficial. The fact that the only comfortable bed was his own was a problem, but it was large enough for two.

…And it would be troublesome if he died after I’d gone to the trouble of saving him.

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“Get in.”

“Truly?”

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With permission granted, Karjen quickly scrambled into bed, his blue eyes shining even in the darkness. It was quite a feat to appear delicate with a frame that nearly filled the doorway.

Topaz pulled back the thin blanket, and Karjen snuggled in beside him, pulling the covers up to his chin and murmuring about how warm it was.

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Warm in summer? He must be delirious with fever.

Karjen shifted, turning to face Topaz.

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“You’re awfully trusting, Topaz.”

“I can take you down barehanded.”

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“Even though I’m a mage?”

“I could cut out your tongue before you finish your incantation.”

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“Haha.”

Karjen chuckled softly. He brought his hands out from under the covers and placed them meekly on top. Then he whispered, “Shall I show you something?”

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Before Topaz could answer, the room, previously devoid of moonlight, was bathed in a golden glow. Topaz bolted upright, reaching for the scabbard at his bedside. He pointed it at Karjen’s throat.

Karjen hadn’t spoken any words, and his hands, resting on the blanket, hadn’t moved. The magic had been activated before Topaz had even sensed it.

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“What did you do?”

The magic Karjen had cast wasn’t aggressive. Golden dust trailed up the walls and across the ceiling, creating a fleeting constellation before fading away.

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But if Karjen had intended to kill him, could Topaz have stopped him?

A long-forgotten tension gripped him. Despite the cold scabbard pressed against his throat, Karjen remained unperturbed.

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“Not all mages require lengthy incantations. So, be careful when you keep a mage close.”

“You can cast magic without words or gestures?”

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He’d never heard of such a thing. Mages typically performed complex mental calculations before channeling their mana through words or hand signs. The more they could abbreviate the process, the more skilled they were. It was common knowledge that when facing a mage, one should first restrain their hands and mouth.

If mages didn’t require any medium to cast their spells, they would be far more dangerous. Like Karjen, right now.

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Having revealed a secret that would make him an instant research subject in the Mage Tower, Karjen playfully brought a finger to his lips.

“Shh. It’s a secret shared only among my close acquaintances.”

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“…Why are you telling me?”

His excessive familiarity, undeserved given their brief acquaintance, made him even more suspicious. But Karjen’s reply was disarmingly simple.

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“You’re my savior. I doubt you’d harm someone you saved for no reason.”

It was a naive sentiment. Topaz felt like he was dealing with a child as he lowered the scabbard. He sighed, realizing just how young the face before him actually was.

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“You shouldn’t trust people so easily.”

There were countless people who killed without reason. Or perhaps, anything could be a reason. Blocking someone’s path, or simply disliking their appearance, could be enough justification for some.

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“I don’t.”

Karjen smiled faintly in the darkness. Topaz couldn’t decipher his thoughts. He stretched his leg under the covers and nudged Karjen’s ankle, a movement closer to a kick. Karjen flinched.

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“Get out.”

“What?”

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“I can’t let someone as suspicious as you sleep in my bed. Get out.”

“Wait, Topaz. I’ll be perfectly still now…”

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“How can I trust you?”

“Ah… I think my recovery is incomplete. Just a simple spell, and yet… I’m so sleepy…”

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“Don’t play games with me.”

“Mmm. Goodnight, Topaz.”

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Karjen fumbled with the covers, then began to breathe evenly. It was so regular it sounded fake. Topaz sighed and pulled the blanket over himself, thinking that he wouldn’t tolerate any more nonsense.