the one who remembers

With his notebook in hand, Cale sat on the floor in front of Aaron and studied while the High-Magician slept behind him. He had bought medicine from an elderly lady in town and then returned to his house, but Aaron had been asleep for a good four hours now. So he had taken off his uniform and made himself comfortable in front of him, keeping an eye on his guest and talking to the Eldest.

They had talked for some time about the progress in Altona until the topic turned to Aaron and Cale had the opportunity to explain what was going on.

<"I don't think Aaron has been sick once in the last 50 years. He's cut or burned himself a few times, but that's rare. Was it different? In your other lives, I mean.">

<"No. At least not that I can remember.">

<"Really strange. What I said to him back then must have bothered him quite a bit.">

<"Did you argue with him?">

<"Not really, no. I talked to him normally. Who would have thought that a small mistake would lead to such a chain of events.">

<"Maybe it's not so bad, I had the opportunity to talk to him calmly, even if I didn't want him to be here.">

<"Have you decided if you want to let him in on it?">, the Eldest finally spoke up, so Cale looked up from his book and leaned back.

<"I promised Aaron back then, but I don't know if now is the right time. If I tell Aaron, then I want to tell him everything and, ideally, show him.">

<"Even the dragons?">

<"Especially the dragons.">

<"Then let me know when you think the right time has come. Just remember that Aaron is a very clever man. Sooner or later, he will realize that my secrets and your secrets are the same."

"I know, I've had that problem before."

Cale sighed quietly and closed his eyes as he listened to the light drizzle and thought about what he actually had to do. Sir Freigoud and Sir Venlan seemed to have a positive opinion of him, and he had built a good relationship with Ben's father in particular. However, the question of how exactly he was supposed to achieve this high position remained unanswered. Perhaps Karekama's announcement had not been such a bad thing, even though Cale had not yet figured out how to use the situation to his advantage.

He quickly opened his eyes and looked down at his book. He memorized the relationships between the individual noble families and how much influence each family actually had. Pure theory to supplement all the names and faces Cale had learned some time ago. He stared at his diagram as the Eldest continued.

<"By the way, I have contacted the leaders.">

<"Really?">

<"Yes. As you said, I contacted the leaders directly and told them that we have discovered people whose mana cycles have been destroyed.">

<"They will be curious to know how much the Magistrat knows.">

<"Certainly. We will gather at the end of the month. Do you want to be present?">

<"If it's okay with you.">

<"Since you are much more knowledgeable about the subject than I am, I'd prefere it.">

<"All right. As Zod Adenia or as a mage?">

<"Whichever you prefer">, explained the Eldest, which made Cale smile. The man always took into consideration what Cale thought was best, and he liked knowing that the Eldest now trusted him completely.

<"I'll think about it. Where will the meeting take place?">

<"In Norgram, but I'll let you know when I have more detailed information.">

<"Thank you.">

<"I should be thanking you">, the Eldest simply replied and said goodbye a few moments later.

Silence returned to his thoughts. Frignez would be easy to win over, as the leaders knew about the Thormods and, moreover, had no prejudices against dragons. He looked down at his book for a few minutes when there was movement behind him and Aaron spoke up.

"Zod?"

"Good morning", Cale replied hostilely and closed his notes. He turned around at the same time, so that he was now kneeling in front of Aaron, watching her slowly sit up. "How are you feeling?"

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"A little better than this morning."

"I'm glad to hear that. I brought you your medication", Cale interjected, pointing to the pills he had already prepared. "The doctor gave me two, one for a mild fever and one for a high fever, which works faster."

"I would take the latter."

"All right", Cale replied, standing up as Aaron also sat up and looked around with sleepy eyes. He seemed really exhausted, which is why he wanted to use the strengths, but he didn't say anything.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"A little over five hours", Cale explained and took the small tablets out of the small, light-colored cloth bag before going back to Aaron with the glass. "These are relatively strong, so don't take too many. Also, the lady said that they make you quite tired, just as a warning."

"I haven't slept that much in a long time."

"I thought so", Cale replied amusedly and handed both to the High-Magician, who thanked him again. Without a word, he popped the pill into his mouth and emptied the entire glass in large gulps. With a loud sigh, he put the glass down and leaned back against the backrest while Cale sat down next to him.

"I know I'm repeating myself, but I'm really sorry. I didn't want to put you in an uncomfortable... in an uncomfortable situation again."

"I think the situation is much more uncomfortable for you than it is for me", Cale said amusedly, leaning to one side while Aaron put an arm over his head. "It must be strange for you to find yourself alone in a completely unfamiliar house, especially with people you've known for barely two days."

"I'd be lying if I said no. You must feel the same way. You don't know me, but you're letting a stranger into your house and, even worse, close to your daughter."

"I know what I need to know. You're a kind-hearted person", Cale began, causing Aaron to turn to him with a slightly irritated look. "And I'd be more worried that my daughter would hurt you than the other way around."

"She's just a little girl."

"Don't underestimate Ahri, that would be a big mistake. She may seem like a child, but she is incredibly mature and educated."

"I don't doubt that for a second", Aaron replied, remaining half-lying, half-sitting. After a few months of silence, Cale spoke up.

"Are you hungry?"

"Not right now, I have no appetite at all."

"All right. If you change your mind, let me know. I'm a good cook, if I may say so myself."

"Should I believe that?"

"Of course. I worked in a restaurant for some time, you know."

"Really? May I ask where?"

"Here and there, but mainly here in Bellator, even though it was a long time ago. Incidentally, I was also a waiter until a few weeks ago, before I started working as a soldier", Cale commented with a nostalgic smile on his face, which Aaron couldn't see because he was covering his eyes.

"Then you could almost open your own shop."

"A restaurant?"

"Yes."

"Probably not, it's too much work and you're always tied to that place. I'm far too free-spirited to like that."

"Aren't you in a similar situation right now?"

"I have my reasons for doing this, even though I could find much better jobs."

"I assume one of the reasons is Ahri?"

"You could say that", Cale replied indirectly. He wasn't actually here in Bellator because of Ahri, but he owed his identity to her. So she was definitely one of the reasons he was trying to keep a low profile.

"You must really love your daughter", Aaron said in a surprisingly quiet voice.

"She is very important to me, yes."

Just as he uttered these words, Cale realized how true they actually were. Fengari had become one of the people Cale could always be open with. And because of her life as a dragon, she also had a completely different perspective on things, which was always a great help to Cale. If he hadn't met Fengari back then... he probably wouldn't have ended up here.

"Do you actually have a family, High-Magician Thopas?" Cale asked cautiously.

"You can call me Aaron too..." ,Aaron replied, putting his arm to his side and looking at Cale with his lazy eyes. "...since we're on the subject of first names."

"Well, I gladly accept that offer, Aaron."

The guest did not reply and looked at him with empty eyes, even though Cale knew that his expression did not match his feelings.

"I only have Raphael and the Magistrat left. I have never started a family of my own. It feels... wrong."

"Wrong?", Cale repeated in surprise.

"I've done a lot of bad things in my past, and I'm not really proud of that", Aaron began, pausing briefly, which Cale took advantage of.

"Do you want to punish yourselves for your mistakes?", Cale asked deliberately in a surprised voice, even though he had a pretty good idea what Aaron was talking about. Aaron, on the other hand, turned away from Cale and stared up at the ceiling before answering.

"You could say that."

"Is that why you only hold the third seat, even though you are one of the oldest and most experienced High-Magicians?"

"Among other reasons", Aaron confessed and closed his eyes.

"Do you really have so little self-esteem? I don't know exactly what makes you feel so guilty, but you seem like someone who deeply regrets his past. Don't you think you're punishing yourself too much?"

"I killed people who didn't have to die."

"You're not the only one", Cale replied softly, slowly cooling his hand with magic.

"It was much worse than you might think."

"That may be true."

Cale couldn't reveal that he knew exactly what Aaron had done in his past. Doing so would either jeopardize his identity or put the Eldest in a difficult position, which he wanted to avoid at all costs. But seeing Aaron continue to punish himself centuries after... pained his heart.

"The murder of an innocent person is something that cannot be forgiven", Cale continued. "No matter how intentional it was and how right it must have felt at the time. I don't dare claim to know how you feel, but I want you to know one thing: don't punish yourself too much. Drowning yourself in guilt doesn't help anyone."

"You really sound like someone who has no idea what he's talking about."

"Forgive me", Cale admitted his failed attempt and reached out to place his hand on Aaron's forehead. To his surprise, the High-Magician didn't move, as if he were enjoying the coldness. "Are you okay?"

"I think the pill is starting to work."

"Are you tired?"

"I feel like I'm going to doze off any minute."

"Then don't force yourself to stay awake and get some rest. Don't worry, I'll stay here", Cale said, feeling Aaron's body relax a moment later. With compassionate eyes, he left his hand on the High-Magician's forehead for a few more minutes until he could hear his regular breathing. He had simply fallen asleep on the spot, even while talking to Cale. "Sleep well."