"To create a new spell you need to understand a wide variety of languages. The main problem new magicians face when starting is a limited vocabulary. Magic takes orders with strict semantics, the slightest variation in wording can be the difference between snowfall or hail storms," Beth said.

She went on and on, but my antic.i.p.ation kept me awake.

She continued to say, "Each language has it's own sentence structure and patterns. If you learn to mix them you'll be able to command magic with a strict guiding hand that it needs."

"Isn't English enough?" I questioned.

"English is a new language. Magic is tied to old languages, many of which are long forgotten. Incorporating more than one language betters your odds of finding roots to dead languages."

"So, the key to being a magician is being bilingual?"

"Not exactly," she said.

"Ok all of this is informative and all, but about that cure,"

I tried to be polite and patient for as long as I possibly could. I thought it best to play the situation calmly rather than demanding anything. I didn't know Lady Beth, for all I knew getting aggressive or flying off the handle might have gotten me tossed out. But I couldn't wait any longer.

"What of it?" She asked as if she were blind to my being a f.u.c.king human rabbit hybrid.

"I needed it, obviously, I mean, look at me," I said.

"Then cure yourself."

"If I could do that, don't you think I would?"

"My services and craftsmans.h.i.+p are not free," she stated.

She wanted money, and if she were a big deal like she seemed to be, I wouldn't be able to afford her.

"Are you serious? I made the spell, all I'm asking for, " I explained before she cut me off.

"What you are asking for is a service, a service that you can not perform."

"So you're not going to help me," I said rhetorically because I already knew the answer.

"Not without a price," she said.

Everything went silent. I could feel I was holding myself in a defensive stance, an almost aggressive stance. I didn't want to get into a fight, but she didn't even seem phased. I must have been like a four-year-old about to throw a tantrum in her eyes. I took a breath to recollect myself and fix my demeanor.

"f.u.c.k this," I said before walking off the stage.

She didn't say anything for a long while, and I didn't expect her to. She let me get to the exit doors before she uttered a single sound.

"Your spell is some of the most dangerous magic I have seen in decades."

I stopped just short of opening the door, and she continued.

"Military contractors are willing to pay more than handsomely for spells of that caliber. If you stay, I can teach you to become great," she said.

I could tell I was going to have a headache by the end of the day. With an exhausted sigh, I turned back around and nearly jumped out of my skin at the realization that she was standing right behind me. She probably used some kind of teleportation spell, but it still caught me off guard. I tried to play it off.

"But you won't give me the cure," I asked.

"I'll give you your cure if, and only if, you agree to stay and continue the interns.h.i.+p as my a.s.sistant," she said.

"That's your price?" I questioned with disbelief.

I didn't know Lady Beth. How could I have been sure her word was worth anything?

"That is my price. I'm not so cruel to not see your plight, but it would be a waste of potential to have you leave so soon," she said.

"You sound like someone I know."

"Someone of wisdom, I hope," she said in what I believe may have been a joking manner for the first time.

"Fine," I said.

There was a twinge of embarra.s.sment I had to overcome after deciding to stay. She never said anything to belittle me verbally, but her more professional att.i.tude next to my more anxiety-ridden agitation was unmistakable.

Lady Beth owned the theater. She even had an office backstage that we spent most of the remained of that time together. It was a big office, big enough to fit four desks if she wanted. There were a number of shelves holding books she probably wrote as well as awards and trophies.

"So am I supposed to find a Spanish cla.s.s or something, I thought we'd be doing something more exciting," I questioned.

"You'll be more than busy during your time here. You can work to learn your other languages later. While you're with me, you will shadow my daily duties as a magician, and provide aid when necessary or requested," she said as she took a seat behind her gla.s.s desk.

"What exactly will I be doing as your 'a.s.sistant'?"

"Today, I need my dry cleaning picked up," she said.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion. That didn't have anything to do magic at all.

"That's all?" I asked.

"I also have an order of Chapter 12 spell books I need to be delivered across town."

Did she want an a.s.sistant or an errand boy?

"Ok...," I said sarcastically.

"Then I need you back here so we can begin rehearsing for my performance."

"Performance? I thought you did battle magic?" I said.

"All magicians, no matter their specialty, have to showcase their magic. Shows before the public are perfect ways of displaying new spells."

"Alright," I reluctantly responded.

"Starting tomorrow, I expect you to dress with cla.s.s and panache if you intend to share a stage with me," she added.

"Wait. What?"

"You're my new a.s.sistant, on and off the stage."

"I didn't sign up to be a stagehand," I exclaimed.

"I'm sure we can 'cure' you of any stage fright you carry," she said.

"I'm not afraid."

"Wonderful. Then I expect to see you back by noon."

She caught me in a verbal dead end. Rather than trying to pull myself back, I resolved just to leave.

I was less than pleased, enthusiastic, or happy by most standards.

As I left the theater, I noticed BJ already outside. She was scribbling something in her usual spellbook when I walked up.

"How's Young Prince," I asked, and it got her attention.

"He's...he's...an a.s.s, but a brilliant a.s.s if nothing else," she said, closing her book.

"That kid can't be much older than us, how is he a mentor," I questioned.

"He knows his stuff, but how is Lady Beth?"

"She wants me to pick up her dry cleaning. I didn't know this town had dry cleaning."

I'm sure BJ saw it in my face, I wasn't having fun. I felt toyed with.

"I'm not sure any of this is worth it. It feels like a lot of hoops to jump through if I stick around," I said.

"Its the first day," BJ said, trying to persuade me.

"A long first day," I added.

"You have to keep going. Knowing that you're here makes it a little less intimidating for me. If you leave, it'll just be me."

"There's the elf and the other girl. I'm sure you could make it without me."

"But it'll be more fun together... and I may need your help with something."

I facepalmed myself. I should have known.

"This ought to be good," I said sarcastically.

"Prince wants me to bring him five wild animals from The Dead Woods."

"And you think I can help how?"

"Can't you talk to animals, you are a rabbit?"

"Half rabbit and Wes is the one who talks to animals. I get attacked by them," I retort.

"All you have to do is lure them in, and I'll handle catching them," she debated.

"What exactly does Prince want with a bunch of wild animals anyway? I asked as we started walking.

"Something to do with a new spell, but will you help me?" BJ asked, pleading with me for my a.s.sistance.

"Sure, why not. Might as well load up the rest of my day, not like I wanted to eat lunch or anything."

"Thank you, Pitch."

"Don't mention it," I said.