Aldric's thoughts were stretched thin, trying to focus on too much at once. Should he invite Harden to join the Phoenix classes? He couldn't decide. Harden had come so far in his training, and Aldric had watched him nearly master the craftsman's rune. He still needed a physical rune to cast it, but his work was top-notch. Then he moved on to shadow walking, taking it slow because he knew how rough it could be on the body. Over time,
Harden had become exactly what Aldric had hoped for—in every way, a phoenix. So why the hesitation? Aldric worried Harden might overextend himself. Growing up ahead of the other boys in the aviary, he'd seen plenty collapse from spells he considered simple. The thought of Harden pushing into the advanced courses weighed heavily on him.
He didn't want to assume he couldn't handle it, but he couldn't live with himself if it were revealed he couldn't. He was responsible for Harden, in more ways than one, so risking his life seemed reckless. Nonetheless, he knew he would be remiss if he didn't offer.
He wandered the corridor, his mind cycling through thoughts like a perpetual motion device. He flipped between thoughts, debating himself. The world around him seemed to vanish, as it often did when he was focused. There was no aviary or flocks, just a phoenix protecting his den mate.
—-
When he reached the den, he realized Harden hadn't left for the perch yet. He'd been wrestling with his robes, still half asleep.
"Morning," Aldric offered, his voice weak and groggy.
"Where have you been? I didn't see you come in last night," Harden said, turning back to meet his friend's stare.
"That's because I didn't. I got lost in thought working with Moxxy last night. By the time I left, my meeting was about to begin," Aldric explained, plopping down on his soft bed.
"Jeez, what about classes? Are you gonna be awake enough to attend?" Harden asked, sliding his arm into his sleeves.
"No classes, not right now anyway," Aldric murmured, lying back in bed and closing his eyes.
"What do you mean, no classes?"
"The architect is coming up with special courses for me. Classes to further advance my physicality rather than my aptitude. Guess I've surpassed even magic," Aldric groaned, his mind barely awake.
"Whoa, that's a really big deal, Al! That means you're close to your first assignment, right?" Harden asked, excitedly plopping down at the door of Aldric's bed. Aldric's eyes ripped open abruptly, and he sat up with a subtle sigh.
"I think so, but I'm struggling with one aspect of it," he said through a stifled yawn.
"What's that?"
"Whether or not you're ready to join me there," he said, his tone singular and dull. Harden's eyes widened at the notion, and he contemplated his own standing. He licked his top teeth, sucked his tongue, and huffed.
"Damn, that's very flattering, Al," he stammered, picking at his dry knuckles.
"But, as much as I'd love to be there, I don't think I've quite surpassed magic yet. I think it's better I master my runes before I decide I can skip out on those courses," Harden explained with a smile. Aldric raised an eyebrow before curving his lip into a smile.
"Thank you, Harden," he said.
"What for?"
"Being logical and making my decision that much easier," He explained.
"No thanks necessary, Al. I know my limits, and I know when I'm ready versus when I'm not. I will never be mad if you believe I'm not ready. If I'm going to listen to anybody, it's going to be my mentor," Harden said, smirking and continuing to dress.
"So by all means, enjoy your courses; I'll see ya there before too long," he added, closing his wardrobe. Aldric didn't know what to say; he didn't know exactly what to expect, but this wasn't it. For the first time, Aldric realized they'd grown far beyond their early years in the aviary.
Now that they had been pushing thirteen, the years seemed to hit all at once. Aldric lay back in his bed and rested his hands behind his head. Again, he closed his eyes, and his mind began to fizzle out. He heard Harden walk softly past him and toward the door.
He listened and waited until the door sealed. He found peace in his newfound silence, and his sleep crept up quickly. Before long, and before he knew it, he was asleep. His eyes wriggled behind his eyelids, and his body fell weightless.
He felt like he was levitating, as his black vision jumbled itself into a dream. He felt the morning sun warm his face with its orange glow. A soft smile stretched along his face as he dreamt of what came next.