THE MOMENT
He was late, but that was okay. A lifetime of experience with magic had taught Wyla to be patient in the face of unexpected events. And, that was before she'd met Bannin. One random day, she'd received a knock on her door and found a young teen in tears, desperate to learn magic.
He'd begged and pleaded day after day for months before she finally accepted. If nothing else, he'd proven himself to be resourceful and determined. He remained in the forest and built his own shelter on the far side away from her. He hunted his own game while he pestered her daily, not once seeming interested in leaving the forest without magic. He was incapable of accepting the rejection, and Wyla finally relented.
She invited him in and listened to his story. She was impressed by his singular focus, and the lessons began in earnest. He continued to live in his own shelter and improved it as the years went by, and his magical skills blossomed. By now, over a decade later, his home had become too big for the forest. She could see the red roof extending above the trees from her small cottage. It was a small thing that made her smile. Every time she saw a glimpse of his growing presence in the forest, she felt like she'd judged him correctly all those years ago. He'd grown into a fine young man that she was honored to have taught.
Tardiness wasn't like him, but she waited patiently nonetheless. Then, she heard a sound in the distance and spotted a carriage. She lived in the heart of the forest with rarely anyone passing by. A carriage was notable, and she smiled nervously as it drew closer. It was still early morning, and already promising to be an exciting day.
The carriage came to a stop before her, and after a moment, Bannin stepped out, and Wyla nearly lost her breath. She'd grown accustomed to a dirt-covered boy, despite the passage of time. And yet, here now was a full-grown man with a rugged jaw and broad shoulders. She taught him magic, but he taught himself to live in the forest and the constant activity sculpted his body. He was spotless, with a noble purple cloak on his back and a golden crown sparkling atop his head.
"Everything okay?" Bannin asked. He knew her as well as she knew him, and it was obvious something was on her mind. Wyla was old, but her mind was still quick enough to find an answer.
"Isn't it a bit much?" She eyed the crown with a shake of her head, then she accepted his help into the carriage.
"It's a big day," he said with a grin. "I felt it was appropriate."
"It is a big day," Wyla nodded and patted his hand once he sat down next to her. "I couldn't be prouder of the man you turned into, and such a powerful wizard too," she beamed with joy. "It's hard to believe you're still that same tearful boy who hounded me so many years ago."
"You didn't believe me at first," he chuckled as his own memories came to the forefront of his mind. "But, here we are...," he said. He pulled a string to alert the driver and the carriage pulled forward. "...on our way!"
"Well, of course I didn't believe you!" Wyla replied with a stern tone that was ruined by her own giggles. "Who would? 'I'm going to burn down the kingdom', sounds like every angsty teenager mad at the world."
"And yet, you did eventually start teaching me," Bannin chuckled.
"I'm no fan of the King, and you were persistent," she nodded.
"Years of training, months of planning...," Bannin smiled as he adjusted the crown on his head. His goal wasn't to take over. He didn't know what he would do after; but, there'd be time after to figure that out. "Finally, I get my revenge today. They'll all be wiped out by a man wearing a crown, just like my family was."