The Reluctant Mage: Book One in the Zandar Series by R. E. Donnellan Page B

all Emperor’s Cross recipients. As a new recipient earned a Cross, a street would be renamed.  His uncle thought there were around twenty-two heroes of the Empire, two of them common soldiers.
     
    The wagon stopped at a very impressive looking inn. There were four ornate columns holding up a two story roof. There was a balcony on the second floor with several men and women sitting at small tables drinking what appeared to be tea. Marko looked down at his clothing, self-conscious of how he looked after so much time on the road. He began to dust off any dirt he found on his faded tunic.
     
    A hand grabbed his arm and he looked up at this uncle. “Every person you see in this inn is on the Emperor’s business Marko. Don’t worry about how you look and the other guests won’t either. We all have different roles to play in service. No role is less important than the others.”
     
    True to his uncle’s word, no one seemed to stare at them when they walked into the ornate lobby. “Welcome back Professor!” said a small, well dressed man as they approach the counter. “Are you all right? It looks like the road was not too kind to you?”
     
    Marko’s uncle had made a remarkable recovery since the attack. He walked with obvious stiffness, but his cuts were now just red lines on his chest and leg.
     
    “Let’s just say that I am glad to be back, Proprietor Slade. It was the dream of sleeping in one of your beds that kept me going,” he said with a chuckle. “This is my nephew Marko. He will be staying with me tonight.”
     
    The proprietor bowed slightly to Marko and said, “Welcome to you too, young gentleman.”
     
    They decided to have a meal at the inn only after they both took very warm baths in their room. Marko marveled at the tub that was in their side room. It had pipes that delivered hot water directly to the tub. His uncle tried to explain to him the concept of how it worked, but it seemed a difficult concept to grasp. Marko did not have to understand to enjoy it, though! He could have stayed in it all day.
     
    During dinner they discussed Marko’s departure the next day. His uncle would introduce him to the headmaster and pay his tuition. He was told that he did not need to bring anything, as the orphanage would provide Marko’s uniforms and books. He said that a personal weapon would be acceptable. Marko could never imagine being parted from his uncle’s gift. It had saved his life once already.
     
    His advice, as always, was short and to the point. “The next few years will allow you to cast your die in life. You will have the opportunity to find out where your talents lie. Study hard and listen to your teachers. Just as in life in general, this is a competition. You are competing against other students as well as yourself. Challenge yourself to do your best. That is all your family or the Empire expects of you.”
     
    That evening the dream came to him again. He found himself in the same chamber and immediately walked to the mirror. “Are you still here?” he said looking at his image.
    “Of course. As long as you have the necklace, I am always with you. We just have to use your dreams to communicate unless you want to use your magic.”
     
    “I told you before, I don’t have magic. Anyway, who are you? Do you have a name?”
     
    “I must have a name. The strange thing is that I can’t remember what I am called or used to be called. It is still very confusing to me. You can call me Stranac for now. I know you are Marko. At times I can even hear the names you call others in your mind.”
     
    “You mentioned a battle before. Is that the dream I had about everything exploding?”
     
    “I know that I train mages. Those dreams you had were my experiences. Whether mine personally or of those I trained, I don’t know. I wish I did. I am sorry, being asleep for so long has affected me.”
     
    “You said that you train mages. That is not going to help me. Is there anything else you