Work Text:
“He’s right through here, Lord Beldaruit,” Sinocia said, guiding him through the Healing Spire. “His injuries were quite severe when he first arrived. I’ve done my best to bandage and treat them, but further treatment may be required. I’ll have to assess him once he wakes.”
“Thank you, Sinocia,” Beldaruit replied, grateful for the doctor’s report.
Sinocia helped him down a flight of stairs and through a narrower corridor before stopping at the door to a private room.
“Lord Beldaruit, forgive me for saying so, but I have to warn you,” she said, biting her lower lip. “He is in rough shape right now. We had to sedate him when he came in, and though it has been a while, he still hasn’t fully woken. I’ve done my best, but I do not want you to be alarmed when you see him.”
Beldaruit smiled sadly, recalling the day he first met the boy. “Don’t worry, Sinocia. Unfortunately, I’ve seen him in worse condition.”
Sinocia grimaced at his words. Though she didn’t know Qifrey’s whole story, she was aware of his previous injury, having healed him before. With that, she bade Beldaruit goodbye and warned him to call her if anything happened. Beldaruit thanked her, and finally opened the door before him. However, the sight that greeted him was not one he had expected.
The first person he noticed upon entering the room was not his dear apprentice, but rather his closest friend. Olruggio was sleeping soundly on a nearby chair, his head drooping forward as he snored lightly. The poor boy was sure to be in pain when he awoke judging by the amount of strain he was putting on his neck.
“That won’t do,” Beldaruit thought, approaching him as silently as he could.
Beldaruit adjusted Olruggio’s cloak that had slipped off his shoulders and draped it over his body like a blanket. Upon a closer look, his appearance made it obvious that it had been a while since he had gotten sleep. His hair stuck up in random areas and his clothes were wrinkled and unkempt. Beldaruit gently manoeuvred the witch’s head to lean against the chair and caught sight of his pallor and the dark circles that lined his eyes.
Once satisfied, Beldaruit turned his attention to the bed at the centre of the room, and the figure resting in it. Beldaruit chuckled, recalling how the two witches were inseparable as children, and even now, they were rarely found too far apart. The warmth of the memory faded, however, as he drew closer and inspected the damage his apprentice had taken.
Qifrey had taken quite the beating from the events that transpired at the Serpentback Cave. His upper body was fully bandaged, and some areas were wrapped in a harder material, often used to aid in the healing of broken bones. Judging from the types of bandages used, it was clear that multiple wounds of various depths and severity littered his torso and arms.
Sinocia was right. Though she had done her best, it was evident that Qifrey had taken substantial damage to his back and drawing hand. It would be a while until he would be able to cast again. His condition only confirmed Beldaruit’s worst fears. Yet again, Qifrey was sacrificing far too much of his future to chase the answers of his past.
“Oh, my dear boy,” Beldaruit whispered, taking Qifrey’s hand in his. “I’m sorry for not being able to protect you once more.”
Beldaruit hated to think how a Brimmed Cap could infiltrate the cave during an examination and dared to hurt young apprentices in such an uncontrollable environment. It sickened him. Education was his domain, after all, and events that occurred during the tests fell on his shoulders. His oversight proved to be dire and, unfortunately, Qifrey and his apprentices had paid the price.
Guilt snaked under Beldaruit’s skin as he examined Qifrey’s injuries. He vowed to ensure such a horrendous incident would never occur again. To ensure that a child was never again exposed to the horrors and influence of forbidden magic at the hands of a Brimmed Cap. Then again, Beldaruit had vowed the same thing the day he found a child buried alive, left to die in a waterlogged coffin, with one eye missing and his memory wiped.
As Beldaruit stroked his thumb over Qifrey’s limp hand, he noticed Qifrey’s face begin to twitch. Suddenly, the boy squeezed his eye shut and his breathing began to quicken, coming in shallow, shuddering pants. His hand slipped from Beldaruit’s grasp, springing to life and recoiling suddenly.
“N-no…please, don’t,” he stammered, his voice hoarse and almost as battered as his body.
He began to struggle, his legs kicking off his blanket and his arms shielding his face as though defending himself against an invisible enemy. Beldaruit watched in horror as Qifrey’s fingers clawed at his bandages, like a captured animal fighting against its restraints. Instinctively, Beldaruit reached out and began carding his fingers through the boy’s tangled hair, murmuring comforting words under his breath.
“Shh,” he hushed, gently patting the boy’s head in rhythmic intervals. “Fear not, my dear. I’m here.”
Qifrey was no stranger to nightmares. Memories of the day they had first met still sent shivers down Beldaruit’s spine. He couldn’t imagine how terrifying it would be for someone to go through such torture, let alone a child. As Beldaruit tried calming him down, he turned to the past for guidance. Just then, a rather fond memory resurfaced.
Beldaruit drew out his wand, moving as swiftly as he could. His hands moved instinctually as muscle memory kicked in, drawing a spell he had created for his dear apprentice all those years ago. He closed the ring on the spell and watched as air swirled above the seal, slowly taking shape. First, a reptilian body formed out of the smoke, stretching out to produce a neck and snout. Then, the figure sprouted wings forming the silhouette of a dragon.
The tiny beast looked up at Beldaruit and cocked its head curiously. Immediately, Beldaruit was filled with a comforting warmth the creature emitted as it sat on his lap. Beldaruit giggled, watching the dragon wriggle its body and flex its wings as though assessing its abilities. Slowly, it spread its wings and took flight, circling over Qifrey’s bed.
Beldaruit looked on in amazement, wondering how long it had been since he had cast that spell. Whenever Qifrey was having a rough night or fell ill, Beldaruit would draw that spell for him, telling him that dragons were a sign of strength and protection. He had said that the dragon would stand guard throughout the night and keep him safe from any attackers, be they physical or the mental ones that plagued his dreams.
At times, Qifrey would roll his eyes, taking the showy magic as another one of Beldaruit’s theatrics, but Beldaruit knew his apprentice was grateful for the spell on account of how Qifrey ended up modifying it and creating his own spell. One to help him get over his fear of water while still providing comfort through darker nights.
Beldaruit’s wand moved before he could realise it. A second dragon took form in his lap, this one wrought from water. In addition, the creature emitted a soft yellow glow, illuminating the room with a gentle starlight as it joined the other dragon in winged flight. Beldaruit grinned, watching the dragons spiral around one another. His Qifrey’s magic had always been so kind, after all.
The two dragons chased each other playfully in rings around Qifrey’s head, enveloping the area in warmth and light. Within minutes, Qifrey’s breathing began to settle and the creases in his face relaxed once more. Beldaruit smiled fondly as he watched the dragons play, recalling the first time he had showed Qifrey the smoke dragon spell. The young boy had looked at it with such wonder, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Beldaruit?” a gruff voice called out.
Beldaruit was ripped out of his thoughts, snapping back the present. His eyes flicked towards Olruggio, now awake, and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
“Olruggio! Good morning. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” he greeted cheerily. “I do apologise for letting myself in and not announcing my presence. You just seemed so peaceful, and I didn’t want to interrupt your rest.”
“It’s fine,” Olruggio said through a yawn. His vision drifted sluggishly from Beldaruit to Qifrey and finally sharpened as he caught sight of the pair of dragons soaring overhead. Olruggio looked to Beldaruit, narrowing his eyes inquisitively.
“Ah, sorry about that too,” he replied sheepishly. “He looked like he was having a nightmare. I only wished to bring him some solace.”
“Right,” Olruggio sighs, running a hand through his hair. “It’s been happening occasionally here. One minute he’s fine and the next his tossing and turning. It’s been worrying the girls too.”
“I suppose a Master can never rest easy knowing his apprentice is hurting,” Beldaruit said, wistfully, taking Qifrey's hand in his and rubbing small circles into his palms.
Olruggio straightened at the movement. Until then, he had assumed Beldaruit had been a smoke sculpture. It was strange to realise that Beldaruit was physically in the room and not an illusion. He knew Qifrey and Beldaruit’s relationship had become…strained recently, but looking at the man before him, Olruggio could still see the love he had for his dear apprentice.
Olruggio stared at the sad smile etched into Beldaruit’s features, one that poorly hid the deep concern that flashed behind his eyes. It seemed so out of place for the Wise One he had known, but the man he saw now was not Lord Beldaruit. He was not the Wise of Teachings, nor was he Master Beldaruit. For the first time, Olruggio saw him as merely a man. An old man with the visage of a worried father, concerned for the health of his son.
“He hasn't woken since?” Beldaruit asked, meeting Olruggio’s lingering gaze.
“No, not since we arrived,” Olruggio replied, clearing his throat and averting his eyes. He hadn’t realised he had been staring.
Beldaruit sighed, the ghost of a laugh playing on his lips. His boy was as stubborn as ever. He continued to trace small circles into Qifrey’s palm, part of him hoping that the gesture could keep the nightmares at bay. Another other part of him wondered if his presence was even welcome.
Beldaruit let his focus stray from his sleeping apprentice, turning instead to Olruggio, and noticing the way the witch seemed to always keep one tired eye on Qifrey. As children, Olruggio had been one of Qifrey’s first and closest friends. They looked out for each other, and after all this time, it had remained that way. Beldaruit knew he owed him more than he could ever give.
“Thank you, Olruggio,” Beldaruit said, meeting the Watchful Eye’s gaze. “For looking after Qifrey all this time. And for being there for him when I couldn’t be.”
Olruggio’s eyes widened. He looked stunned, taken aback by the sincerity of his gratitude. He overcame his shock swiftly, coughing into his fist to cover it up. “It’s no problem. I guess he looks after me too.”
A small smile tugged on Olruggio’s features as he looked to Qifrey. Beldaruit giggled. “I suppose you two make a good team! And what fine grand-apprentices you’ve brought up!”
Olruggio’s cheeks flushed a bright scarlet at his words. “I-I’m not their master! I barely get involved in their education, anyways!”
Beldaruit chuckled as he watched Olruggio squirm. It reminded him of the way Qifrey acted as a boy.
“Olruggio, do let me know when he wakes,” Beldaruit requested, Qifrey’s hand still clasped between his. “You needn’t see me personally. A letter or message would suffice.”
“Oh, right. Of course.”
“Well, I suppose I should take my leave soon,” Beldaruit declared, withdrawing his hands and knitting his fingers together within the folds of his sleeves. Pools of sorrow glistened behind his mask of a smile as he willed his sealchair to stand. “Truth be told, I don’t think he would want me here when he wakes.”
“O-Oh, um, well…” Olruggio stammered, floundering for the words.
No matter how well he thought he hid it, it was obvious the old man wanted to stay. Olruggio bit his lip as Beldaruit’s words echoed through his mind. A Master can never rest easy knowing his apprentice is hurting. No matter what had become of their relationship, the bond between a master and their apprentice was likened to those of a family.
Given Qifrey’s circumstances, Olruggio could understand how that fact would ring true for Beldaruit and him. No matter what had transpired between the two of them, it was impossible to erase the bond between them. Olruggio could see it in Beldaruit’s eyes, his every action and even his voice. Clearly, Qifrey meant a great deal to him, even if Qifrey himself couldn't see it.
Olruggio cleared his throat awkwardly as an idea struck him. “W-well actually, I think it’s about time I go check in on the girls. Probably see to their health or take ‘em round the Great Hall. If you’re not too busy, maybe you could help me keep an eye on him.”
Beldaruit froze, his mouth agape, stunned by the proposal. “Are…are you certain?”
“Yeah,” Olruggio replied, confidently, as he gathered his things. He adjusted his cap and cloak before turning to leave. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Right. Thank you, Olruggio.”
Beldaruit smirked as he watched the young witch depart. He truly was a kind soul who cared so deeply for those closest to him, even he didn’t like showing it. Beldaruit bowed his head with gratitude as Olruggio glanced over his shoulder, stealing one last look at the unconscious Qifrey. He smiled, nodded his head in acknowledgement and shut the door behind him.
Beldaruit shifted in his sealchair as he manoeuvred it, grateful for the wider space around Qifrey’s bed. Gently, he lifted the boy’s head and cradled it in the crook of arm, using his other hand to stroke his hair. He gazed at the boy, wondering where the time had flown. It felt like just yesterday that Beldaruit had spent a rainy night with a young Qifrey nestled in his bed, leaning against him as the boy finally fell asleep.
Nostalgia washed over him and Beldaruit found himself singing old lullabies, the same ones he would sing to his apprentice all those years ago. As he sang, a smile spread across Qifrey’s face, his breathing free and his body completely serene. Beldaruit sang the tales of the witches of yore, his voice smooth and comforting.
Beldaruit knew his bones would curse him tomorrow for spending so much time in an awkward position, but he shrugged it off, concluding that he would deal with it when the time came. For now, he could ignore the world and all its problems, focusing his attention on his child who needed him. Besides, the pain would be worth it to see his boy smiling for just a little longer.