A magic user abuses their gifts. They are young and acting stupidly. They are taught a harsh lesson in being responsible for their own actions. -- Anon Guest
The thing with being inherently magical is that one can cause a lot of trouble with simple mageworks. The ability to conjure sounds, surface-level illusions, or small and temporary objects creates a great deal of opportunities.
Many opportunities to do good. Or many opportunities to create mischief.
Sanborn had taken a misliking to the local Watch Captain, Rafril Metsk. Because he made hir mama's days in town miserable. As if it were Mama's fault for being born with horns on her head or a tail at her back. Mama said he'd hated her for keeping Sanborn as her own child. So Sanborn figured that ze had to teach this rude man a lesson or three. Or way more than that.
Mama sent Sanborn to town more and more. As Sanborn got better at remembering what Mama sent hir in for, ze got more chances to play tricks on Metsk. Always from a place of seeming innocence or concealment.
Hucking a temporary egg at his cloak or head, and seeming innocent when it vanished. Making him hear whispers with no source. Making his drinks look like muddy water or slime or worse. Driving him crazy every chance ze got.
The fun could not last forever.
Metsk came calling with a squadron. Every Watchman present was armed and prepared for trouble.
"I never told my Sanborn to do any such thing. Would you punish the child of a Human family for doing the same thing?"
"We did that last week," said one of the Watch.
Oh. So that was why Marinka told her to quit it for a little bit. And she was in the pillory for... oh no.
"Joy Devilkyn, we are taking you to be pilloried for a period of no more than five days and no less than three. This child you have mislead will be taken to a better home--"
"No!" Sanborn started conjuring eggs and throwing them at Metsk. "No! No! You meanie! You meanie! Mama didn't do nothing!"
"Oh my beloved," sighed Mama. "Sometimes, your bad choices have consequences for the people you love."
[Photo by Jaromír Kavan on Unsplash]
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