The first thing Aniko found strange in her room was a TV.
‘I thought this was a medieval castle?’ She mused. ‘What’s a TV doing here?’
She turned it on and found the remote. As she flipped through the channels she found whet looked like a news program. A young woman was doing the weather. Besides a very unusual map, everything seemed pretty much like a normal news program. She turned up the volume and listened for a minute.
“Over the lower Dramon plains expect a light rain today giving away to partly cloudy skies by late this afternoon. Meanwhile a fight between the dragon Tarton and an unknown elemental has left the desert region of Rakor flooded, so be sure to wear your boots if you plan to go there today. Local authorities assure us that it should be cleared up by tomorrow afternoon. Just in time for the sultan’s spring bazaar.”
“Well, I’m not in Kansas any more!” Aniko said to herself. When she went into the bathroom she was relieved to see it looked like a very modern bathroom. She undressed and hopped into the shower. Afterwards she stepped up to the mirror. She picked up the blow drier that was lying on the counter. At first glance it looked like one you could just pick up at J.C. Pennys but when she picked it up she noticed it had no cord attached.
Once she was done in the bathroom she headed back into the bedroom and found some clothes in there. She was expecting some kind of elaborate dress but was happy to see more normal looking clothes. She saw a pair of jeans, a nice white top with ruffled sleeves, a bra and panties set, and some sox and tennis shoes.
After she was dressed she headed out the door to look around. As she wandered the halls she came upon two guards by the outer exit. They were in shiny full plate and were holding very wicked looking pole arms.
‘Well, these guys look normal for a medieval castle.’ She thought until she saw that they also had what looked like blasters for side arms.
“If you’re looking for your master, my lady, he is in the drawing room with Lord William.” One of the guards told her.
“Thank you.” She replied. The guard pointed her in the right direction. She felt rather uncomfortable with the ‘my lady’ statement.
‘Well, I guess I better get use to it.’ She thought. The master part didn’t even surprise her. She actually expected it. She had read enough fantasy books on wizards and magic to know that a wizard was the master to his apprentice.
She found him in the drawing room with a elderly gentleman she assumed to be Lord William.
“Ah, Aniko, glad you could join us.” Aileron said. He turned to Lord William, “This is my new apprentice I told you about.”
“Well, welcome to the plane of Prassi and my humble castle, Aniko. I hope it’s not to overwhelming for you.” He smiled.
“It’s a little weird, but I think I can adjust.” She replied.
Aileron laughed. “Well, my girl, to coin a phrase, you ain’t seen nothing yet.” He smiled. “I have some great news for us though. According to our host, my tower it the mountains of Rakor seems to have been untouched. We are going to spend the night here and head there in the morning. I figure after you clean the place up we can get started on your lessons right away.”
Aniko groaned at the thought of cleaning a whole tower that has been left untouched for five centuries. ‘I hope it’s a small tower.’ She thought.
“Well, Lord William and myself have some business to attend to. Go ahead and look around for a while. A servant will come and get you for dinner.” He told her.
And bow to the Lord before you leave. she heard in her head before she left.
She quickly bowed politely then turned around and walked out.
Sat Mar 24 07:56:52 2001