Free Drakonika (Book 1) by Andrea Závodská Page B

light from the torches, shimmering in the dark like small stars in a night sky.
    “And being a good mage is a privilege,” said Zimbadur over his shoulder, proudly raising his long obsidian staff.
    “ May I ask you something?” said Magnus curiously. “Why is the reception chamber so far from the entrance?”
    Hearing this question, Zimbadur smiled. Apparently, it wasn't the first time someone asked him about this matter. “So that the people I deal with have to see the whole guild first and only then they can make any decisions or judgements.” That was certainly a clever and witty idea and obviously, it worked very well.
    In this “different world” Magnus had completely forgotten about all his problems. Walking through the long hallway, carpeted in dark green which was decorated with golden embroidery and patterns of various mythical beings, they finally made it to the end of the corridor. It was all such splendour that Magnus and Maren could hardly remember their own names at the end of this “tour”.
    Zimbadur pushed the door open as he invited the guests in with a gentle gesture of his hand.
    They had never seen so many plants in an interior before! Every shelf, table, window, even the corners of the room were filled with plant pots and small trees in such a way that one could think they found themselves in a forest.
    Instead of a carpet there was lovely green moss on the ground, spreading through the whole chamber in the cracks of the stone floor. All of this vegetation surely required a lot of light. The room had three huge windows with colourful window-panes which implied it was ejected from the castle like a paned balcony with a rooftop. The sun rays penetrating through the window-panes cast all shades of rainbow into the chamber. Naturally, a big fireplace wasn't missing either.
    “Please, sit down,” Zimbadur bid his guests as he took a seat  in his  magnificent padded armchair behind a dark table desk made of massive wood.
    Although Maren tried hard not to sneeze all this time, she couldn't help it any more. And what was worse, she sneezed three times in row. “Excuse me,” she said silently and with downcast eyes she slumped  on one of the armchairs opposite Zimbadur.
    An awkward moment of silence occurred.
    “ It's just cold,” Maren added, in order to start a conversation somehow. However, she tried to avoid any eye contact with Zimbadur. What a disgrace! She meets the Guild Master of the Ragnan Mages Guild for the first time and she's got a red nose like a clown!
    Magnus had already learned a few safety rules that were necessary to follow in her presence and one of them was: do not comment on anything. Therefore he decided to change the topic rapidly.
    “You look like a king in that armchair,” said Magnus admiringly.
    Maren felt as though Magnus had taken these words from her tongue.
    Zimbadur smiled gracefully. “Thank you. But I would appreciate if you addressed me like a friend. And by the way, feel free to call me Zim.”
    That was unexpected news for both Maren and Magnus. Who had ever guessed that they would be friends with Zimbadur Ravan?
    Magnus wasn't sure if he was so excited about the fact that he found another friend, or that he would probably get his stay-permit quite easily. Within seconds, he reached his arm over the table. “I'm Magnus,” he said with a broad smile and shook Zimbadur's hand. “And this is Maren-”
    “ Acheeeew!” Maren confirmed Magnus' words with another sneeze.
    “ I am happy to make your acquaintance,” Zimbadur said.
    Magnus was really glad that Zim, and not the grumpy old mage Solas, was the Head Master of this guild. When he thought of that, he couldn't help asking about it. “It doesn't seem that Solas likes you very much,” said Magnus carefully, hoping he wouldn't anger Zimbadur.
    “He doesn't like you either,” said Zim lightly and let out a slight snigger, but then he realised it wasn't actually a joke but a frank truth.