She looked at him appealingly, "Could you carry this please?" she asked.
Zan got quite a shock. The woman wasn't there a second ago.
"Sorry to surprise you like that, but it's just that I'm in a hurry to move in..." she said apologetically while proffering the object in her hands. It was a small box, around the size of her palm and looked intensely black. Zan took it and discovered it to be quite heavy. Yet the woman had held it with apparent ease.
"Follow me," gestured the woman, and hoisted a pack onto her back. She then proceeded to cross the crowded street. Zan took his time to examine her. She seemed of slender build with hints of feminine attributes under the draping cloak she wore. She moved noiselessly, despite wearing sturdy boots on her feet.
The woman opened a door and started up the stairs. Strangely, the box in his hand seemed lighter and to be almost glowing. Suddenly they were at the top. A small door was hiding in the wall. It swung open when the woman pushed it. She disappeared inside, and Zan followed. The room was surprisingly spacious, and had rugs draping the floor, and even lamps!
"She must be rich," Zan thought.
"Not rich... luck," the woman interrupted his thoughts. "Thank you for helping me," she paused, "It is appropriate that I return the favour." The door sung shut with a dull clunk seemingly by itself. Her eyes met his, and pierced through him.
"How can you carry that box easily?" she demanded.
"I-I don't know," Zan stuttered, "It was heavier at first."
She took a step forward and loomed over him, her presence changing suddenly. Zan felt very scared now -- there seemed to be a swelling of energy around her. The box in his hands started glowing more, and getting hotter. Suddenly the box seared his hands, causing Zan to drop it. He backed against the wall.
"Where are you from?" the woman demanded again. Zan felt something probing at his thoughts, sifting and searching for something in his consciousness. Zan tried to run, but found he couldn't move -- or even concentrate.
Don't run away, the woman's voice called invasively called is his mind, and don't even think about calling for help.
What? Zan was puzzled, What was that?
The woman winked and wiped her brow, on which a film of perspiration had formed. There was an awkward silence, broken by a sudden smile from the woman.
"It seems that you have no command of magic, let alone your thoughts," the woman said.
"How come you were sweating?" Zan asked, quite perplexed.
"Proper application of magic requires the user to guide magical energy around them, rather than through them. This requires more effort which in turn uses more energy. Taking the easy way out however, requires little effort but actually weakens the user over time," the woman explained, "Anyway, enough theory now. My name is Oenone."
She extended her hand towards Zan's quivering fingertips. They shook.
"Your name?" Oenone asked, her mouth twitching into a smile.
"Most call me Zan," Zan replied casually.
"Oh... and what do the others call you?" Oenone had looked at him slyly, causing his face to redden. Oenone laughed in a musical manner, yet with hints of something ominous.
"Let's start with the basics. From now on, observe with all your senses," Oenone commanded.
Zan stood near her, trying to be ready. Oenone continued to stand still. Time passed, yet neither of them moved.
"I still don't see anything," Zan stated, causing Oenone to sigh deeply.
"Close your eyes, block your ears, forget the taste in your mouth, ignore the feelings in your limbs. Search for something else," she answered carefully, "Oh, and clear your mind," she added.
Zan took a deep breath, and tried to relax. Then he felt something. It was like gentle warm wind tugging at him, but had a foreign texture to it. He followed the currents, to where they were being attracted to. Suddenly this wind was a howling gale, and Zan physically shuddered. As a consequence, he opened his eyes and found them focused on the now familiar box in her hands.
"Good spotting young Zan," Oenone appraised him, "you have not disappointed me. Unfortunately however, you have much to experience and learn. You now have he choice of learning under me, or returning to your comparatively normal life. But remember, it's the journey not the destination that is most when important when learning about magic, or anything else. Make your choice.."
"I think," Zan said, "I want to change the world."
Oenone laughed.