I was floating now. I realized how my abilities dwarfed those around me. Whether the candle lit or not was inconsequential. I am Skeeve. I am powerful.
Almost contemptuously I reached out with my mind and touched the wick. A small bright ember appeared as if in answer to my will.
Startled, I sat up and blinked at the candle. As I did. the ember disappeared, leaving a small white plume of smoke to mark its departure. I realized too late I had broken concentration.
“Excellent, Lad!”
Garkin was suddenly beside me pounding my shoulder enthusiastically. How long he had been there I neither knew nor cared.
“It went out,” I said plaintively.
“Never you mind that. You lit it. You have the confidence now. Next time it will be easy. By the stars, we’ll make a magician of you yet. Here, you must be hungry.”
I barely got my hand up in time to intercept the remaining lizard-bird leg before it smacked into my face. It was cold.
“I don’t mind admitting I was beginning to despair, lad. What made that lesson so hard? Has it occurred to you you could use that spell to give you extra light when you’re picking a lock or even to start a fire to serve as a diversion?”
“I thought about it, but extra light could draw unwanted attention. As for starting a diversion, I’d be afraid of hurting someone. I don’t want to hurt anyone, just….”
I stopped, realizing what I was saying, too late. A heavy cuff from Garkin sent me sprawling off my stool.
“I thought so! You’re still planning to be a thief. You want to use my magiks to steal!”