Glandera

Glandera worked on the rock with clenched lips. The work was easier for her today because she had eaten two slices of bread for breakfast and had even brought lunch from home. But she couldn't work out why she had received this present.

“Glandera? I want you to see the foreman.” A miner's mate tapped her on the back and pointed towards the exit.

Friday was payday, so Glandera packed the tools into her shoulder bag, stretched her back and set off. A cloud of dust rose as she patted her clothes and removed the coarse dirt.

She lined up behind her colleagues and when it was her turn, she grabbed the coins. Quickly, the foreman grabbed her hand and held it tight. “Who knows, I might soon replace you with another worker.”

Defiantly, she withdrew from him and counted. She raised her eyebrows in surprise. She had received her full salary even though she had not been present yesterday. A tingling sensation on the back of her neck made her tremble. Then she slowly turned around.

Archmagus Ferron stood away from the mine and looked at her. His hands were clasped behind his back. He watched over this place in an exalted manner.

Glandera pocketed the coins. She continued on her way for a few steps before stopping. She wrestled with herself. If the arch magus was already here, she should thank him. She ignored the foreman's questioning look as she stopped in front of Ferron. “Greetings, erudite magister.”

“Mrs Berger.” He bowed his head kindly. Grey eyes looked at them expectantly.
“Thank you for the bread and the food. God bless you.” Instead of looking up at him, she pushed a few stones across the square with her foot.

“I'm glad if I could make you happy and ease your worries.”
She raised her head in surprise. “How did you know...?”

“The winter was hard, and the summer is too hot. Food prices have gone up everywhere, young lady,” he looked at her gently, “and many families have been suffering since then.”

“You don't have to do this.”

“It is my wish.” His tone revealed that he would brook no argument.
She pressed her lips together as she nodded and glanced around the square indecisively. “Please, call me Glandera, like everyone else here. Otherwise, I'll feel old.”

He smiled. “Thank you very much, I'm pleased to do that. Glandera, would you go for a walk with me?”

She froze. Then she shook her head and backed away.

Ferron noticed the subtle vibrations as her pulse raced. His voice softened. “We're in an open space, and they can see you as we take a few steps. What are you afraid of?”
Images flashed before her inner eye. She took her brother by the hand and ran with him through the undergrowth until they reached a cave. There she covered his mouth while the riders from the mage academy rushed past. The memory almost tore at Ferron's heart.

“My mum forbade me to go with strangers.” She backed away further, bowing her head. “Erudite magister.”

“Allow me to get to know you so that we are no longer strangers to each other.” He hesitantly took a step towards her. “Mages are only human.”

“Sorry, I have to get to work.” With that, she turned round and hurried back to the gold mine.

When Glandera returned home in the late afternoon, another basket of food and fresh bread had been delivered. With the apple between his teeth, her brother rummaged at the delicacies. He took a bite and said, chewing: “There's a box with your name on it.”

The front door opened and Glandera quickly stowed her gift in her bag.

Her mother put down the bucket of water. “Ah, dear, you're home already.”

“Yes, here's a week's wages.” She put the coins on the table and took the heavy bucket from her.

“Thanks, mum, I'll wash up quickly and then help you.”

The contents of the box rattled slightly as Glandera climbed the stairs. As soon as she had set the bucket down in her room, she opened the lid. Inside was a clear rock crystal, about the size of her index finger. She carefully took it out and the familiar tingling sensation spread from her fingers to her whole hand. Fascinated, she turned it round and walked slowly to the window. The light immediately refracted through it, conjuring up a rainbow on her bare wall. She whooped with joy as she repeated this natural spectacle and let the bright colors wander around the room.

She was aware that it was courtesy of the arch magus and carefully hid it under the bed.

Ferron

The report from Foreman Zulkis was brought to Archmage Ferron's study by the guard that afternoon. He raged inwardly at the audacity of making him wait so long. His eyebrows furrowed, he opened the letter and skimmed the contents.

Glandera had been working in the mine for three years. The foreman described her as a reliable, hard-working employee who carried out her work conscientiously.

The arch magus realized that it was not possible for such a petite woman to perform the same physical feats as a man. But his background had left its mark on him, and it was important to give women properly paid jobs in these hard times. It was a privilege for mages not to have to abide by all social conventions, but this should not be taken too far.

He raised his eyebrows at the next paragraph: She instinctively knew how to take the courses of the quartz vein. She was nicknamed the crystal spotter by the miners.

Ferron remembered that a few months ago, his foreman had required an explanation when he had not brought up the usual amount during the week. A few days later, he explained that he had inadvertently caught the secondary vein and would now follow the main vein again. Since then, the quantities of oil have remained constant. The arch magus was certain that this was thanks to Glandera.

He stood up thoughtfully and walked to his exhibits. Various items from all over the world were displayed in his cabinets and on the sideboards. The memories of their prospecting warmed his heart, as the arch magus' talent lay in tracking down magnetic metals. He had to rely on the foreman's work because he didn't know where to find the coveted gold in the rock. Her skills could be the solution. His mouth formed into a smile. Glandera had passed the magical test with flying colors. Not only had she distinguished glass from gemstone; her powers were intuitive, as she recognized their effects and knew their names. He had to be provided the opportunity to teach her.