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Lucinda tried to resist, but something about the man demanded her compliance.  She rose, but held her ground.  "Leave me alone! I'll scream."

"I'd rather you didn't; loud noises are irritating.  But if it'll make you feel better, go ahead."  He inserted his index fingers into his ears.

He looked ridiculous and Lucinda almost laughed.  He didn't seem half so scary now.  And yet there was a feeling of power about him.  The air crackled with intensity and she felt a bond forming between the old man and herself.  It seemed as if a voice were whispering assurances in her ear.

Lucinda shook her head, trying to chase away the voice on the wind, but it was within her mind.  "Wizard," she said.  "What do you want of me?"

He didn't answer, just stood with his fingers in his ears.

"I know you can hear me."

"Are you going to scream?" he asked, his voice louder than necessary.

"No."  She felt more at ease now.  Safe.  That in itself caused her alarm.  She had to remain alert to possible deception.

The old man unplugged his ears and grinned as he stepped into the light where she could see him better.  "A wizard would be a wise old man.  I grant you the old, but there are many who would disagree with the wise part.  I'm here to provide you with an education and a home."

"You don't sound too happy about it."

He shrugged.  "We all must bow to greater needs than our own. Shall we go home?"

"I have no home."

"Very well.  Shall we go to my home?  You can stay there as long as you wish, provided you're learning your art.  And no, you won't pay for my teachings with sex.  I may be a dirty old man, but I have a few scruples left and the teacher/student bond is more important than momentary gratification of a physical urge."

Lucinda caught the gist of his message and felt more at ease. "I'm hungry," she said.

"Then let's go eat."

The old man's cabin was typical for a wizard.  The outside seemed small and rundown, but the inside was enormous with many rooms.  He told her his place was tucked between the dimensional veils, and she'd nodded knowingly, though she hadn't the slightest idea what he was talking about.  Large as the place was, it was cluttered.  The front room, where they spent much of their time, was stuffed with old dusty furniture--chairs, tables, a desk, bookshelves.  And everywhere she looked were knickknacks, doilies, pictures, books, vials, beakers of noxious fluids.  One shelf was devoted to cans labeled such things as crushed lizard testicles, roasted bat wings, sliced frog eyes and stick cinnamon.

Piles of dirty clothes dotted the floor and surrounding the mounds were stacks of papyrus and odds and ends.  "Your first task," he said, "is to clean this place up."

"Is that what you plan to teach me?  How to be a proper kiena?"

"I'm going to teach you to use your magic to help instead of harm, Lucinda.  But first we need some room to move around in."  He sniffed the air.  "And I don't suppose it would hurt if I burned some incense."

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