Joshua Prowell / Arcanum's page

The fire roars around him and the smoke rolls across the ceiling. He can only watch as the flames lick across the beams and rafters of the old garage. He can feel the heat suffocating him. Somewhere beyond the fires comes the mewling. He can’t see them, but he knows there are four kittens. The mother having wandered off and never returned. Joshua never really knew what had happened to her, but he hoped she had found a good home.
It was a calmer, more rational thought then an 8-year old should have had in a situation like this. A sadness tugs at him but he pushes it aside. Raising his hand, he gathers his will and focuses it. His lips form words, but there is no sound other then the cries of the kittens.
A rush of wind pierces the flames and smoke, creating a tunnel. Joshua’s steps are soundless as he crosses the too long room. He looks down at them with a heavy heart and the calico kittens stare back up at him from their small bed of cardboard and rags. He crouches down and scoops up the cardboard box. Settling it against his chest protectively he turns and starts back towards the garage’s metal rolling door.
Flames lick around the wind tunnel and smoke swirls overhead with each step. An oppressive weight settling across his shoulders with each step. A bright light shines from under the lip of the door, the rattle of the metal barely audible as it starts to roll up. The light expands, filling his view until it blinds him and drowns out the sounds of the fire…

The room was silent and the clock by his bed told him dimly the time was 4:48am. Joshua sat up in bed. He had accepted what he had done, the dream was just that, a dream. He recognized it for what it was, a fantasy.
The fire had been his fault, not understanding that what he could do was dangerous or that the contents of the garage were so hazardous. The matches would ignite if he just stared at them hard enough and wanted them to, but that time so had the nearby used rags. The shelves they were piled by quickly spread the flames and some of the various containers reacted violently.
The kittens had been in the back of the one car building for only a few weeks now. Even at 8-years old something inside him knew he couldn’t just leave them there, but he was still only a child.
The emergency responders tried to reassure him that no one would expect someone his age to rescue kittens from a burning building. Even now he can feel the tightness in his chest thinking about the small box set aside and covered to hide the three tiny forms that no longer moved or cried. Three tiny lives he not only couldn’t save, but lives he had been responsible for taking. They were only kittens, but at 8, he felt like a monster.
Laying back down he closes his eyes and sighs. He had made a promise to himself after that, he would never let anyone get hurt because of him again. In time he realized that something like that was impossible, but he tried to use his magic only for good.
And if he can save a life…
Another weight suddenly settles on his chest and he smiles.
...even if it’s just one…
Reaching up he scratches the short, soft fur of the calico cat curling up on his chest.
...it’s a difference he’s willing to make no matter the personal cost.
The light from outside highlights the half-faded burn scars on his hands as they rest on the cat before Joshua falls back to sleep.

*********

Joshua jogged quickly down the block. He hated being late and not just because his uncle would make sure that it would mean extra lessons when he could be out with his classmates.
He took the short steps down to door in two leaping steps and stumbled to a stop at the wooden door at its bottom. The dark, almost black, wood worn and smooth, the faded image of a black feathered bird set atop an oversized hammer barely visible. Catching his breath he shoved the door open and acts casual in hopes of not drawing attention to his tardiness.
”Hey, Uncle Mac.” He calls over to bar counter as he crosses the large room of the pub.
The older man wiping down the bar doesn’t even look up at the clock to Joshua’s relief as he sets his backpack on a stool.
”Ah, Josh, changes of plans I’m afraid.” His uncle said with a frown. ”There’s a meeting tonight. So the astronomy lesson is gonna have to be rescheduled.”
Joshua was a little disappointed but he tried to look on the bright side. ”Oh, it’s okay Uncle Mac. I understand.”
Mac chuckled and smirked. ”If you want to hang around until it starts you should have a chance to say hi to Tori.”
Joshua coughed and managed not to let his checks redded. His uncle had always teased him about the crush he had had on the older girl when he first moved here to live with his uncle. She was older than him by at least a decade and everyone knew at least three other members were trying to get her attention.
”Thanks Uncle Mac, bet I think I’ll just catch up with some school friends.” Joshua says as he picks up his pack and shoulders it again. Turning towards the door he waves to his uncle.
”Oh, and Joshua.” His uncle calls as he opens the door again.
”Hmm?
”I want at least 3 differrent recipes for 3 different escape potions. And I want them before the weekend, or it’s doubled.”
Joshua bawkled. That would take hours of research and his uncle knew it. Mac set a glass on the shelf, picked up another and started to wipe it dry.
Joshua sighed and closed the door. Crossing the room he headed for the basement. His uncle was a hard mentor, but at least he let him use the Guild’s research library. He heard the door open as started down the stairs.
”Hey Mac.”
”Marci. No Julius tonight?” He can hear his uncle chuckle.
”Not for a meeting.” Her chuckles fade out as he disappears downstairs.
His uncle was a tough teacher but he knew Joshua wanted to help people. And even though this was going to take a good chunk of free time, his uncle was really doing it for his own good.
But still, Joshua hated being late.

Around the age of 8, he started manifesting a magical aptitude. A few months later he accidentally set their garage on fire. This lead to the death of some small animals and injuring himself.
His parents were concerned for about the trauma this caused. When his uncle visited, he recognized young Joshua's talent and suggested that a change of location might help his troubled mind. They agreed it couldn't hurt and he moved to live with his uncle. He learned his uncle was also a practitioner and told him he would mentor the boy, teaching him how to use magic properly and to help others.
When he was ready, his uncle contacted a friend and got him enrolled at the school. There, he met others with a desire to help those in need. Though they may differ in how they approached this, Joshua found some common ground. And if they can save lives, even just one, it would be worth it to him.