Chapter 5
The seven mages were standing in a circle when Wilfred came in with the representative. Wearing their full regalia, they stood up and looked over the young cleric very severely.
"The cleric is here at last," the representative said matter-of-factly.
"What sort of research have you been doing about us?" Mucaz, the eldest of the mages said harshly.
"Be kind to the cleric. He wasn't around at the beginning of time like you were," said Zachrin.
"Grrr," Mucaz answered.
"You should really calm down, old man," Ruza said with a wink and a smile. "I can't believe I'm saying that-calm down. What's this world coming to?"
"I will answer for myself, thank you," Wilfred replied. "I am writing a book on the early history of mankind, and am writing about how you mages here are heirs to the tradition of having the best of humanity serve God as the representatives of His power."
"So you're not slandering our power, young whipper snapper?" Mucaz replied.
"No, I am not," Wilfred replied.
"I am concerned about what people will think of us if you write about the beginning of humanity," Jilou said cautiously. "After all, we mages are highly important to the health of the planet, as well as the worship of God, and people should not think of us as being too common."
"I would hope that people would not think of you as common. In fact, I hope my work will show the more superstitious members of humanity that the mages are not some kind of fake tradition, but are representatives of God with the longest pedigree. I would hope that your powers never serve to be denigrated, least of all by me. I am a cleric after all," Wilfred answered.
"What do you have to say about this, eh Zulakc?" Ruza answered loudly and enthusiastically.
"I am the one who wanted to call this meeting. Unlike some of the more reserved, and even invisible Mages, I interact often with the outside world, and I think it would be good for people to know where this tradition comes from. I would hope that people would realize the need for power, especially of a spiritual nature, to be in the hands of people capable of great self-control. That is our goal at least," Zulakc answered kindly.
"Why didn't we just transport him here if he just wanted to help us out?" Mucaz said temperamentally, with a fiery look on his face.
"Calm down, Mucaz. We wanted to see what he had to say about us before we took any action," Fulcatz said quietly.
"Wow, we actually got Fulcatz to talk. That never happens. I haven't heard him talk in a Mage meeting for years," Ruza shouted again.
"Why don't you calm down, hyper Mage," Mucaz said.
"Being hyper is my job, and I do it well!" Ruza replied. "Now, if only Gretub could show up. That illusive Mage never shows up with anything interesting to say either."
"Hey, I actually like this cleric," Gretub could say.
"Well, he actually said something. It wasn't interesting, but at least he said something," Ruza said.
"Is there anything you want me to do now?" Wilfred asked. "After all, since I am done with my thesis, I need to present it for my doctorate."
"I hope that your thesis serves to increase respect for us," Mucaz said gruffly.
"We will be keeping an eye on you," Jilou.
"I did not expect anything less. You mages seem to be very concerned about your image, even though you do not show your face very often in the company of mankind," Wilfred said pointedly.
"We see you people more than you realize," Zulakc said smilingly. "Gretub helps us out with invisibility sometimes, so we can get a pulse on humanity."
"Yeah, I do that sometimes," Gretub said.
"Wow, two sentences from Gretub in a meeting? Jilou, give this guy some healing. He must be feeling sick," Ruza said jokingly.
"Somebody needs to tape your mouth shut so you stop talking," Mucaz said.
"You're just an old fogie. Were you always this old?" Ruza replied.
"Were you always this annoying?" Mucaz huffs.
"Control your temper and you will be as chipper as I am," Ruza says.
"I am concerned that you two may diminish the respect that this cleric has for us," Jilou says.
"I know you guys are all human, and that you reflect the powers you have. You were chosen for these jobs due to your personality, so that you could reflect the omnipotence and omniscience of our Creator God," Wilfred replied.
"Well, I guess you can go now," the representative said. "Good luck on your thesis."
"Thank you very much," Wilfred answered as he turned to walk away.
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