"I can sleep on the floor," offered Aban. "I've slept in worse ways. I only require a few things: food, water, and clothing. But I need to think about my brother Arye."

Eden shook her head, that would never do,
"As your mentor, I will provide for you and I will give you enough to send to your family to make up for you not being there." She went back down into their home and stopped at a locked chest in the corner. Eden knelt down and pressed her lips against the lock which popped open. Reaching inside, Eden pulled out a small bag of coins.
"This will cover what you need in town, whatever is left you can give to your brother and mother." She stood and handed Aban the bag then started pulling thick blankets from underneath her bed,
"You can use these to stay comfortable. If you need anything just ask."

"

Aban nodded, taking the coins. He would go to Arye tonight. "Like I said," he murmured. "I am a simple man with simple needs. I will go to my brother tonight. But other than that, I can make do."

:That's fine," Eden said, sitting on the bed and crossing her legs.
"Tomorrow you and I will begin your education. Just so you know," She leaned forward, her tone serious,
"After tomorrow you will have limited contact with your family... Some teachers will forbid their students from seeing their parents until the training is complete."

"I understand," said Aban. "My father is dead, my mother a servant in my Lord's house... I only have my brother to in my home."

"Good, now go and I will see you tonight." Eden said with a smile and nod, uncrossing her legs and standing up.
"Take your time though, I know family means a lot."

Aban nodded. "I'll be back at sunset," he promised.

---

"So you're going away?" asked Arye.
"Just for a while," Aban said. "And I'll come back stronger. And when I do I'll bring mother home."
"You swear?"
"On father's grave."

While Aban was gone, Eden prepared their home for two people. She made up a study area for him, then laid out the blankets into a fairly large pile so Aban would not feel the ground he was laying on. Taking advantage of the privacy, Eden also changed into a floor length, silk dress. It had no back and no sleeves, but it was Eden's favorite and she loved the way it moved as she walked. Just as well, the witch pulled her hair up so it stayed out of her way.. As the day drew to a close, Eden began looking through her library on one wall, pulling down books she wanted Aban to look through, a cauldron in the middle of the floor bubbled happily.

Aban returned just as the sun went below the horizon. He looked tired.

"How did it go?" Eden asked, setting the books down on a table and going to Aban,
"Tell me over dinner," She said, leading him to the cauldron. Fruit, cheese, meat, and bread were set on platters next to the pot.
"We'll eat first, while you tell me about your family, and then we start with your first spell." She said with a smile.

Aban filled Eden in on everything: telling Arye not to spill the beans, giving him all of his money and warning him to keep it and only spend it wisely. He added, "I told him that if someone offers to take him in, he accept it and wait for me to return." He ate quickly, happily. This was the largest meal he'd had in a long time.

Eden nodded, listening intently to Aban as they ate. When he was done Eden sat back,
"Well, I hope to someday meet your brother and mother, once you are a full warlock." She crossed her legs and hauled a large book into her lap,
"You can keep eating if you like, but we should work on your first spell, a summoning spell." Flipping through the pages, Eden kept talking,
"This is a beginner spell, and it is very useful if you're feeling lazy," She smiled and shrugged,
"For a while you will have to speak the words, but eventually it will become easier and easier to just reach out your hand and the thing will come to you." Setting the book on the floor, Eden scooted over so she could sit close to Aban. Pointing down to the spell, Eden spoke the words that were written down,
"As you say these, reach out to the object you want. Start small and close, like a piece of cheese. Like this," The witch reached out her hand towards the cheese and spoke the ancient words and a piece zoomed into her open palm.

"I see," said Aban. "But I need to know the words, correct?"

"They're here," Eden said, pointing to the words written down,
"They're pronounced how they're written, which is nice."

Aban nodded and began reading. He started with bringing a plate closer to him. The ceramic wobbled a bit, shuddered, and then was still. He focused harder, repeating the words, and the plate came flying at him; he ducked in time to avoid being hit, but the plate flew into the wall and shattered. "Oops."

Eden ducked the plate, and giggled when it shattered,
"It's fine, I'll fix it later. At least it was only a plate..." She smiled at Aban,
"The first time I used this spell I sent a table at my teacher's head, Try again, this time focus, but make yourself soft. Being hard or fierce is what makes magic dark."

Aban nodded, careful to do as instructed, focusing on an apple. He murmured the words, and the fruit rushed to his hand. True, it stung when it hit his palm, but it was still a lot better than taking a plate to the face.

Eden clapped her hands, smiling broadly and patting Aban on the shoulder,
"Well done! Now, try it again with a book."

((Should we fast forward a little to when he is learning some bigger spells?))

Aban grinned. He felt proud of what he'd done.

((Sure.))

It was a few weeks later and Eden had taught Aban more summoning, as well as pausing spells and different potions Now the two of them were at the creek, well, Eden was IN the creek with her skirt hiked up around her knees as she waded around, looking for a certain rock that would amplify their magic.