God-Kissed: Book 1 (The Apprentices)

by Clark Bolton

  A few days later Autbek decided he would have to spend more time with Castor on his studies. The two librarians were hitting Castor pretty hard with homework, a lot of it involving arcane-script. They had done the same with him at first but gave that up after a couple weeks. He figured it was because his mastery of it was on a par with theirs. Anyway Castor needed something to push him over the top. Maybe if he learned a simple cantrip.

  The thought was bold and just might work Autbek told himself. He knew that it was possible to cast a spell without knowing anything about it. In fact there were documented stories of mages tricking the innocent into doing so. He would not trick Castor of course, but if coached carefully maybe it could be done.

  Standing at the exit door from the mages wing Autbek’s heart raced as he grasped the parchment he had written a message to Berdtom on. He had gone through this door often enough but now that it was warded it made everything seem a little dreamlike. Only Autbek, Sterncast, Lusric, and maybe the two librarians, besides their master, could now open this door. Anyone else would find it immovable. The words to deactivate the wards on the door were simple enough but did require a rudimentary talent with respect to magic.

  He made a mental note to try and teach Castor the quasi-spell later today as he cast it himself to open the door. The servant sitting at the table on the other side came to attention apprehensively. They all did that now, Autbek learned, ever since Tenric had scared the hell out of master servant Roystance.

  “Have this set aside for master Valice, please.” He told the servant who bowed and took the parchment. He hoped Berdtom would get it from Valice that day so he could meet with him in Autbek’s suite tonight. Anyway he would sleep there tonight instead of his bed in the mages wing so as not to miss Berdtom if he arrived late in the evening.

  Luck was with them today as Berdtom received the message and thus made his appearance shortly after dusk. Answering a curt knock on the door Autbek let Berdtom into his waiting room.

  “Greetings O’t!” the man exclaimed as he calmly walked by him to the table where he picked up the waiting quill and parchment. He quickly wrote a message and then stepped aside to allow Autbek to read it.

  Do you have it, and can you use it now?

  Autbek pulled out the scroll he had made and nodded yes. When Berdtom indicated he should cast it he nonchalantly tucked the scroll away and began to cast from memory. The room echoed with the rhythmic chant of arcane-script as he manipulated his hands as if writing in the air and then looking up to face the ceiling he jerked his arms in a wide arc as the casting came to an end.

  Berdtom paused to confirm Autbek was done then searched about the room with his eyes and even paced a bit to see if there was any noticeable difference to the place. He seemed to find none and looked back to Autbek to confirm the spell had worked.

  He was very proud of himself at the moment and gave Berdtom a wicked smile. He had been aching to cast that spell for days. “It’s done!” he announced.

  “None can hear or see us?”

  “Not by magic anyway.”

  “Good! Now let’s sit here and keep our voices down, just in case there are spy-holes about.” Berdtom then sat at the table pushing the parchment aside.

  “Ok Tom, what is so important.” He was dying to know now what his friend was keeping secret. It was scary, thrilling, and bewildering all at the same time.

  “I wish I could say it all to you O’t, but I think it best to keep some of it from you.”

  “You don’t trust me, really?” he asked with disappointment.

  “No O’t, not that at all. It’s just … well youth at times find secrets slipping their mind. And by this I mean an unintentional slip to a friend, it could spell disaster and cause great hardship O’t, and even deaths.”

  “Tom, I have kept the family’s most treasured secrets for years and even under interrogation by my master and by the Earl himself!” Autbek exclaimed with pride.

  Berdtom surprised him with a chuckle, “Ha-ha. Touché my lord, I apologize.” He even stood and bowed to emphasize his sincerity.

  He felt a little embarrassed now and hoped Berdtom was not upset with his response. Bringing back his mind to the reason they were meeting he suddenly wondered if he really wanted to hear it now that Berdtom had mentioned there could be deaths.

  “I now know why Tenric has come to live in Astrum.”

  Chills ran up his spine as he asked, “Is it not to found an academy of magic?”

  “Well yes, but that’s far from the whole of it. Tell me, do you know any soothsayers?”

  “None that I can think of. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a real one.” he replied.

  Berdtom smiled, “Well real or fake there are alleyways in Astrum filled with them but those are not the ones the nobility trust nor seek out in times of trouble.”

  Berdtom went on to tell of the Earl’s trip some years ago to the capital to meet with the countries most famed oracle. A man named Eifled the Elder. The Earl was warned by Eifled of a vague oncoming catastrophe that he must prepare for in order for the Earl’s realm to survive. He was not told the nature of the threat by Eifled so once he returned to Astrum the Earl summoned soothsayers and the like from all over the kingdom and beyond. This had happened about four years ago.

  “Tenric is no soothsayer, Tom, of that I’m sure. In fact I’ve been helping him work to discover this supposed catastrophe he and his lordship think is coming.”

  “You have been busy, O’t.” Berdtom said with a smile.

  “So I’m right in thinking the Earl has hired my master to find this … thing? He spends more and more time at it, that much I know, and the Dieknotkow may be part of this.” Autbek offered. He had filled Berdtom in on too much he knew, putting his oath at risk but he considered the man family and so gave himself some leeway.

  “No, that creature the Earl knew of only after Tenric arrived. It seems Tenric’s reputation with divination was what clinched the contract with the Earl but not in the way you are thinking. The Earl wants mages, lots of them, as he sees arcane force as one of the best shields against the oncoming storm, especially since the King limits the size of the Earl’s army. I can’t be certain if any of the soothsayers advised him to do this.”

  “So what is coming that the Earl fears?”

  Berdtom sat back and smiled, “I don’t know yet … and I think neither does anyone else, not even the Earl. I’m still searching but now things are getting dangerous, thus the use of this anti-divination spell.” He gestured about the room as he spoke.

  “Dangerous! Why?”

  “Rumors.” Berdtom replied simply. “There are those in the Earl’s court, and perhaps the King’s court as well, who think that a simple rumor, given enough force, could break the confidence of the Earl’s subjects and thus bring his downfall. A kind of self-fulfilling prophecy. No doubt some influential soothsayer put such ideas in their heads.”

  “That’s crazy.” He replied with great skepticism. “How could such a thing ever happen? Only a mad man would believe something like that! Right?”

  “I agree with you O’t, and so I think does the Earl. Unfortunately less sane heads exist in the court and they have considerable authority or at least the finances to exercise it.”

  The two men sat silently for a minute until Autbek asked. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Nothing really, O’t. Just keep to your studies and keep your head down. You’re well isolated in the mages wing so largely out of reach of the Earl’s court. Tenric is our only real lead at the moment.

  “How so?”

  “I think he is likely to be the first to learn what the real threat is. When he does I hope you will be there to hear it.”

  “I won’t break my oath Tom. I could never do such a thing, even if Tenric was deserving of it.” He stared at the floor as he spoke.

  Berdtom chuckled softly as he laid his hand on Autbek’s knee. “I would never ask you to O’t, and that is exactly why I wr
ote that oath you swore the way I did.”

  “You really wrote that? I mean all of it?”

  “No, not all, much was copied from the oath that mage apprentices have been swearing since time began, or thereabouts. No I wrote the part about loyalty to the state, O’t. The part that puts your loyalty to the Earl above that of Tenric. Something apprentices have never done before.”

  It was clear to him now he thought. If Tenric discovered the threat Autbek could in theory inform others without Tenric’s permission, all in the name of saving the realm. “So I could let someone know what was happening without asking Tenric.”

  “Well…someone in the states service anyway. As for telling me without breaking your oath…well I’m working on that part.” He smiled mischievously as he spoke.

  Autbek laughed for a moment then sobered up to ask, “Tom is there really a catastrophe coming?”

  “Whew!” Berdtom exhaled and stared at the far wall for a while. “Eifled thinks there is. And the greatest soothsayers in the kingdom think there is. But no one can say when or what. They do all seem to think it’s a long way off. My worry is that if one does not manifest itself one will be created.”

  Autbek pondered that for a moment. “By whom?”

  “The King! The Earldom has always been semi-autonomous and don’t forget it was but a few centuries ago that Astrum was a kingdom in of itself. The King has always wanted the lords here to swear fidelity directly to the crown as the king before him wanted … and all the kings before him. Only Astrum has the right to keep its lords, such as your uncle, under its own reign.”

  “Really, I thought the Squire of Runeholden swore an oath to the Squire of Kass. At least that’s the way my father says it’s done.”

  Berdtom smiled and grunted, “Ah, yes the Runeholden Kass convention. It’s the last remaining one from the times of the Tesslodken. Though the oath is a formality only, as Runeholden is far richer than Kass, it is always traditionally done.”

  He knew a little about the Tesslodken as his family’s coat of arms proudly displayed heraldic connections to long ago kings from there. “So Runeholden is more important than Kass?”

  After pausing for a moment in thought Berdtom answered slowly. “Since we have this non-detection enhancement in place I shall tell you my thoughts on this. Runeholden is far more important than Kass in many ways, not just riches. Kassholden and its family are tolerated and even to a real extent beholden to Runeholden which has kept them in power for centuries. They have little in the way of resources but they do protect the region and they do swear oaths to the Earl.”

  He never heard the city of Kass referred to as Kassholden before. It seemed to give a regal sound which it did not deserve as it was hardly more than a big mass of hamlets protected by a rather shabby looking castle, at least with respect to the palace of Astrum. “So my family thinks them import enough to swear oaths to?”

  “Yes and no, O’t. Your family cherishes anonymity above all else, even above prestige. The Kassholden sit between Runeholden and the world, like a great puppet in front of its master.” Berdtom stood and then leaning over Autbek he added. “And I shall never repeat what I just said and neither shall you!”

  He nodded his head. “Ok, I won’t.”

  Tenric loved his man-bird, and his five apprentices knew it and each was expected to care for it. The mage rarely ascended the stairs to the Dieknotkow’s tower, at least as far as any of them knew leaving the care of it to its two full time servants. Daily he would ask one or another of his apprentices on the health of the man-bird, making it clear they should be very familiar with it.

  It fell at first to Sterncast to be the front man with respect to care of the Dieknotkow but when it was noticed by all that the thing showed more activity around Autbek and the two other new apprentices he disdainfully turned it over to Autbek. Like other things Sterncast had gladly let Autbek take on tasks he thought beneath his own importance, or at least that might show some weakness of his.

  This was Haspeth’s theory, which he dropped on Autbek one day while Castor was also in the room. “I think he loathes you sometimes Autbek, no really I do.”

  Autbek was caught a little by surprise but could see how it might seem that way. “We get along better than we used too I think. So don’t go causing any problems, Ok!”

  Haspeth had months ago stopped calling him “lord” nor used the word “sir” in addressing him anymore, except to irritate Autbek. The two came to rely more on each other and were becoming good friends so he now found Haspeth’s quirks less irritable and more humorous.

  “You should be the first apprentice I think!” Castor added. The boy clearly idolized him and always tried to place Autbek between himself and others, particularly Sterncast and the two librarians. “You’re better I’m sure.”

  “Thanks, but don’t give me more work than I need.” He replied. Paging through some parchments he had made notes on he informed the two of their task for the day. Something he tried to come up with each and every day as he tried to keep up their spirits and their interest in magecraft. “Now I’m going to teach you how to open that door.”

  When Castor realized he meant him he replied smugly. “And how will you do that?” He was referring to the fact that he could not master one phrase of arcane-script yet, and constantly reminded them that he thought he never would.

  Autbek had doubts about the boy’s talents at times but refused to give up for several reasons. One of which was that he really liked the boy and wanted to see him succeed and to feel the amazing sense of accomplishment and excitement that came from spell casting. “You’ll see, now come on. You too Haspeth!”

  The two followed him to the great door that separated the mages wing from the rest of the palace. Though there were other doors leading out of this wing they had all been blocked leaving this one as the only way for staff to get in or out.

  Now that it was warded with a spell that required the uttering of key phrase to open it had become a real roadblock to the staff. At all hours of the day and some at night one of the three senior apprentices had to be roused so that staff or some visitor could be let in or out. The palace staff clearly hated the door now and even joked that it led to hell.

  Haspeth was close to mastering the quasi-spell he figured but not Castor. Nonetheless Autbek was determined to train them both. “Now, stand here while I draw on the wall.” He produced a large piece of chalk and proceeded to write the first arcane symbol of the spell on the wall next to the door followed by its name, which he wrote in the common language so Castor could read it.

  Akawu

  “Repeat please!”

  Castor repeated it fairly well but not with the right inflection.

  “Again.”

  The boy tried again and this time it was much closer.

  Haspeth could not resist, “Parrots can’t open doors!” he smirked.

  “Shut up!” Autbek said. This phrase he used all the time with Haspeth now, who took no offense by it anymore.

  “Repeat again … now when I write this next one start at the beginning again and say it all together!” Castor did as he asked and in a short time they had rehearsed all five of the arcane symbols several times. The door did not open, which was what he expected.

  It was time now to have Castor mimic a hand gesture though it was not necessary for this spell. He figured it just might help the boy.

  “Now, wave your hand like this when you speak the last two symbols.” Castor quickly practiced the gesture before trying the whole casting together. Nothing happened on his first attempt.

  “Again, now repeat after and this time look at the door and think of the symbols being in the air.” Castor looked earnest on his next attempt but again nothing happened.

  “Again … concentrate … concentrate.” Fortunately Haspeth was remaining silent.

  “CLICK.”

  “AH … AHHHHHH” Castor yelled as he jumped about in joy. Stopping suddenly he turned to Autbek with big eyes.
“You don’t do that did you!”

  “Nope … that was all you kid!” He exclaimed. He was amazed himself that it had worked.

  The three now found themselves staring through the doorway at a rather concerned servant who had the unfortunate duty that day of being stationed at the door to hell. “Sir?” the young man said hesitantly.

  “Sorry, just a bit of practice!” Autbek replied shutting the door slowly. He then ran Castor through the paces several more times before they had another success. After that the boy could open the door nearly every time.

  “Damn … now let me try!” Haspeth demanded. Walking up the door he stared at the script on the wall and gave it his best shot. Nothing happened.

  “It won’t work Haspeth, you’re too good!” He told his friend. “You’re halfway between doing a proper casting and doing a blind one like Castor did.”

  “Shit!” Haspeth exclaimed after trying a half dozen more times.

  Castor hid a big smirk from the other apprentice by putting his hand over his mouth and turning away.

  “Don’t look so damn smug you little bastard!” Haspeth remarked to Castor as they walked back to their room. “You're the one now that has to get up in the middle of the night to open the bleeding door so some sot can empty the chamber pots!”

  Castor upturned his nose at this but said nothing. The two were always teasing each other cruelly, but separate them and each would wonder what the other was doing. Autbek thought they reminded him of an old married couple who both loved and despised each other.

  The four men waited impatiently in a room next to the palace’s main stable. One in particular was unable to sit still and kept eyeing the exit like he was going to bolt.