* * *
After some five weeks of training, the time came for Laedron to meet his knights and square off against another squad in the courtyard—the final test of competency used to judge if a mage and his knights were ready to leave the walls and safety of the Shimmering Dawn castle.
Victor escorted three young knights into the room and waited for them to be still before speaking. “These warriors are ready to greet you, Sorcerer.”
Turning to face them, Laedron immediately recognized one of them. “Marac? Marac Reven!”
“Lae!” Marac rushed across the room and embraced Laedron.
“But why are you here?” Laedron asked, gently pushing him away. He looked Marac over, unaccustomed to seeing him clad in heavy armor and carrying a weapon at his hip.
“When the war started, my da sent me to train here. He thought it would be better than foot infantry.” Marac adjusted his sword in an awkward fashion. “Safer, too.”
“He would be correct,” Victor said, turning to Laedron. “I selected these for you because, like you, they are all from Reven’s Landing. I thought you might get along better.”
Although Laedron didn't know the others personally, he remembered seeing them around the village. He was excited to see Marac again, nonetheless; it warmed his heart to be at his friend's side once more.
“You'll have one hour to prepare.” Victor opened the door, but he glanced back before leaving. “And no harmful spells, Laedron. We don't want anyone getting hurt.”
Laedron nodded and turned to the knights. “Let's get started, then.”
When he heard the door close, Laedron explained his plan. “I've been thinking on this for a week now, and I think I've come up with something. We can't use offensive spells that would cause injury for this contest, so most of the mages will focus on dispelling while their knights fight it out.”
Marac shrugged. “What did you have in mind? I thought this was just a matter of beating the other knights down, our sorcerer standing back and watching.”
“Come close, I'll explain it,” Laedron said.
The Circle of Sorcerers: A Mages of Bloodmyr Novel: Book #1 Page 14