Trials of Magic

by Thomas K. Carpenter

  Aurie cleared her throat as her patron's withering gaze fell upon her.

  "Theoretically, let's say we were successful, and let's say the artifact was an item that could do a lot of people good, but we didn't want it to fall in the wrong hands," she said.

  "And who might be the wrong hands?" he asked dourly.

  "Well, anyone really," she said, but when his expression caught a twinge of disappointment, she added, "but specifically the Cabal."

  "The Cabal?" he asked with an exquisitely raised eyebrow. "Are we believing urban legends now?"

  Pi stepped forward. "The Cabal is real. I've met them. Heard them talk about their plans."

  Semyon frowned, the earlier disappointment returning in full. He started stepping towards the door. "Girls. I'm afraid I'm quite busy. I don't really have time for games."

  Pi lunged into her jacket and threw Radoslav's rune on the table. "Celesse D'Agastine made an offer to you to join them, but you refused."

  He took a step back towards them. A hint of ozone filled the air. His power was subtle, but she had no doubt that he could take them both before they could even raise a finger. He snapped his fingers, and the sounds of the tournament outside disappeared, as if the small room had suddenly been transported to the moon.

  "Out with it. All of it. As your patron and the person you came to for help, I want to hear it all, from the beginning, though it would be helpful if you stopped playing footsy with the truth and told me what it is you've acquired," he said. "And if you don't start speaking quickly, there will be consequences."

  The threat was quite real, and Aurie had no illusions that they weren't in grave danger, despite her hopes that he was a generally good person. Even good people did terrible things when they were afraid.

  "We have the Rod of Dominion," she said.

  "Impossible," he said with a curt shake of his head. "It's widely considered the item with the most dangerous curse of the ancient world protecting it. No one has the slightest idea how to bypass it and many have died trying."

  Aurie motioned to Pi, who opened the bench seat and pulled out the crook.

  Semyon Gray stared at the artifact for a good twenty seconds. At first he seemed to be willing it not to exist, then his lip twitched as if he were allergic to it. As the realization dawned on him that they had actually retrieved the Rod, he snapped out of his stupor.

  "You have it here? You are fools. While I've never been to this gaming shop, I'm well aware of this place," he said, with a particular emphasis on "place" that made her think of Hemistad. His expression broke into a softer, but disappointed countenance. "Still. You've done it and no harm has yet come, so we will continue. Please start from the beginning, the both of you. I want each of your stories, hold nothing back."

  "Where do we start?" Pi asked, looking to her sister.

  But Aurie knew the answer; it was the only way to truly explain to Semyon how they had acquired it.

  "It began the day our parents died..."

  After they explained that day, the sisters went over the events of the last year, starting with the summoning of the demon lord Pazuzu. Patron Semyon asked questions at various points, demanding details that neither of them thought important, but must have had some bearing on the larger conflict. It took them a few hours. Aurie tried to rush a few times, she wanted him to take the Rod to the hospital, but when she got frustrated, he admonished her for rashness.

  "I appreciate your concern for this young lady, but if we are not careful, we will cause greater harm. I promise you that as soon as I'm satisfied you've not unleashed a plague on the city of biblical proportions, I will take the Rod to the Golden Willow and instruct them to heal this Emily first."

  Satisfied, Aurie was able to continue. When they got to the portal, the tomb, and the battle with Professor Augustus, he seemed particularly interested in items in the various rooms.

  When they were finished, and only then, did he ask to examine the Rod of Dominion. Whatever doubts he had before he touched it, they erased from his face once it was in his grip.

  "Well, I'll be daft. This really is the Rod. I was certain that you had to be mistaken," he said, shaking his head. "No wonder they thought themselves gods with this in their hands. And to think, you just gave it to me."

  A shock of cold went through Aurie's gut. She started to summon her faez, but Semyon winked, dispelling her fears.

  "No worries. As tempting as it would be, I'd find being a modern pharaoh quite tiresome. There's a reason Arcanium is filled with libraries. I much prefer a good book to lording over others," he said.

  "Will it be safe at Golden Willow?" she asked hopefully.

  "Though it will be difficult, I will give the Rod a proper disguise, and tell them it's a lesser artifact. A few nondisclosure spells will ensure no rumors escape, though the hospital's reputation will grow with time. Don't worry. You've entrusted it to the right person. I will keep it safe."

  Aurie let out a sigh of relief. She'd been worried that something would keep the Rod from being used.

  Patron Semyon turned to leave, when Pi blurted out, "What about the Cabal? Aren't you going to do something about them?"

  "You assume that I haven't been," he said. "Though my power is limited with Invictus no longer in this world. We are collectively poorer without him."

  "Is there anything we can do to help?" asked Pi.

  Semyon broke into an honest smile, something she would expect him to share with his mates, if he had any.

  "You've done a lot already. Your parents would be proud. But the best thing you can do now is to finish your schooling," he said.

  "What about—" asked Aurie, but Semyon held his hand up.

  "I told you before, I can do nothing," he said. "I suggest you speak to her first."

  "Can I tell her about any of this?" asked Aurie.

  "No."

  Aurie slumped onto the seat, dejected.

  To Pi, Semyon asked, "What about you, young lady? What are your intentions with Coterie?"

  "I'm resigning," she said. "As soon as I get back to the Obelisk."

  Semyon turned to leave, when Pi spoke up again. "One more question."

  "I feel like I could be here forever with 'just one more question.' Don't you want me to arrive at the Golden Willow posthaste?" he asked.

  "It's quick. It's just you mentioned Hemistad earlier, like he was a problem. What or who is he? Should we be worried?" she asked.

  Semyon thought for a moment before answering. "I'll leave it to him to explain, if he's ever inclined to, though under no circumstance should you ask him. But it's clear he's taken a shine to you two, and I can see why. Just be careful. No, wait. Just be yourselves. I'm not sure you know what careful is."

  After he left, an emptiness consumed Aurie. It took a while for her to realize that she'd been pushing so hard for so long, that the lack of adrenaline actually bothered her.

  "You feel it, too?" asked Pi.

  "Yeah," she said. "What do we do now?"

  "Go back to our Halls," said Pi.

  "They won't be for long," said Aurie, and though she wanted to revel in self-pity, she couldn't allow herself. She'd decided months ago that it was worth saving Emily even if it meant getting kicked out.

  She didn't go out right away. Leaving would somehow acknowledge the fate that she'd dealt herself. While she was standing in a side room at Freeport Games, she was still a member of Arcanium. Once she went back, reality would come rushing back in.

  "Please make it until Semyon gets to you," said Aurie thinking about Emily before leaving the room. She envied the players at their tables, slinging cards and laughing at each other's stories. That was a life that was never meant for her.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  The other students at Arcanium flooded from the initiate wing when Aurie walked onto the floor. Her ears buzzed. The sounds of running feet faded away as someone went to get Professor Mali, while a sea of stern looks twisted her gut. She'd never wanted to disappoint the
m, but here it was, unavoidable.

  "Aurie!" came a bright voice from the back.

  Deshawn maneuvered through the other initiates. He threw his arms around her in a hug. After a moment of shock, she hugged him back.

  "I'm so glad you're safe." Then he turned around and pointed at her. "Aren't we glad she's safe?"

  His bold declaration seemed to dispel the unsettled mood. Reluctantly a few people nodded, though in back, a flip of blonde hair storming out of the room announced Violet's feelings about her return.

  Xi, Daniel, and the others crowded around Aurie. They looked a little hurt.

  "I'm sorry. I really am. I had to go, right then, the test be damned," she said.

  Xi quirked his lips. "Impressive spell. We all asleep like snapping fingers. Maybe you can teach me sometime. Though next time, please warning first. I woke on Daniel's smelly butt."

  The tension broke with nervous laughter. Aurie could have kissed Xi for it.

  "I'd love to," she said, but remembered that her time in Arcanium was almost to an end. She didn't want to spoil the reunion, so she kept the thought to herself, not that they couldn't figure it out.

  They tried to get what it was that was so important out of her, but Aurie shook them off, telling them it was a secret better left untold. Eventually, everyone but Deshawn returned to their rooms before the professor arrived.

  "Thanks for saving me," she said. "I thought for a moment they were going to lynch me."

  He raised an eyebrow at her comment. "Don't think I didn't consider it after you spelled me. But after I came to, and worked my anger off at the gym, I realized that it had to be important, or you wouldn't risk getting expelled from Arcanium for it. I mean, you're the best of us. I don't know what we're going to do if you're not here."

  "Is she pissed?" she asked.

  "Like Emperor Palpatine throwin' down his lightning on Vader kinda pissed. Her wheelchair practically levitated," he said.

  Aurie pinched the bridge of her nose. "Great."

  "But you've got a good story for her, right?" asked Deshawn. "I mean, if it was all that important, you should be able to explain it to her."

  "I wish I could, but I can't," she said.

  "Damn," he said, chewing his lip.

  In a strange way, his disappointment cheered her up. This year at Arcanium had been the longest she'd been at any school since her parents had died. It was nice to finally make friends. Too bad they'd probably forget her after she was gone.

  A glistening soap bubble burst nearby, releasing the professor's voice. "Aurelia Silverthorne. I need to see you in my office. Now."

  Deshawn saluted before leaving. The walk to the professor's room felt both instantaneous and forever.

  The walls were covered in pictures, framed medals, and other awards. Professor Mali had fought in wars around the globe. Seeing them always reminded Aurie how petty her problems were.

  "Miss Aurelia. Do you understand the gravity of what you did this morning? In a court of law, that spell could be interpreted as an assault on their liberties. If you'd been on the street, any one of those students could press charges, and you would most certainly be prosecuted. But you are in Arcanium, for now, which gives you some level of protection. Which means you fall under our jurisdiction, specifically mine."

  Aurie stiffened. Violet could have already called her mother, Camille, with plans to sue her once she was kicked out of Arcanium. Things were only getting worse.

  "Do you have an explanation for your actions?" asked the professor.

  A sudden overwhelming weight nearly drove Aurie to her knees. If she spoke, she'd violate Semyon's request, but if she didn't then she'd be kicked out of Arcanium. Aurie wasn't sure why he'd asked her to be silent about it. If Professor Mali was a trusted instructor, why couldn't she tell her?

  "Professor Mali," began Aurie, "I...I'm afraid I cannot explain."

  "So I'm to believe that you left the room of truth and assaulted the rest of your classmates for no good reason?" she asked.

  "I have a reason, but I'm afraid I cannot tell you. I'm sorry. I know this means I've broken your and the other students' trust," said Aurie.

  Despite the reasons for it, and all she'd gone through, the disappointment in the professor's gaze nearly broke Aurie. All her life, even before her parents' death, she'd looked up to Arcanium, dreamed about being a member. So the professor held a special place in Aurie's heart. That visible disappointment was like a brand stamped into her chest.

  "What then? Was it the room of truth that broke your will? Were you running scared, afraid to face the truth?" accused the professor.

  "I wasn't running scared," said Aurie, clenching her hands to keep them from shaking.

  "It certainly looked like that to me," said the professor.

  "I left because..." She paused, realizing that she couldn't explain the part about her sister being in danger. But she could explain what she'd learned about her parents. "I left because I'd learned what I needed to learn."

  Professor Mali went dangerously still. The back of Aurie's neck prickled for an unknown reason.

  "Explain."

  "For the last seven years, I've blamed myself for my parents' death. And not the kind of self-hate when something bad happens, like you deserved it for stealing a candy bar kind of thing. No, I actually might have caused my parents' death because I was a careless, arrogant kid. That's one version of what happened. In another version, I'm not the reason they died. It was something related to their choices, their lives. It had nothing to do with me.

  "Each time I've gone into the room, I've had to relive that day. But the reality is that I've been reliving that day my whole life. I don't fall asleep at night, or have a meal, without considering that my actions caused the death of my parents, which not only impacted me, but my little sister. And I am truly sorry for that. I've always accepted the consequences for that day, but it's not fair that Pi had to suffer too. She'd done nothing wrong. She was this twinkle-in-her-eyes kid before, and now...now she's different.

  "So I've been living this Schrödinger's Life. In one version, I'm a terrible kid who killed my parents. In the other, I'm just really unlucky. But I can't ever know the truth, because they're dead.

  "Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, when my mind is groggy, and the sun's coming through the blinds just so, I sort of forget what happened. And I have this thought, as I'm curled up in bed, the blankets tucked under my chin. I'm not even sure I know how old I am, or what day it is in that moment. But what I do have, for a brief succulent moment, is the unwavering certainty that my parents are alive. That I'm not in a ratty old Section Eight apartment with water stains on the ceiling. But that I'm at home, in our brownstone, and Dad's cooking biscuits from scratch while Mom plays piano, some obscure song she learned when she was a kid growing up in Tehran, that sounds like rain on a city street.

  "And then it hits me. Like I've been dunked in cold water and I can't come up for air. They're dead and I caused it."

  Aurie caught her breath. She hadn't realized she'd been speaking for so long. She'd never said these things, to anybody, not even her sister. The professor sat so still she could have been a painting.

  When Aurie didn't speak, the professor prompted, "Did you eventually learn the truth?"

  "No," said Aurie. "Not about them. But I learned something more important, I think. They're dead. I might have caused it. I might not have. I will have to live with that for the rest of my life. But what matters more is not the truth, but how I react. My parents are dead, but since then I've done my best to raise my sister, to look out for her, to be there for her, as best as I could. Yeah, Pi's different now, but that's okay. She's still my sister and the most kickass sister you could ever want to have. And I've done my best to right those flaws in myself that led to that day. Regardless of my parents' death, I made a mistake that day. I accept that, and have tried to learn from it. I'm still learning. I know that I don't always have control of my magic. And I know that
it's dangerous. I'm a powerful mage. Enough power that it scares me. I need to learn how to control it. I worry that if I don't, that more people will get hurt. So whether or not I was the cause of the explosion that day, I have a responsibility to make sure that doesn't happen to someone else. I have a responsibility to the people around me. To my sister, Pi.

  "So yes, I learned the truth. I learned that what actually happens sometimes doesn't matter. That truth is a fiction that few get to understand. That our perceptions and hopes and fears cloud every action we take, every day, in every way. That in some ways, no one ever knows the truth, that truth is a mirage that blinds us, and that how you deal with the aftermath is really the only real version of truth," said Aurie, a wave of relief shuddering through her body as if a fever had just broken.

  Professor Mali stared at her for a long time. Wheels turned behind those impenetrable, hard eyes.

  Eventually, Aurie felt uncomfortable and moved to get up. "I understand that I'll be expelled for my behavior and for failing the class."

  Without moving her mouth, Professor Mali said, "Sit down."

  As if she'd been spelled there, Aurie welded her butt to the leather couch.

  When the professor didn't speak, Aurie wasn't sure what to think until she saw a tear glisten at the corner of her eye.

  "Aurelia," said the professor in a voice so soft it wouldn't have upset a butterfly. "Not only will you not be expelled, but you will pass with the highest marks in the class."

  "W—what?" asked Aurie. "How can that be?"

  "Because you learned the lesson of Verum Locus better than anyone could ever hope," she said, grabbing Aurie's hands and squeezing them tight. "Truth is a multifaceted thing. What I hope for most students is that they at least accept the possibility that they will never know and to get over the pain that it caused. But to turn that wavering mirage into a forceful plan of action and adhere to it despite the unpleasant consequences is sign of uncommon courage. You passed in ways that I cannot even describe."