by B. T. Narro
“You had a chance!” Leon yelled as he pointed at the great hall. “We gave you plenty of chances when we told you your range of mana was too wide to learn dvinia. At how quickly you’ve progressed, I have no doubt you would’ve learned to mimic an essence by now as the rest of them have done. But now you’re even further behind them.”
I would’ve begged if Leon seemed like the type of person who might be affected by it—someone with an ounce of empathy. I figured it was better to stay quiet and tell him with my eyes instead.
He sighed as he turned toward the king. “This is your group of idiots, sire. I could spare one more day if you want to keep Jon.”
The king showed Leon a brief look of irritation, but he said nothing. I didn’t understand why his majesty put up with Leon. Wouldn’t another sorcerer, any other sorcerer, be a better instructor?
The princess said something to her father that was too quiet for me to hear. But from the smile she flashed at me, I had to assume she was advocating for me to stay.
“You will have today only to show me you can cast,” the king said.
Phew. I breathed a quick breath of relief. But it was short-lived. Did that mean I would have to perform the spell later tonight, or did I have until tomorrow morning? The difference could mean my expulsion.
Barrett asked the king, “Shall we postpone the contracts?”
“No, I want everyone signing them now. An enemy has already tried to corrupt Jon with dteria. There is no time to waste.”
I wanted to ask if the king had any idea who this person could be. I felt that I had been personally attacked and deserved to know. I could only hope they would tell me what they’d figured out after they discussed it…if I was still around.
“You have all proven yourself enough to find out what you’re doing here,” the king announced.
“Even Jon, your majesty?” Reuben asked in disbelief.
The king gave him a look that smeared concern across the rich dolt’s face.
“You will stop making remarks about Jon right now. If he is going to succeed or fail, it will be on his own.”
“Yes, sire,” Reuben muttered.
Hopefully that would shut him up for a little while.
“I’m about to tell you something that is not to be shared with anyone,” the king said. “If you speak of this, you will not only be removed from the group, but you will be hung for treason.”
A chill wind whisked by.
“This is your last chance to leave now and return to what you were before this. You may say whatever you wish about this experience if you do. However, if you choose to stay, you will be compensated each week, and you will be permitted to live in the castle. You will not be charged for a single thing that you require, including but not limited to board and lodging, supplies for your training, the laundering of your clothes, and new robes for those who require them now or in the future.” He politely did not look at me during the last statement.
“Everything you do will be for the good of the kingdom,” the king continued. “But you will face challenges that may pose a danger to you. You eight have been chosen not because you are the strongest but because you might be one day.”
“And because we’re cheap,” Michael whispered to me.
It took me a moment to realize he wasn’t joking. There were other sorcerers out there like Greda and her mother, but it would be harder to take them away from their lives. People like Michael and me had nothing. We were eager to learn and would do so without much cost. But what about Reuben and Kataleya, who clearly had wealth? Perhaps their families didn’t pursue coin like the rest of us did. It was political power that meant the most to them.
Did that mean we might one day hold titles or own land? It was never something I’d dreamed possible. My father had owned our house in Bhode, but he didn’t own the land. The lord of Bhode did, but I’d never met him. A collector of taxes was sent in his stead.
Michael’s statement brought up many questions. There was a king before this one, but he had been overthrown by the man standing in front of me, Nykal Lennox. What had happened to the coin of the previous king? How much of it did Nykal have now? Could it be that he wasn’t as rich as I’d first thought? He hadn’t financed the construction of this castle, after all. I knew it had been built many years ago, though I wasn’t sure exactly when.
“This kingdom has enemies.” Nykal paused as if to choose the right words. “I employ an army to keep the kingdom safe, but many of these men are more loyal to coin than they are to moral good. Corruption will show itself to you in more forms than just the magical arts. Your task is to find it and eliminate it.”
There seemed to be more to what he wasn’t saying than to what he was. Who was he trying to keep the kingdom safe from if he was paying corrupt men? I didn’t imagine they were all men, either. I’d learned from my father that corruption came in all forms, like the king had said. But there seemed to be a greater threat than corruption within the kingdom, or the king would’ve removed these corrupt guards and sorcerers from his employment.
If he did, perhaps they would go elsewhere, where they would be paid more. Perhaps to another kingdom. I didn’t know anything about the kingdom of Rohaer, south of Lycast, but I was starting to wish I did. I would let the king worry about that. Corruption right here in Lycast seemed to be the most immediate threat.
One, or even some, of my fellow young sorcerers might choose to benefit themselves at the expense of the rest of us. One of them could’ve already made a selfish choice. They might’ve been involved in tricking me into taking the essence of dteria. I didn’t know how else to explain that the illusionist knew to poison Greda’s mother and be at the shop at the same time I was. It was most likely someone who knew what we were doing here.
But that meant Leon could’ve been the culprit. He could’ve put on an act when I’d brought the essence back to him. Or it could’ve been Barrett who was working against us. Perhaps he had brought me here just to corrupt me with dteria.
I wished I knew what dteria did or how it worked. Right now it was even more mysterious than dvinia.
“All of you are to sign contracts,” the king explained as Barrett handed a small piece of parchment to each of us. “Read them over. They are short and to the point.”
I took a brief glance before I looked over at Michael’s to ensure our contracts were the same. They were.
“I agree that I will be bound through ordia to protect Nykal Lennox against any harm to his body and stop any detriment to his health if I am capable. I will take measures to prevent his injury, sickness, and the loss of his life to the best of my ability.”
There was a line to sign my name.
“For a harbinger to seal these contracts with ordia,” the king explained, “you have to understand exactly what the contract is saying in its entirety. It is for this reason that they are short. I will clarify something for you. Just because you agree to these terms does not mean that your life is forfeited. However, if a situation does arise, you all will be expected to stand against any threat to my life, no matter what it is.” His gaze drifted across our faces. “I’m sure many of you are wondering what would happen if you chose not to protect me after signing this contract. I will allow Leon to explain that and a little history about ordia before you sign.”
“I’m sure Kataleya knows.” Leon gestured for her to step forward. Reuben opened his mouth as if he wanted to volunteer, but at least he didn’t speak this time.
Kataleya came out of the line as she cleared her throat. Her curly blonde hair was in disarray. Her face was caked with dirt. Like all of us, surely, she was in need of a bath. But she stood and spoke with dignity.
“When Basael gave life to Nijja, the third demigod, her gift in exchange for life was ordia. Basael was pleased with ordia. He saw the potential it had to keep order in the chaotic world of fae, Fyrren. He let Nijja rule Fyrren with this new magic. She would keep the powerful creatures from destroying each other. Over the
centuries that followed, the use of ordia in Fyrren has seeped out into the world of Imania.”
Leon was waving his hand. “Enough. I didn’t know you would give the doctrinal version.”
“My family are Formists,” she said proudly. “It is the version we see as the truth.”
“Spare me,” Leon said as he rolled his eyes. “God is dead and has been for a long time. You’ll come to the same conclusion when you learn more about the world.”
“You’re Cess?” Eden asked. “I am, too.”
“You don’t know anything,” Leon lectured her.
Eden’s mouth opened to say something, but she closed it in disappointment.
“Leon,” the king rebuked.
Leon raised his voice as he spoke to us. “The point I’m sure Kataleya was going to make eventually was that ordia has real power in our world depending on how it’s used. If you agree to a contract bound by a harbinger, that means your soul is bound to it. You’d have an easier time forgetting who you are than trying to break the contract. Trying to let the king die after you sign this would be like trying to kill yourself. Some of you might be capable, but it’s going to be the hardest thing you’ve ever done in your easy lives.”
So it was possible.
“Why do some of you look surprised?” Leon asked. “You think ordia is stronger than your free will? There’s nothing stronger than free will. You’d better remember that when it comes time to choose to do something difficult that you know is right or something easy that you know is wrong. You might have that choice soon enough. Don’t disappoint me. Now it’s time to sign so we can get on with our day. Kataleya, you first. Everyone line up behind her.”
Kataleya stepped up to the table where a quill and a small pot of ink awaited. Barrett stood on the other side. We formed a line behind her, me at the back. We all watched as she signed her name.
“Do you agree to be bound to this contract?” Barrett asked.
“I agree.”
Barrett made a face of concentration as he held up the contract with one hand and waved his other hand around it. The contract faded to white then slowly disappeared.
“Wow,” Michael said.
I was shocked as well.
When we all calmed down a bit, I asked Barrett, “Where did it go?”
“It has been turned into energy and transferred to Fyrren. The same thing happens to anything used in an enchantment.”
If something like this was true, then many of the stories I’d heard growing up could have truth to them as well. The world suddenly felt wide open to me.
Barrett bound the contracts of everyone before me without delay. I was a little nervous as I stepped up. My peers were all remarking to each other how strange it felt.
“Do you agree to be bound to this contract?” Barrett asked after I signed it.
“I agree.”
He moved his hand. Just like with the others, the contract went white before it started to dissolve. A tingling warmth spread down my body. It felt akin to realizing something important that could change everything, but it was over in a moment.
I didn’t feel much different afterward. I thought a little test was in order. I looked at the king and thought of tackling him. Of course I didn’t want to, that part was the same, but I didn’t feel any additional need to refrain from hurting him. It was already the farthest thought from my mind.
I supposed I’d hoped for some internal battle against the new instinct—a sign of the power of the contract. But besides the tingling feeling that had gone down my back, everything was the same.
Leon announced, “You all have a half hour to bathe and change your clothes. Lunch will be served in the great hall.”
A few people whooped, but I was too eager to finish learning the spell to worry about bathing or eating. I asked Leon, “Can I have the vibmtaer back? I’m going to start right now.”
“Have a bath, Jon, and eat. The vibmtaer will be in your room when you’re done.”
“Can I bring my food to my room?”
“You know what?”
I cringed as I prepared for him to yell.
“I actually admire your dedication,” he said to my surprise. “You might just pull this off. Your lunch will be waiting for you in your room, along with the vibmtaer.”
“Thank you.” I wanted to sprint away, but there was one last important thing. “Leon, sir, none of this was Greda’s fault. Is the king going to do anything to her shop?”
He glared at me. “Jon, did you tell Greda you’re involved with the king?”
“No, I would never. I made up the lie that I was an apprentice for a sorcerer.”
“Good. Don’t worry about her. The king isn’t going to do anything for two reasons. One, she’s innocent. Two, it would be clear that your involvement with sorcery has to do with him.”
“I see. Thank you.” I ran off. I was the first one into the apartments. I knew my peers wouldn’t judge me for rushing past them. They had all proven themselves already while I had not. I made my way up the stairs and down the hall to my room.
I found that the clothes I’d left in my laundry bag were clean and folded on my bed. There were a number of towels provided to me as well. It made me feel, just for a moment, like I was important to the king.
The bathing room for men was on the ground floor, on the opposite side of the building as the women’s. I was still in a rush, like the last time I’d been in here, but I decided to take a small moment to appreciate the luxury available to me, otherwise there was little point to all of this. There were a number of wooden tubs with steaming water, a circular curtain around each for privacy. I stripped down and climbed into the closest one. There was a little table for my soap and towel. It was the nicest bath I could remember, given that preparing the bath had been taken care of by someone else, and draining the water would be as well.
I was almost done scrubbing myself clean by the time I heard the other young men entering the bathing room. They were chatting amongst themselves.
“Jon?” Michael asked.
“Yeah, it’s me.” I could hear each of them preparing to enter their tubs. “Congratulations to all of you for passing.”
“Thank you,” Charlie called out.
“I sincerely hope you will as well,” Michael said. “I wish you luck.”
“Thank you.”
“Good luck,” Charlie echoed.
I thanked him as well. Reuben hadn’t said one word to me, but I wasn’t about to start caring what he thought anytime soon.
Soon I was clean, dry, and back in my room. I was eager to start training, barely noticing the large plate of food on my desk.
My appetite came back ferociously after I took the first bite of buttered fish. It was cooked perfectly and still warm like the porridge on the side of the plate. I was surprised at the seasoned flavor of the porridge. Even though it did not look appetizing, it was. There was a long carrot on the other side of the plate, cooked as well and sweet to the taste.
The bones of the fish made it difficult to eat quickly, but I managed to chow down everything in about five minutes. Finally, it was time to cast again. Not only was I eager to find out what the spell did, but I enjoyed practicing. It reminded me of sword fighting lessons with my father. After his valuable instruction, I was often able to train on my own. Much of sword fighting was footwork. An imaginary opponent could be just as valuable as a real one when shifting stances and practicing my swing.
I took the vibmtaer from the mantle over the hearth and put it on my bed. Although there were many hours left in the day, I still didn’t feel comfortable with the time I had. I wasn’t going to stop until I could cast the spell.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
It was late in the evening when there was a knock at my door. I muttered a curse. If this was the king coming to see my spell, then this would be the last time I would be able to enjoy this room.
“Come in,” I said dubiously.
The princess opened my door. Sh
e was carrying a plate of food. I still had the old plate on my desk, fish bones sitting on top of it. I had no idea why she was giving me food, but I didn’t feel comfortable having the young princess enter my room.
“I noticed you didn’t eat with the others,” she said. “I figured you would be hungry so I had a plate made for you.”
“That’s kind of you,” I said indifferently as I took the plate from her hands. Food was the last thing on my mind, but I didn’t want to insult her.
“You’re Jon Oklar of Bhode, right?”
“Yes.” Was it rude to ask her name? I knew nothing about etiquette with royalty. “I saw you on the courtyard earlier, but I never learned your name.”
She put her hand over her mouth as she giggled. “You’re supposed to bow. I am a princess. Did you not know?”
“I’m sorry.” I bowed deeply. “Bhode is a small town. There were no princesses there.”
She laughed for a long while as I stood there holding my dinner, not knowing what to do with it.
“Of course there weren’t. And you just bowed with a plate of food!” she complained. “You are very funny.”
I tried not to show how eager I was for her to leave. “Forgive me.” I set the plate on the mantle above the hearth and bowed again.
“That’s better,” she said. “My name is Callie.”
“A pleasure to meet you.” It wasn’t. I had to get back to trying to cast this spell. I didn’t even have time to eat the food she had brought, though the pork was starting to smell good.
“Here,” she said as she walked past me. “It looks like you need me to show you what to do, Jon of Bhode.” She picked up my plate with the fish bones on it and carried it back across the room. “If you eat in your quarters, you set your plate in the hall when you are done and you cover it with your napkin. That way the servants will take care of it.” She spoke like my ignorance amused her.
Callie’s brown hair fell all the way down to her waist. She had hazel eyes and round cheeks. It was her elegant blue dress that spoke of her royalty, that and her snooty lilt.
“Thank you for showing me.” I put my hand on the door, ready to close it. “And thank you for bringing me supper. I appreciate that.”