Wielder: Apprentice: Book 1 of Lady Shey's Story (The Wielder Cycle)

by Mark E. Tyson

  When the spring water and juices were brought, Morgoran signaled it was time to dig into the feast.

  “We should have a guest just after lunch,” Morgoran said to the group. “I must warn you that he is a bit odd. He is under the impression that dragonkind are the only parties responsible enough to wield magic. He is proposing that all magic be outlawed except for a few of us.”

  “That’s preposterous,” Dicarion said after he took a drink of spring water. “Why would he believe such a fool thing?”

  “Well, the dragons did once look after man and elf alike as protectors. He would like to see life return to those simpler times.”

  “Simpler times! Apparently he did not live through them, then.”

  Morgoran chuckled. “At any rate, I wanted to say something before he entered. We should remain cordial to him no matter what he says.”

  “What is his stake in the outlawing of magic?” Dicarion asked as he reached for another piece of cheese.

  “He is some kind of Oracle. He claims he can see into the future and that magic, if not curtailed immediately, will wreak havoc and change our way of life forever. He thinks magic and essence wielding is dangerous.”

  A knock on the door was followed by a servant announcing Master Kambor had arrived. The blond-headed, blue-eyed young man entered the patio. “Forgive my intrusion. I am early.”

  “Not at all, join us,” Morgoran insisted.

  Shey was immediately taken with Kambor’s charisma. He was so handsome it was almost painful for her to look directly at him.

  Kambor bowed before Morgoran. “I am Kambor, Oracle of Aedreagnon.”

  Morgoran stacked some meat and cheese on a slab of bread and topped it with another slab of bread. “Let me be blunt. Kambor, is it?”

  “Aye, that is my name.”

  “I have no interest in your predictions when it comes to the use of magic. You are trying to convince the butcher that meat is evil and should not be consumed.”

  “Not at all, Morgoran, I am merely telling the butcher that he should leave the butchering to those who actually know how to butcher correctly.”

  “So you believe that only dragons, the onetime protector of man, should be the only users of magic and essence?”

  “I do.”

  Dicarion shifted in his seat. “Won’t you sit down?” He gestured to an empty chair. “I hate eating in front of company who hover over me like some kind of buzzard.”

  “Forgive me . . .” He was searching for a name.

  “You’re the Oracle. You tell me who I am.”

  The Oracle smiled and seated himself. “I am afraid it doesn’t work that way.”

  “Nope, it never does, does it!” Dicarion said before taking a bite of cheese.

  Morgoran swallowed a bite. “A butcher is a butcher. One who cannot butcher correctly swiftly goes out of business.”

  “Enough of the metaphors. I am the Oracle of Aedreagnon, the god of prediction, and I foresee the use of magical essence will one day destroy this world and everything in it. Since I dwell in this world, I will see to it that such a prediction rings false. I am quite committed to it.”

  Shey watched Morgoran carefully and noticed he ate without a care in the world of what the Oracle was saying.

  Kambor saw it too. “I also saw you created a gem that suppresses the ability to draw upon essence.”

  Morgoran choked on his last bite. “Where did you hear that?” he said in between coughs.

  “I saw it in my visions.”

  “I don’t believe for one second that you did. However, even if such a thing existed, you would never see it. I would make certain of that—you can bet your eye teeth!”

  “Don’t get excited, Master Morgoran, I do not mean to overstep.”

  “I don’t care what you mean to do, Kambor. I think you have overstepped your welcome.” Morgoran snapped his fingers, and a nearby servant came to his side. “Show Master Kambor out, if you will.”

  Kambor stood. “Think about what I have said. If you search your heart, you will know what I say is true. Magic by the use of essence will doom us all.”

  “I shall think on it as much as I think of why the sky is blue or the grass is green. That’s exactly how much thought I will give your felonious predictions.”

  An expression of anger, bordering on hatred, washed across Kambor’s face. “You may one day live to regret your words, old wizard.”

  Morgoran mockingly put his fingers to his temples. “I predict I will live much longer than that!”

  Dicarion chucked while Shey and Marella laughed out loud. Kambor’s eyes darted to them, particularly at Shey. She looked in his eyes and briefly saw something dark and evil. She shuddered and looked away.

  The Oracle turned on his heels and pushed aside the servant as he made his way to the exit. A moment later, he was gone out the front doorway.

  “What a ridiculous fellow,” Dicarion said in his usual, whimsical speech.

  “Dangerous,” Morgoran said. “Spreading such lies and conjecture around the kingdoms. Some fool king or lord will believe him and take up his cause. I need to speak with Ianthill about this Oracle.”

  “When does he arrive?” Dicarion asked.

  “He wasn’t planning to come for quite a while, but I will send word for him to come right away. Kambor is a bold one, coming to the Tower of Morgoran to preach the evils of essence use.”

  “I thought that was odd too, like trying to tell the river that water is evil.”

  Morgoran looked at Dicarion, and a grin slowly creeped up on his face. “Were you attempting to use an analogy? I don’t think you quite have the knack for it, my friend.”

  “I got you out of that bad mood, didn’t I!”

  “Oh, so that was your intention.”

  Shey went with Morgoran to send his messenger out with word for Ianthill to come to the Vale ahead of schedule, and then they went to the study for their lessons. The older wielder did not mention the Oracle again, and Shey was not about to broach the subject as long as Morgoran’s mood remained upbeat. Morgoran could have a bad temper on occasion. Marella went somewhere to study with Dicarion, and it wasn’t until late evening that the two were reunited in the commons of the tower ground floor. Shey had been waiting all day to talk to her friend about the Oracle and what had happened on the patio. Marella appeared tired and fatigued.

  Shey motioned for her friend to join her and sit down on the plush high-topped chairs. “You look positively worn out. What does Dicarion have you doing?”

  “Morgoran gave him a study in the tower. I have been moving books up to him all day. He also showed me how to levitate them from the ground floor to his study. Moving books with your mind is worse than just lugging them up by hand.”

  “Well, not to take away from your accomplishments, but I have been dying to talk to you all day about the Oracle.”

  “He is so handsome. It was all I could do to keep from staring at him.”

  “I know. I think I understand what devastatingly handsome means now. He is so beautiful it hurts to look at him for long.”

  “Trust me, I have no trouble looking at him. Too bad he’s mad.”

  “You think so?”

  “Aye, didn’t you hear him? He is trying to get magic outlawed in the kingdoms. What’s worse is that he came to one of the First Trine, the most famous wielders of essence, to spread his madness.”

  Shey took a deep breath. “I don’t think that was the real reason for his visit. He knew he had no chance to persuade Morgoran that dragon magic was the only magic worthy enough to dominate. He came here for a different reason.”

  “You mean the gem Morgoran supposedly created?”

  “Aye, the gem that keeps wielders from wielding.”

  “Do you have any idea how destructive a gem like that could be if it existed? It could give an unscrupulous wielder a substantial advantage over another wielder.”

  “Or it could be manipulated into a weapon against all wielders
. I saw the look in Kambor’s eyes. He wants to experiment with it to see if he can eliminate all wielders.”

  “I doubt it would stop mindwielders,” Marella said.

  “I’m sure he has a plan for your kind as well. Morgoran is right—Kambor is dangerous. I can see this becoming a major problem; think of what might happen if Kambor develops a following. He could start a war, and what’s worse, it would be a magic war.”

  “I doubt the Oracle could ignite a war between wielders and non-wielders. My father’s army is loyal to wielders, and would fight to keep them safe. However, if there was a war, I agree magic would play a significant role in it.”

  “I hope you are right,” Shey said.

  Marella clapped her hands on her legs. “So, what did Morgoran have you do today?”

  “We sent word to Ianthill for him to come to the Vale at once. That means that oaf Gondrial will be coming too.”

  “You don’t like him?”

  “I wouldn’t go that far. I like him, but he’s just so childish for being part elf. I guess he missed out on all the wisdom.”

  Marella giggled. “I met him once, and I thought it was all just an act.”

  “I met him here at the Vale about two seasons ago, just after I arrived here. His behavior didn’t come off as an act to me at all. I thought he was . . . well . . . an idiot, for lack of a better word. I mean, I was fascinated by him. I kept trying to discern whether or not he was insane or if he weathered some great childhood illness that left him a little off, if you follow me.”

  “Oh, he wasn’t as bad as all that, was he?”

  “I guess I should give him another chance to make a good impression. I will be open-minded when they get here.” Shey furrowed her brow. “Wait a moment. When did you change so much? You were horrible to me when I first met you at Enowene’s tower.”

  “Hey, you weren’t exactly a bouquet of roses either.”

  “I was just reacting to you!”

  Marella sighed. “And if I had stayed stubborn and you had not given me a second chance, neither of us would have realized the other was not as they seemed.”

  “We did the right thing. You are a great friend, Marella Arden.”

  “As are you, Sheyna Namear.”

  A swirling blue light appeared in the middle of the commons, followed by a loud popping noise. After a blinding flash of light, Kyrie, the short-statured Kylerie elf, tumbled down the middle of the room, as if he had been running before using his arcane magic to deliver himself through space. He stood up, dusted off his brown trousers, and snapped one of his tiny suspenders back into place over his slightly soiled white shirt.

  “Kyrie! Is that you?” Shey inquired, happy to see her friend. The elf turned to her, and she realized it was not Kyrie but another Kylerie elf.

  Marella was halfway to greet him when she too realized it was not Kyrie.

  “Sheyna? Marella?” the elf asked.

  “I am Marella, and this is Shey,” Marella answered.

  “Thank the gods I found you. My brother, you know as Kyrie, has sent me forth to warn you. I am called Kymlie.”

  Shey looked upon Kymlie suspiciously. “Where is Kyrie?”

  “He is otherwise engaged. Quickly now, we need to go somewhere more private. There are eyes and ears everywhere.” He looked back and forth. “Come, take us somewhere secluded.”

  “What is all this about?” Marella asked.

  “Not here. Quickly, you are both in danger!”

  Shey sighed. “All right, follow us, Kymlie.”

  The Kylerie elf fidgeted back and forth as if something was about to jump out and attack him as Shey and Marella led him to the third tier of the tower. As soon as they entered Shey’s room and secured the door, Kymlie nervously surveyed the room before speaking.

  “Kyrie has uncovered some information that you are both to perform your final trials to become adepts of wielding.”

  “That’s great news!” Shey said. Marella nodded her head in agreement.

  “The problem is that you two will not be going through the trials alone, and one of you will not make it to the end unchanged.”

  “Well, of course,” Marella said. “Why wouldn’t we be changed? It’s a rite of passage.”

  “I have it on good authority that the Oracle is trying to interfere. You will be—”

  There was a knock on the door, and the knob began to turn. Kymlie panicked and popped out the exact way he came, with a flash of white light.

  “May I enter?” Morgoran’s voice came from the other side of the door. He knocked again. Shey opened the door to admit him. “I have some news. I received a communication that Sylvalora is on her way here now. It doesn’t say when she will arrive, but I thought you might like to know she is on her way.”

  “Aye, thank you, Master! It is exciting news.”

  He turned up his nose. “What is that strange smell? Did something burn in here?”

  “You are probably smelling the candle I had burning earlier.”

  “In the daytime? Don’t waste your candles, Shey. They cost money, you know.”

  “Sorry, Master.”

  Morgoran nodded and exited the room.

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2015, Mark E Tyson (1968-)

  Editing by Courtney Umphress www.courtneyumphress.com

  Cover Design by Shadesilver Publishing and Joseph Calkins

  First Shadesilver Publishing electronic publication: November, 2014

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via internet or by any other means, electronic or print, without the author/publisher’s permission.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictionally and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, actual events, locale, other publications, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Published in the United States by Shadesilver Publishing 2015

  ASIN: B00PAJAX3U

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  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading Wielder: Apprentice. If you liked the book, please go to Amazon and give it a great rating. It only takes a few minutes. Also, if you would like to be informed of my new releases, go to http://marktyson.weebly.com and subscribe your email to the mailing list. The form is right on the home page.

  Wielder: Apprentice has always held a special place in my heart and mind. I wrote Lady Shey’s background while completing book one of The Sacred Land Saga. She quickly became a fan favorite, so I embellished the backstory some and published it as a novella. I didn’t put much thought into editing or polishing; I left it as I wrote it. As time went by, I knew I would have to go back and fix it. I just couldn’t stand that a sub-par novella of a backstory was floating around out there after I had published Defenders of the Sacred Land. So, I decided to expand the background novella into a larger story to do it justice. It was a labor of love, but man, was it difficult! I had to gut it and rewrite it from the first word so that it was both up to my standards and so it would fit in the Sacred Land tradition. I’m so glad I did! I did keep some sentences here and there from the backstory, but it is very much a novel of its own right now. I hope you enjoyed it!

  As always, if you would like to ask me a question or contact me, my email is author.marketyson@gmail.com

  MET November-2014

  Glossary

  Adracoria- Future Southernmost Trigothian kingdom. Ruled by the Adrac family.

  Ageanna- God, creator of drakes and dragonkind.

  Akros- Mysterous agent of Enowene’s spy ring. His loyalties are ambiguous.

  Amalease Stone- Stone used to gain entry into the gates of Dr
aegodor. It is located on Mount Urieus.

  Amar- Race of high men from Lux Amarou. First creation of Fawlsbane Vex.

  Anisport- Largest port city of Denogia, across the Great Sea.

  Arasyth/Sythia- Future Trigothian kingdom between Adracoria and Ardenia, Host to the Great Sythian Forest. Ruled by the Arasyth family.

  Arbella- Paternal grandmother of Sheyna Namear.

  Ardenia- Future Northernmost Trigothian kingdom. Ruled by the Arden family.

  Arillian Elves- High elves from the Isle of Arill. They migrated to the isle of Arillia at the end of the first age after their forests became grasslands and the area now known as Ishrak had become cursed. They are the fairest of elves and most elegant.

  Are’dune- Race of men who can trace their origins to Lux Amarou and the Amar but are not considered truly high men.

  Ascendic Root- A potent root made into a tea and drank. It relieves pain depending on the dose. Higher dose causes euphoria. Weak tea relieves the minor pain of headaches, etc., while strong tea relieves severe pain.

  Basillian- One of the great port cities in the kingdom of Symboria. Basillain is located in Northern Symboria, south of Seabrey. Due to disputes and treaties, Basillain is the port city in the north for trade with Adracoria. Seabrey is the northern port city for trade with both Ardenia and Sythia.

  Bittering Tea- A strong brew made from the grinding of the bittering bean. It has a distinct aroma and is usually consumed in the morning as a stimulant.

  Broodlord- Common name given to a dragon knight with high ranking. (A brood is a family of something. A broodlord would be a high member of a family or lord of the brood.)

  Brynna- An Arillian, elf maiden, healer. She is the eldest daughter of Erinthill, and Ianthill’s niece. She resides on the Isle of Doom (Rugania).