Ardeen, Volume 1: The Circle of Magic

by Sigrid Kraft

  It is so exhausting, and with bare hands – unmagical hands – I would have finished ages ago. This magic is a load of rubbish!

  The metal was still much stained and far from shining.

  The Prince then ordered him to screen the light, because His Highness deigned to sleep. Eryn did as he was commanded and extinguished the light. The fire’s dim glow did not give off enough light to see anything clearly. Angrily, Eryn gave up.

  Let the Prince slap me for disobedience tomorrow – I don’t care. One reprimand is better than a whole night of useless magic, and I will get a few hours of well-earned sleep at least.

  Eryn’s sweet sleep came to a very unpleasant and sudden end when he was drenched in water. He jumped to his feet. “My Prince!” Oh-oh, he doesn’t look very happy.

  “Is this all you managed to do in all that time?”

  It was more a statement then a question. In broad daylight the Prince’s armor was clear to see and it was far from clean. Eryn stood next to his work like a drowned rat as he smeared the dirt stains to a dull layer of dust. Then he ruefully confessed: “My Prince, apologies, I have failed. But it was too dark to see anything clearly.”

  “Nurin, screening the light is not the same as extinguishing the light. Also there are other ways of seeing things in the magical arts.”

  To emphasize his words, the Lord of Naganor created a light and eclipsed it to one side, so that the light now shone in one direction only, whilst everything else was in complete darkness.

  “It is not so difficult to clean armor, Nurin. You fail because you still think like the unmagicals and so do not find the simple solution. Magic is creativity. Watch and learn!”

  From out of nowhere water began to rain on the armor, then a warm wind blew the metal dry. Finally, a thin layer of oil was sprinkled on the armor, which then shone brightly and wonderfully in the light of the rising sun.

  Eryn pouted grumpily. That demonstration is even more frustrating than a harsh reprimand.

  “And now it is your turn, Nurin. You will practice with your own armor, which is also in dire need of a clean. Do it thoroughly from top to bottom, including your boots. You have as much time as I need for my morning ablutions.”

  The Prince disappeared into the forest and Eryn peeled himself out of his armor. He produced a wooden rack – by magic - and put his armor on it, with his boots underneath – as instructed. He then started to draw water from his surroundings, as evenly as possible to avoid another poor tree having to bite the dust.

  Eryn carefully conjured a fine rain, but as that failed to remove the dirt, he increased the rain to a heavy shower, which splashed down and washed away the stains. Maybe it would be even better if he created a wind, but he did not know how to do that. So he made small tongues of fire to evaporate the rest of the water.

  I mustn’t make it too hot or the leather will burn.

  The Black Prince came back. “Time’s up. Done?”

  Eryn was more than pleased with his work: “Yes, my Prince,” he said proudly.

  “Well then, no more dawdling.”

  I must have done well if he has nothing to complain about.

  Eryn put on his armor but, as he stepped into his boot, he found it filled with water. “Damnation!”

  He turned the boot upside down and shook the water out.

  The Prince grinned with amusement: “Beginner’s mistakes. I could have bet on that. Water flows downwards, as most people know. I imagine you will have wet feet for a while. And...,” he paused for effect, “... you should know in advance - improper drying makes the leather hard and brittle.”

  I’m aware of that and paid attention when I dried it with the flames. Because I’m not completely stupid. Eryn emptied the second boot before he put it on. What else can I do? It would be worse without boots.

  The Prince was already sitting at the table, waiting impatiently for his breakfast. But when breakfast was served, he did not seem to be in such a hurry to continue their journey, drinking his tea quite calmly. Then His Highness asked for berries, giving Eryn the permission to collect them magically. The Prince made sure to check the berries before he ate them.

  Eryn marveled at the Prince’s calmness. They had always been in a hurry over the last few days and now it seemed as if time did not matter at all. Eryn guessed why.

  We’re coming close to Aleroth now, but the Prince delays our arrival at the White Tower. Not because of me – he wants to be rid of me – but because of himself. Well, dealing with the soulban isn’t that easy, and for an arrogant Prince it must be much harder.

  Eryn glanced at the Prince surreptitiously, to see if His Highness had once again been listening in on his thoughts.

  No reaction. It seems I’ve been lucky.

  Eryn decided to tend to the horses but, as he moved to go, the Prince called him back: “Stay!”

  So Eryn stopped and waited, but the Prince made no attempt to say anything. He just sat there staring at the trees, lost in thought. So Eryn dared to speak up:

  “My Prince?”

  This stirred the Black Prince, and he pointed to the opposite side of the table. “Sit there and lay your hands on the table.”

  Why? Eryn hesitated skeptically.

  “You have nothing to fear, because unlike you I really can cast spells.”

  This did not explain what the Prince was up to, nor convince Eryn to trust him.

  He obeyed the order all the same. Next to his normal left hand the three-fingered claw looked even weirder than usual. It isn’t particularly human and far from attractive. But anything is better than nothing.

  Suddenly his hands were secured in place, and a feeling of pure horror seized Eryn.

  The Prince hissed: “Brace yourself, Nurin! I am going to give back what I have taken from you. As a result of unfortunate events probably. But do not think I am doing this now in gratitude for your failings over recent days.”

  The mage laid his hands on top of Eryn’s, who felt a numbing spell starting. Still in disbelief, Eryn watched the magic flow as Prince Raiden healed and changed the green claw back into a human hand with five fingers and rosy skin. It took quite a while for the work to be complete. Finally Prince Raiden removed the numbing effect and the holding spell.

  Eryn stared at his new, old hand. I can move all five fingers. Everything is perfect.

  “Thanks, my Prince,” Eryn spluttered, overwhelmed by a feeling of incredible joy.

  The Lord of Naganor shrugged. “Do not become sentimental now. I did that for one reason only. The masters in Aleroth are in two minds about cruelty. Casting the soulban is a proper means to an end, but cutting off a poor boy’s hand and insisting that he heals himself in time is unbelievably cruel. Being maimed can teach a man many things, but they would not understand that.”

  Eryn was not at all interested in the real reasons for the unexpected healing. The Prince had done it and that was all that mattered.

  “Thanks anyway, my Prince. I really do know that it would have taken many years before I could do such a thing myself.”

  “Well then, show your gratitude by doing some useful work and stop staring at your hand like an idiot. Otherwise I may change my mind and cut it off again.”

  Eryn leapt up. The way the Prince said things, you could never be sure if it was only a bad joke or deadly serious.

  They continued traveling for two more days but nothing out of the ordinary happened. This did not mean that Eryn was free even for a second. His Highness also became more irascible and crankier the closer they came to Aleroth. When the White Tower finally came in sight, Eryn could not stop himself smiling broadly in relief.

  At last! He’ll be rid of me soon, but I’ll be rid of him too.

  They rode uphill and passed the first buildings. Curious glances followed them, as well as one or two spying spells. Prince Raiden shielded them both against those sneaky spells.

  Then, on the right-hand side, they passed the large building of the Academy, and Eryn looked aro
und carefully, while the Black Prince kept staring straight ahead and did not deign to look at anything.

  The steady clattering of hooves on stone was the only sound as they passed the guards, who lowered their eyes uneasily, not daring to look back at the Prince.

  Seems he is well-known in Aleroth too. This thought cheered Eryn and lessened the tension a little.

  Once inside the yard, they got down from the saddles and secured their horses. Eryn noticed that Prince Raiden cast a spell around their mounts, but he did not dare to ask any questions. It was clearly the wrong time for a student to be inquisitive. The Prince brusquely ordered Eryn to follow him.

  They were already half-way across the entrance hall when a mage in a white robe came towards them and bowed: “Honorable Master Raiden, Towerlord of Naganor, Master Elderon greets you and is awaiting you in his chamber. Please follow me. I will show you the way.”

  “That is unnecessary,” the Prince rebuffed the man. “I know this place rather well.”

  The other mage did not react, but bowed again before he backed away.

  At least I’m not the only one he bullies, Eryn thought and tried to keep up with the Prince.

  Prince Raiden strode purposefully through the labyrinth of corridors and went upstairs, where he finally stopped before a closed door. He turned to Eryn:

  “We will now meet Master Elderon... Do pull yourself together and do not act in your usual clumsy and foolish manner.”

  The tension radiating from Master Raiden was almost unbearable.

  “Yes, my Prince. If I may be so bold: wouldn’t it be better if you went in and spoke with Master Elderon alone first, while I wait here outside?”

  Prince Raiden seemed to consider these words for an eternity. Finally he nodded: “Yes, that certainly would be better.”

  He took off his helmet, handed it to Eryn and then went into the room, shutting the door behind him. Eryn sighed audibly.

  The soulban bothers him more than it does me. In the mood he is in now, he’ll burn me with a fire-blast just for saying the wrong thing. I don’t need to witness how His Highness must swallow his pride when he meets Master Elderon. So they shall talk first and call me in later – when His Highness has regained control of his temper.

  Eryn put the Prince’s helmet on the window ledge. After a short while Eryn loosened his helmet too and put that down beside the other one. The view from the window showed land stretching into the far distance, and Eryn looked out while he waited. Far away the people were running around like little ants. Will I stay here now or will they sent me to another master? And what will it be like? Certainly more bearable than attending His Black Highness non-stop. Perhaps they will be kind and friendly like Master Lionas. That would be rather nice.

  A hawk circled in the sky, searching for prey, and old memories came flooding back.

  Arun Hawkheart, how long is it since those times we had? Not that long, but I have changed so much. Is the Fenn still alive inside me or have I now become a Lowlander?

  The hawk swooped from the sky, but Eryn could not see if his hunt was successful or not.

  “Come in!” rang through Eryn’s head. Oh, I’ll never get used to that.

  As he pushed the door handle down, an uneasy feeling overwhelmed Eryn. Then he entered the room, taking in the scene before him. The two Towerlords stood together in the middle of the room. Although the Prince was taller, next to Master Elderon he appeared somehow smaller and strangely passive.

  Black and white, here they are – complete opposites.

  Eryn saluted: “Master Elderon! My Prince!”

  The old mage looked him up and down, then said:

  “You have changed a lot since our last conversation. Master Raiden has told me about your progress and later I will see your abilities for myself when I intend to test you for the first grade.”

  The first grade? Eryn was completely taken aback. The Prince had never mentioned that.

  “But first let us talk a little. You have reconsidered your attitude towards the art of magic and the Brotherhood?”

  Eryn still stood there, with his heels together, and answered in the clipped manner used by soldiers:

  “Master Elderon, I was wrong in many ways and now intend to learn the art of magic as best as I can.”

  “Relax, Eryn. We are not in the army here.”

  The Lord of Aleroth’s smooth and kindly tone was encouraging, but the Black Prince’s dark shadow glowered in the room. Eryn tried to relax, but no matter what he tried, he was still uncomfortably stiff.

  “Master Elderon, I’m sorry, but I don’t know how to behave in the presence of high mages.”

  Master Elderon led the conversation, while Prince Raiden stood there as though it did not interest him in the slightest.

  “I see you are nervous, Eryn. Not everyone is tested by me personally, but that is no reason to be anxious. Perhaps it is best to start at once, as the waiting is often the worst part. Tell me, which spells are you already learning?”

  Before Eryn could answer, Prince Raiden interrupted: “Shield spells in red and white, simple fighting magic in red, collecting and moving of things nearby. Scanning, copying and light spells. Of the weather spells: creating rain and ice. Healing magic from the first and second volume of the Oranium. All without gestures and intonation, Master Elderon.”

  Eryn was astounded by the scientific descriptions and the category assignments. In particular, he himself had never thought of the “weather spells” formulation.

  The most astonishing thing was that all of Prince Raiden’s high-flown arrogance had vanished from his words and gestures. For reasons of safety, Eryn quickly banished all such thoughts from his mind. All too often his wayward thoughts had brought him nothing but trouble.

  Fortunately, Master Elderon was already introducing the first exercise, and Eryn had to focus all his concentration on the task in hand. Questions were followed by answers. Eryn solved most of the tasks well enough, but there were also problems which Eryn could not answer. Added to that, the Prince’s presence made him more nervous than the highest mage did.

  After every topic had been completed, Master Elderon ended the test.

  “Well, the basics are not quite there yet but, considering the short amount of time you have been practicing, you have not done too badly.”

  More than a year is a short time?! Have I passed the test?

  And once again, everyone was reading Eryn's thoughts and reacting to what they found there.

  “My son, in passing the test you have mastered the first step on a long road, because magic is a lifelong commitment. I too would like things to go faster, but we all have to have patience.” Then he turned to the Prince:

  “Raiden, although you were sometimes rather strict with the boy, you have done a good job with him. So I think it best that you continue his education.”

  What?! Please no, Master Elderon! Please read my thoughts! He doesn’t want this and neither do I! The last few days have been hell...

  Just then Master Elderon’s attention was directed towards the Black Prince, who complained:

  “Master Elderon, I explained it to you already. Is it not surely better to leave him here?”

  Master Elderon’s voice sounded more determined. “My mind is made up in this case. Not least because of the special connection between the two of you. Work for the great goal which benefits us all, Raiden.”

  For a second it seemed that the Prince was about to explode, but this then subsided.

  “As you wish, Master Elderon. May I take my leave?” the Prince whispered in a resigned tone.

  My Prince, can’t you argue your point more forcefully? Insist on it. The soulban won’t break you, will it?

  But the First Mage of the White Tower dismissed Master Raiden: “You may come and go as you please, Raiden. I do not give orders for you to follow.”

  Prince Raiden turned without another word and sped out of the room.

  Should I say something? But Mast
er Elderon has already made up his mind, and the Prince certainly doesn’t want to discuss it any more.

  Therefore Eryn decided it was better to keep his mouth shut and not stir things up again.

  So he went out straightaway and caught up with Prince Raiden in the anteroom. The Lord of Naganor felt a pressing need to put a great distance between himself and Master Elderon, so Eryn collected the helmets and hurried after him.

  After descending a few stairways, Eryn felt a blow and heard a comment in his thoughts. ”Nurin!”

  “What have I done wrong?” Eryn asked, but the reply did not enlighten him.

  ”The wrong thing – as ever.”

  The Prince’s harsh words did not bother Eryn though. In fact he was in high spirits.

  I have mastered the first grade. Is that actually a promotion?

  They entered a room which Eryn vaguely remembered. The gate-room. The Prince seized him by the arm. “I’m taking you back to Naganor. You will go to the garrison and report to your superior. I have suffered enough of you in recent days.”

  Before Eryn could even say anything, Prince Raiden grabbed him and pushed him through the gate. They arrived in Naganor, and Prince Raiden at once returned back through the way he had come. The gate kept flickering for a few more seconds, but the Prince was gone, leaving Eryn alone.

  Really? He has suffered enough in recent days? Somehow those words don’t sound right. But I can scarcely believe it. I’m rid of him! What a peaceful feeling!

  Eryn ambled leisurely to the garrison. Slow is the same as immediately, just not immediately fast.

  The guards at the gate told Eryn his troop was out on a field maneuver. Rain was falling from a dark cloudy sky, and Eryn did not like the thought of joining his comrades. The Prince had only ordered him to: “Report to your superior in the garrison!” And that gave some margin for interpretation. So Eryn decided to wait in his quarters until his superior was back again. Stretched out on his bed, he lazed pleasurably.

  Nothing has changed. At least I know what’s what here – how things work and so on.

  As soon as he closed his eyes, he fell asleep. He was haunted by confused dreams, in which he worked through all that had happened recently.