A Sorcerer Rises

by Guy Antibes

  I will see you tomorrow.

  Ricky could feel her cut off the bond. He grinned as he walked inside.

  “You look too happy,” Karian said, reclining on the couch, reading one of Saganet’s histories.

  “We achieved some progress today. Where’s Saganet?” Ricky said.

  “Merry called him to her office. It sounded like something important.”

  Ricky brought out the script and examined the sequences, looking for something to fill the gaps in their program. He hadn’t made much progress when Saganet walked in. If Ricky had walked in smiling, Saganet entered disturbed by something.

  “What’s wrong?” Karian said, closing the book and putting it on the table in front of the couch.

  “Taranta has finally issued some awful threats.”

  “To us?”

  Saganet shook his head. “To Merry and the academy.”

  “Is it over Victor’s death?” Ricky asked.

  “His people assaulted me long before that,” Saganet said, looking away.

  Ricky could tell he had more to say.

  “He wants Ricky sent to Applia,” Saganet said, “and he wants me to admit that I am a threat to the monarchy and turn myself in.”

  Karian chuckled. “What makes him think you’d do something like that?”

  Saganet looked grim. “He will close down the academy and hurt Merry.”

  Ricky stood up. “Why?”

  “Because Lord Taranta isn’t much different from his son. He’s a vicious bully,” Saganet said. “He knows there was a code in the book wrapping, and his men tried to force Karian and me to talk, but he doesn’t know what we know, and that scares him, as much as a vile creature can be afraid.”

  “His instincts are right about us, you know,” Karian said. “But we are little fish, and he thinks we are whales.”

  “And he is a shark,” Saganet said. “Sort of makes one hungry.” He laughed but without mirth.

  “What will we do?”

  Saganet shook his head. “I don’t know. Nothing for a few weeks, anyway. Taranta has graciously given Merry to the end of the month to think about it since he’s on the road to Sealio by now and won’t return until then.”

  “After the competition?” Ricky asked.

  “I suppose. A gang of thugs we can fight, but his influence and power?” Saganet shook his head. “He must know his threats will get out. I’m concerned about his confidence coming out in the open like this.”

  Ricky had never seen Saganet so distraught. Before, his guardian had managed to laugh everything off, but the situation had really rattled him.

  “I’m sorry,” Ricky said.

  Saganet shook his head. “Nothing to be sorry for. Victor attempted to kill you three times, and you were only defending your life. I’m not sure Merry can save you this time if Taranta really wants you in Applia.”

  Ricky nodded. “He can’t take away what I’ve learned this year,” he said. “I can read, write, and do all kinds of things I couldn’t do…not to mention knowing who my parents really were, and above all, that I’m becoming a sorcerer.”

  Saganet snorted. “Perhaps the Applia Juvenile Home hasn’t had a competent sorcerer in their clutches before.” He looked away and turned back, clutching Ricky’s arm. “If worse comes to worse, I’ll think of something to get you out of there. I promise.”

  The emotion of Saganet’s words pierced Ricky. “I’m glad to hear that. But I’m not there yet, am I?”

  “No. Concentrate on the performance. Who knows what might come of it?”

  Ricky had too much to think about when he returned to puzzling over the program. He opened a book on advanced sorcery techniques that Professor Garini had given him, but Ricky had already learned most of what he read. The book mentioned nothing about power-linking.

  He closed the shutters to his room and lay on the bed, too upset to change his clothes. Ricky sang the note to get the right resonance to link with Loria. He hadn’t expected anything, but he felt the link shift into place.

  Loria?

  You awakened me, she said.

  We are in trouble, or I should say I’m in trouble.

  What kind of trouble?

  Ricky could feel her concern through the link. He told her Saganet’s story.

  Is there anything my father can do?

  Ricky shook his head but smiled as he realized she couldn’t see that.

  No. At least not now. I don’t want to go to Applia, but if it saves the academy and Mistress Doubli, I’ll go, Ricky said. The thought of sacrifice had just come to him.

  Loria’s concern swelled. Don’t do anything rash. Let’s make the performance something to remember.

  We can at least do that.

  Do you think we can communicate like this over even more distances? Loria said.

  Probably, but I don’t want to put it to the test.

  Nor I.

  There was a pause. Loria must have thought about Ricky communicating from the Juvenile Home.

  Loria?

  Sorry, I yawned. Good night, Ricky.

  Same to you. And with that Ricky closed the link. It was like snuffing out a candle.

  Ricky looked at the ceiling lit by the dim light of a half-moon rising over the academy Buildings. No matter what happened, Ricky and Loria had duplicated Baron Mansali’s communication spell.

  He barked out a harsh laugh. That wouldn’t do him any good locked away in Applia.

  ~

  “I have a marvelous idea,” Betti said. “What if we staged the performance to be a duel? That justifies any differences.” She handed out new scripts to everyone. “You will have to learn more lines,” she said to Ricky and Loria who sat next to each other on chairs dragged to the lecture well. “Let’s read through it. I think they are easy enough that if you forget your lines, you can probably make up a replacement. It is just banter.”

  It didn’t take long to familiarize himself with the new script and Ricky didn’t see learning these would represent any difficulty. “What do you mean by spell practice?”

  “The transition time is taken up by the banter between the two of you as you warm up for each duel,” Merry said. “Then you each perform your spell. You alternate asking the audience to clap for the spell they liked the best. Easy, fun, and you will astound them, as well as show them your sorcery.”

  “Are we really that good?” Loria asked.

  Professor Calasay folded her arms. “Your five spells are as good as most in any performance I’ve ever seen or participated in.”

  “We need a final spell, though,” Betti said, looking at Ricky. “You’re the most powerful. Petro thinks he has two spells in mind that will work in a combination. Don’t show us! We want to be surprised.” She giggled and clapped her hands, beaming at the other women.

  Ricky didn’t feel so excited. “It’s a secret until the performance?”

  “If Petro agrees,” Merry said. She looked a little worried, but Ricky trusted Professor Garini.

  The Sorcery professor nodded, and Ricky had more work to do.

  Betti had them read through the script five more times, and then she slow-walked them through the performance. All the other sorcerers suggested practice spells that would be flashy enough for an audience. Ricky focused on winning over the judges. He didn’t care about how everyone clapped until Merry pointed out that judges are often affected by audience reaction.

  “That makes sense,” Ricky said.

  He and Petro got together to go over the sequence of practice spells while Loria and the women did the same.

  All the spellwork began to wear on Ricky. He looked across the lecture well at Loria, and she looked tired, as well.

  “I suggest that we spend tomorrow working on the transition sorcery separately,” Petro said. “These two young things are worn out.”

  “Of course, of course,” Betti said.

  “Thank you, Professor Garini,” Ricky said. “I am a bit tired. I think I’ll work out on the pr
actice grounds.”

  Ricky ran some slow laps as he thought about his dilemma. He felt a mild jolt in his head as the power-link with Loria slid into place.

  Are you exercising as a way of rest? Loria said.

  Ricky smiled. This was an easy way to talk. I am. The rhythm of running helps me think. Sorcery tires me out in a different way.

  Are you going to surprise me the night of the performance?

  Perhaps. Do you want me to? Ricky asked.

  I think Merry is pushing for a slice of scenery between us to look like we are warming up separately, she said.

  I’ll do whatever they decide. Ricky wanted to tell Loria about his Applia dilemma but didn’t think this was an appropriate time. I’m going to continue to run.

  That’s fine. See you tomorrow.

  Ricky smiled at the ease of their conversation. Even if her brothers were away from their wives, the power-linked conversations were so easy to do. With this last communication, the primary aim of the project was a success, but they had other experiments to conduct using power-linking. Everything had stalled due to the performance competition.

  Karian bent over the stove, sticking in some wood in the firebox, when Ricky entered the cottage.

  “Where’s Saganet?”

  “He went back into the city. Don’t worry. Saggy won’t be returning to his townhouse just yet. Effie went with them.” Karian grinned.

  “What’s the smile for?”

  “I think they might be a little soft on each other.”

  “And that means?”

  “Saganet and Effie are a pair.”

  “Oh. I thought Saganet and Mistress Doubli were that way.”

  “Merry?” Karian laughed and shook his head. “Not at all. Saggy isn’t Merry’s type. Consider their relationship more like brother and sister.”

  “What about Mina and you?”

  Karian just gave Ricky a mysterious grin. “She’ll be joining us for dinner tonight.”

  Ricky smiled back. “Good. I’m going to practice some spells in my bedroom.”

  “Just don’t burn down the house.”

  “Maybe I’ll step outside.” Ricky did just that. He took a notebook and a pencil and sat on a bench in the back and jotted down some notes on what he knew. He was reluctant to use his speed spell in the competition.

  Ricky played around with smaller scale spells he had learned from Professor Garini and found that if he tried a bit harder, he could make the spells do more things if they were smaller.

  He created a pink globe as long as his arm and moved it between two trees that bordered the pond in the back of Saganet’s cottage. Ricky snapped his fingers and made it pop like a bubble and then he attempted to create fog, but couldn’t find the right resonance. That might not be the best spell to use for the finale when he might have to escape.

  Another flash spell came to mind. He sang for the resonance but would have to shout when he actually did the spell and found a tiny scale of the effect he wanted to make. With the noise from the effect, he could shout away from the stage.

  Satisfied that he had made headway, he noticed Mina, Saganet’s daughter, approaching the cottage. It was time for him to arrive as well.

  Ricky walked into the cottage to find that he hadn’t even noticed Saganet and Effie returning.

  “We saw flashes and such from behind the cottage and decided to leave you alone. It wouldn’t do to get scorched. As a matter of fact, you should be careful, or you’ll have to wear makeup and a wig to cover the burns,” Saganet said.

  He seemed to be in a good mood.

  “I was practicing,” Ricky said.

  Saganet patted him on the shoulder and became serious all of a sudden. “Do your best.”

  Ricky nodded. Mina knocked and then let herself into the cottage. She looked surprised to see Effie in the room. “My word.” She smiled at the weapons instructor. “We have quite a party.”

  “Indeed,” Karian said, giving Mina a peck on the cheek.

  “Karian!” Mina said, touching her cheek, but smiling despite the tone of her voice.

  “There is enough for Effie if she’s willing to join us.”

  Saganet piped up. “Of course there is, and of course she will, won’t you?”

  Effie cleared her throat. “I guess so.”

  The attention seemed to have disarmed her emotions, and her smile actually showed a touch of shyness. Ricky thought the intimidating air around her deflated a bit.

  “Set the table for five, Ricky,” Saganet said. “I think Karian is ready to serve.

  Ricky couldn’t find five plates the same, but he managed to set the table. He brought the chair in from his bedroom and put it at the end of the crowded kitchen table and sat down as Karian began to set bowls and a platter of sliced pork in the middle.

  He let the conversation flow around him. He wasn’t related to these people, but they were all friendly and were comfortable around each other, even Effie. This was what a family was like, he thought. Just when he was exposed to an intimate group of friends, more like relatives to him, it could be taken away. Would be taken away, most likely.

  Ricky looked around at each of them. They had all helped him in the last year grow from a thief to a promising sorcerer who could defend himself. Even in Shantyboat Town, gatherings of the inhabitants didn’t have the easy-going banter he currently experienced. He couldn’t help but sigh, but he straightened up and helped himself as someone passed food to him and then ate slowly, absorbing the feeling so he could recall it in the dark hours to come at the Applia Juvenile Home.

  “How is the performance going?” Mina asked.

  “We are putting the finishing touches on it.”

  “Professor Garini is very impressed with you and your abilities. He said he hasn’t had so much fun teaching a student since he arrived at the academy.”

  Ricky nodded. “I’m glad you said so. He has been very helpful and has taught me a lot in a short amount of time.”

  “I’ll be there to watch. Karian said he’d take me.” She looked at the shopkeeper.

  “Of course,” Karian said. “I planned on going, Ricky. It’s good to have friends around when you need them.” He smiled slyly and gave a nod to Ricky.

  “We’ll all be there,” Saganet said, “to support you.”

  It dawned on Ricky that they would likely be going as bodyguards. “I appreciate your efforts, but you don’t have to.”

  “Yes, we do,” Saganet said.

  Ricky looked at Effie, who nodded along with his guardian. He shrugged. “How can I refuse?”

  “You can’t. We’ve already bought tickets,” Karian said.

  The attention made Ricky uncomfortable, so he just smiled and put his head down and continued to eat.

  “I have more work to do,” Ricky said when everyone pitched in to clean up after dinner. “Goodnight, everyone.”

  He grabbed his desk chair at the kitchen table and retreated to his room. He heard the conversation in the next room and let the good feelings that he heard bathe him. He shook his head and opened his notebook to review his notes.

  Ricky read the words, but they didn’t sink in while the worries of what might happen later that week overcame his thoughts. Ricky had never thought he had much to lose in his life, but tonight brought the knowledge that there were people who actually cared for him.

  He knew he had friends, but listening to the casual conversation in the next room made him want it for himself. He didn’t want to go to Applia and give up living at the academy.

  After pacing around his small bedroom for a bit, he tried to wipe away his feelings and found himself absorbed with the program.

  ~~~

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  ~

  T he next morning, Ricky went to the practice ground. Saganet supervised a mixed practice while Effie walked over to Ricky.

  “You and I are going to spend some time going over personal protection techniques.”

  “Hand-to-han
d combat? You want to give me some tools to protect myself at the Juvenile Home?”

  She looked shocked. “I wasn’t going to put it exactly that way, but yes. It has applicability in any hostile environment, even within the academy.”

  “So I would be fighting someone who held a broomball stick?”

  “Exactly,” Effie said. “First of all, you will learn how to curl into a ball when any number of assailants gang up on you. Sometimes you just have to absorb punishment.”

  They moved to a more private practice area outside the practice field. She went over how to position hands and feet to keep vital parts protected and how to keep fingers from breaking. Effie pushed him around and told him when he should drop.

  “Running is always better, but there may be a time when that isn’t feasible. Fighting by hand generally doesn’t work when someone attacks you with an edged weapon.”

  Ricky had no problem imagining that as they practiced moves to break holds. Her instruction became purely defensive. When the session was over, Ricky had picked up some new bruises. Effie didn’t go easy on him.

  “We’ll go through this tomorrow, and then we will work on more offensive work, including a few strategies depending on the circumstances.”

  A woman from the Administration Building interrupted them. “Dean Doubli would like to see Hendrico Valian.”

  “Go, Ricky.” Effie looked at the woman. “We were just finishing.”

  ~

  Merry didn’t look pleased when she let Ricky into her office.

  “Sit down, Ricky. We have to talk.”

  “About Lord Taranta?”

  She nodded and took a seat behind her desk. This wasn’t to be a pleasant chit-chat on easy chairs by her fireplace. Ricky took a deep breath and did as he was told.

  “I didn’t want to tell you this, but I just can’t bottle such a thing up inside. Lord Taranta wants you out of Tossa so badly that he has threatened the academy and me personally.”

  “Personally?” Ricky knew about the threats to the academy, but not to Merry.

  “Saganet told me about Lord Taranta’s demands. I’ll give myself up and go to Applia,” Ricky said.

  Tears welled in Merry’s eyes. “Oh, Ricky. I don’t want you going there.”

  “I don’t want to have you lose the academy.” He left unsaid that he didn’t want her injured. Ricky remembered when Saganet dragged himself to the doorstep of the cottage after Taranta’s goons nearly killed him. “The only way I can protect you is to leave.”