by Naomi Lane
Jenna knew it was over. She was dead meat. Her only hope was that she could somehow shield Peter from this so that he didn’t get sent home in disgrace as well.
She was dragged out of the stables into another room, presumably a training room given the weapons along the walls. Another man was waiting, and Jenna was thrown down to her knees in front of him. “My Lord,” said the man who had released Jenna. “I found him mooning over Prince Sebastian’s horse.” Jenna’s shock increased at learning the name of the horse’s owner, but she kept her head down.
“Where is Lord Fyrian?” asked the other man, presumably Lord Nigen.
“I’m not sure, My Lord. He hasn’t been seen yet this morning.”
“We’ll get started without him then.”
“What about the boy?”
“Bring him along.” Jenna was dragged outside by the same man. There she saw a group of boys about her brother’s age standing next to a riding paddock with a horse saddled inside, waiting with a handler. She was taken to stand next to the group, but the man did not release her arm. She glanced over only for an instant, but it was enough to spot Peter’s horrified look.
Lord Nigen addressed the crowd. “Today your riding training begins. Before we start, however, there is one item of business to attend to.” He pointed to Jenna. “One of you failed to appear on time. Can anyone recall the punishment for appearing late to my training?” No one spoke. Lord Nigen’s gray eyes turned to Jenna. “Perhaps you could enlighten us yourself.” Even had Jenna known what the punishment was, she was far too frightened to speak. “What’s the matter, boy?” Lord Nigen nodded to the other man. He suddenly released her arm and forcefully knocked her to the ground. She caught herself with her hands, and her left wrist crumpled awkwardly. It began to ache.
Someone in the group spoke. “My Lord, I think—”
“Vincent of Vermillion,” Lord Nigen interrupted. “You know the punishment?”
“Yes, My Lord, but—”
“Then please enlighten us.”
“The punishment is three lashes, My Lord, still—”
“So it is.” It seemed to Jenna to happen all at once. Someone grabbed her up by the shirt collar, nearly choking her and pushed her over toward the paddock fence until she ran right into it. She grasped onto it, while someone lifted her shirt. Fortunately, she hadn’t bothered to bind her breast, mainly because it was hardly necessary yet. Then she felt the first sting from the lashes. One. Two. Three. Then it was finished.
As she fell down to the ground afterward, she couldn’t tell what burned more, her back or her face as she stared into the crowd of young men looking at her. Many of them seemed confused, but Peter looked fiercely angry. She caught the pleased gleam in Lord Nigen’s eye and began to feel some anger herself.
He turned his back to her and faced the others. “Now we get down to business,” he said. “Your goal today is to earn your uniform, which you will wear throughout your training at the palace until you are selected to be a squire. The first task is to mount that horse.” He pointed to the horse in the riding paddock. Some of the boys looked surprised at this. Then Lord Nigen continued. “Don’t get cocky yet.” He signaled to the handler who had the horse attached to a long line. He led the horse, a gray mare, in a circle and worked her into a trot. Jenna was beginning to understand. She stood up to watch.
Lord Nigen turned back to face her. “Since you were late, you have volunteered to go first.”
Jenna narrowed her eyes. She was already disgraced and as her anger burned, she decided to go down swinging. The paddock had a gate she could have used, but she ignored it. She ran up and hopped over the fence, landing on her feet.
She stopped briefly to watch the horse to get the timing right and made a run for it. She had never actually tried to mount a moving horse before, but started by matching her steps to that of the mare. Once she established a link to the horse’s mind, the mare showed her an image of a rider mounting without using the stirrups. She took the horse’s advice, first grabbing the saddle, then taking one big jump with enough momentum to swing her right leg over the horse. Her wrist and back ached with the effort, but she was able to complete the mount successfully. She sat upright with no reins. The handler brought the mare to a stop. Although the horse gave her thoughts of approval, Lord Nigen looked ready to kill her.
“Very well,” he said. “Your first test is complete, but you have not earned your uniform yet.” The handler gave her the mare’s reins. She put her feet into the stirrups as well. “Beyond this paddock you will see three obstacles. You will guide the horse to jump those obstacles, and we will count your faults. Too many, and you will not receive your uniform.” Jenna noticed he did not allow for the possibility of a clean round. She had seen show jumping in Salara and had always wanted to try it, but her father forbade her. Apparently this was her only chance.
Before riding out she showed the mare a picture of jumping the obstacles. The mare showed her a slightly altered picture, indicating she knew what was expected. Jenna was beginning to respect this horse’s training more and more and was prepared to let the horse guide her.
Once Jenna signaled the horse with her mind that she was ready, the mare took off at an easy trot. The first obstacle was a low fence. As the mare jumped, Jenna’s heart jumped with her, but the mare easily cleared the gate. As she touched down, Jenna was sitting too far forward and crashed into the mare’s neck. The horse sent her an image of a rider sitting forward during a jump, but then back on the landing. Jenna was grateful for the advice, as they were quickly headed to the next two obstacles. They were closer together: a small pond and another short fence, so the horse jumped over them in combination. Jenna felt exhilaration as she cleared the last obstacle. The mare slowed to a walk, and Jenna glanced over her shoulder to confirm that no fence boards had been knocked off. She knew then that her ride was clean.
She smiled as she walked the horse back to the circular paddock, thoughts of her disgrace momentarily forgotten. When she saw the handler’s face, however, she stopped smiling. “You better dismount,” he said, frowning. She sent some final thanks to the mare as she swung down from her back.
She looked over toward Lord Nigen and thought she knew the reason for the handler’s concern. There was another man standing there, one she recognized as the Lord who met Peter at the carriage upon their arrival. He did not look happy. “I first congratulate you,” he said. “That was excellently done. However, I have to ask, boy. Who the hell are you?” Jenna gulped.
“Lord Fyrian, you did say there would be a trainee with foreign blood,” said Lord Nigen.
“Yes, and he is there.” Lord Fyrian pointed to Peter, who quickly looked away.
Lord Nigen began to become confused. “Then this is not the sixteenth new trainee. There is still one missing.”
“Randolf of Landon is in the infirmary. It appears he had too much to drink at the feast last night and has not been allowed out.”
“So who is this impostor then?”
“Excellent question.” They both were now glaring at Jenna. She had a choice: lie or tell the truth. The truth would mean certain disgrace. If she told a good lie, she had a chance, but she was a terrible liar.
“Spit it out then.” Lord Fyrian’s arm was raised to strike.
Jenna had a flash of inspiration, and she chose to lie. “Tobin, My Lord.” She pitched her voice low, keeping it quiet with her best attempt at a Khazaran accent.
“What was that?”
“My name, My Lord, is Tobin. I work under Master Durand in the other stables.”
“I see.” Lord Fyrian looked quite taken aback by this response, but he continued. “And why did you not reveal yourself earlier?”
“I knew I wasn’t supposed to be over here and then just got caught up in the moment. I do apologize, My Lord.”
“Well then, since you already have had three lashes, I will let you return to work, but be warned there will be a discussion with Master Durand lat
er about this transgression.”
“Yes, sir.” There was a pause.
“I suggest you hurry.” Lord Fyrian looked angry again. Jenna realized she was free to leave. It actually worked. She flashed a look of shocked surprise to Peter amid the crowd of boys and ran off towards the park as fast as her legs would carry her.
Chapter 5
Jenna got back to her dormitory after all of the other Ladies were already at breakfast. In a way it was a blessing since she got the baths to herself. She was able to wash her wounds clean and make a crude bandage out of an old shirt. There was blood, but she thanked the Heavens for her healing magic because she knew it unlikely for the wounds to be noticeable the following day.
Jenna had only ten minutes to eat her breakfast, and Mrs. Hawes was not pleased with her. Master Durand had given his permission for her to ride that morning, but Mrs. Hawes insisted Jenna would have to tell a proctor before she left the next time, and then told her if she had returned any later, she would have been assigned cleaning duty. Jenna just felt relieved it was all over.
Just as her adrenaline rush was ebbing, her heart started to race again when she remembered what her first class would be: magic. She had totally forgotten about asking the Queen if she could skip the testing. It was too late to do anything by that point.
When she finished stuffing as much food into her stomach as possible in such a short time, she followed most of the Ladies into one of the rooms along the East Wing courtyard. The room itself was somewhat surprising. Jenna had expected a magic classroom to be something extraordinary. Instead it appeared to be like most sitting rooms with some chairs arranged in a circle around a small round table, though there was a desk in front that seemed to have some magical implements on top of it.
Their magic instructor, an older woman with kind hazel eyes, was waiting for them. Her green robe indicated she belonged to the Healer Mage Guild.
Jenna followed the lead of the other Ladies and sat down in one of the chairs. Aylin sat next to her and smiled. Jenna remembered she hadn’t seen the Princess since the feast and hoped that Aylin would still be willing to talk to her. They didn’t have a chance to chat right then, however, because the instructor began.
“Well, class, this is a special day because we have two new students. Princess Aylin, Miss Jenna, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Magista Delia with the Healer’s Guild. Our first lesson today will involve testing you both for magical ability. The test is in two parts: one test to reveal the kind of magic you carry and another to give a sense of the amount of power you will develop; however, magical power does not peak until about age thirty, so it will be impossible to know exactly how much power you will carry until then.
“Now mages are not restricted to carrying solely one form of magic talent, but there are certain distinct magic bloodlines, and most often one of them will dominate a mage’s abilities. Aylin, perhaps you can name them?”
“Healing mages heal people sometimes animals,” said Aylin, tentatively. “Earth mages protect crops and forests. Weather mages control air and stop storms. Fire mages do attack spells and serve the army.”
“Yes, very good. You have named the four most common forms of magical ability. Of course there are a variety of skills for each of those kinds of mages. Who can name the other two forms?”
Becca answered. “Heart mages heal emotions and are traditionally midwives, but that talent is rarer than healing mages. The sixth is rarest of all and occurs almost exclusively in the royal line. They are defense mages, protectors of the realm.”
“Yes, excellent. Now to proceed with the testing—”
“Magista Delia, wait,” Becca continued to speak.
“Yes, Becca?”
“Shouldn’t there be another magic bloodline? I remember the story of the Seven Daughters of Maximilian and each one carrying a different magical ability. What talent did the seventh sister carry? She was the youngest, named Volta.”
“My mother always said she was evil,” said Crystelle.
“That’s not what I remember,” said Aurelia.
Delia sighed. “Yes. Originally there were seven abilities. The evil nature of the seventh gift is disputed, but the seventh line has been all but extinct for about fifty years now. They were mages of the mind.” She looked over at the Princess. “Mind mages were strong in Khazaran and Sevalia, but that is all behind us now.” Jenna was no scholar of the mage wars, but she did recall there used to be suspicion about mind mages since they were associated with Khazaran. She was not surprised at Delia’s reluctance to discuss it with Aylin there.
Delia’s frown switched back into a smile as she returned to the subject of the magical testing. “Aylin, you will be tested first.” Delia directed Aylin with her arm, and the Princess rose from her seat to stand in the center of the circle of chairs by the table. Delia brought over two items from her desk: a small bowl filled with water and a palm-sized metal disc with a mirrored finish. “There are many ways to test for magical power. Here at the Sevalian palace, however, we are lucky in that there is a very convenient method. This bowl is filled with water from the Crystal Spring that is located on the hunting grounds. The water from the spring has magical potential that any mage may draw upon. Aylin, this disc will be keyed to you, and when you dip it into the water, presuming you have enough magical potential, your kind of magic will be mirrored in it. It reveals itself through the color it leaves on the disc.”
Delia handed the object to Aylin. “Hold the disc in your right hand, and hold the side of the bowl with your left. Now, close your eyes and concentrate on the disc. Most mages draw upon power through their abdomens. Try to channel yours until you feel it connect with the mirror. When you are ready, dip it in the bowl without opening your eyes.”
Aylin stood motionless, and the room was quiet for some two minutes until the Princess, with a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead, dipped the disc into the bowl. “Jenna, watch as she removes the disc,” said Delia. “I want you to tell us what color you see.”
Aylin began to lift the disc. “It looks golden,” said Jenna. “If I didn’t know better I’d say it had been gilded.”
A couple of the Ladies gasped, and Delia frowned. “Impossible!” said Crystelle.
Aylin, looking rather worried, opened her eyes and looked at the creation she had just made. “But it is gold. Does it mean something bad?” she asked.
“Of course not, Aylin,” replied Delia. “The gold color only means you are an earth mage.”
“Jenna could not have seen the color,” said Crystelle, her nose flaring.
Delia frowned again slightly. “Jenna,” she said. “Normally only mages above third-level can see the color change.” Jenna could have kicked herself. If she had known, she would never have admitted to seeing the gold color.
Crystelle rose from her seat and glared at Jenna. “There are no mages without noble blood. She must be guessing.”
Delia looked over at Jenna for a minute and then asked all of the Ladies to get out the discs they used at their testing. She had asked them all to bring them into class that day. Most of the girls wore them around their necks like medallions. “Jenna,” she said. “I want you to tell us the color of each of the Ladies’ discs.”
Jenna could have played dumb, but not without admitting to guessing or lying about seeing Aylin’s disc change color, and she would not give Crystelle the satisfaction. She went around the room, examining the discs. Yolanda, Becca, and Crystelle’s discs were also golden or yellow in color. Two of the older Ladies had green discs, indicating they were healers. Aurelia had a blue disc because she was a weather mage. The two Tenarran Ladies from the north each had red discs, indicating fire mage ability. As she revealed each of the colors, the shock on the faces of the other Ladies grew. Crystelle’s face turned red.
“Jenna,” said Delia, who managed to stay calm. “This is a somewhat surprising development. All people, of course, carry some magical potential within them since magical po
wer flows everywhere, but Crystelle is correct in that most mages beyond second-level have mage parents. Of course you should be tested, but first I wish to complete Aylin’s test to reveal her magical potential.” Delia flashed Crystelle a look of disapproval, and she sat back down.
“There is no test to determine magical potential on an absolute scale,” she then continued. “It is all relative though with certain benchmarks. Yolanda, as another earth mage, I would like you to test Aylin’s potential.” Yolanda with a half-smile on her face took a sidelong look at Crystelle and stood up from her chair. Delia returned the bowl to her desk. “Aylin, place your disc on the table.” Aylin quickly complied. “Now on my mark I want both of you to attempt to fetch the disc into your hand. Aylin, this takes concentration similar to when you keyed your disc. We will time it. Ready? Go!”
Both girls closed their eyes. Yolanda raised her hand, palm out toward the table. Aylin kept her hands in front of her with her fingertips touching. The disc began to rattle on the table. Jenna had never seen anything like it. It slid toward Yolanda then back toward Aylin in a test of will. Eventually, Aylin gave a slight gasp, and the disk flew to Yolanda’s outstretched hand.
“Well done both of you. Yolanda is ranked at fourth-level with the potential to reach fifth. You will most likely remain at fourth-level, Aylin, but you are closely matched.”
“But what is ‘fourth-level’?” asked Aylin.
“Excellent question,” Delia replied. “Who can answer that?”
It was Aurelia who spoke. “There are seven accepted levels of magical ability. The first level really applies to all people in recognition that magical power flows through all living beings as Magista Delia said. The second level applies to people of limited mage talent. They need not have mage parents and have only one ability, like a weather witch in a small village who can sense bad storms approach.
“The third level is Novice, and it is the first level accepted into the mage guilds. Novices can provide spells for most everyday needs, like protecting crops from pests or healing minor wounds. Fourth-level mages called Journeymen are even stronger and often serve in the guilds as leaders over mages in each county. Fifth-level mages, also called Enchanters, most often directly serve the royal court or provincial Lords. They have significant power. For instance, Enchanter weather mages can not only sense storms but dissipate them, and fifth-level healers like Delia can heal major wounds within hours.