Surviving Magic (The Legacy of Androva Book 6)

by Alex C Vick

  Sitting amongst the brightest magicians Androva had ever produced, with my friend and research partner, I thought life could not get any better.

  But then I found Claudia. Or, to be more precise, she found me.

  Chapter 9 - Claudia Marcella

  Roma stretched across many lands. However, there was a clear centre, and the towns and cities close to it were perfect examples of how it functioned.

  I chose a place called Pompeii to begin my research. The great mountain overlooking it reminded me of Mount Landor and my own home.

  Nico stayed in the centre, in the vast city of Roma itself. He couldn’t understand my choosing to be anywhere else. But the sheer scale of it was too much for me.

  Yes, we were required to stay silent and invisible, but I still wanted a place I could get to know. Not just the buildings and the people, but the ebb and flow of daily life.

  And there was so much to learn. Although there was a structure to the way Roma operated, there was an underlying chaos that made my head spin. These Terrans could be fierce and even heartless, but also incredibly charming. Materialistic, yet generous too.

  They watched each other fight in a circular arena. There was blood, and dust, and screaming crowds, and so much death. They worshipped imaginary idols in temples with statues, asking for good fortune and long life. They came of age earlier than we did on Androva. Their position in society was everything.

  Magic was a part of them, but by no means all. Their spells were wonderfully simple, enhancing daily life with magic in a way I found very appealing. I used magic for everything, whereas the Terrans had many other skills as well.

  There were, however, two things I struggled with.

  The first, once observed and documented, I was glad to abandon. I didn’t think I’d survive the embarrassment if I ever had to return.

  It was called the Thermae. The baths. I could hardly find the words to describe what I’d seen.

  These Terrans cleaned themselves by taking off their clothes and getting wet all over. Then they rubbed sticky oil onto their skin and scraped it off again.

  The bathhouses were large and elaborate. It was normal to visit them with family or friends or even near strangers. For hours at a time, as if it is desirable to turn something so shocking into a social event!

  How could this world use magic to support vast endeavours such as winning wars and building cities, yet fail to invent something as basic and necessary as the Cleaning Spell? Even the version my ancestors had used was better than this.

  The second thing I struggled with was a little less trivial. Slavery. The buying and selling of actual Terrans alongside food, silks, and any other commodity.

  The Foundation’s policy of not interfering was hard to stick to. But even I knew I couldn’t free them all. Not once I figured out more than one person in four was owned by someone else.

  It was ridiculous. It was horrifying. And the Roman way of life depended upon it.

  I nearly stopped researching Terra and changed to another world. I visited the tall trees of Lignora with Dielle, the Researcher who was working there.

  The Lignorans were sociable and also peaceful, never venturing too far from their source of living magic. There were magicians and non-magicians living in harmony. It was soothing after the noise and brutality of Pompeii.

  But something drew me back. I liked the Terrans. And I would be in no position to argue for a change in Androvan policy if I ran away. One day I might be allowed to talk to the people of Terra. I had this crazy idea that maybe I could teach the slaves some spells to make their lives easier.

  After I had documented the basics of Roman society, I was able to concentrate on their magic. They used symbols for many of their basic spells. Nothing as sophisticated as the Sygnus, but the images were charming even so.

  I enjoyed writing up my findings. I was getting better at Depiction Spells the more often I used them. We were encouraged to make our records a bit like journals, with personal comments and observations alongside the facts.

  The paper and bindings were embedded with Preservation Spells to ensure they lasted indefinitely. I favoured red and silver for the covers of my books, and made sure my Sygnus was always on the front.

  I couldn’t prove anything, but it seemed likely some of my ability was down to the way my force field connected with that seven-pointed star.

  The day I met Claudia began just like any other. Breakfast at home, trying to change the subject when my parents suggested potential matches for me. Serena looking smug because at the age of just fifteen she was already very settled with her boyfriend, Matheus.

  Not waiting to open a portal, but leaving the house at a run instead, shouting, “Alright, alright!” over my shoulder about the meeting they had arranged for me that evening.

  Pausing to grin at the new inscription for the day over the entranceway to the Foundation.

  If you’re a custodian and you can read this, you’re TOO CLOSE!

  We were always trying to keep the Council further away from our experimental magic than they were prepared to go. The wording would probably be changed later by one of the more senior Researchers.

  Then greeting Nico, who was usually there before me. I got the impression he and Krysta weren’t getting on so well. Discussing our plans for the day. Opening the first portal.

  Stepping into Pompeii, behind one of the temples, and making my way through the busy, smelly streets until I reached the residence of Julia Felix.

  Waiting for the lady herself to appear. Admiring the newly decorated walls. The colourful market scenes had been painted in lifelike detail. Hearing voices, and stepping back instinctively, even though I knew my Invisibility Spell was perfect.

  And then, feeling as if time itself had stopped. I just stared and stared. Julia Felix had two slaves with her. One I had seen before, but the other was… she was… the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my entire life.

  My age, or a bit younger. Long brown hair, loosely plaited over one shoulder. Brown eyes, so dark they were almost black. Her mouth was… For the love of Androva, what are you doing looking at her mouth?

  I realised she was about to walk into me, and I ducked to the side just in time. As the air shifted, I saw her hesitate, and for a second she looked straight at me.

  Her eyes were outlined with the black paint so popular in Roma. They glinted with something like suspicion. No, I corrected myself, it was more like curiosity. There was no fear in her expression.

  Too quickly she turned to follow her mistress. Her dress, a brown tunic loosely belted at the waist, brushed against my hand. I froze.

  She glanced sideways. A small frown wrinkled the smooth skin between her eyebrows. Distraction, I thought, hastily adding another layer to my spell.

  “Claudia Marcella,” said Julia Felix, looking back impatiently. She continued speaking, too fast for me to follow everything she was saying. I could only understand the odd word.

  Servus. Slave. Debitum. Obligation. Clemens. Forgiving. Julia Felix believed herself to be a merciful owner. As if those two words ever belong together.

  The girl bowed her head slightly.

  “Claudia,” I repeated silently, mouthing the name as if I were the lovesick victim of an Attraction Spell. What is happening to me? I noticed her neck was very clean. Suddenly, I thought of her in the bathhouse, and my face burned red.

  Then I jumped in shock. Head still lowered as her mistress berated her, Claudia had reached out a hand and grabbed hold of the hem of my shirt. She curled her fingers around it, tugging gently.

  I saw the beginnings of a mischievous smile lift the edges of her mouth. Then she was gone, leaving me staring after her.

  So much for my perfect Invisibility Spell. I tried to gather my thoughts. I was supposed to be shadowing Julia Felix today. She owned the impressive villa I was standing in, and was preparing part of it to be rented out.

  There would be shops and somewhere to eat and drink, called a thermopol
ium, as well. She had purchased several new slaves recently for the purpose of preparing and running everything.

  Her situation was unusual for a woman. There was much differentiation on Terra between the two genders, and it seemed that power rested entirely with the men.

  The head of Roma, Vespasian, was an old man. His son Titus was expected to succeed him very soon. Their ruling Senate was composed entirely of men too.

  I didn’t really understand it. On Androva, men and women were considered to be evenly matched. I was curious as to what made Terran women inferior. I thought I might learn the answer from Julia Felix.

  But I could not carry out my research if one of her slaves knew I was there. I shook my head. Professor Cassius hadn’t been able to see past this spell. It could not be possible that a young Terran girl had bested him.

  Cautiously I stepped forward, testing the projection of my force field as I went. I could still hear the faint sound of their footsteps. When I reached the formal garden, I stopped for a moment.

  There they were, across the other side of the large water ornament. It was designed to look as if part of a river had been set down amongst the green of the garden.

  They stepped onto the walkway, which was separated from the garden by a series of stone columns. The wall behind them was painted in blocks of red and yellow, with precise black borders. It was vibrant in the morning sunshine.

  I saw that Julia Felix intended to sit in the outdoor triclinium, the place for eating. The slaves disappeared to fetch her breakfast, and I dared to move closer.

  She was dressed similarly to the slaves, but in finer cloth, and with golden ornaments in her hair, around her neck, and on her arms. Her face was painted, and her brown hair was formally arranged on top of her head.

  She had some of the new wooden writing tablets on the bench next to her. I leaned closer. Perhaps she would be doing some business today. I would like the chance to see how a Terran contract was made.

  Their system of government was quite haphazard compared to the Androvan Council’s worldwide influence. I had bent almost close enough to see the writing, when someone crashed into me.

  I sprawled across the marble bench, biting back an exclamation of surprise and pain as my knee smacked into the stone. Dishes, food and wine went everywhere.

  There was a gasp of horror from behind me. I twisted round to see Claudia frantically chasing the scattered breakfast and trying to mop up the wine as it seeped into the hem of Julia’s perfectly white dress.

  She was repeating “mea culpa” and “me paenitet” over and over, her voice rising. My fault, I’m sorry.

  Julia’s face twisted with anger, suddenly ugly. As she opened her mouth, I instinctively projected a Harmony Spell. The gentle silver mist brushed against her and then disappeared.

  Immediately her mouth closed, and she blinked. Her face relaxed. Claudia stared and fell silent. Julia gestured for Claudia to sort out the mess and told her to bring a new meal, then she went to change. The other slave followed her.

  After Julia had departed, Claudia reached out carefully with long fingers to brush the air near to where we had collided. Hastily I backed away. She sat back on her heels.

  Then she whispered something.

  “Gratias tibi ago.” Thank you.

  She started to clear everything away, and it was all I could do not to use a Cleaning Spell to help her. I should have left. If the Council knew how close I had come to discovery, I would probably have my portal privileges suspended.

  But I could not leave. I was drawn to this brave and beautiful girl in a way I could not explain.

  I ended up shadowing Claudia instead of Julia Felix that day. And the next day, and the next. Am I under some kind of spell myself?

  I neither knew nor cared.

  I attended the meeting my parents had arranged, though I forgot the name of my potential match by the following morning. I filed my reports at the Foundation. I smiled at Nico’s jokes.

  I turned away from Serena’s questions, laughing and acting like nothing was wrong. I was like the reflection of myself in the looking glass. A convincing copy, as long as no one got too close.

  Nico would have found it hilarious, if I had felt able to tell him. Galen, the meticulous student, usually more interested in new spells than in making a match. Head before heart, nearly every time. Now so distracted by a girl I could hardly think straight.

  As a house slave, her duties were mostly within the villa walls, cooking, cleaning and tending to the personal needs of her mistress. She was dignified, graceful, and patient. Everything I wasn’t.

  The mischief in her expression reappeared from time to time, and it drew me closer. Thanks to the enhanced Anonymity Spell I now felt duty bound to use, she showed no sign she knew I was there. I was half relieved and half disappointed.

  One day she made a trip to the market for additional food supplies. I watched her laugh and joke with the stallholders, and I grew ever more fascinated.

  I stood next to her when she drank from the water fountain. As the sun beat down on my head, I felt slightly dizzy. I was close enough to touch her arm if I wanted to. And I do want to. More than anything.

  When she returned to the house, she stopped at the shrine for the Lar Familiaris, the protector of the household. She visited it several times a day to bring fresh flowers or other offerings.

  This time she closed her eyes and whispered “Gratias tibi ago” several times. She talked about the spilled breakfast.

  Wait a minute! Is that who she thinks I am? No. No way am I going to let some imaginary idol take the credit for my helping her.

  A small part of me knew this was a childish reaction. That I was just using it as an excuse for the rule breaking I had always intended to do. However, I didn’t care.

  I was developing feelings for her. It was time for me to find out if she could ever return them.

  Chapter 10 - The Signature Symbol

  I waited for the household to settle down for the night. Then I borrowed a spare tunic and sandals belonging to the male slaves who worked in the extensive vegetable gardens.

  Keeping to the shadows of the garden walkway, I changed my clothes. The loose tunic felt incredibly strange compared to the close-fitting black trousers and shirt I was accustomed to wearing.

  I had to resist the temptation to magically resize it longer. Significantly longer.

  Before I could even think of how to stop it, my Sygnus appeared obediently on the material at the shoulder. It looked like I’d be keeping the tunic. I could hardly return it with such an obvious magical decoration.

  I crossed the silent villa until I found where Claudia was sleeping. Slaves had no rooms of their own, being required to spend the night outside the door to their master or mistress.

  First, I dropped my Invisibility Spell. Then I walked slowly out of the shadows. My sandals made a shuffling noise on the stone floor, though I could hardly hear it over the fast thump of my heart.

  I hoped Claudia was a light sleeper. I wanted her to wake, see me, and think I was just a slave completing his jobs for the day. Nothing out of the ordinary. No reason to exclaim in surprise.

  She sat up. She turned to see where the noise was coming from. After a quick glance, she made to lie down again, then paused. Her shoulders stiffened.

  “Salve,” she said cautiously, in a low voice. Hello.

  “Salve,” I replied.

  Great, Galen. Really impressive conversation skills.

  There was silence, during which I tried and failed to remember a single other word in her language.

  She stood up and walked towards me. I tried to keep calm. I’d been much closer to her than this in the last couple of weeks, but it was different now that she could see me.

  “Quis es tu?” she asked. Who are you?

  I could smell cinnamon on her, one of the sweet spices used in the kitchen. I was still speechless.

  Say something . Something, anything. Your name would be a start!<
br />
  Then she reached out one hand to touch the Sygnus on my shoulder. It was supposed to be under a Concealing Spell, but she seemed to know it was there.

  She projected her magic until it touched the silver star, and I felt it tingle against my own force field.

  “How are you doing that?” I whispered. “How can you see past my spells so easily?”

  Her eyes were glittering slightly, wide and round as she stared back at me.

  “Non intellego,” she said. I don’t understand.

  That makes two of us .

  All I wanted to do was kiss her perfect mouth, but I had to remember this was the first time she’d seen me. No matter how casual the Romans were about forming relationships, I was still a stranger to her.

  She frowned.

  “Te cognosco.” I know you.

  “What?” I said stupidly.

  She nodded, giving a small smile. Then she took my hand and walked me back to the atrium, where we had first met. When she turned to the shrine, I pulled my hand back.

  “Non quidem,” I said forcefully. No way.

  Haltingly, I tried to explain. I was just a person like her. A magician from another land, who happened to know some different spells. I was studying Roma, I said. Not for conquest, but for knowledge.

  She considered this. She asked me why it was such a secret. I said my home was peaceful. We did not want war.

  Her face clouded over. She told me she had been taken from her family after her home was conquered. I made to touch her arm in sympathy, but didn’t quite dare to put my fingers on her skin.

  She looked at my hand, frozen in the air. I held my breath. Is she offended? She raised her eyes to mine.

  “Pulchra es,” I said softly. You are beautiful.

  “Gratias tibi ago,” she answered. The mischief was back in her expression.

  I took her outside to the garden. I showed her the stars and tried to explain that any one of them could be another world where people were going about their daily lives, just like we were.