Black Magician-02 The Novice

by Trudi Canavan

  It had been a simple error, but it had turned an innocent boy into a charred corpse. The lectures on safety, which the other novices seemed to dismiss so easily, always chilled her. She could not help wondering how often mistakes did happen.

  Ahead, Regin, Hal and Benon were striding along the garden path eagerly. Even Narron and Trassia's faces were flushed with excitement. Perhaps the thought of accidentally killing someone from the Houses, or the nobility of another land, might sober them. But would the prospect of killing a former slum girl cause them to pause?

  As they reached the wide flat space outside the Arena, Sonea looked up at the eight curved spires spaced around it. She could feel a faint vibration in the air from the magical barrier the spires supported. Making herself walk to the edge, she looked down at the structure. The base was a sunken stone circle covered with white sand. The spires were spaced evenly around it. From their bases, stone steps rose to the level of the garden. To one side was a square portal that allowed access to the inside of the Arena via a short underground staircase.

  "Follow me," Lord Vorel ordered. He started down the staircase, leading the novices through the portal and into the Arena. "Form a line."

  The novices obeyed, Poril taking the last place. Lord Vorel waited until they had fallen silent, then cleared his throat.

  "This will be your first lesson in the basic strikes. It will also be the first time you use magic in full strength. Heed this warning: what you do today is dangerous." He stared at them all, in turn, as he spoke. "We must all use the utmost caution during these exercises. Even at your level you are quite capable of killing. Remember this well. I will not tolerate any foolery. Carelessness will be punished severely."

  A chill ran down Sonea's spine. I hope the punishment is severe enough to convince Regin that an "accident" isn't an easy way to get rid of me.

  Vorel suddenly smiled and rubbed his palms together eagerly. "I will be teaching you the three basic strikes at this level. Firstly, we'll see what each of you use instinctively. Regin."

  Regin stepped forward.

  Lord Vorel walked backward until he was almost at the edge of the Arena, then raised his hands and made a spreading motion. A glowing disc of halt-visible energy appeared in front of him. Stepping aside, he nodded to Regin.

  "Gather your power and send it toward this shield."

  Regin lifted a hand and extended it toward the target. A frown crossed his face, then a brilliant bolt of light shot from his hand and struck the disc.

  "Good," Lord Vorel said. "A forcestrike, but with a great deal of wasted energy spent on light and heat. Hal."

  Sonea stared at the glowing disc of magic. Vorel was probably using the shield to detect what kind of energies the novices were throwing at it... but she kept seeing a memory of something else, something that made her stomach twist with dread and nausea.

  Again a bolt of energy struck the disc, this time tinged blue. A memory of light and screams flashed through her mind.

  "A heatstrike," Vorel said, then went on to explain the differences between forcestrikes and heatstrikes. A part of her mind was slotting this information away, yet she could not drag herself from the memories . ..

  The crowd running ... a blackened corpse . . . the smell of burned flesh ...

  "Benon."

  The Kyralian boy stepped forward. The beam that sprang forth from his hand was almost transparent.

  "Forcestrike." Vorel sounded pleased. "Narron ..."

  Another bolt of power seared the air.

  "Forcestrike mostly, but a great deal of heat. Trassia ..."

  A streak of flames dazzled Sonea's eyes.

  "Firestrike." Vorel sounded bemused. "Seno . .."

  The Vindo boy frowned for a long time before a pulse of light leapt from his hand. It went awry and missed the disc. As it struck the barrier of the Arena the air filled with a muted tinkling, like distant shattering glass. Fine threads of energy rippled outward. Sonea swallowed hard. Soon it would be her turn. Soon ...

  "Yalend."

  The boy beside her stepped forward and struck at the disc without hesitation.

  "Sonea..."

  She stared at the disc, but all she could see was a boy staring back at her. Fearful, yet not comprehending . ..

  "Sonea?"

  She took a deep breath and pushed the nightmare image away. When I decided I would join the Guild, I knew I would have to learn this. These fights are just a game. A dangerous game created so that fighting skills were kept alive in case the Allied Lands were attacked.

  Lord Vorel took a step toward her, then stopped as she lifted a hand. For the first time since her Control lessons she consciously reached to the energy inside her. The other novices shifted impatiently.

  The image of the boy returned. She needed to replace it with something else, or her nerve would break. As Regin muttered something about being afraid, another figure appeared in her mind's eye and she smiled. She focused her will and sent out a blast of anger.

  What passed for a curse among the magicians could be heard over the clear sound of shattering glass. Sonea felt her stomach turn over. Had she missed the disc?

  Ripples of light curved to the top of the Arena's spires and disappeared. The disc was gone. Puzzled, she looked to Lord Vorel, who was rubbing his temples.

  "I did not say you should throw all your strength into it yet, Sonea," he said. "That was a... combination of... fire-strike and forcestrike—I think." He turned to Poril, who went instantly rigid. "I shall restore the target in a moment. Do not strike until I tell you to."

  He remained silent for several minutes, his eyes closed. Then he drew in a deep breath and set up the disc again.

  "Go on, Poril."

  The boy sighed. Lifting a hand, he sent an almost invisible strike at the shield.

  "Good," Vorel said, nodding. "A forcestrike, with no wasted magic. Now, you will all strike again, but this time in full strength. After that, you will all learn to shape your strikes to a purpose. Regin."

  Sonea watched as the novices attacked the barrier. It was difficult to know if the strikes were more powerful, but Vorel seemed satisfied. As it came to Sonea's turn he hesitated, then shrugged.

  "Go on. Let's see if you can do it again."

  Amused, she drew on her power and let it loose. The disc seemed to hold, then it wavered and disappeared. White light arced up and over the Arena barrier, causing the novices to duck involuntarily. The air shivered with the sound of it, then all fell silent.

  Vorel regarded her speculatively. "No doubt your age has given you an advantage," he said, almost to himself. "Just as Poril's experience has given him control." He set up the barrier again. "Poril, show us a forcestrike."

  The boy's strike was almost invisible. Vorel gestured to the barrier.

  "As you could see—or not see—Poril's strike was economical. There was no excess light or heat. Its potency was directed forward, and in no other direction. You will now try to shape your power into forcestrikes. Regin, you will begin."

  As the class continued, Sonea realized she was enjoying herself. Shaping her strikes was challenging, but easy once she had the "feel" of each type. When Vorel directed them back to the classroom she was almost disappointed that the lesson had ended.

  Looking around, she noted the smiles and excited exchanges between the other novices. They hurried up the stairs and filled the corridor with chatter. Entering the classroom, they quietened as they returned to their seats.

  Lord Vorel waited until the room was silent, then crossed his arms.

  "In the next lesson we will return to the refinement of barriers." The novices slumped with disappointment. "What you have seen today should show clearly why it is so important for you to learn to shield yourself well," he said sternly. "For the remaining time before midbreak I would like you to write down what you have learned today."

  A low moan escaped the lips of several novices. As they began to open their notebooks, Sonea reached for the latches of he
r box. Touching them, she realized she had forgotten to set the magical lock.

  Opening it, she breathed a sigh of relief as she found her belongings intact. She lifted out her folder of notes, but as she did something slipped from the pages and fell to the floor with a metallic sound.

  "That's my pen!"

  Sonea looked up to see Narron glaring at her. Frowning, she looked down and saw a sliver of gold lying on the floor at her feet. She bent down and picked it up.

  A hand plucked the pen from her fingers. She looked up to see Lord Vorel staring down at her. He turned to Narron.

  "Is this the pen you said was missing?"

  "Yes." Narron turned to stare at Sonea. "Sonea had it in her box."

  Vorel's jaw tightened as he turned his eyes back to Sonea.

  "Where did you get this from?"

  Sonea looked down at the box in her hands.

  "It was in here," she said.

  "She stole my pen!" Narron declared indignantly.

  "I did not!" she protested.

  "Sonea." Vorel's fingers curled around the pen. "Come with me."

  He turned on his heel and strode to the front of the class. Sonea stared at him in disbelief, until he turned and scowled at her.

  "Now.'" he barked.

  Closing the box, Sonea rose and followed him to the door, conscious of the eyes that followed her. She glanced at the novices. Surely they didn't believe she had stolen Narron's pen—not when it was so clear that Regin had played a trick on her again?

  They stared back at her, their eyes narrowed in suspicion. Poril looked down and avoided her eyes. She felt a stab of hurt and turned away.

  She was the slum girl. The girl who had admitted to stealing as a child. The outsider. A friend of Thieves. They had seen Regin taunting her, but they had never known about the notes and books he had stolen, or the numerous other tricks he had played on her. They didn't know how cunning and determined he was.

  She couldn't accuse Regin. Even if she dared to, and risked a truth-read, she couldn't prove that he had actually done it. She had only her own innocence to prove, and she dared not risk a truth-read for that, for if she did, and the University Director didn't allow her to choose the truth-reader, someone might learn about the High Lord's crime.

  Vorel paused at the door. "Narron, you had better come too," he said. "The rest of you finish your notes. I will not return before midbreak."

  As he entered the University Director's office, Rothen noted the posture of the occupants. Jerrik sat at his desk, his arms crossed and a grim expression darkening his face. Sonea was slumped in a chair, her eyes focused elsewhere. Another novice perched on a stool nearby, sitting very straight. Behind him stood the Warrior, Lord Vorel, whose gaze burned with anger.

  "What is this about?" Rothen asked.

  Jerrik's frown deepened. "Your novice has been found to be in possession of a pen belonging to her classmate, Narron."

  Rothen looked at Sonea, but she didn't raise her head to meet his eyes.

  "Is this true, Sonea?"

  "Yes."

  "Details?"

  "I opened my box and picked up my notes, and the pen fell out."

  "How did it get in there?"

  She shrugged. "I don't know."

  Jerrik stepped forward. "You didn't put it there?"

  "I don't know."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I don't know if I put it there."

  He frowned. "How can you not know? You either put it there, or you didn't."

  She spread her hands. "It's possible it was in with my notes when I put them away last night."

  Jerrik shook his head in exasperation, then drew in a deep breath.

  "Did you steal Narron's pen?"

  Sonea frowned. "Not deliberately."

  Having had similar conversations with Sonea himself, Rothen almost smiled. This was no time for wordplay, however. "So you're saying you might have stolen it accidentally?" he asked.

  "How can you steal something accidentally?" Jerrik exclaimed. "Stealing is a deliberate act."

  Vorel gave a snort of disgust. "Sonea, if you don't deny it, we can only assume you're guilty."

  She looked up at the teacher, and her eyes suddenly narrowed. "What does it matter? You've already made up your minds. Nothing I say will make any difference."

  The room was silent for several heartbeats, then, as Rothen saw Vorel's face begin to color, he stepped forward and placed a hand on Sonea's shoulder.

  "Wait for me outside, Sonea."

  She walked out of the room and closed the door.

  "What am I to make of that?" Jerrik exclaimed. "If she is innocent, why wind us about with these evasive answers?"

  Rothen looked pointedly at the novice, Narron. Jerrik followed his gaze, then nodded. "You may return to class, Narron."

  The boy stood. "May I have my pen back, Director?"

  "Certainly." Jerrik nodded to Vorel. Seeing the expensive-looking gold pen that the teacher handed over, Rothen winced. It probably had been a gift to mark the boy's acceptance into the Guild.

  When Narron had left the room, Jerrik looked at Rothen expectantly. "You were saying, Lord Rothen?"

  Rothen clasped his hands behind his back. "Are you aware of the harassment Sonea has been receiving from other novices?"

  Jerrik nodded. "Yes, I am."

  "Have you identified the leader of these troublemakers?"

  The University Director's mouth twitched. "Are you saying this leader arranged this apparent theft?"

  "I'm only suggesting you consider the possibility."

  "You would need proof. As it is, all we have is a missing pen found among Sonea's belongings. She refuses to deny taking it, and has not accused Regin of planting it there. What am I to believe?"

  Rothen nodded in acknowledgment. "I'm sure Sonea would like to have evidence to the contrary, but if she isn't accusing anyone, then she probably hasn't. In this situation, is there any point in protesting her innocence?"

  "That doesn't prove she didn't do it," Vorel said.

  "No, but I was asked to explain her behavior, not prove that she is innocent. I can only vouch for her character. I don't believe she did this."

  Vorel made a small noise, but remained silent. Jerrik regarded them both, then waved dismissively. "I will consider your words. Thank you. You may go."

  Sonea was leaning against the wall outside, staring at her boots sullenly. Vorel narrowed his eyes at her, but strode past without speaking. Moving to her side, Rothen leaned on the wall and sighed.

  "It doesn't look good."

  "I know." Her tone was resigned.

  "You said nothing of Regin?"

  "How can I?" She looked up and met his gaze. "I can't accuse him, even if I did have proof."

  "Why n—" The answer came to him in a flash. Guild rules. An accuser must submit to a truth-read. She couldn't risk one. Secrets entrusted to them might be revealed before their time. Disturbed, frustrated, he frowned at the floor in silence.

  "Do you believe them?"

  He looked up. "Of course not."

  "Not even the slightest doubt?"

  "Not the slightest."

  "Perhaps you should," she said bitterly. "Everyone else was waiting for it to happen. It doesn't matter what I say or do. It doesn't make a difference. They know I've done it before, so they think I'll do it again whether I have a reason to or not."

  "Sonea," he said softly. "What you say and do does make a difference. You know that. Just because you stole out of need a long time ago, it doesn't mean you'll do so now. If you had some kind of irresistible stealing habit, we'd have seen evidence of it before now. You should deny it, clearly and forcefully, even if you think no one will believe you."

  She nodded, though he wasn't sure she was convinced.

  They both looked up as the midbreak gong rang out. Rothen pushed himself away from the wall.

  "Come and eat with me. We haven't had midbreak meal together in weeks."

  She smi
led grimly. "I don't think I'll be welcome in the Foodhall for a while."

  Chapter 14

  Bad News

  One by one the novices filed past Lord Elben's table, each picking up a glass jar. Knowing that she would receive hostile stares if she joined them, Sonea waited. To her dismay, Regin was the last to approach the table. Looking at her, he hesitated, then stepped forward and picked up the last two jars. Lord Elben frowned as Regin examined both, but as the teacher's mouth opened, Regin thrust one of the jars at Sonea.

  "Here."

  She reached out to take it, but just before her fingers touched the jar it dropped from his hand, struck the floor and shattered.

  "Oh, sorry about that," Regin exclaimed. He backed away from the glass fragments. "So clumsy of me."

  Lord Elben looked down his long nose at Regin, then Sonea. "Regin, find a servant to clean this up. Sonea, you'll have to observe this lesson."

  Sonea returned to her seat, unsurprised. The "theft" of Natron's pen had changed more than just the novices' opinion of her. Before the "theft," Elben would have told Regin to give her the last jar, or sent him off to get a new one.

  The "theft" had only confirmed what the novices and teachers already suspected. Her official punishment had been to spend an hour shelving books in the Novices' Library every evening, which had proven to be quite enjoyable—when Regin wasn't hanging about making the task difficult. The punishment had ended last Fourday, but both novices and teachers still treated her with suspicion and contempt.

  Most of the time, she was ignored in class. But when she came too close to another novice, or dared to speak to one, she received cold stares. She hadn't tried to rejoin them in the Foodhall. Instead she returned to her old habit of skipping the midbreak meal or eating with Rothen.

  Not everything had changed for the worse, however. Now that she knew her powers were so much stronger than the other novices', she had discovered a new confidence. She didn't need to conserve her strength for the class activities, as the novices had been advised to do, so she kept a strong shield up to protect herself from missiles, shoves or other pranks. This meant she could easily push past Regin and his followers if they surrounded her in the corridors.