Mistral shot him a filthy look and didn’t answer. A tense silence fell.
Phantasm frowned and leaned across the table, forcing her to meet his piercing green eyes.
‘Tell me what’s wrong,’ he ordered. ‘I’ve watched you suffer in silence over the last three months and, against my better judgement, I didn’t interfere. But not anymore. Tell me. Now!’
Mistral attempted a half-hearted scowl but gave up and sighed dejectedly, resting her chin on her hand, ‘Apparently,’ she said heavily, ‘Sight is affected by emotional changes.’
Phantasm looked briefly surprised then nodded thoughtfully, ‘Yes, I can see that would make sense, and it explains why you had trouble reading auras when you were so low. But surely everything is fine now that you and your Mage are finally together?’
‘That’s just the problem,’ Mistral mumbled unhappily. ‘We’re not together. Not really. Since I’m not allowed to feel any differently our relationship can’t change.’
Phantasm and Phantom shared a confused look before Phantom’s face suddenly dropped when he grasped what Mistral was trying to tell them.
‘Oh no! Give me that application now!’
‘Why?’ Mistral demanded, resting her hand defensively over her application form.
‘Because I’m going to burn it! There is no way I’m spending another year with you being a bundle of pent up frustration! Give it to me!’
Phantasm suppressed a sigh and leaned back with his arms folded, patiently watching his brother and Mistral fighting over her application form until Mistral cuffed Phantom soundly and he abruptly sat back down, rubbing his ear angrily.
‘My ears are ringing! That really hurt!’
Phantasm rolled his eyes wearily, ‘Look you two, please just be quiet for one minute – and give me those –’ he reached across and deftly snatched up both of their application forms before they could react. ‘I will finish yours off Mistral and hand it in to Master Sphinx myself. I don’t think I trust Phantom with it at the moment.
‘So,’ he continued, turning to look at her, completely unabashed, ‘how long is this enforced ban on your love life for?’
It was so typical of Phantasm to regard everything objectively that Mistral almost smiled, ‘Until Sight is established,’ she sighed.
‘Well let’s just hope you’re a fast learner,’ muttered Phantom, still rubbing his ear resentfully. ‘Or those poor first years are going to get annihilated in every training session! You do realise that second years are meant to set an example don’t you? What on earth is your behaviour going to say? That mindless violence is the answer to any problems they might have?’
‘Oh, stop being so dramatic Phantom!’ Mistral said sharply. ‘Besides, there’ll be no fun in beating up first years.’
‘You seem to have enjoyed it so far!’ Phantom retorted.
‘That’s because I’m a first year too!’
‘I am sure that Mistral will be a shining beacon of control and patience,’ interrupted Phantasm smoothly. ‘Now, can we please discuss the matter in hand?’
Mistral and Phantom continued to glare angrily at each other across the table for a while longer before Phantom finally shrugged his shoulders and looked at his brother.
‘What matter?’ he asked moodily.
‘The applications,’ Phantasm said patiently. ‘Is there anything else you want me to add before I take them off, hopefully, to be approved.’
‘Who has to approve them?’ Mistral asked, a sudden flash of concern crossing her face.
‘Anyone who has had a hand in your training,’ explained Phantasm. ‘So in your case it will be all three of the Training Lieutenants –’
Mistral bit her lip. Caleb and Barak clearly thought she was a trouble-maker and she couldn’t recall actually ever speaking to Cyrus.
‘Master Sphinx, obviously and Mistress Lightwater, mind you, she’ll have no problem approving you considering the amount of time you’ve spent in her company this year –’
Mistral pulled a face at him.
‘And final approval will be made by the Divinus himself,’ finished Phantasm.
‘But he’s never seen us train or anything!’ Mistral exclaimed.
‘Of course not. He’s blind.’
‘I know that! You know what I meant!’
‘Just because the Divinus is unable to see through his eyes and barely leaves his tower room doesn’t mean that he can’t See Mistral. I thought you would be the one to grasp that concept better than any of us.’
Mistral frowned while she absorbed that rather uncomfortable piece of information, ‘It feels odd knowing we’re all being watched by someone we can’t actually see doing it.’
‘Why? What have you been doing?’ Phantom suddenly asked with a sly grin.
Mistral stuck her tongue out at him then grinned, ‘I bet Leo has made the Divinus blush this year!’
The twins both laughed.
‘Maybe he’ll approve Golden’s application on amusement value alone,’ smirked Phantom.
‘Please stop! I don’t need any more horrifying images in my head! Did I ever tell you that I once walked in on Columbine in the shower?’
‘Mistral, we do not want to know about that!’ interrupted Phantasm with a shudder. ‘Now, can we please clear this matter up? So, if you are both happy I’ll check these over and hand them in first thing tomorrow morning.’
‘Fine by me,’ said Phantom.
‘I suppose so. Consider my fate sealed,’ Mistral sighed and watched Phantasm slide the bundle of parchments beneath his shirt.
‘When do we find out if we’ve been accepted or not?’ Phantom asked.
‘At the Qualification Ceremony,’ replied Phantasm.
‘What? In front of all the others?’ Mistral asked in a horrified voice.
Phantasm nodded, ‘And for some apprentices I am sure that their being turned down in front of everyone else is the final insult, however, I feel very strongly that we three have strong cases for being accepted.’
‘It helps having an over-ambitious megalomaniac with a personal interest in our abilities as one of the people approving our applications,’ muttered Phantom.
‘When exactly is it?’ Mistral asked, now chewing nervously on a fingernail.
‘Winter solstice.’
‘But, that’s next week!’ Mistral cried in alarm.
Phantom rolled his eyes, ‘With observational skills like that next year is definitely in the bag for you Mistral.’
‘But what do we actually have to do to Qualify?’ Mistral asked, looking slightly panicked.
Having been completely disinterested in the looming event for the last three months she was now overwhelmed by the sudden realisation that her second year rested on her successfully Qualifying – and that she had next to no time left in which to prepare.
‘Why don’t you ask your Mage? He did two years,’ Phantom said and then grinned mischievously. ‘It’ll help pass the time as you two obviously will have nothing better to do – ow!’
‘Please stop beating up my brother Mistral, it really isn’t very productive.’ Phantasm rose to his feet and walked towards the door.
‘No, but it’s quite satisfying,’ muttered Mistral, getting up to follow him.
‘Fine, I’ll just escort myself to the Infirmary with head injuries then shall I?’ Phantom grumbled, rubbing his head and stomping after them.
The next morning the apprentices were all gathered in the Refectory having breakfast. Xerxes was having a lively debate with Cain over a card game that had been held in The Cloak and Dagger the night before.
‘You were definitely cheating,’ he was insisting. ‘No way was that a dealt hand!’
‘Just admit you were out-played,’ responded Cain with a smug smile.
Saul was seated opposite them with a distant look on his face. Mistral glanced across at him and felt a pang of guilt.
‘Do you think I should say something to him?’ she muttered to Phantasm while she pic
ked distractedly at a piece of bread.
Phantasm irritably brushed away the crumbs Mistral was spreading everywhere and shook his head.
‘What could you say? Better luck next time? I think you’d best just leave him alone.’
‘I just feel so guilty!’
‘I don’t see you trying to console Grendel or Konrad,’ Phantom said archly. ‘Is that because they’re not as handsome?’
Mistral opened her mouth to deliver an angry retort only to be quickly silenced by Phantasm.
‘Shh! Not now you two! Look who’s here!’
They all immediately looked towards the Refectory doorway and Mistral felt her eyes widen. There in the doorway stood the Divinus. He paused for a moment then entered the room followed in formal procession by the Magnate and the three Training Lieutenant.
An expectant hush immediately fell across the Refectory. All of the apprentices sat up a little straighter and stared in open curiosity at the Divinus making his way slowly down the long narrow room. He moved with a curious floating motion, like a leaf carried on a current of water. He drifted ghostlike past the tall windows. In the harsh winter light his papery white skin appeared translucent, creating an impression of insubstantiality as though he were more a figment of a dream than a real person.
He reached the end of the Refectory and turned to face them. The four members of the Magnate assembled on either side and Leo’s Training Lieutenants fell silently into place behind them.
Mistral’s eyes ran over the gathered heads of the Valley; the ethereal Divinus, looking dreamlike as ever, Mycroft Casterton, red-faced and sweating from the effort of walking to the front of the room, the enigmatic sharp-featured Malachi Nox, Serenity Lightwater, gazing tranquilly into space, and finally Leo Sphinx. His cold blue eyes raked the room while his three burly Training Lieutenants glowered menacingly out from behind his back.
‘Apprentices of the Ri,’ the Divinus began in his high, sighing voice. ‘The Qualification Ceremony is almost upon us once again. I lose count of how many I have overseen now, but I am not sure I have ever witnessed a year such as this,’ he paused and in the silence that fell his blind eyes moved across the room, giving Mistral the eerie impression that he was looking at each face in turn.
‘I have received five applications for a second year’s apprenticeship, all of which have been accepted for consideration. I shall announce my final decisions at your Qualification ceremony.’
Mistral felt a worm of doubt writhe in her stomach. Did she want this? Another year in the Valley?
‘For the others who have not applied the end of training is in sight. I am sure you are eager to begin your life as a Ri Warrior and I ask you all to bear that title with respect and with honour, for it is neither earned nor given lightly.’
The Divinus finished speaking and Leo Sphinx stepped forward importantly.
‘Assessment begins on Monday. I suggest you forgo your usual weekend pursuits and spend the time preparing,’ he fixed Mistral with an icy look. ‘The Qualification Ceremony will be held in The Main Hall next Saturday evening.’
Wordlessly the Divinus began to move forward again, his milky eyes gazing steadfastly ahead of him while he made his way to the door unaided. The quiet rustling of his long white robes sounded unnaturally loud in the tense silence. The apprentices sat like statues until the Divinus, the Magnate, and finally the Training Lieutenants had all filed from the room and the door closed behind then erupted into noisy speculations about what the assessments would involve.
Phantom immediately leaned over to Mistral, his expression anxious, ‘Will you help me practise with the longbow? Only I’m still a bit off with it ... and can we practise our Gemini skills on you? Promise not to make you say anything you wouldn’t do anyway –’
‘Yes to the first and I’ll only agree to the second if I can practise reading your aura,’ Mistral bargained.
Phantom frowned while he considered her offer, ‘Fine, only I don’t want questioning on what you might see there.’
‘Oh, now you’ve done it,’ she said with a grin. ‘I can’t wait to see what you’ve been hiding!’
Phantom sniffed, ‘Just remember that we have the power to make you confess your darkest secrets Mistral.’
Mistral sighed, ‘Nothing to confess. More’s the pity –’
‘Did you notice the strong hint for you not to leave the Valley this weekend?’ Phantasm leaned across the table to join in their whispered conversation.
‘Like I’m going to listen to Leo!’ Mistral snorted.
‘Mistral you promised to help me!’ Phantom cried looking panicked.
‘Mistral, you really need to Qualify to get your second year placement,’ said Phantasm with an all too familiar look of exasperation on his face.
Mistral glared defiantly at them both in turn and then sighed, ‘Oh, all right then! I’ll stay in the Valley and train with you on Saturday afternoon – but on Sunday I’m definitely out of here!’
Phantom looked relieved but Phantasm pursed his lips, a strongly disapproving expression marring his beautiful face.
‘Look Phantasm, if it wasn’t for Fabian I wouldn’t even be here now, never mind applying for a second year.’ Mistral argued. ‘I’m going to see him on Sunday and that’s final.’
‘Fine,’ said Phantasm in a voice that clearly suggested it wasn’t. ‘But if Master Sphinx finds out you can pretty much wave goodbye to him approving your application.’
‘I’m sure someone will be keeping him busy all weekend,’ murmured Phantom and tilted his head towards a table on the far side of the room where Golden could clearly be seen gazing dreamily at the door Leo had just exited through.
‘I’m not looking forward to another year of Golden mincing around like she owns the place,’ Mistral muttered, casting a look of loathing in Golden’s direction.
‘Well you may not have to if we don’t get practising, come on, let’s get down to the Training Arena and get half an hour in before training starts!’ urged Phantom, leaping eagerly to his feet and hurrying towards the door.
Phantasm stood up to leave and glanced down at Mistral, who still hadn’t moved.
‘Coming?’ he asked pointedly.
Mistral sighed and reluctantly got to her feet. It was going to be a long week with the twins in one of their bossy moods.
Mistral stayed true to her word and remained in the Valley on Saturday afternoon, however it turned out to be not the hardship she expected when Fabian arrived at midday and stood at the edge of the Training Arena, leaning casually against the fence to watch them practise. The other apprentices had all left for lunch but the twins had wanted to work through.
Dressed in close fitting fur-lined leather jerkins over their shirts to keep out the biting cold, they started with a series of close-quarters drills. Mistral was distracted by Fabian’s presence and Phantom grew angry with her when she allowed him to take her down for the third time in a row.
‘Mistral! Will you please focus! Oh, this was such a bad idea! Let’s just train swords,’ he snapped and stormed bad-temperedly across to collect his sword from the other side of the Arena.
Mistral sighed and collected her own pair, spinning them half-heartedly by her side to warm her wrists up. She was desperate for Phantom to call it a day so she could go over and see Fabian.
‘Can I help?’ Fabian’s quiet voice made her jump, nearly dropping her swords in the process.
‘Really?’ Mistral looked at him uncertainly but his dark eyes were completely serious.
‘Actually, that would be really useful. We all know each other’s style too well to practice very effectively,’ Mistral admitted.
Smiling, she quickly sheathed her swords and moved back against the fence, secretly thrilled to have the chance to watch Fabian work with a sword.
Bright rays of winter sun glinted off Fabian’s sword as he drew it, examining its edges briefly with a practised eye before grasping it lightly in his left hand. Mistral frowned; she c
ould swear he fought right-handed.
Phantom returned from collecting his sword and looked slightly daunted at being presented with Fabian as a training partner but quickly rose to the challenge. They began to circle light-footedly, sizing each other up. Phantom made the first move which Fabian parried easily, their swords meeting in a ringing clash. Fabian let Phantom set the pace, his blows tentative at first, but quickly growing in speed and intent. Phantom was more graceful, his sword arced and spun with almost hypnotic rhythm while he worked but Fabian was quicker, his actions more precise, wasting no exertion on unnecessary moves. The minutes passed by while they continued to circle, striking and parrying with rapid dexterity, neither giving the other any quarter until Phantasm grew impatient and interrupted.
‘My turn now, I think,’ he said brusquely, twirling his sword in his right hand.
Phantom stepped away from Fabian, breathing heavily and Phantasm immediately strode forward to stand in the exact place where his brother had been.
‘Ready? Or would you like a moment to recover?’ he asked Fabian in a cold voice.
Mistral stared at him, stunned. Why was he being rude to Fabian?
Fabian appeared not to notice and inclined his head politely towards Phantasm, indicating for them to begin. Mistral was impressed to see that he wasn’t even slightly out of breath.
Phantasm’s green eyes glinted while he began to circle Fabian.
‘I think you’ll find I’m a more challenging swordsman to work with than my brother.’
Without taking his eyes from Phantasm’s, Fabian switched his sword to his right hand and Mistral was gratified to see Phantasm’s face fall slightly. She couldn’t understand why Phantasm was behaving so disrespectfully towards Fabian when he was usually unfailingly polite to everyone he met, whether he liked them or not.
Phantasm threw the first strike which Fabian parried easily and immediately counted with a deft thrust. Phantasm arced gracefully away, the tip of Fabian’s sword just grazing the soft leather of his jerkin. Recovering swiftly, he retaliated with a swift jab, changing the strike at the last moment to a downwards slice towards Fabian’s leg.
The Assassin's Tale (Isle of Dreams) Page 52