He stood over my shoulder examining the last drawing. When I glanced up at him, I saw a flash of open respect. "You are a decent artist, Garth."
"Thank you." I handed the drawing to him with a slight smile. "Their names are on the bottom."
He nodded and carefully rolled them together. "These should expedite the matter. Ready?"
"Yes."
We did make a slight detour to drop off my drawings at the Enforceror's office. I was looking around in great curiosity, as Haben spoke with a stodgy man in a dark black suit. The Enforcerors were the local law enforcement, and even though they had different uniforms, they seemed to be operating much like the Protectors in Chahir. I guess some things are rather universal.
"Come, Garth."
Obediently, I followed Haben out of the room, ignoring the curious looks in my direction. There was quite a bit of whispering, too. A suspicion seeped into my mind and I lengthened my stride to keep pace with Haben. "Sir, are there rumors spreading about me already?"
Haben gave a wintry smile. "You'll soon discover, Garth, that nothing is secret in this place for long."
I'd take that as a yes. "Do you think the news has spread to the Trasdee Evondit Orra?"
"Is the sky blue?"
Definitely a yes. Remembering what he said about battling it out with the magic counsel, I dryly enquired, "Are we allowed to go in armed?"
This startled him, at first, and then he erupted into gales of unrestrained laughter. "I wish!" Eyes twinkling he murmured, "Just remember what you are, Garth. You are an untrained Mage, yes, but you are also Chahiran and Jaunten. You don't have to go to their Academy in order to be trained. There are several other academies in this country that would lay down their eye teeth, without question, to have you."
That was news to me. There was more than one school? "So I have bargaining power."
"A great deal of it. Use it!"
I'd be a fool not to.
~*~
The Academy for All Magic was impressive, in sheer size if nothing else. It was constructed of red brick and smooth marble and seemed to dominate the city around it. I wasn't an expert on Hainian architecture, but the place spoke of age and a lot of use. As I followed Haben across the grounds, I tried to take in everything at once without overtly gawking, and looking like a complete tourist. There was one main building, but also several smaller ones that formed a sort of square. At least one of them was a stable; I could see horses' heads appearing here and there.
People were walking, eating lunch, studying, and talking with each other. Almost all of them were wearing black robes, but I saw some that had panels in the front made of white, blue and green. I wasn't at all sure what the colors signified. None of my Jaunten ancestors had apparently studied much about magic. I wish they had! It would make the upcoming meeting easier. I had no idea what to expect…except a battle of some sort.
We entered the main building and went straight up a flight of stairs. I saw several people look at me strangely as I passed, but resolved to ignore it. A sixteen year old with white hair was an unusual sight, after all. Odd looks were probably something that would happen to me for the rest of my life. Well, actually they would probably stop at fifty, when I had a legitimate reason to have white hair.
I expected to go to an office somewhere, but we didn't. Haben went straight into a large room that had "Council Room" written all over it. There was a large table shaped like a U in the center, and five people sitting along its outer edge, all facing the door. I was instantly the focus of five sets of eyes working in concert, and that was frankly unnerving. I really wanted to back out of the room, but that wasn't an option. Taking a deep breath, I made myself stand still. I faced them without flinching.
After all, no matter how scary they were, they couldn't kill me. What did I really have to worry about?
A stately woman in black robes was the first to speak. "Val Haben, may I assume that there is a reason why you are escorting this boy?"
Haben nodded a simple acknowledgement. "This is Rhebengarthen, recently from Chahir."
There was a stir among the five, and I could hear two of them murmur something.
Haben turned to me and indicated the man to his immediate left. "This is Kulpon Doss, Earth Wizard and Dean of the Administration Department."
I nodded to Doss, all the while marveling at such thick red hair. He was in black robes with green panels, and seemed to fill them to bursting with his portly frame. He nodded back, eyes intrigued but not unfriendly.
"BycLewsh, Wizard and Head of Taab Liiben." BycLewsh was almost exotic looking with shiny black hair running free down his shoulders. The black robe he wore made a stark contrast with his ghostly pale skin. I immediately didn't like him, although he gave me no reason for animosity. Just gut instinct.
"Jalch Bryer of Norlan, Wizard and Head of Magical Creatures." I was positive at this point that all the Wizards wore black robes. Bryer was obviously not Hanian with his fair hair and skin. He stood out like fine linen in a sea of burlap bags, compared to the other people in the room.
We came now to the woman who had first spoken. "En-Nelle of Tain, Witch and Head of the Trasdee Evondit Orra." En-Nelle frankly made me nervous and, even as I bowed to her, I had to wonder if she ate small children for breakfast.
"And Strishkit O'danne, Air Wizard and Head of Sojavel Ra." O'danne beamed at me happily, with by far the warmest greeting I had received so far and, without meaning to, I smiled back. His was a happy face with laugh lines around his eyes and mouth. He looked rather like a model grandfather in wrinkled black robes. He was sporting blue panels, wispy hair, and that engaging smile on his face.
"It has been many years since we have seen someone of Chahir with magical talent," En-Nelle observed. "Forgive the question, but what is your family name?"
Haben stirred to answer, but I gestured with my hand to let me do it. Surprisingly, he subsided without a word. "Our names are different than yours, my lady. 'Rheben' is my clan name. 'Garth' is my true name, and the one used to address me solely."
"I see. Then why place 'en' at the end of your name?"
"It denotes that I am a son, instead of a daughter." Why was I explaining this to begin with?
Something about my answer pleased her and she nodded genially. "Very well, Garth. We will begin by asking you a series of questions. Please answer them to the best of your ability."
This was going to be harder to do than she realized as I didn't trust most of the people in the room, but I nodded anyway.
"Why do you suspect that you have magical talent?"
"Several things have happened around me without explanation. Inert things moving, wood fusing with metal—that sort of thing."
There were several alarmed glances cast around. Doss spoke up next. "What was the last occurrence, and when did it happen?"
I didn't even have to think to answer that. "Five days ago, Lon. I nearly uprooted the forest."
That did alarm him, and he sat up abruptly making the chair groan under his weight. "Could you control it?"
"No," I admitted truthfully. "But I was able to put everything back where it should be."
"You do indeed seem to have magical power," En-Nelle stated slowly. "We shall test you now, to see how strong you are."
As long as the testing didn't result in pain, I was fine with that. O'danne opened a box next to his elbow and stood up, maneuvering around until he could face me. From the box he took something that looked like a triangle, perfectly clear, and formed from crystal by the looks of it. He winked at me as he held the object perfectly above my heart. I relaxed at his wink. I trusted that he, at least, didn't mean to harm me. "Is there anything I need to do?"
"If you can focus on the crystal, my dear boy, that would help."
I could do that. I focused on the crystal, and once again felt that peculiar spark of warmth deep within my core. The crystal immediately flared in deep brown, with hints of light green at the edges. O'danne started crowing in glee.
"I knew it! Earth Mage you are, my boy. And a very powerful one at that." He whirled around and held the triangle up high, like a much prized trophy. "Do you witness, and agree?" Their collective mouths were wide open in amazement, but all present nodded their assent.
Earth Mage…I'm an Earth Mage? I felt a little unbalanced by this revelation. And I'm a powerful one? How can he tell, just by using that little crystal triangle?
"We do indeed," Bryer murmured thoughtfully. "Doss, he seems to belong to you. There is, however, another aspect that we must explore."
"Yes," Doss agreed. "Garth, there is a rumor that you were made into a Jaunten. Is this true?"
I didn't see any reason to lie. "Yes."
En-Nelle actually glared at Haben. "This was done on purpose! You knew what the boy was!"
"No," I immediately countered before Haben could even open his mouth to retaliate. "They did not know. I was made Jaunten on the way here, long before anyone in the Palace even knew I existed. If I had not been made Jaunten, my lady, I can assure you that I would not be alive to stand before you now."
She deflated slightly, but her eyes were still smoldering with anger. "I will hear the story from the beginning."
I glanced at Haben, wondering if it was wise to delve into all of this. He nodded slightly, and indicated silently for me to go on. Still distrustful, I made my story as succinct as possible and skipped over a great many details. En-Nelle was only slightly mollified by the explanation. She sat back, her fingers steepled against each other. "Garth will not be called upon as Jaunten," she told Haben firmly. "He was made against his will, as his own body testifies. He must follow his true calling."
"I believe that the Oath of the Magus is to use their powers in order to aid and protect the people? His obligation as Mage should not interfere with being Jaunten as well." Haben quirked an eyebrow at the Witch. I think he enjoyed seeing her seethe.
"Of course we obey our Oaths," En-Nelle gritted out between clenched teeth, "but we do not want any additional Oaths confusing Garth's true allegiance."
Right, I think its time I stepped in. "My true allegiance is to the people. If the government calls upon me to aid them, I shall. If the Trasdee Evondit Orra calls upon me for aid, I will likewise respond."
That answer stretched her face muscles like the cover of a very tight drum skin. "You are not aware of the full consequences of this decision, young Garth."
It was my turn to quirk an eyebrow at her. "I have the full knowledge of a Jaunten, my lady. Youthful I may be; ignorant I am not." If it had been more quiet, I might have heard the grinding of her molars.
I think Haben was silently laughing, if the jerks of his chest were anything to go by. Well, at least I was entertaining somebody.
O'danne sighed gustily. "Nellie, this is ridiculous. The boy needs training, and I think we should give it to him. We can work out Obedience Oaths later. If his response to the crystal is any indication, we can't take chances—unless, of course, you want him to have a bad dream and uproot a mountain range by accident?"
I'm really beginning to like this man.
She didn't pout, but I think she came close. "Very well, we will discuss this later. Garth, you are to follow Doss. He will serve as your main mentor. And you will live on campus." She silently dared Val Haben to defy her on that.
Personally, I thought it common sense to be here on campus. "Of course, my lady."
Appeased that she had won something, she nodded. "Very good. Meeting adjourned! Doss, I expect a full report later this evening. Orally given please! I don't want to deal with your hen scratching that you try to pass off as handwriting."
Doss grinned at her. "Yes, Nellie." She glared at him for the nickname, but it didn't seem to faze him. "Come along, Garth, let's get you settled in."
~*~
My room was actually quite nice, at least for a dormitory room. There was a single narrow bed crammed into a corner, a small desk next to it, and a chest at the foot of the bed. That left something like four feet of floor space, so it was a bit of a tight fit, but other than that it was fine. Everything was clean, if a little worn from use, but that hardly mattered to me. I was in the Academy! Somehow, despite all the obstacles thrown in my way, I had made it. I was nearly giddy with relief and satisfaction.
The moment I walked into the room I sensed very old magic. Even to my untrained senses, it was obvious. Doss had actually grinned at me like a proud parent when I asked about it; he assured me brightly that the room was shielded to prevent "unintended mishaps." Something in his tone made me think that O'danne's jibe at En-Nelle of Tain about me accidentally moving mountain ranges wasn't completely in jest. Not exactly a comfortable thought.
Doss sent a runner for what little baggage I had at the Palace, then led me back out of the room and out of the dormitories altogether. We headed for the main building, but this time just passed through it, finally arriving at a spacious, airy courtyard. There were large crystal balls set on pedestals, in measured intervals, all around the courtyard. Despite the beautiful surroundings, and all of the open space, there were absolutely no people. What disturbed me were the scorch marks, here and there, dotting the building and ground. Just what exactly was this place used for?
"This is our practice grounds, Garth," Doss explained with a genial smile on his face. "Those large glass balls there are actually shielding crystals. You activate them by inserting a bit of power, and they contain any 'misfires' inside the shield."
That still didn't explain the scorch marks, but I didn't bring it up. Something told me that I didn't want to know.
When I didn't comment he continued. "Now, being from Chahir I don't expect you to know anything about magic. You obviously learned something about it, if you knew that you were a Mage instead of a Wizard."
"That was based on old legends, sir," I replied with a slight shrug. "The stories always said that a Wizard or Witch must have a tool of some sort to use magic, and a Mage didn’t."
"Ah, I see, I see. Do you know anything else? Or have you figured out how to use your abilities?"
I was very cautious about admitting anything for fear of quickly getting in over my head. Still, it would probably be best to try and be honest. "Sometimes I can activate my power on purpose, but I've only done that twice."
He beamed at me, bouncing slightly on his toes and making his very prominent belly shake. "Excellent! More than I expected, my boy. Now, let's step inside the circle here and activate the shield…"
I saw then that there was a circle carved deeply into the ground, and quickly stepped a foot inside of it as Doss laid a hand on the crystal. An iridescent shield immediately snapped into place like a dome over our heads. The hum of power it emanated was almost like a vibration in my bones. Actually, the sensation was rather pleasant.
"Now, let's start with something simple." He pulled a short wooden stick from his robes, roughly as long as my forearm, and handed it to me. "Just feel the inherent magic in it and when you think you know what it wants, do something with it."
I stared at the wood in my hands, a little puzzled. Inherent magic? What was he talking about? Everything had magic in it, as far as I could tell. This piece of wood was no different. But the magic didn't have a will of its own; it was just potential energy waiting to be used. I studied it even closer, closing my eyes in an effort to boost my other senses. Starting at one end, I slowly moved to the other, feeling my way along with just my mind. No, just dormant magic, nothing special…wait…that didn't feel the same.
Aha! This was a trick question.
There was already a spell built inside of the stick for a specific purpose. I had this sneaky suspicion that if I didn't do what was expected, the wood would either blow up or set on fire. This was rather clever, really. I could almost admire the ingenuity of it. I stood there, just staring at that little spell for the longest time, but I couldn't figure out what it was supposed to do.
I was stumped, and continuing to stare at it indefinitely wasn't going
to help me. Well, as my mother always said, just watching the urn won't churn the butter. Very carefully I woke up that tingling place inside of me that was warm, and extended it to touch that little spell.
I was completely unprepared for the results.
The wood shot out in both directions. My eyes flew open to see the tail end of the spell activate. The slim rod was now a five foot staff in my hands, with a wicked curving blade on either end. Oh. It was a weapon?
Doss chuckled, no doubt getting a certain perverse pleasure out of the astonished look on my face. "That is a bon'a'lon, my boy. They were used in the Magic War two centuries ago. Interesting weapon, isn't it?"
I certainly thought so, and nodded thoughtfully. My main weapon was either my fists or a quarterstaff. The bon'a'lon, with its blades on either end, was rather intriguing. I wonder how I could get my hands on one of these.
"You did quite well, Garth! I thought I had you stumped for a moment there, but you figured it out. What gave the game away?"
"I felt the spell."
Doss's head cocked slightly. "Felt, you say? You didn't see it?"
You're supposed to see magic? "No, sir. I can't see magic, just feel its presence."
"Interesting. Wizards and Witches see magic as a rule. There's evidence in the chronicles that there were exceptions, of course, of people who sensed them instead, but I hadn't expected you to be one of them. Hmmm." He rocked back and forth on his heels, thoughtfully humming to himself. After a long pause, he seemed to snap out of his reverie. Whatever thought had captivated his attention passed, and he blinked back into the here and now. "Well, let's continue, shall we?"
He pulled out several objects, all of them with a hidden catch in them somewhere. By the time we stopped an hour later, I was much more sensitive to spells than before and could pick up on them even before they were handed to me. I was very happy and encouraged about my own progress. Still, this kind of prolonged focus was a little draining, and I was glad when he called a halt for the day. With a nod of satisfaction, Doss passed his hand over the crystal and shut the shield down.
Jaunten (Advent Mage Cycle) Page 4