Jaunten (Advent Mage Cycle)

by Honor Raconteur

  Chatta didn't give me time to wonder where to sit; she just took my elbow and directed me to a table near the door. Thank all the gods for her because I'd feel so awkward otherwise.

  When I sat at the table, I had a brief argument with my robes. Why do people wear these things? They catch on everything and they bunch up and bind you when they're not supposed to! I think Chatta was laughing at my struggle, but when I looked up at her, her expression was completely innocent; a little too innocent, actually.

  I only recognized half the people sitting around me, but we were all too busy stuffing food into our mouths to do introductions. I was very gingerly taking little bites of everything on my plate, discovering what I did and didn't like. Some of it was good; some of it was a little too spicy for this early in the morning, and some of it was so bitter my tongue curled up on itself in self defense. Yuck, who would voluntarily eat bread that bitter?

  Sajen was snickering at me. "Garth, you're picking at your food like you're afraid it might bite you."

  "All of this is completely new to me," I grumbled at her.

  "You don't recognize any of the food?" She seemed amazed by this.

  I just shook my head and went back to the foods that I had decided I liked.

  "Oh. I knew our cultures were different, but I was sure you'd recognize something."

  Actually, when I packed up and left home, I hadn't been worried about the food. I assumed there would be different foods for me to get used to, as well as foods that looked familiar too. I was so wrong on that account.

  "Garth, my boy!"

  I'd know that voice anywhere. I turned sharply to see O'danne standing behind me, smiling from ear to ear. He of course had caught me with my mouth full. I had to swallow hastily, nearly choking myself in the process. "Good morning, sir."

  "Good morning! I see you're all outfitted. Ready for class?"

  I certainly hoped so. "Yes sir."

  "Good, good. I'll see you soon." With a general wave at the table he walked away.

  He'd see me soon? I turned to look at Polie. "Does he teach a class?"

  "Wizards Through the Ages," she answered.

  Oh. It occurred to me that my written schedule had neglected to mention who my teachers were. I didn't have time to rectify that, unfortunately. Hastily eating a few more bites, I bussed up my dishes, grabbed up my books, and headed for the door.

  Being late to class on my first day would hardly have been starting off on the right foot.

  ~*~

  Silence is sometimes the better part of valor.

  I wish I'd realized that sooner.

  Wizards Through the Ages was quite probably the driest subject on the face of the planet, outside of mathematics. The only thing that kept me from falling asleep in class was Professor O'danne. He possessed a dry sense of humor that cropped up every now and then, keeping me semi-awake.

  If I had just kept my mouth shut and pretended that I'd inherited all the historical knowledge I needed through my Jaunten blood, I could have avoided this subject completely. People expected Jaunten to know everything. Okay, a lesson learned. From now on if someone thinks that I know something because I'm Jaunten, I'm not disabusing them of the notion.

  Class thankfully ended and I escaped like an inmate from prison with the rest of my classmates.

  The next class was Creatures of Magic. Vevcor met me in the hallway and we walked out together, but not toward the class room. I gave him a look askance as we headed outside and toward the stables.

  "Professor Bryer told us to meet him at the stables today," he explained. "I think we're going to meet our lesson there or something."

  I shrugged, not particularly caring if the lesson was outside or inside. There were students everywhere, and I had to dodge people in order to avoid any collisions. It took a few minutes to get free of the main crowd and head toward the stables. It was easy to see members of the class once we rounded the last corner—a group of thirty or so people was there, with Professor Bryer towering over most of them. Odd, I hadn't realized he was so tall.

  "Gather close everyone," he stated in a calm voice. "We have a great honor before us now."

  I was not quite tall enough to see over the crowd, and got up onto my tip toes in an effort to figure out what the Professor was talking about. As I watched, the largest horse I have ever laid eyes on walked out of the stable. Her coat was pure white—not a speck of grey on her, just solid white. If she'd had a horn, I could have sworn that she was a unicorn. I could feel power rolling from her, calm and soothing. It seemed to radiate from every muscle, dancing along her skin with each movement. She was breathtakingly beautiful, and obviously very pregnant.

  "This is Advent Eve, of the Nreesce Race."

  I very, very vaguely remembered reading about the Nreesce. In hindsight, not a lot had been mentioned. I had been given the impression that the Nreesce were extinct. About the only thing the book had said was that the Nreesce were created by Mages. In ages past, they had served as their mounts, and they had special abilities.

  A soft voice resounded directly into my head. "Greetings, children."

  Call me crazy—call me a raving lunatic, but I knew instantly where that voice had come from. The Nreesce. She was looking directly at us, with an unmistakable intelligence in her deep blue eyes.

  I swallowed hard. Apparently one of their special abilities was telepathy. Oh boy. It made me wonder what else a Nreesce could do.

  Most of the class was just as stunned as I, but others answered her respectfully, returning the greeting. Pulling myself together I answered as well.

  "Your professor has requested that I tell you of my race. I am pleased to do so, but I wish to move to a more comfortable setting first. Follow me."

  Obediently, we trooped out of the stable yard to a quiet paddock around the back. There was a huge stack of hay off to one side…or straw; I can't tell the difference. It was spiky and yellow, that much I knew. Advent Eve used it as a chair of sorts, propping herself up comfortably and facing us. It made her look even larger around the belly, and I had to wonder just how far along she was. She looked ready to pop at any moment.

  We settled on the grass around her, without invitation, sitting where we could. With utmost patience she waited until we were settled before continuing her lecture.

  "We were born exactly two hundred and eight years ago, the result of Life Magic and desperation. We were born on the Isle of Strae, far to the north of Chahir. Our purpose was simple—to protect our Riders. For this we were given many abilities, and many talents. One was the ability of telepathy, as you have just witnessed. Others were born of more complex magic."

  If telepathy was simple, I couldn't begin to fathom what would be more complex. I listened with enraptured attention as she continued, having the haunting feeling that she was not speaking from second hand experience—she had been there. She had witnessed it all.

  "There are Firetails; ones with tails of pure flame that can set anything on fire, even stone. There are Breakers, who can break anything by slamming both hooves against the surface. Some of us have paws with sharp claws instead of hooves. These are the most common traits you will see—other abilities have not survived over the centuries." She shifted slightly, almost as if in discomfort. "There are few of us alive now, but that is the result of choice. We do not choose to have many children. Our rarity gives us special status, and with that, many choices for how to live. We do not wish to serve as anyone's servant or pet."

  I could see her point. If there was ever a time when there was a full herd of Nreesce, I was sure that someone greedy and stupid enough would try to enslave them or break them to use as a common horse.

  "Are there questions that you would have me answer?"

  There were a few brave souls that spoke up, asking this or that. They were all answered with respect—sometimes with a little amusement. After a few minutes, it was obvious that she was not at all comfortable and rose with great effort back to her feet. "I'm afraid t
hat I cannot stay any longer. Thank you for your attention."

  We stood respectfully as she walked out, then the excited chattering began. Professor Bryer dismissed us with a sigh, probably because he knew that no one would pay any attention to him after meeting a live Nreesce.

  I was still a little shocked by it. Meeting a creature of legend isn't exactly an everyday occurrence. I just followed the crowd as they headed for the main building, mentally planning how to get to my next class. As I passed the main part of the stable, there was a quiet hail from behind me.

  "Child of the Earth, will you come speak with me for a moment?"

  Unbidden, my head turned in her direction. Advent Eve was standing just inside her stall, eyes steady on me. She wants to talk to me? Um…okay. Curious, I turned toward her. I wasn't quite sure how to address her, honestly. My mother always told me that when in doubt, be polite. It seemed like good advice at that moment. With a slight bow I said, "Your servant."

  "A young man with manners; how unexpected." She seemed amused, but rather pleased as well. "It has been many generations since I felt one with the power you possess. You are an Earth Mage, are you not?"

  "I am, my lady."

  "Your accent is from Chahir. Does magic still exist within your country?"

  Not for a lack of trying. The government was certainly zealous enough in stamping it out, but apparently magic is a very stubborn thing. "To some extent, yes."

  "You offer me a contradiction, young Mage. You are from Chahir, a place that hates magic of all sorts, and yet you bear the mark of a Jaunten. How is this so?"

  In a split second I decided to be completely honest with her. She felt like someone I could trust. My instincts were completely sure of this. Besides, she obviously was very knowledgeable if she knew what I was by just observation alone. I told her a concise version of events that led to this moment. She listened quietly and respectfully and with sometimes a flicker of surprise in her eyes. When I was done, she actually snorted in amusement.

  "You do have a talent for finding trouble, child. Either that or Fate has a personal interest in you."

  I think I preferred the talent for finding trouble. Fate tended to be a fickle mistress. "If you can, tell me how you knew that I was Jaunten? Most people don't know by looking at me."

  "There was a time when there were more like you; Jaunten made instead of born. Before the properties of the Jaunten gift were truly understood, there were accidents where blood was mixed and other Jaunten were created. I remember seeing those marked with stark white hair, such as yours."

  Interesting. I hadn't known that.

  The main bell on top of the library tower gonged, giving the five minute warning. Curses, I was going to be late if I didn't run.

  Advent Eve seemed to understand my sudden panic, because she ducked her head at me. "Go child. But return soon, there are other things I wish to discuss with you."

  I didn't have time to say anything, just gave her another short bow, spun around, and bolted for the building at top speed.

  Chapter Five: Beginnings

  My first day of school was, needless to say, very busy. It was after dinner, and well into evening before I found a chance to go back and visit Advent Eve. I did take a moment to duck into my room and shed books and robe before venturing back to the stables. After fighting all day with my ankle-long robes, and carting all of those heavy text books, it was a relief to get rid of them.

  The stables were quiet. There was no hint of noise anywhere. There was only the hush of a graveyard's silence clinging to the wood and stone. Unease was tingling up my spine for some reason, and I couldn't put my finger on why.

  As I neared the end of the stable, there was a low groan of pain. My head snapped around, ears straining to catch another sound. It came again, ending in a short grunt.

  The sounds were coming from Advent Eve's stall.

  I extended my senses as I hurried toward her stall, opening the door carefully and peeking around it. What I saw was not encouraging. Advent Eve was on her side, sweating heavily. From the way she was moving, and the soft sounds slipping out of her throat, I knew she was in a great deal of pain.

  Rushing to her head I knelt and placed a hand on her neck. In her condition, I wasn't sure if she was completely aware that I was here, and I didn't want to take an accidental hoof in some tender portion of my anatomy. "Lady? What's wrong?" I didn't ask if she was all right because the answer was obviously no.

  "The baby is coming."

  Even this close to her, and in physical contact, I had barely heard her. "Does anyone else know?"

  "No. I could not reach anyone."

  This is bad. I'm a guy, a teenager! I know nothing about child birth, and I especially know nothing about horses. My Jaunten side wasn't providing much in the way of useful information either. Being a Jaunten really wasn't what it was cracked up to be. "Tell me who to fetch."

  "There is no time. The baby is coming now."

  Busted baskets! I didn't want to hear that! I forced the rising panic down before it could choke me, and when I spoke again, my voice was almost painfully level. "Tell me what to do."

  "I'm too weak to push the baby out. You must help drag him clear, but be gentle."

  Helping a Nreesce give birth was not, obviously, on my fantasy list of things to do before I died. But I couldn't just leave her here on her own. I nodded, moved toward her hindquarters, and tried to look only enough to get a rough grasp of this situation.

  There's obviously a reason why guys can't give birth, and I think I just discovered why. This was really disturbing. It gave the whole idea of bachelorhood a new appeal.

  I shoved my unease and embarrassment and nausea down, and concentrated my entire focus on the daunting task ahead.

  Advent Eve was straining, her entire body nearly clenched in long, painful spasms. Sympathy aches were developing in my body just watching her. I wanted to do something to help her, but I couldn't think of anything. If only I had more training in my abilities, or one of my Jaunten ancestors had been a doctor of some sort…but no such luck.

  Someone in my past had helped with deliveries, though, because I did know a little. I knew that I was right to be relieved to see the head come out first, because otherwise it would be a breech and that would be bad. I knew to keep talking to her, calming her and running soothing hands along her skin. After a small eternity of watching her strain, though, I wished I knew more.

  "Child, tell me your name."

  "Rhebengarthen."

  She half rose up, teeth clenched against a strong spasm. I winced in sympathy. What worried me was the wave of blood that was coming out of her every time she had a cramp. That, according to my very limited knowledge, was not a good sign.

  "Rhebengarthen, I am fading fast. What do you see of my child?"

  "A nose," I admitted.

  "You must reach in and pull the baby free."

  I was afraid she was going to say something like that. Taking a deep breath, I grasped my courage, gingerly placed my hands on either side of the nose, then by feel alone, forced my way a little deeper. I was trying to be gentle but quick. By slow degrees I coaxed the baby out. I had his head free when Advent Eve jerked up, neighing loudly in pain. In shock, I lost my balance and fell backwards, barely catching myself on my hands. There was a brief pain in my right palm, but I ignored it and scrambled on all fours back to her. "Advent Eve?"

  "Quickly, I cannot stand this much longer!"

  By the stars and planets, I really didn't like this! Gritting my teeth, I dove back to my task, but this time I wasn't as focused on being gentle as I was in getting the baby free. Another spasm hit Advent Eve, and all of a sudden, I had a foal in my lap. He was covered in this thin, pale membrane and blood and other gooey stuff that I didn't want to examine too carefully.

  There was a towel hanging next to the door, and right under that a bucket of water. I leaned backwards, snatched the towel, and then carefully dragged the water bucket next to me. This
time, I knew what to do. I had to clear all the mucus off the baby's nose and mouth so he could breathe freely.

  As I cleaned him up, I kept a worried eye on the mother. She was still breathing hard, and unfortunately bleeding heavily. "Lady, are you all right?"

  "No, child. I wish I could say otherwise, but no."

  A sharp alarm shot through my system. "What can I do?"

  "Nothing, I'm afraid. Listen to me closely. The baby's name is Trivoxor. He is far more important than you know. Do not reveal his name to anyone but Jalch Bryer or Strishkit O'danne. They can be trusted not to abuse the knowledge."

  The colt stirred in my arms and very shakily got to his feet. It took two attempts before he could stay there, but he stood on his own. Very carefully, he moved until he could touch noses with his mother. I have no idea of what she said to him—I couldn’t hear anything. It was several moments before I heard her voice again.

  "He has chosen you as his Rider, Rhebengarthen."

  All the remaining blood in my face fled southward. His Rider? I was to be his Rider? Were they both insane?! I'm a sixteen year old, brand spanking new Jaunten, and an untrained Mage! "Lady, you can't be serious! There must be other people far better suited than I—”

  "He has chosen you. Care for him, Rhebengarthen, for he will surely take care of you."

  I was all set to protest again when she took in one more shaky breath…and went completely still. Rapidly, I scrambled around the colt and touched my hand to her neck, but there was no pulse. She…was dead?

  There was a soft bump against my shoulder and I turned slightly. The colt was staring straight at me, with dark blue eyes—his mother's eyes. "I'm sorry," I whispered to him, voice choked with brimming tears. I had not known Advent Eve long, but she had been kind to me—she had trusted me with her only son, and I was as terrified of that responsibility as I was grieved that I could do nothing to stop her death. I felt numb with the sense of loss.