by M. J. Putney
Tory wasn’t sure how long they held hands before Miss Wheaton’s soft voice said, “And slowly end.…”
As the circle broke up, a girl across the room said with surprise, “The tea water is boiling already!”
“You must have added a good jolt of energy to the circle, Vicky!” Jack said admiringly, not releasing his grip.
Tory pulled her hand loose. “Surely not that much. I’m a newcomer here.”
“Perhaps Tory helps blend energies well,” Elspeth said. “Like water allows salt and sugar to dissolve. Miss Wheaton has mentioned that there are such talents. Tory, come meet the rest of the girls.” Deftly, Elspeth whisked Tory away from Jack.
As they headed to a corner of the room that looked like a kitchen, Elspeth said under her voice, “Jack is a good fellow, but he does like to flirt.”
Tory grinned. “I noticed.”
Mr. Stephens intercepted them. “Victoria, I’m so glad you’ve joined us. We are blessed to be able to contribute toward such vital work.”
Though not particularly handsome, he had a smile that made Tory appreciate what Miss Wheaton saw in him. She hoped he couldn’t tell that she still had reservations about embracing her magic. “I’ll try to be useful.”
The teacher studied her thoughtfully. “Elspeth is right. You have the rare ability to blend and enhance the energy of other mages. It’s a very useful talent.”
Tory wasn’t sure whether to be glad or alarmed at having a special talent. As the teacher was called away by someone else, Elspeth resumed their progress toward the simple kitchen. There was a pump for water, cabinets to hold china and utensils, and several cats who watched with interest. Instead of a regular fireplace and hearth, there was a long, narrow slab of stone with two large kettles simmering on it. There was no fuel under the kettles, only the stone, which radiated heat.
A younger girl gazed intently at a stone oven that was open in front. Inside were platters of shortbread squares. Tory asked, “Is she heating that shortbread with magic?”
“Yes, Alice is our best at producing heat,” Elspeth replied. “We can’t burn fires down here because of the smoke, so her talents are really useful.”
As Alice concentrated on the shortbread, two boys stepped forward to lift the kettles from their hot stone. They poured the boiling water into large teapots that had been prepared with dry tea leaves.
Alice stood and brushed the knees of her skirt. “You’re the new lass,” she said with a country accent. “As you can see, I come from a long line of hearth witches.”
Tory laughed and offered her hand. “Such a useful skill! I don’t think I can do anything half so helpful. I’m Tory.”
“You’re just beginning to learn what you can do,” Alice said consolingly. “So daft that you aristocrats are punished for your magic! Such a waste.”
Elspeth introduced her to the girls preparing the tea and putting shortbread on plates. A local girl who looked like Jack turned out to be his younger sister, Rachel.
Both village girls and schoolgirls welcomed Tory warmly. She began to relax in a way she hadn’t known since she’d woken up floating over her bed. The Lackland students might be outcasts from society, but together, they were a community.
People collected cups of tea and pieces of shortbread and drifted off to join others. Tory saw clusters of boys, clusters of girls, and several mixed groups. They found spots around tables or pulled chairs together so they could chat. There was no sense of rigid division like what Tory had seen in the school.
There were even two couples who had found corners where they could be private. Tory saw faint glows of pinkish energy around both pairs. Romance in the Labyrinth.
Her gaze moved to Allarde. He was studying her with grave eyes that made her think of medieval warrior monks. Again there was that snap of connection. He looked away and she did the same, though she couldn’t shed her prickly sense of awareness.
She joined Elspeth, Alice, and several other girls at the long kitchen table. The hot, sweet tea was very welcome. After a swallow, Tory tried a piece of shortbread. “Lovely!” she said appreciatively. “Do study sessions always end with such treats?”
“Learning to master our magic burns a lot of energy.” Elspeth tossed fragments of shortbread to two cats who had stationed themselves under the table. “After classes, we need to build up our strength again.”
Tory took another piece of shortbread. “What a fine excuse to eat more.”
She was just biting into her second piece when Allarde approached the table, his gaze fixed on her. Tory almost choked on her shortbread. She’d seen him only at a distance. Close-up, he was even more handsome, with softly waving dark hair and compelling eyes. His quiet intensity made him seem older than his years.
“Welcome to the Labyrinth,” he said. “Are you related to Geoffrey Mansfield? Now Lord Smithson? He was called Mansfield Major because there was a younger Mansfield at the school.”
Allarde was tall. Tory scrambled to her feet so he wouldn’t loom over her so much. “Geoffrey is my brother. The young one was cousin George, from the Shropshire branch of the family.”
“Mansfield Minor,” Allarde said with a nod. “I was one of your brother’s fags, and glad of that. He was the best of the senior students.”
Fags were first-year students who were required to act as servants to the older students. “Geoffrey has always been a good brother,” Tory said. “I shouldn’t think even Eton would make him a bully.”
“Eton doesn’t always bring out the best in boys.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “I’m Allarde, by the way.”
“I thought in the Labyrinth we use first names?”
“Mostly yes.” He shrugged. “For some reason, I’m always called by my title.”
“I’m usually called Tory.” She clenched her hands into fists to resist her desire to touch Allarde. If she did that, surely sparks would shoot into the air. “Do you have a particular talent, or shouldn’t I ask? I don’t know all the unwritten rules yet.”
“One is allowed to ask.” A whisper of a smile touched his eyes. “I’m good at moving objects”—a piece of shortbread swooped gracefully from the table and hovered in front of Tory—“and also at drawing conclusions from fragments of information.”
She blinked and accepted the shortbread. “Both useful. Piecing information together would be a good military talent, I think.”
His eyes brightened. “My family tree is full of soldiers and sailors. I think a fair number of them must have had magical ability, but there’s no evidence. They were better at concealing their talents than I was.”
“You may well have your chance to prove yourself in war,” Tory said.
“We all will.” He inclined his head. “I look forward to … working with you.”
As he left, Elspeth gave a soft laugh. “Interesting. Very interesting indeed.”
CHAPTER 14
Interesting indeed. When Tory turned to Elspeth, the other girl said, “We should leave now. People trickle out a few at a time so there’s less chance of being noticed.”
Tory noticed that the group was getting smaller, with students going off in different directions. She lifted the shawl she’d draped over her chair and prepared to leave. “Will it be the same route I used to get here?”
“No, I’ll show you a different way.”
As they headed for a tunnel, Miss Wheaton intercepted them and offered Tory a small, water-polished stone that buzzed with magic. “Carry this stealth stone when you come to the Labyrinth,” the teacher said. “It will help prevent you from being detected.”
Tory studied the stone. It was translucent white, made from quartz, perhaps. “How does it work?”
“The stone is charged with a spell that makes people less likely to see or hear you. You won’t be invisible, but roommates probably won’t realize that you’ve been gone, and if someone sees you, they won’t question why you are where you are. Without these stones, it would be impossible for us t
o come and go unnoticed.”
“Who bespells the stones with stealth magic?” Tory asked.
“Mr. Stephens. He has a gift for concealment.” Miss Wheaton handed over a small drawstring bag made of raw silk. “You can store the stone here. The silk helps keep the spell strong.”
Tory slipped the stone into the bag and tucked it in her pocket. “I have to wait two days before I can have more lessons?”
The teacher laughed. “Time will pass soon enough. Sleep well. I send energizing magic through our closing circles to make up for the late night, but you’ll still probably be tired tomorrow.”
“It’s worth it!”
As Elspeth led the way toward the tunnels, she said, “We’ll take the silver tunnel, which leads to the cellar below the refectory. I like it because it’s covered all the way.”
“I looked in that cellar and didn’t see anything when I was searching.”
“Doors to the Labyrinth are all bespelled so they’re easy to overlook. Even when someone is looking, they’re hard to find.” As they headed into the blue tunnel, Elspeth pointed at a nearly invisible square opening in the ceiling. “That’s one of the vents that keeps the air down here fresh. On the surface, most are hidden in the old outbuildings.”
She turned into a tunnel that crossed the blue tunnel. Tory touched the small patch of color above into silvery brightness. “Why did you think it interesting that Allarde talked to me? It was only because he knew my brother.”
“I’ve never known him to talk to a girl without a reason related to lessons. He’s always the soul of courtesy, but he never flirts.” Elspeth gave her a sidelong glance. “He didn’t come speak to you because of your brother, no matter how fine a fag master Lord Smithson was. I saw energy pulsing between you. Surely you felt that.”
“I felt a twang like a harp string,” Tory said hesitantly. “What does that mean?”
She half hoped the other girl would say such a connection was powerfully romantic, but Elspeth replied, “There is a link, which could be for any number of reasons. Maybe you and Allarde have talents that will blend well.”
Tory had to admit that seemed more likely than a grand love affair. “If I start eating at the table with you, will Nell Bracken and her friends stop talking to me?”
“Probably, but you don’t have to turn away from them. Nell is very kind. She always takes new students into her group so they won’t feel so alone and frightened when they arrive.” Elspeth smiled wistfully. “We were friends until I visibly embraced my magic. Nell told me very politely that she was sorry, but she couldn’t jeopardize her chances to leave as soon as possible by spending time with a known magic lover. She wished me well, and we haven’t spoken since.”
“It isn’t fair that we should have to choose between friends!”
“It isn’t fair that we’re here at all. I don’t mind being ostracized by most of the girls, but you might prefer to act like Mary Janeway. Did you notice her tonight? She’s part of Nell’s circle as well as an Irregular.”
“That’s right! I knew she was familiar, but she’s very quiet at the school meals. Tonight she was laughing and talking.”
“It feels good not to hide one’s own nature. That’s why I flaunt my wicked ways for all of Lackland to see,” Elspeth said ironically. “But you might prefer being like Mary and quietly blending in.”
“You won’t mind?”
Elspeth shook her head. “You can cut me aboveground as long as you don’t turn into a snob in the Labyrinth.”
Tory didn’t like the idea of ignoring Elspeth, but neither did she wish to be cut by Nell and the others. The rest of the short walk was in silence.
The tunnel ended in a stone wall. Elspeth touched the last patch of silver, and a door-shaped panel of stone pivoted open silently.
“As soon as we pass through the door, the mage lights will dim to less than a candle,” Elspeth said softly. “After our next study night, I’ll show you a different tunnel. You’ll know them all soon enough. Can you find your way to your room on your own?”
There was just enough light for Tory to recognize the sacks of potatoes and turnips and other foodstuffs. A tabby cat ghosted silently by her ankles as it moved from the tunnel to the refectory cellar. As it leaped into action after a rustling sound, Tory said, “I’ll manage. I can also find my way down to the Labyrinth again in two days. Thank you so much for all your guidance.”
Elspeth gave her a fleeting smile. “You’ll have your chance to help others in turn. Mages help mages. Go along now. Carefully.”
The mage light faded just as Elspeth had predicted. By the time Tory was out of the cellar, it had disappeared entirely. But she could still feel the power of the stealth stone in its silken pouch. Lackland Abbey allowed more magic than its reputation suggested.
She moved through the school like a shadow, out of the refectory, into the dormitory, up the stairs. Outside her door, she hesitated. She couldn’t risk the sounds of undressing inside since that might disturb Cynthia. Quietly she stripped down to her shift, which she usually slept in anyhow, and bundled her clothing and shoes into her shawl. Then she turned the knob and crept into the bedroom.
Cynthia made a sound and rolled over in her bed. Tory froze, not moving until her roommate began breathing regularly again. Cynthia had taken the bed by the window because it had a better view, which was convenient now since Tory didn’t have to pass her roommate to get to her own bed.
After tucking her bundled garments in the corner between the wall and her wardrobe, Tory straightened out the lumped covers she’d left in her place, then slid into her bed. Now that she was back, she was bone-deep exhausted, but also exhilarated. What a night! She had discovered a whole new world, and a community of mages that accepted her warmly.
And a handsome young lord who never talked to girls … had talked to her.
* * *
Bong … bong … BONG!
The wake-up bell yanked Tory from sleep. She opened heavy eyes, wondering if she’d dreamed her visit to a school for magelings below Lackland Abbey.
Her gaze fell on the bundle of clothing tucked against her wardrobe. Her adventure had been real.
She swung her feet to the floor, glad that her mother had sent the small carpet Tory had requested. She was less tired than she should be after staying up half the night. Miss Wheaton’s extra energy had helped. In fact, she felt invigorated.
Cynthia was already up and struggling with her gown. “Fasten up the back,” she ordered. “Lucy has a streaming cold and I don’t want her near me.”
“Poor Lucy. You’re a hard taskmistress,” Tory observed as she moved behind her roommate to fasten the tie of the pretty blue poplin. “Have you thought of ordering gowns that you can put on without help?”
“I won’t lower my standards!” Cynthia snapped. She smoothed out the skirt of her expensive garment. “You dress like a servant.”
“I see you’re in your usual cheery mood,” Tory said with a laugh. She had the satisfaction of seeing Cynthia scowl. Good nature was the best shield against her roommate’s bad temper. “Do you need any other assistance?”
Cynthia touched her hair, as if considering asking for help, then shook her head. “No, but thank you.” The politeness was grudging, but at least she’d said thank you.
Tory finished dressing, collected her shawl, and headed out to the chapel. On the stairs she fell in with Nell Bracken and two other girls. One was Mary Janeway, the other Irregular. Mary’s eyes were watchful, as if she feared Tory might give her away.
Tory greeted the other girls in her usual fashion, paying no special attention to Mary. Nell Bracken said, “You’re looking happy this morning, Tory. Good news?”
Acting as if nothing had changed might be harder than Tory had expected. “I’d asked my mother for a rug to put by the bed, and it arrived yesterday,” she explained. “Amazing how much nicer a day looks when your feet aren’t icy.”
The other girls laughed. Nell added shrew
dly, “You’re also adapting to Lackland, aren’t you?”
Tory nodded. “I had a good governess, but I find I like going to school.” She smiled at the others. “It’s nice to be with other girls like me. I even like most of the classes. With one exception.”
The other three groaned in unison. “Anything with Miss Macklin,” Nell said succinctly. “She’s making me hate Italian.”
Tory felt the same way. She sat in the back of Miss Macklin’s classroom and spoke very little and did her best not to be noticed. Sometimes it worked.
The other dark spot was the chapel services with the horrible curate. Tory had become adept at tuning out his rants and concentrating on energy exercises. This morning, though, she found herself thinking about the Irregulars. Enlisting with the other magelings to defend England had seemed romantic and right the night before.
Now, back in the normal world, she had doubts. What could a group of students do against Napoleon’s armies?
And, selfishly, she wasn’t yet ready to give up the dream of returning to a fairly normal life. Her brother and sister would still accept her if she left Lackland cured, but would that be true if she embraced magic? That might stretch even their tolerance.
She didn’t think Geoffrey and Sarah would cut her entirely, but if Tory was publicly known as a mage, she might not be as welcome in their homes. Particularly after the memory of Jamie’s rescue faded with time.
The decision was too large to make now. She bent her head as Hackett intoned the final prayer of the service. She would join the Irregulars and learn more about magic, and if the French came soon, she would do what she could to stop them.
But mentally she reserved the right to forswear magic if she changed her mind.
CHAPTER 15
Despite her misgivings, Tory loved her evenings in the Labyrinth. She learned interesting things in every session. From Miss Wheaton, she learned how to bring her thoughts and emotions to the center of her being when they were out of balance. And she learned how to focus her power to greater intensity once she was centered.