by Rick Field
“Thank you, My Lord,” Liane whispered to her friend. “I am sorry, Assistant,” she muttered, turning to the younger girl.
Amy smiled faintly. “You are officially forgiven, then, Proctor. And I am sorry for not being able to assist you better.”
Liane was about to say that there was nothing to forgive, when she realized the point her Assistant was making. Amy found Liane's apology just as needless. Closing her eyes, the Proctor smiled faintly. “Thank you. You're forgiven as well, Assistant.”
The conversation was kept deliberately light after that, Milor understanding that Liane and Amy needed some time to come to themselves. He was about to make his excuses and leave, when the door to the infirmary opened, admitting the nurse as well as the Lord Master.
Liane felt the color drain from her face. She'd gotten hurt before in the pursuit of magical understanding, but the Lord Master had only ever seen her on her sickbed that very first day after she had been found.
She was about to be in serious trouble, she knew. Her magic shuddered at his presence, and a very minute part of her was grateful that, at least, this time she had managed to avoid crippling her magic for days on end.
“Good afternoon, My Lady,” the Lord Master greeted her amiably. “My Lord, Assistant.”
“Good afternoon, My Lord,” Liane managed to say. “May I invite you to sit?” she asked, motioning to one of the available chairs. Amy was halfway up to fetch one, when the Lord Master waved her off.
“No, thank you, My Lady. I will not be staying long,” he stated resolutely, and walked to the end of her bed, staring down its entire length at her. “I am here to find out what happened yesterday. A lot of damage was done to one of the Ritual Rooms, and I find you injured, and your Assistant suffering from the effects of an extensive magic draw.”
Liane gulped deeply, then started to explain what had happened. The Lord Master was silent, and merely nodded during her explanation.
“I see,” he said after she finally finished, rubbing his chin. “That is indeed troubling. I can see why the knowledge was suppressed from the original manuscript, yet the results puzzle and worry me.” He dropped his hand from his chin and leveled his entire focus on her. “Do you have any explanation as to why the creature was able to not only use magic, but was able to use it in both copious quantities, and recharge on fairly short intervals?”
“I can only postulate that it must be an effect of using blood as an element in creating the Construct, My Lord,” Liane whispered. “I have only been awake a short time and have spent most of that time apologizing to my Assistant for putting her at risk.”
“My Lady Proctor took every precaution, and it was only because I was forceful enough to push magic at her that I am suffering from the effects of power drainage, My Lord,” Amy interjected. Liane gave the girl an angry glare while the Lord Master's eyebrows rode slightly higher at the unorthodox interjection from an Assistant into what was, essentially, a conversation between superiors.
“Am I right to assume that the Magus did not tell the entire story, Assistant?” the Lord Master asked.
“Proctor shielded me with her body during the battle, My Lord. She covered for me to the detriment of her own safety, and in the end, she would have fallen. I do not have the extensive magical knowledge that Proctor has, so I pushed my magical reserves through the bond at her.”
Liane was about to berate her Assistant or apologize to the Lord Master – she didn't know which to do first – when the man simply nodded as if confirming a suspicion of his. “It is my understanding, Assistant, that the Magus has had an excellent role model on how to be a Proctor. Without doubt, she is probably extremely angry at herself for allowing the situation to occur, and extremely distressed at the fact that you got hurt.”
The Proctor in question blinked. Before she was able to formulate a response, Amy had nodded. “I believe so, too, My Lord. Even though I have repeatedly stated it was not her fault, nor would I have been left behind.”
“You truly are your Proctor's Assistant,” the man said with a faint tug of his lips indicating his amusement. “She has taught you well, Assistant.” He turned back to Liane. “My Lady, you are not in any problems because of this incident. You are not the first, nor will you be the last, who either gets hurt, or does damage to the school, in the pursuit of magical knowledge.”
“Thank you, My Lord.” Liane felt more relieved than she had felt in quite some time.
“I will research these events myself,” the Lord Master went on. “I believe it will prove interesting research to determine the cause of a blood-based Construct being able to utilize magic in such a fashion.” He nodded to Liane, Amy, and Milor in greeting, and bade his goodbyes.
Just as he was about to close the door behind him, he turned to look at Liane. “My apologies, My Lady. Just one more question. Why did you not just vacate the room when you saw the Construct go out of control?”
Liane blanched. The thought hadn't even occurred to her, not until the Lord Master asked it. He didn't wait for an answer, and nodded. “I thought so. The Lady Cassandra has taught you well, My Lady. You would never allow someone else to deal with a problem of your making. Have a good day.”
The Lord Master was gone before Liane could work up a reply. “I didn't even think about leaving,” she muttered. “I could have avoided all this...”
“You heard the Lord Master, My Lady,” Milor said. “You would not even think about leaving a problem you created to be in someone else's care. It is an exceedingly rare thing, in Nobility, to take care of one's own problems.”
She just licked her lips, and stared down at her hands. Her focus gloves were still there, and light played through the crystals in soothing rainbows. “No, Proctor. It might have saved me from getting hurt, but it would have come at a far steeper price – our self respect,” Amy said.
Liane just looked up, surprised. “I know how you think, Proctor,” Amy said with a faint smile.
She healed quickly, far quicker than she usually did after being in the hospital's care; probably due to the fact that this time, her magic hadn't been injured. Milor proved good on his word, and talked exceedingly with both Liane and Amy in an effort to help them get over this latest brush with death.
However, as time progressed, Liane saw less and less of her friend, and he missed more and more of their mock-duel appointments. Sometimes he sent his regrets, sometimes he did not. But always, he apologized in person after the fact.
By the time winter rolled around, and the temperatures went from scalding to merely warm, his behavior became even more erratic. He started missing classes, she knew, and he started missing Student Council meetings as well. It was so unlike him, yet he would not, could not, reveal the source of is behavior.
All the Doctorii seemed to accept his absence, so there was little Liane could do about it.
One day, she simply pushed herself away from the wall she had been leaning against, waiting yet again on her wayward friend. It had been the fifth day running, and she had not seen him in almost a week.
“I wonder if something is wrong with him,” she muttered to herself as she preceded her Assistant out of the building. “He hasn't been seen in a week, and that is excessive, even for him.” The underlying tone of worry was clearly audible.
“Perhaps the Lord Master could help, proctor?” Amy asked. “He probably can't give specifics, but he should be able to let us know whether My Lord Milor is fine or not?”
Liane sighed. “I did not want to take up the Lord Master's precious time for a non-school related matter, but I think you may be right, Assistant. Perhaps it is time for me to make use of my Prime Student status, and the priority access it allows me to the Lord Master.” Without giving the younger girl time to respond, Liane changed course, and went to the administrative building instead of the dormitories.
Climbing the same stairs and passing through the same halls she remembered from her very first days at the Academy, Liane bypassed the p
rotocols in place to keep people from doing exactly what she would be doing: going straight to the Lord Master. As a Prime Student, her status allowed her to do so, and as a Magus, it doubly allowed her to do so.
Reaching the Lord Master's office, she pressed her hand to the runic pad next to the door, respectfully requesting entrance, then sat down in the chair that appeared. The Lord Master would come for her when he was ready. Amy, well-trained, stepped up and next to Liane, waiting behind her Proctor's right shoulder to be called upon.
This was the Lord Master's domain, and it would not do to give a bad impression to any people passing by.
It took only ten minutes before the door to the office opened, and the Lord Master silently beckoned them in. “Good morning, My Lady Magus,” he spoke as soon as the door fell shut, on as friendly a tone as Decorum allowed. “How may I be of assistance?” he motioned to the available chairs in front of his desk.
Liane sat, Amy took her required spot behind her right shoulder.
“Firstly, I wish to apologize to take up your precious time, Lord Master,” she spoke, regretting her impulsive decision now that she was actually in the man's office. She refused to look at the display case with the staves, knowing that she would be staring at them for hours if allowed to do so. She remembered that from her first time in this office.
“To be honest, I am surprised it has taken you this long to come and see me, My Lady,” he replied. “Most Prime Students use their access rights quite vigorously. It surprises me that, in the three years you have been Prime Student, you have never once made use of this right.”
She didn't know whether to take his statement as praise, and smile, or as a rebuke, and be contrite. “I remember how busy you are, Lord Master, and all my problems are minor. I did not wish to keep you from urgent business.”
“You always have been a unique student, My Lady Liane, the MagicWarper. Even before you were named as such. I remember taking you to this office myself, and the interesting time spent here. In truth, I had wondered whether or not you would have come to see me after you first made Prime Student, if for no other reason but to discuss your progress made.”
She almost lost her hold on Decorum, and gaped at him. Never had she realized that she would have been welcome for something as trivial as that!
He seemed to understand her shock, even though she hardly displayed it, and went on, “A Prime Student may come and see me for any reason he or she wishes, My Lady. It is considered important that those students that excel have access to the faculty, even if it is to unload their troubles. Most of those on staff were once Prime Students themselves, and know the hardships and sacrifices made for the position.”
“Thank you, Lord Master,” she replied in almost breathless relief.
“Now, I'm sure you didn't come here to discuss the merits of the priority access. How may I assist you, My Lady?” he asked, gently probing for her real reason for coming.
“My Lord Milor Lightningmaster has not been seen in a week, My Lord. None of his classmates have seen him, he has not arrived for appointments made with me, nor has he made any of the Student Council meetings. I understand that he is doing something covered by the Rules of Equality, and that you cannot supply me with any details. However, can you tell me whether he is alright, so that I may put my mind at ease?”
As soon as Milor's name fell, the Lord Master's face turned even more unreadable than he usually was. “Regretfully, I do not know, My Lady,” he replied slowly.
Liane blinked; the statement was layered in Decorum. The Lord Master could not reveal details. He did not know whether Milor was alright. That meant one of two things. Either Milor had somehow been removed from communication with the Lord Master, which was unlikely, or Milor was unable to communicate with the Lord Master.
Liane swallowed deeply against the realization that her friend most definitely was not alright. “I see,” she finally said. “Has My Lord been removed from communication by choice, Lord Master?” she asked him, feeling her heartbeat thumping in her ears. She knew she was pale as a ghost, but could not help it.
He gazed at her. “I am unable to say, My Lady. I am afraid that the Imperial Court has decided to step in.”
Her heart fell through her feet, and her blood pressure plummeted. It took her close to half a minute before she was able to breathe. The Empire was involved. By the gods, he had been kidnapped. “That is... bad news, My Lord,” she whispered.
He nodded gravely. “All I have been told is that he is behind solid warding, as no scrying has been successful,” he replied evenly.
For the second time in two minutes, the bottom fell out of her heart. “That is my fault, My Lord,” she confessed, causing his eyebrows to rise. “The first lesson I accompanied my Proctor to, was Blood Magic. That first lesson, we discussed a basic scrying spell. That evening, My Lord Milor was graceful enough to allow me to experiment. The next day, we discussed a protection against the basic scrying spell. Once more, My Lord Milor was graceful enough to volunteer. For the last seven years, I have been alternatively scrying and protecting him, finding new protections, then new methods of bypassing the new protections, and finding newer protections to protect against the new scrying methods.”
He smiled faintly. “I would have expected nothing less, My Lady. However, I do not think that even your vaunted skills would be able to stump the Blood Mages of the Imperial Court. You may be Prime Student, but they have decades of experience on you.”
“Perhaps I should volunteer my notes, My Lord,” she said.
“I do not believe that will be necessary, My Lady,” he answered candidly. “The Imperial Court has the best Nobles working for them. There is no reason to doubt their skill or knowledge, and risk their honor, with the experiments of an Academy student, even one as exceptional as you are.”
She nodded. Politics. It all came down to politics. Even offering her notes would be an insult, a sign that she did not trust the Blood Mages at the court to have the skill or knowledge to do their jobs. “I see,” she finally said, drawing a deep breath. “That is... unsettling news, Lord Master.”
“I am sorry that I must be the bearer of bad news, My Lady,” he replied calmly. “I will understand if you need some time to compose yourself.”
She drew another breath, steeling herself. His hands were tied, and Liane understood that. “Thank you, My Lord. They may not have been the answers I was hoping to hear, but I am grateful for them nonetheless.”
He nodded. “Please do not hesitate to call on me again should you need anything, My Lady. One last piece of advice, if I may. It is good to follow the rules set out by society, as they are what bind us together. Yet sometimes, a person must do what their heart tells them is right, despite the laws and regulations, and despite the outcome.”
A tiny frown marred her forehead as she deciphered his comment, then gave a grateful nod. “Thank you, My Lord.”
“You're welcome, My Lady. Have a good afternoon, and, should we not have a chance to talk like this again, good luck with your endeavors.”
“Thank you, My Lord. Have a good afternoon.”
Liane left the Lord Master's office, and immediately set a brisk pace, Amy almost-running after her. “Proctor?”
“We're going to our rooms, retrieve the hair of My Lord Milor that I still have in my possession, and track him using Blood Magic. I will make a decision on further action after we have a location and his condition, Assistant,” Liane spoke as she kept up her pace, turning the final corridor to emerge into the entrance hall of the administration building, soon emerging into the warm light of the Sun Charm.
Maintaining her brisk pace, she retrieved the sample of Milor's hair that she kept in a locked case in her nightstand, followed by a quick trip to the library to retrieve a surveyor's map of Kiria. Liane had no idea where Milor was being kept, but it was a good bet that he wasn't being kept inside either the Academy or Kiria City, the only places she was familiar with.
For a few mom
ents, she debated where would be the best location to perform the blood magic. Finally, she ascended the stairs of the laboratory building, found an empty dueling chamber, and sealed it behind herself and Amy.
“You know what I need to do, Assistant,” Liane said as she sat down in the middle of the room, spreading the map in front of her, and placing a pen on top of it.
“You have not yet been able to find a way around the last protections, Proctor, so you will need to feel it out. Meanwhile, I am to sit quietly in a corner and not disturb you,” the younger girl said, walking to said corner, sitting down in it, and taking out a book.
Liane nodded, grabbed the hair, and closed her eyes. “I hope this small sample will be enough,” she said, half to herself and half to Amy.
The young Assistant remained quiet, knowing that it was just Liane's way to relax herself.
The spell that slipped across Liane's lips was the most advanced incarnation of the blood-based tracking spells that she had developed. Feeling the magic take hold, more spells followed, keeping it back, taming it, bending it to her will even as it struggled to perform its full function.
Behind her closed eyes, Liane's consciousness released itself from her body, following the spell as it struggled for hold. Already, she could feel the protections on Milor trying to cancel it out, deal her a heavy spell-failure backlash as well if at all possible.
Her physical entity had a small smile playing on its lips as her detached consciousness realized the Blood Mages at the Imperial Court would have been hit by the trap.
The thought vanished almost as soon as it formed, and Liane's mind and magic went to work on the tracking spell, her magic feeling out the negations that were being worked by the heavy protections she had placed on her friend. As she felt the defenses, she worked changes into the tracking spell, changes that were being picked up by the protection.