Gavin shifted his attention. “Wynn, how would you remove a harmful effect from someone?”
“I’d-use-the-Word-of-Tutation-Rhosed.”
“Lillian, can you diagram a composite effect that creates a sky in an underground environment and provides the full experience of being outside under the sun, moon, and stars?”
“No,” Lillian said. “I don’t have parchment, ink, or a stylus…but otherwise, yes.”
Gavin smiled, and his gaze shifted to Braden. “Explain how magical effects are embedded in objects.”
“The easiest method is to add a drop of a wizard’s blood during the item’s construction, if the method permits. Such materials as metal, though, don’t absorb it, so you must stamp or engrave runes into the metal as you fill the item with power.”
“Now, this last question is for any of you. Name four other arcanists who possess even a quarter of your knowledge about, and experience with, the Words of Power.”
They all looked to one another again, and at last, they turned their attention back to Gavin as Lillian said, “I’m not sure there are any…not within the Society, anyway.”
“I don’t believe that apprenticeships were ever intended to instill all the knowledge an arcanist would ever need. Marcus certainly didn’t treat them that way. Apprenticeships provide the basics, a foundation from which the arcanist can pursue whatever studies of the Art she or he desires, and that time has come for you.
“Only one thing remains. In perusing Marcus’s journals while trying to decide where to take your training next, I found his description of a ritual in which every new arcanist would participate upon completion of their apprenticeship. As part of this ritual, you will examine your heart and mind and decide your philosophy toward the Art.”
Gavin reached down to the floor beside his seat and retrieved a sheaf of parchment none of his friends had noticed. He stood and handed one piece of parchment to each of his friends. As Gavin returned to his seat holding the final piece of parchment for himself, they turned the parchment over and looked at the writing. The handwriting was obviously Gavin’s, and the words were written out in the language of magic, not using any of the Words of Power they knew but almost like a spell.
Gavin watched his friends frown as they looked at what he’d handed them, smiling just a bit.
“Gavin,” Mariana said, “what is this?”
“The simple answer is ink on parchment, but the truth of the matter is that I don’t know what it is, beyond being the words to the ritual your ancestors participated in at the completion of their apprenticeships.”
Gavin watched his friends look to one another, and they all nodded. Then, they looked to Gavin once more, and Mariana said, “Let’s do it, then.”
They recited the words to the ritual, and from Gavin’s perspective, nothing seemed to happen right away. After several moments, though, halos of light particles formed over each person’s head and swirled for a heartbeat or three before cascading down over their bodies. In the wake of the light particles, their robes were no longer the student robes they had worn into the house. Mariana’s robe turned red, and the Magus rank runes on the cuffs of her sleeves were black. Braden’s robe became green, his rank runes black as well. Lillian’s robe was now white, not surprising Gavin at all, and her rank runes were black. What made Gavin stare in awe, though, was Wynn’s blue robe; Gavin never would’ve expected Wynn to be a scholar.
When the light particles disappeared at last, Gavin watched his friends collapse against the back of their chairs as if tired.
“That was…intense,” Braden said.
“Nothing happened to me,” Gavin said. “What did it feel like to you guys?”
“It felt like something crawling through every part of who I am, looking for something so small it required intense scrutiny to find it,” Lillian said.
The others nodded.
“It-felt-exactly-like-that,” Wynn said.
“So, what happens now?” Mariana asked.
Gavin shrugged. “What do you want to happen now? Each of you knows the Word of Transmutation that will create a gateway to wherever you want to go.”
“What if we want to stay with you?” Lillian asked. “Work with you on your projects?”
“It’s up to you. The important thing, to me, is that each of you understand you’re free to make your own decisions. Discuss the matter, and let me know what you decide.”
Chapter 30
Gavin stood before one of the slate chalkboards in his lab. He just finished drawing out the diagram Lillian had given him, sized to fit the chalkboard, and he sat on one of the table’s chairs, angled to face the chalkboard as he flipped through the notes Lillian had made.
“Why would Marcus have created this?” Gavin said. “Oh, sure…I can understand him not wanting any more arcanists to die trying to make this themselves, especially since the ones working on it were probably mages, but still…there’s something involved with all this I’m not seeing.”
Footfalls on the stairs behind him drew Gavin’s attention, and he turned to see Declan leading a woman into the basement lab. She wore a simple linen shift, and while her expression was nonexistent, her eyes made Gavin think of a prey animal ready to bolt.
Gavin stood and met them just a short distance in from the base of the stairs.
“Gavin,” Declan said by way of greeting.
Gavin gave the woman his best neutral, encouraging smile and extended his right hand, saying, “Hi. I’m Gavin Cross.”
The woman shied away from Gavin as she stared at the floor.
“This is your home now,” Gavin continued. “Please, pick out a bedroom upstairs, and I’ll see to it that it’s furnished. Come to think of it…”
Gavin pulled back his robe and withdrew the coin purse hanging off his belt. He opened it and withdrew a handful of coins. Holding them out in his hands, he showed Declan.
“Is that enough for clothes, food, and bedroom furniture?”
Declan looked at the gold coins with an emerald and ruby laying among them and nodded. “I think I can make it work.”
“Okay. Use whatever coin you had left over from…well…” Gavin nodded his head toward the woman. “…the market, too.”
Declan chuckled. “You really have no idea what things cost, do you?”
Gavin shook his head and shrugged. “I bought that stuff at Hakamri’s when Jasmine and I went for that ride after Marcus’s death, but otherwise, no…not really.”
“What you’re holding would outfit three houses this size,” Declan said, “if not outright buy those three houses, considering the gems.”
“Oh, okay. See that she has good clothes and that we have good food, here in the house.” Gavin turned his attention back to the woman. “Did he tell you why I asked him to hire you?”
The woman shook her head just enough for Gavin to see without looking up.
Gavin sighed. He reached out with his right hand slowly, making an obvious motion with his palm up and hand open. He watched as the woman went rigid at the sight of his hand, and Gavin hooked the edge of his index finger under her chin and lifted her face to look at him.
“We just met; I understand. I don’t know how long you’ve been a slave, but there’s something you need to understand. Just because the law says you’re a slave, doesn’t mean I think you are. This is something we’ll have to work at, but don’t ever fear for a moment that I’ll harm you in any way. When you return from shopping with Declan, I’ll have an amulet for you that will indicate you’re under my protection, and if you’re ever away from the house and someone harms you, I want to know about it. Oh, Declan…we’ll probably need kitchen stuff, too. Pots, pans, knives, forks…all that stuff.”
Declan nodded, his expression hinting at mild amusement. “I thought so, myself. How goes the work?”
Gavin looked over his shoulder to the chalkboard, saying, “It’s fiendishly complex…and clever. I’m still picking it apart, but the entire effect hangs on
the Tutation construct at the core.”
“So, we just find a way to break that construct?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Gavin said. “I think that’s where everyone else went wrong. There’s enough energy bound up in the matrix that breaking the core construct could easily kill the person bound by it. Heh…I’d be surprised if the backlash didn’t harm the arcanist who broke it, too. We need to find a way to bleed off the energy, I think, and let the matrix fade on its own. But I’ve only been looking at it this morning. I’m still working on understanding exactly what Marcus did to make it.”
“Well, we’ll leave you to it. Some of my associates are watching the house.”
Gavin nodded and wandered back over to the notes and chalkboard. “Thank you, Declan.”
Gavin was not aware of how much time had passed when he heard Lillian calling his name. He looked up from a tabletop now littered with notes and diagrams to see Lillian standing on the last step of the staircase.
“Hi, Lillian. What did you need?”
“The banquet announcing Kiri’s return? Did you want to attend?”
Gavin turned his head, his eyes flitting across the notes covering the table and the chalkboards. “I don’t know. I think I’m finally starting to make some progress deciphering what Marcus did. I’m not sure I can afford the time.”
Gavin felt Lillian place a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to face her once more. She held out an envelope.
“What’s this?” he asked.
Lillian said nothing, just held the envelope out to him.
Gavin took the envelope and opened it. It contained two items: a folded note on fine stationary and an invitation. Gavin unfolded the note to read:
Dear Gavin,
I would be honored if you were to attend the banquet this evening. There is no doubt in my mind that I am safe in my family’s home, but knowing I’m safe and feeling I’m safe are two very different things.
The last time I felt safe, I was by your side. Besides, I would very much like to see you.
Warmest Regards,
Kiri
Gavin stood in silence, staring at the note. His eyes never left the stationary, but his mind went over everything he had to do, all the time he felt he needed. There was no way he’d ever complete his research if he kept allowing interruptions, but at the same time, she said she felt safe around him.
“It looks like I’m going to a banquet,” Gavin said.
That evening, Gavin stood with his friends in the Grand Ballroom of the palace, among a mass of people in their finest attire. A quintet of musicians provided an understated ambiance to the event, the music just loud and strong enough to be an undercurrent without dominating. Gavin smiled at seeing Declan acting as the lutist for the quintet.
A door at the far side of the ballroom opened, and Gavin saw Varne, the Royal Herald, enter. He nodded once, and the music faded.
“My lords and ladies,” Varne said, his strong voice filling the hall, “it is my honor and privilege to present His Majesty Terris Muran, King of Vushaar, and Her Highness Kiri Muran, Crown Princess.”
Gavin listened to the gasps moving through the attendees like a wave. The gasps didn’t last long enough to give him an appreciation of any reaction other than surprise. Gavin saw Terris and Kiri forming a receiving line just as he noticed someone at his side; it was Varne.
“Good evening, sir. His Majesty and Her Highness have requested you and your…associates…lead the guests as they receive you.”
Gavin nodded once and passed off his drink to a server with a silver tray roving through the crowd. Lillian, Mariana, Wynn, and Braden did likewise, and the five of them followed Varne through the crowd to take their place at the head of the receiving line.
Once Gavin and his friends were delivered, Varne took his place off to Terris’s left and slightly behind him, where he proceeded to announce each guest in his hall-filling voice.
“Gavin Cross of House Kirloth!”
Gavin stepped up to Terris and nodded once. Terris extended his hand—a rare honor—which Gavin accepted.
As he shook Gavin’s hand, Terris smiled, saying, “Thank you for coming this evening, Gavin. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel I’ve repaid you for bringing my daughter back to me.”
Gavin shrugged. “I wasn’t aware we were keeping score, Terris.”
Terris nodded once, and Gavin took the step necessary to stand in front of Kiri.
“It’s been a while, Gavin,” Kiri said.
“It has, yes.”
“I’m glad you came.”
Gavin remained silent for a few heartbeats as he gazed into her eyes. At last, he said, “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
Chapter 31
The sun streamed down through a cloudless sky, warming everything it touched. A light breeze blew through the south gate from the Sarnath Hills, carrying a hint of the snow on the not-too-distant peaks. The traffic entering the capital that morning was light, and all in all, it was a good day to be one of the soldiers manning the gate.
Covax and his squaddie Wren turned back to face south after searching and passing one of the few wagons that could travel the path through the Sarnath Hills. The next in line was a tall figure, easily topping Covax in height and wearing a hooded, gray, woolen robe.
“State your name and business,” Covax said, as Wren moved to stand to the figure’s left and slightly behind.
“I am Xythe,” the figure said, pronouncing the name ‘zith’ in an eerily feminine voice, “and I seek the one known as Gavin Cross.”
Covax and Wren knew that name. How could they not?
“And what business do you have with Master Cross?” Covax asked. “Does he expect you?”
“Doubtful,” Xythe said. “I am not certain he even remembers me. I have traveled from my homeland to beg instruction in the Art; I would become one of the Apprentices of Kirloth, if he’ll have me.”
Covax and Wren shared another glance, and Covax said, “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to open your robe.”
Without acknowledging Covax’s statement, Xythe pulled open the robe and jerked her head to throw the hood back. Covax, Wren, and several others nearby were startled to see a Dracon standing before them, and what’s more, Covax counted no less than thirteen different weapons strapped to various places on the leather harness the Dracon wore.
“Uh…” Covax said, drawing out the syllable as he stared at the implements of violence. This Dracon was a walking arsenal. “Do you know how to use all of those?”
Xythe nodded once. “I have spent the last twenty years serving in my people’s Guard, and my trainer indicated I have some small skill.”
“Have you ever been to the capital before? Do you know your way around?”
“I am only two hundred. My people had already withdrawn from the world when I hatched, so this is my first time out among the naturals.”
“Right then. I’ll send one of our runners with you as far as the palace gate. I imagine that’s where you’ll find Master Cross.”
Xythe gave a partial bow as she closed her robe, saying, “My gratitude.”
The sound of footfalls drew Gavin’s attention, and he turned to see Fallon and Jasper halfway down the steps into the basement. Jasper looked worried.
“We knocked several times,” Fallon said.
Gavin motioned for them to come the rest of the way into the basement and indicated the chairs around the table. “Please, make yourselves comfortable, and I apologize for not noticing the knocking. I can’t swear that I even heard it.”
Fallon and Jasper sat a few chairs down from Gavin, and Gavin noticed how uneasy Jasper still looked.
“Thank you,” Fallon said. “I was hoping you had a few moments to discuss something.”
“Of course,” Gavin said. He turned a chair out from the table so that it faced Fallon and Jasper and sat, leaning forward and giving his guests his full attention. “Please, proceed.”
Fallon glanced a
t Jasper before saying, “Jasper and I have been talking. I feel I have given him a solid grounding in the basics of the Art, but the fact of the matter is that I’m a mage. That won’t ever change. Jasper is also my nephew by my younger sister, and when she came to me about Jasper’s continued interest in the Art, I wasn’t aware any wizards trained by wizards still existed.”
Gavin chuckled. “Depending on when she came to you, there may not have been any wizards trained as wizards…well, beyond my mentor of course. I woke up in the southwestern warrens of Tel Mivar with no knowledge beyond my name a little over a year ago.”
Gavin watched Fallon’s jaw slacken, and after a few moments, Fallon said, “You mean you’ve only been active for a year?”
“A little over a year, if my math is right…maybe a year and a half or a little over now,” Gavin said with a shrug. “I’m still a little fuzzy on your calendar; I can’t quite get past the whole ‘ten months with thirty days per month’ thing. I keep wanting to say the year is twelve months long.”
Fallon and Jasper stared at Gavin in silence. After a short time, Fallon said, frowning, “I can’t think of any calendar known that has twelve months per year.”
Gavin nodded and shrugged. “That’s merely one of the oddities about me, but I believe I’ve diverted us from your topic.”
“Yes, of course. Ever since you offered to provide study materials for Jasper, I haven’t gotten the thought out of my mind that keeping him with me is doing him a vast disservice. Jasper, his mother, and I sat down and discussed the matter, and we want to discuss what would be required for you to take Jasper on as an apprentice as was in the old ways. Jasper would like very much to be a wizard trained by a wizard.”
“I understand,” Gavin said. “My first question…why doesn’t Jasper speak for himself?”
“I…well…” Fallon said.
“You scare me, sir,” Jasper said, speaking for the first time. “I’ve learned a great many things under my uncle’s tutelage, and I’m grateful beyond words that he’d take me on. But then, I look at what you can do—what your other apprentices can do—and I’m both awed and afraid. There’s no spell I’ve ever heard of—or that my uncle has ever heard of, either—that could duplicate that lightning web you created. I don’t know if lightning web is the proper name, but that was so impressive. I want to know how to do that.”
Into Vushaar Page 19