by Alex Cannon
Lazerek was keeping something from him. Gidas just knew it.
Akilade shunned comfort for its students. Lazerek had separated him from the others. His room was down a long, empty hall, and although there were many rooms in this wing, they were all empty. Gidas set up what few possessions he had in hopes of livening it up a bit, but it was hopeless.
That was moot, however, because he spent little time in his room. Most was spent with his mentor, Lazerek.
Gidas did not think Lazerek ever slept. The man was always doing something at the oddest times of the night and day.Gidas followed him around and ran errands like a faithful servant.In general, he was supposed to watch Lazerek and begin to learn what he could.Truth be told, he didn’t think Lazerek was much of a teacher. Their conversations were sketchy and none too constructive in the beginning, Lazerek constantly chastising him about what a shambles he had made of the Day of Opening.Gidas thought Lazerek said anything about that day only because it was expected. He really didn’t believe Lazerek was too terribly concerned about the Day of Opening.Lazerek went into explaining some of the finer things of magic and how Gidas would one day be taught what he would need to know to garner more power, but for now he was needed more as an adjutant. Gidas listened patiently whenever Lazerek spoke.His knowledge on ancient history and the land was unsurpassed. He always had many simultaneous projects and experiments in progress. Gidas was uncertain how the mage kept all of them straight in his head.They rarely ever saw or were seen by any of the other residents of the school. If they did see anyone, Lazerek was brief and impolite. The other mages seemed to simply tolerate him and the other apprentices practically ran when they saw him coming. Lazerek one day explained to Gidas that he considered the others at the school a bothersome lot. Fools really. What did seem to interest Lazerek, however, was something he kept secreted in his inner sanctum where he had never let Gidas venture.
Until today.
They broke their fast as they did every morning, by joining together on the balcony connected to Lazerek’s quarters.The balcony arced out from the side of the school far above the green fields that stretched to the foot of the mountains.The cool mountain air was dry and fragrant. From the balcony they had complete privacy and a commanding view of the mountains to the west.It was a glorious site as the sun lit up the mountaintops while the remaining scenery was shaded.It was here that Lazerek gave Gidas his daily routines.
Lazerek seemed somewhat vexed this morning.He pulled a vial from around his neck and took his morning sip.
“What is that you drink every morning, master?” Gidas asked.
Lazerek replaced the cork in the top of the silver flask.”It is water from the Homewood of the Hetereki. An arrogant people. They think to live aloof.”
“You drink some every morning, is it some sort of tonic?”
“It is…of sorts.” Lazerek said.
“Okay.”
Gidas took the hint; he didn’t need to ask any more questions.
Lazerek sipped on his coffee.”I will involve you in many confidential situations.I must be able to trust you completely.”His eyes had lines of age around them, but they were clear blue.Gidas could not determine his age.
“I understand,” Gidas said. He took a bite of spicy sausage.
Lazerek eyed him with a cocked eyebrow,”I hope that you do,” he chewed the side of his mouth,”My business allows me no room for error and no second chances.If I come to a point where I have trusted you, and you are not worthy, then our relationship will come to an end. An abrupt end.”
A slight breeze whipped some of Lazerek’s gray hair around.He pulled it back with a finger.
“I understand.” Gidas put his fork down and sat up straight. Apparently the mage thought it important enough to threaten him, so he would consider it important enough to listen completely.
Lazerek paused for a moment.He looked at Gidas, studying him for a moment. Uncertainty tainted his expressions and movements.He weighed his next words carefully.”That is good, Gidas of Latrare, but not good enough.I have hired a Platen to come here this morning to look into your mind.I was quite certain you would agree to the terms I had set down, most will, but I must know your loyalty without doubt.There may be moments in the future where I will need to trust you implicitly and cannot give pause before I do.”He eyed Gidas to see if there was any reaction.
Gidas’s heart leapt up into his throat when Lazerek mentioned the Platen person. His fear almost caused him to call the whole thing off. He once again considered what he needed to do and how to get around yet another obstacle.He was not afraid of the Platen but he was mindful of what they could do. How could he get Lazerek to trust him without the Platen?The truth was, he couldn’t. He would have to subject himself to the Platen’s mind probe and risk everything in the process.
“I will do it,” he said.
“You are probably fearing the Platen will mind burn you. Well no concerns with this specific one. I have worked with her before, she is very trustworthy and controlled.” He finished off his coffee as a knock came at the door.
Already, Gidas thought.No time to prepare!
The Platen woman was dressed in the purple robe of her people, her face covered by a deep hood.Lazerek welcomed her in, bidding her move to the balcony where Gidas was almost coming out of his skin.
The Platen came from a far away land.There were more of them in the West than in the East and all wore a special velvet robe.The robe’s color was a nebulous mix of black and purple.Some of the elder Platen had a thin gold band sewn into their collar.If it was a symbol of mastery or just a symbol of age was anyone’s guess.Some used walking staffs to get around but most had no need.They were a tall, fine-spun people with golden blonde hair. Some said they spoke to each other through their minds and could read anyone’s mind when they chose. Rarely speaking to other people they primarily kept to their own kind unless they were hired.When they were hired it was for irreconcilable grievances. They could assist a guard by telling him who was telling a lie and who was telling the truth.They could help kings by telling them who in their staff was a spy.They could use their strange powers as both an offense and defense. Some could cause things to float like a wizard or mage and some could see into the future. It was also said they could create illusions in a man’s mind of such realism that it could kill. But the truth was most people had no idea what the Platen’s abilities were.They were mysterious and powerful and even mages were wary of them.
As the woman sat down across from Gidas, she lowered her hood slowly.Her hands were fine and delicate, her nails short and clean. Gidas was able to see that she had her golden hair spun up into a bun.Her face was flawless and her eyes had a life of their own.Gidas glanced downward as soon as his eyes touched hers.He felt stupid for his apprehension, but it did not leave.
“Lazerek has asked me to come in and judge your character to see if it is fit for the job he requires.”
“Okay,” he said quietly.She smiled a small smile. She had the kind of face that looked like it was made to smile.
“What I will do is not as intrusive as a full mind probe. It is a simple probe, one that will not cause you pain,” she said in a soft voice. He could just make out the slight lilt of her accent.
“I don’t think this will take too long,” Lazerek opined. He found a spot on a couch close by and settled in to watch.
“Are you ready to begin?” She asked.
Gidas looked into her eyes,”Yes.”
She reached over the table and gently grasped his hands. He let her. He then felt her probe, soft and gentle, like a feather touching his brain. Her probe floated through his mind and around it. She pressed here, prodded there.
***
She was in a locked closet.The door was closed. She could not open it.She threw her mind against the closet, knowing it was just a mental block he had thrown up, a good one.She threw all of her considerable mental might and managed to open the door enough for a slight light to pierce, and with it she had a su
dden realization.Suddenly her mind was not her own…it was…