“With a Spellstone, the way it works is it contains the matrix of exactly one spell. Rather than needing to craft a spell from scratch each time, it remembers the spell we used to create the Spellstone and helps us in replicating it. A similar principle aided me here.” He presented the blade to Alensia, handle-first. “What I did was I simply cast the same sharpening spell over and over on different parts of the knife. As there were no changes from attempt to attempt, save for which part of the blade I was targeting, I could simply perform the same spell as many times as necessary.”
“So instead of creating a big, complex spell to sharpen the blade in one go, you created a simple spell and copied it,” she stared transfixed at the knife in her hand, holding it with the reverence one would give a sacred relic. “Would it be alright if I tested it?”
“Certainly.”
She brought the blade down upon the spoon. There was only a briefest grinding of resistance before it was cleaved cleanly in two.
“Incredible,” she whispered, “in ten minutes, you did what would have taken me an hour or more.”
His chest swelled with pride. It was the fruit of many years of practice, studying and hard work. Everything he had trained toward was in that spell. “Thank you. Due to the enchantments enhancing the blade to better do what it is already designed for, it will last months, perhaps years, and that is just one of the tricks I have learned.”
Before she could respond, there was a loud crash from Rian’s bedroom, followed by the sound of Maleth wailing.
Alensia dashed in, Rian following a bit more slowly. When he arrived, it was to the sight of Maleth being consoled in his mother’s arms, tears pouring down his ruddy cheeks. He’d been running about, apparently, and the cracked portrait of Arnla laying on the floor gave a clear indication as to what had happened.
He gritted his teeth at Maleth’s foolishness before letting out a sigh. It wasn’t like one could expect children not to be little bundles of energy. It was the portrait of his ancestor, yes, but the picture itself was undamaged, so all that would be needed was to fix the frame. In fact…
“I think we have just found the next lesson for your training,” he said once Maleth had stopped crying. “Alensia, try taking what you learned and fix the broken portrait.”
She frowned uncertainly. “Wouldn’t it be better to get a new pane of glass? Any enchantment fades over time, so even if we enchanted the pieces to reattach, they are not designed to stick together. Eventually, it would crumble again.”
He opened his mouth, then paused, his cheeks burning from his oversight. Damn, she was right. Even if she enchanted it perfectly today, the spell would only last a few weeks or months at most. Any enchantment would, truthfully… An idea struck him. “Yes, the enchantment we cast upon it will end,” he said, “which is why we are not going to stick the glass together. We are going to enchant it to flow like water, then enchant it again to re-harden it.”
“So the glass turns into a liquid, which won’t last long,” she said slowly. Her eyebrows knit together before she started to grin. “But we don’t need it to because when both enchantments end, it will harden back in whatever shape it is in! And if that shape were to be a single pane of glass…”
“Then it will be perfectly fixed. Exactly!” He rubbed his hands together. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” Breathing in once more, Alensia started vigorously. Summoning her strength, silver-white light gathered in her hand before quickly focusing upon her finger. This time, she let it pulse into the shards of glass in one continuous flow.
“Now, if you have any trouble, don’t hesitate…” His words faded as he watched. First one shard of glass melted, then another and another, until, by the fifteen-minute mark, there was a puddle of glass held within the frame’s edges.
Turning to him, she asked, “How did I do?”
He stared back at her. How did she do? She’d managed to grasp the basics of a concept that had taken him two weeks to learn in a brief sitting, then transfer it over to a different spell. It lacked even his meager smoothness, yes, but the achievement was incredible all the same. Once they hardened it, even Soren might not notice it had ever been broken. There was a spark of jealousy but it was quickly overwhelmed with the thoughts of all the things he could teach her, excitement flattening any bruised pride into the dirt. In the back of his mind, he’d wondered before if perhaps this would be too difficult for her. No more. He could get serious. “You did very well,” he said. “Excellent work!”
Alensia looked at the completed spellwork with a mixture of pride and hunger. “Thank you, Rian. If it weren’t for you… I can hardly imagine all the things I still have yet to learn.”
“Indeed, that was just one bit of the basics. Think about it. I have ten years’ worth of knowledge to show you! Now,” he smiled, “how hard are you willing to work?”
“If it will help me to enter the academy, I will do whatever is necessary.”
“Very well. Now, for hardening spells…”
Over the next two hours, Rian taught Alensia the building blocks for what he’d learned over the years. It would be some time, he knew, before he’d gone over everything, but he didn’t foresee any difficulty.
Far from it. She had a gift for enchanting, and beyond that there was so much to discuss, so much to teach. It had been five years since he’d had someone to talk with about magic other than teachers with more interest in the coin his parents paid than the questions he asked them. This was a taste of what being a mage would mean: respect for what he had learned and his skill in magic, not solely his holdings and family. He would sip greedily at it.
When she left, she bowed her head low, this time without mockery or humor. “I look forward to our next lesson, my teacher.”
So did he. He could hardly wait.
***
It was the day before the Second Trial that they received their first response on the marriage suits, but it wasn’t from the Carib family. Instead, a set of hawk’s talons in red and gold, the symbol of House Gazif was stamped upon the scroll.
To the honorable Miel family.
It has come to our attention that you are attempting to press a marriage suit for the Carib family, that you might gain territories that by right belong to us.
We have been allies under the Tolthor family for years, so it disturbs us to be informed that you are attempting to press against our claims. We have enough enemies outside, so it is best to avoid battles underneath the Tolthor banner as well.
We must insist that you cease this reckless, provocative plan, for the good of peace within our shared territories.
Sincerely,
Countess Esme Gazif
Having finished reading the scroll, Soren tossed it onto the sitting room table with a thunk before reclining back into his armchair. “It definitely looks like you’ve gotten the Gazif’s attention. ‘For the good of peace within our respective territories’?” He sneered. “As if she’s not the one implying going to war over it.”
“Should we give up on the Isabel marriage?” Rian asked tentatively. “I was prepared for a bit of trouble, but I thought we agreed that she would not be so aggressive.”
“Don’t worry yourself, Rian. She is just posturing.” Soren must have noticed the way he bit his lip, as he continued, “If Countess Gazif actually thought she could win, she would have declared war on us after your sister’s marriage. She’s the kind of bullying bitch to throw peace away just for the sake of a few provinces, so don’t let her barking factor into your decision. If you decide you don’t want to marry the Carib daughter? Fine, but do not let her blather trouble you.”
“Are you certain?”
“Completely. At most, the Gazifs will seize a few caravans to show that they are serious, but naught else. Any more and they might get in trouble with the Crimson Order or Genthru Tolthor, and if it actually did come to war, the Gazif’s would only stand to get clobbered and lose more provinces, putting them at a greater disadva
ntage in the years to come. They’re greedy, not stupid. That said,” Soren’s face grew graver, ”there is another matter we need to discuss.”
“What is it?”
“Your new friend, the commoner girl…” he frowned, scratching his chin in thought. “What was her name? The one who came by yesterday, and the day before, and who you went to see the day before that. You know the one.”
“Her name is Alensia,” he said. “Why? Was there a problem?”
“Yes. You need to curtail your association with her, for the moment anyway.”
“What? Why?” Rian’s gaze fell upon the scroll. “Is it because of the Gazifs?”
“Not them.” Soren massaged his forehead with a sigh. “It’s a matter of appearances, your lordship.”
“That she is a member of the common folk, you mean?”
“That is part of it,” Soren admitted, “but there’s more. Your continued association with such a woman in close quarters when you’re trying to demonstrate that you are a good marital candidate… Can you see how this could hamper it?”
Rian frowned. Him teaching Alensia wouldn’t raise any eyebrows, would it? The nobility didn’t associate much with the common folk, but it wasn’t as if it was sacrilegious unless they were taking them as a lover - Oh… he fought the urge to roll his eyes. “I am not romantically involved with her, if that is what you mean.”
Soren looked at him as if he were the biggest idiot in the kingdom. “Of course I know you aren’t. I’ve seen you pining after a girl. You get positively ridiculous. Why that one time -”
“Please do not bring that up,” he said, his voice taking on a begging tinge. “Please.”
Soren gave him a pointed look but changed the subject. “Fine, I know you’re not interested, but that is entirely beside the point. Seeing you involved with a woman of marriageable age, who is not hideous and whom you’ve spent a great deal of time with in her quarters and vice-versa… it makes tongues wag and gossips wink. With her being a member of the common folk besides, well, what would you think was the reason if you didn’t know already?”
A whore or a lover, that was the answer, Rian knew, even if he didn’t want to say it. Put it like that, he could see Soren’s point. A young man spending time with a woman of some experience alone on a regular basis would make bawdy rumors almost certain and that presented a problem. Even if his prospective wife were willing to accept certain indiscretions prior to the marriage, his character would be called into question. How likely was it that he would remain faithful, or at least discreet in his affairs, after they took their vows?
He had done so much for the family though, and was going to do even more as the years rolled by. Surely there had to be a way to deal with this without causing trouble for the marriage suit? Couldn’t he be allowed this one thing for his sacrifices? When he asked that question of Soren, the man shook his head firmly.
“Rian, we already allow you a great deal. Surely you don’t think that this,” he waved his hand to indicate the academy, “is in your family’s best interests, do you?”
“Well…”
Soren shook his head. “Do you think that it is to House Miel’s benefit that you are away for two years or more, poring over books and listening to old women in robes when you could be doing things to strengthen the family?” At his lack of response, Soren’s voice softened. “Understand that your family knows that this is important to you, Rian and we are not heartless. As long as it doesn’t bring shame to the family, we’ll allow it. But on the matter of your friend, appearances matter. I’m not going to risk her mucking about with your future. Am I clear?”
Rian couldn’t meet his eyes. “Yes, Soren.”
“Good, now until the marriage negotiations are finished, I expect you will behave in a manner befitting House Miel. Avoid doing things that might be innocent in mind but would cause issues with the negotiations.”
He nodded and Soren returned to the other letters he’d received. Occasionally, the man would mumble and the scratching of a quill could be heard as he wrote a response to one message or scroll.
Rian stared down at his hands. So that was it for his lessons with Alensia, just like that. Family was family, wasn’t it? A sigh escaped him.
“I know it is unfortunate,” Soren said, not looking up from the scroll in his hand. “After the negotiations are taken care of, things will change, but for now, there are more important matters than one commoner.”
“Can I at least explain the situation to her?”
Soren tapped his chin but finally nodded. “I suppose that there will be no harm in that, but this will be the last time. Again, going forward, do not do anything foolish.”
At least he had that then. It would have to be enough. “Very well, thank you, Soren.”
-
Every step to Alensia’s quarters felt like he was trudging through tree sap. He’d prepared for today, even bringing something special for the training with him, but it all felt like such a waste now.
He squared his shoulders as the faded white door came into view. At least he could make this last meeting an enjoyable one. He’d tell Alensia what was to happen when he finished. Besides, it wouldn’t be forever, just while the marital negotiations were going on. That would take some months or perhaps even a year admittedly, but it was not as though he had to cease all association with her forever.
When he opened the door, Alensia guided him in with a finger to her lips.
“I’ve got Maleth distracted,” she whispered, motioning over to where the boy in question sat on the bed, his face buried in a heavily-worn book titled Brave Sir Camryn and the Black Dragon of Xeris. She waved a hand over the boy’s head to no reaction and smirked. “That should keep him busy for a while. Now, how do you want to start?”
Rian seated himself at the table, laying a long but thin, cloth-wrapped bundle atop it, the ends dangling over each edge. “Given our discussions on enchanting, I felt you would enjoy seeing a greater example of that art. Now, I had to sneak this away from Soren, so if he asks, you did not see this.”
“Understood, I won’t say a thing, young lord.” In spite of her calm words, she was leaning forward, peeking at the bundle like… well, like he imagined Maleth would upon his birthday. Her hands twitched toward it, eager to unveil what laid inside.
He fought a smirk. Perhaps it wasn’t only the father who had caused her son to be so rambunctious and curious. “First, to review, how does enchanting work?”
She looked up for the first time since he’d sat the package on the table, evidently thrown by the fact that they were still talking. Collecting herself with a cough and refocusing upon him, she said, “Enchantments are spells cast upon an object to change it in various ways, ranging from increased strength to lightening the materials, potentially even granting the object some degree of mobility or thought.”
“And their weakness?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Time of course. Eventually, the enchantment fades and its effects with it.”
Well done. “Precisely. Even the greatest of the Magi are unable to keep an enchantment going forever. It might be hours, weeks or even years, depending on the skill of the caster amongst other factors, but all enchantments will fail eventually,” he smiled, “with one exception.”
He unrolled the package, letting the cloth fall away to reveal what lay within.
She let out a low gasp. “Is that...?”
“It is.”
Alensia, a woman twice his age, perhaps more, let out a squeal like a little girl. “A Sacrelith? I’ve never seen one up close - only the mighty and powerful can even afford one - can I touch it? Can I?”
Just like Maleth indeed. No, Rian corrected, remembering the hours he’d spent devouring every word in every tome the tutors brought, like him. She had responsibilities, but this brought her joy.
He nodded in acquiescence and she promptly grabbed the halberd and began inspecting every inch, running her fingers along the perfectly smithed and
glass-smooth blade. She closed her eyes in rapture.
“Incredible, I can feel the magic! It’s like dipping my hand into a river with no end.” She grinned goofily. “Thank you so much!”
“It was my pleasure,” he said, before resting his hand on the weapon once more. “Unlike all other forms of enchantment, Sacreliths will endure with no end, lasting generations. They do little unless activated, but once someone calls upon their power, they gird their wielder with the mightiest of enchanted armor and weapons, and allow them to cast certain magics like a mage.”
“How’s that?” Maleth asked, book thrown away and forgotten. He stood beside his mother, equally entranced by the weapon before him. “How does it last so long?”
“That is, err,” Rian winced, before admitting, “I am not entirely certain, to be truthful. Only the magi are allowed to know the secrets of Sacreliths and even they only learned how to create them recently. As little as a generation ago, the only Sacreliths were artifacts from the past.”
And it would have been better if they stayed that way, he added silently.
“Why don’t you use it?” Maleth chirped.
He glared at him before reminding himself that Maleth was only a boy. He didn’t understand the significance of what he was saying. “A mage cannot use a Sacrelith, not truly. It is a crutch. Eventually, if you keep using it, you come to rely upon it and are unable to use your own magic as effectively. Once or twice is one thing, but if I were to use it too much, eventually I would be cast spells without it.”
“But you could be like ‘Bam! Boom!’ and blow up dragons!” the boy said, waving his chubby hands in the air as if he were doing it himself. “Ain’t that better than listening to some old geezers in robes?”
Just a child, just a child, the mantra echoed in his head. In spite of the similar words, this wasn’t Soren’s veiled hints about how Rian was wasting his time nor his parents’ patronizing smiles.
The Mage Trials Page 9