God-Kissed: Book 1 (The Apprentices)

by Clark Bolton

  Chapter 12

  “This is a lot more then we used to know.” Autbek said aloud as he continued to study the scroll on the Comusa. “Still don’t understand these markings though.” He mused as he stood and looked around for a moment before heading for the door.

  “Where you going?” Haspeth asked as he sat down in Autbek’s chair to attempt again himself to make sense of the parts of the scroll that were oddly written. “Kind of like arcane-script.” He decided as Autbek informed him he would be back shortly.

  Upon his return Autbek had several arcane-script scrolls with him, after placing them down next to Haspeth and shoeing him out of the way he selected one and proceeded to cast the spell contained within. As he did so the parts of Eifled’s scroll that they could not decipher before began to glow and shift.

  “Society of the Covenant of Ustclostefey and of the Ausic.” Autbek read aloud, and then shook his head as it meant nothing to him or to Haspeth.

  “A bloody decipher spell?” Haspeth asked as he pointed to the ashes which was all that remained of the arcane-script scroll.

  Nodding his head Autbek searched other parts of Eifled’s scroll that had been previously unreadable. “There are some names here and Eifled the Elder is one of them!”

  “So he knew the Comusa?” Haspeth suggested.

  Autbek disagreed, “No, I think it more likely this society he looks to be a member of did. Anyways it’s useful stuff and I hope Castor paid close attention to it.”

  Haspeth nodded his head and then asked, “What does Berdtom want with him anyway?”

  “I can guess.” Autbek replied but then refused to speculate more.

  The two then read the scroll over several times and made notes as they suspected Eifled was likely to reclaim it later. Shortly after they had gleaned all they could from the scroll they were interrupted by Sterncast who made his presence known with a soft nock on the open door.

  “Master wants you to attend him, Autbek.” Sterncast announced. He looked weary and unkempt and it was the first time they had seen him in almost two days.

  “I’ll come immediately.” Autbek said as glanced with a little concern at Haspeth, who he knew hated to be alone. “Are you well, Sterncast?”

  The man said nothing as he turned and wearily motioned for Autbek to follow. Leaving behind Haspeth, he followed Sterncast to Tenric’s office where they found the door open and a similar weary Tenric waiting for them.

  “Come in Autbek.” Tenric motioned from a bench. “You have been well I hope.

  Autbek nodded his head and could now see that Tenric and Sterncast, as well as the surviving librarian had been busy at something as the room’s furniture was now piled to the side. A great circle had been inscribed with detailed precision on the stone floor with the very center of it depicting a hexagon. It took Autbek only a few moments to realize what it likely was.

  “You are going to use this master?” He asked hesitantly.

  Tenric paused to stare at him for a moment. “Not unless it becomes necessary which I hope it does not. We all know the risks involved I think, and they are not so much in my favor.”

  Autbek looked over at Sterncast and then the librarian to see if they understood what Tenric meant. He guessed they hadn’t fully realized until now how dangerous a teleportation portal like this one was purported to be. His masters in Runeholden would have been livid at the mere thought of actually constructing one as they feared the consequences should it be flawed. Consequences that included opening a portal for unwanted visitors as well as the untimely death of the mage who tried to make use of it.

  “Why take such a risk, master, you are not a prisoner?”

  “Not yet, Autbek, which is why I called you. The Earl has summoned the three of us to court.” Tenric then indicated himself, Sterncast and the librarian. “You also are to come, and I want you to have fair warning. You have met the Comusa once I think?”

  “Yes … I had to sit before them.”

  “And I think you know as the rest of us do how precarious that can be. Less so for you than I, Autbek, since I believe his lordship still stands behind you and your students. The rest of us may not fare so well. If it comes to it I will take those who would serve me.”

  Autbek could see his master was questioning his loyalty. “I understand master, but you must know that my oath forbids me!”

  “If you would have it so then it does.” Tenric said sadly. “You are beyond me in many ways, Autbek, and I think we would have learned much more from each other. If the Earl cannot be persuaded today to see my side of things then it will be goodbye.”

  “You sound as if there is no hope.”

  Tenric shook his head and stared at the floor for a few moments. “I can’t divine my own future, Autbek, but I can guess at it. I think there is only a slim chance that the Earl will not strip me of my office, and then all that you see here will be taken from me by force.”

  Autbek didn’t know what to say as he realized Berdtom’s prediction was coming true. Tenric then gave instructions for each of them to prepare to appear before the Earl and his court and not to in anyway provoke the Comusa.

  Castor stood motionless and quiet as the meeting hall began to fill with lords. In all there were eleven of them and about half a dozen scribes left after all others were escorted from the hall. Until that point many onlookers had come to speak with the many barons, baronets and minor lords, seemingly to influence their coming vote on the future of Tenric and his academy.

  Some heatedly argued in favor of the academy as they had apparently some financial stake in its construction. For the most part these conversations where ended quickly and the person was asked to leave even though the proceedings had not yet begun. Others would mention the dire predictions that Tenric had failed to prove true or false; these also were cut short and it appeared the lords of the court had for the most part already made up their minds.

  Among those wandering the room before court began was Fesmbol though Castor noticed he did not have any prolonged conversations with anyone, but rather seemed to be simply making his presence known. He did however seem to be avoiding Cachner who slowly made the rounds and could often be seen speaking with onlookers out in the corridor.

  When the Earl made an early appearance it barely affected the tempo of the conversations as he joined in a few himself. Finally with a signal from the Earl, Lord Bloew, the high magistrate, called the room to order and began signaling the captain of the guard as to who was allowed to remain and who was not. A few lingering onlookers had to be nudged out the doors before they were closed, which included Fesmbol who had glanced at the last moment to see if he was going to be given permission to remain but received only a terse wave of dismissal from the Earl.

  Lord Bloew began an extensive and detailed account of why the court had convened until it got to the point where many of the lords still present looked as if they were no longer paying close attention. His final statements where the only ones that addressed directly the question of The Prophecy of Astrum, which was how Bloew referred formally to the question of a coming catastrophe. It was the first time Castor had heard it named so.

  “We have now my lords been asked by his lordship to accept the services of one Anistig Nekail, a citizen of Berack-At-Tol, one of the Six-Cities.” Bloew announced as he looked to first the Earl and then to Cachner. “A claimed accomplished Inquisitor of mages we are led to believe.”

  “Yes my lord.” Cachner said as he turned to look down the line of lords toward Bloew. “You have the letters of reference I believe.”

  “I do.” Bloew replied as he held up a small stack of parchment.

  “As all of you know I was initially a full supporter of the Lord Mage-Councilor and the academy that he was to build, but I since have had a change of heart.” Cachner then glanced at the Earl for a moment, who so far had said nothing since the court convened. “This of course puts me at odds with Tenric as it does many of you.”

  “It does…�
� A lord Yenic suddenly proclaimed. “…but justification for events over the past few days and this Inquisitor you’ve brought in are lacking.”

  An argument then ensued between a number of different lords until Bloew was forced to bang on the table and call things back to order. After further discussion Bloew announced the matter settled after glancing at the Earl who simply nodded. The Inquisitor would be allowed to question the Mage-Councilor before the court, which Castor noted left several lords fuming silently in their seats.

  “If, my lords, this Inquisitor fails to uncover any malfeasance by the Lord Mage-Councilor, I for one will support his continued stay in office, as I believe so shall his lordship.” Bloew announced as he gave Cachner a firm glare.

  Cachner replied with a weak smile and a nod before saying, “I have full confidence in Anistig Nekail to uncover the truth, my lords.”

  Bloew then called for a scribe to bring forth the Inquisitor who had to this point been unseen by the court, or so Castor assumed by the look of those present. Anistig Nekail appeared from a side chamber when announced and looked more than eager to address the court, particular with the way the two Comusa trailed him into the room.

  “I am honored, my lords!” Anistig Nekail declared as he smiled and bowed deeply.

  Autbek stood milling around nervously with the crowds of other people waiting for word from the court. He couldn’t help but notice that everyone was staying well away from Sterncast who was sitting off in a corner with the remaining librarian. Tenric had been called in some time ago to appear before the court and Autbek very much feared he would be called next.

  “I do believe you’ll come through this in a good position, Autbek.” Valice said as he stopped by to give support. “Berdtom and I both agree on this.”

  “Thanks.” Autbek said with a polite smile. “Where is he anyways?”

  “We both think it best he avoid such gatherings as it tends to build animosity with some here at court.” Valice replied. “Not that he is far mind you.”

  “I can guess he is not.” Autbek replied as he also wondered where Castor could be. “Is Eifled about?”

  “No you are more likely to find the elder in a kitchen or a stable then here, particular with

  so many guards about. He claims to have a talent for not being where the arrows are likely to fly as he puts it.”

  The other two were likely together sneaking through some window Autbek concluded as he watched some new arrivals filter through the hall. He soon released that they included Fesmbol and the Lady Sema. “How is that they have never met before?” He asked of Valice.

  “Lord Fesmbol’s mother is a daughter of a baroness and raised him apparently on her mother’s estate far from Astrum. One assumes he has been to Astrum before as he seems acquainted well enough with the city, but was either told to keep his parentage a secret or was ignorant of it himself until recently. Anyways I doubt the Lady Sema had much knowledge of him until now.”

  “She doesn’t look too happy with him.” Autbek noted as he watch the two move slowly toward his end of the hall.

  “Can’t imagine she is, Autbek, as he now threatens to stand between her and whatever heights she aspires to reach, a catastrophe notwithstanding. She knows it means a strategic marriage is more certain for her now, which, I might add, could make her even more determined to keep you distant from Fesmbol.”

  Autbek shook his head as he tried to put court politics out of his mind and get it back on things that were more pressing, like what was happening with his master. “You know if the Comusa weren’t about I’d help her spin him around like I did his friend Bek.”

  Valice coughed suddenly in surprise. “I see the boy that feared public displays of magic has finally left the palace for good.”

  “Maybe he has.” Autbek declared as he smiled tightly in Fesmbol’s direction. He then had to endure a polite but unenthusiastic invite by one of Lady Sema’s retainers to come and talk with her.

  “She has the upper hand over her half-brother for now, Autbek…” Valice informed him quietly as Autbek prepared to walk over to her and Fesmbol. “…that is until she marries as she organizes and hosts court functions while her mother is out of the palace which the Countess nearly always is. If Fesmbol manages to garner an important court office then the advantage would become his.”

  “Hmm, so what court offices are the important ones?”

  “Well, Lord Mage-Councilor for one.” Valice said with a grin.

  “They couldn’t replace my master with him, could they?” He asked with genuine shock.

  “Nooo, but with you they could!”

  The thought suddenly made him angry, as did Fesmbol’s close proximity. “Greetings, my lady.” Autbek said with a bow to Sema, after which he deliberately ignored Fesmbol. The fact was not lost on others in the group.

  “Lord Fesmbol, the Earl’s son is present.” One of the dandies standing near Fesmbol said arrogantly to Autbek, obviously trying to shame him.

  “So is the Vis Mage-Councilor … shall we ask him for a demonstration?” Autbek quipped as he stared at Bek who as always was standing in Fesmbol’s shadow.

  Sema laughed suddenly at Autbek’s remark. “Oh I did hear something of the last demonstration. Wasn’t that you Fesmbol who went spinning about?” She said loudly as she twirled her finger and then came to stand by Autbek.

  “No my lady, unfortunately it was Lord Bek who got the free ride!” Fesmbol joked which got a good number of laughs from the dozen or so onlookers.

  “A pity!” Sema remarked with just a hint of sarcasm. “Won’t you give us another, Lord Councilor?” She asked as she took hold of Autbek’s arm.

  Liking very much her humor and apparent dislike of her half-brother, Autbek replied, “I’m afraid I don’t repeat demonstrations, my lady, so it might not involve spinning.”

  “Ohhh, now that sounds intriguing, something else then?” Sema asked. “Can you turn Lord Bek into a toad?”

  “Or a blue-bird?” Fesmbol added. His comment brought a bit of concern to Bek’s face who appeared not to be liking the sudden attention he was getting.

  The blue-bird comment was not lost on Autbek who found himself staring at Fesmbol and wondering how much the man really knew about him. “Sorry, my lady, both forms require a sizable brain to be successful.” This got nearly everyone laughing including Fesmbol who Autbek figured was very good at hiding his true emotions.

  “Ha-ha, Lord Councilor, but please something.” Sema begged in good humor.

  Autbek had spent a good part of the late evening and some of the morning preparing not for an encounter such as this but for a possibly deadly one. The spells he had stored in his mind could maim and even possibly kill an opponent, or were designed to delay them, so he found himself searching for one that could be safely cast here and now.

  “Very well my lady.” Autbek announced as he gently disentangled himself from her grasp. Taking several steps away from Sema he stared intently at Bek as he prepared to cast.

  Bek’s face turned white as he began to plead with Fesmbol. “Please my lord! He … he can’t be doing this.” Bek yelled ever louder as he shook his finger at Autbek.

  Sema at this point started to take pity on Bek. “Perhaps someone else, Lord Councilor, he looks most upset.”

  “Him or Fesmbol!” Autbek declared as he eyed Fesmbol for a second. The man stared at him for a brief moment before replying.

  “Lord Bek then!” Fesmbol announced without a second thought.

  Seeing that he was getting no pity from Fesmbol, Bek pleaded with Sema. “My Lady … please command him to stop!”

  Autbek paused for another moment with a determined look on his face. “One does not command an officer of the court, Lord Bek!” He stated loudly as the tickling and thrilling sensations of arcane-script began to flood his mind. “One suffers their wrath!”

  He had never cast the spell before but had researched it enough to know that it should cause no harm to the target. It wasn�
�t exactly clear how much it would alter a person as the amount was determined by how much arcane-energies the castor was able to channel into the spell. In his state of mind Autbek found it easy to set his goal on providing the maximum amount he was capable of.

  Bek didn’t scream as he began to shrink, but rather his eyes lost focus and his jaw dropped as his whole world began to change. People that once were as tall as him now appeared as giants with his head now falling short of their knees. He thought to catch himself as surly he must be falling he concluded and so dropped to his hands and knees.

  Sema covered her face with her hands in shock as Autbek grabbed her elbow and pulled her after him. “Will he be alright, my lord?” She asked with sympathy for Bek.

  “I do hope not, my lady!” Autbek replied as he carefully eyed the double doors that led into the court chamber, expecting at any moment for one or two of the Comusa to come rushing out. She should make an adequate shield, he told himself as he maneuvered her between him and the doors.

  Bek’s squeaky voice could now be made out between the squeals and awes of the crowd as the tiny man sot to distance himself from the ever growing crowd that was gathering around him. Reaching a wall Bek backed up against it and then appeared to be frantically searching for a safe direction to run.

  After several moments of watching Bek and the crowd Sema looked over her shoulder and asked, “Are you going to let go of me now?”

  “Depends on if those doors open or not, my lady.” He told her as he absently held on to her while running through the list of spells in his mind.

  It took her a few moments to realize what he was concerned about. “They Comusa will come because you used magic?”

  “Something like that.” He replied softly as she began to struggle just a little. “Now do please be still or I shall have to shrink you also, my lady, and I’m sure neither of us wants that.” She immediately stopped her struggles and tensed up as she seemed to be considering what he had just said.

  “You won’t will you?” She asked with concern and bit of fear as she allowed him to pull her tightly against him.