Mage- The Guardian's Oath

by S A Edwards

  Violent shivers tore through me. “How do you stand the cold?”

  He glanced back but didn’t answer.

  Fatigue pulled at my feet as they trudged in the snow. It looked so soft. Maybe I could lie down, just for a few minutes. Charlie pressed in close.

  A woman glided down the slope. The falling snow parted before her like a curtain. A white cloak draped from her shoulders. Her eyes, the lightest blue, shimmered like the ice around her and matched the shade of the crystal hanging round her neck.

  Luca paused and gave a little bow.

  She stopped in front of us with a frown. “Where is Kyra?”

  “You’re Glacies,” I said. Her stern expression gave me no comfort, and I wasn’t sure I would like her much.

  “Kyra,” she said again. “Why isn’t she with you?”

  “She was taken.”

  She blinked, seriousness etched into her features. “Taken?”

  “By the Corrupted. They attacked the village. Please, we’re half frozen.”

  Her eyes narrowed, and the temperature rose. Warmth rushed over me, eliminating the pain in my limbs.

  “Glacies,” Luca said. “Can I ask –”

  “No, Luca. All will become clear soon enough.” Her gaze returned to me. “Come. We must get you both inside.” She turned on her heel and stepped into the clouds.

  My feet stung in the uphill battle, and the desire to curl up and sleep punched at my mind.

  The mist engulfed us, limited my vision and obscured the stars.

  31

  Charlie’s hand tightened on mine, and we trudged after Glacies’ silhouette, exhausted.

  Time passed slowly, and then the cloud cleared.

  A huge palace stood below the stars. Glittering ice and brilliant crystal formed the walls and towering turrets. Star stones studded the sides, adding to the extraordinary beauty. I exchanged a stunned look with Charlie, the starlight glimmering in his wide eyes.

  Glacies crossed a drawbridge lined with more star stones and slipped through a high, doorway.

  I glanced at the frozen river winding beneath and staggered after her.

  It was very warm inside. Heat penetrated my clothes, and my fingers prickled. Torches burned brightly, yet the walls remained unaffected by the heat. My cheeks and nose burned, adding to my discomfort, and the thick cloak weighed heavy on my shoulders.

  She turned through an arched, dazzling door. The room contained three sofas set out in front of a blazing log fire, but no one was present to enjoy the heat. A small table filled the space between them, and a curtain cordoned off one side.

  Glacies’ light eyes locked on me. White flecks sparkled within them, matching the shade of her crystal. “You should never have attempted to scale the mountain alone. Surely you knew you could not have made it here without a Preserver?” Her gaze flickered to Charlie. “Did Custos not tell you this?”

  “If we waited, the Seekers would catch us,” I said.

  Her expression hardened. “Had Sil not informed me you were coming, you would never have made it up the mountain. I trust you will not be so foolish in your journey to the remaining Capitals. Now, rest here tonight. I will ensure food and fresh clothing are brought to you.”

  *

  A pile of clothes had been placed on the table by the time I woke. A tray of steaming food sat beside it, and sunlight streamed in through the window. Someone had draped my cloak over the arm of the sofa, despite me having dropped it to the floor.

  Charlie was already awake, kneeling beside the table. He appeared taller, and muscles rippled when he moved. “This is yours.” He pushed a plate toward me and took another bite of his bread.

  I sank down beside him, body aching, and surveyed the food. Fresh fruit, bread, and a bowl of creamy, thick, white stuff filled the plate. I scooped up the mixture and sampled it. Sweet and creamy, it warmed me right through. “This is lovely.”

  Charlie grinned. “I know.”

  I reached for the water, removed the impurities like Sil had taught me, and then downed it in one. It banished the last of my sleepiness and replenished my strength. “How long have you been up?”

  “I woke just before you.”

  I reached for the clothes and shifted behind the curtain. A water bowl stood on a shelf, so I washed and changed. The light blue, almost-white tunic and trousers fit perfectly, although they didn’t seem very thick considering the temperature outside. White boots rose to my knees, glittering like the snow.

  My reflection peered back at me from a long mirror against the wall. A cut lined my cheek. Blood clung to my flesh and the back of my hand. I drew water from the bowl and separated the particles, cleansing the liquid.

  My body tingled, power surging through me.

  The water touched my face, caressing my cheek. Stray drops slid down my skin, but the wound didn’t heal.

  After a short time, I let it drop, and it splattered to the floor. “Great.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  I returned to Charlie and slumped on the sofa. “I think I found the weakness of a Healer. I can heal everyone, just not myself.”

  He frowned.

  “How did you lift the ice?” I asked. He shouldn’t have been able to move it. The slab was as big as a table.

  “What ice?”

  “The ice in the tunnel. That huge block pinning me down.”

  He shrugged. “It wasn’t that heavy.”

  “Charlie, even I couldn’t lift it.”

  “You could barely stand. You were freezing under there.”

  “And what about those muscles? I’m sure you didn’t have them yesterday morning.”

  The door opened, and Glacies entered, two cloaks draped across her arm. “I hope you slept well?”

  “Yes, thank you.” In truth, I don’t think I even dreamed.

  She smiled. The gesture lit up her face and made her much less menacing than the previous night. “Charlie, the choice of activities today is your own. Clara and I will begin training immediately.”

  “I want to watch.” He jumped to his feet, eyes gleaming.

  “I thought you might.” She threw one of the cloaks to him and gave the second to me. “You did very well surviving as much of the mountain as you did.”

  “My flames helped.”

  “Your flames caused the avalanche in the tunnel. You can’t use them anymore. Not here. I trust you realise now, that the Capitals are very well protected. Only those of the gift are permitted to enter.”

  I glanced at Charlie.

  “Charlie is an exception,” she added.

  “Why?”

  “He is important to you. But another stunt like last night and you might be killed.” She gestured to the door. “Come.”

  My teeth gritted. “If we hadn’t pulled that stunt, we might have been killed already.”

  Her expression softened. “Clara, you will always be in danger, but you must be wise about your actions.”

  “What else could we have done?”

  “You could have contacted Orator. If he was free he would have got the message to me, and someone else would have been sent to bring you up.”

  “I don’t know how to contact him.”

  Her brow furrowed. “He didn’t tell you?”

  “No. Sil didn’t tell me I couldn’t heal myself either. And Vitora neglected to mention I couldn’t melt ice.”

  “You can melt ice. Just not with the Refiner’s fire.”

  “Exactly. I don’t remember most of my lives. You can hardly rebuke me for that.”

  “I see you still have a lot to learn. Come.”

  The freezing temperature was just as fierce outside as the night before. I pulled the new cloak round me, longing to return indoors, but then warmth spread through me.

  I peered at Glacies. “You must teach me how to do that.”

  “In good time. Let us first get down to the training rink.”

  The rink was huge. Oval and covered in ice, it spanned half the length o
f the palace, with a few small benches to one side. My feet slipped on the sleek surface, threatening a fall.

  A young girl stood in the centre. Long blonde hair draped below her shoulders, and I gasped.

  “Lallana?” Charlie whispered.

  She turned, and sadness punched at my heart. Charlie’s bottom lip trembled.

  Snow flurried around her. It curled and twisted, piling up until it mimicked the shape of a fat person.

  She looked up at our approach, and with a flick of her wrist, the snow scattered. She strolled over.

  I marvelled at how well she moved on the ice, with the confidence I’d have walking through the village square.

  “Hi.” She smiled at Charlie. “I’m Lena.”

  “Charlie.”

  She nodded to me. “How do you do?”

  “You were using magic.” Surprise layered my words.

  Glacies smiled, and Lena laughed.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, “it’s just … you’re not eighteen.” I studied her face, but there was no trace of hidden age in her.

  “I’m eleven.” She winked at Charlie, and his dimples flashed. Lena led Charlie to some seats by the wall, and they soon started up a conversation.

  “A few people have their gifts activate before the usual age,” Glacies explained. “Lena is one of them.”

  “But why?”

  “It is never clear. Some are picked and others aren’t. All most know is, those that are, are destined to become Elders. We bring them straight to the Capital, and their training begins immediately.”

  I surveyed Lena. So similar to Lallana in appearance, it was strange to think of so young a child as an Elder. “How often does this happen?”

  “Not often at all. In fact, it’s very rare. That’s why the Elders live so long. The higher their station, the longer their life. Or we would run out of Elders before the next are born.”

  And they would be strong. Like the Council. Could I ever learn enough to defeat them and protect the Alignment?

  “Now,” – she clasped her hands together – “let us begin.”

  32

  Glacies stood, serene, in the centre of the Preserver training rink. “Every gift is controlled by –”

  “An emotion. I know,” I said. “I’ve heard this before.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “And what is the emotion of a Preserver?”

  “I … don’t know.”

  “Then please allow me to teach you.”

  My cheeks flushed. “Sorry.”

  Glacies frowned and stretched her hands across the rink. The falling snow merged, solidifying into several targets scattered across the space. She gestured to one of the targets. “Since you won’t remember, your first recap is target practice. You must remain peaceful to use this gift. Any other emotion will make it impossible to control.”

  I held out my hands, very aware of the eyes on my back. “Now what?”

  “Now you calm down. Your self-consciousness is a perfect example of other emotions supressing the gift.”

  My lips tightened at her sharp tone. “So, you read minds now?”

  “I feel what you do, and there is so much within you: anxiety, fear, anger. I wonder at you ever using the gift in this state.”

  “Well it’s hardly any surprise with Seekers hunting at every turn and everything going wrong.” Like Lallana. A lump rose in my throat.

  “Sadness.”

  “Stop it.” I wouldn’t let her get to me. This gift was mine to master, just like the other ones. I would defeat the Council. They would pay for what they did.

  “Determination.”

  I clenched my fists and fought to clear my mind. There was no anger, no fear, no sorrow. Just here. Now. My breathing slowed.

  “Better,” she said.

  A stab of annoyance slipped through my careful control at her words. I forced it back.

  “Picture the ice,” she said. “Imagine it flowing through you. You are one with the frost. It obeys you.”

  Cool, white ice burst from my palms and shattered on the floor. I staggered, shocked at the force.

  “Good. Now hit the rings.”

  I focused on the closest target, fingers extended, and called upon the ice again. It leapt from my fingertips and zoomed across the rink, missing the goal by a long shot. I frowned.

  “Again,” she ordered.

  My concentration returned. This time the blast landed several paces to one side of the target. I gritted my teeth.

  “Stay calm. Again.”

  The ice slammed into the ground, several meters short of my intended goal. A shard slipped toward my feet, and I kicked it away. The fragment spun along the surface and ricocheted off the bottom of the target.

  “You’re angry,” Glacies said.

  “You think?”

  “This has never come easily to you. It takes time, patience, and calm.”

  “Like it makes a difference. It’s not working!”

  “You’ve only been trying a few minutes.”

  “I’ve lived six lives. I know I’m more powerful than this.”

  “Clara?” Charlie stepped between us, and my anger dissipated into embarrassment. I had never acted like this before. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Sorry. It’s … I don’t feel –”

  “Like yourself?” Glacies asked.

  “What? No, it’s just …” – I turned to Charlie – “it’s harder than it looks, that’s all. Maybe I need a break.”

  “No.” Glacies touched my shoulder. “You can do this. Try again.”

  “I can help,” Charlie said. “Let me be the target.”

  My gaze snapped to him. “Absolutely not.”

  “Come on. You might feel better with a person to focus on instead.”

  “No.” I looked to Glacies for support.

  “Great thinking.” She smiled, and her features lit up, eliminating many of her wrinkles.

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “I am completely serious. Go ahead, Charlie.”

  He ran out.

  She waved her hand, and the targets vanished in a frozen flurry. “Your goal is to freeze his legs.”

  He skidded to a stop with a grin.

  “Are you crazy? Why would you listen to him? He’s fifteen-years-old. A child. Immature and too young to even be out here. I’ll hurt him.”

  “You will not.”

  She reminded me of Vitora. She had been so sure I wouldn’t burn her when I first arrived at the Refiner Capital.

  “Come on, then,” he called.

  “I won’t do it.”

  “I am watching. You will not harm him,” Glacies said.

  I bit my lip. Definitely like Vitora, and now I thought about it, some of Glacies’ features resembled the Refiner: her firm jaw, the slope of her nose. And she wasn’t backing down.

  I sighed. I’d aim near him. The force of the blast would shock him, and then maybe he’d realise just how silly this was.

  My focus shifted to the ground near his feet, and ice poured from my fingers.

  Charlie leapt away, eyes wide, and fell, though the blast didn’t get anywhere near him. He giggled and clambered to his feet again.

  A smile slipped onto my face. I shook my head, fighting it off.

  My second attempt still didn’t reach him, but he jumped away regardless and burst out laughing.

  This time I couldn’t hold back the smile and sent ice streaming toward him again.

  He leapt aside, missing the attack by inches.

  I sent bursts toward him, one after the other, an almost continuous stream.

  He hopped from one side and ran to the other, avoiding them each time, giggling wildly.

  No longer fighting the impulse to laugh, I pulled all my concentration together and called on the frost.

  He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the beam, pushed to his feet, and half-ran, half-skidded across the rink.

  I shot again. It slammed into his legs, bringing his spe
edy flight to an abrupt halt.

  “Woah! That’s cold.” He tugged against the solid block, achieving nothing, and then grinned. “Cool.”

  Lena stepped up beside him.

  Glacies touched my shoulder. “Congratulations. Now, release him.”

  My eyes clamped on the jagged slab, and it dissolved into snow, floating away in a light breeze.

  Grey clouds pressed down, close above, and wind howled across the ice and whipped my hair. The light dulled, and the air became thick.

  Lena took Charlie’s arm. “Come on. I’ll show you around.” She led him away toward the palace, and something stabbed within me.

  Who was she to take him away? He was my Charlie.

  I shook myself. Where did that come from?

  “What are you thinking?” Glacies asked.

  “Nothing. I’m fine.”

  She didn’t look convinced.

  My cloak fluttered in the increasing wind, and snow billowed around us.

  “What’s the point of a Preserver?” I asked. “What do you do?”

  “Many things. We freeze food from the villages to transfer to the City. It will last indefinitely, since only a Preserver can remove the ice. We preserve wounds to prevent further bleeding or possible infections until the Healers arrive. Now, your next challenge is to regulate your temperature. Control this.”

  Harsh cold wrapped round me, sending shivers down my spine. I tugged on my cloak, fighting for warmth. “How do I do it?”

  “Concentrate. You wield the frost the same as the temperature.”

  “Why can’t I just use the heat of a Refiner?”

  “Did you not notice how the cold fought your flames? How they cut through your heat regardless of your efforts?”

  I nodded.

  “A Refiner controls the heat around them,” she said, “but a Preserver controls the temperature within. The cold cut through because you weren’t touching your inner temperature. Refiners can’t do that. You were trying to control the wrong element.”

  The cold had my teeth chattering, so I imagined the temperature rising, heat taking place of the cold within me. Warmth caressed my skin, blocking out the chill of the increasing wind, and I relaxed into it.

  Glacies nodded. “Looks like a storm is blowing in. We should head back.”