Apprentice

by Nicholas Hale

  "I leave that to your discretion," said Dahl. "But remember this. Toskk cannot be allowed to escape under any circumstances."

  Chapter 62

  "I'm going to kill him," said Rhaen.

  "Calm down, dear sister," said Shevryn, removing her boots as she made herself comfortable in the room.

  "After all, Vail said he was sorry," added Alexandra, who had already settled into the room on one of the couches.

  Rhaen would have to tell them to leave the room soon. This was Master Gawain's room, and although he was awake, he needed more rest. A lot more. He had exerted himself far too much.

  "Sorry?" asked Rhaen in a mocking tone. "I'll make him sorry! It was a mistake sending that Summoner in the first place!"

  "Lower your voice, Rhaen," said Nader, the last person in the room. "It was an accident. I know you don't think that Vail intentionally let him escape."

  Rhaen had begun pacing back and forth across the floor. She really wasn't in the mood to see reason. Sometimes she found it better to have a target for her temper. It was far easier that way to deal with disasters like this one.

  "This really is fascinating," she heard Gawain say as he leaned over his bed to inspect a small white creature that he kept afloat with his magic.

  "I thought I told you to get rid of that thing. The last thing you need is to catch some disease from that corpse," she said angrily, raising her own hand to cast a spell.

  She could feel Gawain's own magic holding the corpse up, but it was weak. She found it effortless to overpower it and dump the dead creature on the ground.

  "I've never seen anything like this, even in Holt," said Alexandra.

  Both she and Shevryn were leaning over to take a closer look.

  "It's some wretched creature from the mines. Hardly worth our trouble. And why are we changing the subject? We're supposed to be finding Lorian," said Rhaen as she magically pulled the sack over the creature, obscuring it from view.

  "I have already spoken to several of the Aegean guards, and it seems, for now, that Lorian has fled town on a ship," replied Nader.

  "Do we know which one?" asked Rhaen.

  "It belongs to an Aegean smuggler named Seymon."

  "Is it heading for the isles?" asked Rhaen hurriedly. "If it's a smuggler's ship, most likely it should be docking in Archon. We should immediately—"

  "I don't think there's a need for that," said Gawain.

  All four mages stared at him.

  "Did I hear you correctly? No need? Because I can think of several."

  "Could you please leave us for a moment?" asked Gawain, addressing the remaining three mages. "I wish to speak to Rhaen in private."

  Nader left immediately. As did Alexandra, but Shevryn looked a little disappointed. The other two had the chance to speak to Gawain, but Shevryn had just arrived, which was probably why. Nevertheless, she would have plenty of time later to spend with Gawain, thought Rhaen.

  Gawain spoke when the room was empty.

  "Why do you want Lorian back so much?"

  Rhaen was astounded.

  "Me? He's your apprentice. And one you've been looking for, for many years now. And did you forget he has the essence of an arch-demon inside him? Did you forget what he did to Amadeus's castle? Do you really want that happening on the mortal plane? If anything, I'd like to know why you're more interested in this dead creature than you are in finding him."

  "This corpse was sent to Lorian by an acquaintance of his—the overseer of the iron mines. The letter accompanying it said that there are droves of such creatures in the lower levels of the mines. Creatures intelligent enough to coordinate attacks and take down groups of miners."

  "I can name a dozen species of creatures off the top of my head that can do something like that. I still don't—"

  "Observe," said Gawain, cutting her off.

  The thinnest stream of fire emanated from his hand and landed on the creature. The fire washed over the creature, but its flesh wasn't affected in the slightest.

  "So it has a natural resistance to fire. Again, I can name—"

  Gawain changed the spell to an ice spell and then finally a small Lumenar lance.

  Rhaen bit her lip as she thought. There were several creatures that had high natural resistances to different kinds of spells, but very few on the mortal plane that could resist the Lumen.

  "It's not a natural resistance. Take a closer look. It's spell breaking."

  Rhaen saw that was indeed true. Spell-breaker enchantments were favored for weapons across the known lands to counter the magic of a mage.

  "This is interesting. And I'm sure it warrants further discussion. But I don't understand why you're showing such a lack of interest in pursuing Lorian."

  "He can't cast Lumenar spells anymore. The godling we saw inside Amadeus's plane was the last fragment of the Lumen he was able to call. His own essence, while tied to that of Mog'rath will not allow him to connect with the Lumenar plane. He can't progress any further at Norvind. A fact he has probably realized by now, which is why he left."

  "So, you're just going to let him go?" asked Rhaen, shocked.

  "I don't have much of an option now, do I? If anything, recent events have shown us that he is well capable of taking care of himself."

  "He is a child!"

  "With the essence of an arch-demon inside him. And an accomplished mage besides that. He is potent enough in combat to defend himself against most common dangers."

  "What about Mog'rath? The transformation that we saw?"

  "The transformation we saw was fueled by the purest Lumenar essence. Something that will not happen again. I've heard you relate the incidents inside the plane to Vail. I know of his wings. His essence will grant him a few more abilities like that, but that is nothing we need to be concerned about. For him to truly unlock the demonic essence inside him, and for Mog'rath to truly live again I would say it would take hundreds of years. Besides, he is still Lorian. I learnt long ago that you do not judge too quickly. Until he does something warranting such treatment, I will not condemn him."

  "It's not him I'm worried about. It's Mog'rath. We don't want another arch-demon rampaging across the lands."

  "And that will not happen. You can send word to our contacts in Aegis to keep an eye out for him. But tell them to not do anything drastic. If I understand his current state properly, he is of no threat to anyone."

  "What about your successor? Wasn't that the main reason you brought him here from the Shadow Spire? You'll get a new apprentice then?"

  "She is standing right before me."

  "Master Gawain, I've already told you…"

  "And I refuse to listen to your excuses anymore!" said Gawain. "I entered the simulacrum with the intention of retrieving my successor and I have. When I saw you battling the dragon, I knew without doubt that you were perhaps the most accomplished Lumenar mage in this castle. I remembered why I took you on as an apprentice in the first place."

  "I'm flattered by your praise, but you saw for yourself that my shields could barely hold against Amadeus."

  "Amadeus? You cannot, by any stretch of imagination, use him as a yardstick to measure your abilities. Even I had difficulty holding my own against him. If Mog'rath hadn't interfered in that duel, I could go as far as saying I would have been beaten."

  Rhaen found that hard to believe. Then again, maybe not, she thought as she recollected the massive cloud of black and gold dust that formed from their battle.

  "The only thing you lack," said Gawain, "is confidence in yourself. You've been left to your own studies for a while now. I would like to start teaching you once again."

  Gawain had asked Rhaen several times to consider being groomed for the role of keeper of Norvind. She had always thought earlier that Gawain was only doing so for the lack of a better successor. But there was something in his eyes today as he sat on the bed that told her he genuinely respected her strength. She nodded.

  Gawain's face lit up as soon as he saw Rhaen'
s approval.

  "Now then," continued Gawain, "I see you've recalled just about every mage we have, back to the castle. Along with hordes of our allies."

  "They're not going anywhere until you're fully recovered. I won't hear another word."

  "It was the right decision to make," said Gawain.

  That had really surprised Rhaen. She had voiced her own concerns about the lax security at Norvind several times to Gawain, only to be brushed aside as unnecessary.

  But Rhaen always knew the real reason why Gawain didn't need too many mages here. His presence alone was sufficient to dissuade anyone wishing to attack the castle. The memory of Valymar's fools was still fresh in the minds of most mages. Hearing Gawain say that recalling the mages was a good thing sent a tiny shiver of fear through her body. Just how wounded was Master Gawain?

  "It's all right. You don't need to look at me like that," said Gawain, noticing the fear on Rhaen's face. "I'm fine and I should be out of this bed in a week or so. Has anyone tried to probe the protective runes?"

  It was only a precaution, but she had been right in assuming that word of Gawain's wounds would get out of the castle.

  "Some. I sensed some probing from the Shadow Spire, but most of it was from the Aegean Isles."

  "Ah, yes. The Council of Three, I would presume?"

  "We couldn't say for sure. I could have Nader look into it."

  "There's no need for that. I'm sure it's the council. Emperor Thyurin is too clever to let an opportunity like this pass."

  Rhaen nodded. Emperor Thyurin met with Gawain to ensure his neutrality only because it was a practical decision. What use was there in expending a great deal of resources fighting one of the most powerful mage schools in the known lands? Especially when he had a continent to conquer. But an opening like this would let Thyurin get rid of the mages of Norvind once and for all.

  Merely two days after they had exited the simulacrum, Rhaen received word of magical intrusion into Norvind. Several of them were merely testing Norvind's magical defenses, but there were also a few attempts to open portals. Fortunately, Rhaen had strengthened the magical defenses before that. And most of the mages, hearing of Gawain's wounds, rushed to the castle immediately. There were a few adventurers and mercenaries in the nearby cities who also answered the call with haste.

  "We should be protected for now," said Rhaen.

  "I should still like to know if the council is planning anything."

  It could be done. The councilmembers were prominent figures, and each member headed their own organization, and, in the case of some members like Fabian Matel, their own island kingdoms that they ruled with impunity. The organizations were large enough for spies to infiltrate. Rhaen knew that information regarding their movements could be purchased with the right amount of coin.

  "What do I do with this?" asked Rhaen, looking at the white corpse at her feet.

  "Ask Shevryn or Alexandra to take a look at it. I believe they'll barely be able to contain their excitement once they see the anomalies."

  Rhaen had to smile. The three of them had entered the school together at roughly the same time. They had been inseparable friends once, and many had taken to calling the three of them sisters.

  They were almost as accomplished in the Lumen as she was. Almost. Perhaps if they applied themselves more to the Lumen they could become stronger, but Rhaen knew the two of them were not as interested in the Lumen as they were in research. It was in part due to their decision to study in the jungles of Holt that Rhaen felt she would be stifling herself if she committed herself to studying the Lumen exclusively. But looking at Gawain's battle with Amadeus had rekindled her interest in Lumenar magic.

  "What of Vail?" asked Gawain.

  "What of him?" asked Rhaen, her eyes narrowing.

  "I heard you kicked him out of the castle?"

  "Sent him on an errand, more like."

  "To fetch Lorian? I wouldn't call that an errand."

  "He was one who scared him away. And honestly...letting a child get the best of him like that? It's only right that he bring the boy back."

  "There's no need to be harsh now. I'm sure he's still in the town, so have him brought back in."

  "You're too lenient with him."

  "And you're too judgmental of his past. Would I have taken him in if I hadn't thought he was completely reformed?"

  "He wasn't some two-bit thief. He was a Summoner!"

  "He was born into it. You have no idea what life is like around that island. You have only two options there: you're either a Summoner or you're nothing. Less than nothing—fodder for their spells. Entering Lasrim is the only way they can survive."

  Rhaen had heard sordid tales of even children with meager magical abilities being taken away to forcefully learn at Lasrim. Gawain was probably right in saying that Vail had been born into it.

  It made her feel sorry for him, but she still wasn't too sure she could trust him. Demonic magic had a way of warping the human mind. Once you spoke with demons and let them feed on your essence...once you summoned, you could never be the same. It was fundamentally wrong.

  "I'll have him brought back."

  "Good. There are some things I wish to discuss with him."

  "I'll take my leave, then."

  "Oh, and do have Shevryn come inside after you leave. I haven't had a chance to speak with her yet."

  Rhaen had half expected it. Of the three of them, Alexandra and Rhaen saw Gawain more as a teacher, whereas Shevryn saw him as a father figure. She knew that their conversations revolved around topics more personal than magical.

  "I'll have her sent in."

  Chapter 63

  There was something wrong with Daedalus. Very wrong.

  It was his eyes. They fluttered from side to side when he spoke.

  Riven hadn't noticed it at first when he met him under the cover of night, but later, in the dim green glow of sewer lamps, he could clearly see them. Sitting on a crate, watching his brother talk to the mage, Riven noticed the tiniest flash of light. It appeared so suddenly and was gone in an instant.

  He sat through the rest of the meeting motionless, his eyes fixed on the mage to see if it would happen again. And it did.

  Riven knew next to nothing about magic, but this was something unnatural—there was no reason why his eyes should be doing what they were doing. What was more, the mage was completely silent while Riven was taking him back through the sewers. The silence was normal for Riven, but Daed usually tried to make small talk.

  Riven had voiced his concerns to Toskk, but as usual stupid Toskk was ignoring his warnings. It might serve Toskk right to get into a little trouble, the voice said. Maybe then he'll learn to listen to our warnings.

  Shut up, replied Riven to the voice. At least he hadn't been stupid enough to take the egg with him.

  There was still a lot happening that confused him.

  He had gone to Ceívar's establishment to spy on Gale and Ceívar. And maybe even see the woman mage. But when he had arrived, he found that the entire brothel had been demolished to the ground. There was talk around the ruins about how it was a Summoner that had attacked the place.

  Apparently there were no survivors. That was too bad. Ceívar was funny.

  He learnt later that there were many such attacks on establishments owned by the Ravens. Riven wanted Toskk to hold off dealing with the egg until he found out more about the situation. Something told Riven that he was missing the larger picture of what was happening.

  But Toskk decided that the confusion and chaos of the war was the perfect opportunity to trade the egg and make a getaway.

  Riven couldn't argue with that. Toskk had a point, and for some reason his stupid brother didn't think that Riven was capable of understanding events on such a large scale.

  Riven cursed as he almost lost sight of his brother.

  It helped that he already knew their destination. The Colburn family warehouse.

  Riven had been dead set against Toskk
going there, but apparently time was running out, and Toskk needed to get the deal done. They were supposed to meet this mage from Ryga. Coran? Or at least something that sounded like that.

  Even through the black bag, the egg generated enough warmth to shield him from the cold of the night. He could have sworn that the egg had gotten bigger since Toskk obtained it.

  Maybe it would hatch.

  Riven hated animals such as dogs and cats. Rats most of all.

  But a dragon would be nice. It could fly and breathe fire. And he could ride it when it got big enough.

  Riven shook his head, dismissing such thoughts. There was no point getting attached to the egg now. Besides, from what Daedalus had told him, the dragon's parents would be looking for it even now. Apparently they never, ever abandoned their eggs.

  Stupid humans could learn a thing or two from them, thought Riven angrily. He had never known or needed his parents, but the thought that his parents had abandoned Toskk galled him.

  Riven felt a sharp pain in his head. Focus! screamed the voice.

  Riven looked up and saw that he had completely lost sight of his brother. He cursed once more, running faster. All he had to do was keep on the route of the warehouse and he would eventually catch sight of him.

  Anyway, the plan had been that Toskk would first meet with Coran and Riven would watch from the rafters. Only when Toskk gave the signal would Riven take the egg to them.

  A fine plan, but Riven would still have preferred that meeting take place in the sewers. Not that he didn't know the rest of Archon, but the sewers were where he felt the safest. He knew every nook and corner, every tunnel, where they led and what they were under.

  In fact, if he had used the sewers, he would have been at the warehouse by now. Stupid Toskk, however, wanted Riven to follow him through the streets. There were too many obstacles here on the surface.

  He took the last turn around the street and the Colburn warehouse burst into the view. Of all the warehouses in the docks district, it was among the smaller ones.

  Riven knew a bit about its history.