by NAK Baldron
"Speaking of which," Ren said.
Ren forced Goban to share. It only seemed right that he did the same.
"Goban has been helping me study because I can't read fast enough to keep up with the material."
Ren waited to see if they would laugh, but Adaku and Shaya both sat silent.
After an awkward silence, Shaya asked, "Do you need any more help? Or did he get you up to speed?"
"I think we've got it under control," Goban said, and pointed to the book laid out before Ren. "This is the last book, and then he should know everything we know."
"He has been a lifesaver." Ren patted Goban on the shoulder. "With how fast he can read, he's able to get through a book first and point to the sections I need to read and summarize the other parts."
"Can you use your magic at will now?" Adaku asked.
Ren closed his eyes and began to chant his own personal mantra under his breath. A technique designed to clear his mind of outside distractions and cue his mind to focus on magical intent.
"I am the snow that covers the plains."
"I am the snow that covers the plains."
"I am the snow—"
Three spirals: orange, yellow, and white, emanated from Ren's palms and spun around his body. He opened his eyes, looked at Adaku and smiled as the magic swirled.
They were impressed!
With a clap the lights vanished, and the room was suddenly dim. It took a minute for Ren's eyes to adjust back to the glow of the amethyst lanterns overhead.
"Took you long enough," Shaya teased.
Ren couldn't stop the smile which strained his cheek muscles. It may have taken him two months, but he finally felt like a real sorcerer.
Or at least an apprentice sorcerer.
* * *
Focus on the two of us and will your thoughts in our direction at the same time, Adaku transmitted. Don't focus on the distance, only that you wish us both to hear your thoughts.
She and Shaya had spent the past two hours doing their best to push through Goban's mental blocks. There was nothing stopping him from being able to team think, other than himself, and his false beliefs that he can't. Ren was two alcoves over at the large table, reading. He hadn't exaggerated about it taking him a long time to read.
I don't want to keep trying, Goban transmitted.
Well done, Shaya transmitted.
Goban collapsed into the chair closest to him, panting for breath as if he'd just run for his life. "I need water."
"Should we break for lunch?" Shaya asked.
Adaku didn't want to leave when they had just begun to make progress.
Look at him, Shaya transmitted. He's wiped. I don't think he can go any longer without a break.
Shaya was right. Goban looked awful, and she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she pushed him too far.
"Let's go to lunch," Adaku agreed.
The three of them walked through the labyrinth of books, backtracking to Ren. In the two hours, he'd only gotten halfway through his assigned reading.
"What?" Ren asked, half-distracted.
"Time for lunch," Goban said.
Ren slammed the book closed. "About time! I'm starving."
They were a team, and that meant helping one another, but Adaku couldn't help but think of her missing brother and what he'd said about them not being equal. Goban couldn't use his telepathy. Ren couldn't read. And Shaya, well, Adaku wasn't sure what her shortfall was. Yet. Regardless, there was no justification for her brother's actions and she refused to enable his behavior any longer.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Texas, Earth
Tuesday, November 8th
Kandice stopped by Mr. Goldsmith's office. He was out playing golf, but his secretary, Mrs. Nicolson, had Kandice sign the needed documents.
Kandice gave her the key to her storage unit, along with a piece of paper that had the address written on it. The closure was numbing. There was no reason to stay in Austin, but somehow, leaving didn't quite feel real.
When she came out of the office building, Lance was waiting for her.
"Are you all set?" he asked her.
"Yeah," she said. "He'll call me if anything comes up."
They both walked to their cars parked next to each other. Lance was driving a forest-green mustang, which sounded like a rocket when he revved the engine. As he pulled out, Kandice followed, and Slava pulled up behind her in a cherry red mustang. It was amusing to see him in a bright-red sports car. He always had struck her as a subtler man.
The three of them took the on-ramp to I-35, the largest north and south highway in the entire US. Kandice was still nervous going fast, but kept up with Lance as he cut across all five lanes of traffic to get into the far left one. She looked in her rear-view mirror, and there was Slava keeping pace half-a-car length behind her.
In no time, they were flying northbound as fast as they could without hitting another car. They swerved in unison around anyone who refused to get out of their way as they headed out of Austin. Headed to anywhere . . .
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Amethyst Nation, Fencura
Tomorrow morning was their test, and they were all anxious. Adaku could see it on their faces and felt it in her own gut, a tight cramp of knots. While they sat together in the dining hall, sharing in their suffering, Abaze continued to sit alone, eyeing them.
Why couldn't he apologize?
His pride would be his own downfall because it was too late for him to join their team. If Nadia asked, Adaku intended to tell her exactly how Abaze had been acting. The team had forgiven her, and for once she wasn't being judged for the actions of her brother, but for her own merits. Stepping out of his darkened shadow, allowed her to discover how kind people could be.
Dinner was stew, but even that proved to be too heavy. She and Goban chose the beef stew, while Shaya and Ren ate fish stew. The four of them lightly sipped at their broth, but their appetites weren't there.
What if they failed?
Nadia said they'd each be judged individually alongside their team score. Would some of them pass and some fail? None of them were the weak link anymore. Each had their own strength. Adaku spent the past two days training Goban's telepathy skills, until he could send his thoughts to the three of them at once, but only if they were silent. If the test required Goban to share information, they agreed to stop their own thoughts while he shared. The constant chatter still bothered him, but he'd proven more resilient than at first.
The stew had gone cold.
They weren't hungry.
Only anxious.
As they stood to leave Abaze transmitted, Stay a minute.
Hesitation froze her, and the others looked back. "I'm going to stay for a moment."
"Okay," Shaya said. "Be sure and get to bed early."
The team left her alone with her brother.
"What do you want?"
Adaku closed her mind off to him. She doubted they'd ever return to who they were before. Rather than place family first, he'd chosen to value his pride and turn his back on her. It hurt, but she knew she was better off without him. Even if their father would disapprove of her.
"The test is tomorrow."
"Obviously."
"I need your help." Abaze looked helpless for a moment, like the time their father caught him playing with a city girl.
"How?"
"Tomorrow," Abaze said. "When they call us for the team test. I need you to stand with me and be my team. Together—"
"No!" Adaku turned to leave.
"Adaku, please!"
"Have you learned nothing since coming here? It is a team test, that doesn't mean break up into teams, it means we all work together." Her brother had never begged her for anything before. Tears burned her cheeks as she left the dining hall.
"Adaku, please!"
His plea echoed off the stone floor as she ran up the staircase.
Shaya was standing in the hall as she reached the third floor—tears po
ured down her face. For a moment it looked as if Shaya would reach out, but then she closed her eyes. Adaku rushed past to her room. Grateful for the privacy Shaya had given.
Throwing herself onto her bunk, she cried into her pillow until sleep overtook her.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Amethyst Nation, Fencura
The day of the test arrived, and the team gathered in the great hall, with Ren leading the way. Goban stayed close at hand, while the girls hung back speaking to one another. Something they'd done all morning. Ren thought it had something to do with Abaze, who left for the courtyard ahead of them. The twins had appeared to argue before Abaze stormed off.
Arriving separate was for the best—they were two teams: Abaze on one, and the four of them on the other. Maybe Nadia would have them compete against each other, since Abaze refused to cooperate.
We've got this, Ren transmitted, more to reassure himself, but he noticed Goban looked a bit pale in the face.
Together he and Goban pulled the doors open to reveal the courtyard bathed in light—not a cloud in sight. The scene felt unreal, for the source-light was directly overhead causing there to be no shadows. The whole island looked like an oil painting.
Nadia stood waiting for them, along with four other sorcerers, but thankfully the courtyard was empty otherwise. No doubt they had directed the others to stay inside. Ren didn't know if it made him feel better or worse, having only five sorcerers in attendance.
He looked back as they walked across the field and realized the girls looked just as unreal as the buildings. Their skin vibrant like paint.
Focus! Ren chastised himself.
"With the rest of the team here, we shall begin," Nadia said.
The team looked at Adaku. It was her place to correct Nadia.
"Excuse me." Adaku stepped before Ren. "Abaze is not a part of our team."
"Ah." Nadia looked between the twins.
After some consideration Nadia said, "Wait a moment."
She conferred with the other sorcerers, not with words, but it was obvious with the way they flashed eye contact between one another. Ren had practiced enough with the team to know what a telepathic debate looked like.
"Very well," Nadia said. "Abaze you will be your own team. The rest of you step to the right."
Ren and the others separated themselves from where Abaze stood.
"Your test is to summon the wall of light." Nadia looked between the two teams. "Begin!"
Easy, Ren transmitted.
Don't become overconfident, Adaku warned.
I have the base, Goban transmitted.
And sure enough, his magical essence spread into a circle between them. There was no color or substance to his magic, but Ren could feel it like a low hum at his feet. Their plan to call it out step by step and keep the chatter to a minimal—letting Goban go first—was working out. His face showed no sign of discomfort—a major improvement.
I'll create the box, Shaya transmitted.
The hum at Ren's feet changed to a high pitch squeal, and the first signs of color began to form. A faint blue, like that of the sky, filled the space between them, and slowly formed into a solid rectangle about twice the size of a person.
You go, Adaku transmitted. I'll finish.
Ren didn't hesitate. They'd all agreed that if need be, Adaku would call the shots. She had the most experience.
He closed his eyes to block out the light, and silenced his mind except for, I am the snow that covers the plains. When he opened his eyes, two yellow balls of magic the size of his head, left his palm and entered the rectangular wall Shaya's magic outlined. Ren's own magic swirled inside like the heart of a snow storm, and the wall appeared nearly complete.
You've got this, Ren transmitted only to Adaku.
She clapped her hands together, and hundreds of leaves—the vibrant green of terminal text—floated across the circle and attached to the wall of light. The final product was a wall of nearly translucent light—like that of the source-light overhead.
If only he'd helped, Adaku transmitted.
The team looked to where he stood, with his wall which was outlined in green, but lacked substance.
"Well done," Nadia said.
She walked to the wall and passed her arm through it, and one by one the other sorcerers did the same. Their black robes each turning a slightly different color at the sleeves, where it touched their wall of light.
The team beamed with pride.
Another thirty minutes passed as Abaze struggled against all odds to make his wall become corporeal, like theirs had been. It forced Ren to admire his determination. Walk, cast, walk, cast, stand before the wall and stare with an intensity strong enough to crack stone—Abaze refused to relent.
He refused to accept defeat!
Death before dishonor, Ren transmitted to the team, knowing Shaya at least would agree.
I can't watch, Adaku transmitted.
Ren looked over to see her eyes were wet from tears.
We don't have to let this continue, Goban transmitted.
Taking charge, the youngest amongst them walked across the field of grass to stand across the wall from Abaze, and began to cast. At first Abaze looked confused, but when Goban spread his arms apart the wall between them formed into a slightly more substantial wall of light.
Is it okay that I help? Adaku transmitted.
Of course, he's family, Shaya transmitted.
Together the three of them followed Goban's example, and each contributed. The wall was perfect, just as the wall they'd encountered upon their arrival to the Amethyst Nation.
"Step inside," Nadia called out.
The five did as they were told, and the courtyard melted away in a swirl of color, as if the oil painting was wiped away. When Ren's vision returned, he found himself in a cozy office, a warm fire burned in a stone fireplace. The team was with him, and Abaze. Though perhaps he was officially part of the team now?
Where are we? Ren transmitted.
I think we're in the tower, Shaya transmitted.
Nadia appeared, passing through a sudden hole in the stone next to the fire, followed by the four sorcerers who'd observed their test.
"Congratulations!"
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Amethyst Nation, Fencura
After a brief congratulation the apprentices were escorted to a banquet hall on the third floor of the tower. That's where the other sorcerers had been- preparing for the celebrations.
What if we hadn't passed? Ren transmitted.
I guess we'd be eating a consolatory dinner, Shaya transmitted.
The room was a perfect circle—not a single straight wall in sight—large enough to seat five hundred or more sorcerers. This evening, enough tables were placed to serve two hundred max. The tables had been arranged in three circles, leaving a large opening in the center where a platform had been erected and a three-piece orchestra played without musicians. The instruments were displayed in stands, and beautiful harmonies sung forth.
I'll never get tired of magic, Goban transmitted.
Ren had to agree. How? How was it possible that music could play itself?
Nadia led them to a table that was slightly offset from the rest. Six place settings were arranged in a half-circle around the table, so their backs would be to the tables behind them, and they could watch the festivities on the open floor.
"Dancing will be optional," Nadia said in response to the look of discomfort on Abaze's face.
Shaya's face glowed, and Ren promised himself he'd ask for a dance—though he hadn't a clue how.
"The others will arrive soon," Nadia said. "You can wait in your seats or wander around, but please do not leave this room."
She left before they could respond—always quick to be about her tasks. Ren wondered if she ever stayed put in one place for long. He imagined her walking the grounds at night unable to sleep.
The apprentices quickly took their seats with Ren and Abaze taking the far ends
. Shaya switched places with Goban so he could sit next to Ren. Offering Adaku someone to speak with. They may have just worked together to summon a wall of light, but the twins weren't reconciled. Adaku kept her back turned to Abaze, though she sat next to him.
Over the course of the next hour, sorcerers made their way into the banquet hall and took their places at the tables. There appeared to be a pre-arranged seating order, for some groups of sorcerers who'd arrived together didn't sit together.
The music stopped.
The sorcerers all stood, and the apprentices followed their lead.
What's this? Ren transmitted.
A man dressed in vibrant purple robes, with a beard as long as his torso, walked into the room flanked on either side by two sorcerers. On the old man's right, the sorcerers wore red and blue. On his left, they wore green and white.
Nadia slipped into the open chair beside Abaze. "The Archamethyst."
Ren had heard of him before, but he didn't expect the man to be so old. He was a bit surprised the old man could walk, and then remembered magic, and realized it must be the answer.
The five stopped before the center platform, directly in front of their table.
"Welcome." The Archamethyst's voice amplified throughout the room, as if he were speaking right next to Ren. "We're gathered to celebrate a wonderful occurrence; a new batch of apprentices have proven themselves ready for mentorship. It is a tradition that tonight each apprentice be chosen by their first mentor."
As if sensing Ren's anxiety, the Archamethyst looked right at them. "Don't worry about finding your mentor. They'll find you, and besides, most pupils go through multiple mentors before being deemed ready to join our ranks."
A woman in red tugged on the Archamethyst's sleeve.
"Enough babblings of an old man. Let the banquet commence!"
A loud roar of applause filled the room, amplified by the stone walls. The Archamethyst and the four who accompanied him, sat at a private table, and menus appeared before them.
The menu was four pages long, with six meat courses to choose from, and a whole page of drinks. Any other day, and he would have been thrilled to try new fare, but after the stress of their test, he didn't care about food. He skimmed quickly and ordered fried pork, roasted root veggies, a piece of dark bread, and blackberry wine.
