“You can’t do that! I didn’t teach you the spell. How could you possibly know how to absorb the knowledge?”
“I don’t like being forced against my will,” she said. With a flick of her wrist, Toborne was sailing backward through the air. He smashed into the bookshelf, causing all the books to tumble down on top of him.
“Dragon magic!” Toborne exclaimed. “You can learn the magic of dragons!” He jumped up from his prone position. “By the gods, you’re the one I have been searching for.”
Sheyna calmed herself. “What are you saying?”
Toborne abruptly went stoic. “I am saying you are special. I have made the correct choice for an apprentice.” He went to her. “Forgive me, I will not use such methods on you again unless you consent. Forgive me, my apprentice.”
“You said you have been searching for me. What did you mean by that? Are you the one sending people to seek me out, to hunt for me?”
“No, nothing so dramatic. I simply meant as an apprentice. I have been searching for someone like you to apprentice.”
Sheyna was sure he was lying to her. “I don’t want to be your apprentice anymore. Something about you is cruel and frightening.”
“Sheyna, no. Don’t give up. I know my methods seem extreme, but look what you have done in the space of a few moments.”
She thought about it for a few moments, studying his face. “I’m sorry. I have made up my mind.”
“Take the night and think it over. You made an oath to me that can’t be easily broken when you accepted my offer in Enowene’s chamber. Sleep on it tonight, and if you still feel the same tomorrow, I will let you out of your oath.”
Suddenly she felt guilty. “Aye, I will think on it.”
He nodded. “Good, think on it.”
“May I go now?”
“Aye, you are dismissed.”
A few crucial training days later, Sheyna walked into the common room where Marella was busy pouring over some books Dicarion had given her. Marella would be a good study partner, Sheyna thought. Mistress Enowene was wise to put the two together after all. Night had begun to fall so Sheyna went about the room, lighting the various reading lights and lamps they needed. After she had finished, she took one of the books she had found the day before in the tower library and began to quietly read at the table across from Marella. After a few moments, she became bored.
“Marella,” she began, “do you trust Toborne?” She paused when Marella did not answer right away. “I mean, does he seem trustworthy?”
Marella closed her book. “Why are you asking me this? What did Toborne do?”
Marella frequently asked another question as an answer for a question, which irritated Sheyna tremendously. “I feel like he is teaching me to use me for something bad.”
“That is a bit paranoid, don’t you think? I mean, you have nearly caught up to me in your studies. He seems to be doing a pretty decent job with you.”
“We didn’t start off in a mutual trust sort of way. I am beginning to regret my decision to continue on as his apprentice.”
“What are you not telling me?”
“You are not making this easy, Marella. Very well, I’ll tell you. Remember the first day we were apprenticed?”
“Aye, you had that headache for two days.”
“There is a reason I had that headache. Toborne has a spell that forces you to learn even if you don’t want to. It borders on being invasive.”
“I still do not see your problem. Dicarion instructs me the same way. They don’t want us drawing essence and running about ill prepared. It’s a good method to use for the weighty tomes.”
“Dicarion feeds you knowledge directly from books into your mind?”
Marella looked confused. “Aye, he does. I am a mindwielder, remember? He doesn’t do it all of the time, though. It works well for me.”
Sheyna groaned. “I feel bad now. I thought Toborne was doing something . . . never mind.”
“He should have warned you first. My mind is conditioned so that I can accept it without the ill side effects such as headaches. I can see how the method would seem nefarious if you were not prepared.
“He appeared to get some kind of joy from doing it. My gut tells me something is off.”
“If your gut tells you something is wrong, you shouldn’t ignore it, I guess.” Marella’s voice was sympathetic.
“I am going to sneak into Toborne’s chambers tonight. He left for his tower for the night. I am going to snoop around.”
“What do you intend to find? You have been in there hundreds of times; what can you possibly find that you haven’t already?”
Sheyna stood from the table. “I don’t know, but I have a feeling.”
“What? That’s crazy. You think Toborne has something hidden in his chambers where you go to study?
“I am going; you coming with me?”
Marella rolled her eyes. “I may as well. If you are going to get into trouble, I may as well be there to help you.”
“Aye, we can say we were there studying. Take some of your books with you.”
Chapter 9: Rugania
When Sheyna and Marella arrived at Toborne’s chamber, they not only found the door locked tightly but also a ward cast against the door to prevent it from magic. Both Marella and Sheyna tried to open it and failed. The magic ward was too strong or of a magic discipline they did not understand. It seemed Toborne’s experience did have its merits.
Trying to defeat the magic ward, the girls lost focus on their surrounds and were startled when Morgoran confronted them.
“You might have better luck if you visited the blacksmith and borrowed his sledgehammer,” Morgoran said.
Sheyna and Marella both jumped at the sound of his voice, and Sheyna realized he had been standing there for quite some time, observing their progress.
“Master Morgoran,” Sheyna began, “we were . . . I left one of my books in Toborne’s study, and I need it.”
“Oh, which book was that?”
Sheyna’s mind went blank. Marella came to her rescue.
“She needs the Magicks of Western Symboria.”
“It just so happens that I have a copy in my study.” He eyed them suspiciously. “This way; follow me.”
Morgoran absently stroked his beard. “I know I’m not master to either of you, but I do have a bit of teaching I would like to impart. It appears that neither of you have been taught that when you have studied wielding for a few seasons, you become more sensitive to it and therefore can detect it over long distances. It is rather like hearing the rushing of a wild river when apprentices are flinging it about like clumsy oafs. I would suggest that you start finding ways to be more subtle with it.” They arrived at his chamber door, and he opened it. “Come now, keep up.”
Morgoran’s chamber was much more elaborate than Toborne’s. It was covered and adorned in rich, dark-stained mahogany. His desk resembled an alter, and it appeared to be growing into one of the side walls of the tower. Morgoran was searching one of his huge bookshelves.
“Ah, here we go.” He pulled down a thick, wood-bound book and handed it to Sheyna. “I will remember who borrowed this,” he said.
“I will return it tomorrow, Master Morgoran.”
“Tomorrow? Oh no, you will not have time to look it over tonight. You both should get to bed. Rugania is quite a journey. We will be leaving at first light.”
“We are?” Marella said. “This is the first I am hearing of it.”
“Me too,” Sheyna confirmed.
“Do either of you know of the Migarath portals?” he asked.
Sheyna looked at Marella, and her friend shrugged her shoulders. “No, what’s a Migarath portal?”
“It is a portal made by the wielder Migarath long ago to travel long distances. The closest one to Rugania is at Ormond’s Arch. We will travel through the portal and then board the ferry to Rugania. The portals tend to drain the energy from apprentices who have never traveled through th
em before. You will both need your rest tonight.”
“Why isn’t there a portal on Rugania?” Sheyna asked.
“It’s a long story. Suffice it to say they don’t work on the island, too much interference from all the energy there. One must be magically prepared to set foot on the island. It is the seat of all wielders, and to step ashore without permission is a death sentence, thus the nickname Isle of Doom. It sounds worse than it is.”
“Toborne didn’t tell me we were going,” Sheyna reiterated.
Morgoran took her chin in his hand, and she pulled back. “Forgive me, child. May I?” She nodded, and he took her chin in his hand again. “Aye, I see it. You have essence sickness. Not a bad case yet, it is barely perceptible, but you have it.”
Sheyna gasped and stepped backward in a frightened stance.
Morgoran chuckled, and his friendly, ice blue eyes wrinkled in the corners, making Sheyna relax a bit. “It’s nothing to worry about, Sheyna. Every apprentice young and old gets it after they begin to use essence on a regular basis. We wielders cannot find every child or person who develops an affinity for wielding. The sickness was designed by the god Fawlsbane to destroy the ability to wield if left untreated so that untrained wielders would never be. We have a trial on Rugania that immediately cures it, and that’s why we make the trip.”
“I’m still upset that Toborne didn’t tell me.”
“I wouldn’t be too upset about it. He might have forgotten or thought to surprise you with it. Now both of you be off to your chambers.” Morgoran escorted them out through his chamber door.
As the ferry floated closer to the island of Rugania, Ianthill checked his enchantments once more to ensure safe entry for Sheyna and Marella. It was important to double check everyone before getting too close to shore. From what Sheyna could see from the ferry, the island was bustling with activity. Students of wielding hurried along cobblestone paths and across grassy fields to get to their next lesson. Oak trees dotted the landscape, along with pecan and great sycamores growing along a clear stream, which fed directly into the bay. The cobblestone paths snaked uphill to a citadel surrounded by a complex of stone buildings with red slate roofs.
“Careful,” Ianthill said as he took Sheyna’s hand to lead her off the ferry. “Mind your step, there’s plenty of time for sightseeing when we get to the citadel.”
“Rugania is magnificent! I have never been somewhere so awe-inspiring,” Sheyna marveled.
“If you think this place is lovely, you should visit Ardenia in the springtime,” Marella stated.
At the end of the dock before the cobblestone paths, Ianthill made a nervous sniff as Sheyna stepped onto the island for the first time. She watched as the color came back to his cheeks when he observed no ill effects. He also seemed relieved after Marella stepped from the dock onto land.
Ianthill directed the girls to the trail. “Come now, let’s get to the citadel. My sister should have assigned you temporary quarters.”
Sheyna felt faint as soon as she set foot on the trail. She cut her eyes to Ianthill, who had not yet noticed her unsure footing. She willed herself to recover quickly before he did notice. The last thing she needed was for Ianthill to hover over her every step.
Marella intertwined her arm with Sheyna’s. “I’ll help steady you. I remember my essence sickness. I felt like I had been spinning in circles. The dizziness should pass before we get to the citadel.”
“I have used my abilities before. It isn’t fair that I get sick now.” She took Marella’s assistance. “Why?”
“Since you’ve been apprenticed, you’ve used it much more. Almost all apprentices get it after a time. That’s the entire reason why the trials exist.”
“The sooner I get through the trial and get rid of this illness, the better.”
Morgoran and Toborne went up ahead to the citadel while Ianthill lagged behind. Sheyna surmised that he was designated to keep an eye on her. About halfway up the paved trail, two elven women joined Ianthill. They were both tall and slender with flowing blonde hair. One wore a blue dress with golden embroidery, and the other a plain pale-green dress. The woman in the blue dress gave Ianthill a deep hug, followed in turn by the other. Ianthill introduced them as soon as Marella and Sheyna caught up to him.
“Shayna Namear and Marella Arden,” he gestured to the elven woman in blue, “this is my twin sister, Erinthill.” The elven woman curtsied.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance,” Sheyna said.
“I hope we will be more than mere acquaintances, my dear,” Erinthill replied, her countenance and demeanor sweet and friendly.
Marella returned the curtsy and glared at Sheyna for not doing the same. “Charmed and well met, my lady elf,” she articulated.
“And this is my niece, Brynna.”
The younger elf maiden also curtsied. This time Sheyna curtsied in return. “Well met,” Sheyna stated, a bit awkwardly. Marella gave her eloquent greeting, and the five of them resumed their trek to the citadel.
When the two guards, dressed in red and black, opened the doors to the main building of the citadel, Sheyna was taken aback by the splendor and majesty of the opening foyer. The floor, the walls, the statuary were all made of polished marble. In the center of the foyer stood a golden statue of the god Fawlsbane Vex holding up the flaming sword of the sun, which, according to myth, he was able to use to smite his enemies. People bustled to and fro, hurried on their way to places unknown. After a long, magnificent marble hallway, they arrived at a chamber called the Chamber of the First Trine. Inside, Toborne and Morgoran were sitting at a long wooden table laden with food and drink, discussing something rather heatedly until they saw the small party arrive.
“Ah, there you are,” Morgoran began. “The staff has prepared us a meal.”
Sheyna had to admit that she did feel hungry. Her illness did not affect her appetite. She found a place beside Marella, and the others sat across the table.
“Well, dig in,” Toborne stated while pointing at a mound of sliced roast beef.
Sheyna didn’t have to be told twice.
“Sheyna, Erinthill has prepared the Chamber of the Ancients for your trial. We feel it’s best to have you visit the chamber as soon as possible,” Ianthill said.
Morgoran took a drink of his ale to wash down his food. “We will take you there after this meal. While I do not think you will have any issues, I would suggest that you refrain from becoming too full.”
Sheyna nodded but couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous about Morgoran’s statement.
The three wizards lit up their pipes and waited with Marella in the Chamber of the First Trine while Erinthill and Brynna took Sheyna to a side antechamber to prepare her for what was to come.
“Do not be frightened, dear,” Erinthill said. Her kind eyes and pleasant voice was soothing, and Sheyna relaxed. “The trial will be over before you know it.”
“What should I expect?” Sheyna asked.
“Every wielder that has taken the trial leaves behind a piece of their essence. To date, I know of no wielder who has ever passed through Rugania that has not taken the trial at one time or another. The essence sickness is part of a young wielder’s first training and is usually inevitable,” Erinthill said.
“Fawlsbane Vex, the father of wielding, created it that way so that wielders who lacked training would not become powerful enough to be a threat to themselves or others. The illness eventually burns out the ability to wield if left untreated,” Brynna added.
“It is a good system that has served us well for centuries,” Erinthill continued. “You will enter the chamber, and the essences of all the wielders before you will appear to you. One essence, the most compatible, will join with you, which will immediately cure your essence sickness, and help you leave your own essence contribution.”
“Is your essence there?”
“Aye, mine, Brynna’s, Ianthill’s, Toborne’s; all of us have had to take the trial.”
“What of the
wielders who have caused ill in the world. Are they there, too?”
“Aye, but as I said, only the most compatible will bond with you. If you are not harboring nefarious intentions, you need not worry about them.”
“Good!” Sheyna breathed a sigh of relief.
There came a knock on the door, and Marella stuck her head in. “All ready to go?”
“I think we are ready here,” Brynna responded.
Sheyna nodded.
The complex containing the Chamber of the Ancients stood separate from the citadel and its surrounding buildings. A temple of Loracia, the goddess of life, was the only other structure in the complex attached directly to the Chamber of the Ancients. Erinthill guided Sheyna to a hallway, which led directly to the huge stone doorway to the chamber.
“There are a few traditions we observe when one is about to take the trial.” Erinthill explaned. “Each Master Wielder present will surround you with their essence as a gesture of protection.” She gestured to Morgoran who stood before Sheyna. The others fell in line behind him.
In turn, Morgoran, Erinthill, Ianthill, Dicarion, Brynna, and Toborne surrounded her in an essence field. She felt none of the effects of the essence as the gesture was purely ceremonial.
“Next we say the prayer of Fawlsbane Vex to guide you through your trial.” Erinthill said. The group recited the short prayer and Sheyna was ready to enter the chamber.
Erinthill took Sheyna’s hand. “Should you find yourself in duress, there is a cord hanging in the center of the chamber. Pull on it, and it will sound an alarm bell. We will be in the temple waiting.”
“Wish me luck,” Sheyna said.
Erinthill put her hand on Sheyna’s shoulder. “There is nothing to fear. Go now.”
Sheyna walked down the torch-lit corridor toward the stone door. She pushed lightly on it, and it swung open. Inside, the walls were mostly smooth except for the enormous stone sconces, which were positioned at the center of each. The scones were filled with jagged-looking, glowing green crystals.
Wielder: Apprentice: Book 1 of Lady Shey's Story (The Wielder Cycle) Page 7
