"What is this about? We haven't done anything wrong." Lorit protested.
The guard shrugged his shoulders. "I was told to fetch you for an audience with the King. I don't ask why." He motioned for the door. "Please follow me."
Lorit grabbed Chihon's pack and held it out to her. She took it and followed Lorit as the guard led them out of the inn and down the road towards the castle.
Veldwaite castle was dreary, and imposing, at the same time. The banners that hung from the main road had once been bright and festive, but now were faded and somber. Lorit and Chihon entered the castle gate with trepidation.
"What do you think he wants with us?" Lorit asked.
"I don't know, but if we were in trouble, we would be under arrest. Let's hear what he has to say."
"I wish Rotiaqua could have stayed. She'd know what to do. Nothing good ever comes of getting involved with the castle folk."
"She had Wizard's business to tend to," Chihon said as they rounded the final bend. The castle loomed large above them and the gates of the keep were wide open revealing the regal reception area.
The guards escorted them into the cavernous expanse. The towering pillars that supported the ceiling far overhead were hung with brightly colored banners proclaiming the King's mighty deeds. They were only slightly less worn and tattered than the ones that adorned the main road.
Lorit and Chihon slowly walked from the imposing entry way, along the plush carpet and up to the throne.
King Orin sat there, stiff and formal. He was a middle aged man with a neatly trimmed beard that matched the hair on his head. It was wavy and lightly peppered with gray. He held his scepter stiffly, as if he'd rather be holding his sword.
As they approached the throne, Lorit stopped and bowed deeply, just as he'd been taught. He watched as Chihon did her best to recreate the curtsy she'd been instructed was appropriate for one of her age before the King.
"Rise," the Chancellor called out. Lorit and Chihon stood in unison. Lorit spoke the words he'd been told were expected of every supplicant who came before the King.
"Your highness," Lorit said. "How may we be of service?"
"Are you the Wizard Lorit?"
"I am, Sire."
"I was told that it was you who was responsible for the disturbance at the temple. Is that correct?"
"I ... Sire, I was only defending myself ..." Lorit wasn't familiar with the local politics. He didn't know if the King were an adherent of the Temple or not. He searched for any clue, but the King just looked at him expectantly. Lorit felt like he should say something, but he kept his silence.
King Orin stared intently at Lorit and Chihon. Finally, he broke eye contact and looked around the audience chamber. Functionaries and bureaucrats lined the walls waiting on the King's every word. The King heaved a heavy sigh. "I fear that what we have to discuss is better said in private."
The King stood up, grasped the crown from his head, and tossed it onto the seat of his throne. He turned and walked briskly towards a door off to the side of the audience chamber. He glanced back at Lorit and Chihon. "Are you coming?"
Lorit hurried to follow the King, glancing back to make sure Chihon was right behind him. They entered a large banquet hall that was only small by comparison to the main audience chamber. A long table and comfortable chairs filled the center of the room, and windows looked down on the city from one wall.
King Orin pulled out a chair and fell into it. He gestured to the seats next to him. "Please."
Lorit and Chihon took the indicated places and waited for the King.
"I understand you're a powerful Wizard." The King said.
"I wouldn't say I'm a powerful Wizard, but I am a Wizard, yes." It felt strange for Lorit to claim that title, but he was a Wizard now, even though he had not been formally trained.
The King held up his hand. "You brought down the temple and slaughtered the Priests. That's a powerful Wizard. Besides, what I ask of you will not require any extraordinary use of your powers."
The King leaned forward and lowered his voice. "I have a task that I require of you. It is important to me and has a great impact on the future of my kingdom."
The King stood up, walked over to the window and gazed down on the city below. He spoke with his back turned. "There is an unspoken truce between the Throne and the Temple. I don't favor them, but they have influence with the nobles, and could cause a lot of trouble for me if they wished."
King Orin turned and sat on the window ledge. "My son, Prince Ghall should be the next King of Veldwaite. He's spent his life learning the ways of the castle and preparing to take my place when I'm no longer able to rule the kingdom."
The King stood up and paced the dining room. "Prince Ghall is a bright young man, and learning his lessons well. I had grown confident in his abilities to lead the kingdom, until recently."
King Orin took his seat once more. He motioned for the servants to bring him wine and waited while his chalice was filled. He offered some to Lorit and Chihon before continuing. "Over the last few moons, something has happened that cast doubt over his suitability to be the next King."
Lorit waited for the King to continue. He glanced at Chihon for any cue to speak, but she shook her head slightly.
"The priests have been coming around asking about the Prince." The King took a deep draught of his wine. "They think he has the Wizard's Power, and the boy has been having nightmares. Nightmares that become real, so it's not beyond the realm of possibility."
The King pushed his chair back and walked back to the window. He grasped the window ledge and leaned deep into the window, his gaze fixed on the far horizon.
"If he is a Wizard, I don't want him going to the Temple. I can survive his never becoming King, but I don't want him under Temple control. I want you to take him with you to Amedon where he can be trained by the Free Wizards."
"Has anyone tested him to determine whether he is a Wizard?" Lorit asked.
"The priests have repeatedly asked to examine him, but I have so far refused them," King Orin said. "Can you tell me if he's a Wizard?"
"I may be able to." Lorit thought the King looked more like a worried father than a regal ruler. He should be able to tell if the boy had powers.
"Where is the boy now?" Lorit asked.
The King signaled to one of the guards, who immediately left the room. "He is near."
The guard returned shortly with a boy that could only be Prince Ghall. He was fourteen summers in age, just the age when magic awakened in a boy. His hair and face were the King's, while his innocent smile and his soulful eyes could only have come from his mother. The boy stood at attention before Lorit, waiting to be addressed.
"Sit down and relax," Lorit said. "I just want you to talk with me a little while. Explain what's been happening."
The Prince sat straight in his chair as if afraid to relax.
The boy described the dreams he had been having, and how sometimes things he dreamed about became real. As Lorit listened to him, he recalled his own awakening, and how he had materialized an apple just by thinking about how good it would taste.
"Close your eyes," Lorit said. "I want you to imagine a nice juicy red apple. Visualize it, sitting on the table in front of you. Picture it in your mind with as much detail as you can. Make it real and describe it to me in as much detail as you can. Make me see it."
Lorit spoke softly to the boy, instructing him to visualize a conjuration while he probed for signs of magic. As the boy spoke, Lorit saw small sparks of purple light appear and just as quickly die out again. He could sense magic around the boy, but was not sure if it was originating with Prince Ghall or if it was residual magic. Perhaps it was a spell to protect the boy.
"That's enough." He tapped the Prince lightly on the shoulder to break his concentration.
Prince Ghall slowly recovered. His eyes focused on Lorit questioningly.
"He shows signs of power, but it's weak and unfocused," Lorit said.
"You ar
e certain?" King Orin asked.
"I sense a slight trace of power around him, but I can't say for sure. I would like to have someone more experienced examine him. Normally I would call on the Wizard Zhimosom for something like this."
"Can you call him here?" The King gestured at an empty chair.
"He doesn't leave Amedon."
"If my son is a Wizard ..." The King got up and paced the chamber, pausing periodically to peer out the window at the city below.
"Prince Ghall is my only son. Without the Prince, the kingdom will be up for grabs to whichever family can put forth a suitable mate for my daughter."
He grabbed his chalice from the table and downed its contents in one gulp, then threw it against the wall, where it struck with a resounding clatter. "This could very well ruin my kingdom."
Lorit knew better than to answer.
Finally, the King turned to confront his son.
"You will accompany these two to Amedon where you will be tested by the Wizard Zhimosom. If you possess magic ... The burden of the kingdom will pass to your sister."
The prince sat quietly, watching his father with tearful eyes, saying nothing.
The King stared at his son, and then turned his back. "Tonight, we will feast. Tomorrow, you'll be on your way."
Lorit waited for more from the King, who stood silently, looking down at the city below. Finally, the King sniffed and spoke with a heavy voice, keeping his back towards them. "Go now."
Lorit and Chihon were escorted to a room where they could prepare for the evening's banquet. The servants came to fit them for clothes, stating that proper attire would be provided.
"You don't look very pleased," Chihon said as they were being measured.
Lorit didn't want to admit that he was looking forward to spending time with her alone on the road. He fumbled for an excuse to leave the Prince behind. "He'll only complicate matters, slow us down." He looked away from her, worried she would see the lie in his eyes.
"He's only a boy; he won't be much of a bother."
"Let's leave tonight. We can sneak out of the castle and be gone before the King knows we've left." He felt slightly guilty leaving the Prince behind, but surely the King had resources to escort him to Amedon; Lorit didn't need to be the one to do it.
"Lorit, you never wanted to abandon a boy to the Temple before, why not take the Prince?"
Lorit let the tailor lift his arm, as he stretched the tape from Lorit's shoulder to his wrist. "Look how it turned out. Ardser killed by the Temple, Chedel dead by my hand. The only one with power I haven't gotten killed yet, is you, Chihon, and you're not exactly safe here." He worried more about her safety than his own. Lorit knew that he could take on any Priest and survive. Hadn't he done just that in the Temple?
"Prince Ghall needs our help. You know you can't just abandon him."
She was right. If he left the Prince behind, the boy would either end up dead at the hand of some Priest, or he would be turned. Lorit didn't like either of those choices, but he didn't want to take responsibility for the boy either. It seemed he had no choice, like so many things that had happened to him since his power had awakened. His life was not his own, he just wasn't sure whose it was.
Once the tailor left, Lorit turned to Chihon. "I need to talk to Zhimosom, see what he thinks."
He sat at the table next to her and emptied his mind. He focused his consciousness on the old Wizard, picturing Zhimosom sitting in the ornately carved chair in his study, his long white beard flowing down to cover the book habitually open before him.
Zhimosom had always responded immediately to his contact, either accepting it or pushing him away with instructions to come back later. This time it was different, Lorit could not feel Zhimosom's magic. Since Zhimosom had shown Lorit how to recognize each Wizard by their power, Lorit had always had a small touch of Zhimosom's magic with him. He searched for it.
It was gone.
He reached his hand out to Chihon. "He's not there. See if you can sense him."
He felt Chihon's magic join his own, but still there was no trace of Zhimosom. It was as if the old Wizard had simply ceased to exist.
"What's happened?" Lorit jumped up from the table. "He's never done this before."
"I can’t feel him either, but I can still sense Rotiaqua; let's try to contact her. She'll know." Chihon pulled Lorit back into his chair. He felt her reach out to the Sorceress, dragging his consciousness along with her.
He recognized the magic of the Sorceress, but it was muted and dulled. They struggled to locate her. Lorit recalled her image picturing her in his mind. After a while, he located her in Zhimosom's study.
He reached out, opening a conduit for their conversation. He was surprised by the weakness of the contact. Usually it was strong and clear, but now it seemed feeble and insubstantial.
"Lorit ... Chihon," she said as the contact settled down.
"Something has happened to Zhimosom!" Lorit blurted. "I tried to contact him, but he didn't answer. I can't find his magic and he doesn't respond to my attempts at contact."
"He went to confront a Wizard that he believed is in league with the Temple. The one who is behind your recent troubles. He left this morning and he has not returned." Worry lined the Sorceress' face.
"What happened? Where is he? What can we do?" Lorit fired questions at her, not waiting for her answers.
"I don't know what happened. I can feel his power, but only dimly. It's only because of our pairing that I can feel him at all."
She leaned forward and looked Lorit in the eye. "The last thing I heard from him was a warning. He knew who it was, but he didn't get a chance to tell me."
"We have to go. We have to save Zhimosom." Lorit didn't care how great the risk. He had to find Zhimosom.
"Hold on, if this Wizard was strong enough to harm Zhimosom, you're no match for him," Rotiaqua said.
"I don't care."
"How will you find him?"
"Don't you know where he went?"
"I do not, and even if I did, I cannot travel without Zhimosom's power. I'm afraid I am stuck here until we find him."
"What do you want us to do?" Lorit tapped the table with his fingers. He wanted to get going, to do something, anything.
"Just keep to your current plans until I know more. What were you doing before you contacted me?"
"We have been asked to accompany Prince Ghall to Amedon. The Priests have been inquiring about him. They think he has the Wizard's power. I can see the signs in him, so I wanted to have Zhimosom confirm this before we bring the boy with us."
"Take the boy then and go to Amedon. Implore the Council to join in the search for Zhimosom. With the combined power of the two of you, they may be able to find him, before it's too late."
The Sorceress faded from view as Lorit dropped the connection.
"Let's go." Lorit stood up and grabbed his pack.
"We can't leave now. We have to take the Prince with us and the King certainly won't let him go before the banquet. It's his last chance to spend time with his son. We can leave in the morning."
"This can't wait. Zhimosom needs our help."
"What did Rotiaqua say?" Chihon placed her hands on her hips and looked at him.
"To keep to our current plans, but we need to do something."
"We are going to do something. Stick to our plan."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. The servants had arrived with a fresh dress for Chihon and a new robe for Lorit.
"If the master will accompany me, we will bathe you and prepare you for the evening's banquet."
"Are you sure about this?" Lorit asked.
"Yes. I'll see you at dinner tonight." She pushed him towards the door. "Go get ready."
Chihon was seated at the table next to Princess Ukina. She'd spent the afternoon being pampered and prepared for the banquet. She was dressed in the finest clothes she'd ever worn, although she was more at home in her travel cloak and hiking boots than the finery dict
ated for an official court function. She pulled at her dress trying to get comfortable.
She searched the dinner guests for Lorit. They had been separated by the servants who came to prepare them and she didn't know where he was. She found him at the King's table, seated between the Chancellor and Prince Ghall. Lorit wore the rich, dark green robe that the King had bestowed on him, which made him look all the more like a Wizard.
She saw the ease with which he engaged the court in conversation and realized he'd grown in his confidence as he'd grown into his power during their travels.
"Isn't he handsome?" the Princess asked. When Chihon didn't respond the girl gave her a sharp jab with her elbow and nodded towards Lorit. "Isn't he handsome?"
"I guess so," Chihon replied offhandedly. She was more concerned with his behavior than his looks. He was usually so quiet and reserved, but tonight he seemed to be a little more flamboyant than she had ever seen.
"You're so lucky," the Princess continued. "You traveled with him across the Plains of Grass and over the mountains to get here, didn't you?" The Princess turned to face Chihon clapping her hands together. "Did you get to see him do magic? Were you there when he brought down the Temple?"
They had agreed to keep Chihon's power a secret. Lorit didn't want word getting around that she was a Sorceress, for fear that the Temple would attack her directly, as they'd done with him. The Princess didn't realize that Chihon was instrumental in bringing down the temple and that she shared her powers with Lorit.
Before she could formulate a response, the Princess was off again.
"And you, you're so pretty. Not like me."
Chihon didn't think of herself as pretty. She was just a girl who sold bread in the market, nothing special.
"I wish I could travel with the Wizard, just like you do," the Princess continued.
Chihon looked her over. The Princess was slightly taller than Chihon but thin and spindly. She reminded Chihon of a bird, with her bony arms and legs, and a pronounced nose. Even though the Princess had two maids to attend to her appearance, her hair was in a constant state of disarray, with frayed ends poking out from her carefully built coif.
Wizard's Education (Book 2) Page 2
