The Last Oracle: The White Mage Saga #1 (The Chronicles of Lumineia)

by Ben Hale

  Anderson guided them past the offices that circled the council chamber, pointing to each in turn and identifying them for the students. As he did it seemed that many within the side chambers were annoyed at the interruption, and a few closed their doors before Anderson reached them.

  The behavior could have been written off as just busy people going about their work, but Tess began to notice that an air of tension lingered in the council room. Masters of various magics scurried to and from in a rush, as if something had occurred and they were trying to repair the damage.

  The few that paused to speak to the students showed forced smiles and excused themselves quickly. Others avoided them entirely, their faces tense and worried. Anderson's introductions became increasingly strained as they circled the room, so he was relieved when someone approached with a genuine smile on his features.

  "Ah, Chancellor Gerik," Anderson exclaimed, "I feared you would not be able to attend."

  The mage laughed in a dismissive manner. "My apologies for being delayed, but I could not resist the opportunity to meet our newest class."

  Compared to the other two on the council, Gerik seemed young and spry. His smile was contagious, and his blue eyes glittered with humor. By the grins and indulgent looks from the other students it was evident that he was the most popular of the three—yet Tess felt an immediate reserve when his eyes slid past her. Their eyes connected for the briefest of instants, but it was enough to cool Tess's attitude toward him.

  The moment was fleeting, but Tess had a difficult time dismissing it. There was absolutely no foundation for her mistrust of him. His smile was open and earnest, his eyes bright with enthusiasm and passion as he spoke to the gathered students. Amid the laughing youth around her, she alone stood without a smile on her face.

  She barely heard Anderson's final comments, or the response from the students. It wasn't until they were about to depart and Director Grayson clasped Gerik's hand that she realized why it bothered her so much.

  Chancellor Anderson was genuine, that much was obvious. He'd talked about his children and his wife with pride. Ranson was bitter and carried the opposite kind of pride. Despite their differences, both of them displayed a sense of honesty about themselves. Ranson in particular seemed not to care what others thought of him.

  But there was an air about Gerik that he was hiding something. The feeling was no more tangible than light, but it persisted in the back of Tess's mind on the return trip to Tryton’s. The thought was based on nothing more than a chance shadow in his eyes—but as Tess descended to the Recollection she couldn't shake it.

  Gerik hid more of himself then he revealed.

  Chapter 21: Night Run

  "How can you not like him?" Rox demanded.

  Tess had voiced her thoughts and both girls had disagreed. She shrugged at their response, unable to quantify what she felt. After the tour Director Grayson had led them back to Tryton’s. Then he'd admonished them to study for their mid-quad exams and departed.

  "I don't know," Tess finally said as they walked toward the dorms. "There's just something about him that doesn't seem . . . right."

  "Well, he lost his wife a few years ago, didn't he?" Rox said.

  Iris bobbed her head. "I heard about that too. I think he'd just married her."

  "How did she die?" Tess asked. Now she felt guilty for doubting the man.

  "Does it matter?" Iris asked.

  "An accident, I think," Rox said with a shrug. "I think it's what drove him to seek office. He wanted to protect others so no one would die like his wife. It's Ranson we need to watch. Did you see the way he eyed the high chancellor's chair? How much more obvious can you be?"

  Tess let out her breath and her tension went with it. Perhaps she'd misjudged the man. Anyone who loses someone like that was bound to carry a shadow. Then a thought crossed her mind that caused her to forget about Gerik.

  "What if the chair is what the vote is about?" Tess asked. "What if he started the vote because he wants to get Anderson to step down?"

  Rox shook her head. "It would be an odd way to go after it. As far as I know, he has no support yet. But whatever he is up to, it can't be good. I'm just glad the high chancellor is still on our side. Anderson and Gerik are the good guys. I'm sure of it. The only time I have ever seen Anderson flustered was when your roommate kept slapping the walls."

  "I know, right?" Iris said with a pealing laugh. "You would think he would be used to techno mags by now. He sure works with enough of 'em."

  Tess stifled her laughter with a cough and then said goodbye to Rox. They wished each other good luck over the next two days of tests. For the first time in weeks she walked up the stairs instead of flying.

  Once in the room Tess dived into her studies. If the tests were only composed of a practicum she would have been more confident. Unfortunately her classes also had a written test, leaving her to wade through difficult explanations of how to do magic. After two hours she had reached her limit.

  With a sigh she collapsed onto her bed. It wasn't entirely dark out, but she felt exhausted. Of her six classes she was confident in all of them except History of Magic. Figuring she could review the remaining material in the morning, she closed her eyes and was asleep in seconds.

  ***

  She awoke in a panic. Lurching to a sitting position she scanned the room, blinking at the lingering sleep in her eyes. With the room darkened and Iris asleep, it took her a moment to calm her emotions.

  Her dream had been of . . . what? Some sort of darkness attacking an army. She shook it off and lay down again. She knew she should get ready for bed, but didn't feel inclined to do so. With an irritated grunt she realized she was wide awake.

  An idea crossed her mind and she tip-toed to her back porch. Once outside she launched herself into the night air. She closed her eyes and breathed deep, allowing the cool wind to clear her head.

  There was a crisp chill to the night that caused her to shudder. She drew some heat into her body to compensate, and enjoyed the rush of warmth. In no hurry, she drifted like a lonely cloud.

  At some point she ended up on her back, staring at the stars. Without a thought to where she was going, she simply coasted. After a while she flipped over, wondering where she was. The breeze had carried her to a position high above the World Room. She dropped into an easy dive, but pulled up short when she saw a hooded figure moving between the scholar statues toward the city. Curious, Tess angled her path to follow the person.

  She reached the tree level and alighted on a large branch. After a moment’s wait she leapt to one of the statues and hid in the shadow of its head. She caught up at the edge of Sentre, but was unable to determine the person's identity. Hooded and wearing a cloak, the only thing she noticed was that he walked like a flyer. His gait was larger than normal, as if he were floating several feet between each step.

  But why would a flyer be walking so late? And alone? Then she noticed something else that caught her attention. There was a mark on the figure's right hand, a burn mark. It was the second time Tess had seen a mark like that. She stiffened, her mind taking her back to the night she had met Hawk—and the day she'd seen the mark on Shorn.

  Could it be him?

  Her jaw tightened with resolve, and she soared soundlessly through the trees in pursuit. Within the treeways it was easier to stay out of sight. She stuck to the shadows under branches, platforms, and walkways. Her quarry looked back twice, and each time she allowed the shadows to swallow her. More than once she felt the presence of someone behind her, but dismissed that idea. She couldn't stop herself from looking back, though.

  A few minutes later they reached the courtyard surrounding the Spirus and the number of places to hide was lessened. Tess remained at the edge of the trees to see what the flyer would do.

  He strode to the base of the building and followed its outer edge until he reached the side opposite the moon. Using the shadow, he stepped off the ground and flew straight up the side of the building.r />
  Tess dodged to the opposite side of the Spirus and flew up the lit side, hoping that she could avoid detection for the very reason that her quarry would steer clear of it. She soared upward with the surface of the tower a foot from her face. As she neared the top she slowed.

  She peeked over the top and saw that the roof was empty. Since there was no point of egress from within the building, she doubted anyone would meet there. Hoping she hadn't lost him, she slid over the lip and then glided across the rooftop an inch above its surface. She froze when she heard a pair of voices.

  The sounds were close, but not close enough to discern their words. She eased closer to the shadowed side of the building and risked a peek over the edge. Twenty feet down two figures stood on a high balcony. Both were cloaked and hooded, but the marked one's hand was visible even in the darkness. Tess felt a surge of anger, but forced herself to listen to them speaking.

  " . . . done as you have commanded," the marked one said. His voice was quiet, making it difficult to identify, yet there was something familiar about it. Again, her thoughts turned to Shorn. She strained her ears, trying to remember how he had sounded.

  The other one's reply was muffled and raspy, and sounded like it came from an older man. To her surprise it too sounded familiar.

  "Are you certain all is prepared? You failed the first time. I don't want the Guildmaster to survive again."

  "He was more powerful than we anticipated, and bore magic that was previously unknown to us. The Master's plan will succeed."

  "Perhaps your first failure was for the best. It forced our adversary to reveal more of himself to us. Regardless, his fate is sealed. You know what you must do with the oracle."

  Tess's breathing caught and her gut tightened. Fear and fury exploded through her, and it took all her willpower to keep herself restrained. The marked one's response sounded muffled, as if he'd bowed, so she only caught the tail end of his statement.

  ". . . before the term comes to an end."

  Tess froze as the statement was pronounced. What did they intend to do? She craned her head to listen for more, but the older one didn't seem inclined to pursue the subject.

  "Be circumspect, and make sure you succeed. You are marked from your first failure with her. A third failure will result in a mark from me."

  Third?

  She knew they had tried to take her before, but when was the second attempt? And who had stopped it? There was an audible swallow of fear, and then the whisper of cloth suggested that he had bowed again.

  "As the Master commands," the marked one said.

  The older one echoed the statement. Then the two separated. The older one entered the building while the marked one dropped off the balcony. The soft breeze replaced their conversation. Tess listened to it for a while, and then dared to peek over the edge. The balcony was empty.

  Her mind burdened with questions, she retreated to the other side of the building. Then she leapt skyward. As fast as she could go she flew toward the stars. She did not stop until she could see over the top of the cloudwall. Then she hovered and looked down on the city, lost in thought.

  Who were these people that sought her? And what was their purpose? They had come for her, but what exactly was their intent? And when was the second time they had failed? She shook her head in confusion, her mind turning to Shorn.

  She was hesitant to jump to that conclusion, but his behavior toward her left few other options. He'd been antagonistic from the moment they had met, and he did have a scar in the right place.

  Releasing a troubled breath, she turned in the direction of the school. She had to fight the impulse to rush, and hoped no one had seen her path upward. At her altitude she might be mistaken for a bird, but not if she flew like a mage. Somewhere along the way she decided to ask Hawk about . . . her enemy. Although she hated to admit it, she could think of no other word to describe them.

  When she was above the dormitories she put her feet together and plummeted. Wind filled her ears and whipped her body as she fell. Only when she was close to her room did she brake. She'd slowed too late, though, and landed heavily on her porch. She darted inside and closed the door. She nearly jumped from her skin when her roommate spoke.

  "What happened?"

  "Iris! Do you have to do that? You scared to me to death."

  "Sorry. What happened?"

  "I couldn't sleep, so I thought some flying would ease my nerves."

  "Did it?"

  "No, Iris," she said, laying down. "It did not."

  Mercifully Iris did not respond, and after a moment she returned to her slumber. Her heart pounding in her chest, Tess lay awake for a long time, wondering when they would come for her again. The next thing she knew it was dawn.

  She awoke to sunlight streaming through the open rear doors. Her eyes wild, she checked the room, but the only occupant was Iris, fully dressed and sitting at her desk. She turned when Tess sat up.

  "I'm sorry I scared you last night."

  Her tone seemed genuinely regretful, so Tess forced a smile. "It's ok, Iris. I know you didn't mean it."

  "Are you sure you're alright?"

  "I hope so," Tess replied, passing a hand over her face.

  Iris mistook her reaction. "You really shouldn't be worried about your exams today. From what I have seen you will be jumped to the next class in no time."

  It seemed like Iris was once again articulating each word. It made Tess question how difficult it was for techno mags to suppress everything they saw.

  "I just want to get through the next two days," Tess said. Then she rose and strode to the bathroom. Discarding her rumpled clothing, she stepped into a shower so hot it threatened to scald her. When she finally turned off the water her fear had been replaced with resolve. She dressed quickly, and then stepped back into the room to find Iris waiting for her.

  "Ready for breakfast?" Iris asked. Again it seemed she was forcing herself to focus.

  "I am, but you don't need to do that, Iris. I know you are dying to talk to a hundred people right now."

  Iris issued a sigh of relief and her eyes started to glaze over—but Tess caught her arm. "Can I ask you a question before you do?"

  Iris's gaze cleared and she nodded.

  Tess had spoken on impulse, but now she hesitated. Should she ask or not? Then she decided it was better knowing than not knowing.

  "Could anyone . . . bad . . . get into a dorm room?"

  "Any dorm room? Or our room?" Iris asked. Her eyes narrowed.

  Tess sighed. "Hypothetically, let's say ours."

  "No."

  "How can you be so certain?"

  "The school has dozens of enchantments to protect the individual rooms. I, of course, have added a few more to ours. No one could get into our room without suffering severe bodily harm." She flashed a smug grin. "It won't kill them, but they would certainly regret the attempt."

  Tess studied Iris's expression, and found that she believed her. Her roommate might be strange, annoying, or crazy, but there was no question that she was talented. She breathed a sigh of relief.

  Iris abruptly pulled her closer, her gaze intense. "You may be safe in here, but outside of this room you will have to be more cautious."

  "From what?" Tess asked, hoping her feigned ignorance was believable.

  Iris snorted. "How should I know? You're the one that's afraid."

  Iris slapped her back in a comforting manner, but Tess jumped. It felt like something had stung her. She scratched the spot, annoyed. By the time she turned back Iris was at the door, her eyes half-glazed.

  "Breakfast?" she asked.

  Tess let out her breath and followed, her mind elsewhere.

  The next two days passed in a blur of exams, studying, and looking over her shoulder. On more than one occasion she thought she spotted someone in a hood peering at her, but when she looked again they were gone. The almost sightings had the effect of heightening her concern, leading her to be distracted on tests.

 
She hoped she didn't perform poorly, or worse, forget her supposed limits and do too well. By the time the exams were over she was more than ready for a break. She just hoped she wouldn't be killed during it.

  Chapter 22: The Magic Melee

  Tess banked her aquaboard, sending a spray of water into Rox. She then laughed at her drenched friend and sped away. Rox was only a step behind. Twisting and turning, Tess tried to dodge the retaliation, but to no avail. Rox was too quick. A moment later Tess crashed through a wave and lost her board. Without its support she was plunged headfirst into the lake.

  She surfaced and sputtered for air. Then she summoned a new one. Five feet underwater the liquid hardened into shape, and then accelerated forward. It lifted her out of the water as it carried her after her laughing friend. The fierce interchange lasted for several minutes before Tess called for a truce.

  "Alright!" she exclaimed. "You win."

  They had finished their exams the previous night, and so Tess had met Rox Friday afternoon to learn how to surf. It took an hour for Tess to make a section of water dense enough to stand on. Once she'd figured it out, (and dried off from her failed attempts) she'd raced into deeper water in pursuit of Rox. By then the lake and surrounding area were full of other students enjoying their first day off in six weeks.

  "Fine," Rox said with a laugh. She spun in a lazy circle around her. "Care to try a double flip?"

  "I can't even do one, and you want to try a double?"

  A swell lifted Rox out of the water and powered her away. Although it was only as wide as her board, the wave crested ten feet above the lake's surface. Rox balanced skillfully as a mound of water rose up to bar her path. Using it like a jump, she threw her head back and performed a flawless double flip. A new water board formed beneath her and she landed on it. Laughing at the feat, she swerved back to Tess.