The wizard almost trembled with delight as he lifted a spoon to his lips and tasted the soup. “Oh, that is splendid. The pepper is perfectly roasted, just a hint of sweetness. There is a new cook from Estada in the royal kitchens?”
“Oh, uh, no.” Koren shifted from one foot to the other, embarrassed. “I made it.”
“You?” Paedris looked at the food, then cut off a piece of chicken and closed his eyes as he tasted it. “Perfection. Perfection! Where, when, how did you learn to cook, to cook food from my homeland?”
“Do you know Martel Vazan, he works in the stables? He and his wife Izella are from Estada, from Tas Herridos?”
Paedris shook his head. “I don’t know this Martel, Tas Herridos is in the far south of Estada, a long way from my home in La Murta. I didn’t know one of my countrymen was here in the castle! He showed you how to cook?”
“No, his wife Izella showed me. I hope you like it.”
“Like it?” The wizard rose from the chair and embraced Koren in a bear hug. When he sat back down, Paedris had to brush away a tear. “Thank you, Koren. People don’t, they don’t think of wizards as being human. We are. We have parents, and homes, and some of us have families, too. I had a family, one time. I have a grand daughter named Izella, although I haven’t seen her in a long time. She is probably a grandmother by now.” Paedris ate another bite of the chicken. “Ah, this reminds me of home. Sit down, eat!”
Koren wasn’t much hungry, he’d been snacking on the food while he was cooking it, but he got a bowl of soup and a corn cake. “You had a family, sir?” The words were hardly out of his mouth, before he feared whether he should have asked such a personal question. Lord Salva was so often friendly that Koren sometimes for forgot about being merely a servant.
“Yes, I was married once.” Paedris’ right eyebrow raised in question. “You’re surprised? Don’t worry, most people are. When I was a young, and foolish wizard, feeling full of myself, and not yet aware of the great responsibility that comes with great power,” the wizard paused to give Koren a sharp look, although Koren couldn’t imagine why, “I was in the court of king Manello of Estada. I fell in love with a girl there, one of the king’s nieces. My master, Cydall the wizard, warned me against it, but she was so, so, kind, and gentle. We met when she saw a butterfly knocked to the ground by a passing carriage, she held it carefully in her hand, and brought it to me, asking if I could heal its broken wing.”
Koren waited while the wizard was lost in thought, after a minute had gone by, Koren dropped his spoon on the table. “Sorry, sir. You were saying?”
“Eh? Oh, yes. The butterfly. I healed it, the wing was only bent, not broken, and she brought it to the window, and it flew away. Arposa, that’s the Estadan word for butterfly, that’s what I called her, after that. Arposa. We had four children, they grew up to be good people, all of them. My grandchildren, too, all good people, I had seventeen grandchildren.”
“Had, sir?”
Paedris took a deep breath, composed himself, and ate another spoonful of soup. “Yes, had. They’re dead now, most of them. Koren, how old do you think I am?”
“Uh, well, sir,” Koren considered what to say, adults seemed to be offended if people though they looked old, “your hair has gray streaks, so maybe you are, fifty? But I’ve heard wizards live a long time, so, maybe, seventy?”
Paedris shook his head. “Koren, I am one hundred and eighty two years old. Wizards age slowly, we can use the power of the spirits to renew our bodies. So, I remained young, while my Arposa grew old. I was able to slow her aging, at a great strain to my powers, but in the end, she passed, as we all will, some day. So, you see, Koren, my master Cydall was right, it is not wise for a wizard to marry a regular person, it can only lead to heartache. And it can be cruel, for your love to see you remain young and healthy, while they become old and frail. My children have all passed, and most of my grandchildren also. When my last child died, I left Estada, to come here, and dedicate my power to defeating Acedor. That is my life now.”
That sounded terribly sad to Koren. “Yes, sir.”
“That's enough speaking of the past. We have this delicious food, let’s enjoy.”
Kyre Falco was in a foul mood. Rumors of Ariana roaming around the castle with Koren had reached his ears, and he was jealous. How could the crown princess choose to spend time with a commoner boy like Koren, instead of royalty like Kyre? Koren was nothing but a servant. He didn’t even have a family!
Kyre was not the only person in the castle who didn’t like to hear of Ariana spending time with a common servant. Duke Falco had ordered Kyre to become friends with Ariana, and Koren was in the way; Niles Forne decided something had to be done, to get rid of Koren. The man’s scheming little mind had considered having Koren kidnapped, but since the boy was under the wizard’s protection, such a plan was far too risky. No, this needed a careful plan, not something to be rushed into. He would start by making the castle an unpleasant place for Koren to live.
“He’s coming. You know what to do?” Kyre whispered, as he stepped back into the shadows.
“We’ll take care of it, your Grace.” The boy Niles Forne had chosen for the task was a nephew of Baron Pendran, an vassal of Kyre’s father. Utri was only a year older than Koren, but big for his age, with a round face and curly brownish hair. He had been trying to grow a mustache, but the hair on his upper lip was sparse, like a brown cat had rubbed up against him, and left some fur behind. “That stupid farm boy won’t know you’re involved.”
Utri Pendran and three of his servants swaggered out into the courtyard, talking loudly and tossing a ball between them. Koren immediately sensed the group was trouble, and moved aside, but one of the boys ran next to him, to catch the ball. The boy pretended to trip, and fell into Koren, knocking them both to the ground. “Watch where you’re going!” Utri shouted as he sprang to his feet.
Koren stood up warily and brushed the dirt off his clean shirt. He had been on his back from the palace, after having lunch with Ariana and looking at old maps, which Ariana loved to do. “Me watch out? You’re the clumsy one!”
“Watch your mouth when you’re speaking to your betters, boy.” Utri snarled, and his servants laughed as they surrounded Koren.
Koren didn’t recognize Utri, who had arrived at the castle only a week earlier. “Better? How? Better at tripping over your own feet?”
Utri’s eyes narrowed. Now he was genuinely angry, not play-acting for Kyre. “You’re the wizard’s brat, aren’t you? Koren?”
“Koren Bladewell.”
“What I hear is, you’re just Koren.” Utri snarled. “You don’t have a family name, because you don’t have a family. Your family dumped you on the side of a road. Ha! What kind of scum were your parents?”
Before he could think, Koren jumped at Utri, knocking him to the ground and pounding the bigger boy with his fists. The three Pendran servants joined in, punching and kicking Koren, until they were pulled apart by a guard.
“What’s this?” The guard asked, as he held Utri by his collar.
“Release me!” Utri demanded. “I’m the eldest nephew of Baron Pendran!”
To Koren’s surprise, the guard stepped away from Utri. “Sorry, young sir, I didn’t recognize you.” The man scowled at Koren. “Koren, I expected better of you. Brawling in the courtyard? You be on your way.”
“He attacked me!” Utri protested. “I demand satisfaction! It is my right, I am a Pendran, and he is a common servant.”
The guard, who was also a common servant, was used to dealing with fights between the boys in the castle. “Yes, the law is on your side. So, if you want to fight, you can fight in the sparring ring.”
Koren had never been in the sparring ring, where soldiers and guards trained. Kyre had invited Koren to watch him spar, but Koren had never been inside the ring. The guard opened the gate, and said “In you go. Just you, Utri, you’ll not bring your friends along this time.”
“I get to choose the
weapons.” Utri pointed out. “He hit me first.”
The guard was surprised, he assumed the two boys would fight with their fists. “What’s your weapon?”
“Swords.” Utri said with a smile. He was good with a sword.
The guard frowned, then snapped his fingers. “Fine. Swords you want, swords you’ll get.” He opened the weapons locker, and pulled out two wooden, padded practice swords. Utri took one, tested it for balance, and cut the air with a series of strokes. “It’ll do.” He announced with a wink toward his servants.
The guard handed Koren the other sword. “Have you ever used a sword?” he asked in a low voice.
Koren shook his head. Other than play-fighting with sticks, the only weapons he’d ever held was a knife or a bow. Swords weren’t any use on a farm.
“I can’t tell you much in a short time, but even with the padding, these swords can hurt.” The guard warned. “Normally you’d be wearing a padded jacket, but, as this is a duel, well, you’ll have to do your best. I’ll stop the fight if you are hurt bad.”
Then the guard stepped outside the ring, and closed the gate behind him.
Utri held up his sword. Niles Forne’s plan had not involved Utri whacking Koren with a sword, but Utri was enjoying the change in plan. He would teach the servant boy a lesson, then the Falco family would owe the Pendrans a favor. “Do you yield?” Utri had never known anyone to yield before the fight had begun, but it was part of the rules that the question had to be asked.
Koren gritted his teeth. Why was he fighting? Utri had only told the truth about him; he had no family. But the smug Pendran boy had insulted Koren’s parents, who were good people. It wasn’t their fault they had to rid themselves of such a trouble-making son. “It’s cold out here, but Hell will freeze over before I yield to you.”
Utri grinned. This was going to be fun.
Koren held up his sword the way he had seen Kyre get ready to fight. Utri suddenly lashed out, sweeping his sword at Koren’s face. Without Koren realizing what he was doing, his right hand raised his sword and blocked Utri’s sword, knocking the other boy back.
Utri stepped away, warily. Koren had blocked him, blocked him so hard that Utri’s arm hurt. The servant boy must have had combat training! Utri had intended to toy with Koren, smack him around until his whole body was bruised. It was not going to be that easy. Utri swept the sword up again, but at the last moment switched the sword to his left hand, aiming at Koren’s exposed ribs.
And again, Koren’s sword moved so fast it was a blur, this time hitting the flat of the blade against Utri’s left hand, and Utri dropped the sword. “Ow!” Utri shouted, cradling his injured hand. “That hurt!”
“Oh, and you weren’t trying to hurt me?” Koren asked. Was sword fighting this easy? It didn’t look easy when other people were fighting. “Do you yield?” He asked with a smirk. "Or do you want me to smack you again? I can do this all day, if you want some bruises."
Utri’s ears burned. A Pendran yield to a servant boy? He lunged for his sword, picked it up with his right hand, and stabbed at Koren’s legs.
Koren knocked the sword aside, and Utri grabbed for his legs, tackling Koren and the two boys fell to the dirt, rolling around and punching each other.
“Enough!” A man’s voice roared.
It was the royal weapons master, a tall, gruff man, who was never seen without his well-worn stiff leather combat vest. “You!” He pointed at Utri. ”You’re done. Step outside the ring.” Utri started to sputter a protest, but the weapons master grabbed him by the front of his shirt, and tossed him toward the open gate. “You lost, boy. Be grateful I stopped the fight before you got hurt, or made an even bigger fool of yourself.” The weapons master served the Regent, the Pendran family meant nothing to him. “And you!” He pointed at Koren, and he picked up the sword Utri had dropped. “Who trained you to fight like that?”
“N-no one, sir.” Koren replied, surprised.
“You’re either a liar, or the best natural sword fighter I ever saw. On guard!” Without another word, the weapons master stabbed the point of the padded sword directly at Koren’s throat. The blow never landed, for Koren’s sword flicked up and knocked it aside. But fighting the weapons master was not like fighting spoiled Utri Pendran, for the man was not discouraged. The force of Koren’s sword caused him to turn to the left, and he spun with the movement, his sword sweeping around to catch Koren off guard.
It didn’t happen, Koren sword was waiting for him when the man turned, and the weapons master staggered backward, trying to catch his breath. Koren’s sword had caught him under the ribs.
The fight went on, weapons master against servant boy, sword clashing against sword, until both had sweat dripping down their brows, despite the mid-winter cold. A crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle. Word of the weapons master fighting the wizard’s boy swept through the castle like a wildfire! The excitement finally reached the ear of Carlana, who, by chance, was walking through the castle with Paedris. Both hurried to the windows that overlooked the sparring ring. The man and the boy circled each other, swords drooping toward the dirt, their arms too tired to hold them up.
“How can Koren have a chance against my master of weapons?” Carlana asked the wizard in a harsh whisper. “You said he couldn’t use his powers!”
Paedris frowned. He should have anticipated this event. “He can’t project his powers outside himself. Using a sword like that is within him, I can’t block that.”
“Someone needs to stop this, before people figure out that Koren is no ordinary boy.” Carlana leaned out the window. “Hold! Drop your weapons!”
Hearing his Regent’s voice, the weapons master dropped his sword to the dirt. Koren was so tired, he was slow to respond, until the sword fell out of his hand.
“The boy fights like a demon, your Highness.” The weapons master gasped between breaths. “His technique his terrible, but I’ve never seen anyone so fast. Except you, of course, Lord Salva. Does the boy have a bit of wizard in him?”
Carlana exchanged a warning glance with Paedris. This is exactly what she was worried about. “Ho!” Paedris exclaimed. “A wizard? Koren? No, he is a farm boy, and a slow-witted one at that. But, since he is my servant, he wouldn’t be much use guarding my tower while I sleep unless he could fight, now would he? I cast a spell on the boy, so he won’t trip over his own sword.”
The crowd, mostly soldiers and guards, murmured at that remark. Could the royal wizard cast a spell on them, also, to give them such lightning speed?
“I know what you’re all thinking, and the answer is no. You think casting such a spell is easy? I don’t have the energy to cover all of you. You lazy slugs must learn to fight the hard way!”
The weapons master bowed to the royal wizard. “Lord Salva, since the boy is your servant, would you mind if I trained him? He is fast, but unskilled.”
Paedris stroked his beard, then nodded. “When he has time, yes, it would be good for him to get some exercise.”
When Koren left the sparring ring, Utri was waiting. “You didn’t beat me.” The boy glared at him. “It wasn’t a fair fight.”
“I never said it was. The next time you want a good spanking, you know where to find me, Lord Putrid. Bring your friends, there's plenty more where that,” Koren pointed to the angry bruise on Utri's left cheek, "came from." He brushed past Utri and his gang of servants, who instinctively stepped back warily. He was famished, and sore all over, even though the weapons master had barely touched him with his sword. When he walked out into the courtyard, Kyre ran up to him. “Koren, I’m sorry about Utri, he’s a bully. Baron Pendran is a vassal of my father, I can ask for Utri to be sent home.”
“No, I need to fight my own battles.” Koren knew there were many Utris in the world, somehow he had to deal with them. "Besides, I don’t think Utri will want to fight me again, after today.” He grinned at that thought. Koren was still in a daze, over how fast he was with a sword.
Kyre held
onto Koren’s arm. “You need to be careful. Paedris is using you, and he doesn’t care if you get hurt.”
“What do you mean?”
“He put a spell on you, without telling you. Who knows what else he’s done?”
“Paedris wouldn’t hurt me.” Koren protested.
Kyre shook his head. “Koren, you think Paedris is your friend. He’s not. He’s the royal wizard, and you are his servant, that’s all you are. You’re not the first servant Paedris had in that tower.”
Koren blinked. Of course Paedris must have had other servants before him, but Koren had not thought much about it. “What are you saying? What happened to the others?”
“I hear most of them ran away. Some, nobody knows what happened to them.” Kyre hinted darkly. “You be careful. Paedris is so powerful, he may hurt you without meaning to. But don’t think he cares about you, you’re just a servant. And Ariana may like looking at old maps with you, but never forget that she is the crown princess, and you’re a commoner. Carlana will make sure Ariana never forgets that.”
“I just want to be her friend.”
“Koren, I may be your only real friend in this castle,” Kyre lied, “because I don’t need anything from you.”
Koren shrugged. A minute ago, he had been happy that he beat Utri, and held his own against the weapons master. “I guess. If Paedris wants to hurt me, what can I do about it? Like you said, I’m just a servant. I don’t even have a family to run home to.”
“I think you need to be ready to run away, if something bad happens. Ariana can’t help you, she’s not yet the queen. And Carlana doesn’t like you.”
Carlana had never really been friendly to Koren. Having been thrown out of one home, he didn’t like the idea of running away from another. Koren sighed.
“Here,” Kyre reached into his pocket and pulled out a leather pouch, “take this.”
Ascendant Page 24
