by Sam Ferguson
It leapt from a rock to the egg and then out to the large, flat rock, chirping incessantly. Three chirps, a quick hop, then three more chirps and another jump. The lizard continued acting this way until finally Kyra rose to her feet and approached the egg. As she came closer, the small lizard jumped from the egg to the flat rock and back to the egg. It kept jumping and chirping, seeming almost panicked.
Kyra grabbed the flat rock and slid it back into place over the egg. No sooner had she concealed the egg than the lizard calmed down. It dropped into its hole and disappeared.
“Curious little guardian,” she said with a smile.
A cold wind blew in from the north and chilled her to the bone. Goosebumps tightened her forearms and she rubbed her shoulders. The dark shadow of twilight swept over the hillside and reminded her of the events at Kuldiga Academy. Hesitantly, she drew in a breath and decided that she had better forget about discovering what kind of creature had hidden the egg here.
Before she left, she cast a spell around the egg to help it remain warm.
*****
Janik limped through the countryside. It had taken him the better part of the afternoon to shake off the other instructors that had insisted on coming with him to look for Kyra. If not for the charm spells that Cyrus had taught him, Janik would not have been able to convince his brother to head in the opposite direction. Now, however, he would find Kyra and have her all to himself. Despite her spell, he had seen in which direction she had fled and had managed to cast a tracking spell just before she had run out of range.
He couldn’t so much see where she was as feel the direction that would lead him to her. It came as a mixture of vibration and sound that pulled at his mind. The closer he got, the stronger the sensation. He wound his way through the forest until he came to a large clearing. The last of the day’s light fell upon the bending, golden grasses softly as a gentle layer of fog began to form over the ground.
Seeing Kyra emerge from the trees on the opposite side of the clearing, Janik couldn’t help but see her for what she was. She looked less the girl, and ever more part demon as she walked into the mist in her full-length black dress. The dark hair and the strong expression on her face only accentuated the feeling in him upon finding her. He was much larger than her, and had many years of experience, and yet he couldn’t help but feel as though he were stepping alone into a field with a great beast. Reflexively, his right arm went to his belt for his axe. As his fingers touched the cold steel, he shook the feeling from his body and pressed into the clearing.
She saw him when he waved and smiled.
“Come here, Kyra, I am alone. There are no angry instructors with me,” he called to her. Even from across the clearing, he could see the smile brighten her face and lift her mood. “If we hurry, I might be able to put in a good word with the Headmaster,” Janik added.
Kyra didn’t run, but she did speed her pace until they met up.
“You heard then?” Kyra asked. Janik forced a smile.
“Everyone at the Academy has heard.” He watched as Kyra turned slightly red in the face and sighed. He put a hand on her shoulder. “One does not throw an instructor into the wall without everyone knowing about it.”
“She was going to throw a spell at me, I stopped her,” Kyra said matter-of-factly.
“Lady Priscilla has gone home,” Janik reported. Kyra’s eyes went wide.
“I didn’t mean to hurt her, I only wanted to stop her from attacking me.”
Janik nodded. “Turns out, she was somewhat ill anyhow; the scuffle today exacerbated that fact. She should be alright in a few days, but I think it best you keep your magic under control from now on.”
“Where is your brother?” Kyra asked.
Janik smiled. “Well, I thought it best if I found you first. I sent him in a different direction.”
“You knew where I was?” Kyra asked. Her eyebrows scrunched in together and she cast a nervous glance over her shoulder.
“No,” Janik replied truthfully, “but I saw which direction you ran. I was outside at the time.” He smiled wide. “You should have seen the army of angry instructors all chasing after you a few minutes later. They were huffing and puffing every which way for an hour or so before they all calmed down. You do know that Amelia’s father is one of the Academy’s larger benefactors, do you not?”
“Money doesn’t mean you can taunt others,” she said simply with a shrug.
“Quite right,” Janik nodded firmly, “Though I dare say there are some who would disagree. One thing you must understand is that like it or not, money rules the kingdom. Those who have it are given more opportunities than those who do not. They also receive more deference in times of indiscretion.”
“Then by that reasoning, I should be able to purchase my way back into the Headmaster’s good graces,” Kyra said slyly.
Janik looked at her, shocked, his mouth hanging open slightly. He wasn’t sure what to say. He hadn’t expected a response like that from the young lady. Finally, he pressed his lips together and then turned around and began the long walk back to the Academy, with Kyra next to his side.
“I suppose that isn’t a bad idea,” Janik said after some time. “Perhaps we can pull it out of the dowry promised for your wedding. What do you say?”
Kyra shrugged, but remained silent.
Janik smiled slyly. He wasn’t just trying to use her logic to solve her current dilemma, he was changing the subject to the marriage. The alliance that Cyrus required.
“I have something for you,” Janik said. He pulled a silver amulet from his pocket and dangled it before her as they walked. “It belonged to my mother.”
Kyra looked at it, and then glanced to Janik questioningly.
“My father had no daughters, thus I was given the amulet as I was the eldest. However, I think it should be given to a woman, don’t you?”
Kyra remained silent.
Janik pressed on. “Seeing as you will be my sister in the future, I thought it would only be right that it go to you. I would look rather silly if I were to wear it myself.”
Kyra smiled at that. She held out her palm and the two stopped walking so she could inspect it. The amulet was small, no larger than a peach pit, but it was finely crafted into the form of a perched hawk upon a branch. A single, small ruby was set into the eye.
“It is beautiful,” she said.
“Here, let me put it on you.” Janik unclasped the chain and placed it around her neck. As he secured it into place, Kyra let her hair down over the back of her neck and he moved around to inspect the amulet. “A perfect piece to accentuate your ability, as well as your beauty,” Janik said. “The hawk is one of the noblest creatures. It may not be as large as an eagle, but it is every bit as brave and cunning.”
“Is that what you think of me?” Kyra asked.
Janik nodded. “I think I will call you that, my little hawk.”
Kyra smiled and patted the amulet. Then they began to walk again. Janik took some time before speaking again. Despite having the amulet imbued with the spell Cyrus gave him, there was something that made him apprehensive. He kept glancing down toward the necklace between limps, wondering if it were truly strong enough to work on the young lady. It was too bad that her mind was not as susceptible as his brother’s was. No artifact was needed to charm Feberik. Just a powder that mixed into drink.
Even on the night Janik was finally able to get Feberik to agree to marry Kyra, all he had needed to do was mix a bit of powder into his large brother’s drink. Sure, he had to keep giving him the powder every few weeks, but that was not so hard to accomplish.
Then again, if Kyra could be so easily manipulated, Cyrus likely wouldn’t have any use for her.
They were nearly back at the trees before Janik finally broached the subject that was his mission. He took in a great breath and then sighed. Even with the amulet, he knew this conversation would require delicacy.
“Kyra, can I ask what it is about my brother and me that
you don’t like?”
For all of Janik’s hesitation, Kyra didn’t seem the least fazed by the question; almost as if she had expected it.
“It isn’t you I don’t like,” Kyra said quickly. “It is your brother.”
“Ah, so you would marry me then?” Janik said playfully.
Kyra offered a half-giggle and shook her head.
“You are nearly the same age as my father,” Kyra replied.
“There have been worse arrangements made,” Janik said with a grin.
Kyra stopped suddenly and turned to him. “I don’t mean to cause offense,” she said. “I know the Middle Kingdom has always operated this way. The women are betrothed to men, almost always men that are ten or twenty years older. The noblewomen then attend the Academy, and upon graduation they are married. That works fine for most of them…”
“But not for you,” Janik finished for her.
Kyra shook her head. “I want to live my own life.” She sighed and began walking again. Janik limped quickly to keep pace with her. “I am not even sure I want to be married, but if I did, I would want it to be a man of my choosing. I know you rescued my mother, and I am forever grateful for that, but I want freedom.” Kyra stopped again and held the amulet up from her chest with her hand. “When the hawk flies, it does not need to ask permission to leave the nest. It spreads its wings and takes command of the skies. That is what I want.”
“My brother is a fine man,” Janik said softly. “He will treat you right. You will be as free as you wish.”
Kyra shook her head. “That is like saying that I will have a pretty bed set up in a dungeon. You can dress it up as you like, but you are still trapped.”
Janik frowned. The amulet didn’t seem to have any effect on her. He tried again. He placed his right hand on her shoulder and pressed the amulet back into place until she finally let it hang freely, close to her heart.
“There are many who would give much to marry my brother. You should consider yourself lucky to be his future bride.”
Anger flashed in her eyes. “Well I don’t,” she said flatly. She turned and stormed off.
Janik stood and watched her go for a few moments before apologizing sincerely enough that she let him catch up with her.
“I won’t speak of it again,” he offered. “I didn’t want to upset you. Come, let us get back to the Headmaster and see what kind of arrangement we can come to.”
The two of them returned to find Feberik and two other instructors waiting at the western door for them.
“I’ll handle this,” Janik said. “Wait here a moment.” Kyra stood and waited while Janik moved up to approach the others. Besides his brother there was Master Fenn, one of the sorcery instructors, and Lady Gerigan.
“Is she all right?” Feberik asked.
Janik nodded and patted the air with his good hand. “She is a bit ruffled, as you might imagine,” Janik replied. “Physically, she is fine.”
“What does she have to say for herself?” Master Fenn pressed.
Janik turned a hard eye on him. “I suspect that is for the Headmaster to hear, and not you.”
“I will not be told my place by a janitor,” Master Fenn said gruffly. He started down the granite steps but Feberik snatched out with one hand and gripped the front of the man’s cloak.
“I shouldn’t have to remind you of what Janik has done in the past. He is not a janitor because of his lack of ability,” Feberik snarled.
“On the contrary,” Master Fenn said in an even tone. “His physical handicap is precisely why he can’t instruct. He is literally useless in terms of instructing pupils how best to fight with weapons. I suppose that is why they let you take his place when he was disfigured. The headmaster pitied him his deformation, and pitied you for your lack of promise in the field.”
Feberik picked Fenn off the ground several inches and held him there.
“Would you like to see my abilities?”
Janik grinned. There were times indeed when Feberik’s temper was amusing to watch.
“Go on, show me what you can do with your hands,” Fenn said. “Though I dare say that a man of true abilities could win the fight without lifting a finger.”
“Oh, stop it, both of you!” Lady Gerigan said. “Janik is right. The Headmaster shall be the one to decide her fate. There is no need for this useless display.”
Master Fenn arched an eyebrow and turned a fierce eye on Feberik.
“There is nothing to worry about, Lady Gerigan. Feberik was just beating his chest like a wild ape might in front of a mate to display strength and dominance. It’s just a basic instinct, you might say.” Fenn vanished into thin air only to reappear behind Lady Gerigan in the doorway. “Should I have been worried at any point, I would have reduced him to a writhing worm on the ground.”
Feberik glared at the sorcerer.
“When I am headmaster of this place, you will be looking for a new job,” Feberik promised.
“The day you are headmaster, is the day I will throw myself from the Verignian Cliffs,” Fenn replied. “Fie the day they should ever put a brute swordsman in place as the headmaster here. This is first and foremost a school of thought and magic. We only allow the brutes in so we have fodder to put on the field before the real heroes.” With that, Master Fenn turned and vanished into the hall.
“Honestly!” Lady Gerigan huffed. She flattened the front of her dress and shook her head in disgust. “I know sorcerers have large egos, but that one takes the cake.”
“It’s all right,” Janik said. “I am used to it.”
“You shouldn’t be,” Feberik said. “It isn’t a man’s position that denotes his worth, it’s his character.”
“Quite right,” Lady Gerigan agreed. “Now let’s get her up to the Headmaster.” She gestured toward Kyra.
Janik held up a hand. “Actually, it is probably best if I take her myself,” Janik said. Feberik was the first to protest, but Janik shook his head. “She needs a bit of space from you brother, as you might imagine. It was not in small part due to your betrothal that she finds herself in this precise predicament.”
Feberik sighed and then walked away. Janik smiled on the inside, wishing he had always had such control over his brother. Lady Gerigan looked as though she would put up an argument, but she followed Feberik inside without another word.
After they left, Janik waved for Kyra to come to him.
“What was that about?” Kyra asked.
“Ah, you mean my brother and Master Fenn?” Janik smiled. “They were arguing the finer points of magic versus strength.”
“Who won?” she pressed.
“As always,” Janik began, “the one with the brains won out.” He offered her a wink and she let it go at that. The two of them made their way up into the second level of the west wing. They found the Headmaster waiting in a small study.
Janik had Kyra wait outside the room and closed the door behind him.
Headmaster Herion sat in his favored high-backed chair. Some had said it was fashioned out of dragon teeth and scales, but Janik knew better. The frame was made of cherry wood, and the inlay was of ivory and colorful scales. As masterful and inspiring as it was, there was nothing from a dragon on that chair. The detailed carvings within the frame were crafted out of ivory tusks from the north. The scales came from the ridgebacked crocodile, a ferocious beast that had once plagued the inland waterways of the Middle Kingdom but was now found only in Verishtahng. Still, the carvings depicted Kuldiga Academy’s different areas of instruction and was often referred to as “the throne” despite the fact that it, of course, did not relay any amount of power to the one sitting in it. Still, that didn’t stop Headmaster Herion from treating it as through it were the throne of the Middle Kingdom.
If Feberik ever is headmaster, that chair would be the first thing to leave the Academy, Janik promised himself. Master Fenn would be a close second.
The Headmaster looked up from a thick book and peered through a pair of gol
d-rimmed glasses. Headmaster Herion was old, but not so aged that his face was covered in liverspots. There were a few deep creases around the mouth and on the forehead, but otherwise he still held the visage of youth and strength. His kind, blue eyes sparkled as he flashed a smile filled with impeccably white teeth. Unlike many of the other wizards, Herion was clean-shaven, and dressed in a normal looking tunic. If not for the chair, one might actually suspect him to be nothing more than an understudy, or perhaps a visiting scholar.
“What can I do for you?” Herion asked in his gravelly voice.
Janik limped in and sat on the opposite side of the table from the headmaster.
“I know you heard about Kyra Caspen,” Janik began.
“Yes, yes, that was quite a bit of naughty mischief,” Herion said with a nod of his head. “Though I must say it is not the first time something like this has happened.”
Janik offered a knowing grin. Something similar had happened once or twice in the many years he had been involved with the academy.
“I wanted to ask whether there can be any leniency granted?”
“I see.” Herion leaned back in his chair and folded his fingers together over the open book. “The problem is that this was not a private affair. An entire classroom of students watched as their instructor was flung into a wall, and frogs were leaping out of throats. No, no leniency can be granted here. The students must know that there is a consequence for all actions.”
“Might I interject?” Janik asked.
Herion sighed and cocked his head to the side.
“I know who you are Janik,” Herion began. “I was headmaster here when you and your brother came through as apprentices. Still, your heroic career notwithstanding, the other masters will see it as improper if I show you mercy just because Kyra is betrothed to your brother. They won’t like it, not one bit.”
