by Rick Field
The end of class signal sounded, and he looked each of them in the eye, before giving a sharp nod. “Class is dismissed. My Lady MagicWarper, My Lord Woodmaster, please make yourself available at six pm tonight, so that I may introduce you to the Student Council.”
Liane and Dion nodded their assent, and Liane was proud to note that Amy had already updated her schedule to reflect the invitation.
It was exactly six pm when the Lord Master entered the dining hall, where Liane, Amy, and Dion were waiting for him. He gave them a single nod in greeting, and bade them to follow him.
First, he showed them to his office, where he placed a single seamless wooden box on his desk. Beautiful and ornate, the box appeared to be a solid piece of wood, and she wanted to study it closer, only her sense of Decorum prevented her from doing so.
The Lord Master wove his hand, and the lid of the box opened on invisible hinges, the line between box and lid becoming real only upon his command. Again, it had happened so fast that Liane's Magic Sight had not been engaged fast enough to catch it. Earlier, she had been too eager in the Deep Secrets & Ancient Lore course, and had not even thought about her Magic Sight. Now that she had, she had not been fast enough to engage it to see the Lord Master weave his magic.
Her disappointment was soon forgotten, as the box was filled with foamy material that Liane recognized as the high end control over the element of Air – suspending air within a lattice of magical reality.
It made excellent packing material but was extremely difficult to make – and thus hideously expensive.
The material surrounded three objects, and Liane took a good look at those when the man turned the box around and presented it to the three students in front of him. “My Lord, My Ladies, as you are about to enter student government, you will require these.”
Liane's Magic Sight saw the magic inherent in these objects, magic the likes of which she had not yet seen, but magic that she understood at an intimate level thanks to years of study in Runes and Glyphs.
These were permanently enchanted objects, unbound, new, ready and waiting for a master to bind to them and give them power and purpose. “There is magic out there that has only been hinted at so far, My Lord and My Ladies,” the Lord Master went on, as if oblivious to Liane's open-mouthed stare at the objects in the box.
“That magic will affect minds and souls and thoughts. There is magic that will spill your innermost secrets without you even being aware of it. These items, My Lord and My Ladies, will protect you from that magic. Please be aware that the truth potion of the Adjudicators will still be able to override these. Please also keep in mind that, although these items will prevent mind-altering potions and magic from taking effect, and they will protect your minds from being read, they cannot protect you from the adverse affects of magical defenses placed on homes. A wardline that renders you unconscious will still affect you.”
Liane felt herself nod, although she was not consciously aware of actually wanting to do so. “My Lady MagicWarper, because of your unique nature, I took the liberty of arranging for a necklace, rather than a ring.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” she answered on automatic, her fingers tracing the crystals on her focus gloves on their own. As long as she wore those, she could wear no rings.
“Please take a ring, My Lord Woodmaster and My Lady Iceworker.”
Dion and Amy reached in and took one of the rings. They looked identical, same shape and size. The top of the ring was a single black stone that was functional rather than striking. Both placed the rings on their pinky at the same time, the rings automatically resizing as the rune matrix recognized a master.
Dion flinched, while Amy actually gasped and grit her teeth against crying out as the permanent enchantments drew blood and magic.
Liane took a calm breath, lifted the necklace out of the box, and placed it around her neck.
The pain was not something she had ever experienced before, and she found herself flinching as well. The magic of the necklace sought out the magic in her chest, and drew it in. The unstable magic from her damaged magical core flooded the item, and she could feel its special defenses go up and protect her.
At once, she felt no longer scared into submission before the Lord Master. She was still scared, true, but no longer did she have the urgent need to conform to the Lord Master's every command.
The necklace was protecting her mind from all influences, even if those influences were of her own making. But hadn't the Lord Master said that it would only protect against external influences? Liane had no time to ponder her thoughts, as the Lord Master already went on to the next point in the agenda.
“Now that you are protected, I will take you to the chambers of the student council, and introduce you. If you would please follow me?”
Liane and Dion stood up at the same time, and followed the Lord Master out of his office. As they walked the halls, Liane had the uncomfortable feeling that her magic had been shocked by the necklace placing a sudden drain on it, and was now immensely curious as to what it was doing.
Like with the Arbitrator of Elements, now years ago, her magic was poking and prodding the necklace, as if trying to get back at the object that was now draining some of its energy. Neither magic nor necklace seemed to be in bad shape, so Liane did her best to ignore the feeling.
By the time they got to the council chamber, one flight of stairs up from the floor that housed the Lord Master's office, Liane could hardly feel the prodding probes her magic sent out at the necklace.
“Welcome to the council chamber, My Lord, My Lady,” the Lord Master said as he grabbed the door handle. Two seconds later, it had verified his identify and clicked the door open. “You will be added to the security system so that the door will open for you as well.”
Liane and Dion nodded in appreciation, and filed in behind him. Amy came in last, silently wondering if the blanket statement included her, as well. The council chamber was large, with the customary large windows overlooking the central plaza of the Academy, with the silver fountain predominantly in the picture.
Along the inner walls of the chamber, larger and smaller private study areas had been separated off with privacy screens that made the air hazy in their inactive state, ready to receive council members that needed to withdraw for private discussion, contemplation, or study.
Central to the room was the large rectangular table, holding five seats on one side, four on the other, and one seat at both the head and foot of the table.
The table was in full use at the moment, all student council members present and debating calmly a new rule regarding the use of the advanced ritual chambers.
Liane was interested to note that they were debating lowering the age requirements for them.
The Lord Master motioned them to one of the larger segregated areas, but did not activate the privacy screens.
Soon, the ongoing debate came to a close, and the Lord Master stood up once more, asking for their attention, which he received immediately.
“My Lords, My Ladies, allow me to introduce the new Vice-Magi of the Student Council: My Lord Dion Woodmaster and My Lady Liane, the MagicWarper.” He turned to Dion and Liane. “My Lord, My Lady, allow me to introduce the Student Council of the Kirian Academy of Magic.”
The council members stood up to be introduced, and the Lord Master did so. “My Lord, My Lady, please meet the Lady Lesili Firemistress, one of the current Magi.” The young woman in question looked regal, nodded to Liane and Dion, then excused herself. She walked to one of the smaller privacy areas, and activated the screen. The hazy magic turned opaque, shielding her from view.
“The Lord Gonaro Metalmaster is our other Magus,” the Lord Master introduced. The young man in question nodded at Dion, frowned slightly at Liane, then gave her the curtest nod that Decorum allowed, and excused himself.
“The Lord Dars Earthcrafter,” the Lord Master introduced. The Warlock nodded at both Dion and Liane.
“Do not worry about the
Lord Magus, My Lady,” Dars said. “He is convinced of the superiority of the Warlock fighting arts, and is rather upset that you have used those same Warlock abilities in your last duel.”
Liane nodded at the information. “Thank you, My Lord. I will keep that in mind for my future dealings with him.”
“A pleasure, My Lady. Please let me know if I can be of any other assistance.” The young man nodded at the Lord Master. “Lord Master.” he proceeded to do the same with Dion and Liane. “My Lord, My Lady.” He then turned and sat down at the table once more, not taking up any more of the Lord Master's precious time.
One by one, the Lord Master introduced Dion and Liane to the Student Council members.
Zaia Icecrafter and Zelila Metalmistress were two Mages, and although the Rules of Equality would forbid them from discussing any family bonds, the fact that their faces looked very much alike was still a giveaway.
Even though Zaia Icecrafter had blond hair and Zelila's hair was as black as the night.
Garet Lightningcrafter was a stuttering Warlock who seemed unable to remain still, his entire body twitching when seated. He was unable to maintain eye-contact for more than a few moments, and his greeting had a rushed quality to it.
Xepr Woodmaster would graduate at the end of the year, and seemed rather disinterested in anything that would take him away from his studies.
Naria Watercrafter was someone known to Liane, a rather mediocre Mage who had neither skills nor abilities to excel and, for a moment, Liane wondered what her colleague was doing here, on this council.
Then again, Naria had rather romantic tendencies, so she was probably on the council in an effort to represent those without special skills or abilities.
Liane scoffed at the idea. She, as a magically handicapped person, had risen to the top of the Academy. Twice. If that did not show that those without special skills could still be great, nothing else would.
Tusumene Firecrafter gave a rather lazy greeting, before making her excuses and leaving. Again, this Mage was known to Liane. She was someone who was the stereotypical Noble elite, lazy, unmotivated, and not willing to put in any effort that was not absolutely demanded by the school or the teachers.
Liane was pleased to see the girl make her excuses and leave. She represented the worst part of the Noble upper class, a part that Liane did not wish to have anything to do with.
Naidis Aircrafter was a Warlock Liane did not know. He seemed rather soft-spoken and unassuming, but from the earlier debate, Liane thought that his demeanor hid a rather keen mind. A mind that he, himself, did not realize the potential of.
Liane blinked twice when she was introduced to the final member of the council, a member she had not taken a good look at before now.
Now that he was right in front of her, she recognized him instantly. His body had filled out; his shoulders were broad and muscular even when hidden under robes. His face had matured handsomely, but the cruel glint in his eyes had remained the same.
Fylian Earthmaster gave a cold grin when he was re-introduced to her. “My Lady. It is good to see that you have excelled, regardless of your rather ignoble defeat at my hands all those years ago.”
Liane swallowed deeply, her core vibrating angrily, immediately stopping its investigation of her necklace, begging to change into a different element, raging for a chance to swat him where he stood.
Liane resisted with all her might, but her emotional turmoil was clearly visible on her face, there for all to read. “My Lord,” she finally said. “I am sure that you will be able to overlook such matters, especially as I am now Vice-Magus, and thus your superior.”
His face twitched, showing that she had struck him where it had hurt. Slowly, he dipped his head. “So it would seem, My Lady,” he spoke softly, his voice indicating that the matter was not yet over. He nodded at the Lord Master and to Dion, then made his excuses and left.
Despite his Decorum-demanded emotional control, it was obvious that the man was deeply angry.
“I must ask, My Lady, will this be a problem?” the Lord Master asked Liane.
She looked back from the closed door to the Lord Master. “If there is a problem, My Lord, it will not be of my making. I cannot guarantee the same from the Lord Earthmaster, however. He has shown remarkable ability to anger me and draw comments from my lips that enable him to issue challenges.”
The Lord Master looked for long seconds at her, before giving a nod. “Very well. I will leave this in your hands, My Lady.” He nodded to Dion, then made his excuses to the Student Council, and made to leave.
Before he turned to the door, he stepped closer to Liane. “Please be most careful, My Lady. The Rules of Equality forbid me from interfering, or from choosing one student over another. I am, however, still an educator at the Academy, and as such I am able to provide general information. It would not do you to underestimate a Warlock.” he looked at the door pointedly and then back to Liane.
She understood just which Warlock he was talking about. “Some Warlocks have shown remarkable skills in the arts of combat, no matter the fact that some Mages have taken it upon themselves to test themselves against Warlocks on a regular basis.”
So the Lord Master knew of her mock combats with Milor, and was warning her that it would not be enough should she be challenged by Fylian. She nodded her understanding. “Thank you, My Lord, for the lesson. It will be one I will remember.”
He looked her straight in the eye, then gave a curt nod before leaving the room. Liane stayed behind, to talk to her fellow council members, and digest the impromptu lesson the Lord Master had imparted on her.
It seemed the Lord Fylian Earthmaster had become even more dangerous than he had been during her second year, when he had nearly killed her.
She would need to ensure that he had no cause to challenge her. It was going to be an interesting test of her skills, that was something she was sure of.
She spent another half an hour talking to Dars Earthcrafter, who seemed an amicable enough Warlock. By the time she left, she was treated to the curious sensation of her magic seemingly leeching back from her necklace. It was still pulling energy from her core, but now her core seemed to be drawing something back from it.
It was a most interesting sensation, one she ignored after a few minutes. It was her magic. It was always doing funny things.
*****
Liane's fingers touched the control runes to activate the privacy screen around one of the secluded areas of the Student Council chambers. The hazy screen solidified, hiding them from eyes and ears, insuring their privacy.
“My Lord,” she greeted the man who had been waiting for her.
Dars dipped his head. “My Lady.” He placed a small bundle of papers on the table in between them. “I've looked over your proposal.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” she acknowledged gratefully.
“I believe that it may work,” he went on, as if she hadn't spoken. “I would urge you to keep in mind, however, that you are a vice-Magus. Your role, at this point, is ceremonial. Nominally, you have the authority to introduce new legislation suggestions,” he placed his hand on the papers between them, and went on, “but until you become full Magus next year, your powers will be just that – ceremonial.”
Liane frowned. That wasn't what she had expected. “So, in effect, I am not a member of this Council until next year, My Lord?”
Again, he dipped his head in affirmation. “That is true, My Lady. Your role, at this time, is to learn and study under the current Magus, so you are ready to assume her role when she graduates. Perhaps you would be better served by talking to her?”
“The Lady Magus has no time for me, My Lord. And the Lord Magus refuses to spend any time in my presence at all,” she answered coolly.
Dars sighed, then leaned back. She was surprised by his mannerisms. She had never seen Milor lean back and stare at the ceiling, for example. Dars' Decorum was a lot more informal that Milor's was, too. She found she rather liked the cha
nge; it was a refreshing change of pace.
Dars let out his breath, focusing her attention back to the present. “Perhaps you could tell the Lady Magus that, should you be ready, you can start assuming some of her duties. The Lady Magus will only work to the betterment of herself, and wishes only to complete her studies. I don't think she is fully motivated to be on the Student Council. If you offer to share her duties, giving her more time for herself, you would find her more willing to help you.”
Liane was silent. Politics was a dirty game, it seemed. “In effect, offer her something she would like in an effort to get her to do what she should be doing anyway?”
Dars looked away from the ceiling, focusing back on her. His lips twitched. “You are already learning, My Lady. Unfortunately, more often than not, you'll need to use tactics such as these. Most Nobles are self-centered people by nature, and most will rather sit and do nothing unless properly motivated. It is the exception who does their job as they should.”
That one sentence taught Liane more about human and Noble nature than she had ever learned before.
She vowed there and then that she would always take her duties seriously, not just the tasks assigned and lessons taught by the Academy, but the duties she would inevitably have after leaving as well. “Thank you, My Lord. I will keep that-” her voice cut off when something came over the Proctor-Assistant bond.
Just like Cassandra before her, Liane allowed Amy two hours of personal time over lunch. And right now, the bond was warning her that something was wrong with her Assistant.
Something was terribly wrong with her Assistant. She stood up hurriedly, and disengaged the privacy screen. “My apologies, My Lord, but we will need to resume our discussion some other time. It appears my foolish Assistant has gotten herself into trouble.”
Dars jumped to his legs as well, and nodded in understanding. “I understand, My Lady. I hope your Assistant is fine.”
