Magician In Training (Power of Poses Book 1)

by Guy Antibes

  “Did you know that Honor was a Colcan and a member of the guild?” she said.

  “Of course. That is why she had her own house. I didn’t think the guild would move so quickly on Trak, however, or I would have never left for Pestle.”

  “Is he really as good with a sword as he told us?”

  Dalistro shrugged. “I don’t know what he told you, but he is quite good. He has given me a good match. What astounds me is that he was able to remember anything after the guild tried to convert him. It is my understanding, in such things, that the memory is gone.”

  “He said he was truly converted, but he remembered all of his poses and knew that Honor was someone he vaguely recognized from his previous life. They had some help, but he didn’t mention names other than Malena and Honor.”

  “Good boy. It is good to know that Trak can keep secrets well enough. I’ll verify all of this when we return to Espozia.”

  Valanna felt the sting of disappointment. “I can’t go back to Colcan?” She got up and put her hands on the windowsill. The thought of being separated from Asem, Kulara and Trak made her ache inside. Why Trak? Had he found a way to grow older in her mind? Did she care for him more than for Asem and his wife? She did. The thought made her bow her head between her outstretched arms. What a time to realize she really liked him when she had just left Trak.

  Dalistro rose and put his hands on her shoulders. “I understand this has been a trial.”

  She nearly laughed at his misinterpretation of her actions. She shook her head. “I am relieved, somewhat. But why are you so nice to me? What have I done to deserve your goodwill?”

  “I’ll think of something,” Dalistro said. “Currently, think of yourself as Trak’s replacement. I’ll make sure the guild doesn’t take you away, this time.”

  She could feel the strength of steel in his vow about the guild. “Can I at least post a letter to Asem?”

  “Asem? Prince Asem of the Ferezanan? You know him?”

  Valanna would kick herself if she could. “He was the man who led us to save Trak.”

  “He brought you to Colcan? Why?”

  Now Asem would be furious with her. “I know Honor and Trak. He didn’t. We were to travel to Espozia to find him. We didn’t know about any of this before we reached Bitrium.”

  Dalistro relaxed. “Of course. You told the Warishians about Trak, didn’t you?”

  “Asem and the Warishians suspected Trak would be a strong magician before he even started with Podor. He merely worked it so I could verify that he had the power that was rumored. I am no spy, nothing more than a forced observer, really.”

  He laughed. “Most spies are nothing more than observers, but don’t worry, I understand. That is behind us, my dear Valanna. Asem is known to me. As far as I know, he is honorable enough, although his honor heretofore has been restricted to Warish. Are you still an agent?”

  “No.” Valanna couldn’t be more definitive than that. “I had, uh, troubles with someone. Asem wanted to meet Trak over that someone’s objections, so we both left to find Trak Bluntwithe in Espozia.” She went on to relate her adventures.

  “Since Asem is a prince of that realm, then he might be on the run, as are you.”

  Valanna nodded her head. “It served us both to come. I was very, very seasick, so we landed at Tachium and traveled by land.”

  “Fortunate that you did. Tell me again what happened at the bandits’ cabin.”

  Valanna did so.

  “If it weren’t for you, they would be heading back to Espozia. I think, after what you’ve told me, that everything has turned out for the best.”

  His words astonished her. “Aren’t you going to invade Colcan to grab him?”

  “Trak’s important, but even if I wanted to, the council wouldn’t believe he was worth a war with the Colcanans. I wish both sides would make peace with each other, but the magicians on both sides are the true antagonists. They wanted Trak because he escaped. In fact, the magicians told me that two highly placed masters escaped from the guild. One must have been Trak and the other, Honor. It has never happened before, to my knowledge, and I’m sure that scares them all, especially that scoundrel Riotro.”

  Valanna furrowed her brow. “Who?”

  “Riotro, the Black Master of the guild. He’s as petty and power-hungry as any on the Council.” Dalistro smiled in a way he never had in Pestledown. It wasn’t exactly evil, but thoughts of revenge probably powered it. “Now I have more leverage that I ever had.”

  “I hope I’m not that leverage.”

  He patted her hand. “No, and I will make it plain you are not to be touched by the guild.”

  She didn’t like his eyes or that smile. She hoped that Dalistro wouldn’t turn into a lecherous Prince Nez.

  ~~~

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  ANOTHER LETTER! PRINCE NEZ GRINNED. Bachalian had found it in his clothes at the brothel he currently made his home. Nez opened the seal and read the contents, after the woman in his bed fell asleep.

  Mighty Prince,

  Stay patient. You will soon hear of events in Santasia. When that happens, be ready to act.

  Nez curled his fist as he thought of crushing his father. His revenge would be so sweet and the throne of Warish would be even sweeter.

  ~~~

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  TRAK, ASEM AND KULARA SHARED A LARGE HOUSE that sat on the outer edge of Bitrium next to the city wall, although Honor and Malena ended up staying at quarters in the towers. Trak didn’t like the dark gray stone that made up most of Bitrium’s buildings, but the house did have grounds that included grass, trees and a flower garden that broke up the dismal architecture. It also had a practice maze made out of the same stone, and like the maze in Espozia, it opened occasionally into practice areas with vine-covered walls.

  Honor walked with him outside. They sat on a bench deep in the maze.

  “Do you trust Asem?” she said.

  “So far, he hasn’t shared with me what drove him out of Warish, but I haven’t asked. He treats me well enough. Kulara does, too. They are definitely from the desert and can instantly close up like a flower at night.”

  Honor seemed a bit more relaxed, but Trak still saw the severity that she had grown up with all around him. He really didn’t view her harshness as much different from the Warishians. He did trust her and he felt that she trusted him.

  “I don’t want you teaching Kulara any poses. We Colcanans jealously guard our secrets—“

  “Like the linking spell? That’s not one of the sixty-seven poses.”

  Honor nodded. “That and how we manipulate poses and power words. I will teach you those once you have finished mastering all of the power words for the basic sixty-seven poses. Bitrium exists as Colcan’s principal learning center. This house and grounds are usually used for special classes, but the council has decided that you can use it as long as you are with us.” Honor paused for a moment.

  Trak didn’t think she liked what she was going to say when she took a deep breath.

  “You will have to make a promise,” she said.

  Here it came, the conditions that might force him to leave the city. He wouldn’t be bound like he was at the Magicians Guild.

  “We want you to share any new poses or uses of power words that you might develop with us.”

  Trak blew a sigh of relief. If they were willing to teach him their secrets, if he ever came up with something unique, he could certainly pay them back with his knowledge. No one had ever asked him to pay for any training, tutoring or anything else since Dalistro had taken him to Espozia.

  He smiled. “I can do that. It’s little enough to pay you back for all you’ve done.”

  Honor presented him with a wan smile. “You’ve done enough for Colcan, just by confounding the Santasian Magician’s Guild. Without our escape, we’d never know that Vintner had suborned Sunbeam. I have something for you.” She pulled a folded paper out of the pocket of her dress and handed i
t over. “I think it’s from Valanna.”

  Trak noticed that someone had already ripped through the seal and read the note.

  Trak Bluntwithe,

  I wanted you to know that I have met with Misson Dalistro, here in Mozira and will be on my way to Espozia by the time you read this. After a day or so in a dungeon cell, I have been treated much better than I thought I would be. I’m not exactly a prisoner, but I wouldn’t categorize my status as free.

  Our old tutor has promised to protect me from the Magicians Guild, something he acknowledges that he failed to do with you. He has told me to say he is very sorry for what happened and wants me to remind you that he still considers you a friend and hopes you do the same. He is sorry that his affairs took him additional time or he would have gotten you freed without your having to escape Espozia.

  There is more I wish to share with you, but I’m only permitted a single sheet by the Magicians Guild in this town. There is a rivalry between the north and the south, it seems.

  Please let Prince Asem and his wife know that I am well and not in need of immediate rescue.

  I very much look forward to seeing you again,

  Valanna

  He raised his head from the letter and handed it to Honor. “She has landed on her feet, it seems,” he said. If she wrote the truth, a great load had been lifted from his mind. His impotence after the utter exhaustion that overcame him after he took care of their riders still bothered him. He had felt failure, having nothing left to save Valanna. That still seared his soul with remorse, regret, sadness and other feelings he couldn’t describe. He smiled with the relief that she had survived her own abduction.

  Why did she write the letter to him and not Prince Asem? Trak didn’t know the Warishian to be so highly placed. He certainly didn’t treat him or anyone else with the arrogance Trak had always ascribed to princes.

  She wanted to see him again. That also surprised him. He had always felt attracted to her, but he never thought it was reciprocated, especially after she withdrew from all of her classes. Perhaps Asem could tell him more about her role as a spy in Pestledown.

  “This is much better than I expected, Trak. I truly thought she would be wearing the Yellow by now. I’ve known Dalistro for a while, personally and by reputation, as do you, and he will do what he can to protect her. I would say that Valanna’s admiration for you has grown.”

  Trak’s ears perked up at that. “I didn’t think she had any feelings towards me.”

  Honor put the letter on her lap and leaned back on the bench. “When she lived with me, she liked you well enough, but you were, and are, a year younger than she. She thought of you more like a brother. Perhaps that has changed since you demonstrated a level of power no child could. When you step back from a relationship, you often see people a little differently.”

  That aligned with what Trak had been thinking. Perhaps some hope existed that she might perceive him as more than a brother.

  “Have you ever been in a relationship that you had to step back from?”

  Honor blinked at the unexpected question. He had rarely seen her so flustered. “I have, a long time ago when I was a different person. It is something we don’t have to discuss.”

  Trak could see he had walked on delicate ground. “I’m sorry if I upset you.”

  She giggled nervously. “It doesn’t happen often.” She patted Trak’s knee. “I was young and in love. Yes, even I can become emotionally involved with someone. My experience was something like Malena’s. My ‘friend’ found another and I was very hurt. I didn’t know if I hated him or loved him after his betrayal of our relationship. I came here, as a matter of fact, to learn magic as a result of his rejection. A few years later, I went back to my hometown and both he and his wife had grown fat and had lacked my newly acquired sophistication. I had thought myself so superior.”

  Honor sighed and looked around at the walls of the maze. “I found out that they had a child, a happy child, and ended up being jealous of their happiness when I visited my parents not long after. I had retained my sophistication, but never found another man to love. There is more to life than sophistication.”

  Trak snorted. “I’m anything but sophisticated.”

  She patted his knee again. “You’ve changed much more than you realize, Trak. Put that letter away and let’s see what you’ve forgotten.” Honor pulled Trak’s portfolio onto her lap. “Start at the beginning. If you wish to use the fluid forms, do so, but pause at each pose.”

  After a moment of thinking with his hands on his hips, he closed his eyes and went through the first few forms in his head. When he caught the rhythm of the poses, he began, making sure to count three beats at every pose.

  When he had finished, he pulled at his damp shirt and wiped the sweat from his brow. He grinned when he realized that he hadn’t missed a single pose.

  ~

  The leaves had fallen from the ivy on the maze walls and winter had returned when Trak finally learned all of the poses together with the key words. Honor had let Asem and Kulara observe them, but now they had reached a level that Trak had looked forward to: the way to modify poses and keywords.

  “We are finished in the maze for now,” Honor said. “The next phase of your instruction will take place in a practice facility on the other side of the towers from this house.”

  Trak didn’t know if the new learning site was really necessary, but he recognized that Honor didn’t want Asem and Kulara to know Colcanan secrets.

  “We will miss watching your education,” Kulara said. “I think Honor doesn’t want us to compare Warishian secrets with Colcanan secrets. Do you want to learn both?”

  Temptation caught at Trak, but he reluctantly shook his head. “I committed to Honor that I wouldn’t divulge what I may learn in the next stage of my training.” That wasn’t a firm commitment, but Trak felt that was Honor’s intent.

  Asem focused on Trak’s eyes. “We won’t ask you to break that promise, but if you wish, we will teach you—“

  “I will teach you,” Kulara said, giving her husband a scolding glance. “Asem now knows little more than he did even after observing all of your poses. We have more spells and advanced techniques to show you.”

  Trak narrowed his eyes. “And what do you want in return?”

  “Your friendship,” Asem said. “Nothing more. You will be an important part of what is to come and we will need all the friends that we can get. By ‘we’ I mean Kulara and me. My future in Warish is…” he searched for a word, “precarious.”

  “You mean spiriting Val out of Balbaam under Prince Nez’s nose?”

  “That and other things that may have come to light after my departure.”

  “But you are a prince of the Ferezan. Doesn’t that count for anything?”

  “Only that my death can’t be so casually ordered.”

  “You told me that,” Trak said.

  “That hasn’t changed. We left willingly. Once Nez assumes the Pestledown throne, the Warishian kingdom will be thrown into turmoil.”

  Trak nodded. He’d heard it before, but couldn’t fathom the rule of a kingdom being presented to a vicious incompetent. Perhaps he needed some perspective from Dalistro or maybe Asem could help him flesh out his Warishian knowledge more.

  “I know so little of practical politics,” Trak said. “Could you teach me the nasty parts?”

  Asem laughed. “You already have experienced some of those. Certainly, I will tutor you. Your outlook will change, and not for the better, I’m afraid.”

  “If I am to be part of what happens in the world, I’d rather do it with my eyes wide open so I can better judge, if I am able to at all, who I truly support.”

  Kulara patted Trak on the back. “Well said. That might not be so easy to do, but we will give you our perspective.”

  Having the perspective of the desert people, the two of them certainly thought differently than he did.

  “I appreciate that.”

  ~


  Three men sat on one side of a long table in a large room, devoid of anything but the table and the chairs around it. Trak noticed the scarring on the stone walls that looked like the walls in the maze. High square windows illuminated the room. The glass had a greenish look to it that might indicate the panes were very thick. The ceiling was faced with stone. He could see metal fasteners, probably bolts holding the stone plates in. The room would be fireproof except for the table and chairs.

  Honor had escorted him to the room to stand in front of the table.

  One of them stood. “Hello Trak, this is Service Larius and Willing Nomia, Deans of the Magician’s College of Bitrium. Before Honor Fidelia begins to educate you further using techniques we have kept to ourselves, we would like to see a demonstration of the basic sixty-seven Poses and an example of your control of power. Honor says you were a Purple at Espozia. That is not enough to convince the Deans that we should make an exception for you.”

  “Just do what you’ve shown me,” Honor said quietly and took a seat at the table.

  The four of them looked on, three with a great deal of interest. Honor knew what to expect and looked significantly more relaxed than the others. By now, Trak barely needed a moment to collect himself as he went through what he called his Dance of Poses. He ignored the mutterings of the men and finished his demonstration.

  “Which pose would you like me to show you?”

  “Fire.” The men all said the same thing simultaneously, just as Honor had predicted.

  He sighed and took out the knife from his belt. He assumed the fire pose, but this variation, one of the few extra that Honor had taught him, pointed straight up. Trak looked up at the ceiling and saw no burn marks. That would change today.

  He whispered the power word and a tiny flame, little larger than a candle appeared at the tip of the knife. He said it with more concentration and the light moved higher. As he progressively said the power word more loudly, the flame extended upwards until the column of flame licked against the stone tiles on the ceiling. He relaxed and left the pose.