Wizard's Education (Book 2) (2 page)

"At times, the foreseeable future is only a brief moment." Sulrad pushed his chair back and stood up. He leaned over his desk. "It's not only my plans that are at stake here. You have much to lose if Zhimosom escapes. I'm certain his retribution will be swift and painful, should he escape your trap, especially now that he knows who you are."

"I'm confident that he's safely bound. I could have killed him if you had not forbidden it. I think that would be a far safer course of action. It would have taken only a little more power than what you provided. I could have ended his interference forever."

Sulrad struggled to keep his panic under control. He couldn't let the traitor suspect the consequences should he carry out such a threat. "The Temple expended considerable effort to acquire the power you were been granted for your task. The trap you sprang on Zhimosom was costly. Besides, his death would not have accomplished what you think.

"If Zhimosom were to be killed," Sulrad continued, "the Council would become suspicious. They would take it as an attack on them and respond in kind. This way they will simply think he has taken on a new quest, and is in isolation, studying, or that he is off on one of his frequent journeys and does not wish to be bothered. By the time they realize what has happened, it will be too late."

The traitor bowed his head slightly. "As you wish."

"I have someone I want you to meet while you are here. You two will be working together, although you each have a different role to play. She is a powerful Sorceress and a High Priestess in the Temple of Ran."

Sulrad reached out his magical connection for Tass and summoned her to his study.

Tass was a short woman with a slightly crooked nose and one eye that didn't quite follow the other. She looked more like an old serving woman than a High Priestess, a fact that had often led others to underestimate her, much to their detriment.

"Tass, this is the traitor who is going to bring us the Wizards' Council."

"I have a name, you know."

"You are a traitor." Sulrad raised his defenses and gathered power to himself in case the traitor decided to make a foolish move against him. "That is what you are, and that is what I have named you. It will constantly remind everyone that you are to be trusted only as far as necessary."

Tass stepped next to Sulrad and raised her hand. "Please. Let's focus on our mutual success. We have much to do and shouldn't waste time and energy bickering over such insults."

"You are ready to begin?" Sulrad asked her.

"I'm ready."

Sulrad looked back at the traitor. "I will never trust you. However, I am convinced that our current interests coincide and that I can depend on you to act in your best interest, which at this moment is also mine. Do not let me down, or there will be severe consequences."

He dismissed the wizard with a wave of his hand and watched as the traitor turned to mist and dissipated.

"Can we trust him?" Tass asked.

"Most certainly not." Sulrad placed the ceremonial knife back in its ornate holder. "We must be vigilant. A traitor who turns against his own cause will just as easily turn against us. Be prepared to kill him at any moment."

Tass bowed her head. "I will leave at once."

"I await your success." Sulrad watched as Tass stepped into the open spot where the traitor had vanished, turned to mist, and dissipated. He paused for a moment, pondering the events he had set in motion. Deciding that there was nothing to be gained by worrying, he turned back to his work.

Veldwaite Castle

A sharp rap on the door interrupted Lorit as he finished packing for the journey to Amedon.

He ignored it.

Chihon threw him a questioning look, but he shook his head. "Don't answer it."

Lorit shouldered his pack and stepped away from the door. "Let them think we've already gone. We don't need any more trouble." Lorit wanted nothing to do with anyone in Veldwaite. He'd done what he'd come here to do, kill the Priest who'd murdered his sister, and now all he wanted was to get to Amedon and start training with the Free Wizards.

The knock came again, this time more insistent. "In the name of the King, open up."

"I don't think they're going to go away," Chihon said.

"I don't care." Lorit said as he scanned the room for any missed belongings. He heard a key in the door and raised his power in anticipation of a fight. He glanced over at Chihon, who threw him a look of disapproval.

"You'd better let them in," she said.

The door opened and Lorit saw the inn keeper back away to reveal a castle guard. "Are you the Wizard Lorit?" the guard asked.

"Yes, I am." Lorit lowered his shields enough to allow the guard into the room, but he kept a wall of protection around himself and Chihon. He'd learned to be cautious, and didn't trust anyone with a weapon.

"The King wants to see you." The guard glanced at Chihon. "Both of you."

"What is this about? We haven't done anything wrong." Lorit protested.

The guard shrugged his shoulders. "I was told to fetch you for an audience with the King. I don't ask why." He motioned for the door. "Please follow me."

Lorit grabbed Chihon's pack and held it out to her. She took it and followed Lorit as the guard led them out of the inn and down the road towards the castle.

Veldwaite castle was dreary, and imposing, at the same time. The banners that hung from the main road had once been bright and festive, but now were faded and somber. Lorit and Chihon entered the castle gate with trepidation.

"What do you think he wants with us?" Lorit asked.

"I don't know, but if we were in trouble, we would be under arrest. Let's hear what he has to say."

"I wish Rotiaqua could have stayed. She'd know what to do. Nothing good ever comes of getting involved with the castle folk."

"She had Wizard's business to tend to," Chihon said as they rounded the final bend. The castle loomed large above them and the gates of the keep were wide open revealing the regal reception area.

The guards escorted them into the cavernous expanse. The towering pillars that supported the ceiling far overhead were hung with brightly colored banners proclaiming the King's mighty deeds. They were only slightly less worn and tattered than the ones that adorned the main road.

Lorit and Chihon slowly walked from the imposing entry way, along the plush carpet and up to the throne.

King Orin sat there, stiff and formal. He was a middle aged man with a neatly trimmed beard that matched the hair on his head. It was wavy and lightly peppered with gray. He held his scepter stiffly, as if he'd rather be holding his sword.

As they approached the throne, Lorit stopped and bowed deeply, just as he'd been taught. He watched as Chihon did her best to recreate the curtsy she'd been instructed was appropriate for one of her age before the King.

"Rise," the Chancellor called out. Lorit and Chihon stood in unison. Lorit spoke the words he'd been told were expected of every supplicant who came before the King.

"Your highness," Lorit said. "How may we be of service?"

"Are you the Wizard Lorit?"

"I am, Sire."

"I was told that it was you who was responsible for the disturbance at the temple. Is that correct?"

"I ... Sire, I was only defending myself ..." Lorit wasn't familiar with the local politics. He didn't know if the King were an adherent of the Temple or not. He searched for any clue, but the King just looked at him expectantly. Lorit felt like he should say something, but he kept his silence.

King Orin stared intently at Lorit and Chihon. Finally, he broke eye contact and looked around the audience chamber. Functionaries and bureaucrats lined the walls waiting on the King's every word. The King heaved a heavy sigh. "I fear that what we have to discuss is better said in private."

The King stood up, grasped the crown from his head, and tossed it onto the seat of his throne. He turned and walked briskly towards a door off to the side of the audience chamber. He glanced back at Lorit and Chihon. "Are you coming?"

Lorit hurried to follow the King, glancing back to make sure Chihon was right behind him. They entered a large banquet hall that was only small by comparison to the main audience chamber. A long table and comfortable chairs filled the center of the room, and windows looked down on the city from one wall.

King Orin pulled out a chair and fell into it. He gestured to the seats next to him. "Please."

Lorit and Chihon took the indicated places and waited for the King.

"I understand you're a powerful Wizard." The King said.

"I wouldn't say I'm a
powerful
Wizard, but I am a Wizard, yes." It felt strange for Lorit to claim that title, but he was a Wizard now, even though he had not been formally trained.

The King held up his hand. "You brought down the temple and slaughtered the Priests. That's a powerful Wizard. Besides, what I ask of you will not require any extraordinary use of your powers."

The King leaned forward and lowered his voice. "I have a task that I require of you. It is important to me and has a great impact on the future of my kingdom."

The King stood up, walked over to the window and gazed down on the city below. He spoke with his back turned. "There is an unspoken truce between the Throne and the Temple. I don't favor them, but they have influence with the nobles, and could cause a lot of trouble for me if they wished."

King Orin turned and sat on the window ledge. "My son, Prince Ghall should be the next King of Veldwaite. He's spent his life learning the ways of the castle and preparing to take my place when I'm no longer able to rule the kingdom."

The King stood up and paced the dining room. "Prince Ghall is a bright young man, and learning his lessons well. I had grown confident in his abilities to lead the kingdom, until recently."

King Orin took his seat once more. He motioned for the servants to bring him wine and waited while his chalice was filled. He offered some to Lorit and Chihon before continuing. "Over the last few moons, something has happened that cast doubt over his suitability to be the next King."

Lorit waited for the King to continue. He glanced at Chihon for any cue to speak, but she shook her head slightly.

"The priests have been coming around asking about the Prince." The King took a deep draught of his wine. "They think he has the Wizard's Power, and the boy has been having nightmares. Nightmares that become real, so it's not beyond the realm of possibility."

The King pushed his chair back and walked back to the window. He grasped the window ledge and leaned deep into the window, his gaze fixed on the far horizon.

"If he
is
a Wizard, I don't want him going to the Temple. I can survive his never becoming King, but I don't want him under Temple control. I want you to take him with you to Amedon where he can be trained by the Free Wizards."

"Has anyone tested him to determine whether he
is
a Wizard?" Lorit asked.

"The priests have repeatedly asked to examine him, but I have so far refused them," King Orin said. "Can
you
tell me if he's a Wizard?"

"I may be able to." Lorit thought the King looked more like a worried father than a regal ruler. He should be able to tell if the boy had powers.

"Where is the boy now?" Lorit asked.

The King signaled to one of the guards, who immediately left the room. "He is near."

The guard returned shortly with a boy that could only be Prince Ghall. He was fourteen summers in age, just the age when magic awakened in a boy. His hair and face were the King's, while his innocent smile and his soulful eyes could only have come from his mother. The boy stood at attention before Lorit, waiting to be addressed.

"Sit down and relax," Lorit said. "I just want you to talk with me a little while. Explain what's been happening."

The Prince sat straight in his chair as if afraid to relax.

The boy described the dreams he had been having, and how sometimes things he dreamed about became real. As Lorit listened to him, he recalled his own awakening, and how he had materialized an apple just by thinking about how good it would taste.

"Close your eyes," Lorit said. "I want you to imagine a nice juicy red apple. Visualize it, sitting on the table in front of you. Picture it in your mind with as much detail as you can. Make it real and describe it to me in as much detail as you can. Make me see it."

Lorit spoke softly to the boy, instructing him to visualize a conjuration while he probed for signs of magic. As the boy spoke, Lorit saw small sparks of purple light appear and just as quickly die out again. He could sense magic around the boy, but was not sure if it was originating with Prince Ghall or if it was residual magic. Perhaps it was a spell to protect the boy.

"That's enough." He tapped the Prince lightly on the shoulder to break his concentration.

Prince Ghall slowly recovered. His eyes focused on Lorit questioningly.

"He shows signs of power, but it's weak and unfocused," Lorit said.

"You are certain?" King Orin asked.

"I sense a slight trace of power around him, but I can't say for sure. I would like to have someone more experienced examine him. Normally I would call on the Wizard Zhimosom for something like this."

"Can you call him here?" The King gestured at an empty chair.

"He doesn't leave Amedon."

"If my son is a Wizard ..." The King got up and paced the chamber, pausing periodically to peer out the window at the city below.

"Prince Ghall is my only son. Without the Prince, the kingdom will be up for grabs to whichever family can put forth a suitable mate for my daughter."

He grabbed his chalice from the table and downed its contents in one gulp, then threw it against the wall, where it struck with a resounding clatter. "This could very well ruin my kingdom."

Lorit knew better than to answer.

Finally, the King turned to confront his son.

"You will accompany these two to Amedon where you will be tested by the Wizard Zhimosom. If you possess magic ... The burden of the kingdom will pass to your sister."