The way of courage, p.15
The Way of Courage, page 15
They had to wait in line to be announced, but the wait was short. Finally, as they stepped forward, the protocol officer on duty checked their rings. After glancing at the cards he had prepared, he called out their names and titles. “Free Mage Resolute Bess Fielding, Duchess of the Central Highlands, Marchioness of the Emerald Glades, Viscountess of the Shallow Moors, Baroness of Jagged Isle, and Holder of the Heptatic Star of Sacrifice. Apprentice Leith Riverstone, Baroness of Sage Hills, and Apprentice to Free Mage Bess Fielding.”
Over half the room turned at the announcement as Bess descended the stairway with Leith half a pace behind her. As they approached the bottom of the stairs, Bess saw Senior Mage Nasir approaching. She bowed to him, acknowledging his position, then said, “Senior Mage Nasir Maelstrom, I don’t believe you have met my apprentice, Baroness Leith Riverstone. Leith was a potential at the academy the year before I attended.”
Nasir nodded respectfully, then said, “I am pleased to meet you, Lady Riverstone. I take it you’ve learned Bess’ ability to hide the aether she holds.”
“I have, Senior Mage Nasir. It seemed prudent.”
“Then how shall we determine the outcome of the wager between your master and myself?”
“My master and I have discussed this, and while we did not come to any single conclusion, I would suggest you simply ask her if she has done as she said or not. I’ve found my master to be forthright and honest.”
Nasir’s laugh was reflected in his eyes. “Indeed, it seems that being a free mage brings both clarity of thought and a sense of humour. Still, with the number of golds involved, it seems best to have some form of irrefutable evidence.”
With a slight grin, Leith said, “My master and I do sometimes test each other using spells of all kinds. We have several games she has designed to test control, reflexes and the use of aether. I would be happy to be tested by a mage of your choosing.”
Nasir could see that Leith had not discussed this with Bess and said, “Perhaps you and your master could show me how these games are played.”
Bess said, “I think not. We usually play outside, and I’m not entirely comfortable making a spectacle.”
Smiling, Nasir said, “I know you haven’t been to many parties like this, but it is not unusual for mages to show their skills. I will find two mages, and after they see your games, then they will challenge you to a match.”
Leith was grinning, but Bess said, “They will not have practised, and many of them will be finding the idea of free mages anathema as it is, without making them feel inferior.”
Nasir’s face lost its humour, and he said, “You truly think you could beat two of the academy’s senior mages in a simple test of skill?”
“I do, but I don’t want to. I don’t want this to be a competition. Can’t we be colleagues?”
Shaking his head, Nasir said, “Not without proving yourselves. I’m convinced, but most mages are far too proud. Beat them, or come close, and then they’ll take you seriously.”
“Alright, we will have a competition, but first, let me have something to eat.”
“Of course. You mingle, and I’ll find some mages and see if the competition is OK with the emperor.”
As Nasir walked away, Bess turned to Leith and said, “When did you think this up?”
“About an eightday ago. We both know he’s right. Without some form of a duel, they would have dismissed you and me.”
“I understand. I just wished you’d have warned me.”
“Not likely. You’d have found a way out of it.”
Bess acknowledged the point, then made her way to one of the tables to find something to eat. Before she got there, Michael appeared and said, “Welcome, your Grace.”
“Master.”
Bess turned to Leith and said, “Senior Mage Michael Firestorm, may I introduce my apprentice, Baroness Leith Riverstone. Leith was a potential at the academy the year before I attended.”
Michael smiled as he looked at Leith, then said, “Lady Riverstone, it is a pleasure to meet you. I sincerely hope you are hiding your aether as I’ve several shares in the wager, and I’ve bet on my old apprentice and on you. Please, let’s leave Bess to the food, and I’ll introduce you to my wife. Besides, there are two princesses headed this way, and I suspect they want to talk with Bess alone.”
As Michael and Leith moved away, Bess turned to see a still pregnant Carmin and Kerrigan approaching. Looking around, she found the two keepers nearby and acknowledged them. Carmin said, “Bess, your robes are fabulous. Kerrigan is leaving soon to go to bed, but she wanted to stay up long enough to celebrate this Quarter-year with you.”
Bess gave the younger princess a hug, then said, “Happy Quarter-year, Princess Kerrigan. I was hoping to meet you, and I have a small gift.”
Reaching into a pocket, she brought out a small book. She’d wrapped it in some bright cloth. Bess said, “I found an ancient book hidden away in a forgotten tunnel. I had it translated and copied when I was in Tar Londium. I was planning to give it to my daughter, Spark, when she is older but decided it was wasted sitting on a shelf until she was old enough. It is a book written for children. I’ve not seen this one in Tar Eylia before, and the original is from the time of the ancients. It is a story about a small bear who liked honey.”
Kerrigan took the book and said, “So, no one else has read this book.”
“Well, I have, and the lady who copied it has. But no children in Tar Eylia have ever read it, maybe not in all of Tarlonin.”
“Thank you. I shall read some of it tonight.”
Kerrigan’s keeper stepped forward and said, “Princess, it is time for bed.”
Kerrigan nodded and, after saying goodnight, walked with the keeper from the room. Bess said, “How are the keepers settling in?”
“Oh, Kern and I are so pleased, and our experience has been wonderful. Nelson’s is fitting in well, and he and Sulien seem to get on splendidly. The other three are having a harder time of it, but Kern has talked with his sisters and is hoping they’ll become more flexible.”
“What of you and the baby?”
“It has taken a lot of soul-searching, and while we’re not fully decided, our minds are becoming more settled each day that we will choose to love.”
The two talked for a while before Carmin moved on; it was expected that she greet most of those who were invited. Very few approached Bess, and if she made a move to talk with anyone, she found that people tended to either turn their backs or move away. She was standing to one side when an elegant woman, perhaps in her late twenties, headed in her direction. Bess kept her face calm and pleasant. From the description she’d received, this was Marchioness Coraline, the emperor’s companion for the evening. The expected invitation to meet had never arrived, and Bess hoped Coraline wasn’t looking for conflict.
Coraline stopped a pace from Bess, smiled and said, “Welcome. From your robes, you must be the free mage everyone has been talking about, Mage Bess, isn’t it.”
“That’s me, although I certainly hope they aren’t all talking about me, Lady Coraline. How are you enjoying your visit to Tar Eylia?”
The marchioness lifted her nose slightly at Bess’ familiarity and said, “It has been most enjoyable so far. Sulien has been so gracious and taken the time to show me a view of the city I’d not seen before.”
Bess changed her breathing to force herself not to put the woman in her place. Instead, she said, “That is splendid. I suspect the emperor has a unique vantage point from which to see the city. Have you had the opportunity to visit the imperial library or the palace museum?”
“No, I’ve been busy at court most days. I’m surprised I haven’t seen you in court yourself.”
“Well, I have been busy with other matters. I shall endeavour to follow your example and look for an opportunity to attend. If I do, I’ll come back and say hello.”
At the flash of anger on Coraline’s face, Bess chided herself for being petty and emphasising her social superiority. Whatever would have happened was averted as Mage Nasir approached. “Your Grace, Lady Coraline, I do apologise, but the emperor has agreed to a small demonstration by the duchess and her apprentice, and I need to discuss things with them both.”
Coraline nodded and walked off. Nasir watched her leave, then said, “She seemed a little upset. Was it something I said?”
Seeing the twinkle in his eye, Bess said, “I think it was a combination of things, and your reference to my title was simply the last straw. It came on top of a small but rather petty remark that I’d made.”
“Wonderful, I’d hate to think I wasted that comment. I’ve been preparing it for several minutes. His Imperial Majesty seemed fully cognizant of the wager, and it seems he has a stake in the outcome. He arranged for Senior Eye Dreyton Void to be waiting to make certain there was no mistake. Describe these games.”
“Well, in one, we stand twenty or more paces apart and form a grid of light above and behind us. Simultaneously, once every few seconds, we cast a spell towards our opponent’s grid. The object is to block their spell and guide yours into one of the empty squares on the opponent’s grid while defending your own. The other game we play uses weapons made of spells, and the object is to defend yourself. In that, we both have a shield to minimise injuries.”
“Well, they both seem straightforward and even a little simple, but let’s watch first before arranging for two mages to challenge you both. You get Leith, and I’ll have the demonstration broadcast so people who wish can step outside and watch.”
Bess, who’d been duelling with senior battlemages for almost a month, tried not to grin as she went to find Leith.
CHAPTER 18
As Bess and Leith reached the centre of the large lawned area beside the ballroom, guests were beginning to make their way out onto balconies overlooking the demonstration area. Bess said, “Are you OK to do the demonstration with a fifteen by fifteen grid and three spells every two seconds? That way, we can tone it down, or if they annoy us, we can push them higher.”
“Sounds good to me. Will we play both before the challenge?”
“I think that’s the plan. We’ll use robes for the first game but lose them for the second.”
It was ten minutes before Nasir arrived, along with half a dozen senior mages, including Michael. He walked over to Bess and said, “The emperor also suggested we hold off on announcing the challenge until we see your demonstration.”
Bess couldn’t hide her smile and said, “OK, that makes sense. We might go for too long or something.”
Nasir amplified his voice and explained that there would be a demonstration of magic by Free Mage Bess and her apprentice. He then said, “Free Mage Bess and her apprentice, Leith, will show us how they use their skills to train. I’ll have Mage Bess explain the first challenge.”
Amplifying her voice, Bess began weaving the grid behind her using blue flames to edge each square. She said, “This is what I have to protect. My apprentice will send spells at the grid looking to penetrate one of the squares. If she is successful, then the square will be filled with a red light.”
Leith sent a fireball that went through one of the squares, and as it hit, the fireball exploded, filling the square with red. Bess continued, “My aim is to block her spells, but I must do so using the right sort of shield. For the purposes of the demonstration, we’ll make it that a blue fireball can only be stopped by a shield of blue fire; a ball of ice by a shield of ice. When we practice, we change the way shields work to better match a real battle. We are allowed three shields to be active at any one time, and we’ll cast three spells every two seconds. We usually work our way up to five spells each second. The spell must take form halfway between the two grids. The closer we are, the harder this is, so we’ll start at thirty paces. After two minutes, we’ll change the number of spells to four, then to five. If we’re still not finished, we’ll then change it to five spells each second.”
Bess and Leith separated themselves, then both formed a grid; Bess’ was blue and Leith’s red. Bess wove a clock to provide a countdown. As it reached zero, Bess threw a green fireball, a flash of lightning and a spear of ice at three of the squares behind Leith, and at the same time, she created three shields; one was of water to counter Leith’s stream heading toward the lower left side of Bess’ grid, a shield of lightning to block a bolt Leith had sent to an opposite square and then a shield of yellow fire to stop Leith’s attack. They’d slowed down the rate at which lightning moved through the space-time continuum as it was impossible to defend against otherwise.
Each time a shield stopped one of the attacking spells, there was either a loud noise, a flash of light or an explosion. Two seconds later, they both cast again. It was twenty seconds before one of Bess’ fireballs made it past Leith’s barrier and one of the red squares filled with blue. After three minutes, both had lost over a quarter of their grid. At five minutes, Leith had only ten squares left, and Bess had almost half of hers. As the speed changed to five spells per second, the air was filled with noise, light and exploding spells. Leith had only five squares to defend, while Bess had forty left. As Leith’s last square was taken, Bess only had fifteen left.
Those on the balcony had been riveted by the display of light, noise and exploding spells and burst into enthusiastic clapping and a few cheers. As they went quiet, Nasir stepped forward and, with his voice magnified, said, “Thank you, Free Mage Bess and Apprentice Leith, for that demonstration of speed, skill and control. We look forward to seeing your second demonstration. Over to you, Mage Bess.”
Both Bess and Leith had removed their outer robes and were standing in the athletic robes that had been designed to be worn underneath them. Bess said, “This is similar in that it tests control, speed and awareness. It also tests our athleticism and martial skills. Instead of physical weapons, we form weapons with our magic. For example, I like using two katanas.”
As she spoke, a katana of fire filled each hand. She continued, “During the bouts, I can change the weapons however I like as long as each stroke is completed before changing them. If I begin a move with a spear, I need to follow through the attack with the spear. I’m permitted to change the spear if I start a new attack as I bring the spear back into my opponent. As before, shields or weapons used for defence need to be of the same form as the one used to attack.
“To make it easier, we will not allow spells except as weapons or defensive items. We both will surround ourselves with a shield so we don’t get hurt. The shield is designed to count the attacks which get through our defences. We often play to a set time, but tonight the loser will be the one who is the first to let twenty hits through. I have more experience than my apprentice, so I usually limit the moves I can make or start with a deficit. I’ll let my apprentice decide which she prefers tonight. Mage Nasir, when we’re in position, please start the bout.”
Leith said, “Start with a deficit.”
As Bess spelled a faint blue shield around her, a counter appeared above them in blue, which read ‘1 0’. Leith did the same, although her shield was red and her counter was at zero. They stood several paces from each other and waited. Nasir counted down from five. When he hit zero, the two mages exploded at each other. Elias was standing near Michael, and as the two young mages began their moves, he started shaking his head as they manipulated their aether to form weapon after weapon and as they wove around each other attacking and defending. Sparks flew in the clash, and he struggled to see everything or even to have time to notice what each weapon used was. The fight was over in less than two minutes, with Bess the clear winner having only reached twelve.
The cheering from the balconies was much louder. Nasir stepped out and said, “A big thank you to Free Mage Bess and Apprentice Leith. Please feel free to head back inside or make use of the gardens. Some dances will be starting soon.”
He walked over to Bess, who said, “I know they are only simple games, Mage Nasir, but they’re good at teaching control. Do you want us to face some of the academy’s mages?”
“Your Grace, you are an evil woman. While the court has no idea that the academy mages have been put in their places, those of us who are mages are well aware of it. You both have exceptional control.”
“In some things, I actually think Leith has better control than I do. She was used to working with aether expelled at higher speeds, and it shows, even though she’s got more aether now.”
“I know you have reasons to be secretive, but I’d appreciate a rough estimate of her strength.”
“She’s at least as strong as Dianthe.”
“How did you help her achieve that?”
“You know I won’t answer that just yet. I want to help all mages, but until we can work out how we will work together, then it’s better to be a bit circumspect.”
“The emperor shared your thoughts, and while I’ve tried to find a flaw in them, I cannot. Principal Andreas shared what you said to him about Faulty Town and made a proposal that the Academy of Magic work towards freeing all those locked in an insurmountable debt cycle. He’s set up several committees looking for ways to do that without causing a huge upheaval in the Empire. If I throw in the possibility that half those in Faulty Town may be able to become mages, then we’ll need to step carefully. I’m concerned that some might not be favourable to the academy, and I’d hesitate to have the group of free mages filled with people who resent everything the academy stands for.”
Several of the mages had made their way over and had surrounded Leith. Bess said, “I’d best grab my apprentice before she gets smothered by mages wanting to know how and why she can do what she did.”
When Leith saw Bess approaching, she almost sighed with relief. Bess had picked up their robes and handed Leith’s to her. One of the mages who’d been pestering Leith looked at Bess and said, “Explain how your so-called apprentice is no longer a faulty.”
Bess looked the mage up and down, then said, “No. Come, Leith, besides food, we may find companionship with a better grasp of civilised manners.”
