The Magician’s Apprentice

Framed paintings hung from the walls. All were landscapes, and she recognised most of the settings as local. A small vase contained some field herbs, their zesty fragrance lightening the air.

The fireplace was as large as the one in the kitchen of her home.

This is my home now. That she should have to remind herself of this now seemed terribly predictable, but also incredible. I bet I have to say that to myself many, many more mornings before this place starts to feel like home.

She sat up. Nobody had told her what routine she should follow or expect. Lord Dakon hadn’t even told her when she should present herself for her first lesson.

Lying in bed was not her habit so she got up and wandered around the room in her nightshift examining its furnishings and unpacking some of her belongings from her trunk. One of the room’s chests held books, a folder of parchment and writing tools. The books were histories, magical texts and even a few of the novels written for entertainment that her father had once described to her.

He’d had a low opinion of the latter. She’d never read one, so she picked up the first and started to read.

When the knock came at the door she found she was already a quarter of the way through the book. It was as frivolous as her father had described, yet she was enjoying it. While the escapades of the characters were unbelievable, she found the minor details of life in the city of Imardin fascinating. The lives of these men and women did not hang on the success of crops or the health of livestock, but on wise alliances with honourable men and women, the favour of the king, and a good marriage.

Replacing the book in the chest, Tessia rose to answer the door. She opened it a crack to see who was there. A buxom young serving woman smiled and stepped inside as Tessia opened the door for her.

“A good morning to you, Apprentice Tessia,” she said. “My name’s Malia. I’ve been looking after your new friend down the other end of the corridor for a few years now, so I’m used to the ways and needs of young apprentices. Here’s your wash water.”

Malia had a large jug in one hand and a broad basin in the other, and bundles of cloth wedged under one arm. She set all down on the top of one of the chests.

“I’ll bring your morning meal up for you in a bit,” she continued. “Is there anything you would like?”

“What do you usually have?”

From a long list of foods, some of which she had never heard of anyone eating first thing in the morning, Tessia chose something simple and the servant left. Tessia washed and dressed, then combed and plaited her hair.

“Lord Dakon will see you in the library when you’re done,” Malia said when she returned with a tray laden with food. “No hurry. He’s always in there in the mornings, reading.”

At the thought of this impending meeting, perhaps her first lesson, Tessia’s appetite lagged, but she forced herself to eat the food the servant had brought, knowing she’d feel guilty about wasting it if she didn’t. Picking up the tray, she carried it out of the room, encountering Malia in the corridor outside.

“Oh, you should just leave that there,” the servant exclaimed.

“Bringing it down is my job.” She took the tray from Tessia.

“Where is—” Tessia began.

“Down the main stairs to the first floor, turn to your right,” Malia answered. “Can’t miss it.”

Following the servant’s instructions, Tessia found herself standing in an open doorway, gaping. Inside was a room twice the size of the Residence’s dining room – which was almost the size of her father’s entire house. This room was lined with shelving crammed with books. Lord Dakon was sitting in a large cushioned chair, his eyes scanning the pages of a large, leather-bound tome. He looked up at her and smiled.

“A good morning to you, Tessia,” he said. “Come in. This is my library.”

“I see that, Lord Dakon,” she murmured, staring around the room as she entered.

“I thought we could start your control exercises today,” he said. “The sooner you attain it the sooner we can avoid any more unintentional magical strayings – and get to more interesting lessons. We’ll work in the mornings, then I’ll give you books to read in the afternoon.”

She felt her stomach flutter. “Yes, Lord Dakon.”

He nodded to the chair next to his. “Take a seat. Learning is always easier when you’re comfortable and relaxed.” He paused. “Well, as relaxed as you can be when confronted with something new and strange.”

Moving to the chair, she sat down and took a deep, calming breath. Lord Dakon put aside his book and looked at her thoughtfully.

“I haven’t taught a natural before,” he told her. “But nothing I’ve read or been told indicates the lessons need to be done any differently, which suggests to me that if we do encounter something unusual it will be small and easily worked around. Are you ready?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t know what ‘ready’ is when it comes to magic. But I don’t feel unready, I suppose.”

He chuckled. “That sounds good enough to me. Now, lean back in your chair, close your eyes and breathe slowly.”

She did as he asked. The broad back of the chair had a slight backward tilt, encouraging her to rest against it. She let her hands lie on the chair’s arms and her feet sit flat on the floor.

“Let your thoughts wander,” Dakon murmured. “Don’t be too anxious for the lesson to work. It’ll happen when it happens. One week, two, perhaps three, and you’ll be ready to learn to use magic.”

He kept talking, his voice gentle and unhurried.

“Now I’m going to put my hand over yours. This will enable my mind to communicate with yours with less effort.”

She felt fingers gently press on top of hers. They were neither hot nor cold, the touch neither too firm nor too light. It was a little odd and personal having the ley’s magician touching her hand like this. For a moment a memory of a Sachakan face leering over her flashed through her mind. She pushed it aside, annoyed. This is nothing like that. Lord Dakon is nothing like Takado.

Then she remembered her suspicion that her mother wanted her to marry Lord Dakon. She couldn’t imagine he would ever consider her as a potential wife. Surely he’d rather marry someone more important than a commoner like herself. She was nowhere near pretty enough to make up for her low status, either. No matter what her mother thought, she was not going to try to seduce the magician. For a start, she had no idea how. But more important, she didn’t even know if she—

“Think about what you can see,” Dakon instructed, his voice calm. “Nothing, am I right? Just darkness behind your eyes. Imagine you are standing in a place with no walls or floor or ceiling. It may be dark, but it is comfortable. You are standing within it.”

She felt something then. A sensation that was not physical. A feeling of personality...of Lord Dakon’s personality. It seemed to emanate reassurance and encouragement. And certainly not romantic interest. She was surprised at the relief she felt. She didn’t need such distractions when she was trying to learn something this important.

“I am standing behind you. Turn round.”

Whether she had turned round, or the dark place in her imagination had revolved, she couldn’t tell. Lord Dakon was there, a few paces away. Yet he wasn’t completely distinct. Only where she looked did he come into focus completely: his face, his feet, his hands. His smile.

– Good, Tessia.

She understood that he had spoken into her mind. Could she do the same in return?

– Lord Dakon?

– Yes. You are doing well.

– Oh. Good. What next?

– Can you see what I’m carrying? It is a box.

His arms lifted, and she saw that there was something in his hands. As he said box it immediately resolved into a small night-wood container with gold corners and latch.

– Yes.

– This contains my magic. If I want to use it, I open the box. All other times I keep it closed. You, too, have a box. Look down at your hands and let the box take shape.

Looking down, she realised she could see her hands. Holding them palm up, she thought box.