The child concentrated with obvious effort and then moved his right hand. It was a slight movement, not much, but enough to count against him. At his supposed level of talent, he shouldn’t need to use a gesture to focus his talent for such a small task. The goblet hovered sedately across the room toward me, its progress smooth. I reached out and brushed the boy’s mind and the goblet stopped. My mind touch broke his concentration for an instant, but he quickly recovered and the vessel continued its course.
“Where would you like it, sir?” he asked, his voice cracking slightly.
“In my hand,” I replied. I extended my hand, unfolding it flat before me, palm up. The goblet crossed to hang in the air above it. At the last moment, he let go. No easing, no gradual release of control, just an abrupt letting go. The cup fell the last few inches to my palm, and if I did not close my fingers around its base or catch it with my own kinetic talent, it would have toppled to the stone and dented. I caught it with my talent, my hand unmoving.
Lifting my eyes, I caught the expression of relief on the boy’s features. Our eyes met. I kept my face impassive, but I was not happy. Touching his mind I sent, “Send me an explanation for your clumsiness.”
The child closed his eyes, I could feel his humiliation like an unpleasant buzz at the back of my head, and touched my mind in return. “I am nervous, Sept Son,” he offered. The words were detached and the strength of the sending on the weaker end. Something was wrong if this child was a seventh son. Regardless, I rose and met his hesitant gaze.
“Septimus Pewlin, you have passed the initial test to begin your training. You may pass into the beginning ranks. Your trainer shall be Korneli.”
The boy bowed and saluted, right hand to left shoulder. The hand shook. He wasn’t at seventh son talent level, and I saw that he knew it. I felt for the child, but there was nothing we could do. Thankfully, he wasn’t the only one besides me; so, even if I died suddenly, he would not be called upon to take up the responsibilities that would demand all of his talent, or in his case, more talent than he had. At least by placing him under the care of Korneli, I would be able to keep a close eye on him. He did have talent and needed training, but a discreet investigation was going to be needed.
Finally, I promoted Tristan. He accepted the honor with dignity and a small smile for me. He looked pleased when I outlined his new duties. Then finally, with great relief, I dismissed the gathering. The talents filed out as I stood at attention before my seat. The door closed behind the last, baring Korneli, whom I had requested stay, and I sank into the chair.
“Well done,” he said taking a seat across from my elevated place. “You handled the Septimus so smoothly I almost didn’t notice the boy’s faltering. Junor was never very good at training. If he hadn’t been a friend of the family, they would have gone to someone else.”
I shook my head.
Korneli’s eyebrows rose. “It wasn’t Junor?”
I shrugged. “It might have been partially Junor’s training methods, but most of it was the boy. I am telling you, Korneli, he is not a seventh born son. And if he is, there is something seriously wrong.”
“And here I thought you were honoring me by allowing me to train a seventh son.”
“No, but I am honoring you. I am trusting you to care for the boy. Train him and carefully mold him. He is going to need the support when the truth is discovered, if he hasn’t figured it out already.”
“What if he has?”
“Then he is going to need a firm hand and a watchful eye to make sure that he doesn’t develop a dishonest streak.”
Korneli grimaced. “Either way, I am looking at a great deal of work.”
“I know you can do it,” I assured him. “In fact, I am convinced that there is no one else who can do it better.”
He just looked at me for a moment. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
I nodded. I did believe that Korneli had it in him to train that boy.
“Alright, I accept your challenge, Ilias. I shall whip that boy into shape and by next year you will be impressed, no wobbles, no visible nerves, and flawless technique.”
I couldn’t help smiling. “I hope so, Korneli. It will be one less thing for me to keep tracking.”
My friend leaned forward and smiled warmly. “You will make it. Now come, how about a walk in the gardens before the evening meal? It will keep you out of Giles’ way as he packs, and you can start unwinding.”
I rose and eagerly agreed. Though I doubted that I would unwind with the Mesitas’s surprise still looming, the thought of a walk sounded good.
Chapter V
Zezilia
Afternoon sun beat down on our heads as we rolled over the last mile. I didn’t mind because my attention was completely enthralled with the beautiful land that unfolded in all directions. Green grasses and trees crowded like little islands of chaos among the great fields filled with long orderly rows of vegetables and grain. Occasionally, the plowed ground gave way to meadows full of cows and horses grazing peacefully.
“Turn in at the next road,” Errol instructed.
The next turn led down a narrow track thick with grass between the wheel ruts. It looked recently used, but only after many years of neglect. The road sloped downwards into the shadowed arch between straight trees.
“Ah, the girls must be here already,” Adreet commented as she fidgeted with her hat and then gathered up her stitching. I leaned forward to see around the driver. The ancient trees lined the trail, spreading
