But where had you gone? You say you went searching for another patron.
Am I correct in assuming that you found one?”
“I have, indeed,” said Callador. “And I must say, it took some convincing on my part to be accepted by my present lord. He is powerful enough in his own regard that he did not really need my services.
However, I was able to make him see there would be certain advantages in taking me on.”
“Who is this powerful lord?” asked Laera. “Gorvanak of Thurazor?”
Callador chuckled. “He is powerful, but not nearly powerful enough for me to feel secure in his service.”
“Then who?”
“You will learn that in due time,” Callador replied. “First, I wish for us to reach an understanding.
You had expressed an interest in my tutelage once the war was over. Do you still desire to study the thaumaturgic arts?”
Laera’s eyes lit up. Learning how to use magic would benefit her plans enormously. “More than ever,” she said. “Of course, it would have to be done in secret. I could not allow my husband to suspect.”
“That goes without saying,” Callador replied, nodding. “I had an apprentice when I resided in Boeruine, but he lacked promise. You, on the other hand, possess the necessary attributes in rich abundance.
You are clever, patient, quick-witted, and ambitious. I feel I could do a lot with you.”
“When can we start?” she inquired eagerly.
“Soon,” said Callador. “Very soon. I am growing old and would be grateful for the opportunity to pass on all my skills and knowledge.
But there are certain conditions that would first have to be met.”
“Name them,” Laera said.
“Mages must protect themselves from unscrupulous would-be apprentices who would, under the guise of sincerity, enter into their tutelage only to steal spells,” said Callador. “I do not for a moment suggest you would do such a thing, or even consider it, but prudence and tradition both demand a blood oath and a personal token to grant the mage security against betrayal.”
“What sort of token?” Laera asked cautiously.
“A lock of hair would do,” said Callador.
“Oh,” said Laera, fearing it might have been something worse. “I can accept that. What are the other conditions?”
“As my apprentice, you would be bound by the same oath of fealty I have sworn to my new lord for so long as I remain in his service,” Callador replied.
“You would not be required to swear again, however. The oath you would swear to me would bind you to my lord, as well.”
“I understand,” said Laera, thinking such an oath would be of no real consequence.
Callador seemed reluctant to reveal the identity of his new patron until he was sure of her intentions.
Doubtless, he wanted some assurance she would not reveal anything to Derwyn. No matter. Only foolish men gave any credence to such things as blood oaths. A little scratch upon the palm so that blood could mingle with blood and they thought it meant something. Besides, once her plans came to fruition,
whoever Callador’s new lord might be, it was he who would owe fealty to her.
“I can accept that,” she said, feigning a somber and earnest expression.
“Good,” said Callador. He tossed a sharp dagger onto her bed. “Cut off a small lock of your hair. It need not be much. This amount will do.”
He held his thumb and index finger about three inches apart.
She cut off a lock of hair, then handed it to him.
“Now, you ‘must make the cut for the blood to bind the oath,” he said.
“Your left palm, the one closer to your heart.”
She put the point of the dagger up against her palm, set her teeth, and made a small cut, just enough to allow some blood to flow. “Is that enough?”
she asked, holding it up for his inspection.
“That will do. Now, hand me back the dagger.”
She gave it back to him, and he made a cut upon his own palm. “Hold out your palm, like this,” he indicated, holding out his hand, palm up.
She did as he told her, and he placed the lock of hair upon her bleeding palm, then pressed his own palm against hers, with the lock of hair between them.
“Repeat after me,” he said. “With this token and my lifeblood, I do pledge my bond…”
“With this token and my lifeblood, I do pledge my bond . - .” she repeated, thinking this all foolishly dramatic.
and do hereby give my solemn oath as surety…”
“of support and loyalty to his designs “of trust he may repose in me with all his secrets
Of trust he may repose in me with all his secrets and obedience in all things he may ask of me.”
and obedience in all things he may ask of me.”
“Thus do I swear, on this my token and my lifeblood, to seal the pledge.”
“Thus do I swear, on this my token and my lifeblood, to seal the pledge,” she said.
“Good. It is done,” said Callador, breaking the contact and removing a small locket from his robe, into which he carefully placed her bloodsoaked lock of hair. Then he turned and started back into the swirling portal.
“Wait!” said Laera. “When shall I see you again?
And how?”
Callador paused. “I shall come to you.”
“But what of my husband? Derwyn shall want to share my bed again before too long.”
“When?”
She shook her head. “I can put him off a few more days, perhaps, but not much longer. He will grow suspicious.”
“A day or two should be sufficient. Obtain a lock of his hair for me.
Tell him you wish it as a keepsake.
I shall come to you the day after tomorrow and collect it.”
Laera frowned uncertainly. Suddenly, she had an idea that something had gone very wrong. “But …
for what purpose?”
and do hereby give my
