The Magicians' Guild

The Deception Begins

In the air between the two palms - one large and aged, the other slim and callused - two specks of colored light danced like tiny insects. The lights spun around each other, dipped and circled in a complex game. The blue light suddenly darted toward the yellow. The yellow turned into a ring of light and, as the blue spark shot through it, Rothen laughed.

'Enough!' he exclaimed.

The shadows around them ceased dancing as the two specks blinked out. Looking around at the dim room, Rothen was surprised to see how late it was. Flexing his will, he created a globe of light and sent the screens sliding over the windows.

'You're learning fast,' he told her. 'Your Control over your power is growing.'

'I mastered Control days ago,' she replied. 'You didn't tell me.'

Surprised, Rothen turned to regard her. She met his gaze steadily. There had been no hint of doubt in her voice. Somehow she had worked it out for herself.

Leaning back in his chair, he considered the situation. If he denied it, she would only grow more resentful when she learned the truth. It would be better to explain his reasons for delaying.

Which meant he had run out of time. He had no reason to keep her here any longer. In a day or two she would be gone. He could ask Lorlen to delay the blocking but he knew, as he considered her now, that he would not be able to change her mind in a few short days.

He nodded. 'A few sessions ago I thought you'd reached a point where I'd normally consider a novice's Control was adequate. I felt, for you, that it was particularly important to test your Control over your power, since we won't be around to help you if something goes amiss.'

Instead of relief, he saw only apprehension in her gaze. 'Not that I think anything will go amiss,' he assured her. 'Your control is -'

'I'm going to stay,' she told him.

He stared at her, momentarily too surprised to speak.

'You're staying?' he exclaimed. 'You changed your mind?'

She nodded.

He leapt to his feet. 'That's wonderful!'

Sonea stared up at him with wide eyes. He wanted to pull her to her feet and give her a hug, but he knew he would only frighten her. Instead, he strode to the cabinet at the back of the room.

'We must celebrate!' he told her. Taking out a bottle of pachi wine and some glasses, he brought them back to the chairs. She watched, still and silent, as he pulled the stopper out of the bottle and poured some of the yellow liqueur into the glasses.

Sonea's hand shook as she accepted a glass. Rothen sobered, realizing that she must be feeling overwhelmed - and a little scared, too.

'What changed your mind?' he asked as he sat down.

She bit her lip gently, then looked away. 'I want to save someone's life.'

'Ah!' He smiled. 'So it was the Healers that impressed you most.'

'Yes,' she admitted. Taking a sip, her face lit with delight. 'Pachi wine!'

'You've had it before?'

She smiled. 'A Thief gave me a bottle once.'

'You've never told me much about the Thieves. I didn't want to ask in case you thought I was trying to get information from you.'

'I never found out much about them,' she replied, shrugging. 'I spent most of my time alone.'

'I assumed they wanted you to perform magic in exchange for their help?'

She nodded. 'But I never really gave the Thief what he wanted.' A crease appeared between her brows. 'I wonder ... will he think I've broken our agreement by staying here?'

'He didn't succeed in helping you,' Rothen pointed out. 'How can he expect you to fulfil your side of the exchange?'

'He spent a lot of effort and used a lot of favors to hide me.'

Rothen shook his head. 'Don't worry. The Thieves won't bother you. They told us where to find you.'

Sonea's eyes widened. 'They betrayed me?' she whispered.

He frowned, disturbed by the anger in her eyes. 'I'm afraid so. I don't think they wanted to, but it was clear that your powers were growing dangerous.'

She looked down at her glass and brooded in silence for some time.

'What happens now?' she asked suddenly.

Rothen hesitated as he realized he would have to explain the guardianship claims to her. The thought of being placed in the care of a magician who she did not know or trust might be enough to change her mind again, but he had to warn her of the possibility.

'There are several matters that must be resolved before you are sworn in as a novice,' he told her. 'You need to have good reading and writing skills, and be taught basic calculations. You'll also need to understand the rules and customs of the Guild. Before then, your guardianship must be decided.'

'Guardianship?' She leaned back in her chair. 'You said only very gifted novices have guardians.'

Rothen nodded. 'From the beginning, I knew that you would need the support of a guardian. As the only novice not from the Houses, you may find things a little difficult at times. Having a magician prepared to be your guardian might help to counter that, so I placed a claim on you.

'But I am not the only magician who wants the honor. There is another, a younger magician named Fergun. When two magicians claim a novice's guardianship, the Guild must hold a Hearing to decide which claim will be granted. The Guild rules say that, if more than one magician wishes to claim a novice's guardianship, the one who first recognized the novice's magical potential is granted the honor, so it is usually a simple decision.' He grimaced. 'But not this time.

'We didn't discover your magic by the usual tests. Some magicians believe that I, being the first to see you, recognized your powers first. Others say that Fergun, being the one your rock struck, was the first since he experienced the effects of your powers.' Rothen chuckled. 'Apparently, the Guild has been arguing about it for months.'

He paused to take another sip of wine. 'The Hearing will be held after the next Meet, which will occur in a week's time. Afterward, you will continue your lessons with either me, or Fergun.'

Sonea frowned. 'So the novice doesn't get to choose their guardian?'

He shook his head. 'No.'

'Then I better meet this Fergun,' she said slowly. 'Find out what he's like.'

Rothen regarded her closely, surprised at her calm acceptance of the situation. He should be pleased, he told himself, but he could not help feeling a little disappointed. It would have been more gratifying if she had protested at the idea of being removed from his guidance and company.

'I can arrange for you to meet him, if you wish,' he replied. 'He will want to meet you. So may others. Before then, I should teach you some of the rules and customs of the Guild.'

She looked up, her eyes brightening with interest. Relieved to see her curiosity return, Rothen smiled.

'For a start, there is the custom of bowing.'

Her expression changed to dismay. Rothen chuckled sympathetically.

'Yes. Bowing. All non-magicians - apart from royalty, of course - are expected to bow to magicians.'

Sonea grimaced. 'Why?'

'A gesture of respect.' Rothen shrugged. 'Silly as it may seem, some of us get quite offended if we are not bowed to.'

Her eyes narrowed. 'Do you?'

'Not usually,' he told her. 'But there are times when neglecting to bow is obviously intended to be rude.'

She considered him warily. 'Do you expect me to bow to you from now on?'