Holtsclaw, page 7
part #3 of The Master Mage Chronicles Series
“Oh, there you are, Marcus. Take your class and continue your teaching.”
“Moriah?”
“She sent word through her roommate, Corrine. Said she’s feeling poorly. Again. But hopes to return tomorrow.”
He searched out Corinne. “Tell me about Moriah, please. She is unwell?”
“Weak, just weak. Doesn’t feel like she has any energy at all. I told her she needed to go to the infirmary, and I think she will this afternoon, if she isn’t feeling better by mid-day.”
Marcus taught, but his mind was elsewhere. Something was amiss. But think as he might, he had no idea what it might be. Something involving Moriah? Of that he was sure. It was unlike her to be ill. It was certainly odd for her to feel weak. And at a time he felt better each day? He resolved to see her and wish a speedy recovery.
Corinne was late to mid-day meal, scooting into her usual spot next to Wilhelm. There was little on her plate, the usual fate for those who arrived late to the dining hall. Without being asked, she gave them a status on Moriah’s condition. “She’s worsened. She barely made it to the infirmary. And when they saw her, they immediately put her to bed. I looked in on her. She was pale and looked really, really weak.”
“Can we visit her? Is it allowed?” asked Wilhelm.
“Probably not. They’re pretty strict about such things. Besides, she’s in the women’s ward, no men allowed.”
By end of day, the itch Marcus felt in the back of his mind had grown to be a throbbing ache. What was it? Moriah was losing life-force while he seemed to be gaining it? Was it possible he was pulling her life-force? Was that even possible? There was only one way to find out. Invoking tiemp, he made his way to the infirmary, woman’s side, and searched the carols for her bed. He found her, pale, sleeping, and nearly life-less. He began pushing gift. With time suspended, it was difficult to see its effects. He looked around the immediate area. Seeing no one, he returned to normal time. Her complexion quickly changed and her breathing deepened, as the influx of gift-power had its effects. Her eyes fluttered and she opened her mouth to speak. Marcus, standing beside her, shook his head. He half-whispered, half-mouthed the words “NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE. MUST LEAVE. I WILL COME BACK LATER.” With a final push of gift, Marcus invoked tiemp and returned to his quarters in the attic. It was time for a little research.
What was it he had read? It was something in Kentuck’s dictionary, he was sure. Or was it something his grandfather had mentioned, about gift-casting. That’s what was happening, only in reverse. And without any effort on his part. Actually, it was happening contrary to his will. When had it begun? A few days ago. What had changed? Nothing, except all this trouble with thieving. Had he done anything different? Nothing, except, except, except pull additional power from the summoning stone. Was this additional gift creating an imbalance of some sort between them? He could think of no reason it should. Where was it he had read something about this? It was when he was discussing gift casting with his grandfather. He had brought up the rare practice of pairing. Marcus had looked up the practice in Kentuck’s dictionary.
Marcus retrieved Kentuck’s manuscript from its hiding place and turned to the ‘P’ section. He read through the comments on pairing. He found what he was looking for at the very end:
By all accounts, pairing is a matter of choice. But there is myth that two people of identical gift are drawn together by the compelling attraction of the two gifts to merge as one. If resisted, the stronger of the two will actually pull the life-force from the other. In such a case, pairing would be the only way for the weaker to survive.
How could two people, in this case he and Moriah, have identical gift? They would have to be born at the same time under the same circumstances, as if they were twins. Another piece fell suddenly into place. Twins, like his mother and her brother, Ramon? If they had identical gift, what would happen? The one who emerged first, or was stronger, would gradually pull the life force from the other. They called it the ‘twin wasting disease’. It befell all twins having High-mage potential. Ramon had succumbed at the age of a hand-four, shortly after puberty. If his sister had emerged earlier, and were stronger in gift…
Marcus had to return to the infirmary.
Invoking tiemp yet again, Marcus retraced his way, only to find her bed vacant. He frantically left the women’s section and found a quiet hallway to return to normal time. He eventually found a healer-mage, He asked about Moriah’s condition.
“Moriah? Princess Moriah? She was feeling much better and was released to her own room. Rather amazing, really. One moment she was on death’s door. The next feelin’ fine.” The healer-mage shook her head and walked away.
Marcus did not realize he had been holding his breath. He took a deep pull of air, turned, and returned to his attic space. He could continue casting her gift as needed. But it did not address the long-term problem. For now, though, it was enough to know she was out of immediate danger. Perhaps if he reduced the difference between his gift-strength and hers, the attraction, the pull, would be less? He retrieved the summoning stone, looked into its depths, and push-returned much of the gift-power he had only recently retrieved.
There was a joyful reunion at the morning meal. Moriah was reluctant to speak of the experience, saying only she was feeling better and looking forward to returning to classes. She avoided looking Marcus in the eye. And likewise, he was unwilling to do the same. It wasn’t until mid-morning break they had a moment to talk privately.
“I have a couple of questions, Marcus. Like how did you get into the women’s section of the infirmary? What did you do to me last night? And why, and how, did you leave without being seen?”
“I will tell you on one condition.”
“And what is that?”
“What is your birth-date?”
Moriah gave him a puzzled look. “What has that to do with anything?”
“It does. So, your birth-date? Please?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Third turning, one and two. I’ll be hand-and six this turn. Now, tell me why that’s so important.”
Second day, first seven-day of the third turning. Same as his. “Anything special that day? Except your birth, of course?”
“My mother said I was born during a high moon-passing. She remembers because the healer-mages had to light candles. I suppose that counts for ‘something special’. So, why do you ask?”
“It would take time to explain. Could we go out this seventh-day, perhaps after mid-day? I have to tend my animals. But we could meet after that.”
“What? Marcus, are you’re asking me out on a date?”
Marcus blushed. “Not exactly. But we have something serious to discuss, just the two of us. Please. And I assure you, I will answer every question you asked.”
“So, I have to wait?” She thought for a moment. “Of course, happy to go have lunch in the village. But I get to pick the place. Hope you have plenty of coin. Princesses have expensive tastes, you know.”
“I have coin.”
----- o0o -----
Marcus went to the High-mage’s office after last-meal. It wasn’t his intent to become a nuisance, but he wanted to know the status with Mage Brian for his own peace of mind. The office doors were, again, open. The Lord -mage was sitting at his desk. He looked up as Marcus approached.
“Ah, Marcus, come in, come in. I have interesting news. Good news, I think.” He thought for a moment. “Well, perhaps good news, for you. But not so much for the Academy, I fear.”
“So you have spoken to Mage Brian?”
“Yes, yes. When I confronted him with the information you provided, he broke down and readily confessed. If anything, he was relieved to have it all out in the open. Guilt has a way of eating a person from the inside to the out. I will tell you what he told me. Or I can summon him and have him give you a direct account.” He thought for a moment. “In fact, that might be better. He certainly owes you a personal apology.” He turned in his chair and pulled on a cord hanging from the ceiling, hidden behind an intricate tapestry. A few moments later a maid appeared at his door.
“You called, Sir? How may I assist you?”
“Would you, or someone, search out Mage Brian and have him come to my office? Promptly, would be appreciated.”
“Certainly, sir.” She bowed politely and left. Promptly, as requested.
“There are certain aspects to the case that have left me quite perplexed, Marcus. As I told you a two-day ago, I have known Mage Brian for many turns. This, this theft, is entirely inconsistent with the man I know. Perhaps you can pull some information from him he wouldn’t, or didn’t, disclose to me.”
They sat quietly, waiting. Mage Brian came to the door, saw Marcus, and hesitated. He was clearly uncomfortable to be meeting this way.
“Brian my friend, come in and have a seat. Thank you for coming so quickly. Surely you remember Marcus from our staff meeting. Please know I have told him what you told me. He has no animosity.” He looked at Marcus, who nodded reassuringly. “But he would like to hear an account of events from you personally. So relax, you are with friends, not enemies.”
Mage Brian gave a doubting look at Marcus. “Of course.” It was said slowly, with little emotion. Except, perhaps for a bit of sadness and reluctance. “What more would you like to know?”
Marcus used mind-touch, finding Brian contrite and willing to reveal all. True confession was that way. A desire to leave everything behind and find the peace of forgiveness. “Tell me about your losses in cards. Lord Petros has said this is out of character. When did you start to lose? And to whom did you lose? Seven crowns is a lot of coin.”
“Well, as the Lord-mage knows, I enjoy a bit of card-play. It’s usually a copper here or there. Never to any great amount. There’s a regular group, we get together every second or third seventh-day in the evening, after last-meal. Then about a turn ago we added a new player. A mage from here at the Academy. At first, he was a lot of fun. Like the rest of us, he won some, lost some. No particular pattern. Then he started winning more and more often. And I kept betting and betting. It was as if I couldn’t help myself. Soon it was one crown, then two, then seven. He told me to pay up, or he would go to the Lord-mage.” He looked at his friend Petros. “And how could I, who oversee your funds, have that made known? That I, your vault-keeper, had deep gambling debts?” He hung his head and began to weep.
Marcus saw the connection immediately. A mage with access to coin and a weakness for cards. “And this mage, this new member of your card-playing group. Did the other players lose to him as well?”
“No. And that’s the strange thing. They lost, sure, but not much. It was always I who made the big bets and consistently lost.”
“Describe this mage into whose debt you fell. Was he rather short, swarthy, with dark hair and eyes?”
“Yes, yes. His name is Almadi, from Agnium so he says. Though his accent is strong for a man from Agnium.”
Because he’s not from Agnium, but Illium. A plan began to build in his mind. “What if I told you we might be able to retrieve the seven crowns you lost to Mage Almadi? I assure you, it was done dishonestly.” Marcus turned to the Lord-mage. “Do you see any reason Mage Brian cannot be placed back into the position of trust he has occupied in the past? These losses were not of his creation. And his theft was a desperate attempt to protect the Academy. Misguided, perhaps, but well intended. As for me, I have suffered some inconvenience but no loss. The death of the Tulley brothers will be his to deal with, best he can.”
Lord Petros was thoughtful for a moment. He turned to face Mage Brian. “Well, my friend, how do you feel about this? Are you willing to continue as vault-master? Can I trust you tomorrow. as I have trusted you in the past?”
Mage Brian began crying again and dropped to his knees before the Lord-mage. “Oh Petros, I am so very sorry. Until now, I have always been true and faithful in my service to the Academy. Never touched a copper that wasn’t mine. But I was desperate, no place to turn. I should have come to you at the beginning. But I was so ashamed. If you place me back in a position of trust, I promise, I promise, I will forever be in your debt. And totally honest, as I have been in the past.”
Lord-mage Petros looked at Marcus, who nodded. “Well then, if it is settled with Marcus of Iber, it is settled with me. Now, let’s hear his plans for returning the stolen coin to the treasury.”
----- o0o -----
Seventh-day came quickly. Moriah had twice reminded Marcus of their approaching date. They met at what was assuredly the nicest, that is, most expensive, inn in the village. They arrived somewhat after the mid-day crowd and were directed, at Marcus’ request, to a quiet and private corner of the dining area. Their table was set with a white, well-pressed rope-weed table cloth, with napkins to match. Moriah ordered a spicy fish dish. He requested a similar dish, of fowl. Their food came quickly and was cooked to perfection. Moriah insisted on a desert, as well, followed by a small cup of kuff. By the time they finished, they were virtually alone. Marcus called for the inn-keeper and settled the bill. “We have some personal matters to discuss. Would it be an inconvenience for us to linger?”
“No, sir. Let me get a maid to clear your table. And feel free to stay as long as you wish. We are unlikely to have additional guests before last-meal. If anyone does come, we will seat them elsewhere. Perhaps more kuff?”
“Yes, please.” Moriah turned to Marcus when they were finally alone. “You remember my questions?”
“Certainly. But may I answer them in my own way? It would be hard to do so without some background.”
She nodded. “You heard the inn-keeper. Take as much time as you would like.”
“I think we have to talk a little about gift. We have heard what the Academy teaches, and it’s generally true. But there are important things they omit. Mostly out of ignorance. What I tell you comes from old records I have personally studied. Or it comes from trusted persons who have personally passed the information to me. I only ask you to keep an open mind, and assume, for now, that it is all true.”
“All right, I will assume what you say is true. Provided it isn’t too outlandish!”
Marcus resumed speaking. “Gift, the power of life, exists throughout the earth. But it is concentrated in a great river that continuously circulates beneath us. That river passes under the capital cities of the mainland kingdoms. And under the Iberian capital of Alexa as well. There are certain times of the month, when the sun and moon are aligned, the time of a new moon, that the river of gift is drawn closer to the surface. You and I were born on the exact same time, same turn, turning, seventh-day and day, when the sun and moon were perfectly aligned. This was very important for two reasons. Are you with me so far?”
Moriah nodded. “I didn’t know about the underground river of gift. But I have learned nothing to contradict it. I will assume what you have told me is true. So, continue.”
“Thank you. We were told the central mystery of gift is how it is passed to us in birth. It really isn’t that complicated. There are but two components. The first is one of heredity. Gift runs stronger in some family lines than in others. Those with gift, having certain advantages because of their endowments, have tended over time to become people of influence. Including royalty. Inter-marriage within these families has further concentrated the potential for a significant gift inheritance. Well, less so now than in the past when gift was more highly esteemed. And therefore better managed in a family way. If you understand what I mean.”
“As in matters of marriage?”
“Yes. Precisely. Endowments are passed through family lines. You are a battle-mage. I am guessing there are other battle-mages among your predecessors?”
“Yes. We are a particularly troublesome Kingdom in that regard,” she said with a laugh.
“To summarize, our particular endowment is determined at birth. You were born a battle-mage. And nothing can change that.”
Moriah tilted her head in thought. “That makes sense, I guess. In my case, I have always had an interest in combat, even as a child. It drove my parents and my tutors crazy when I wanted to play with blades rather than dolls.”
“So the second part of gift is its power. The central mystery the mages wrestle over is why some of our kind have much and others so little. Among those outside the hereditary lines, this is not an issue, of course. It is among families such as ours that the mystery arises. My mother, who died young, was strong in gift. Her father, my grandfather and guardian, had little. What is overlooked is the time and place of birth. If someone is born, say, at a new-moon, when the sun and earth are exerting the maximum pull of gift, bringing it closer to the surface of the earth, gift is imprinted more strongly on the child. At a full-moon, when the attractions oppose, there is a minimum of surface gift. That is why we say no two people have identical gift, because no two people are born at exactly the same time or place. That is not quite true, of course. Because sometimes there are twins born but moments apart. But I will get to that later. Location is important because as I mentioned before, gift flows stronger in some places than others.”
“As in places close to that river of gift you mentioned earlier?”
“Precisely. And as I also mentioned earlier, if you look at a map of the mainland kingdoms you will find they fall in a straight line, following precisely that river. There is a reason they were built that way.” He paused to take a breath. “But it is not important to our discussion right now.”
“This is all interesting, Marcus. But when are you going to answer my questions?”
Marcus sighed. “We’re almost there. Now we get to the hard parts. What do you know about pairing?”
“Pairing? Never heard of it.”
“Not surprising. It is exceedingly rare. Some call it mage marriage. It is believed that no two people have identical gift. That does not mean they cannot have similar gift. As it was explained to me, two people might have similar personalities. They think, act and speak in similar ways. They enjoy similar things, and so forth. Because of that they are attracted to each other, and are comfortable in a relationship.”
