The Way of Sacrifice, page 17
“Between now and the First Quarter, you will have instruction to prepare you that you do not embarrass the empire. Do not think that success in this assignment changes any aspect of your eventual demise. On the other hand, failure will certainly hasten the day. I am tempted to let you fail, for though it might cause me some grief and a demotion, it would bring a more final end to Mage Michael; the emperor does not like being embarrassed. I am, however, a loyal citizen of the empire and will not see it brought low when allowed the opportunity to help maintain its dignity and strength. Do not fail. Now, Mage Dynamo has agreed to oversee your preparation for this event. Do you have any questions?”
“No, Senior Mage Marin Seafarer, I have no questions at this time?”
“Then you are released into Mage Dynamo’s care.”
Mage Dynamo stood, and after bowing his head politely to Mage Marin, he left the room. Bess also gave a polite bow then hurried after Mage Dynamo. He led her out onto the field then passed through an arch on the other side and away from the areas reserved for those in their first year. Finally, after ten minutes of walking past academy buildings, Mage Dynamo turned off the path and entered a four-story building.
He led the way down three flights of stairs and turned into a large area with weapons of all varieties hanging on every wall. In one corner, two people in exercise clothing and wearing large padded gloves were trying to hit each other in a square bounded by several strands of rope. Two more were grappling with each other on a square mat on the ground; they were using both hands and feet to strike each other. Bess could see moves she’d been shown by Kat back at Mage Michael’s home.
None of that seemed to interest Mage Dynamo. He headed toward a man dressed in similar clothing to Senior Mage Deathsvier but in blue. The mage was watching two student mages who were fighting using staffs. The mage turned as Mage Dynamo approached. He grinned and said, “Gabriel, this is a surprise. I thought you vowed never to return?”
“Senior Mage Elias Kingsman, Earl of Winter’s Doom, this is Apprentice Bess Highland, Baroness of Jagged Isle, Apprentice to Mage Michael Firestorm. The apprentice has two eightdays to prepare for the Imperial Court, where she will be present at the official acceptance of the new Heptatic Ambassador and will meet two Heptatic apprentices. Senior Mage Marin, who stands in place of Mage Michael, asks that she does not embarrass the empire.”
Senior Mage Elias was at least a foot taller than Bess. He shook his head and said, “Well, well, well, Baroness of Jagged Isle, Apprentice to Michael, no breakthrough, and Marin in control, it sounds like you must have upset more than just one of the gods. Two eightdays? Sorry, Gabriel, it can’t be done.”
“Senior Mage Nasir Maelstrom asked for you personally.”
“He did, huh, well, while that doesn’t change the fact that it can’t be done, it does mean I’d best give it my best shot. Do they know what the tests will be?”
“Not exactly, but Senior Mage Helleen suggested as she has yet to have her breakthrough, and because of the different cultural backgrounds, that it will most likely be control, rapiers, unarmed combat and either logic or non-magical problem-solving.”
“Who gets to choose?”
“Without a breakthrough, it seems most likely their mage goes first and then the winner’s master from then on.”
“Why not just kill her?”
“They have spies in the academy, and she’s already met the ambassador as an apprentice. There is no other reason for their mage to have brought his apprentices. They were brought to humble the emperor.”
“Even knowing this, they seriously think killing her holds the greatest risk of embarrassment? I may attend the court just for the laughs. I need three full sessions every day.”
“She also has lessons being arranged in control, protocol and deportment, dancing, the court, Heptatic history and the Strictures. Then there are the fittings for clothing and beauty treatments.”
“Regardless, I need every spare minute; where is she sleeping?”
“Her room is in the entry hall.”
“Move her over here.”
“I will move her room over here as you suggest, Senior Mage Elias.”
“Leave her here for now so I can get started.”
“After lunch, she has a lesson with Mage Seldeen.”
“Lunch! I doubt the apprentice will have time for a simple thing like lunch. Leave us.”
Gabriel nodded politely and left. Mage Elias looked down at Bess and said, “Honestly, I think killing you would be the kindest thing, but the truth is that kindness isn’t one of Marin’s strengths, nor Mage Nasir’s. Wait here.”
Bess stayed where she was as the senior mage left via a different doorway. He was gone less than a minute, and when he returned, he had some exercise clothing and shoes for her. He tossed them to her and said, “Go through the same doorway I did. At the end of the corridor are changing rooms. Put those on, then return. Leave your robes in one of the cubicles. I take it the paper is the declaration of your recent elevation to the ranks of nobility. Leave it in the cubicle as well; it will be safe enough as no one in their right mind would want that title.”
Bess acknowledged the order and headed to get changed.
Chapter 10
When Bess returned, she was wearing the exercise gear as ordered. Even though it fit her exactly, she felt uncomfortable as the clothes marked her as a fifth-year student mage. She approached the senior mage, who looked her up and down. He said, “Senior Mage Emil Basheer told you there were two mages who wouldn’t act to see Mage Michael Firestorm destroyed; I am the other one. You may call me Mage Elias. Do you have any questions?”
“I do, Mage Elias, but I suspect they stem from my almost complete ignorance of the situation being described.”
“Then let me summarise as ignorance in this situation will lead to even further disadvantage and almost certain defeat. The Heptatic Empire sees everything through the lens of their traditions, honour and precedence. I cannot remember hearing of any Heptatic mage who has brought their apprentices to Tar Elyia. From what Mage Gabriel said, it follows that their presence is to make use of your existence to gain some advantage in the Imperial Court in all three areas.
“When two mages meet for the first time and have no recourse to nobility, rank, or title to determine seniority, then they test each other to decide who has pre-eminence. If both have apprentices, then it is they who take the tests. Senior Mage Marin is a marchioness, and I suspect, therefore, that the mage will be an marquess. Tradition requires at least three tests and for more senior mages, five.
“If Mage Helleen is correct, and as she is the Keeper of the Imperial Library, I’d not bet against her, then you will be tested against the apprentices of whichever mage was sent from the Heptatic Empire. They will, no doubt, have been chosen because of their strength and skill.
“As you haven’t had your breakthrough, then the other mage wins the first test by default, and Mage Marin starts with a disadvantage. Mages and those like yourself who have potential are expected to be able to be in control of their bodies and minds at all times, and one test is almost always a test of maintaining control while being bombarded with a multitude of sensory challenges; in simple words, they will beat you senseless and the last one to lose control wins. No offence, but I expect that regardless of your training, theirs is both more brutal and will have been more extensive.
“All Heptatic mages we have met are proficient in the martial arts. Their mages are chosen exclusively from their nobility. They will have been schooled from birth using a sword, particularly the rapier. They consider us uncivilised barbarians at best and will choose what they consider the most barbarian test; facing each other with nothing but bare hands. If they beat us at what they consider our strength, then we are doubly humiliated. Having said that, you should know that their training in hand-to-hand combat is at least equal to ours.
“Finally, they pride themselves on refinement and elegance. Elegance not only in things that are made but also in the way a person thinks. They love riddles and pithy sayings. They look down on us for playing games of chance as their games are all ones of strategy which test the keenest of the mind. If we come against a strong foe, we will simply set two armies against them. The Heptatic, on the other hand, will wait until he can see a way to win with fewer soldiers than the enemy. Solving the problem is more important even than winning.
“My responsibility, however, is to train you in the rapier and hand-to-hand combat, and I suspect you have little knowledge of either as we do not teach these until you have had your breakthrough. Now that you are dressed appropriately, warm up while I find a suitable adversary for you.”
Bess had begun breathing for exercise as she changed and as Mage Elias left, she focussed on the different parts of her body, looking for clues on how to change the sequence for best effect as well as bringing each to the optimum condition in what she’d decided was an aether effect.
When Elias returned, he was followed by a student in similar robes to her own. Mage Elias said, “Senior Student Mage Vince Phoenix, this is Apprentice Bess Highland. She is our project for the next two eightdays. Bess needs to last at least one round against a Heptatic Apprentice with years more experience. I need to see what we are starting with. Take her over to the mat and beat her up for a bit. Bess, go over and try and not get beat up.”
Bess raised her hand and when it had been seen, lowered it. Mage Elias said, “A question, how quaint, what is it?”
“Mage Elias, what are the rules?”
“Rules? You really are a simpleton. Do whatever you like; just try not to get hit.”
Bess followed Vince over to the mat, and after he’d stepped on it, she came up behind him and took two steps, then brought her shin up as hard as she could between his legs. As he crumbled to the ground in agony, Bess turned to look at Elias, who rolled his eyes and said, “OK, there are a few rules. You need to wait until someone starts the contest. While that might have seemed logical to you, I suggest making a fifth-year student mad at you in the first round is not smart.”
“You said I only needed to win one round.”
“Be that as it may. Vince is getting up, and I doubt he’s happy.”
Bess turned and saw the fire in the older student’s eyes. She didn’t wait but stepped toward him and attacked as Kat had taught her. She didn’t manage to land a blow before she was thrown over his shoulders. Bess rolled to her feet and struck again. This time when she was thrown, he kept one hand on her arm and slammed her into the mat. Using a move she’d practised, she brought her feet up and kicked hard up under his ribs. He’d been ready and leaned back before dropping his elbow into her solar plexus, expecting to drive the air from her lungs.
Bess had been adapting her breathing and had just finished breathing out and had tightened her abdominal muscles. She brought her knee up and drove it into Vince’s ear, then tried to roll away only to find he’d not relaxed but had turned his fall into a roll and flipping her had his knees in her back as he hyper-extended her arm. She didn’t make a sound but tapped out as Kat had taught her.
As she came to her feet, Mage Elias said, “Again.”
Bess’ shoulder ached, but she let her mind focus on it briefly then had to step under an arm that Vince had used to try and grab her shoulder. Thirty seconds later, she tapped out again. Elias kept the bouts going for almost twenty minutes; Bess hadn’t touched Vince since the blow to his ear. Elias said, “OK, break. Vince, I want you to draw up a program to deal with Bess’ weaknesses. Beginning this afternoon, you will be her coach for four hours every day. Call in others as needed to spar.”
“As you say, Mage Elias.”
Bess stepped across and said, “Senior Student Mage Vince Phoenix, I apologise for the unannounced attack at the beginning of the bout.”
He stared at her for a second, then said, “Apology accepted. It was a timely lesson and one I will not forget.”
As Vince walked away, Mage Elias said, “Where did you have some training?”
“At my master’s home in Whitecliffe, Mage Elias. He asked a woman known as Mistress Kat Blade to help give me some basic skills for when I arrived at the academy.”
“What else did she teach you?”
“Mistress Blade covered basic knife fighting, swords and the bow.”
“Anything with the rapier?”
“No, Mage Elias, I have no experience with the rapier.”
“Go choose a wooden sword while I find another student to beat you up.”
Bess didn’t manage to land a single strike on Senior Student Mage Mercy Extremis, and she’d been hit several hundred times before Elias called a break. As he had with Vince, he gave Mercy the assignment of developing a program for Bess to learn the rapier. After Mercy had gone, Mage Elias said, “I’m surprised you can move after the beating you just had, but you seem almost unaffected. Such control is not usually developed until students reach their third or fourth years; how have you acquired the skill?”
“Mage Michael Firestorm prepared me for the eightdays I was at his home, and then Senior Mage Marin Seafarer continued to develop my control on the trip to Tar Eylia. Most of my instructors have made an effort to help me by using me as their model when teaching their class.”
“Why have you not had a breakthrough?”
Bess said nothing for a moment, then said, “Mage Elias, I am not sure how to answer the question without showing disrespect by questioning the actions placed over me by the emperor and my master.”
“Focus your aether and let me see.”
Bess did as she was instructed, and Elias checked her barrier, then said, “How often have you been told to change the focus for your aether?”
“At least once we each eightday I am given a different finger to use as a focus, Mage Elias. It seems I still have not mastered the skill to the correct standard.”
“Have you written your master?”
“My master requires me to send him a letter each eightday. Unfortunately, I have yet to hear how he regards the news I share.”
“I might not like your Master, but I suspect when he finds out what’s been done, he might show some people why he was ranked first.”
“I suspect he will hear of my failure and ultimate demise without reference to all the aspects of my training.”
“Bess Highland, don’t be so sure. Michael Firestorm blew through the academy, and Tar Eylia wreaking havoc on almost everything he touched. Still, in his heart, he is a good man. We mages forget that we are not the only ones who exist in this world or in the academy. Many of those we call the mundane will tell him what has happened, should he ask. Even so, none of that matters at the moment, for you will not last long if you fail during the duels. Vince and Mercy are two of my top students and will help develop the particular skills needed. I will work on your general speed and strength. Come, in this corner are what we call weights.”
Regardless of what he’d said, Mage Elias made her eat lunch, but he made the choices of what food she could and couldn’t eat. When she’d finished, he had her change back into her robes then gave her directions to the office of Mage Seldeen Heartsbane. Bess made her way as directed and knocked on the door as instructed.
“Enter.”
Bess opened the door and stepped into a room as large as a classroom but filled with books and boxes of all shapes and sizes. In the centre of the room was a table. Already seated on the opposite side was a woman who Bess would have said was the most beautiful person she’d ever seen. She was also the youngest instructor Bess had seen and would have easily passed for a senior student. Bess approached and came to attention behind the chair opposite the mage.
The woman considered Bess then said, “Apprentice Bess Highland, Baroness of Jagged Isle, Apprentice to Mage Michael Firestorm. I despise your master; he embarrassed me before my peers, he declined my help, he broke my heart, and he was instrumental in the death of my brother. I am Mage Seldeen Heartsbane, and I’ve been tasked to make sure you have rudimentary skills in logic. Which of my four statements were true?”
Bess considered the question for half a minute then said, “Mage Seldeen Heartsbane, you made five statements, and I believe three were certainly false, and for the other two, there is not enough information, but I suspect one is true and the other false.”
“Explain.”
“With those who are not mages, Mage Michael is rude and obnoxious, but he is also honest. As a mage, he meets his obligations even to his own detriment. He sees those who are mages as his kin, even though they hate him. You do not have many peers, and all of them are mages. He would not embarrass you in front of them because that is not his nature, and you, I suspect, would not be embarrassed by anything he did or did not do. He may decline your help, but you would not have offered it; you would expect him to request your help, and it may be that he did not. You are observant and logical and would know where his heart lies even though he does not. Knowing this, you would not have given him your affection, for it rests on another. If you had, then the break was of your own doing, and he is not to blame.
“Assuming you have a brother who died, then I suspect that he played a part in the death of your brother, which makes that statement true although instrumental has an element of purpose to it which seems incompatible with my master as I know him. I believe you do not despise my master as that would mean you hold him accountable as your peer, and you do not. I suspect that statement is false though I would suspect you are predisposed against him for reasons of your own.”
“Well, well, well, this just got interesting. I wonder if Marin and the others know what they’re up against. I suspect they do, and that is what makes it so delicious. Already the future I’d anticipated is becoming hazy. Not only must they give you a taste of honour, but they are also forced to arm you with the very tools which could lead to their eventual failure.”
