The Young Magician (The Legacy Trilogy) (36 page)

‘Goodness!’ she exclaimed, putting her hand to her breast in surprise. A gasp rose from all around and several men clapped their hands in appreciation of the spectacle. It made Samuel shudder with regret as all the people began to crowd around to see what was happening.

‘Astounding!’ people called out. ‘Wonderful!’ and children began jumping and up down and shouting with joy beside him.

‘Thank you,’ the old woman said, nodding and smiling, although she looked somewhat unsure of her levitating goods. ‘Thank you, good Lord. What a blessing you are to my old bones.’

Samuel glanced between heads and was both relieved and alarmed to find no sign of Master Ash. ‘Thank you!’ he called behind as he stepped away from the stall, holding the wicker vessel on his shoulder. Master Ash could not have gone too far, so Samuel pressed on down the street.

A bobbing head appeared further on, easily above those around him, and Samuel knew he had not lost his man, for Master Ash now seemed to be taking his time, chatting with some fellow beside him. Samuel put his container down for a moment and quickly pulled his shirt over his head, stuffing it inside the wicker vessel. Black trousers were not so uncommon, and workers went bare-chested all over the city. He hoped it was an adequate disguise to not get him noticed.

When Ash started off again, Samuel followed closely and he smiled with some satisfaction as the crowd now failed to separate around him. In fact, they seemed to actively begin jostling and bumping him most uncomfortably. Samuel was glad he was not a commoner, for he would not enjoy the city half as much if he had to put up with this every time he went out.

Ash was alone again and Samuel was confident in staying only mere steps behind, for they were soon nearing the central markets and the people were pressing shoulder to shoulder now, making the going difficult. He could follow in the wake of Master Ash’s presence, but he still had to deal with the crowd as it surged back in behind the mage, which was bad in itself, as people rushed all the more to take advantage of the free space.

Samuel followed Ash out the other side of the markets and past Saint Veddum’s Cathedral, where crowds of people were lined up to make their daily prayers. Finally, Ash stepped aside and entered a tavern, leaving Samuel standing perplexed before the open doorway. The sign above the door named the place ‘Dargill’s Tavern’. He peered in through the doorway and could see that Ash had started up a set of stairs. Samuel considered entering after him for a moment, then noticed a narrow alley to his right. He hurried down it and set his container down, inspecting the tavern wall. There were several windows set up high to let fresh air into the main room, and several others, smaller, towards the rear of the building, presumably for the guest rooms.

Samuel wandered along the alley, gazing up, when something caught his attention—pulling at his senses. Another magician of some description was nearby. In the rear-most room, there was most definitely another magician, and Samuel could just bet that he and Master Ash would be meeting.

Samuel hurried further around to the rear of the tavern where some tattered, old animals were roped and he was pleased to note a balcony above him. He took a step back, then vaulted up, leaping against the wall and then up, grasping the balcony beam with one hand. His grip held and he swung his other arm up, took hold and then carefully lifted himself up, stepping over the handrail and tiptoeing onto the deck to crouch beside the rear entrance to the guest room.

‘Did you hear something?’ Master Ash’s voice came from inside.

‘No,’ came another voice. A spell formed and Samuel felt the tickling presence of magic as it washed over him. The man, whoever he was, was powerful. His very magic sizzled upon the air. Samuel went to throw up a concealment spell, then realised he had no need, for no magician could sense him while his magic was dormant. ‘There’s nothing there. Let’s get this over with.’

‘When does Balten arrive?’ Ash asked.

‘Soon,’ the other replied. ‘With Cang and the others.’

There was a moment’s silence as if he was contemplating, and then Ash spoke again. ‘Hmm. Very good.’

‘Have you been given everything you requested?’ the gruff voice asked.

‘You’ve been most helpful,’ Ash answered. ‘Men are already at the site and I understand it looks promising.’

‘My master pays well—remember that. Be sure that your services meet their price. There are many others who can do the same for less.’

Ash laughed. ‘There is no one else and you know it, Kalen.’

Master Ash chuckled softly and Samuel had to shift his weight—his thighs were beginning to burn from squatting in the same position for so long. ‘You’re right. Just don’t make any mistakes. If your promises make good, you and Jarrod will get your reward, but if this turns out to be another waste of time—you’ll pay.’

‘Don’t worry,’ Ash stated calmly. ‘I’m sure this time our information is true. It’s taken a long time to gather everything we needed, but the translations we recovered from the ship proved to be essential—for the first stage at least. Lord Jarrod remains confident.’

‘So you say. I’m hoping your results will prove your words. So far, your promises haven’t been worth a dog’s fart. Anyway, Cang wants to see you when he arrives. You can do your explaining to him.’

‘Very well,’ Ash stated. ‘I’ll meet you then.’

A chair scraped against wood and footsteps sounded. Samuel’s heart leapt and he readied to throw himself over the balcony, when the footsteps faded away down a hallway.

‘Damned black-cloaks!’ the mage inside muttered to himself.

Samuel crept slowly down the balcony to the far end of the tavern and then carefully climbed the rail, dropping to the yard below. He pondered the men’s conversation as he followed the alley, his thoughts disrupted only when he noticed his wicker container was gone.

‘Damned thieves!’ Samuel swore under his breath and stepped carefully into the street. There was no sign of Master Ash and so Samuel began back towards the school grounds. It seemed obvious that there was a conspiracy at work and Lord Jarrod and Master Ash were involved. Samuel had no idea who Balten or Cang were, but he did not think they were part of the Order and he had no idea what they were up to, but their words did not carry the tone of good intention. Samuel would talk with Master Glim about this; he was sure to know what to do.

Samuel hurried into the school, ignoring the horrified expressions of the old Masters at his naked chest as he passed. After returning to his dormitory and putting on another dark shirt, he made directly for Master Glim’s quarters.

Master Glim was inside dusting his room, when Samuel knocked and entered.

‘Ah, Samuel,’ the Master called in greeting. ‘What puzzle has brought you to my door today?’

‘I’ve just heard something disturbing, Master Glim, and I need your advice,’ Samuel replied.

Master Glim detected Samuel’s tone and ceased his dusting, putting his long-handled brush aside. ‘Come. It’s a lovely day. Why don’t we walk in the grounds while we talk? You seem to have some weight on your shoulders today.’

‘Actually,’ Samuel replied hesitantly. ‘It’s something that requires some privacy.’

‘Oh? Very well, then,’ Master Glim granted with a raised eyebrow. ‘What is it?’

‘Do you know of Master Ash?’

‘I do,’ Master Glim responded.

‘I followed him to a tavern, where he met another mage, who I’m sure is not of the Order. They began discussing some plot and Lord Jarrod is involved. It was all very secretive and I couldn’t hear any exact details, but I’m sure there is something going on. They’re planning something. ’

‘Samuel,’ Master Glim began solemnly. ‘Lord Jarrod is
always
planning something, as are most of the other councillors. They have nothing better to do but scheme and plot, with little more in mind than their own entertainment. Nothing surprises me from them.’

‘But it sounds serious. They were talking about someone called Balten and all these other men.’

‘Samuel,’ Master Glim said, shaking his head. ‘I’m sure it’s not serious. I’m not surprised that Lord Jarrod is dealing outside the Order. Sometimes they do these things. It’s best to leave them to their games and concentrate on your studies. The councillors can take care of themselves. They’re schemers and plotters, the lot of them and it’s far wiser to give them a wide berth. Now, I honestly recommend that you don’t go following anyone else and mind your own business when it comes to the Council’s affairs.’ Samuel was disappointed, but Master Glim continued. ‘And don’t go telling anyone about this. You’ll only get yourself into trouble.’

Samuel realised he was getting nowhere and nodded in agreement. He felt that his teacher was merely brushing him aside, that no amount of arguing would serve to change his mind. ‘I understand, Master Glim. I’m sure you’re right. I shall see you at tonight’s class, then.’

‘Very well,’ Master Glim replied, bearing a smile once again. ‘And no more nonsense. You have a lot of study to do.’

Samuel left the magician’s quarters and made back for his dormitory. He was disappointed that Master Glim had not taken him more seriously, for he was sure there was something about to happen. The two Erics were intrigued when he told them, but after a few days with no new occurrences, they lost interest in the plot and scolded Samuel whenever he attempted to raise the subject. Several times Samuel found an excuse to pass by Dargill’s Tavern, but he could feel no hint of any magicians there. Of Master Ash, there was also no sign. The man seemed to have disappeared from the city altogether. A few discrete questions told Samuel he had left Cintar for Hammenton on the business of the Council. With no further leads to follow, Samuel finally gave up searching for a conspiracy and returned his attention to his waning studies.

One bitter morning, whilst the city was gripped by the heart of winter, Master Jod and Master Rubrick had all the Adept standing idly in the school grounds. The students stood rubbing their hands together and stamping their feet for warmth. The two Masters were talking quietly, waiting for the last of the students to arrive and take their places. The rain had stopped since the wild storm of the previous night, yet the ground was still a muddy slurry. The wind had a chilly sting to it, causing everyone—bar the Masters—to don their hoods and draw them tight around their faces.

‘Gather closer now, students,’ Rubrick then called out loudly and everyone shuffled nearer. ‘I don’t want to lose my good voice by arguing with this wind.’

Rubrick was a peculiar fellow. He had an unusual way of stringing words together and a level of patience far beyond any of the other teachers. His skin was quite olive and his eyes were slightly angled. Some said he was from the western islands or beyond, for the deep ocean was treacherous to traverse and little was known about those far flung reaches.

‘To begin today’s lesson—’ Jod began. He was much sterner and to-the-point compared with his counterpart. ‘—I would like you all to remove yer robes.’

Everybody looked to each other, unsure and they began murmuring. Samuel rubbed his hands even harder at the mere thought.

‘Come on. Get ’em off,’ Jod demanded.

‘Come along, now,’ Master Rubrick said cheerily. ‘You will see the point soon enough. Samuel, how about you start everyone off?’

Samuel nodded, after he had recovered from the shock of the very thought, and he reminded himself never to stand so near the front again. As he pulled his robe up over his head, he could feel the icy cold wind blowing against his legs. As he stood in his thin shirt and trousers, a young apprentice ran over at Master Jod’s beckoning and took the robe from Samuel’s shivering hands.

‘Quickly, now,’ Rubrick said. ‘Don’t leave poor Samuel so cold and lonely.’

Jod was marching up and down in front of the group with a mildly sadistic smile on his face. ‘Off with yer robes. Come now! Quickly! It’s not
that
cold. Don’t be such a bunch of babies!’

Samuel hugged himself desperately. The wind seemed to be blowing straight through his thin shirt, as the others begrudgingly did the same. When they were all half-naked and shivering in the wind, with their thick, warm garments piled up in the beckoning doorway of their dormitory, Master Rubrick motioned for them to gather even closer, and they were all glad to do so.

‘Now listen closely,’ he began. ‘Ignore the cold and biting wind. Do not listen to the complaints of your body. Close your eyes and grasp your power—just a little. Let a little magic trickle through your veins.’

Samuel closed his eyes, biting hard to stop his teeth from chattering. In the darkness, all he could feel was the freezing wind and his body trembling. Hopefully, he would go numb soon and the discomfort would end. Perhaps he would pass out, he thought to himself. That would be even better.

He could feel magic being summoned around him and quickly tuned his mind to do the same. Innumerable sessions of practice came back to him and his mind soon found that state he required to spell and sweet magic came pouring into him. As always, it took a little effort to stop from filling himself completely, for the joy of magic was ever enticing. For a moment, the cold was forgotten but, as the initial euphoria had ended, the wind and cold came gnawing back at him.

‘Very good,’ Rubrick’s voice sounded. ‘It is no small task to summon magic with such a distraction as your own discomfort. Now, follow the flows that we dictate, gently.’