Hawkmaiden (36 page)

Dara’s jaw dropped.  Even though she was sitting three seats down from the Magelord, she had no idea he had considered such a thing.  She searched the room wildly until she found the face of her father, who nodded with resignation.  But the Magelord wasn’t finished.

“It has been noted that I already have two apprentices, and it has been whispered that I’m not particularly good at controlling them as it is . . . but the fact is that I must look not just to the prosperity of my domain – my domains,” he corrected himself, remembering he had just conquered five additional provinces, “but also to their security.  As this is a mageland, I need good magi who can be counted upon to defend it.  And while I can hire plenty of them – probably everyone here would be willing, I think – I also think that the best defenders are those we grow ourselves. 

“Dara will become my apprentice, learn magic, and she will become one of Sevendor’s defenders, in my absence – gods willing,” he added with a smile.  “She captured and trained that hawk of hers herself.  She assisted her Hall with the defense of the domain during the siege.  And she outsmarted all of you lot,” he added with a snicker, “overcoming the best minds in magic to win the Trial.

“She’s intelligent, she’s brave, and she’s Talented.  It is my hope that as soon as we are settled she will come live with us here, at Sevendor Castle, and begin her magical training with me in earnest.  So may I present to you, my friends and neighbors, the victor of the Spellmonger’s Trial . . . and my newest apprentice . . . Dara of Westwood . . . the Hawkmaiden!” he announced.

Dara was overwhelmed by the thunderous applause that filled the castle to the rafters when the Magelord said her name.  Everyone seemed to be clapping wildly, and it was quite overwhelming.  Then her kin got on their feet and cheered, and some of the others did, and then the entire castle was cheering loudly enough to be heard all the way back to Westwood Hall . . . perhaps by the Flame, itself.

Dara stood slowly and bowed to everyone, earning yet more cheers, and then accepted the small box that Master Minalan handed her.  She opened it, briefly, to see the tiny glowing gemstone inside.  It was milky green and plain . . . yet when she opened the box she could feel the witchstone as much as she could see it.  It was like the rapport she shared with Frightful, only more intense, somehow.

She snapped the box shut and bowed to her lord.  Master Minalan bowed in return, then pulled her in for a triumphant embrace. 

“Smile!” he urged her, quietly.  “You just kept everyone from fighting over you!”

She smiled, even if her mind was still awash in confusion. 

“Sorry about springing the apprenticeship on you,” the Magelord continued to whisper, “but your father and I agreed that, under the circumstances, that might be best for you, right now.  Are you agreeable to the idea?  If not, we can—”

Dara spoke before she knew what she would say.  This time her mouth did not betray her.  “It’s perfect!” she assured him.  “At least for now.  Does that mean I’ll have to learn how to read?”

“Yes,” the Magelord agreed, still waving at the cheering crowd.  “It’s not as hard as it looks.  Actually, it’s about the easiest thing you’ll learn.  The hard part will be dealing with my other two apprentices,” he said, gesturing over to the two Wilderland boys, Rondal and Tyndal, who sat at a nearby table.  Neither one of them looked particularly pleased with their new junior apprentice.

“They’re just boys,” Dara dismissed.  “Believe me, I can handle them.  But . . . can I bring my falcon?”

“Frightful?  Of course!” Minalan agreed, finally taking his seat.  “You’re a beastmaster, after all.  In fact, we’ll probably start exploring that immediately.  See if you can bilocate with other animals, that sort of thing.  All in good time, Dara.  For now, just enjoy the glory,” he said, gesturing to the crowd, where many still were applauding her.  “It only lasts for a moment.  Like childhood,” he added, wistfully.

Dara did.  For one, magically indulgent moment, she basked in the approval and adulation from the wizards who had competed.  Her
fellow
wizards, she corrected herself. 

Westwood girl, falconer, and now mage . . . it had been a pretty eventful year, she decided, looking down at the wooden box that contained her precious prize. 

Just what would the next year hold?
she wondered.

The End

Thank you for reading!  You may always email the author at
[email protected]
!

Look out for forthcoming Spellmonger Cadet novels, including the sequel to Hawkmaiden: Hawklady!

The Spellmonger Novels

Spellmonger

Warmage

Magelord

Knights Magi

High Mage

(forthcoming)

Journeymage

Anthologies and Novellas

The Road To Sevendor

The Spellmonger’s Honeymoon