The Archon's Apprentice (2 page)

“What do you know of blood magic?” asked Omoni.

“Only stories,” said Mikol, “nothing that I would trust to be true.”

“That is a good outlook. Let me be the one to offer the truth of blood magic. It is a vile thing. It can rival some of the most powerful runes and even combat some of the runes we know. It is the only reason why I have this limp.”

“Could you not use a healing rune to mend the leg?” asked Bayle.

“Still practicing being a statue? Do you know they are supposed to be silent?” said Omoni as he glared at Bayle. Mikol barely kept a smirk off his face.

“Preceptor,” said Mikol, “if he weren’t such a good sparring partner I would have ditched him long ago, but I have the same question. Could you not use a healing rune to mend the leg?”

Omoni pulled off his boot and rolled his pant leg up. The muscles and tendons had become twisted and mangled, starting above the ankle and traversing up through the thigh beyond what they could see. Mikol could only look at the leg for a moment.

“I have tried many times to use healing runes,” said Omoni, “but my leg is not actually broken. The healing runes are able to mend a broken leg, as I am sure both of you are aware. The blood magic that injured me did not actually wound me, but it altered my leg. If I broke my leg again and disfigured it to look like my other leg, the healing runes would mend it back to the way it is now. This is but one reason why blood magic is so dangerous.

“Blood magic derives its power from within a person. Everyone has a magical potential. I believe that is why the Archon chose you to succeed him. Runes do not draw directly from the person but from the world around it and your inner power help control the runes. With blood magic, instead of drawing or saying a rune, the power of blood is required. This does not have to be from the one who is using the magic, either; this can be from anyone. Once the blood has been spilled, the magic of the spell will be released from within the blood itself.

“I said before that blood magic is vile. While this is true, it is only a half truth. It is only vile and contemptible if the user chooses to make it so. It can be used for many good things, but the cost is usually too high.”

“How does someone learn blood magic?” asked Mikol. “I have never seen a blood mage around Valefort, or heard of any in Ternia.”

“The wardens have made sure there are no blood mages in Ternia,” said Omoni, “Anyone caught using blood magic is put to death on the spot.”

“That seems extreme,” said Mikol.

“It should be. There is no attunement rune for blood magic and this is the primary reason why blood magic is so dangerous. The Exemplars are able to limit the use of runes to only those who are worthy to use it with the various attunement runes, but they are unable to control who can use blood magic. If you knew someone who was using blood magic, they could teach you how to use it too without any attunement. This would not be a good idea, as I would still put you to death all the same.” Omoni shifted in his seat. “You need not worry about blood magic in Ternia though; we have cleansed it from within our borders. The only place you will find blood magic is in the savage kingdoms. Even there it is difficult to find a blood mage. We have wardens hunting night and day to eradicate all blood magic from the world.”

There was a knock at the door. Omoni and Mikol looked up at the door and then to Bayle standing next to it. It took him a moment before he moved to open the door; his cheeks had reddened slightly. He spoke with someone in the hall for a moment before opening the door wider for the messenger.

“Mikol,” said the messenger, “Your presence is requested. Your brother, Prince Arceri, has arrived back from his trip to Casparan.”

“A little later than he was supposed to. When is he due back in the city?”

“Sorry, your grace, if I misspoke, but he is already in the city.”
 

“What! Why didn’t my father call me earlier?”

“It was Prince Perim who requested your presence.”
 

Mikol looked from the messenger to Omoni.

“Archon, Preceptor, can we continue this at another time?”

“Go,” said Voletain, “You are not Archon yet and are still bound by family oaths. We shall continue this another time.”

Mikol bowed quickly and rushed out of the room, Bayle following a step behind him. All of the hallways were conspicuously empty. They made their way to the main courtyard balcony in record time. Mikol smiled when he saw Arceri had just arrived in the castle proper. The servants and soldiers had lined themselves along the walkways. As Arceri passed, the soldiers saluted and the servants bowed. Mikol could see Arceri had already assumed the demeanor of a king. Arceri’s presence almost caused Mikol to overlook the smaller figure beside him. She looked to be the same age as Arceri, though she could not be, as he was over 50. The Royal Runes of privilege prolonged life and provided the benefit of keeping one younger looking. Mikol had grown accustomed to his oldest brother looking younger than himself.
 

“Good of you to join us, little brother,” said Turos. Mikol had not seen his brother standing in the shadow of the balcony.
 

“I hope you will at least freshen up before joining us for the triumphant welcome-home dinner,” said Turos, spinning his gilded cane in his hands. Mikol could never figure out why Turos had the cane but had never seen him without it.

Mikol looked at his and Bayle’s clothing. He brushed off some dirt but caught sight of a ripped pant leg. Any other day he could possibly get away with being underdressed. He looked down at the crowd and saw the soldiers in full dress. This would not be one of those days. He glanced once more at Arceri and this mystery woman before rushing off to bathe away the day.

***

Mikol and Bayle hurried to the main dining hall. They had only taken as much time as needed to be presentable. Mikol did not think anyone would actually talk to them but wanted to make sure they did not incite screams of disgust from their earlier exertions. They entered from a side door to survey the dining hall and Mikol smiled to himself. They were not late. The dining hall was only partially full. They slipped in quietly and found their seats.
 

Raifaran sat on the throne, already drunk, or maybe still drunk, Mikol could not tell these days. Mikol assumed the king’s clothing had started clean this morning, but the front of his shirt was stained with grease and wine. It was hard for Mikol to see his father like this. He could almost remember when his father was full of life and did not need wine to get through the day. But ten years ago Queen Evion died. The kingdom had already been dealing with the loss of the Heir Consort. The Royal Runes prolonged the life of the Queen but did not extend the childbearing years. The Heir Consort had to be chosen when the king wanted to have children that would become heirs. This was Mikol and his brother’s mother. Raifaran had been close to both women, and their absence was felt throughout the kingdom. If Raifaran had time to grieve for one before the other died, Mikol felt he would not have fallen so far. The seat next to the king was left empty.
 

Perim entered one of the side doors, followed by his command staff. The stress of being the general of the army had aged him considerably since last Mikol saw him. His hair, once brown, had turned almost fully white. At first glance it would seem Perim was the eldest brother, but he was five years younger than Arceri. Perim sat down next to the king, whose only acknowledgement of his son was to loudly ask for another glass of wine. Mikol and the rest of the party skillfully avoided watching the king’s display. Thankfully, a servant rushed to the king’s side with a new flask of wine. The king settled down immediately as his glass was refilled.
 

Mikol looked over the other council members arrayed around the main table. He had rarely seen them dressed in better attire. They sat attentively waiting, and Mikol knew they were trying to impress Arceri, who was king in all but name. The coronation of a new king generally happened on their fiftieth birthday or sooner. Mikol had heard speculation that Raifaran was too drunk to remember, and still others said Raifaran was testing Arceri. Whatever the reason, it had brought strife between factions in the court for the last five years. To Mikol it seemed a boon: As all the council’s attention focused on Raifaran and Arceri, it gave them little time to harass him as the future Archon.

Turos entered from the main door, dressed more extravagantly than Mikol had ever seen him. While Mikol had never been certain about current clothing trends, he was certain no one else would be wearing anything Turos wore. He strode confidently over to the main table, his cane tapping in time with his stride. He sat at his usual seat near the king. Raifaran sat upright in his chair and eyed Turos. Turos smiled widely to his father and gave a seated bow.
 

“What did I tell you about those outlandish outfits?!”

“Not this again. It is perfectly...”

“I don’t care what you think is acceptable! We’re not savages. It’s not respectable. You shouldn’t even be here!”

Mikol was glad to be standing far enough away from the explosive confrontation between father and son. Accustomed to this outrage, those in attendance turned away from the king again. Only Mikol and a few of dignitaries continued to watch the outburst. Mikol gasped when Raifaran threw his wine glass at Turos to end the conversation, yelling at the same time for a new glass of wine. Turos would have run out of the hall, but Perim quickly moved behind Turos as he stood up. There was a quick exchange between brothers. Mikol could not hear what was said but had seen many of these conversations before. Perim, ever the diplomat, was convincing Turos to rise above the situation and calm himself. Mikol could see Turos inhale deeply to compose himself. He raised his head high, turning back to the assembled crowd. He nodded to those few that met his gaze as he sat down. The glass had left a very unflattering stain on his blouse resembling closely that of the king’s own.

All conversations stopped when Voletain entered from the main door. He only nodded to the crowd and walked to his seat at the king’s right. Voletain had changed into his robes of office. It was something Mikol had seen before, but he knew it was only something Voletain wore to impose his presence. It worked on most of the assemble crowd, as no one dared to speak until he had passed them. Immediately as he sat down, Voletain locked eyes with Mikol and motioned for Mikol to sit next to him.
 

“I don’t envy you,” said Bayle as Mikol hurried away. Mikol shot him a glance that could have cut glass. He made his way to the main table. Since Mikol had become apprentice, his status had changed, and his normal seat at the far end of the main table was moved next to Voletain and the king. Ever dutiful, Mikol walked over to his father first and bowed to him. Raifaran smiled widely and wrapped his son in a big embrace.
 

“What have you brought me from Casparan?” asked Raifaran. This was not the first time the king had confused his sons, but it was the first outside of private gatherings. Mikol tried not to look at those nearest him. His face became flushed as those seated closest turned their heads away. He had become part of the spectacle. He was grateful as Voletain interceded and spoke with Raifaran. Voletain pushed Mikol to the side and indicated the chair. Mikol obeyed and quickly sat down. The remaining guests arrived in a very short time, and the main hall filled up quickly. There was a murmur running through the crowd, and a tense energy overcame those waiting for Arceri. He arrived only moments after everyone was seated. His entrance was as extravagant as ever. He flourished his cloak and bowed to everyone in the room. There was a cheer as he made his way to the front of the room in front of the king.

“I come bearing wonderful news from the north,” said Arceri. “Casparan has maintained their independence from the savage kingdoms for more than three hundred years. Many warlords have tried to invade, and Casparan has repelled them all. King Nico Salveram has decided they will not be isolated anymore, and with open arms signed a trade accord with Ternia.” Applause erupted from the room. “This will benefit both countries and will bring many years of continued peace.” Another round of cheers and applause. “There is but one catch.” The room became quiet. “He demanded his daughter be married before the treaty was finalized. So I present to you the future queen of Ternia, Princess Juna.”

Arceri gestured to the door and every head turned to see the woman who had ridden in with Arceri earlier in the day. Her riding leathers were replaced by a long, flowing, golden dress, accentuated by daylight streaming through the door and reflecting off every golden stitch. Mikol cocked his head slightly to the side. There was not a window or opening that would allow the sun to shine so brightly inside this room. He looked at his brother and was rewarded with a knowing wink from Arceri. Juna started forward slowly to meet Arceri. No one in the room seemed to breathe. Ternia had remained closed to any country for thousands of years. Every marriage had been a Ternian union. Mikol did not know what to think. Looking around, he saw that no one else did, either. Regardless of the future, he knew what needed to be done now. Mikol stood up and raised his glass to his brother.
 

“To the future King and Queen of Ternia. Long shall they live.” The room exploded in cheers and applause.

Chapter 2

Arceri

Over the next couple of weeks Arceri could not find anyone not preparing for his wedding except for himself. Since he had announced his engagement, the city and especially the castle were alive with activity, but no one was involving him. He had nothing to do but wait. When he had tried to get involved he found that one servant or another led him away. The first couple of days he became angry that no one listened to him, but he came to realize he actually had time to himself for once. After this revelation he began to wander the halls of the castle for the first time since he was a child.