The Wilder (The Trouble with Magic Book 1) (20 page)

Karryl slumped in his chair and sighed heavily. “There’s nothing I can do to stop this is there?”

Mordas leaned towards him. “Why would you want to?”

Karryl turned and looked over at the little magician. “Well, for a start, I can’t see what made Master Symon think it was me, and by what he’s been saying it seems that he’s suspected it for quite some time.”

Symon returned his look with a knowing wink. “That is true, and to put your mind at rest I will give you a little demonstration of how I knew, or at least, first suspected it.” He patted his palms together with anticipation as he resumed his seat and looked along the table. “Friend Kimi, I would ask that you assist me with this.”

The wiry Ingali’s dark eyes sparkled, and he nodded in tacit agreement. Tapping his folded hands against his chin for a moment, Symon turned to Karryl with a little smile. “Would you recite the fourteenth and fifteenth verses of the Saga of Sair the Magnificent, in Ancient Ingalian, please.”

Kimi nodded his tattooed head in approval. Closing his eyes, he sat back to listen. He knew the Saga well, and therefore understood the reason behind Symon’s choice. Those two particular verses were the longest and most difficult of the entire Saga, containing as they did, unusual colloquial phrases and a number of difficult to pronounce names.

After a moment’s hesitation Karryl’s expression became distant, and he began to speak. The little group listened with rapt attention as the ancient dialect flowed unerringly from his lips. For many minutes no other sound broke the silence of the room as he recited the stirring verses, his stresses and accent breathing life into the revered words of the long dead poet.

The last word spoken, the silence continued.

An emotional snuffle from Kimi caused all heads to turn in his direction. Attempting to disguise his temporary loss of composure with a little cough, Kimi nodded at Symon. “He has learned well.” He looked across at Karryl who appeared slightly bemused. “You spoke like true Ingali prince. My spirit burned within me to hear those words again. I make promise to you. When time is right you will return with me to my people. They will gather round to hear you recite Saga of Sairek-budaki-ko. Your name will have great honour.”

Karryl flushed at this unexpected accolade. “Thank you. But what have I just proved, apart from the fact that I’ve got a good memory?”

Symon raised his hands in undisguised delight. “That’s just it! The Mage-Prime will have the astounding ability to remember every word or piece of information he has ever read or been subjected to, and have total recall. You have just demonstrated that! We could probably go on all night, and whatever piece of information I asked you for, that I know you have read or heard at least once, you would be able to furnish it.”

Karryl’s thoughts whirled, and he looked askance at the happy magician. “That sounds as if I have an awful lot of studying to do before I’m ready for this ‘task’ doesn’t it?”

Symon’s smile verged on the beatific. “Indeed you do, but you know now that we will be supporting you and helping you every step of the way. Kimi will guide you in ancient languages and the Rhamnic discipline, as well as the unique magic of the Ingali. Mordas will take you through anatomy, medicine and healing spells, while I of course, will take you as far as I can in the Talmion discipline, as well as astronomy, herb lore and mathematics.”

Karryl looked as if he were about to burst. He turned sideways, just in time to see an undecipherable look pass between Detelia and his master. “What about Detelia?”

Symon’s grin was wicked. “Our lovely goddess will teach you the Altic and Vedric disciplines. She will also fill in any gaps we may have left, as well as teaching you to develop and strengthen your powers, and make sure you come to no harm.”

Karryl looked a little uncomfortable and began to examine a fingernail. His voice mumbled its way off the surface of the table. “You said that we shouldn’t study Vedric. You said you loathed it.”

“And so I do. Unfortunately, I believe it has now become a necessary evil. That is why Detelia will be instructing you. She has the means to control its nasty side if it should get away from you at any time. As for Altic, that’s well within your scope. It’s very similar to Talmion, only at lower temperatures. You’ll find out what I mean in time. Talking about time, let me continue with what I started. It will soon be dawn and you good people must be tired.”

Detelia stood up and moved round the table to whisper in Symon’s ear. He looked up at her over his shoulder, a slight frown on his face. “Do you think that’s a good idea?” She gave an emphatic nod. “Oh well. Alright then. I’ll go and make some fresh tea.”

As his master scurried off into the kitchen, Karryl briefly felt the fine dark hairs on his forearms stand on end. He looked a question at Detelia as she sat back down beside him, but she simply gave him a secretive smile, and a little shake of her head. It was only when he glanced towards the window, that he realised what was going on. This was the second time he had seen the moon rise that night.

When everyone had refreshed themselves with sandwiches, and mugs of Symon’s fruit and herb tea, the magician readied himself to continue with his potted history.

He was put back on track by another question from Karryl’s perpetually enquiring mind. “Why was your name mentioned in that book that’s in the Museum?”

The magician raised a forefinger in acknowledgement. “Ah! Yes, I was just about to mention that. Could you read it?”

“No. I managed to make out your name a couple of times, but it was written in a strange language, although I thought some of the words seemed sort of familiar.”

Symon nodded as if that was the answer he had expected. “They probably would be. The book is written in Old Telorian, the root of our own Albitan language. My name is in there because I was instrumental in making the one major discovery the various digs managed to achieve. Did you like the drawings?”

“What I could see of them. They were rather small, and it was hard to see with that glass over them. Were they drawings of what you discovered?”

“Indeed they were.”

Seeing that he once again had everyone’s undivided attention, Symon continued. “It used to be quite a regular thing for the Archaeologist-Mages from the University to organise digs in the foundations of the old city. Anything found among the burned and melted remains might help shed some light on those long ago events. For many years nothing was ever found, but just after the beginning of the last century, one singular discovery was made. After it was unearthed and carefully cleaned, it turned out to be a rather heavy medallion on a broken chain.”

His face alight with interest, Karryl leaned forward, his hands clasped round his tea mug. “How did you find it?”

Symon interlocked his fingers, and looked round the table at each face in turn. “You may find this hard to believe, but I sensed it. I think I was meant to find it. If anyone else had done so, it would probably have been lost for all time or fallen into the wrong hands. I will even go so far as to say that the finding of that artefact was the first step towards what is happening today.”

As Symon was drawing breath, Karryl slipped in another question. “Was it gold?”

Unperturbed by the interruption, Symon carried smoothly on. “It appeared to be at first, but when the metallurgists attempted to investigate it further, it proved to be of an unknown metal which defied all attempts to cut it. They were unable to even scratch its surface.”

Sensing another question coming, he hurried on. “However, the most amazing and perplexing thing was, although it bore no apparent markings so was to all intents and purposes perfectly plain, when viewed in moonlight, which, by the way was purely a chance discovery, symbols could be seen on its apparently smooth surface; five on one side and four on the other. Language experts, cryptologists, sages and mages spent lifetimes attempting to decipher the symbols, but all to no avail.”

He held up an admonishing finger to Karryl, who was beginning to wriggle in his impatience to ask another question. Mordas gave him the look she saved for naughty boys.

Symon continued. “Eventually, due to the significant number of nine symbols that it bore, fears rose that the medallion may harbour magical properties which, if inadvertently unleashed, could prove to be uncontrollable. Therefore the strange artefact was placed in a lead lined casket and locked away in the dark and musty depths of the City Museum’s storage facility. To the best of my knowledge, it is still there. Furthermore, I am now inclined to believe this book and the medallion belong together. That is not a problem. Officially, the artefact is mine. I simply have to go and request it.”

For a few moments the little group sipped at their tea and gazed at the black covered book in silent contemplation.

As was to be expected, it was Karryl who broke the silence. “Does this mean there’s going to be another war, then?”

Symon placed his almost empty mug slowly and deliberately on the table. “Not necessarily. You can rest assured however, that sometime in the future, depending on how the situation evolves, something is going to occur which will require no lesser talent than a Mage-Prime.”

The others nodded their concurrence, and Detelia touched Karryl’s hand. “During the intervening years Karryl, you will be growing, mentally and physically. You will learn much, and your power will develop, as will your mastery of it. There is nothing to fear. Nevertheless, do not lose sight of the certain fact that somewhere on this world another has been identified and will be trained to oppose you.”

Karryl locked his dark eyes on her amethyst ones. “So it will be a war.”

She gave him a disarming smile. “Hopefully it will not come to that, although the thing you have to do may not be to their benefit and they will undoubtedly try to stop you.”

His eyebrow gave a sceptical twitch. “In other words, if I want it badly enough, and they equally don’t want me to do it, then we’ll more than likely end up fighting each other. From what I’ve learned so far, negotiation won’t an option.”

Everyone started to speak at once, in an attempt to put his mind at rest, but he ignored them. He threw his hands up as he leaned back in his chair. “That’s fine with me. By the time this whoever-it-is decides what they’re going to do, I’ll be more than ready for them.”

As Symon began to chuckle, and the others looked at him in surprise, Karryl rested his elbows on the table.”So what’s next then? I think it would be a good idea to have a look in that book, don’t you?”

* * *

The black bound volume rested comfortably in his hands as if he had been using it for years. The others watched with bated breath as Karryl turned to the first page. His heart lurched. For a brief moment he thought he was looking at his own hand-writing. The fine vellum was covered in a small but neat and flowing, slightly angular script which, although running close to every edge, was not cramped.

Symon leaned close. “Can you read it?”

Letting his eyes move down the page, Karryl frowned and scratched his head. Still frowning he looked at everyone in turn, finally letting his gaze rest on Symon. Throwing his head back with a grin, Karryl released a great chortle of delight. “Yes! I can read every word!”

The combined sighs of relief were audible. In a parody of Symon’s familiar gesture, Karryl tipped his head to one side. “That doesn’t mean I can understand it, but give me time; I’ll get there.”

Noting their approving and eager glances, Karryl firmly closed the book and placed it back inside its leather bag. “As much as I appreciate the fact that there’s a lot to be done, I for one am feeling very tired and hungry. Would you all mind very much if we left this for now, and started afresh after the holiday?”

Symon feigned amazement. “How can you possibly be hungry? You’ve been stuffing your face at the Apprentices’ party!”

Karryl grinned and raised his forefinger. “Ah! But that was yesterday, and you must admit, I have expended quite a bit of energy since then!”

A little more time was taken up with a general discussion of how things were to be organised, then Mordas and Kimi stood up to take their leave.

To Karryl’s surprise, Kimi crossed his arms on his chest and gave a respectful bow of his tattooed head, before reaching out to shake Karryl’s hand. “I feel great honour that I have seen this day, and that I have been chosen from the beginning to play a part in this new saga. When I return to my people I will consult with our wise ones, what name you will be given. No other will have that name, and you will become part of our history.”

Mordas was less formal and gave Karryl a hug. “Kimi is now your friend, as well as mine. You can rely on him to teach and guide you, as you can also with me.”

Detelia came to stand beside them, and turned her amethyst eyes on Karryl’s slowly reddening face.”I can personally guarantee that, Karryl. They will be giving you their help and support for as long as you feel you need it, and probably long after that as well. Now, it is time we all had some rest. When the holiday is over and the New Year is truly with us, we can take the first steps on the path to this task we have been given. Until then, I will bid you all farewell and goodnight.”

The air around her shimmered and sparkled in swirling showers of violet and silver, then she was gone, leaving behind a faintly heady aroma of lilac and honeysuckle.

Karryl grinned. “Useful trick that. I wonder where she goes?”

It never occurred to him that one day he might find out.

Accompanying Mordas and Kimi down the stairs to the door, Symon bid them goodnight, while Karryl returned the leather bag and its unique contents to the small cupboard.

He was leaning on the table, deep in thought, when the little magician hurried back into the room, briskly rubbing at his arms. “It is certainly cold out there tonight. Nevertheless I must return to the palace, although it felt good to be back here, if only for a few hours.” He looked into Karryl’s pensive face. “Something still seems to be troubling you.”

Straightening up, his apprentice rubbed his hands over his face, like someone just waking. “No. Well, not really troubling me. There’s just been a lot to take in, but I think I can handle it. Everything that’s happened to me has all been leading up to this, hasn’t it? You know, seeing the things in the museum and the accident after I found the book in the old cottage.”

Symon gave him a knowing smile, sent the unattached cupboard back to where it came from, then started moving round the room, turning out the lamps. When there was only one small one by the door remaining, he came back to the table.

Karryl’s next question was not the one he was expecting. “When I was in bed after my accident, was someone messing around with my head, putting stuff in there that I’d need later? Was it Detelia?”

Symon steepled his fingers and tapped his chin, surveying Karryl from under his bushy eyebrows. “I will be honest with you. Yes, you are right. Someone was ‘messing around with your head’ as you put it, but it wasn’t D’ta, and at the time I knew nothing about it. Had I even suspected then what I know now, I would have felt decidedly more confident of your recovery.”

Karryl frowned. “Well, who was it then?”

Symon didn’t answer immediately, but started to move towards the door. After a last look round, he beckoned Karryl to follow him. With the last small lamp turned out, magician and apprentice made their way down the stairs.

After closing the outer door behind him, Symon looked up at the deep indigo sky, with its scattering of winter stars. “Somewhere out there is a power that neither you nor I can possibly begin to imagine. What form it takes, if any, I could not say. I do know that there are some very rare occasions when it, he, she, I don’t know, decides to give proceedings down here a little tweak. I rather think this has been one of those occasions.”

Karryl grinned, and swung his foot through a small drift of new snow. “Makes everything seem all worthwhile, knowing that, doesn’t it?”

Symon chuckled. “Come on, let’s get you home, then I have things to do at the palace. It may not come as any surprise to you, when you arrive home not much later than you would have done. I rather think you noticed when D’ta shifted time a little.”

Karryl laughed and kicked snow up into the air. “She’s full of surprises. I really like her.”

From out of the clear air a soft voice spoke. “Thank you Karryl. I appreciate that.”

Karryl spun round, hoping to see Detelia. Instead, he found himself standing beside Symon, outside his own front door.

As he stood in open-mouthed amazement, Symon chuckled and patted him on the arm. “She does little favours for people sometimes, you know.”

Still chuckling, he set off down the path, until he was hidden by its curve. He then took his own unique shortcut to the palace, leaving Karryl to ponder everything which had happened that evening, and the almost unbelievable future which lay ahead of him.