The Apprentice Sorcerer: The Caldronian Guild Page 4

  After she had asked each in turn if they had been successful, she wanted her students to hold that thread of power, as Ayleen did not want them to be releasing any more energy than that. She placed a hand forward, sending out her senses, detecting the strength that each apprentice was drawing out, and stopped at Leo once more. "Take your thread back to the source Leo," she asked softly. "Yours was more a rope than a thread. Make it as thin as you can," she asked. Leo felt himself blushing a little, but carefully ran the power back up to its source. Once more, he concentrated as hard as he could, and this time he took the smallest amount he could imagine and pulled it as asked. "Much better," he heard Ayleen say, much to his relief.

  Once satisfied they were all only drawing the minimum amount of power, she asked them to imagine the same globe of energy as she had demonstrated earlier. "Picture that glow appearing in your hand. Let that thread of power you have there, fuel it," she instructed them. Ayleen watched on proudly as her latest apprentices cast their first piece of magic.

  A few of the globes of energy flickered, as was to be expected. "Try and keep that flow smooth," she said, "And once you are comfortable feeling the flow of energy you may open your eyes and look at your creations.” Leo was shocked as he opened his eyes. In the palm of his hand was an orb of pulsating light, before he glanced over to Mia's; she also had her eyes open, and looked just as amazed as he did.

  Their next task was to cut the flow of power, and once that was accomplished, Ayleen had them all repeat the process. She apologised for the repetitive nature of her teaching, but after many years of practice she had found it to be the best way. Only after they were all comfortable, creating and extinguishing the small globes of energy, with their eyes open throughout both processes, would she move on.

  Ayleen smiled at her class, "You have all made the first steps as sorcerers in the guild. Well done each of you. Right you may now go... it is time for lunch. Your lessons will continue this afternoon." All the apprentices stood to leave. "Leo, please stay one moment," she asked.

  Leo stopped in his tracks, as the others all stared at him, and he just gave them a shrug of his shoulders. After the others had left the room, Ayleen walked up to him. She placed a thin bony hand on his shoulder. "I need you to be extra careful. Until such time that you are competent at controlling your energy flow, I would ask that you only use your magic whilst in the presence of one of the Masters." Leo nodded that he understood, although for what reason he was unsure. Once that was said, Ayleen ushered him off after the others, “Go on then, catch your friends up,” she said with a smile.

  Leo walked quickly, hoping he might the reach the others before they got to the dining hall, and was a little surprised to see Mia waiting for him in the foyer area. As he approached, she cast him a wicked smile and linked her arm around his. "Come on you, let's see what they feed us for lunch," she said leading the way. Leo felt a little uncomfortable with her forwardness, and although he was at an age to think about girls, he had never really had any experience in dealing with them.

  Chapter 4.

  King Haldar sat in his throne room, watching and listening as the advisors before him bickered amongst themselves. The latest events on his country's border regions had caused a large amount of concern, with rumours being rife, it was difficult to separate these from what actually had taken place. He was used to the odd rogue magician or teams of bandits causing problems, but if these latest reports were to be believed, then he knew he had serious issues.

  On his nation's border with Belaria, at a village called Marshdale, a small army of soldiers, sorcerers and creatures, had attacked. If early reports were confirmed, over one hundred of his citizens had been butchered or taken. What had been discovered there was still not certain, as samples of the bodies had been bought back to Surmont, for the Guild Masters to study.

  The attackers had simply then retreated back from where ever they had come from, although where that was, nobody was quite yet certain. Some thought perhaps it was just a rogue band, others theorised they were acting under the orders of the Belarian king. If the latter was true, then the two countries were all but at war, something that had not happened in many years.

  Caldronia was not a huge country, completely land locked, it was in fact, barely a fraction of the size of all its neighbours. Belaria lay across its southern borders, whilst the north and eastern side was linked with Farasavia, whilst Arandor lay to its west. Despite its small size though, Caldronia managed to hold its own. It was well managed, with the king allowing a small government to run the more mundane tasks of leadership. This system appeared to work well, and as a result, it had seen the nation's wealth rise steadily over many years.

  With its rich soil, farms accounted for most of the southern area, whilst at its centre was the Capital Surmont; itself a symbol of how well the nation had risen above its larger neighbours. The Palace was a building to be held in awe, and the guild, that was started by the current monarch's great grandfather, was the envy of many. So much so, that some of its neighbours had tried to emulate the idea.

  Caldronia's real wealth though, came from the rich deposits of gold and silver that had been discovered over a century ago. These areas, were as a result, home to a large contingent of the nation's soldiers and sorcerers.

  Haldar stood, as the room slowly silenced as the people before him noticed him do so. He knew that if it were Belaria responsible for the attacks, he would need proof, knowing that if he went blindly accusing them, he risked the full-scale war he did not want, and that by going in feet first, he risked alienating his other neighbours. The only thing he had going for him, was that neither Farasavia, nor Arandor had any great love for Belaria, and that if any war did materialise he hoped they would perhaps side with him and not them.

  "Gentlemen...Please," Haldar said speaking in a clear, but firm tone. Standing over six feet in height, he was already at an advantage to most, although standing up on the dais increased his vantage still further. In his mid-thirties, he had short dark hair and a clean-shaven rounded face. He had a young son Kellan, whom was his only heir. His wife and queen had succumbed to a difficult childbirth, and despite his advisors telling him otherwise, he had never felt the need to remarry. He was happy and content with life as it was, and devoted to his nine-year son, as any loving father would be.

  Once he was satisfied that everyone in the room was giving him their full attention, he continued, telling them they needed to act, but they needed to do so carefully. They needed proof of who was behind this atrocious attack, but in the meantime, he would increase the number of soldiers and sorcerers in his southern garrison towns. He would also pen a letter to the Belarian king, discreetly asking if he had encountered the same problem on his northern borders, although they were certain it was he whom was actually responsible.

  After clearing the room of his advisors, he slumped back into his throne. "I'll need to see the Guild Masters," he said turning to one of his trusted household staff beside him. "I'll get your horse readied Sire," the man replied bowing subserviently, before Haldar watched him walk away and through the door to the left. He sighed heavily, as he knew troubled times lay ahead, and more innocent people would be hurt, and he felt responsible for making sure that did not happen.

  After a lunch that consisted of vegetable soup and a freshly baked bread roll, Leo stood beside Mia, whilst the others in their small tightly knit group stood just in front of them, as there appeared to be a hold up in the corridor. Guards stood across the doorway ahead of them blocking the way. "What's going on?" Corey asked to no one in particular. "The King is here," someone from nearer the front shouted back. The small crowd of apprentices, not just wearing the black robes of the sorcerers, but the other colours from the different classes, buzzed with excitement. The king turning up at the guild Leo thought, was obviously not commonplace.

  "Ooh I want to see," Mia grumbled, whereas Leo was just excited he was actually standing in the same building as the king. There was a bit
of barging and nudging as those not at the front tried to gain a vantage point. Those that could see, watched on as a finely dressed man appeared, whilst positioned beside him was a Black robed figure, with a gold crest embroidered down one sleeve. This denoted him as the King’s Sorcerer, a powerful man or woman, sworn to defend the monarch at all costs, even if that meant self-sacrifice. On the other side was a huge brute of a man, with two swords hung from his belt, and dressed in full military uniform, this was one of only a dozen of the Kings Elite Guard, probably a warrior by the size of him.

  Stood before the king, and waiting patiently, was a representative from each of the guild’s Masters. As one, they all bowed their heads as he approached, showing their subservience to the man they served. The king nodded, and the royal party moved swiftly up the elegant staircase. Mia could hear voices from the front, "I can see him," one shouted, "Bah phooey," she hissed disappointedly realising she had missed the opportunity.

  They were not allowed to progress out of the corridor until the king and his entourage had moved on. "Perhaps we will see him when he leaves," Mason said.

  "Maybe...but we have to go to lessons again," Mia replied a little sulkily.

  "Perhaps me and you could sneak off class together," said Ben, one of the other members of their group. He was tall and thin, with brown hair and eyes, and a nose that turned upwards ever so slightly.

  "I am sure I am not quite that desperate," Mia replied forcing him a smile.

  Joking aside, they eventually passed through the foyer and headed toward their class, and once outside the room they had been allotted, they lined up and waited once more. They were surprised to see Kian walk slowly towards them. "Good afternoon," he said jovially as he made the door open before him.

  "You will have to teach us that Sir," Ewan, the youngest of their group said, "We can let ourselves in then," he added. Ewan was only just fifteen years old, although if truth were told he barely looked about ten. He was small and thin with dark hair and eyes, but Trenton, the Master who had selected him, had seen good potential though, and decided to take him on.

  Kian waved them all inside, and asked them to sit down on the bench in the room. He walked around to the front of the class, and looked back at the youngsters all staring back at him. He rolled his eyes back slightly, knowing they were all going to be asking him questions. "Fine, we may as well set your over active imaginations at rest before we start," he said with a smile. "The king is here on business. I do not know as yet, just what that business is. Ayleen is acting as the sorcerer's representative." He looked around at the faces of those before, expecting a deluge of questions, but thankfully, none came.

  Happy he had, for now at least, got their attention, he moved on to the afternoon's lesson. Ayleen had updated him over lunch of their progress that morning, and she had also warned him and the other Masters of one person in particular; a young man that he had chosen. He discreetly moved his senses around the room, detecting the magical aura every sorcerer emitted. He had already detected Leo was the strongest amongst the apprentices he had selected whilst they had travelled, and he could now tell the lad was stronger than any of them in the room, but yet he had not thought it so great a power as Ayleen had told him she had sensed when in contact with him.

  He stepped forward with his hand out, "May I," he said to Leo asking if he could place it on the youngster's forehead. Leo just nodded, he did not know why Kian wanted to touch his head, but he saw no harm in it. Kian searched for the small source of power that one would normally find, but just as Ayleen had told him though, this particular young man was something else. Kian stepped back, nodding to himself, "Thank you Leo," he said trying to hide his surprise, and confusion as to why he could not sense that amount of force without contact.

  Ayleen had told him the boy was a potential danger, and not only to himself, but the other students and possibly, even the Masters as well. As a result, she had said it would be prudent to teach them how to shield sooner rather than later. It was hoped, that at least might give anyone in range some protection, just in case Leo ever got a little carried away. That afternoon's lesson however was to teach them how to detect magic in others. They had learned that morning how to find it in themselves, now they needed to sense it outside their own bodies.

  Kian started by explaining the lesson they would be doing, and despite it not being a particularly difficult skill to master, he knew it would take up most of the afternoon before they all sussed it out. He asked they all pair up, and Mia immediately clasped hold of Leo's arm, "You and me," she said excitedly.

  "Leo you will have to pair with me, Sorry Mia you are with Ewan," Kian said spoiling her moment.

  "Phooey," she mumbled, pouting as the youngest member of the group sat beside her. The lad grinned at her, as if he had won the grand prize, "Stop grinning at me," she hissed, however her mood did not deter the youngster from continuing.

  Mia felt even more miffed, when Kian had them holding each other's hands, although Corey was glad he had picked Amber. Mason however was not so enamoured with his choice, with Alexa picking Ben, he was left holding hands with Jake. He was a slim built lad, of average height, a year older than Mason was. His hair was a ginger colour, and his eyes deep blue, and a row of freckles ran across his pale-skinned face. Neither boy however let the awkwardness of the situation get in the way of what they were doing.

  Kian asked them all to sense through their own bodies, before searching the person holding on to them. "Think of them as an extension to yourself," he said. They were to look for the other person's source of power, but told in no uncertain terms, not to touch it. Trying to take another's power this way was not only dangerous, especially for the inexperienced, but also deemed a crime. This offence was so frowned upon so much, it carried the most severe of sentences, a warning he thought they should all be made very aware of.

  The reason he had known he had to partner Leo, was because the others would not have found the young lads power, just as Leo himself had struggled to detect it. Moreover, he did not want one of the others accidently or inadvertently making contact with it. He asked Leo to follow the instructions Ayleen had given them all earlier, and Leo smiled when he quickly found Kian's own power source. "Very good," the Master said.

  Eventually all the couples were satisfied they could detect the others power source, although Mia and Ewan had taken longer, mainly because she said her partner was looking at her funny. "Stop grinning at me," she hissed again, much to the amusement of the others. Even Leo had to hide a small snigger with his hand, as he could see how Ewan was idolising the girl.

  Thankfully for Mia, the next part of the lesson involved not having to hold hands with their respective partners. Now the apprentices needed to search without linking, although this method only gave the person looking, a rough idea of another's power, it did give enough information to let them know if someone had magical potential or not.

  The more those practicing got used to using this method, the further apart Kian asked them to stand, and once that distance was far enough, he let them swap partners if they wished. Mia jumped at the opportunity and wanted Leo, which meant Ewan was then left with Kian, with the others being happy as they were. The Master was unsure he should let such an inexperienced student attempt to pair up with Leo, but after thinking otherwise he did so with a firm warning. "Mia, if you search Leo, only do it from a distance. You are not ready to do so by making contact...Do you understand me?" The young girl nodded, noting the serious tone in Kian's voice.

  Chapter 5.

  Haldar liked talking with the Guild Masters. They never tried to shout over one another, but waited patiently for one to finish before the next spoke. Pity his own advisors were not quite so well drilled in the art of sensible conversation and debate., he thought.

  He listened to a middle-aged lady in the white robes of the Healers Guild speak. Her name was Leah, and she explained she had examined the remains of the corpses brought back to them. The male adult bodies had
succumbed to energy blasts from sorcerers, whilst a few of them, and most of the women, had been killed by more conventional means. Stabs and slashes from swords mainly, although one or two showed signs of burns, as if hit by fire. “Some of the older children had been drained of their life force,” she said, and although this caused a few gasps, the most gruesome was left until last.

  Strange looking carcases, shaped like the bodies of children had been found. Only they had nothing inside, and were cracked open as if something had hatched from within. "It was then I asked Danton to come and offer his opinion," Leah said gesturing to the man in the blue robes of the Alchemy Guild. The man nodded his head in thanks at the introduction, before speaking his findings. "I found small residue of a strange chemical. I am still checking our findings your Majesty."

  Haldar nodded, "What do you think it might be?" he asked, not really sure he actually wanted to know.

  "Well if my initial hunch is correct, then these shells, carcases, call them what you will, were once children. The alchemy used here is far beyond anything we ourselves truly comprehend, and seems to be imbued with magic. As I see it, this chemical appears to transform living matter...Into what I do not know," Danton apologised. Haldar did not mind, he had already learned much from the answers given to him, as shocking as it was.