Guild Mage: Apprentice

When Beatrice left with her father, it was with a promise to return the next morning, after breakfast. Basil delivered two notes to Liv, while Thora was brushing her hair out before bed. One was from Sidonie Corbett, promising to arrive around the tenth bell the next day, and to stay through lunch. The other was from Cade Talbot, asking Liv's permission to attend her duel. She couldn't decide what to write back, so she set it aside on her desk and climbed into bed.

Liv wished for a cat, to cuddle up against her purring and help her go to sleep. She was fairly certain there were a few mousers in residence at Acton House, but she hadn't managed to befriend any of them yet. Instead, she hugged Rosie, her old rag doll, who had been packed at the very bottom of her trunk.

The other times she'd risked her life, there hadn't been nearly as much advanced warning. Tomorrow, a girl Liv barely knew was going to try to kill her, and not even because of anything she'd done herself - just because of who she was associated with. It was not a thought that lent itself well to a good night's rest, and she found herself tossing and turning, drifting in and out of anxious dream fragments. She was up in the morning before Thora.

The bed-chamber was too unfamiliar, still, to be comforting. There was no point in trying to go back to sleep, so Liv stripped off her stockings and padded down the stairs and out to the garden barefoot, in her shift. When she got to the beach, she ran across the sand and splashed into the waves, letting the cool sea water close over her head. It wasn't the same as a mountain lake, or the fast-moving Aspen River, but it was something. She let herself float under the water until her lungs were about to burst, and then finally stood up.

The waves lapped about her waist, and the salt water stung her eyes, but somehow Liv felt better. She tossed her head back to get her hair out of the way, rubbed most of the sea water out of her eyes, and then jumped when she saw Cade Talbot waiting on the shore.

"I thought you might come down here this morning," the dark-haired boy called to her.

Liv was suddenly aware of how very alone she was, with a boy she hardly knew, and wearing nothing but a shift that was soaked through. "I needed to get some air," she said, then sunk down in the water up to her neck. The waves lifted her hair, splaying strands out around her head like seaweed.

"That doesn't surprise me," Cade said. "I won't keep you, Liv. I just wanted to tell you again that I'm sorry for how that happened; it wasn't the way I intended it to be. If you'll let me, I'd like to come and support you at the duel."

Liv bit her lip, and considered. "You can come," she said. "I could use as many friendly faces as I can get, I think. But it doesn't mean I've agreed to anything, yet."

"Thank you," Cade said. "And I understand. I'll head back, now; I don't want to cause you any scandal." True to his word, he turned and headed back down the beach. Liv waited until he was out of sight before wading out of the ocean and scampering back up the stairs to the house.

☙

After breakfast, Liv brought all of her books to the library, and stacked them up on the nicely polished wooden desk at one end of the room. She brought three quills and a pot of ink, as well, and Lady Julianne gave her five pieces of parchment to work with. Baron Henry, Lady Julianne, and Master Grenfell set up by the fire, after the court mage had dropped another half dozen books on the desk. Matthew was conspicuous by his absence, but Liv knew that he didn't have much of a head for magic anyway and didn't hold it against him.

When Beatrice Crosbie and Sidonie Corbett arrived, Basil showed them up, and they joined Liv at the desk. "Thank you for having me over," Sidonie said, with a shy grin. "What are we doing?"

"Planning how to give Princess Milly a kick right up her pompous ass," Triss said.

"Oh!" Sidonie blushed at the swear, and Liv found herself relieved not to be the youngest person in the room. Not that Triss was actually older than her, being human, but she certainly looked like it.

"Have you thought about where to begin?" Lady Julianne asked, from her seat by the fire.

"Yes," Liv said. "The first thing, of course, is that I can't allow myself to be hit. If she manages to strike me with lightning, it's over. I don't feel comfortable just hoping that I can get an incantation before she can; that seems like a good way to lose. I don't want to leave anything to chance."

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"So, she's going to open up with an attack," Triss said. "Lightning down from the sky. We know your ice can take at least one hit, but we don't know what direction she's going to strike from, do we?"

The three girls looked to Lady Julianne. "Lightning forms in the clouds," she explained. "The stormwand will let her skip having to gather a storm, but it still wants to get to the ground as quickly as it can. Luc can be used to create it, and guide its path. Essentially, she can convince the lightning that you represent its best route to the ground. It will come from above."

"Which means using the shape of a wall is no good," Liv said. "I need something that will surround me on all sides."

"How are you going to make sure your spell is finished before hers?" Sidonie asked.

"I'm going to use the future tense," Liv said, looking over to Master Grenfell to see if he would stop her.

"Oh no," he said. "Don't look at me to stop you. You're fighting for your life, Apprentice. Use every tool you have."

☙

They took two carriages from Acton House to the north beach, carrying Baron Henry, Lady Julianne, Master Grenfell, and Mistress Trafford in the first. The second was Liv, Matthew, and Triss Crosbie, who assured them that her father would meet them on the beach. Sidonie had returned home: she said that her parents would be furious if she went to a duel, but Lady Julianne made certain she took an invitation to luncheon the next day for her and her mother both.

Four guards from Castle Whitehill rode with them, two in front and two in back, led by Piers. Every one of them wore their jack of plate, in the green and white of the Summersets, and they carried halberds with the butts set in their stirrups, and crossbows hanging from their saddles.

North Beach, it turned out, was outside of the city walls of Freeport, though still in sight of the city's skyline. There was a paved road that led right to it, and an open field for a carriage park. Raised wooden walkways led through high stands of sea grass down to the beach itself, which was a beautiful stretch of smooth white sand, scattered with old pieces of driftwood and great rocks just offshore. The waves crashed and swirled around the rocks, and farther to the north, the beach ended where a stream emptied into the bay. Small seabirds circled overhead, as well as the larger - and louder - gulls. The entire expanse was lit by a ring of tall torches, on poles thrust into the sand.

Cade Talbot was waiting at the end of the walkway, where the wood met the dunes. He was wearing a doublet as dark as his hair, with gold buttons and thread of gold embroidery, and there were two men at arms lingering just behind him, at just enough distance to give the illusion of privacy.

"You look like you're ready to chew her up and spit her out," Cade called, with a smile, as their party approached.

Liv was wearing a brand new dress that Lady Julianne had presented her with just that afternoon: the underskirt was pure white, and the sleeves as well, but the overskirt and bodice were in green. House Summerset colors, as were the new white leather gloves. She extended her hand, and Cade lifted it, once again leaning down to press his lips against her knuckles, though this time the leather prevented skin to skin contact.

"Come off it," Matthew grumbled at the sight.

"You should be grateful," the younger boy told him, releasing Liv's hand. "I've just publicly sided with your house, in front of this entire audience. Perhaps in return, once this unpleasantness is done with, Liv would be kind enough to allow me to escort her to the king's masque."

"Don't distract me," Liv chided them both, and stalked forward, her staff in hand, to the center of the torch-lit circle. She made certain to carry the length of Aspen wood at an angle, so that it didn't accidentally strike the ground. Triss Crosbie marched on her right, hand resting on the pommel of her rapier. Princess Milisant waited for them, holding a wand of bone, along with her second from the tea party, the blonde girl who Liv recalled addressed as 'Lady Howe.' Behind them were a crowd of people Liv did not recognize, gathered to watch, as well as what she presumed were royal guards. Finally, a woman who looked to be roughly Julianne's age, if not a touch older, dressed in heavily embroidered robes and a cloak, stood a pace or two off from the princess.

Her hair was pale blonde and unbound, caught and tossed by the sea breeze. In the torchlight, the fine stands seemed almost to glow from within. She carried a black wand in her hand, but the most striking thing about her were the eyes: a brown so light they were nearly amber, and shining with intensity.

"My name is Genevieve Arundell, Court Mage to King Roland the third," the woman said. Her voice carried easily. "I am a Master Mage of the guild, and I will be overseeing this duel. Seconds, join me." The two young women stepped forward. "Duelists, present any object that is enchanted, or any mana-stone you are carrying, for inspection."

Liv took the glove off her left hand, tucked it under her arm, and held it out, along with her staff. "I bring a guild ring, presented to me by my master, Jurian of Carinthia," she said. "As well as my staff, made of Aspen wood and enchanted by Master Grenfell, Court Mage to Baron Henry of Whitehill."

She thought she detected a change in Mistress Arundell's expression at Jurian's name, but the only thing the mage said was: "Those are acceptable. Princess?"

"I bring one of the stormwands," Milisant began, holding out a rod of bone inlaid with gold and silver, the matching set to Lady Julianne's. "I am also wearing a bodice enchanted to warm the wearer in winter, and these rings." She held up her left hand. Every finger, and the thumb, bore a gold ring set with a mana-stone. Each was linked by a delicate golden chain to a matching bracelet on her wrist, once again set with a mana-stone, though even larger than the ones on the rings.

Years ago, Master Grenfell had told Liv the average student arriving at Coral Bay for college could hold at least four rings of mana. If the stones set into the princess' jewelry were the same size as the one in Liv's ring, that would be another six. Call it at least ten rings of mana available for her to use. Probably more.

"Those are acceptable," Mistress Arundell said.

"She's brought eight items to Liv's two," Triss objected. "That's hardly fair." Liv didn't expect the argument to go anywhere, but it was nice to see that Triss was trying.

"The princess also has no Eldish blood," the court mage responded. "Your objection is noted, but I judge it a fair exchange. Do either of you wish to withdraw at this time?" Both girls shook their heads. "Very well, then," Arundell continued, and raised her voice, so that she would be audible to the entirety of the crowd. "This duel will proceed to first blood, surrender, unconsciousness, or my count of ten without response. If either party leaves the circle, they will be considered to have surrendered. When I call the duel as ended, you will both cease casting immediately. If you do not, I will stop you, and you will not find that pleasant. Understood?"

"Yes," Liv said.

"I know what I'm doing," Princess Milisant declared.

"Seconds, clear the circle," Genevieve Arundell ordered. "This duel is to settle a matter of honor between Princess Milisant Loredan and Apprentice Liv Brodbeck-"

"Livara," Liv corrected her, raising her own voice to match the older mage's volume. "My name is Livara Tär Valtteri Kaen Syvä. If I'm going to risk my life, I might as well use it once." She tried to ignore the muttering that broke out on both sides of the audience.

"Ladies, back to back," Mistress Arundell commanded. Liv pulled her left glove back over her hand, having to take a moment to work it over her ring, then turned around and backed into the princess.

"You should have stayed up in the mountains," Milisant said quietly. "I don't actually have anything against you, but we can't let the bastard have you. I'm just getting rid of the trash."

"Fifteen paces!"

Liv took a breath, and stepped forward, walking in time with the count until the royal court mage reached fifteen.

"Seconds, confirm distance," Arundell called.

"Her legs are too short," Lady Howe said. "Have her take another step."

"Acceptable," Triss called back. They'd discussed this; distance didn't really help or hurt Liv either way. There was no reason to object. Liv took another step.

"Turn!" Liv turned around, holding her staff above the ground still. Thirty paces away, give or take, the princess held her wand in her right hand. Mistress Arundell made her invocation, and a blue circle of light flared up to encompass both girls. Liv was too focused on what was about to happen to bother listening to the words. She kept her eyes locked on Milisant, and tried to remember to breathe.

The court mage retreated from the circle. There was a long moment where the only sound was the surf breaking, and then Genevieve Arundell shouted: "Begin!"

Liv slammed her staff down onto the sand before Princess Milisant could finish the first word of her invocation.

☙

"You need a trigger that's as fast as you can get," Triss had argued that morning. "Everything in this duel is about speed, and she has the advantage. Can you come up with a way to have it start the moment the judge starts the duel?"

Liv looked over to where Master Grenfell sat by the fire, sipping from a cup of tea. "You just said 'begin,' when we practiced. Is that standard?" she asked.

"Fairly standard," her teacher said. "But not required. I've heard variations over the years."

"When's the last time you even fought a duel?" Julianne teased him.

"In college, I suppose," Grenfell admitted.

"Regardless, I don't think you can count on it," Sidonie said. "Control everything you can. Leave nothing to chance. What if you set the spell to trigger at 'begin,' and she says 'start?"

"I agree," Liv said. "So we want a trigger that I can do, that will be faster than speaking. How about when I strike the ground with my staff? Can anyone see a flaw in that?"

"You'll have to make certain you don't accidentally set it off on the walk in," Grenfell said. "But otherwise, good. It's even better, because the guild has plenty of spells targeting staves and wands. We have those words readily available. Now how are you going to shape it?"

"Keep this as simple as possible," Julianne suggested. "Once you're fighting, you can't count on keeping your head. Complex things tend to go out the window. In fact, if you can find a way to combine a defensive intent with an offensive one, that's the best tactic."

"Will she even have defenses?" Sidonie asked. "Lightning doesn't exactly make armor or a shield, does it?"

Liv grinned. "I know what I'm going to do."

☙

On the beach, ice rose up at Liv's feet, in an instant building beneath her shoes and lifting her body up into the air. She swayed, but kept her balance. At the same time she rose, her magic built up layer upon layer in gentle curves, accumulating as fast as water could be poured from a bucket. The barrier reached her knees, and across the sand Liv saw Princess Milisant raise her wand. Somewhere overhead, up in the clouds, she became aware of a great deal of ice: tiny pieces of it, swirling and vibrating amidst a building energy. The word of power coiled at the back of her mind whispered that if she wanted to, she could reach out and take control of it.

The ice wrapped around her, cutting off Liv's view of the princess just before the wand fell. She looked up at the sky, waiting for the ice to surround her completely. There was something freeing about it: either the spell would finish in time, or it would not. Not a thing Liv did now would make a difference.

The ice had almost cut off her view of the night sky, and the stars overhead had been blotted out. The circle of sky above her was only the size of a coin. Almost-

A column of lightning fell from the sky, brilliant and burning. Liv squeezed her eyes shut and waited to see whether she would die.