The Melaki Chronicle Read online

  Enshar sat staring at him, a look of suspicious wonder on his face. “I saw it.”

  “That's why I am failing. Spirit magic will bring a curse upon the land. How can I embrace the wards when I know what it will bring?”

  Enshar sat back, a troubled furrow to his brow. “We do not know that. The vision might only be relating a sequence of events as a timeline, not a causatory string.”

  “But you saw--”

  “What I saw is open to interpretation. How do you know you can read your own visions correctly? We have over a thousand years of beneficial magic as provided by the spirit use. Suddenly it is a curse?” He picked up his pipe, but only looked at it. Instead of puffing it, he stood up. “Walk with me.”

  Melaki followed him back out into the library. Enshar led him into the wizard's study area to the shelving containing writings not meant for initiates. The old scribe tapped his fingers along the shelves until he tapped a larger bundle. Withdrawing it carefully, he placed it in Melaki's hands.

  “Those are the writings of Danluk on visions. He died almost ninety years ago, but none were considered more knowledgeable than he. In there you will find his methods for bringing visions, controlling them, and interpreting what you see. Return that to me in the morning.”

  “Danluk? The great visionary? I've heard of him--”

  “Yes, of course. We all have.” Enshar waved him off.

  “My appreciation, Scribe,” he said excitedly.

  Enshar nodded his acceptance and left Melaki alone.

  With a burning curiosity, Melaki walked quickly to his small room. He had much reading to get done.

  * * *

  Talin watched through lidded eyes as the initiate scurried towards his room. In his arms were bundled old scrolls the likes of which not seen in the arms of initiates.

  His earlier near collision notwithstanding, Talin began to wonder if his search for a suitable aide might not need be so discerning.

  He nodded slowly.

  Now to see if the fool can pass the tests.

  * * *

  Danluk had been a maverick. The thought occurred to Melaki over and over as he fell asleep. The scroll contained the fine etchings of Danluk's hand and revealed many types of visions, some Melaki would have ignored. Danluk also talked about inducing visions, something he found fascinating. He slept fitfully, dreaming of scrolls and visions and concepts. He tossed and dreamed of more visions, none real in the waking sense.

  He awoke to the morning gong, bothered and exhausted. Something nagged at him from Danluk's observations. But what? What could possibly be so important? Melaki already had visions. He already knew how they came and went.

  After washing, he slumped into his chair considering the parchment as his fingers idly traced the scroll bar. Foremost in his mind was that Danluk had been able to induce visions using different methods. Nothing else perturbed Melaki. But why was that sticking in his mind? Why was this one aspect of Danluk's observations tormenting him?

  He knew he needed to present himself for breakfast. Missing breakfast was not necessarily against the rules, but initiates were expected to do things a certain way. He reached for his silver belt and froze. He should have viewed that silver belt as a status symbol, but it was a curse - a reminder that no other initiate had ever worn that belt for as long as he had.

  But, initiates were expected to do things a certain way.

  Danluk found other ways to induce vision.

  Of course! Could it be so simple?

  Nihtu had muttered that giant magic used symbols and patterns. A complex spell required a pattern within the mind. He had also said the pattern was not important, it was only a focus. Could it have been there all this time? The answer? Maybe he was as incredibly dense as his scribes claimed.

  Focusing inward, he contemplated a pattern for light, one of the spells of the first ward. The pattern formed in his mind and he traced it in the air. Light burst forth in a ball above his hand. He had done this before. But what he needed to do now was to make the somatic movements appear as if he were invoking spirit magic.

  * * *

  Mage of the Third Ward Agak considered the eating hall as the initiates ate in silence. He was Altanlean by birth and patient. He knew he held position higher than any initiate here by virtue of his black robe. But as he fingered his silver Imperium wizard's medallion, he could see many of the initiates casting furtive glances his way. They were expecting him to do something regarding Melaki's absence and he did not want to appear weak.

  With a resigned sigh, he tapped the shoulder of an initiate eating his breakfast of eggs and corn meal. “Go and return with Senior Initiate Melaki.”

  The initiate scrambled up and hurried from the breakfast chamber.

  While not against any rules, missing breakfast was not how the Rukha operated. Initiates were expected to adhere to the rules and customs as this provided rote and familiarity. Melaki was a problem. Though he was a senior initiate, he consistently failed all of his practical testing. He certainly passed all written and oral forms of test, but not the practical application of magic. Further, he was not Altanean by birth. While birth did not reserve special dispensation, by being born outside Altanles, Melaki could easier be disposed of by sacrifice and some use made of the Imperium's effort in his teaching. The Altanlean god Amtar would not disapprove. Perhaps he should speak with Headmistress Renta and suggest sacrifice as a way to tidy up this Melaki issue...

  “Sorrow, Wizard Agak.” The initiate sent to retrieve Melaki had returned. Alone.

  Agak arched an eyebrow.

  "He requests you go to his room, Wizard." The initiate looked as pale as the white tiles on the floor.

  Agak regarded the initiate as if studying a curious insect. Then nodded. Melaki broke no rules by requesting the presence of a wizard, though he might be faulted for refusing to return with the initiate. Perhaps Melaki was ill.

  Agak strode from the breakfast chamber with medallion clutched firmly in hand. He paced along the white tiled corridors and up the stairs to the Initiate's Halls. Simple wooden doors were spaced evenly along the corridor on both sides. Agak had often thought of the Initiate's Halls resembling nothing less than a prison, but with doors instead of bars. Eighth door on the right, etched with the words: Senior Initiate Melaki. Many initiates viewed such things with pride but Agak had always thought it another aspect of prison.

  He pushed open the door and stepped into the room. He gripped his robe and gave it a swirl as he entered, while casting his head at what he believed was an authoritative angle.

  Melaki stood in the center of his small room and appeared to be calmly waiting.

  Agak stopped, confused. “Why--”

  Melaki interrupted him. “I am ready to be tested.”

  Agak shook his head as if to clear it. “Preposterous, everyone knows you are incapable--”

  “I am ready.”

  Agak was confused at the tone. He had never heard Melaki exhibit anything more than confusion and frustration. “The testing is not for another--”

  “I have waited through six testings. Almost two years of preparation. I need no more time.” Melaki's voice was firm.

  “The Rukha will not convene a testing for a single ward just because you think you are ready to throw some light.” Agak punctuated his scorn with laughter.

  “I am ready to be tested.”

  “As I said, we will not convene for a first ward testing--”

  Melaki interrupted again. “For all five wards.”

  This time, Agak's laughter was an explosive bark. He threw back his head and roared with laughter. “No one has ever tested for all five wards at once. Certainly, someone such as you will not be able to advance beyond the first.”

  “Are you afraid, Wizard Agak?” Melaki was challenging the third ward wizard and this was not wise, but he knew Agak. Whereas any other wizard would have simply meted out a punishment for Melaki, Agak could not work around his own pride.

  Agak bl
inked and then pursed his lips. The scorn was still there in his eyes, but also his pride.

  “Remain here, Senior Initiate, while I bring your request to Headmistress Renta.”

  * * *

  Melaki blew a sigh of relief after his door closed. His palms were sweating and he was slightly dizzy from his earlier exertions and lack of breakfast. He was risking everything as if gambling all on a dice throw. But he knew he had the winning roll.

  Time to show these frauds of magic something real.

  He remained standing. He thought of Danluk's scroll, returned a half hour previous to the library. Danluk's methods for inducing visions had sparked something in his mind and provided all he needed to finally break his lack of progress. His wait was not long. The headmistress must have been intrigued by Melaki's request.

  The door swung open and into the room crowded four wizards. Agak remained outside in the hall, looking in. Headmistress Renta strode in with a purpose. She held her head high and with arrogance. Her black robes were adorned with the red trim of command. Her belt and medallion were of red gold. Close beside her in the cramped room was her assistant, Sam-Adad, wearing his black robe with blue trim and blue gold belt and medallion. Sam-Adad was a recruiter and he advised Renta on an initiate's prospects. His presence was a good sign. The third wizard was Scribe Instructor Daska, the very blue-robed Wizard who had poked him yesterday with his crop. The last Wizard was a member of the Elet Council, wearing his Elet robes of black with blue trim and blue gold metal. He was one of those responsible for observing the tests. Melaki did not know his name.

  “Senior Initiate,” Headmistress Renta said as if she were announcing his position to a crowd. “Wizard Agak claims you are presenting a difficult behavior this morning. Explain yourself, and quickly.”

  Melaki spoke as he had to Agak earlier, only a little quieter. “I am ready to be tested.”

  Renta regarded him as if she were a judge regarding a plaintiff. “The next testing is in three weeks. Why should we convene a testing just for you?”

  “I am ready to be tested. For all five wards.”

  Renta's eyebrows raised slightly and her eyes darted to the side towards Agak and then back as if she had disbelieved Agak's claim. “I see.”

  Melaki and Renta then said nothing for the span of a few heartbeats as they looked each other in the eye.

  She drew a breath. “You know that no one has ever taken and passed all five wards at once? The process is exhausting. Further, your record here does not inspire us to view your request in favorable terms.”

  Scribe Instructor Daska spoke. “Senior Initiate Melaki's written and oral scores are excellent, as we all know. But he has failed six testings of the first ward.”

  “I am ready.” Melaki said. The iron was back in his voice.

  Renta squinted her eyes at him. “Very well. Before we convene a testing for your sole benefit, demonstrate here the first ward light for us.”

  Melaki said nothing. He remembered they would want to see him cast a spirit spell. Those involved incantations he did not need. So as he formed the pattern in his mind using giant magic, he moved his lips as if whispering an incantation to use a spirit. He finished the pattern in his mind and raised his hand. A ball of blue light radiated forth, strong and cool. The light was far brighter than required and brighter than any he had seen conjured during a testing.

  Eyebrows climbed on five faces as they looked to each other for reaction. The Elet from the council nodded, though he continued to stare at Melaki. The others saw the nod and returned their gazes to him.

  Renta was slow in speaking. “Very well. We shall convene a testing for you. But know this, if you do not pass the first ward of this testing, your time here will be over. I am sure you have heard the rumors of your possible destination. Those rumors are true. We weary of your failure, so today is your last chance.”

  Sam-Adad nodded to Melaki. “We will send for you.”

  With a swirl of robes, the wizards departed.

  * * *

  Testing for the first ward was always indoors in the testing chamber. The Elet Council sat on benches arranged in a circle around the pupil. Also seated amongst them were the headmistress, her assistant, and several of the Scribe Instructors.

  The Elet who had witnessed Melaki's light was named Abisin. He stood next to Melaki in the center of the circle. A heavy tome and a stone lay at his feet. "We have heard already the senior initiate's oral testing. We shall dispense with this and proceed to application." He moved away and sat on one of the empty benches.

  As was his duty, Scribe Instructor Daska stood to the side and commanded Melaki's testing. “Senior Initiate Melaki, produce light.”

  Melaki formed the pattern, moved his lips, and produced a clean ball of brilliant blue light. As he held the ball in the air, he wondered if any of the wizards would be looking so close that they would notice that a different kind of magic was being used. If they were to discover he was using inherent powers, he would be put to death - probably before the sands of an hourglass were done dropping. But Melaki was gambling that the wizards would simply be trying to detect that the magic was coming from him and not that it was different. So he hoped.

  “Cease.” Daska had a smile on his face. Melaki was his student after all and the light was brighter than any in memory who had been tested. The circle appeared unimpressed at the light, though, for it was, after all, just a light.

  Melaki's stomach growled in the silence. He should have eaten something.

  Elet Abisin frowned at Melaki. “Did the senior initiate eat today?”

  “I did not, Elet.”

  Abisin pursed his lips and gave a look of concern to Melaki. No matter his failings, the Elets regarded initiates with care.

  Renta sighed and dismissed the issue with scorn. “Breakfast is past. If the senior initiate believes he requires no food on his day of testing then so be it.”

  Melaki grimaced. Headmistress Renta had apparently used his demands as a deadline. This was her chance to be rid of him and the stain of his failure. She wanted him to fail. He began to feel irritated.

  Daska cleared his throat. “Senior Initiate Melaki, lift the tome using magic.”

  He glanced at Renta and noted her posture. She was like a lion, ready to pounce on his failure as if to devour him. His eyes narrowed and his anger mounted. With a glare for Renta, he formed the pattern in his mind while moving his lips. He used his hands as if he was drawing up handfuls of water. This brought curious gazes from the Elets, but somatic gestures were not uncommon. The tome lifted slowly. Far too slowly. Melaki needed to focus more or he was going to fail and die afterward.

  Feeling the tome with his mind, he sped up the ascent. It rose smoothly above his head and kept going. Too high. He relaxed slightly and the tome floated down to head height. He knew he did not have to, but he began moving again as if swinging a heavy chain. The tome began moving sideways to approving mutters from the Elet wizards. He moved it in a wide circle and increased the pace. The tome circled the wizards like a bat circling a room. With a wry grin, he tumbled his fingers and the tome began tumbling end over end.

  Several of the Elet laughed in delight.

  With a wicked grin, he tumbled the tome out a little far behind the headmistress and brought it in directly behind her. She was not looking at the tome but rather glaring at him. He glared back and tumbled the tome so that it just barely slapped her head in its passage.

  Snarling indignantly, Renta strove to her feet.

  “Cease!” said Daska.

  The tome dropped to the ground and Melaki bowed to Renta. “Sorrow, headmistress.”

  Renta shook in indignation. “This testing is over. The initiate fails!”

  Rage overtook Melaki. He began forming a pattern in his mind, intricate and deadly. He did not know what it would do, but it was stopped by an Elet speaking.

  “You have no say in this testing, headmistress. I suggest you either sit down or remove yourself and a
llow us to continue the testing.”

  Renta spun around and stalked from the room. She called back without turning, “When he fails, deliver him to me.”

  Melaki's head throbbed - from the attempted spell that was interrupted or from his exertions he did not know. Most likely from the lack of food.

  “Proceed, Daska,” said Elet Abisin.

  Daska nodded. “Senior Initiate Melaki, lift the stone and place it in my hand.”

  Melaki nodded and worked his magic to lift the stone. It floated into Daska's hand as gentle as a feather.

  Daska smiled. “Senior Initiate Melaki, prepare a ward to block the stone from hitting you.”

  Feeling ornery, Melaki said, “Throw.” Normally, initiates constructed the ward first and issued the “throw” command. Melaki could see Daska took this as failure.

  Daska shrugged and threw the stone, certainty written all over his face that the testing had just failed.

  As the Scribe's arm rose to throw the stone, Melaki crouched and formed his pattern. His hands flew in the air as he used them to complete the pattern in his mind. As the stone was launched, he threw out his palm as if to stop the stone. The grapefruit-sized stone bounced off an invisible wall a couple handspans from his hand.

  Surprised mutters emanated from those watching. He heard an Elet whisper, “Impressive.”

  Melaki smiled, but his head throbbed a little harder.

  I really should have eaten.

  Elet Abisin stood. His tone was scolding. “Senior Initiate Melaki, you do not need to amaze us with tricks. We require exhibition of your application of the wards and nothing more.”

  Melaki looked down in silence. Shame nibbled at the edges of his headache.

  All present stood. Elation coursed through Melaki's body.

  “Welcome, Wizard of the First Ward, Melaki.” Abisin was smiling.

  * * *