The Black Mage: Apprentice (15 page)

The man raised an amused brow. "My dear, you
can not disappoint me – why the prince was just telling me earlier
you and he led the mentees to victory for the first time in a mock
battle in over a decade." His eyes danced. "Two second-years… why,
I might be in the presence of my successor now. What do you think,
Ryiah? Are you going to be taking part in the next Candidacy?"

Was I dreaming? This
had
to be a
dream. Because in what life would the most powerful mage of the
realm be suggesting I was a contender for
the
robe. Not the
traditional plain black robe of my faction – but the special robe,
the only one etched in gold and encrusted with gems. The one passed
down over seventy years among the Candidacy's winning mages. The
Colored Robe. The robe that made a mage the
Black Mage
.

"Well now you've done it." Ian grinned at
Marius. "She won't be able to talk all night."

The Black Mage was being called away by the
other two Council members. He sighed wearily. "Politics again… I
apologize to you both but I must return to my Council." His eyes
crinkled as they fell on me. "I hope this isn't the last time we
talk, dear Ryiah. I look forward to hearing your accomplishments as
the years progress… perhaps my status will seem a little less
daunting then." Then the man gave a final nod to the both of us and
disappeared into the crowd.

"I have never seen you speechless." Ian was
watching me with wonder.

I made a face and shoved him gently. "You've
never put me in front of my idol before, either."

Ian caught my arm and his hand lingered on it
just a moment too long. "Meet me in the library." There was a
hunger in his eyes that sent a stampede of sparks stammering across
my chest. "No one will be in that drafty old place – not with the
feast going on all night out here."

I had to remind myself to breathe, and when I
finally did, butterflies were flooding my spine, from the top of my
neck to the tip of my toes. It was the feeling I had every time Ian
touched me - every time he whispered that he want to see me alone.
We hadn't had many opportunities in our constant deployment – but
here at the palace…

"I-I'll leave in a minute," I stuttered.
"There's just something I have to do first."

"Don't take too long."

The words brought another rush of heat and I
flushed. "I won't."

As soon as Ian had left the room my memory
returned and I inspected the room, searching for the one person I
needed to speak with. I spotted him through the great doors that
led through to the grand balcony. While many of the palace chambers
hosted small patios of their own, only the main ballroom had views
as stunning as the one below. It faced north – directly into the
dense mountains below which reminded me of home in its green
majesty.

Beside him was
her
. Wearing a splendid
dress of lavender and yellow lace she looked like she belonged
here: the future princess of Jerar. Priscilla's brown hair was done
up in the latest fashion, small tendrils escaping an elaborate
twist, held high by rusted gold clips.

I watched the two of them for a moment – the
dark-haired non-heir and his betrothed. Neither looked happy, and
from the way Priscilla's lips kept moving I suspected they were
arguing. I watched as the girl thrust her drink glass into his
hands and stormed off. Darren watched her go with a weary
expression.

I hesitated. This probably wasn't the best
time to approach him. The non-heir had been acting strange all
week… but after hearing what the Black Mage had said earlier I felt
a responsibility to seek him out.

Praying that the prince wasn't in a foul mood
– as he'd appeared to be every day this week - I approached him on
the crowded dais. "Darren?"

The young man spun around, shoulders
rigid.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle
you..."

Instead of looking to me the prince scanned
the crowd behind us. After a moment the tension left his shoulders
and his eyes met mine, seemingly relieved.

"I talked to the Black – I talked to Marius.
He said you gave me most of the credit for that mock battle in
Ishir." I swallowed. "You didn't have to, it was mostly you…"

"I don't give credit unless it's due."
Darren's lips held the faintest trace of a smile. "You already know
this."

My cheeks burned and I forced myself to
continue. "It means a lot – to have him think so highly of me. He's
the best mage there is."

"Ryiah." Darren's eyes seemed to gleam in the
setting sun. "You have such a low opinion of yourself, but you have
no idea what the rest of us think of you already."

"But Master Byron-"

The prince's eyes flashed. "The man is an
idiot."

"But he's a master!"

"You can be a great man and still be a fool.
Many of our country's leaders can attest to that. Were they still
living."

"That's your great grand-parents you are
alluding to." I couldn't keep the grin from my face.

Darren sighed. "Unfortunately yes. And they
are not alone. People make mistakes all the time – some of us just
are in more of a position to leave an impact when we do."

"Have you talked to your father and brother
about what happened in Mahj?"

The prince gripped the railing tightly and I
could see the white knuckles beneath.

"I'm sorry," I began, "I shouldn't have-"

"They want me to leave the apprenticeship."
His words were quiet, angry. "They said it is too much of a risk
for me to continue."

"You can't leave!"

"I told them I'm not." He hesitated and then
looked to me, suddenly unsure. "You don't think I'm making a
mistake? That maybe I shouldn't? Because of Caine?"

"Caine died protecting someone worth saving!"
I burst. "Of course you should stay! People want to see their
prince fighting with them!"

"But maybe I just put us at more risk."

"Those rebels would have fought us whether
you were there or not." I reached down to grab his wrist, ignoring
the telltale spark that shot through me as I did, adding earnestly:
"You are one of the best apprentices we have! We
need
you to
fight with us – not hide out in some palace like a sheltered pr-" I
cut myself off, uncomfortably aware of how close I had come to
insulting the Crown. It was treason to even say what I'd already
started.

But Darren didn't look angry. He looked
relieved, pleased even – like I had affirmed what he already
believed. "Especially if war is in our future."

I froze. I wasn't sure I had heard him
correctly. "Did you just say-"

"Nothing is certain." The prince's eyes fell
to my hand on his arm and I blushed, hastily releasing him. "Don't
tell anyone, Ryiah. My father and brother are reluctant to say so,
but after the news from Mahj there have been several meetings
between the Council and the Crown's advisors. They suspect Caltoth
played a part."

"I won't."

"Thank you. I probably shouldn't have said
anything." His eyes caught mine and he grinned crookedly. "It's
just so easy to say things when you are wearing that dress."

I started to nod and then froze as I realized
the last part of his remark. "I…" The blood had rushed to my face
and I was suddenly very,
very
aware of how close we were
standing. My traitorous body was reacting very happily to the
proximity.

"What happened to that one you were wearing
that night in Mahj?"

"T-that?" I was a stammering fool. "It's
h-hardly appropriate for the palace."

"That's a shame." Darren's garnet eyes
refused to leave my face and I thought I would burst into flame. "I
never got to tell you then – but you looked really nice that night,
Ryiah."

Ian.
Ian
. Where was Ian? What was
wrong with me?

"I know I shouldn't be saying things like
that." The prince made a frustrated noise. "But I am tired of-"

"Darren! There you are! Have you any idea how
mad Father is? He just spoke to Priscilla – she said that you are
staying!"

Irritation flared in Darren's eyes as he
turned to regard his older sibling coolly. "Father cannot make me
withdraw my apprenticeship. I'm not you. I have no responsibility
to remain at the palace!"

"Save it for Father!" Prince Blayne snapped.
Ice blue eyes narrowed on me. "You, lowborn, don't you have
somewhere else better to be?"

"I was just-"

Darren took a step forward. "Don't talk to
Ryiah like that, brother."

"Don't tell
me
what to do,
Darren."

The two glared at one another and I
immediately mumbled a hasty excuse and made way to leave.

I was halfway to the library and then I
doubled back, realizing I had taken the wrong passage. When I
turned the corner I found myself face-to-face with the heir to the
throne. Prince Blayne was dressed stiffly in a blood red shift and
dark brown trousers. He still had the short brown hair I had seen
him with during the first-year trials, and he was wearing a gold
chain bearing the signature black hematite of the Crown gem around
his neck. Darren had a similar one but I hardly saw him wear it -
unlike his older brother who seemed to dress in a constant state of
prestige.

"Ryiah, is it?" Blayne said my name slowly,
distastefully.

I recoiled. "Stay away from me." I hadn't
forgotten what the crown prince had tried to do to Ella. He might
be the heir to the throne, but I carried no respect for someone who
tried to assault my friend.

Blayne saw the fear and determination in my
eyes and he laughed coldly. "Oh, so Ella told you about us, did
she? That girl never did know when to shut her mouth." White teeth
flashed like a predator. "Not that I didn't try."

I felt a chill run through me and I was at
once grateful that Alex and Ella had foregone the ball that evening
in favor of a tour of the markets instead. My friend had been
afraid of running into Blayne after the ceremony, and it appeared
she was right to feel so.

"What do you want?" I was determined to part
ways as quickly as possible.

"Ryiah, Ryiah, that is no way to treat a
prince."

I said nothing.

"Well, I'll make this short. End your
friendship with my brother. Do not get between him and
Priscilla."

"I'm not-"

"Don't lie to me," he snarled. "I knew
exactly who you were when I came between the two of you back there.
And don't think for a moment that I don't know exactly what you are
doing… Let me
assure
you, it will not end well if you
continue to try."

"I'm not 'trying' anything!"

"And see to it you don't." He watched me
closely. "Priscilla of Langli is worth a quarter of this country's
treasury in gold. We need her dowry should we go to war with
Caltoth."

I attempted to feign shock.

"Don't look so surprised, Ryiah. I already
know my fool brother told you. The servants hear everything."

"Well then why are you telling me? I'm just
an 'insignificant lowborn?'" I was growing more and more wary.

"I am letting you know that if you and your
precious friends want to live to a nice ripe age you will leave my
brother alone."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I am simply reminding you there are
consequences to your actions. Darren knows them." He sneered, "But
lately he has been suffering an unfortunate state of forgetfulness.
I thought it was my duty to find you and remind you of the same –
since the two of you are so…" He paused. "
Close
."

"Darren is my friend. Our friendship isn't
going to start a war." I folded my arms defensively. "If you are so
concerned about him and Priscilla why don't you just marry her
yourself?"

"Because I am in talks with a Borea Isle
princess, you insipid girl!"

His hand came down before I'd even realized
he'd raised it. There was a loud clap and then my cheek was on
fire, my face jerked rudely to the left as the crown prince
withdrew his arm.

My insides burned red, hot anger threatening
to consume. "Hit me again," I gasped, "and I will forget you are a
prince!"

He slapped me again – only this time I was
ready. I immediately sent out my casting: a full rush of force that
sent Blayne colliding against the wall behind him.

"You dare to attack your future king!" Blayne
screeched. "Guards, seize her!"

Four of the king's personal regiment turned
the corner and grabbed me, muffling my cries as they held me down.
Two of them were wearing mages' robes.

A rush of fear swept through me as I
remembered Ella.

"Let's see how brave you are now!" the prince
snarled.

I attempted to cast myself free and one of
the mages slammed me against the cold marble floor. I bit the man's
hand and screamed as loudly as I could.

There was a shuffle of footsteps from down
the hall, and then the mage who I had bitten went flying into the
wall in front of me.

"
Let her go
!"

"Get out of here lowborn, or I will imprison
you for interfering with a prince!"

"You can't do thi-"

There was the sound of a scuffle and then I
heard someone slam down on the ground beside me. Twisting in my
captors grip I saw Ian facedown beside me – there was a large welt
on his forehead. Three additional knights and the mage from before
were holding him down.

"Blayne! What in the name of the gods is
going on in here?" Darren's irritated voice came from around the
corner. It suddenly cracked as he registered the scene before him.
Ian and I held down and restrained by seven of the King's Regiment
while his brother stood idly by, brushing blood off his
knuckles.

"Ryiah?" Darren faltered. His eyes were livid
as he turned on Blayne. "What is the meaning of this? Let them go
at once!"