The Black Mage: Apprentice (41 page)

The three faction masters strode forward to
begin our rite. Ella giggled into her hand and pointed. Master
Byron looked beyond miserable standing between Master Joan and
Master Perry. From his strained tone, it was obvious he would
rather be anywhere else than close quarters with the two female
mages.

"…To defend all those in need of
rescuing."

We all answered in unison. "I solemnly
pledge."

"To speak the truth to all questions asked.
No matter the consequence."

"I solemnly pledge."

"To be loyal to your commander in trying
times. To exercise caution before magic."

"I solemnly pledge."

"To be brave in times of danger. To obey
Crown and Council Law in all matters of service."

"I solemnly pledge."

"To be kind in times of need. To only fight
when it is necessary. "

"I solemnly pledge."

"To be a mage of honor and valiance. To
always put the Crown before yourself."

"As a mage to the Crown and Jerar, I solemnly
pledge."

Commander Joan took a step forward to call on
her Restoration mages, one by one. When she called Alex, he was
given the third rank. Though we were supposed to remain silent
during the entire ceremony, it did not stop me from letting out a
small shriek and Ella from clapping almost hysterically loud.

Master Perry went next with her Alchemy
mages. Ruth was given first-rank. I should have known. She always
was the best of her faction. I watched her, envious, as she
returned back to her seat.

Then it was time for Combat.

Master Byron stood proudly as he called, "In
the matter of first-rank ascension I would like to call forward our
very own Prince Darren, second-in-line to the throne and now
first-rank mage of Combat."

I watched as the non-heir left his position
in line to kneel before his father, his brother, and then, finally,
Master Byron. When he arose, a servant handed him a silken black
robe. Darren's face was expressionless as he slid the smooth mage's
robe over his regular clothes, letting the hood rest on his
forehead for just a moment before it slid back onto his
shoulders.

There was a hushed silence as Darren turned
back to face the crowd. I lost my breath. Blayne might wear the
crown, but Darren was the one who looked like a king. I was jealous
and proud. Whatever I might think of him, the non-heir had earned
that robe.

Darren returned to his seat beside Priscilla
and I waited with bated breath. Who would Byron name next? The only
other male in our faction, or the future princess of Jerar? I was
sure he wanted to name Ray, but the master would not be so quick as
to snub someone of great influence.

Ella nudged me with her arm. "Ryiah!"

"Shhh." I nudged her back. "I'm trying to
hear who they pick."

"
Byron just called your name!
"

"You are joking."

"No. I'm not." She jerked her chin to point
in the direction of the throne.

All the blood rushed from my face as I
realized she was telling the truth. The training master was
glowering at me from his position beside the king. I hastily pulled
myself off the cold marble floor and raced over to stand before the
throne. I kneeled before the King Lucius, Prince Blayne, and Master
Byron.

"Ryiah of Demsh'aa, I award you second rank
for your…" The man paused uncomfortably. "Your outstanding
apprenticeship. I'd be a fool to ignore power when I see it, even
if you are a-" He coughed. "-A woman. Please stand and accept your
new status as a second-rank mage of Combat."

I stood, hardly conscious that I was sobbing.
I only realized it when the servant handing me my robe touched the
side of my face and showed me my tears. "Not many mages cry," she
told me kindly, "but I like to think it's the best of them that
do." I nodded, wetness staining my cheeks, and then let her help me
with my robe.

Then I turned back to face my audience. I
could hardly see straight, tears were blocking most of my vision,
and by the time I reached my seat my sight had cleared just enough
for me to find my place beside Ella.

"You blubbering mess," she teased, "you are
making a fool of yourself."

"I d-don't care." And it was true. I was
smiling so hard my face hurt.

Master Byron called Ella next – much to her
extreme shock. The girl almost screamed when he said it. And then
it was time for Ray.

Priscilla was last. When the dark-haired
beauty left the podium she was seething, anger piercing the gaze of
any person foolish enough to lay eyes on her. I, for one, had
trouble containing my glee.

Almost immediately the newly ascended mages
were called from the throne room to take the ceremonial banquet in
the king's dining hall. Having never before partaken in the meal
(apprentices were always directed to the ballroom with the rest of
the visiting mages and court) I was eager to see how it transpired.
Only the Council of Magic and the king's family were allowed to
dine with us.

I took my seat between Ella and Alex. Within
seconds the room had filled with the rest of our year, chattering
on in quiet but excited voices as they found their place along the
table. At the very front of the table sat the three Colored Robes,
King Lucius, and Prince Blayne.

I did a double take when I realized who was
still missing.

Two seats down from me I heard Priscilla
complaining to one of Ruth's factionmates. "I told him not to go
anywhere but did he listen to me? Of course not. Well, when Blayne
finds out he is off with that trollop again-"

The chamber door swung open to reveal a
red-faced Darren and Princess Shinako clinging steadfastly to his
arm. My pulse stopped.
Dear gods, no.
I was so close to
being free of him. Couldn't he just wait until tomorrow to proclaim
his love for her? Even on my happiest day he had found a way to
ruin it.

King Lucius looked up at his son and the
crown princess of the Borea Isles, startled. Blayne was clutching
his wine goblet, his face tight with rage.

Darren cleared his throat loudly. "Everyone,
please stay where you are." The whole room fell silent. "Princess
Shinako and I have an announcement to make and I want all of you to
bear witness."

No. No. No. Why was he doing this now?
My eyes sought Darren's but his attention was focused on the
king.

"Father." Darren took a deep breath. "You
promised if I secured a dowry equal to Priscilla of Langli I would
be free to break off my current engagement in favor of that
opportunity. You have said that Jerar is our utmost concern, and
its strength triumphs all."

Priscilla's face went white as a sheet.

Prince Blayne pushed back his chair, spitting
wine as he cried: "He did not give you permission to steal
my
future wife, you ungrateful, power-mad-"

Darren held up his hand. "I am not stealing
her,
brother
."

Blayne sat down, eyes suspiciously fixed on
the non-heir. "Then what is the meaning of this ridiculous
speech?"

"Princess Shinako and her father have been
kind enough to guarantee us the sum of her dowry and a pledge of
support – equal to what the two of you would receive once wed - in
exchange for the same pledge from us and a dissolution of your
intended marriage. We received a signed letter from Emperor Liang
just this morning."

"Father, this is madness!" Blayne turned to
the king in horror. "Tell him to put an end to this!"

The king scowled at his oldest. "Let him
speak, Blayne. I must admit even I am intrigued."

"Not only have I secured Jerar more wealth
than any daughter of Langli, I have also given my dearest brother
the opportunity to marry a princess from Pythus and amass an even
greater dowry and support for this great country."

"The king of Pythus would never marry one of
his daughters to me!" Blayne's face was as red as his venison.

"Perhaps you haven't tried hard enough to
please him." Darren didn't look perturbed.

"Father!"

"Silence, Blayne!" the king snapped. "Your
brother has done a great thing for us. Foolish, but great. I will
not be so blind as to deny it would benefit us greatly, and you
most of all." The man turned to Darren. "Very well, your previous
engagement has been ceded in favor of this new proposal. Pending
the signed pledge, of course."

The door slammed shut and I realized
Priscilla of Langli had left the room. The king chuckled and
indicated for Darren and Shinako to take a seat.

"That is not all, Father."

The king stopped laughing to stare at his
son, his eyes narrowing. "Isn't it?" His tone held a warning.

"No. It's not."

My heart began to slam against my chest - so
loud and so fast I was sure the whole room could hear it.
Ryi-ah. Ryi-ah. Ryi-ah
.

What if it hadn't been a dream?

Darren's eyes found mine.

My fork clattered to the floor.

"I wish to secure a new engagement with the
dowry Princess Shinako has so generously bestowed."

"I gave you what you wanted." The king's eyes
were furious. "You are free of that Langli girl. Anything more and
you have overstepped your-"

"I wish to marry Mage Ryiah of Demsh'aa."

Several people exclaimed at once. My brother
choked on his water. Ella grabbed my arm. The king clutched his
knife so tightly his knuckles went white.

"
Absolutely not!"

I just sat there, motionless.
This isn't
real. It
can't
be real. It's a dream.
I watched Darren,
standing there in front of his father with his back erect.

"I believe Master Byron just deemed Ryiah one
of the most powerful mages in this room," Darren said slowly, "and
if we all know Byron, he is nothing if not stingy in his praise
where women are concerned..."

The training master's face went up in flames.
Somehow I knew his praise was anything but voluntary.

"…In fact it was Shina, excuse me, Princess
Shinako's only stipulation that the dowry she so generously bestows
go to Mage Ryiah specifically, was it not?"

The princess nodded demurely, smiling. "Yes,
it is the least I can do. Darren and I are good friends. Nothing
would please me more than his happiness."

"So you see, Father, there is absolutely no
one who would benefit me – or Jerar - more than Ryiah of Demsh'aa.
As you said, strength triumphs all and Ryiah's dowry and status
would certainly bring the Crown strength." Darren pulled out a
scroll tucked into the sleeve of his robe. "Your advisors have
already given this union their full blessing, here is a letter
stating their support…"

"
This is ridiculous!
" Blayne shrieked.
"
Father, do not let him marry that lowborn!
"

"Your Majesty." The Black Mage stood with the
two Colored Robes at his side. "The Council of Magic would be in
full support of this union. We think it a very wise proposal."

The king stood, fists clenched. When he
finally spoke it was strained and full of unspoken rage. "Then it
appears this is indeed Jerar's best interest." The man turned to
his youngest. "Congratulations, my son, on your new wife."

King Lucius strode out of the room without
another word.

****

The moment the king and his heir departed,
the room became chaos. I flew out of my chair, slamming the door
behind me as I tore into the hallway beyond. My heart was beating
so fast I was afraid my ribs would explode. I could barely breathe;
air was coming out of my lungs in quick, choking gasps.

I hunched over, leaning against the side of
the wall while the room rose and fell all around me in a dizzying
mess. I stayed there for a couple of minutes, breathing in and out,
in and out, until the room began to seem a bit more static.

The door opened and closed behind me.

I turned and saw Darren standing there. "I
was looking for you," he said.

When I didn't reply, he made himself
speak.

"I know you are mad at me." Darren took a
step forward and then stopped himself. His eyes found mine and he
took a deep breath. "If you'll let me explain-"

"You lied to me."

"I did." His gaze didn't waver. "I lied, and
I lied, and I lied to you. Over and over. I know what I did. I know
what I said. I wanted to make you hate me."

"But why?"

"Why, Ryiah?" Darren made a frustrated sound.
"Because what kind of prince would I be if I let my love for a
silly lowborn blind me from the fate of my country?"

A silly lowborn?
Tears stung my eyes
and I turned away, biting back a sob.

Darren's hand clamped down on my arm, and he
spun me around, eyes blazing. "I needed to do the right thing." His
face was flushed. "Don't you see, Ryiah? I would have been exactly
what you accused me of – a coward - if I had let my love for you
blind me from what has been happening all around us! I know you
despise me for what I did, but when I went to my father that day,
he told me that we were going to war with Caltoth. That hundreds of
our men were going to die, and if I chose to marry for love over
wealth I would be ensuring millions more." He cursed. "The king was
right. I couldn't marry you without a dowry, not unless I wanted
people like Caine and Eve to die every day all so I can have a bit
of selfishness."

I shoved him away. "But you never told me,
Darren! You made me
hate
you, you told me-"

Darren caught my hand in his and I trembled.
"I had to." His voice was hoarse.

"Ryiah, I was willing to jeopardize the fate
of this country just for a chance to be near you. I needed you to
hate me, because it was the only way
I
could do the right
thing."

"I thought you were in love with Princess
Shinako. Or that you were trying to impress your father so he'd
make you his heir." I could barely get the words out.