Wielder: Apprentice: Book 1 of Lady Shey's Story (The Wielder Cycle) (8 page)

“Aye, good, you do know something after all. The only part I would add is that the First Trine are the original wielders. No one could wield essence before them, but many have been able to do so after their time. This academy trains young wielders, you know. The only member of the original three Trine members that doesn’t apprentice is Morgoran. Ianthill and Toborne both chose new apprentices when the candidates reach the age of fifteen seasons. We are both wearing grey, which means we’re yet to be apprenticed.”

“I’ve worn different color dresses and it didn’t seem to matter to anyone I wasn’t apprenticed yet.”

“I already know that. Hear me out. The other apprentices are too busy with their own work to notice. The colors are mainly for the wielders to keep track. Mistress Enowene says you and I are both of sufficient age and must be apprenticed within the next few days to move on in our training. You will get a master and maybe more.”

Sheyna looked horrified. “What do you mean more?”

“You know, you can enchant. You may need a more skilled master. You may be more than just a wielder. ”

“Stop saying that.”

“Why? I can do more than just wield. There is no shame in—”

“You don’t understand. I have been alone. Maybe my family would have wanted me if only I were normal.”

Marella’s expression leveled, and the girl showed no sign of sympathy. “Oh joy, you’re a whiner, too! Well, I’m sure whining about it and wishing will get you a bucket full of exactly nothing! You have to move on with the realization that you are the way you are and you will not change it, so you might as well embrace it.”

“What if I am not who they think I am?”

“We will find out in the next couple of days. I am sure you know exactly who and what you are, just be yourself.”

“All right, I will try my best.”

Marella wrinkled her nose. “Time to see what you can do. Let’s have a little fun. Defend yourself!” Marella cupped her hands together and let out a burst of energy. It struck Sheyna in the chest, knocking her to the ground. Marella burst out in laughter. “I owed you that for what you did to my eye.”

Sheyna stood up with anger welling up inside of her. Before she could draw essence, Marella clasped her hands together and hit her with another burst.

“I wasn’t ready!” Sheyna shrieked. “I’ll blacken your other eye!”

“Go ahead, if you can get near me,” Marella said as she sent another bolt at Sheyna. “Gather the essence around you and shield yourself from me if you want me to stop.”

“I don’t know how.”

“Just think in your mind that you need the essence around you and will it to block me.”

“I can’t.”

“Good!” Marella laughed. “Then I have the advantage over you,” she said as she clasped her hands together. This time, Sheyna tried what Marella had told her, and she willed the air around her to block the bolt. To Sheyna’s surprise, Marella’s bolt struck the air in front of her and faded.

“Ah, see, you are a wielder.”

Sheyna got on her feet. “I never knew I could do that.”

“Mistress Enowene knew,” Marella said.

Sheyna grinned. “Essence feels good, doesn’t it.”

“Aye, but be careful not to let it take over. I thought Mistress Enowene was going to catch you up with us in your studies. She has not showed you how to project yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“She will teach you. It’s one of the first things we learn.”

“I hope she does.” Sheyna sat back down in her chair.

Marella found her chair as well.

Sheyna breathed in deeply. “What happens after we are apprenticed?”

“You are trained by your master, maybe here in the tower or you could be taken to your master’s tower if he or she wishes.”

“Whose tower is this?”

“This tower belongs to Mistress Enowene, of course. Morgoran has a tower surrounded by a village in a lush green vale; Ianthill has a tower in Trigothia. Toborne has two towers, one in Abaddonia and one not far from here. I think all three have a tower together on the island of Rugania.”

“I’m glad I don’t have to leave Symbor. This is the only home I know.”

Marella grinned. “Symbor has its good points and bad points. The city is a bit unsightly. Its streets could use a good sweeping and cleaning.”

Sheyna got up from her chair and wandered around the room nervously.

“What is it now?” Marella asked.

“I don’t know,” Sheyna answered.

Both girls jumped at a loud knock at the door. “Who is it?” Marella asked.

The door handle jiggled and then Mavis poked her head into the room. “Girls, Mistress Enowene requires you to come with me to her chamber. She has some guests for you to meet.”

Marella’s face went ashen. “Is it time?” she asked Mavis.

Mavis smiled back and nodded. “The First Trine has arrived, and they are very anxious to meet the both of you.”

Nausea washed over Sheyna. “Oh, I think I am going to be sick.”

Mavis frowned at her. “Nonsense, you will be fine.”

“Are they choosing us as apprentices so soon?” Sheyna asked.

“Oh, heavens no, child, they are meeting the candidates who are old enough for apprenticeship. They will not choose for several more days. Now come with me; we should not keep the Trine waiting.”

Sheyna swallowed hard. She felt better that this was not the time of choosing. Sheyna grabbed her jade statuette and shoved it in her dress pocket before following Marella and Mavis out into the hall.

“I saw you. Why are you bringing your figurine?” Marella whispered.

“For comfort,” Sheyna replied.

“Both of you refrain from talking,” Mavis scolded. “And remember, do not talk until you are spoken to when you are in Mistress Enowene’s chamber.”

Sheyna’s pulse quickened with each step as she followed Marella and Mavis to Mistress Enowene’s chamber. By the time they arrived, Sheyna had the irresistible urge to turn and run. Mavis knocked twice and then opened the chamber door. Enowene was seated behind her desk. On either side of her were four padded red velvet chairs facing the doorway, and two padded velvet chairs faced the desk. On Enowene’s left sat a tall, slender, white-haired man with no beard, wearing an embroidered robe of crimson red. To his left sat another man with a darker complexion, wearing a long white beard and embroidered white robes. To Enowene’s right sat a man with kind blue eyes and a long white beard. He wore blue robes, which were slightly crinkled. To his right was a man with a dark complexion, brooding, inset blue eyes, and raven black hair that had begun to slightly grey at the temples. He wore dark green robes. Sheyna could not stop staring at him. He was very handsome and somehow deeply mysterious. She guessed right away he must be Toborne.

“Ah, here are the two apprentices I have been going on about,” Enowene said. “Come in, girls, and sit down.” She motioned to Mavis. “That will be all for now, Mavis.” The woman graciously bowed and closed the door behind her. Enowene hoisted herself from her chair and made a point to posture herself near the wielder wearing white. She gestured to him. “The esteemed wielder of Northern Ishrak wearing white is known as Dicarion. He is not one of the First Trine, but he is a dear friend.” Dicarion stood and bowed. “Seated to his right, wearing the very stylish crimson robes, is Ianthill of Trigothia.” Ianthill also stood and bowed. Sheyna wondered why he was called Ianthill of Trigothia when he was obviously of elven descent.

Enowene continued on. “Wearing the traditional forest green of Abaddonia is Toborne.” Toborne did not stand but instead smiled and nodded slightly. “And seated next to Toborne, wearing his blue robes, is Morgoran of Symboria.” Morgoran smiled and winked.

“Wielders of the First Trine, the girls are easily distinguishable by hair color. The golden-blonde beauty is Princess Marella Arden, and the raven-haired, blue-eyed gem is Sheyna Namear. Please, you may take your seats now, girls,” Enowene said.

Marella and Sheyna sat on the two chairs facing the five wielders. Sheyna glanced at Dicarion. Marella had not mentioned him.

Enowene sat behind her desk. “Stand up, Marella.” Marella complied. “Once again, I introduce you to Marella Arden of Northern Trigothia. She has excelled in all her studies and is particularly adept at gathering essence.” Each wielder formally greeted Marella in turn. Sheyna could feel her knees shaking when Enowene’s eyes landed upon her. “Stand, Sheyna,” Enowene instructed. Sheyna stood, forcing her knees to stay still. “This is Sheyna Namear of Symboria.”

Toborne smirked. “I know this isn’t entirely appropriate to divulge, but I have a horse named Sheyna. I’m not very fond of that mare.”

Sheyna fumed at the comment and her ears turned red, but she said nothing. A thought occurred to her that Toborne was trying to make her angry in an attempt to gauge her excitability, a test she was determined to pass. No one would force her emotions.

Morgoran shook his head disapprovingly. “You are right to believe such a statement is not appropriate. It’s as if you prepared to insult the girl.” Morgoran’s kind eyes made Sheyna feel much better. “It’s a very nice name, Mistress Namear. My brother, Toborne, severely lacks grace and charm.”

“Just get on with it,” Toborne said irritably.

“Master Ianthill, you may begin when ready,” Enowene said.

Ianthill nodded to Enowene and then turned to Marella. “I understand you have somewhat of a temper, Mistress Marella of Trigothia.”

“Only when I’m angry,” Marella replied.

Ianthill continued his line of questioning. “I see. Do you become angry often, then?”

“Not particularly. My father is Duke Arden. I have been raised a lady of the court.”

Ianthill nodded before focusing again on Sheyna. “Mistress Sheyna, how far has your training come?”

Sheyna flinched at the question. “I have not yet been trained.”

Ianthill scratched his head, and Sheyna felt a bit more uncomfortable for a moment, until he spoke. “A new wielder, no bad habits to break, and no attitude to adjust. That is a very appealing prospect.” Ianthill paused for a long moment and then glanced at Morgoran, whose gaze prompted Ianthill to continue on. “Morgoran, Toborne, and I are the three wielders known as the First Trine. If you two girls know your history, then you know that we once ruled the known world. Now, we prepare new wielders for the highest advisory positions to ensure the peace we forged so long ago is kept. It is almost an overwhelming responsibility, so we prefer to apprentice and train the most gifted wielders ourselves. You two have been selected very carefully.”

Sheyna shifted in her chair. A button sewn in the center of the backrest pinched her back.

“This preliminary meeting today is for us to get to know each of you a little better. That said, some of the questions may seem a bit strange to your ears. Remember, we have our reasoning.”

Toborne stood and strolled around the room for a moment before ending up standing directly in front of Sheyna. His piercing gaze made her writhe uncomfortably. His eyes narrowed with each word he spoke. “We know you. We have seen you in our visions; we have heard you in our thoughts. We know you.” He backed away and sat in his chair, never taking his eyes off Sheyna.

Sheyna often involuntarily replaced her nervousness with a sarcastic grin and a witty tongue. “Well, I’m confident I don’t know you, but so far you do seem a bit cracked!”

Toborne arched up on the edge of his seat like a scolded cat. Dicarion waved for him to relax and settle down into his chair.

“Scare the poor child to tears, Toborne,” Dicarion said. “Do not fret, Mistress Namear. All Toborne is attempting to say is we have ways of knowing who might be good candidates for apprentices, and we act accordingly.”

Sheyna felt a little better at Dicarion’s explanation, but was still a bit shaken from being under the gaze of Toborne’s cruel, piercing eyes.

“Aye,” Morgoran said, “and we know you will make a fine wielder.”

Enowene cleared her throat. “Dicarion, Morgoran, Toborne, are there any more questions for Mistress Marella?”

Toborne leered. “I have a question.” Morgoran groaned audibly. “Could you serve a king of Arasyth if Trigothia should go to civil war and break up into kingdoms?”

Marella cocked an eyebrow. ‘The three ruling families of Trigothia will never go to war with each other as you outsiders speculate, and the Arasyth family is still weak and corrupt. They would never stand strong enough to form a kingdom even if there was such a war. No, I would not serve an Arasyth king because there never will be an Arasyth king.”

Toborne judged Marella curiously. “Are you certain?”

“Aye, quite certain.”

“What of Ishrak, then? If Dicarion should apprentice you and betroth you to Ishrak’s emperor, would you serve Ishrak?”

“I would do my duty, Master Toborne.”

“That is enough, Toborne,” Ianthill said. “Must you always act the fool?”

“I am not acting foolish, brother, my questions are legitimate.”

“I believe we have gathered all of the information we need, Mistress Enowene. We will deliberate on our choices now,” Dicarion said.