Mage's Intrigue part 1

This item contains Edit Points (EPs). EPs are the red numbers (~#~) that you see within this item. The Author has placed these at various points in order to gain detailed feedback. Readers may click any EP to leave comments about that particular point in the item.

         Nyris walked slowly through the hedge garden. Her dark hair swayed in the wind, her green eyes sparkled as she observed the tiny buds on the green hedges.

         Soon the castle gardens would all be alive with brilliant colors. For now, she was delighted with all the vibrant shades of green. As she walked along she toyed with the idea of working a spell to make some of the buds open prematurely. In her mind, she could see them opening and filling the garden with reds, whites, and lavenders. She even fancied that she could smell the flowers, their perfumes wafting throughout the grounds. The words for the spell were forming in her mind as she ran her hand along the hedge.

         The sound of voices stayed her hands and the words fell silently from her lips. Nyris held her breath and tried not to move or make a sound. She dreaded the idea of being caught. It was forbidden for non-castle mages to do spells within the castle walls. Only the head sorcerer and his apprentices were allowed to practice magic here. Nyris dared not think of what may happen to her if anyone found out her secret.

~0~

         Nyris did not know who her parents were. She had been raised by a lady's maid and upon gaining the proper age was sent to work in the castle. It was a great honor to have such a position within the castle walls. Here she was safe. Occasionally, she overheard the men talking about war. There were things going on outside the castle walls that Nyris did not understand. The men were always talking about the rebels. She would do nothing to jeopardize her security. Sometimes, though, Nyris could not help herself. She felt compelled to cast. The gift must have come from one of her parents but, as no one knew who she was, she would have to be careful. If she were found casting, there would be consequences.

~1~

          She liked to listen to the ladies as they talked over tea. Their fondest subject was the mage Quiran. He was the sorcerer Avalar's greatest protégé, who was beginning to surpass even Avalar himself. The ladies were swept away by his dark piercing eyes and his wavy black hair. One look in their direction would set them all swooning. But, no one had seen Quiran in the past fortnight. One of the ladies, Adara, told the rest that she had overheard Quiran and Avalar arguing. The ladies feared that Quiran had been banished or worse.

~2~

         The castle was home to Lord Sparnis and Lady Ara. It also housed the mages training for the king's mage legion. Mages were hand picked by Avalar. Lord Sparnis was head of the mage legion and the king's most valued counsel member. He kept track of the comings and goings of everyone in the area. He was also responsible for taking care of traitors and people who forgot themselves and their station. If indeed Quiran had been banished, it was Lord Sparnis who sent him packing. Nyris knew if Lord Sparnis could banish one of his greatest mages that he would not hesitate to rid himself of a budding spellster. She endeavored to ensure her secret remained hidden. She would rather keep her head than practice sorcery. Still, it was not easy.

~3~

         Nyris concentrated on the voices on the other side of the hedge. It was the head guard, Ashlah, and Lord Sparnis. She was torn between running away before they could notice her and listening in on their conversation. One of the pages had been delivering a message and came across Lord Sparnis in the hedges a few weeks back. Lord Sparnis had him removed for being a spy. The two were talking in hushed tones. Recalling a spell to aid in eavesdropping, she formed the words in her mind but let them fall silently and stood still honing in on the sounds of their voices. She could only catch pieces of the conversation through the thick hedges. Lord Sparnis was rather distressed.

~4~

         "You disappoint me Commander Ashlah. Considering the urgency, I had thought that he would have been found by now."

~5~

         "I assure you, my Lord, we are doing everything we can to find him."

~6~

         "Then why haven't you?"

~7~

         Just then a bird flew from the hedge near Nyris. Nyris jumped, startled, and stifled a yelp covering her mouth with both her hands. Lord Sparnis lowered his voice, "We cannot be found out. Take all precautionary measures. Notify me of any changes." The two went in separate directions. Nyris was confused. Someone was missing; someone very important. It could be someone very great or very treacherous. She wondered if it could have anything to do with the missing Quiran. Certainly a powerful mage like Quiran would be a valuable asset to Sparnis and they would not want to lose him. Perhaps Quiran had left on his own. Either way it was most alarming. He could be treated as traitor for leaving in such a manner. Nyris shuddered at the thought. She had only met Quiran once but she liked him very much.

~8~

         Nyris started back to the castle. Someone was sure to miss her if she were gone much longer. Picking up her pace, she turned the corners recklessly. Before long she was no longer sure of where she was. She was usually more careful wandering in the hedge maze but was distracted thinking about Quiran. Disoriented, she turned around and almost ran into Avalar.

~9~

         "OH!" exclaimed Nyris . Her heart pounded as she stuttered "I, I did not hear you come up behind me." Gathering herself, she bowed. "My apologies, I did not see you."

~10~

         "Of course you did not. You would have had to foresee my coming to have known I was here."

~11~

         Nyris looked at the sorcerer, puzzled.

~12~

         "I transported here. One of my gifts. I don't believe I've been introduced. You are Nyris, one of the ladies' maids are you not?"

~13~

         "Why, yes." said Nyris, taken aback, wondered how he knew her. "I am."

~14~

         "I know many things my child. For instance, I also know you chanced to overhear a conversation between Lord Sparnis and the Captain Ashlah. Don't be frightened my dear. Your secret is safe with me." The sorcerer turned and started to walk away. "Come along then." Nyris caught up and walked alongside him. "We are coming to dangerous times. Many things are not going as they should. You will wonder at my frankness." Avalar stopped and looked at Nyris. "I know who you are." Nyris blinked and he was gone. In the place where he had been standing was a rose.

~15~

********

The next part is locked.
You will need a passkey to get in.
The passkey for this story will always be 69747.

Continued in...

ID: 1145041   (Rated: E) Mage's Intrigue part 2  the journey continues... by § Forsaken §