"But before we do we need to be certain of your abilities, which is why we asked you to come today,” Damias said.
He stood and waved his hand at the doorway, as if inviting someone to come in. They all stood and watched as the double doors swung inward, revealing two armed men with swords strapped across their backs and small, covered cages in each hand.
Ciardis eyed the cages warily. This did not look like it was going to be a friendly and relaxed guidance session. The two men set down the cages at their feet, bowed, and retired to one side of the atrium.
Their group rose from the table and approached the four cages, Terris and Ciardis trailing behind the others uncertainly. Ciardis was sure from the look on Terris’s face that she had no idea what was going to happen either.
Damias stopped in front of the two cages on the left and turned to the group. He addressed Ciardis and Terris. "These are Rabiae, woodland creatures that eat and absorb magic."
Ciardis frowned; she had heard of the innocent-looking little beasts. They were favored hunting targets of the nobility who lived on estates near Vaneis. The nobles, many of them from the bloodlines of mages, had delighted in facing the magical threat of the Rabiae. They ran the little animals down on horseback and speared them. The problem was that once speared, the Rabiae emitted a foul purple stench that clung to clothes for days. Ciardis had spent many a day scrubbing fabric clean of the rank odor, which never deadened the olfactory sense as most bad smells did.
"The Rabiae are a byproduct of the Initiate Wars of over two centuries ago," Damias said. "They were designed by manipulative mages to appeal to children."
Vana and Serena shuddered delicately, and Vana said, "With those cute floppy ears and soft fur, many young mages come across them and keep them as pets. These ‘pets’ slowly steal every drop of power these children have. The mage children who retain them as pets then become mundane."
"It is for reasons like this that certain categories of mage work have been restricted, and must be approved by Imperial mandate before commencing," said Mary. "But the Rabiae have already been created, and are impossible to eradicate with magic. As such, we've done our best to make practical use of their kind."
"Today, you will each pick one up, but for no more than a few minutes. The Rabiae not only absorb magic; they also memorize which talent each person exhibits,” continued Damias, “Once collected, their memories of such characteristics were used by their masters to catalogue the bloodlines of mages that would useful." He snorted. "It was barbaric then, and it's barbaric now, to consider breeding in order to ensure a magical bloodline is produced."
Ciardis frowned, not because she disagreed, but because she was wondering, isn’t that what the nobles do, anyway? Only marry other nobles, just as mages only marry other mages?
Vana summoned the two trainers from their corners. The men wore tight leather jerkins, the hilts of their swords jutting upward. They looked powerful, like the mercenaries Ciardis had sometimes seen on the roads up north. Opening the cages, they dragged the Rabiae out by the nape of their neck. Ciardis couldn't help but think that the trainers appeared as if they were prepared to exert more force than was needed, even though she knew what the beasts were capable of. These two big, strapping men each held a Rabiae in one hand by the loose, soft skin at the nape of its neck. The Rabiae hung unresisting in their grip. Their soft thumper legs kicked lightly and their noses twitched, but they made no noise. Ciardis smiled grimly, thinking, No wonder children like them so much.
The men approached the two young women as the adults moved back into a half circle behind Terris and Ciardis. The two young women exchanged nervous glances and simultaneously reached forward for the bundles of gray fur.
From a pocket, Damias produced a large, round timer and began a three-minute countdown. After the three minutes were up, Ciardis and Terris gave the Rabiae back to the trainers, who clapped metal braces on their small necks and attached the braces to metal studs in the floor. They weren't going anywhere.
With a glance at Damias, Lady Serena stepped forward. She began to conjure, her hands lightly resting over the fur of the two Rabiae. From those small forms arose a shimmering light. Ciardis's Rabiae, on the left, was red; the Rabiae on the right, Terris's, was blue. The swirls of color condensed, but not into any shape or form. Ciardis thought they looked like snow clouds.
Serena said, "Those swirling colors represent your magical cores. I should be able to read them – to see an image that represents the essence of your magical potential but the projection is unstable."
"Well, then," said Vana slowly, after Mary prodded her with a swift kick to the shin, "Let me see if I can help."
Terris's eyes twitched in amusement, but otherwise her face betrayed no emotion. She knew that her sponsor delighted in showing off in front of Serena.
Vana stepped forward and raised her hand to hover over the back of the Rabiae. She stood parallel to Serena’s still form which had white light from her wrist to the tips of her fingers. Soon Vana’s hand began glowing as well. Vana tapped into her mage core slowly, not wanting to withdraw too much magic, too fast. A purple orb rose from the palm of her hand to the center of the swirling blue and red clouds above the Rabiae. When Damias saw Ciardis’s questioning look, he said, "Vana Cloudbreaker is an Initiate of the Unknown from the Madrassa, and is occasionally seconded to the Imperial Army for assignments."
Ciardis's eyes widened at the mention of the school. Even she knew of the fabled Madrassa, also known as "the Red Madrassa," due to the brilliantly colored year-round foliage on the campus trees. It was the Empire's premiere school of magic for young mages. Young, rich mages, she thought with no little bitterness. It took a few more seconds before she internalized the fact that Damias had basically just told her that Vana was a Spy for the Imperial Army...or, at the very least, a part of its Special Operations division. Ciardis thought about Vana with more respect after that.
It looked like the two sponsors were making some headway with the cloud. The small purple orb from Vana's hands had grown to envelope the two clouds in front of Serena. Out of the mist, words formed. Ciardis narrowed her eyes; the words were written in the fluid squiggles of the Sahalian language, but made no sense. Wasn't she supposed to know this language already?
Terris whispered in her ear, "You have to relax the first time you use a newly transferred ability. Just like you did when Stephanie copied the skill of reading to you. Take a small breath and relax."
Slowly, Ciardis let her stiff shoulders loosen and the knot in her stomach unraveled. The Sahalian squiggles shifted into the Common Tongue before her eyes. The text was only two sentences long.
One will have the power to rend the Empire asunder. The other will shift to the kith's side in their dire hour.
There was silence around the circle as they all took in the rather cryptic message. At last, Mary Windstorm asked, "Are they supposed to be that...vague?"
"No," replied Serena as she bit her lip. "In fact, these fur balls aren't supposed to be prophetic at all." She looked like she was about to kick one of the fur balls in question.
Damias said brightly, "Well, at least they've confirmed that our girls have gifts—otherwise, the Rabiae wouldn't have interacted with them."
Vana gave an unladylike snort. "We knew that before we hired these fur balls and their trainers at four hundred shillings an hour."
Damias shot her an irritated look and then sighed as he rubbed his hands over his eyes. "Okay, let's discuss this later." He motioned for the trainers to re-cage the beasts.
Terris, Ciardis, Damias, Serena, Vana and Mary moved to sit back down at the table. With a last lingering glance at the other two cages which sat near the Rabiae’s blanketed ones, Ciardis followed and sat down. She was wondering what was in them.
"Now the real fun begins," Vana said primly. "Bring the Cardiara!"
The second set of cages was opened to reveal glass jars. In each jar was a small figure that emitted green sparks as it fluttered around its container. When the jars were deposited in the center of the table. Serena folded her hands, "We apologize for the accommodations, milord and milady. We would ask for your sign of honor before proceeding with the agreement."
The fey folded their arms in haughty disdain. Then the one on the left, the male, raised a finger and slowly traced out a large glyph on the interior surface of the glass jar. The female gave him a disapproving look, but said nothing.
The glyph glowed brightly, and the adults around the table smiled in approval. Upon seeing this Serena directed her smile at the male fey, "Thank you sir, and welcome to the Companions’ Guild."
She reached forward and unfastened the lid on the male's jar. He slowly floated out and settled on the tabletop. The trainers removed his empty jar and his companion's from sight with her still inside. Damias said to the little man, "In return for your sign and honest opinion, we will free you into the Forest of Ameles, as you have requested."
The fey nodded curtly. "I am Mainar. Who would you have me assess?"
Damias nodded to the two girls who sat across from him at the table.
“Before you begin,” said Serena, “We would like to magically record this statement on a tobama ball.” The male Cardiara nodded his acceptance, turned, and narrowed his eyes as he took in Terris and Ciardis in turn.
Serena slipped a small tobama ball from her pocket and held it over the table in the palm of her hand. The translucent glass darkened to an opaque mist, indicating that it was recording the proceedings.
"The one on the left is one of your bloody Weathervanes,” Mainar said sharply. "She has inherited her mother's power for enhancement and her father's gift for calculation. The one on the right is a shifter of the Chimaera, able to temporarily assume any form she chooses."
Sighs of relief echoed around the table. Nodding to Mainar, Serena said, "We thank you for your grace and wisdom in this matter." She signaled for the trainers to escort him out.
Once they were alone, Mary said, "Well! This is excellent news, girls, and your prospective Patrons will be pleased."
Vana added, "The words of the Cardiara have been used as binding contracts since before the Initiate Wars." With grudging acknowledgement of Serena’s gifts, Vana continued, "As a project Companion Serena will be able to project Mainar's announcement of your gifts to a conclave of prospective patrons."
Damias and Mary then reached into their pockets for a folded sheet of paper. Damias deferred to Mary, saying, "Milady, if you please."
A small smile graced Mary's thin face as she leaned forward with eagerness. "Terris, four of the finest lords in the city of Sandrin have already petitioned for the right to your contract."
"These four are among the select few we considered most worthy of your talents,” said Vana, “They will be given favorable position to impress upon you their merits at the dance and initial presentation."
"But remember this is your choice,” Mary said, “We will advise you upon who we think are the best candidates financially, politically, and aesthetically, but it is you who must make the final decision."
Damias said, "Yes. Make no mistake: the dancing, the Practicals, and the pretty gowns are fabulous. But you will sign a binding contract with this person. They will care for you as their own. After all, even in the dissolution of a contract, companions are entitled to monthly payments for life."
Each of the sponsors and tutorials were looking with seriousness at Ciardis and Terris to impress upon them the gravity of becoming a companion.
With a sharp nod, Mary Windstorm continued, "Terris, your prospective patrons are Lord Kerrin of Nardes, Prince Heir Simeon of Sandrin, Viscount Derek of Mutlin, and Lord Varo of Sandrin."
"In preparation for the Patron Hunt you'll be given a binder detailing each Patron’s family history, their lands, their wealth, and their persona,” said Vana smoothly, “You are expected to give this information your full consideration."
"Of course, Lady Vana," replied Terris, her eyes downcast.
"Ciardis, your considerable talents have attracted the interest of six candidates," said Damias. She blinked in surprise upon hearing the number.
"Any of whom we'd be proud to welcome as Patrons to the Companions’ Guild," said Serena.
"These candidates are the Viscount Iskas of Marce," began Damias.
"A minor noble of little repute," Vera interjected.
"A minor noble with wealthy coffers," rebutted Serena.
"Ladies, please," Damias said. "The others are General Barnaren of Principas Vale, Initiate Soundsoar of the Madrassa, Princess Heir Marissa of Sandrin, and Archduke Clarin of Vaneis—"
At the announcement of the Archduke's name, Terris grasped Ciardis's hands in excitement and gasped aloud. Ciardis returned her grin and looked back to Damias to hear the last name.
Damias smiled, aware that the Archduke hailed from Ciardis's home province. He continued, "And Lord Mage Meres Kinsight."
Ciardis's mind was awhirl with what she already knew about her prospective Patrons, and she felt certain that Terris was no less preoccupied.
"For both of you," continued Serena, "we have drafted an announcement to be delivered at the conclave of prospective Patrons in two weeks."
Serena cleared her throat and began reading from a piece of paper.
"On behalf of the Companions’ Guild, we welcome you, milords and ladies, to the conclave on behalf of Ciardis Weathervane and Terris Kithwalker."
Ciardis and Terris looked at each other with raised eyebrows at their new titles, but declined to interrupt.
"This is an auspicious occasion, as we plan for the debut of two of our finest Companion trainees as they come of age. Participants in the Patron Hunt of the two aforementioned candidates will be housed in the Duke of Carne's villa off the palace grounds. We look forward to your attendance in celebration of these young women, whom we are proud to call our own."
"That is all for today," said Vana while she glanced at the position of the mid-afternoon sun. "You are both to spend the remaining six weeks studying those binders day and night in preparation."
"Though, of course," said Mary Windstorm, "you are also expected to continue your work on your tutorials, as well."
The two young women nodded, took the binders, and exited quickly.