Tournament of Witches: Epic Sword and Sorcery Adventure (The Glimnodd Cycle Book 3) by Jack Massa

Author:Jack Massa [Massa, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Triskelion Books
Published: 2020-07-14T22:00:00+00:00

Nineteen

Next morning, Amlina met Melevarry once again at the gates of Ting Ta Roo. This time she was conducted along a side corridor and down several flights of steps lit by flickering lamps. The Mage of Randoon showed her to a small, windowless apartment. It consisted of a bedroom, a washroom, and a tiny chamber for meditation. The furnishings were sparse: narrow bed and nightstand, reading table, lamps, an hour glass to keep the time, a floor mat in the meditation room. The walls were plain gray stone.

“This basement level is seldom used in these times,” Melevarry told her. “The rooms are insulated by thickness of stone and by ancient designs to keep out mental influences. You must keep strictly to these chambers for the next month. Solitude is essential for your preparatory work.” The Mage set a scroll down on the table, black ink written in her own hand. “Here is a recommended daily schedule of activities. I will visit you here every morning and evening to see how you are getting on.”

Amlina stared down at the scroll. “I am very grateful to you. I realize this is keeping you here in the city and away from your normal duties in Randoon.”

“True. I will stay now through the end of Third Summer. I have dispatched my apprentice Yensia to manage affairs in Randoon. It will be good training for her. I trust my sojourn here will also be of value.”

“I will do all I can to make it so,” Amlina promised.

“I know you will, Amlina.” The elder witch laid a hand on her shoulder. “From all I can discern, what lies ahead will be harrowing. But I will do my best to help you through it.”

The Mage departed, leaving Amlina to unpack the clothing and jewelry she had brought, along with her worn copy of the Canon of the Deepmind. She reviewed the schedule Melevarry had written, then settled down to begin.

In the days that followed, her time was strictly regimented. She woke early, meditated for two turns of the hour glass. By then, her breakfast had arrived: rice cakes and tea. Morning tea was the only stimulant she was allowed, the rest of the time she drank water.

Her other meals were more robust and varied: apples, green salads, rice, almonds. On Melevarry’s insistence, she ate everything provided. She also drank potions that the Mage brought in tiny vials: purgative medicines in the daytime, sedatives at night.

Afternoons were divided between more meditation and physical exercise. In the center of her bedroom, Amlina practiced the movements of weng-lei, magical combat. This art involved drawing energy into the body and directing it out as mental force. The basic routines were designed to energize and strengthen the physical form.

As promised, Melevarry visited twice daily without fail. Each time she examined Amlina with witchsight, holding her wrists and staring into her eyes. She brought with her ancient texts to study, passages explaining what was known of the lingering effects of blood magic and the processes for purification.

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