Black Magician Trilogy - 02 - The Novice by Trudi Canavan

Author:Trudi Canavan
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9781841493145
Published: 2002-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The Tests Begin

The sky was just warming with the glow of dawn when Sonea left the Baths. The air was still cold, however, so she created a barrier about herself and heated the air within it. As she paused to straighten her robes, a green-robed figure stepped from the section of the Baths reserved for males.

Recognizing Dorrien, she felt her mood lighten. Since he'd planned to leave early this morning, they'd said their farewells last night over dinner in Rothen's rooms. But now she had one more opportunity to speak to him before he left.

"I should have guessed you were an early riser," she said.

Turning, he blinked in surprise. "Sonea! What are you doing up at dawn?"

"I always start early. I can get a few things done without anyone bothering me."

He smiled crookedly. "A wise move, though maybe that won't be necessary now. Regin has been leaving you alone, hasn't he?"

"Yes."

"Good." Tilting his head slightly, he gave her an odd look. "I was going to visit an old haunt of mine before I go. Want to come?"

"Where is it?"

"In the forest."

She glanced up at the trees. "Another one of your secret places?"

Dorrien smiled. "Yes, but this time it really is a secret."

"Oh? But if you show me, then it won't be a secret."

He chuckled. "I suppose not. It's just a place I used to visit when I was a boy. I hid there whenever I was in trouble."

"Then I'm sure you hid there a lot."

"Of course." He grinned. "So, are you coming?"

She looked down at her box. Her next stop was to be the Foodhall. "It won't take long?"

He shook his head. "I'll have you back in time for the tests."

"Very well," she said.

He started along the path that led up into the forest. Walking beside him, she thought back to the last time she had taken this route. It had been a cold night almost a year before, when she was still a "prisoner" of the Guild. Rothen had decided she needed fresh air and some exercise. Not far into the forest there was an ancient cemetery, and Rothen had explained what happened to magicians when they died.

She shivered as she remembered. When a magician's life ended, his mind relinquished Control over his power. The remaining magic left in the body consumed it, turning flesh and bone to ash and dust. Since there was nothing to bury, magicians were never interred, so the existence of the ancient cemetery was a mystery.

Dorrien's strides were long, and she had to walk quickly to keep up. Thinking back to the conversation of the previous evening, she remembered how eager he was to return to his home, but she couldn't help wishing he could stay a little longer. She couldn't remember enjoying herself as much as she had in the last few weeks. Though Rothen was good company, Dorrien was energetic and was always looking for opportunities for fun. He had taught her to levitate, and to play several games. All these games involved magic, and he was obviously relishing having a partner to play them with.

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