Sworn to the Light: The Avatar Wizard - Book 1 by Denton Salle

Author:Denton Salle [Salle, Denton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dancing Panda Press
Published: 2021-07-06T22:00:00+00:00

14

As the weeks went by, Jeremy settled into the rhythm of the keep and his apprenticeship. He understood now why his mother had worried about costs. Unlike a smith’s apprentice where he at least could make nails, here he was mostly limited to studying until he gained some skills. There were chores and errands, but seldom related to the art.

Ivana made a point of being friendly, even though she remained constantly busy, always running somewhere. Vasilia, as important as she was in managing the keep, was always sweet to him. Normally, Mistress Arianna would be managing the keep as the lord’s lady, but with students in healing and her not being a volkva, the tasks were divided up with some of the volkva, which worked fairly well as it followed the volkhvy idea of all souls being on the level. Thankfully, Vasilia had a soft spot for him, because when he slipped and his avatar got loose, the bear went for her, Arianna, or the pantry.

Vasilia was also really good at explaining things he didn’t understand. He was reading something about the weaving of spells into notes and the author discussed differences in how a volkh or volkva would structure the spell. He didn’t understand. After the fifth time through, he decided to ask Vasilia if she could help him with it. Maybe she could show him how she did it?

Her door was just slightly ajar when he reached her office. Before he knocked, he heard someone talking to her. He paused, and despite knowing better, listened.

“Vasilia, please say yes. You know I love you; I’ve loved you for years…”

“And I you, my heart, but I can’t marry you yet. You know that.”

The man sounded confused. He made sounds like he was at a loss for words. Finally, Vasilia asked, “What am I, my love?”

“Vasilia the Fair, a Magistra of the Innermost Lodge, Holder of the Tiron Stone, Mistress of Shadows, Seneschal and Steward of the Keep, the most beautiful woman in the worlds. And the joy of my soul and desire of my heart.”

Vasilia’s voice was sad. So sad that Jeremy’s heart ached.

“And Anthony’s heir. Until he has children or finds one strong enough to master the power of the keep and hold the Alatyr, the stone of creation, I will not wed. For if he falls, with no heirs, I will have to take up his mantle and I will not put anyone I love in that position.”

“But Vasilia, my heart, my lily—”

“No, my valiant love, I have sworn this beyond all hope, beyond all longing, until the Judgment. If this late marriage of his produces heirs, ask me again. Until then, my vow holds.”

“My love, I would bear anything for you. You know this. Let me share your burden.”

“No woman who has held the keep and its stone has lived long, has borne live children, nor have most died sane. The energies of the first stone will destroy her, for its nature is as masculine as the Turin Stone is feminine.

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