Locking the door behind him would keep the servant safely inside. The man had practically started snoring before his head had finished landing on Lebuin's silk pillows. Of course, he'd have to replace all the sheets and pillows now, but he'd been meaning to shift to a brighter set anyway, to match the changing season.
Lebuin trudged through the halls, towards the main offices. He was a Journeyman Mage, able to set his own path, and could dive into any research he wanted. Except that he had to do that outside the guildhouse
When Lebuin arrived at the guild offices, a secretary nodded to him from behind a tidy desk. His shirt was crumpled around the neck, and the elbows were wearing thin.
You really shouldn’t wear the same shirt so frequently. Heavens, you look like a pauper, and I know you get paid well.
Indicating the open doorway beyond his desk, he said, “Journeyman Lebuin, thank you for coming. Magus Nillo asked me to send you in as soon as you came by.”
Stepping around the desk, he smiled at the secretary. “Thank you.”
He stopped and peeked in. The office was lined with shelves, every one brimming with folders, books, and collectables. A table with three old, beaten-up chairs sat next to a chalkboard that was so clean it might never have been used. Opposite the door sat a rather large desk in the shape of a large ‘L’. The desk was as tidy as the secretary’s, with a number of stacks of papers, each held down with a statue or split geode.
On one corner of the desk, near the tip of the ‘L,’ was an unusual hollow device made of gold, silver, and numerous gems. It was shaped like an oversized egg and made of a loose weave of gold and silver. It had an organic feel, and the gems were cut as the leaves of the twisted vines. The center of it was in the shape of a perfect sphere. It rested on a wooden base.
Every time I ask about that, he avoids the question. Maybe now I can find out what it is.
Seated in an oversized leather chair behind the desk was the bear of a man who ran the Guild from that office. Councilor Nillo stood at least six inches taller than anyone else Lebuin had ever seen. Although bald on top, he had nearly a lion’s mane of silver hair, which he kept medium length, and which stood straight out from his head, almost giving him a halo. His beard was dark black, in contrast to his hair, and he kept it in a sharp, perfect goatee. Today, he wore a tired gray robe over a new white linen shirt.
“Ah, Journeyman Lebuin. You are up earlier than I expected.” His deep voice was surprisingly soft and melodic. Smiling wide and showing a set of sharp, white teeth, he pointed at a chair. “Please, sit down.”
Lebuin moved to the chair and sat down. At the same time, Councilor Nillo stood up and pulled something from a high shelf. Sitting back down, the councilor produced two crystal glasses. In his hand, the bottle of sharre looked like a toy. He poured two half-glasses and then resealed the bottle, putting it aside on his desk.
Handing a glass to Lebuin, he held his up. “To the rather impressive end of one life and the beginning of a new one. May you serve Argos well.”
“Thank you, Councilor.” He lifted his glass, clinked it with the councilor’s, and took a mouthful. The strongest, warmest sensation he had ever experienced nearly caused him to sputter. Warmth spread through his whole body faster than he thought possible. All the minor aches from the week’s trials vanished, and he stopped caring that the highest councilor of the Guild was dressed like a sheep herder.
Shaking his head, he looked at the councilor, who was sporting the happy smile of a trickster. “How old is this?”
Councilor Nillo examined the bottle. “I recall that this particular bottle was in my predecessor’s storage. I would imagine it is likely at least a hundred years old. It doesn’t yet have the feel of the good two-hundred-and-fifty bottle I shared with Prince Mory.”
Even with the calming effects of the sharre, Lebuin gasped. “One-hundred-year-old sharre? That has to be worth ten crowns!”
Without flinching, he said, “More likely, twelve or thirteen.” His smile widened dramatically. “Per glass. Nice, isn’t it?”
“Nice doesn’t begin to describe it.”
In spite of himself, he took another drink. His tired channels filled with energy, and he felt as if he had just finished a week in a health retreat, eating good food, resting, bathing, and being massaged until every ache was gone and all tiredness was removed.
“If this is what one-hundred-year-old sharre is like, I can see why it is so expensive and hard to find.”
“It has been said that five-hundred-year-old sharre can restore youth.” A little twinkle in Councilor Nillo’s eye showed he didn’t believe it. “Keeping it that long in the right conditions would be tricky, if not impossible.”
Another mouthful of the amazing liquor brought more feelings of well-being and confidence. “Councilor, I never thought I’d have to leave this place. I knew Journeymen Mages were to do research into various magics. I was looking forward to spending my time in the labs and library doing just that. Why do I have to leave?”
He leaned back in his chair, and the door behind Lebuin closed. “Lebuin, I know you never came to a Journeyman Mage ceremony. I also know you labored under the idea of staying within these walls your whole career. You had to be kept here through your youth because of what you are. However, that also cut you off from your peers, and sadly, it seems, most of the world. You might make an amazing scholar someday, but Argos insists that all his Magi spend a significant amount of time in the field. It is important to know the world and the people whom we live to protect. This is why the rank of Journeyman is required, and it is not just a name.” The Magus leveled a finger at him. “It is a description of the requirements of the rank, which you agreed to last night. You are to be the eyes and ears of the Guild and Argos in the world.”
“So I am just kicked out until I find something new?”
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“Oh, no, you are not kicked out. You are only required to journey most of the time. Your research must be out there,” he said, waving at the window. “It takes years of work as a Journeyman Mage to achieve enough experiences to advance to the rank of Magus. Contribution to the Guild in the form of new knowledge, be it magical or mundane, is a side effect of your own experience.” Looking sternly, he continued, “Lebuin, you work directly for Lord Argos. He is not so heavy a taskmaster as some other Gods, but he does have goals for all his mages. For now, your task is to go out, experience the real world, learn about the people, and find some new magic or a different way to apply magic. When you have done that, you will be ready for the next task already set out for you. Do not believe you are so unique; all mages have done this, since the founding of the Guild.”
Another swallow kept the warmth flowing through Lebuin’s veins. “What if I am killed in this work?”
“This is not the end of our adventures. Death has its own…paths. You may come back to research what you have learned in the libraries and with the Magi present to determine if you have found something new. Once it is agreed, you may then stay here and assist in preparing a manuscript, or an update to an existing manuscript, with your new knowledge. But you cannot stay here longer than absolutely necessary to make such determinations and updates. You will know when it is time for your next task.”
Thinking of Ditani, he asked, “Can I have help outside of the Guild? Assistants, other mages?”
“Of course. You can even spend your family’s small fortune, trying to speed it up, if you desire. There are no limitations on how you go about your work. But remember, you are bound by the Laws of Magic far more now than yesterday, and Lord Argos is not forgiving of violations by his mages. The Gods long ago declared that ignorance is not an acceptable defense for any violation of their laws. Many countries have adopted this into their own legal systems. So beware of local laws, as ignorance is not likely to be forgiven, especially from a Journeyman Mage. Don’t worry. We will know where you are and if you are still alive. Should the need arise, we will be able to find you quickly, no matter where you may find yourself traveling.”
“That was the incantation at the ceremony, wasn’t it? All those channels are links, so I can be traced. Or so I can trace others.”
The councilor sat up straighter. “You detected the threads? You recognized their purposes?”
“Of course. Why shouldn’t I? I have even activated the channel within me imprinted by the ceremony.”
The councilor stood up and came around the desk, placing his hands on Lebuin’s head. Seeing no reason to resist, he relaxed and waited. “You have done that. But how did you know to do it?”
“It seemed the right thing to do. I followed the feelings of the ceremony to find the channel.”
“You are only the third Journeyman in the history of the Guild to do this. That channel was not meant to be shown to you until you were made a Magus. Activating it is part of the Magus ceremony.”
Sitting up, he said, “But that is the purpose of using my artifact, isn’t it? An artifact can identify its owner.”
“Yes, I see no reason to hide this from you now. You’d discover it shortly anyway. Any magical artifact can be used by a Magus to trace its maker if he or she is still alive. Most artifacts cease to work once the maker has died, unless a trick is employed to make the artifact independent. However, even independent artifacts can still be used to trace their makers. In some cases, with certain knowledge, the artifact can also be used to breach the maker’s defenses.”
Lebuin thought about that. “So if another mage got any of my existing artifacts, he could find me and affect me through any defenses I might have.”
Nodding, the councilor moved back to his seat. “Yes, it can be very complicated. I know you are not yet certain of what to do first. So I suggest you go out on the town, find a guide, and explore something, anything you want. I am sure there were questions you had about things in your training, and now is the time to go and answer those. You also have full access to the entire library, so before you spend cycles trying to answer a question, it would be best if you asked if it has been researched yet. Good luck, Lebuin. You’ve given us all a lot of surprises. I suspect your results will likely be just as unique. Do you have any questions?”
“I am sure I will have more later, but since I can come back and ask, I only have one. What was that one thread at the ceremony that went to the ceiling?”
The councilor looked at him and took a swig from his own glass before answering. “You detected that one. You really are a wonder. It didn’t go to the ceiling, it went through the ceiling. I have even seen it go in many directions, which makes me happy. To answer your question, that thread went to Lord Argos.”
Lebuin blinked. Even with the ancient sharre in his system, the shock was immense.
I am truly bound to a real God. A God that can smell me out, no matter where I may go. I wonder how much can be done with this connection.
“You’re white. Finish your drink. It does take some time to get used to this knowledge. You’ve earned this.” He pulled a flat leather case from his desk and handed it to Lebuin.
It was an ornate folded leather case, slightly smaller than his palm, inscribed with the Guild’s seal. It opened on one side. With the front cover opened, a silver and gold inlaid disk, mounted to the stiff leather backing, was revealed. The disk was engraved with his name, the Guild seal, and the word ‘Journeyman’ in four languages around the edge.
Lebuin looked at the councilor.
“It’s your Journeyman badge,” Councilor Nillo said.
Laughing, Lebuin said, “So last night, when they congratulated me for earning the badge of Journeyman, it was not figurative.” Standing, he nodded to the councilor. “I will find something to do soon. I already have a small quest in mind to perhaps get some ideas on what to really do.”
The councilor didn’t stand. He made a shooing motion towards the door, which opened behind Lebuin. “Yes, go, go, and find your first task. Argos will guide you.”
Before I go out, I need to get a few defenses ready. I can’t be caught stunned like I was last night.
Stopping in the library, he reviewed some defense tomes. He chose a couple of rather crude, but easy, attack formulae from the ones taught to all mages. Remembering the lessons, he pooled the energies needed and prepared the incantations, adding them to the ones he had memorized.
Now, I can defend myself. Pleased with the preparations, he left the library.
Opening the door to his room, he saw Ditani was still sleeping soundly in the bed where he had left him. As he came in, Ditani snapped awak and jumped out of the bed, embarrassed. “Master Lebuin, my apologies. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” He seemed better for the food and the short nap.
“Ditani, you’ve nothing to be embarrassed about. I have discharged my only duty for the day. Come, let us see if we can find Magus Vestul.” Holding the door, he motioned to get Ditani moving.
Instead of heading out to the hall, Ditani stood still and, quietly, so no one beyond the open door might hear, asked, “Um, if you’ll forgive my forwardness, Master Lebuin. Might it not be wise to bring some money?”
Oh, my, he is good.
“Thank you. Yes, I should bring some money. I have some things I’ll need to buy, so I might as well do some shopping while we look. Also, I assume you mean some tokens might also help restore lost memories?”
Ditani nodded.
I must remember everything will cost a coin or three. I might have to stop by my father’s office and withdraw some funds. I wonder how much a nice, comfortable cart will cost. I need to be able to take my clothes with me. Opening a locked drawer, he pulled out his coin purse and examined it. Well, I assume eleven crosses and change will take care of the day. He put the coin purse into his belt pouch and turned to leave.
Ditani was standing there, waiting. Seeing that Lebuin was prepared, he opened the door for Lebuin.
Yes, indeed. He will be a welcome companion for the next few years. That is, if I can hire him away from Magus Vestul.
As they left the Guild, he strengthened his shields as much as possible while keeping the other incantations ready.