Water and Chaos

Chapter 1

Leaving Exidy

Bailar the Blue held a scoop. You want the ashes fresh, but not hot, he told his apprentices. Find your center, and focus on your question. Do your best to put everything else out of your mind. He poured ashes into his free hand, letting some of it fall through. It doesn’t matter if you spill any. It all ends up on the table. He looked at his apprentices, facing him from their own tables. Do you remember what’s next?

Whisper your question, then blow on the ashes, said Mik Dragonrider. Sura, his love, fellow apprentice, and Bailar’s adopted daughter, nodded from her table.

Indeed. But breathe in before you bring your hand up, so you don’t breathe in the ashes and choke. A little advice I wish Gilsen the White had given me, the first time I did this. He chuckled. Find your center, focus on your question, blow. Sura and Mik did as instructed, their whispered questions too low for Bailar to hear. Then wait for the finest ash to settle. The three of them stood, quietly waiting, as the ashes spread across the two tables. And now, the difficult part: interpreting the runes.

If there are any, Mik grumbled, looking at the ash scattered before him. Oh, wait. He stood and walked to the side of the table. Water? He looked at the table from several angles. Water. He squinted, then laughed low. Oh. Sun. Chaos. Fire. Another Water.

I see Water, too, said Sura, looking at her table. And Chaos. She looked troubled.

What was your question, Sura? Bailar asked her.

She blushed and looked away. I was going to ask about something else, but when I got ready to ask my question, I looked at Mik and whispered his name. Mik grinned and tried not to look away. He looked as embarrassed as she did. Water means movement, but Chaos? She looked at her father, curiosity and concern plain on her face.

Chaos is a common rune when asking about personal relationships, said Bailar. In this context, it simply means that those involved must determine their future. But you both saw Water, and that suggests the two of you will move together. He turned to Mik. And what of you, Dragonrider?

Mik shrugged. I asked what was in our near future. The next few months. He turned to look again at his table. Water twice. Traveling? Fire for conflict, Sun for magic. That suggests an adventure, to me. Does Chaos mean it might be a messy one? He gave a nervous laugh.

Again, Bailar laughed. Indeed. Although Fire can also mean home or family, representing the hearth-fire. And the Chaos rune is also common when a Talent as strong as yours reads the ashes; it reminds you that the future is uncertain. Did you expect to see some other runes, perhaps?

Earth and Sun, mostly, said Mik. I thought I would stay close to home and study.

Ah. That may be why you could not see the patterns at first. If you try to force your own answer on the ashes, you can miss the answer that comes.

That makes sense. But mentor, do you know what would send me on a journey?

Indeed, said Bailar, but the three of us will journey together. That you both saw the Water rune is significant. He paused, sharpening his apprentices’ attention to a keen edge. You see, I received a letter yesterday. We have been asked, by no less than the First Protector and the Queen herself, to relocate for the fall and winter months. Another river town is in need of our services. The Conclave will send one of the newly-elevated mages to watch over things here in Exidy, while we live in a place that has not had sorcerous help in some small while.

Sura raised her eyebrows. Father, dare I ask where we’re going?

Bailar smirked. Perhaps Mik should have asked that question. We go to a town called Lacota, on the Laughing River. He stifled laughter at Mik’s gaping regard. Indeed, Mik. You will have a chance to see your family and friends once again. The Crown is arranging to provide us a suitable residence in the town proper. So instead of living apart from the folk, as we do here, we shall interact with them daily. It should be an interesting experience for us all.

But—then— Mik sputtered. How soon do we leave?

Not right away, said Bailar. For sorcerers who have been long established in one place, as Sura and I have been here, it is no easy thing to uproot our lives and move them cross-country. Perhaps a week or two. However, there will be people coming, beginning tomorrow, to see what there is to move. I expect that we, and what belongings we take with us, will fill most of one wagon. But Mik, I suggest that you write a letter to your family, and tell them to expect us.

Father? Sura drew herself up. Are we being sent because… because of what happened last winter? With Mik?

Not directly. While I may be well-versed in combat magic, and have taught you both several combat spells that can be applied to peaceful tasks, there is still The Treaty to consider. There are loopholes in The Treaty, of course, and Mik flew his ice dragon through the largest of them. But if the Queen expects another winter campaign by Westmarch, she can simply fortify the borders. And that is being done. No, our primary task in Lacota will be much like it is here.

You said ‘primary’, said Sura, tilting her head in that way Mik found so appealing. There are other tasks, then?

A perceptive question, daughter! Bailar smiled. There is another task, one meant for you two. Indeed, the Conclave could have sent any sorcerer to Lacota, except only one sorcerer in all the Matriarchy has two apprentices, a boy and a girl, and has an apprentice that knows the region. The two of you will mingle with the children of Lacota, and other towns up and downriver, and identify those who might have Talent. The Conclave is hoping that we will find other suitable apprentices there, since that is where one of the strongest new apprentices was found.

Mik laughed. All this, because I awakened an ice dragon!

Bailar nodded. It is not going too far to say that you have turned Termag upside-down, Mik, or at least that part of it concerned with sorcery. Like any long-standing institution, the Conclave is concerned with preserving itself, if not growing anew. Yet, this will be a good experience for us all. Most of all, myself. While I have traveled up and down the Wide River, I have never strayed far from its banks. It is long since time that I uproot myself from this place, and travel the wide world… he looked through the wall, to a place far away, as I often dreamed of in younger days.

• • •

Mik looked around the small bedroom. He had clothes at home in Lacota, of course, but he was already taller than when he first came to Exidy. So he needed to bring his new clothes. With summer on the wane, he would soon need his jacket, and his father would want his cloak. He had come to Exidy with the clothes he was wearing—and an ice dragon that wanted dispelling, of course—so there was little else for him to carry home.

He had a small pouch containing some coins he had earned through the spring and summer, helping folk who needed help. He used some of his earnings to buy new clothes, and a new pair of boots, soon after returning from the Gathering. The Conclave, so Bailar said, would provide everything for them in Lacota while they scoured the river for potential new apprentices. And Mik knew his folk: if the sorcerer or his apprentices found anything lacking, the townfolk would be offended if they were not allowed to provide it for free.

He left his room. What he would bring, he could pack tonight. Perhaps the mentor could use some help. And Sura, of course… he smiled to himself. His father used to say that boys traveled with so little, so girls could travel with so much. Sura traveled light enough, but had packed more than he or Bailar had for the trip to the Gathering.

Ah, Mik, said Bailar, as the apprentice entered the common room. Are you busy?

No, sir. I came to see if you or Sura needed any help.

His mentor nodded. You don’t have much to pack, here. But coming back, you might bring more than your share. They laughed together, man and boy. And when you’re a sorcerer in your own right, you will find relocating to be quite a chore!

So you need help, mentor?

As it happens, Sura and I have been too focused on packing our own belongings. Since you are not otherwise occupied, perhaps you can cross over to the market and secure our provender for the trip? Sura did make a list. He searched his pockets, and found a slip of paper. Ah. Here it is. He added a pouch. And money. Hurry back, and Sura and I will find something for you to do when you return.

With their climbing rope already detached and stored away, Mik took the visitor’s path to the landing. Although he and Sura had pulled the canoe ashore and covered it, he needed only a few minutes to return it to the water. But before he climbed in, he walked the pebbly shore to where the ice dragon had returned to its slumber, once Mik dispelled it, on that winter day he became an apprentice sorcerer. This was Mik’s secret, something he did alone. Not even Sura knew.

Mik stared into the water. I’m going home for a while, he whispered, not knowing if the ice dragon could hear him or not. With Sura and the mentor. Thank you again, for bringing me here. For bringing Sura and me together. He paused a moment, awaiting an answer he knew not to expect, then stepped into the canoe and crossed the Wide.

It was easy enough to procure what was needed. The farmers and merchants here recognized Mik, and offered him fair prices. Then, something caught his eye as he passed an artisan’s stall: a teardrop pendant, with a dark stone that caught the light as Sura’s hair did. A web of bronze wire secured it to a leather thong. He reached into his pocket, and found the pouch with his own money.

After taking care of the necessities, he returned to the stall. Mik gazed at the artisan’s other wares, pacing back and forth along the table, until a young woman greeted him.

That one, he said, pointing at the pendant. What is that?

The stone? She lifted it from the hanger and dangled it before Mik. It’s onyx, from a certain stream in the Deep Forest, where the water polishes them over centuries. Beautiful, no?

It’s very nice, Mik agreed. Did you create the mounting? I like it.

Indeed I did, she said, preening just a little. I believe I’ve seen you here in the market before, with your lady fair—is it for her?

Mik nodded, and she named a price. A little bargaining, and they agreed on an amount that matched what Mik had in his pouch. They bumped fists, and Mik boarded the canoe with a present for Sura.

• • •

Polemen carried crates and bags down to the landing, then across the low gangplank onto the barge. The wagon was already secured, and the polemen loaded their burdens on it. The barge master stood watching, ready to curse anyone who even appeared to slacken the pace. Mik clasped Sura’s hand, anxious to be under way, not noticing how Sura was anxious in a different way. Bailar stood off to one side, impassive.

The final parcel was loaded, and the polemen threw an oilcloth over the wagon, tying the corners to the wheels. A donkey, tied to the axle, gave everyone the same dubious glare. The mate nodded to the master, who called, Passengers, come aboard!

Mik started forward, but paused to allow his mentor to go first. Bailar picked his careful way across the landing, reaching the gangplank and climbing slowly. He unbalanced, and Mik jumped into the shallow water to catch him before he tumbled off the gangplank. Please be careful, mentor, Mik whispered. Bailar caught the edge of the gangplank with his staff, and boarded without further incident.

Thank you for catching him, said Sura. But now, your legs are wet.

They’ll dry. It’s warm out.

Indeed. Sura looked over her shoulder, up the path to the only home she had ever known. She once attended school across the river, of course, and spent High Summers at the Gathering. But this… this was different. I should talk to Mik, she thought. Maybe he’ll understand. They settled onto the cushions they brought along, the barge master gave the order, and the polemen strained until the barge slid into the current.

Sura watched the landing disappear around the first bend, and sighed again. Mik, his arm draped around her shoulder, pulled her tight to him. Underway at last, he said. Do you think we’ll make the Captain Rietha Bridge before dark?

She shook her head. I don’t know.

Oh. Now that we have some time… He dug in his pocket and found his pouch. I wanted to give you this.

A money pouch? Sura gave him a thin smile. How romantic.

Mik looked surprised, then laughed. Look inside.

She gasped as the onyx caught the light. Mik… it’s beautiful!

Not as much as you. But it reminded me of you.

Sura slipped the thong over her neck. Father, look! She held up the pendant.

Bailar gazed at the dark, sparkling stone, and nodded. "Mik chose well. It looks good on