Chapter 1: Luke, Luke Taylor
'What does he want now?' Luke thought as he was walking down the hall to the count's chamber. He entered and saw the crazy old man once again leaning over a map of Tortall, throwing breadcrumbs at the cities, and laughing wickedly.
'Why does Jemis hate that country so much?' Luke wondered "Yes Sir? You wanted to see me," he asked walking further into the room.
Count Jemis turned around to look at his spy. " Yes, Luke, I have a job for you," Jemis told him. "I want you to go to Port Caynn in Tortall and pose as a magic student. King Jonathan's mage, Numair Samalin, is looking for an apprentice. I want you to make sure you the job. Get as much inside information as you can. When that is done, I want you to depose of Samalin, his wife Daine, and his 4 daughters, Julie, Morgana, Hope, and Danielle. Danielle is the youngest; she should be easy to kill. The next youngest is Hope, she is quite talented in her magic, but a woman none the less. Morgana appears to be a nature loving twit, and Julie, watch out for her, she is stunningly beautiful, but don't be caught off guard. I want you to leave for Tortall as soon as possible. This is a perfect opportunity. Fail me, and you will not want to come back."
"Yes, Sir." Luke said, accepting the mission, before leaving to pack for his voyage.
A week later he was walking down the dusty roads of Port Caynn. So this is Tortall he thought. What a horrible place. Everyone's happy, not thinking of the impending doom here. It makes me sick. He shook his head in disgust and headed towards the nearest inn.
There he is, Luke thought as he slipped around the corner, following him. Numair stopped at an inn, and went to his room. Luke sat down at the bar. The man next to him was already having a bad day this morning.
"I would like the strongest you got," he said, then turned to Luke. "My wife, she left me." The sad man said while he swung down his drink. Luke scooted his stool a bit further away from him as the bartender refilled the glass.
Numair returned downstairs, sat at a table across the aisle, and ordered some fruit. He was reading a book and decided there was not enough light in the room. With a pass of his hand, the candles around him were lit.
A group of 4 big, burly, men strutted into the tavern, pushing the door so hard it made a sound like thunder as it hit the wall. They appeared as if they were either thieves or bandits, looking right at the table Numair was sitting at. The biggest of the bunch, possibly the leader, walked over and slammed his fist down hard on the table, right in front of where Numair was sitting.
"Is there a problem?" Numair asked, calmly looking up at the big man.
"Yes," the man snarled, "One, you're sitting at our table, and" he paused to count on his fingers "uh…. Two, we hate sorcerers."
"I'm sorry you feel that way," Numair apologized, "and I will leave when I'm done with my meal."
"you'll leave now!" The man roared ripping Numair up out of his chair by his shirt collar. (Not the easiest of tasks when the man you're lifting is over 6 feet tall) Numair gave him one swift punch in the abdomen. The man dropped to his knees and cringed in pain. One of the other men advanced. He blasted one man with his gift sending him across the room, causing him to crash into a table and pass out.
'No! I can't let him be killed, he is my victim!', Luke thought. "Duck!" He said to Numair. Numair crouched down, as Luke snatched the drink of the man next to him and a nearby candle. He quickly held the candle up to his face and blew out the mouthful of the motor oil like stuff. It was ghastly and he was happy to be rid of it.
The flames rained on the two men who screamed with pain and fled out the door. Numair relaxed. "Thanks a lot," Numair said to Luke, but he spoke too soon.
Numair had left the leader unwatched. The brute pulled a knife out of one of his shirtsleeves and lunged at Numair, cutting a big gash in his side. Luke, at the sight of cold steel, let out a blast of energy knocking out thickheaded man that attacked.
Numair clutched his side and cringed. Luke surprised himself when he automatically began healing the mage. By the time another healer arrived Numair was unconscious from the loss of blood. The healer came running into the room. She looked as if she had just gotten out of bed. The laces on her dress were only half tied, and her white hair was worn loose instead of in a braid or a bun. She looked startled for a minute as if she recognized Numair. The innkeeper, Luke, and the healer carried him to his room.
They removed his boots and tunic, and put him on the bed. The healer examined the wound and saw that it was merely a bad scrape, and was confused about how a man could lose the amount of blood from such a small wound. She shook her head and bent down beside the bed. Opening her bag, she pulled out a few things, and proceeded to clean the wound. After it was clean she wrapped a bandage around him to prevent infection.
Numair began to wake up. He looked up at the healer and was startled. "Mistress Cooper what are you doing here," he asked in a shaky voice.
"I was in an inn in a different part of the city when someone ran in hollering about something. I walked out of my room to see what all the noise was about and heard a person asking for a healer. He said a man in another inn was badly hurt and needed a healer. I told him I'd go and ran back into my room. I threw on a dress as fast as I could, grabbed my bag and followed the man here. Although I should be asking what you're doing here with Danielle's birthday the day after tomorrow."
"That's one of the reasons why I'm here. I'm here to get a gift for her and to find my new apprentice. Who is that standing by the fireplace?" Numair asked.
"That man saved your life Numair," Mrs. Cooper said in a matter of fact way.
Numair sat up with a bit of stiffness and called Luke over to him. "I must thank you Mr.…"
"Luke, Luke Taylor. And you are?"
"Numair Samalin, at your service. That was a close one," Numair answered gratefully. "Maybe we can have a chat about your magical talent later; you clearly did a great feat in healing just now."
"Now we will have no more talking until you get your rest," Mrs. Cooper said.
"Gladly accepted sir," answered Luke. They talked a little while longer and then Mistress Cooper ordered Numair to sleep and to try to take it easy tomorrow.
" Very nice" Numair remarked after Luke finished talking about his former education. "O.K. The job is yours. Get yourself a room. Drop your stuff off and meet me back down here. I have something to pick up at the market place and you can come with me."
Luke paid for a room, and went upstairs to drop his stuff off. When he got back downstairs Numair was still waiting for him like he said he would.
They walked out of the inn into the market place and eventually stopped in front of a jewelry store. Walking in the man behind the counter recognized Numair right away.
"Ah Master Samalin," the jeweler greeted Numair smiling, "I have what you requested right here behind the counter." With that he bent behind the counter and pulled out a black velvet box that looked like it held either a necklace or a bracelet. Numair opened the box and pulled out a delicate silver chain. Hanging from the chain was an exquisite cat made of amethyst with 2 small black opals for eyes. Numair thanked the man, paid him, and they left the store.
They went back to the inn and entered the common room to get some dinner. Sitting down at an empty table, a waitress came over. They ordered some soup and a glass of fruit juice each.
"You're 18 right?" Numair asked when the girl had left.
"Yes," Luke replied and changed the subject. He didn't want to tell the mage too much about himself. "Master Samalin, that necklace, is it for your wife?" Luke inquired.
"Call me Numair," the older man said, "and the necklace is for my youngest daughter Danielle. The day after tomorrow is her 16th birthday. That's why we have to leave tomorrow morning. I promised her I wouldn't miss it."
"I've heard about what your daughters are like. Wouldn't something that delicate break easily," he asked.
"Yes, with any of my other 3 girls. You should get the information on them, since you will be living in Tirreagean. My oldest daughter, Julie, works for the Queen's Riders, makes weapons for them, and isn't around much anymore. Morgana's next. She's 18. She helps the Riders horse mistress Onua. She has a cat named Cole, but don't give him any table scraps, he is fat enough. Hope comes after her. She's almost 17. She's the world's youngest black robe mage, Hope drops by once and a while and might be very helpful to you. She became a black robe when she was only 14. Hope lives in a place nearby called Cliff Tower. Being right on the border of the desert, she is a member of one of the Bahzir tribes. While Danielle is learning to be a lady and a healer, she's our only daughter who has decided to stay with us at home after she turns 16. She's also the only one of all our children who enjoys going to court parties and wearing a dress every day."
"I can't wait to meet them," Luke said with anticipation.
"You won't find your self waiting, they will all be at Danielle's Party. Along with her godparents and other friends," the mage replied.
"Your first lesson begins now. There are many kinds of magic. Many are believed to not exist, but you will have proof. All 4 girls have the gift and wild magic. Julie's strength with her gift is war magic, and she has magic involving metal and fire. Morgana's strength is with her wild magic and she has magic that allows her to control and create weather. Hope's strength with her gift is what people call show magic and she has a type of magic involving plants. Danielle's gift is best used to heal. She also has magic involving thread of all kinds. You will not be expected to master all of these techniques, but you will be expected to learn about them," Numair stopped because their food had come. They proceeded to eat in silence.
While they ate Luke was thinking about what Numair had told him. This isn't going to be as easy as Jemis thought. These girls are more powerful and sound smarter than I first thought. Except Danielle. She still sounds easy to get rid of.
They left very early the next day. Numair had brought two horses with him so the trip would be faster than if they went by foot. They had been riding half the day when Numair told Luke what he had forgotten to mention. " Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you... We're stopping at Pirate's Swoop for lunch. I need to talk to Alanna and George."
Good thing I don't look like a Tusanian, I have mom's brown hair and blue-gray eyes Luke thought. Or I'd be in trouble for sure, what with that warrior woman's grudge from the wars.
They arrived in Pirate's Swoop an hour and a half later. Alanna ran out to meet them giving Numair a big bear hug. Numair winced in pain. "What's wrong?" Alanna asked worried.
"Nothing," he told her, "Just some out of sorts at the tavern in Port Caynn."
"Who's this sturdy young man?" She asked, acknowledging Luke.
"He's my apprentice," He told her and introduced them. George came out and greeted Numair. They stayed about an hour then headed west
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'What does he want now?' Luke thought as he was walking down the hall to the count's chamber. He entered and saw the crazy old man once again leaning over a map of Tortall, throwing breadcrumbs at the cities, and laughing wickedly.
'Why does Jemis hate that country so much?' Luke wondered "Yes Sir? You wanted to see me," he asked walking further into the room.
Count Jemis turned around to look at his spy. " Yes, Luke, I have a job for you," Jemis told him. "I want you to go to Port Caynn in Tortall and pose as a magic student. King Jonathan's mage, Numair Samalin, is looking for an apprentice. I want you to make sure you the job. Get as much inside information as you can. When that is done, I want you to depose of Samalin, his wife Daine, and his 4 daughters, Julie, Morgana, Hope, and Danielle. Danielle is the youngest; she should be easy to kill. The next youngest is Hope, she is quite talented in her magic, but a woman none the less. Morgana appears to be a nature loving twit, and Julie, watch out for her, she is stunningly beautiful, but don't be caught off guard. I want you to leave for Tortall as soon as possible. This is a perfect opportunity. Fail me, and you will not want to come back."
"Yes, Sir." Luke said, accepting the mission, before leaving to pack for his voyage.
A week later he was walking down the dusty roads of Port Caynn. So this is Tortall he thought. What a horrible place. Everyone's happy, not thinking of the impending doom here. It makes me sick. He shook his head in disgust and headed towards the nearest inn.
There he is, Luke thought as he slipped around the corner, following him. Numair stopped at an inn, and went to his room. Luke sat down at the bar. The man next to him was already having a bad day this morning.
"I would like the strongest you got," he said, then turned to Luke. "My wife, she left me." The sad man said while he swung down his drink. Luke scooted his stool a bit further away from him as the bartender refilled the glass.
Numair returned downstairs, sat at a table across the aisle, and ordered some fruit. He was reading a book and decided there was not enough light in the room. With a pass of his hand, the candles around him were lit.
A group of 4 big, burly, men strutted into the tavern, pushing the door so hard it made a sound like thunder as it hit the wall. They appeared as if they were either thieves or bandits, looking right at the table Numair was sitting at. The biggest of the bunch, possibly the leader, walked over and slammed his fist down hard on the table, right in front of where Numair was sitting.
"Is there a problem?" Numair asked, calmly looking up at the big man.
"Yes," the man snarled, "One, you're sitting at our table, and" he paused to count on his fingers "uh…. Two, we hate sorcerers."
"I'm sorry you feel that way," Numair apologized, "and I will leave when I'm done with my meal."
"you'll leave now!" The man roared ripping Numair up out of his chair by his shirt collar. (Not the easiest of tasks when the man you're lifting is over 6 feet tall) Numair gave him one swift punch in the abdomen. The man dropped to his knees and cringed in pain. One of the other men advanced. He blasted one man with his gift sending him across the room, causing him to crash into a table and pass out.
'No! I can't let him be killed, he is my victim!', Luke thought. "Duck!" He said to Numair. Numair crouched down, as Luke snatched the drink of the man next to him and a nearby candle. He quickly held the candle up to his face and blew out the mouthful of the motor oil like stuff. It was ghastly and he was happy to be rid of it.
The flames rained on the two men who screamed with pain and fled out the door. Numair relaxed. "Thanks a lot," Numair said to Luke, but he spoke too soon.
Numair had left the leader unwatched. The brute pulled a knife out of one of his shirtsleeves and lunged at Numair, cutting a big gash in his side. Luke, at the sight of cold steel, let out a blast of energy knocking out thickheaded man that attacked.
Numair clutched his side and cringed. Luke surprised himself when he automatically began healing the mage. By the time another healer arrived Numair was unconscious from the loss of blood. The healer came running into the room. She looked as if she had just gotten out of bed. The laces on her dress were only half tied, and her white hair was worn loose instead of in a braid or a bun. She looked startled for a minute as if she recognized Numair. The innkeeper, Luke, and the healer carried him to his room.
They removed his boots and tunic, and put him on the bed. The healer examined the wound and saw that it was merely a bad scrape, and was confused about how a man could lose the amount of blood from such a small wound. She shook her head and bent down beside the bed. Opening her bag, she pulled out a few things, and proceeded to clean the wound. After it was clean she wrapped a bandage around him to prevent infection.
Numair began to wake up. He looked up at the healer and was startled. "Mistress Cooper what are you doing here," he asked in a shaky voice.
"I was in an inn in a different part of the city when someone ran in hollering about something. I walked out of my room to see what all the noise was about and heard a person asking for a healer. He said a man in another inn was badly hurt and needed a healer. I told him I'd go and ran back into my room. I threw on a dress as fast as I could, grabbed my bag and followed the man here. Although I should be asking what you're doing here with Danielle's birthday the day after tomorrow."
"That's one of the reasons why I'm here. I'm here to get a gift for her and to find my new apprentice. Who is that standing by the fireplace?" Numair asked.
"That man saved your life Numair," Mrs. Cooper said in a matter of fact way.
Numair sat up with a bit of stiffness and called Luke over to him. "I must thank you Mr.…"
"Luke, Luke Taylor. And you are?"
"Numair Samalin, at your service. That was a close one," Numair answered gratefully. "Maybe we can have a chat about your magical talent later; you clearly did a great feat in healing just now."
"Now we will have no more talking until you get your rest," Mrs. Cooper said.
"Gladly accepted sir," answered Luke. They talked a little while longer and then Mistress Cooper ordered Numair to sleep and to try to take it easy tomorrow.
" Very nice" Numair remarked after Luke finished talking about his former education. "O.K. The job is yours. Get yourself a room. Drop your stuff off and meet me back down here. I have something to pick up at the market place and you can come with me."
Luke paid for a room, and went upstairs to drop his stuff off. When he got back downstairs Numair was still waiting for him like he said he would.
They walked out of the inn into the market place and eventually stopped in front of a jewelry store. Walking in the man behind the counter recognized Numair right away.
"Ah Master Samalin," the jeweler greeted Numair smiling, "I have what you requested right here behind the counter." With that he bent behind the counter and pulled out a black velvet box that looked like it held either a necklace or a bracelet. Numair opened the box and pulled out a delicate silver chain. Hanging from the chain was an exquisite cat made of amethyst with 2 small black opals for eyes. Numair thanked the man, paid him, and they left the store.
They went back to the inn and entered the common room to get some dinner. Sitting down at an empty table, a waitress came over. They ordered some soup and a glass of fruit juice each.
"You're 18 right?" Numair asked when the girl had left.
"Yes," Luke replied and changed the subject. He didn't want to tell the mage too much about himself. "Master Samalin, that necklace, is it for your wife?" Luke inquired.
"Call me Numair," the older man said, "and the necklace is for my youngest daughter Danielle. The day after tomorrow is her 16th birthday. That's why we have to leave tomorrow morning. I promised her I wouldn't miss it."
"I've heard about what your daughters are like. Wouldn't something that delicate break easily," he asked.
"Yes, with any of my other 3 girls. You should get the information on them, since you will be living in Tirreagean. My oldest daughter, Julie, works for the Queen's Riders, makes weapons for them, and isn't around much anymore. Morgana's next. She's 18. She helps the Riders horse mistress Onua. She has a cat named Cole, but don't give him any table scraps, he is fat enough. Hope comes after her. She's almost 17. She's the world's youngest black robe mage, Hope drops by once and a while and might be very helpful to you. She became a black robe when she was only 14. Hope lives in a place nearby called Cliff Tower. Being right on the border of the desert, she is a member of one of the Bahzir tribes. While Danielle is learning to be a lady and a healer, she's our only daughter who has decided to stay with us at home after she turns 16. She's also the only one of all our children who enjoys going to court parties and wearing a dress every day."
"I can't wait to meet them," Luke said with anticipation.
"You won't find your self waiting, they will all be at Danielle's Party. Along with her godparents and other friends," the mage replied.
"Your first lesson begins now. There are many kinds of magic. Many are believed to not exist, but you will have proof. All 4 girls have the gift and wild magic. Julie's strength with her gift is war magic, and she has magic involving metal and fire. Morgana's strength is with her wild magic and she has magic that allows her to control and create weather. Hope's strength with her gift is what people call show magic and she has a type of magic involving plants. Danielle's gift is best used to heal. She also has magic involving thread of all kinds. You will not be expected to master all of these techniques, but you will be expected to learn about them," Numair stopped because their food had come. They proceeded to eat in silence.
While they ate Luke was thinking about what Numair had told him. This isn't going to be as easy as Jemis thought. These girls are more powerful and sound smarter than I first thought. Except Danielle. She still sounds easy to get rid of.
They left very early the next day. Numair had brought two horses with him so the trip would be faster than if they went by foot. They had been riding half the day when Numair told Luke what he had forgotten to mention. " Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you... We're stopping at Pirate's Swoop for lunch. I need to talk to Alanna and George."
Good thing I don't look like a Tusanian, I have mom's brown hair and blue-gray eyes Luke thought. Or I'd be in trouble for sure, what with that warrior woman's grudge from the wars.
They arrived in Pirate's Swoop an hour and a half later. Alanna ran out to meet them giving Numair a big bear hug. Numair winced in pain. "What's wrong?" Alanna asked worried.
"Nothing," he told her, "Just some out of sorts at the tavern in Port Caynn."
"Who's this sturdy young man?" She asked, acknowledging Luke.
"He's my apprentice," He told her and introduced them. George came out and greeted Numair. They stayed about an hour then headed west
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