The Novice Read Online Free

magicians each selected a bundle.
    “Would Gennyl please come forward,” Jerrik ordered.
    One of the Lonmar boys hurried forward and bowed. His eyes were wide as he faced Lord Jerrik, and as he spoke the Novices’ Vow his voice trembled. Lord Yarrin handed the boy his robes, and guardian and novice stepped aside. Lord Jerrik turned toward the entrants again.
    “Would Sonea please come forward.”
    She walked stiffly toward Jerrik. Though her face was pale, she bowed gracefully and spoke the vow in a clear, unwavering voice. Rothen stepped forward and handed her the bundle of robes.
    “I hereby take guardianship of you, Sonea. Your learning is my concern and task until you graduate from the university.”
    “I will obey you, Lord Rothen.”
    “May you both benefit from this arrangement,” Jerrik finished.
    As they moved aside to stand next to Lord Yarrin and Gennyl, Jerrik called the still smiling youth from the end of the line.
    “Would Regin please come forward.”
    The boy strode confidently to Jerrik, but his bow was shallow and hurried. As the ritual phrases were repeated, Rothen looked down at Sonea, wondering what she was thinking. She was a member of the Guild now, and that was no small thing.
    She looked at the boy to her right, and Rothen followed her gaze. Gennyl stood with his back straight and his face flushed.
He’s just about bursting with pride,
Rothen mused. To have a guardian, especially at this point, was proof that an entrant was exceptionally gifted.
    Few would believe this about Sonea, however. He suspected that most magicians assumed he had chosen to be her guardian simply to remind all that he had been instrumental in finding her. They would not have believed him if he told them of her strength and talent. But they would find out, and knowing it gave him some satisfaction.
    After Regin and Lord Garrel had spoken the ritual words, they moved to Rothen’s left. The boy kept glancing at Sonea, his expression calculating. She either did not notice, or was ignoring him. Instead, she watched intently as Jerrik called the rest of the entrants forward to speak the vow. As each accepted their robes, they formed a line next to the guardians and their novices.
    When the last of the entrants had joined the line, Lord Jerrik turned to regard them.
    “You are now novices of the Magicians’ Guild,” he announced. “May the coming years be prosperous for all of you.”
    As one, the novices bowed. Lord Jerrik nodded and moved to one side.
    “I extend a welcome to our new novices and wish them many years of success.” Sonea jumped as Lorlen’s voice rang out from behind her. “I now declare this Acceptance Ceremony concluded.”
    The Guildhall began to echo with the sound of voices. The rows of robed men and women stirred as if caught by a strong wind. They rose and began to descend to the floor, filling the hall with the clatter of footsteps. As the new novices realized the formalities were over, they moved in all directions. Some rushed to their parents, others examined the bundle in their hands or gazed around at the sudden activity. At the end of the Guildhall the great doors began to open slowly.
    Sonea turned to look up at Rothen. “That’s it, then. I’m a novice.”
    He smiled. “Glad it’s all over?”
    She shrugged. “I get the feeling it’s only just begun.” Her eyes flickered over his shoulder. “Here’s your shadow.”
    Rothen turned to find Dannyl striding toward him.
    “Welcome to the Guild, Sonea.”
    “Thank you,
Ambassador
Dannyl,” Sonea replied, bowing.
    Dannyl laughed. “Not yet, Sonea. Not yet.”
    Sensing someone new at his side, Rothen turned to find the University Director standing next to him.
    “Lord Rothen,” Jerrik said, giving Sonea a tired smile as she bowed.
    “Yes?” Rothen replied.
    “Will Sonea be moving into the Novices’ Quarters? It never crossed my mind to ask until now.”
    Rothen shook his head. “She’ll be staying with me. I have plenty