The White Order (The Saga of Recluce #8)(69)

“Didn't your parents tell you?” The mage glared at Cerryl as if the young man were an idiot.

“They died when I was very young. My aunt and uncle said I was born while my parents were traveling back to Hrisbarg.”

“Do you have any idea of your birthplace?”

“It had to be within several days' journey of Hrisbarg or Lydiar, and my uncle and aunt were from Montgren.”

The mage sighed. “Kinowin says you can work the stuff of chaos Is that true?”

“I don't know, ser. I once looked in a glass, and someone in white broke it.” That was almost true, close enough.

The gray-haired man's forehead furrowed, and the fingers of his right hand strayed to the amulet around his neck. “You expect me to believe that?”

“It felt like the glass broke,” Cerryl corrected, “but it didn't. My head hurt for a long time afterward.” That was true.

“You see ... don't bother to lie. It's not worth the effort for either of us.”

“Yes, ser.”

“You know your letters, I suppose?”

“Yes, ser,” Cerryl repeated.

“Temple better than old tongue?”

“No, ser. I know the old tongue better.”

“It's good you admit to something, though I would expect that of Tellis's apprentice,” snorted the white mage. “You know that none but the white brethren may mold the white fires?”

“Yes, ser. That was why I didn't want to try the glass again.”

“You didn't know that was using chaos?” The mage's tone was unbelieving, scornful.

“I wasn't sure until after I did that one time,” Cerryl admitted. “I thought it might have been, but I was afraid to ask anyone. How could I?”

“That was wise of you.” Sterol nodded. “And what else have you not revealed?”

Cerryl flushed.

The gray-haired mage waited.

“I think... think... I can sometimes see something white, except that it's not seeing, that might be chaos force.” Cerryl looked down.

“Why think you that it is chaos force?”

“I don't know, except the glass was coated with it that one time, and the mage who brought me here had some of it around him for a moment.”

Sterol gave a short barking laugh.

Cerryl waited once more.

“You are lucky, young fellow. It pleases me to allow you the opportunity to learn.” Sterol laughed. “Besides, having an orphaned scrivener's apprentice will teach them that they are not so mighty as they think.” The penetrating eyes fixed on Cerryl. “You will watch and remember everything and tell no one?”

“Yes, your mightiness.”

“Honored Sterol will do. One day I may ask you .. . about how you find the halls. Until then, keep your observations to yourself, all to yourself. Is that clear?”

“Yes, honored Sterol.”

.“I would have you remember one maxim, young fellow.”

“Yes, honored Sterol.”

“There are old white mages, and there are bold white mages, but none will you find who are old and bold.” Sterol laughed again and reached for the bronze bell on the small wall table, ringing it twice.

The door opened, and Kinowin reentered, bowing, looking toward Sterol.

“Our young friend here has remained well enough within the rules that he is suitable to be considered for instruction.” Sterol smiled, showing white teeth. “You may take him to Jeslek for instruction, and tell the mighty Jeslek that he may not administer more than minor discipline. Minor discipline.”

“Yes, Sterol.” Kinowin bowed.

Sterol glanced at Cerryl. “You may go.”

“Yes, honored Sterol.” Cerryl bowed again, waiting for a nod or a sign.

“Go.”

Cerryl turned and stepped through the door that Kinowin had opened.

“You are very lucky, young Cerryl,” said Kinowin as they headed down the steps.

“Yes, ser. I know, ser.”

“What did you say to Sterol?” A note of curiosity entered Kinowin's rough voice.

“I told him the truth, ser.” As much as I dared.

Kinowin laughed, an almost jolly note that echoed up and down the stone enclosed steps, incongruous between the stark white walls. “You might grow up to be dangerous, Cerryl. The truth! Ha!” He laughed again.

Cerryl shivered within his tunic but continued down the steps to where the two armsmen in white guarded the entrance to the tower. Beside them, on a stool, sat a boy in a red tunic. Neither the guards nor the boy seemed to pay that much attention to Cerryl or the mage.

“Jeslek could have quarters within the tower but prefers to live in the older building behind the main hall.” Kinowin walked quickly down the wide steps from the tower entrance into the foyer, turning left and down the hallway they had not taken when they had first entered the building. “He is very knowledgeable and very powerful.”

Cerryl got the hint behind the words-Jeslek was dangerous and a rival of Sterol's. “All mages seem powerful to me.”

“Some are far more powerful than others.”

From the end of the hallway, Kinowin led Cerryl through another squared series of arches and then crossed an open courtyard with a fountain. The fountain was a simple jet of water spraying from an oval-shaped stone in the middle of a circular pool.