Chapter 1: A Mage's heart
Sarnaut, Kania summer 1009
It was going to be a hot day in Novograd when Celedrial woke up in a camp in Lightwood, just a few hundred yards outside the capital walls. It was early dawn and the smell of moist grass was strong as it had rained during night. Birds were singing amidst of birch tree branches and some local Waterfolks, that inhabited the area, were already fishing from the White Lake. Celedrial had been training her ice, fire and lightning spells for two weeks now for her oncoming apprentice years that would start today. She was determinant to be as good an apprentice as possible, to whom none would laugh at.
Riding with her Kanian palomino, Celedrial arrived to Novograd giving a copper coin to Mr. Lykov, a local 'disadvantaged' who had a permanent point at the Northern Gate. She was to meet with Felix de Grandeur, Novograd's best mage trainer, at the Elven District.
"Monsieur de Grandeur," Celedrial curtseyed, "What a privilege to meet."
"Good morning milady. Thou art betimes - I approve that in a mage: precision and timing. That forsooth is a good trait of a great mage along with a keen mind. Techniques and spells can be taught, but the rest has to come from within. Thou shall be joined by Lord Isaev, Mr. Sevnik, Mademoiselle de Fleur and Lady Semyonova as soon as they arrive. Wait for them and ye can join me at the tavern yonder, near the mill."
"Yes, monsieur."
With that Monsieur de Grandeur left Celedrial standing and waiting for the others and morning grew old before the very last, Mr. Sevnik, bothered to show up.
"Took you long enough." Lord Isaev nagged.
"Coming from thee milord," Mademoiselle de Fleur mocked as the young gentleman himself had come an hour late also.
"Shall we..." Lady Semyonova retorted but paused and looked at others, "Where are we going anyway?"
And everyone turned to look at Celedrial who had hardly spoken anything at all. "To the tavern over there," She roughly waved her hand towards the right direction. Mademoiselle de Fleur spoke with the boys that were more or less trying to impress her.
"Who did you serve, milady?" Lady Semyonova inquired.
"Alexey Voronov."
For a moment Lady Semyonova looked rather shocked but her expression swiftly changed into a charming noble smile, she had without doubt practiced her entire youth. "I served Klavdius Trojanov, you know the famous diplomat in Holy Land."
Celedrial felt like clearing to her she had served a diplomat, not a great mage but she only smiled ever so lovely while Lady Semyonova kept promoting her superior family history.
Lucky for Celedrial they came to the tavern shortly and found Monsieur de Grandeur sitting at one of the tables. "Betimes, verily a virtue ye ought to hold dear," and he glanced them all, "Have seats and hearken. The path of a mage is perilous to those that are unprepared. Only time will tell how diligently ye have prepared as thenceforth ye are starting your final test as established novices afore officially enlisting to Novograd's host. Taken that ye pass the test," Monsieur de Grandeur's grin was slightly wolfish, "Hereupon shall begin your way as apprentices. Ye are seventeen of age and have served your masters for seven years well enough to achieve this stage in your lives. Make sure 'tis the path ye wish to take as there's no turning back from it once the training begins. Thenceforth ye live and expire for League! May Tensess be with ye all." De Grandeur took a sip of a fine wine from his class before continuing, "And now, about your test. Ye are commended to accompany five parties joining Clement de Desirae's banquet sennight at the Clement's Tower outside Kania. 'Tis ye duty to look after their well-being and report to Sir Ratnev as ye arrive tither. Forget not the grace of a mage and the gentleness of nobility as ye serve League from hereupon," He took another lengthy sip emptying his class and rose, "Ye ship awaits, hie anon!"
All five of them waved from the ship as it nudged a little before turning sharply to starboard moving away from the dock. Wind blew in Celedrial's open hair as the ship set sails to Far Astral. All too soon the helmsman signed to the sailor to activate the energy field around the ship before navigator set the course and engineer increased the engine power that began thrusting the ship into the Astral space leaving Novograd and entire Kania behind. Beautiful sunny sky turned to ominous purple substance with fierce lightning strikes on the far horizon. Ship accelerated to 35 knots and Celedrial stared at a raging Astral storm. Then the ship turned to port towards calmer views heading towards a wormhole that would lead the ship to the right sector.
Dmitry, Celedrial's four years older brother, was a keen sailor and had just began his apprenticeship to advance from a sailor to helmsman. Thus she knew a thing or two about sailing and was thrilled to be on a trip into Far Astral. A typical Kanian model was a triple-decked wooden ship with five massive sails and four jet engines and was usually equipped with sixteen cannons, two rear cannons and two artilleries. To satisfy wealthy nobles, ships had a large two-story transom were the navigation device located. The crew cabinet was below deck as were helm and visor at the bow and engine room at the rear. The kitchen and treasury were located at the bottom. Most passengers had withdrawn either under the deck or to the transom after the first turbulence occurred, so Celedrial had plenty of room to roam about.
"There you are, sis! Rather awkward, isn't it?"
"Pavel... it shouldn't be. Neither you or Catherina are under my supervision but I'd appreciate, if you didn't make a fool of yourself or more importantly make a fool out of me."
"C'mon, you really think I'd do such - I'm not Alexey!" Pavel scorned.
"That was low, even from you", Celedrial retorted. "He was your brother as much as mine."
"He chose his path!"
Celedrial watched Pavel walk away as Catherina approached. "What was that all about?"
"Nothing..."
"Don't give me that sour face. I'm still your big sister even if you're supervising this event. You two better watch how you behave in front of everyone. Our family name isn't among the most popular since resent events. You, above all, should know that more than well. Thus we need to excel in everything to prove our worth and regain the loyalty we've lost. It only takes one mistake..."
Catherina left Celedrial standing near the port rail alone. Her ominous words still lingered in Celedrial's mind, she believed there was much more to the story that had been brought to light, in fact, she believed her oldest brother, Alexey, had been staged as traitor. Truth could never bring Alexey back who had faced the gallows as his punishment, but at least it would purify the family name from shame.
"Weren't they your siblings?" The question startled Celedrial who hadn't noticed the Gibberling approaching.
"Yes..." She sighed, "You know, sometimes I wish I was the only child."
The Gibberling shrugged, "Family's everything, without it, you have nothing. Even through thick and thin, I'd never change a moment from my life that I spend with my brothers. Caring for your family makes you a much better person from within." He looked deep into Celedrial's bereft eyes. "Name's Bek... Bek Strong at your service!"
Celedrial burst laughing at Bek's sudden change in nature, "Celedrial... Voronov at your service."
Bek's brown furry face didn't even twitch as he already knew who she was. It was the Strong family's "special assignment", as Dobrinya Bykov, a warrior trainer, had called it 'to keep an eye' or rather all six eyes, on Lady Voronov and if possible all three Voronovs participating in the banquet. The League Officials were on their toes as far as Bek knew - another "Voronov incident", as the matter was referred as, would be downright dreadful for the future of Aidenus' reign.
Part 1 ends here. Because of the length of chapter 1, I have to slice it into 3 parts.