Chapter 5 Part 2

Adam proved to be a demanding, but fair tutor. He pushed Dylan harder than Kayla had, but he never gave Dylan more than he could handle, and when ever Dylan hinted that he was having trouble keeping up with everything, Adam would simply state that it took pressure and heat to turn a lump of coal into a diamond.

Still after two years, Dylan took a long few moments to reflect on how far he had come. He was learning advanced geometry and had learned to read quite well. He had been ecstatic one day near the end of his second year when he realized that the powerful new tool he had been taught, called algebra, could streamline so much of his work that he actually had free time in the evenings.

Dylan was getting close to the age of thirteen when something very special occurred. He had been at the Academy for over two years when one afternoon a runner, yet another function the younger initiates performed, delivered a note to him at work. The note stated that at Master Tesron’s request, he and all of the other initiates under Tesron were to assemble into the main auditorium at sunset. The note further directed that he should wear his best tunic and he be clean and well groomed.

Upon returning from work, he discovered that Brett too had received the same note. Anxious, yet obediently the two boys bathed and as the appointed hour approached, they walked to the main hall of the Academy to the auditorium.

When they arrived, they were escorted by several other initiates to a set of twenty five reserved seats. They immediately noticed that most of Tesron’s initiates and journeymen were present as well as several other individuals.

Dylan also noted that the mysterious Master Ultrecht was seated next to Tesron. Next to him was another master, apparently a half elf with the markings of a sorcerer. On the far side of Master Tesron an elven woman in a beautiful gown. Next to her, a half elven man was dressed like a hunter who had just returned from the wilderness, and beyond him sat a tall human with dark hair and stormy black eyes. That man was dressed in chain mail and wore a tabard, but Dylan could not see the crest which it displayed.

Dylan and Brett were seated in a row behind their master as were several other of Tesron’s initiates. Within moments all of Dylan’s fellow initiates were present and it was at that moment that Dylan realized that only Master Tesron’s initiates were present in the room filled with masters, apprentices and journeymen. Cindy was seated several seats down, and waved enthusiastically when their eyes met. Something special was happening, though they did not know what.

After several long moments, the lights in the building were dimmed by apprentices stationed at the lamps. Then a pair of masters wearing the black robes, silver sashes and golden hoods of the guild officers entered the stage. They each carried braziers and set to a task of lighting hundreds of candles. When they were done, they left the stage and another master entered. He too wore the golden hood of a guild officer, but he also wore a large gold key on a chain about his neck. Dylan had heard of him, but he had never seen the Allentown Guildmaster before. The description of symbolic gold key was unmistakable. Before them stood the man who ran the Academy and the Allentown Magic User’s Guild.

The guildmaster carried an unlighted candle and placed it in a candle holder next to the podium. Then he addressed the assembly. “Tonight,” he began, “we are gathered to partake of one of our most joyous ceremonies. The procession of the torches is an ancient custom in which the candle signifies the burning light of knowledge. Each candle on this stage represents one of our brethren who we acknowledge as a master of his craft. And I, Ike Nuton, Guildmaster of Allentown welcome you. Tonight we light the candle of a new master.

The gathered host stood and applauded the announcement. And when the applause died down the guildmaster continued. “I call Gage, journeyman wizard to present himself before this assembly.”

Gage stood and departed from the box he shared with Tesron and the others. Dylan instantly knew that Gage’s day of triumph had arrived. He felt a certain twinge of pride that he was permitted to have been a part of Gage’s life.

“Gage,” the guildmaster began as Gage approached the podium. “You have served now under Tesron for three years and have proven yourself worthy of the title now bestowed upon you. It is by the word of Tesron himself that you are now acknowledged a master of your craft, and it is by the word of your former master, the sorcerer, Armegon, that your character is vouched.”

Dylan glanced at the unfamiliar halfelf sorcerer seated next to Master Ultrecht. That must be Gage’s original master.

“Take this brazier and add the flame of your knowledge to those assembled here among us,” the guildmaster ordered.

Gage took the torch, and held it high for all to see. “I am Gage, master of magic,” he proclaimed loudly. “By this action do I pledge my allegiance to this guild and to my art.” With that said, Gage lowered the torch to the unlighted candle and held it until the wick caught fire. Then he raised the torch again and cheers went up from around the room.

Dylan could not help himself, nor could, it seemed, any other of the initiates or apprentices under Tesron’s care. They all cheered a young elf they had all come to count as a friend.

Only briefly did Dylan catch a glimpse of the strangers seated with Master Tesron. The elven woman was weeping with a broad smile, and the tall dark human was grinning eagerly, pride showed in his shining eyes, while the halfelf huntsman’s face was calm and impassive. Master Ultrecht, and the master sorcerer shook each other’s hands and took turns hugging the elf woman.

It was Dylan’s guess that the woman was Gage’s mother and the tall dark human was the brother that Crystal had spoken of. As to the huntsman, Dylan supposed that it might be Gage’s father, but if so the man exhibited very little in the way of pride or excitement.

The ceremony dragged on for at least another hour as various officers of the guild made speeches informing Gage as to what was expected of him as a master of wizardry, but the climax of the ceremony came when two masters came forward and removed the white sash of the journeyman from Gage’s waist and replaced it with the silver sash of a master. Again there was cheering and applause, after which the occupants of the auditorium began to file out.

Dylan filed out with the rest of Tesron’s students, but in the hallway, Sarah caught up with him. “Dylan,” she called.

“Hello, Sarah,” he said. “that was very moving wasn’t it?”

“Yes it was,” she agreed. “I don’t think there’s anyone I’d rather see receive his sash of mastery than Gage.”

“Me too.”

“By the way,” Sarah added, “Master Tesron wants to see you immediately in his quarters. Cindy too.”

That caught Dylan off guard, but such a request could not be ignored, so he complied by making his way to his master’s quarters. When he arrived, he found Cindy waiting by the door. Obviously their master had not yet arrived.

“Hi, Cindy,” Dylan offered.

“Hi, yourself,” she cheerfully returned. “It’s about time that we had a chance to speak to each other.”

“We do tend to get a little busy,” Dylan agreed, “but I’ve missed you.”

Cindy bowed her head shyly but her eyes fluttered as they looked up. Then she smiled. “I missed you too.”

“Do you know what this is all about?”

“Not really,” Cindy admitted. “Kayla just cornered me and told me to be at this door waiting for Master Tesron when he arrived.

“So you don’t know what this is all about either?”

“No.”

“That was very exciting, wasn’t it,” Dylan referred to the recent ceremony.

“I’m so glad that we got a chance to see Gage achieve his mastery,” Cindy agreed. Then she giggled. “I guess we’ll have to call him Master Gage from now on.”

“That won’t be easy,” Dylan warned. “It’ll be hard to break that old habit.”

Cindy glanced over her friend’s shoulder and saw a procession of people headed their way. “Shh!” she hissed.

Dylan followed her gaze and also saw the sight. Master Tesron and Gage were leading the way followed by Master Ultrecht and the elven master who they had not met. They were followed by the other three people who had attended the ceremony and Kayla and Adam.

As the party neared, Tesron spied the two initiates at the door. “Ahh, Cindy and Dylan,” he greeted them.

“Good evening master,” Dylan offered in return.

Cindy nodded to Gage. “And to you too, Master Gage.”

“Thank you,” Tesron replied, pleased that his initiates had immediately honored Gage as was his due. Tesron used his key on the door and invited everyone inside. “Would you two join us?” Tesron offered to Cindy and Dylan.

“Thank you, master,” Cindy replied. “If it’s your wish that we do so, we will.”

“I’d be happy to have you,” Tesron answered.

Dylan and Cindy entered the apartment and found seats near the door so that they could run errands if asked, which Dylan guessed was their purpose there anyway.

Dylan studied the company of those outsiders who had attended the ceremony. The tall dark human fit Crystal’s description as Gage’s brother, and the lovely elf woman was obviously his mother, for he favored her greatly.

“She’s very pretty,” Dylan whispered to Cindy. “Don't you think so?” Cindy grabbed Dylan’s wrist. He winced and turned to her. Her eyes were wide with either fear or surprise, he couldn’t tell. “What is it?”

“Look and the hunter.” Dylan looked at the half elven hunter. He was a woodsman as was common in the Tycarian region, but what had startled Cindy and what Dylan too found disturbing was the golden hued eyes. They had no whites nor pupils.

“That’s weird,” Dylan agreed.

“Dylan, Cindy,” Gage called. “Would you please come over here?” The initiates straggled over obediently and stood next to the new master. Gage stood and waved a hand introducing those gathered in the room.

“I want the two of you to meet my family,” Gage told them. First he indicated Master Ultrecht. “Dylan, I know has met my Uncle Ultrecht, though he did not know that Ultrecht was my uncle.”

Ultrecht smiled and nodded. “It’s quite a pleasure to meet the two of you,” Ultrecht offered. “I’ve been following your progress with some amusement.”

Next Gage indicated the sorcerer. He was halfelven and had long white flowing hair which draped across his shoulders. “This is also an uncle of mine,” Gage said. “This is my Uncle Armegon, and the master who I apprenticed under.”

“Good day to you, Master Armegon,” Cindy offered.

The man called Armegon stood and approached the two youths. He reached out gently and touched the young girl’s cheek. Then he laughed a merry sound. “She reminds me of another little girl who not long ago suddenly found herself a part of our little family.”

The sorcerer returned to his seat and Gage continued with the introductions. “This,” he indicated the three others, “is my family: my mother, my father, and my brother.” The tall human stood and walked over to look at the initiates. He wore armor and at his side was an elegant saber. His tabard held the insignia of Tycho and his strong arms and mighty hands looked as if they could crush rock.

“I am Coran,” he introduced himself. He knelt before the children before him. Dylan was awed by the bright flawless armor and the spotless white tabard. The emblem of the Tycarian Guard, the head of a howling wolf silhouetted against a full moon, was embroidered in silver and gold thread.

Cindy found herself drawn to his eyes. They were like pools of obsidian, totally black, though in spite of their color, they shone with the fire of life. They were hypnotic.

“For pity’s sake, Coran,” Gage interrupted. “She is only thirteen. Do not mesmerize her.”
Coran glanced over his shoulder briefly, then he stood flashing both of the youths a friendly smile and a wink. Cindy sighed and felt her blood rush to her cheeks.

“Please forgive my son,” Nikki apologized from her seat. She reached out and took Coran’s hand affectionately. “He enjoys the company of lovely young women. He means no harm.”

There was a long moment of silence before Tesron stood. “Cindy, Dylan, the reason you are here is to fulfill a tradition that the Academy has. You see when a new master is inducted into the guild, it is tradition that he be awarded assistants from his old master’s stock. In this case, Gage has asked that I place the two of you in his care so that you will be his students instead of mine.”

Dylan wanted to smile, but found it very easy to keep from doing so. He very much would like to be Gage’s initiate, but he had come to respect and in some ways love Master Tesron.

“I’ve already notified you parents of the change,” Tesron told them. “And you should never fear to come to me if there is something I can do to help you. Until Gage has apprentices and journeymen of his own, he may ask Kayla or Adam to help you with your studies for a time. This is to be expected and quite normal for a new master.”

“But,” Gage added. “None of this will be done without your agreement. After all, it was to Tesron that you took allegiance. If you wish to stay with him, I will understand.”

Dylan did not need to think about it. He paused only long enough to think of how to word his reply so as not to make it appear that he was glad to be leaving Tesron’s service.
“I’m honored that you’ve chosen me, Master Gage. And I hope that I’ll do Master Tesron proud as I serve you. I accept.”

Cindy faltered only for a moment. “I don't think that I would leave Master Tesron’s service for anyone else other than Master Gage. I accept too.”

“Excellent,” Gage clapped his hands. “Tomorrow is the Day of the Lesser Moon. I want you two to report to me immediately after sunrise. There are things that we must discuss. But for now, you have duties to attend to, so you are dismissed.”

Dylan and Cindy returned to their duties pausing only long enough to express their puzzlement with each other. Cindy only indicated that she had heard about such things before. “But I never thought that I’d be a part of something like this.”

Brett wanted to know everything about what had happened. “Wow,” he exclaimed when he learned of Gage’s request. “We knew that he was fond of you two, but no one ever expected anything like that.” It really began to dawn on Dylan just how much Gage thought of Cindy and himself.