First Witch's Tale

“Unfortunately, you’re probably correct,” Master Falladine stated. His eyes bored into mine. “Understand this. First, I will push you hard and I will show no patience whatsoever if you are unable to keep up; second, I will be expecting you to assist me after you master enough skills to be an effective assistant. Right now, you don’t have enough practical magic to be helpful.”

I nodded, torn between relief and fear. Lessons had been hard enough in class, with the tutor splitting his attention between twenty students, but if I had his sole attention … he whipped out his wand, faster than I could blink, and cast a spell. My body froze, my muscles locking up and then cramping painfully. I struggled to free myself, but I could do nothing. Master Falladine looked me up and down, then undid the spell. I collapsed in a heap on the ground. The fall was so violent that I honestly feared he’d somehow vanished my bones. My entire body felt as if it had turned to liquid.

“Your reflexes need work,” Master Falladine said, as I staggered back to my feet. “You also need to master other techniques, such as wandless casting. Are you still willing to learn?”

I nodded. If Master Falladine could do that to me, it was only a matter of time until Cemburu could too. I didn’t know if he would have the idea of getting a tutor of his own, but I was sure he had something to trade if he wanted one. My legs felt wobbly, a grim reminder of just how helpless I had been. I needed to learn to defend myself before it was too late.

“Yes, sir,” I said. “I’m willing.”

“Very good,” Master Falladine said. “Make sure you eat as much as possible at dinnertime, then report to my office at sunset. We will begin at once.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, again. I would need to sneak to the office - I had no doubt that nasty rumours would start the moment Cemburu realised where I was going - but that wouldn’t be hard. I had no pressing engagements after dinner. The very thought was absurd. I had no friends at school and I wouldn’t ever, unless I proved myself. “I’ll be there.”

And I was. Master Falladine, true to his word, drilled me thoroughly in defensive magic, teaching me dozens of little tricks to get the best out of my growing powers and how to speed up my reactions when I was under threat. He showed me how to cast shields, then hit them with charms and curses to shatter them, then taught me how to discard a breaking shield or even turn it into a weapon. I had never considered the advantages of turning fragments of magic into projectiles, but it was clear it worked very well. The wave of sharp-edged magic could cut through almost anything.

“Don’t try to block a spell if you can evade it,” Master Falladine instructed, after hitting me with a charm that shattered my shield and threw me back against the wall. “Getting into a trial of strength with a stronger magician is a losing game. He will batter you down with naked force and then do whatever he wants to you.”

I glowered. “Is Cemburu really that strong?”

Master Falladine shot me a sarcastic look. “Do you think he’ll be your only challenger?”

I scowled as I wiped the sweat from my forehead. He was right. I had seen advanced students joshing each other for position and even junior magicians challenging their seniors. I had even heard a rumour that a magician had come to Whitehall to challenge Bernard for the school, although nothing seemed to have come of it. Magicians liked testing themselves against their peers, even at the cost of their lives or reputations. Cemburu might be a pain, but he was also very low in the hierarchy. My next challenger might prove a tougher case.

You have to beat the first challenger first, I thought. It was rare for older students to try to put the younger ones in their place, but if I beat Cemburu they might try to put me in mine. Worry about next challenger after that.

Master Falladine cast another spell at me. I dodged, raised my wand and tossed a spell back. The tutor nodded approvingly and then cast a second spell. My fingers twitched, dropping the wand. I grabbed for it, too late. His third spell sent me tumbling to the ground.

“You have to work on wandless casting,” Master Falladine said, bluntly. “If you succeed, you’ll be able to give him one hell of a surprise.”