"Gently now, Afelnor," whispered Crohn, "let the power trickle out of you. The spell-casting was perfect; now you just need to control its application."
Grimm felt veins standing out on his forehead from the effort. He clenched his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut, as he fought to hold in the torrent of power that threatened to burst from him. Even with his eyes closed, the Sight showed him all that he needed to do.
Gently, gently…
With a blue flash, the carefully-constructed building flew apart, as the Neophyte lost control of his tempestuous inner energies. "I am sorry, Lord Mage," he gasped. "I could not hold it in any longer." Pasteboard cards fluttered around the room like so many butterflies: some slightly scorched; some bent; and others torn.
"You managed four levels, Afelnor," Crohn said. "That is excellent. Tomorrow, we will attempt to complete the entire card house."
We, thought Grimm. Does Crohn intend to share the load with me? I don't think so!
"Very well, Afelnor," Crohn said, after careful appraisal of his pupil. "I think you have done all you can for today. Your reading tonight: Frubel and Squorn, chapter thirteen, section four. 'Spells of Levity in the first form; extended application with regard to multiple objects'. Read carefully what is said about the partition of power. Go and have something to eat, and we will talk again tomorrow. Well done."
Grimm bowed, and trudged off to the Refectory, alone and exhausted, as he often was these days. Once he had learned to pattern his mind to a spell and to link his power to the spell, he had thought he was well on the way to mastery, but that demon lurking within him was so hard to control.
No wonder, he thought, that it takes so long for a Neophyte to become a mage. I've spent four months toiling over a single spell, and I still can't control it properly. Nevertheless, now that he was performing real magic at last, he felt elated. He was doing something the majority of people would never understand. He felt a keen pang of joy at the moment that he harnessed his power, and released it into a perfectly-cast spell.
"Do sit down, Crohn," Thorn said, with easy bonhomie. "How go your Neophytes these days?"
"The boy, Hunar, shows a rare talent for projection," replied the Senior Magemaster. "He should make an excellent Reader. Koni has some problems with patterning, but he appears to have some ability with Healing. Empathy, you know."
"And Afelnor?"
Crohn sat in thought for a minute. "He has made remarkable progress in Reading, and he is working so hard to control his power." He is quite good at Healing and Scrying, too. It seems such a waste to use him on the Minor Magics; whilst he can form the patterns and he chants well, he has so much untapped power, and it roils around inside him."
Crohn rubbed his chin and meditated for a few moments before saying more.
"He added a new cadence to the Closure chant without my coaching," he blurted, "which makes the spell equivalent to the major Walling spell in the Discontinuous Surface class. I do not know how he managed to do this; it took me five years to learn that spell. I have been careful not to let him try it out yet, but the principle appears unassailable; Scholar Geban is looking at it in his spare time, and he seems quite impressed.
"Last week, I was called away unexpectedly. On my return, he was controlling his feather without words; Afelnor said he could form the pattern without the need for any chant. I chided him for practising in my absence, but I feel that the Minor Magics cannot suffice for long. I have no idea as to his limits. The level of energy within him is, quite frankly, frightening."
"A Questor, do you think? Is it possible?" asked Thorn, leaning forward in sudden, eager interest.
"Perhaps… perhaps. It has been a long time. If only I could be sure."
"He has self-control?"
"Like iron, Lord Thorn. But the Ordeal is no minor matter, as you know well, and the risks are great."
"Nobody knows that better than I do, Crohn. But we need new Questor blood. Only Xylox and Dalquist Rufior are available for Guild Quests, and the need is great. High Lodge expects more of us, and it is my duty to explore all possible avenues." He sat for a while in contemplation.
"Has he friends?" the Prelate asked.
"Two close friends: one a Neophyte Scribe, the other showing signs of a strong calling to Illusionism. Afelnor is on good terms with most of the other boys, and he shows no signs of loneliness. He also gains great solace from spending time in the Library."
"That will make it easier," Thorn said, nodding. "You will arrange for Afelnor's Ordeal from this day. It means extra work for you, of course. Are you up to the task?"
Crohn spoke with a touch of pride. "I may be old, Guildmaster, but I am still strong. I have never trained a Questor before, but if you are certain that it is necessary for the good of the House, I will try."
His face darkened. "But I feel for the boy."
"A Questor, Crohn!" Thorn pounded his fist on the desk. "A Questor; a true weapon of the Guild! Personal feelings must not interfere with this; you must start his Ordeal at once."
"Lord Thorn," Crohn said, a concerned expression on his face, "Remember what happened to Urel and Garan. This boy could be ten times as destructive. His power is phenomenal."
Thorn leant forward, steepling his hands under his chin. "Magemaster Crohn, I order you to look for any incipient insanity in the boy. Watch him like a hawk. Nonetheless, I-we-need another Questor. The prestige of the House is at stake. I deplore cruelty as much as any man, but our need is too great to ignore."
Crohn struggled with his emotions. He was a mage of the old school, loyal to his House and his Prelate unto death, and refusal of a direct order from his superior mage was unthinkable; the House came first.
"Do you suggest any levers for me to use, Lord Prelate?" Crohn sighed in a resigned tone, hating himself for what he would be required to do.
"You should be able to do something with his grandfather's name. Forbid him access to the Library. Work him to the bone. Spread enmity. You remember how Arrol trained Rufior? He has turned out to be an excellent Questor. Break down the boy's defences. He will thank you for it when he is Acclaimed.
"Remember; if you help a chick from its egg, it will never attain its full strength. Always bear that in mind. You will need to be cruel, but the pain you feel will be worth bearing, and Afelnor will benefit also. Start today. You may go."
Thorn began to leaf through his papers: the audience was at an end. Crohn left the office with a heavy step; this would not be easy.
"Afelnor, it has come to my attention that you have been spending too much time in the Library: time which you might more profitably spend in the pursuit of your studies. This privilege is suspended. As a Neophyte, you should be above such trivialities."
Grimm felt puzzled and aghast. "What is the reason for this, Lord Mage?"
"Do not dare to question my instructions, Neophyte! You do not need to know the reason, Afelnor. Just do as you are told.
"It has also been noticed that you are spending some time with another Neophyte, Forutia, at a crucial time in his training and yours. You are also consorting with Neophyte Gaheela, who is a distracting influence upon you. I understand that you have even been seen gambling with cards! This is forbidden, as you well know.
"I have chosen to assume that this was a passing phase until now, but I will henceforth apply the full rigour of the Rules. You will not consort with these boys again. Do you understand? I might point out that, in the absence of Uric, the scullery boy, Master Chef Margus needs some more help. Do I make myself abundantly clear? Either you will cease to associate with these boys or I may decide that your vocation does not lie in this Art."
Grimm shrank from the Magemaster: Crohn's ire was terrific.
"Now, I regret, it seems that we must return once more to the Levity spell. You have not mastered some aspects of this simple spell to my satisfaction. Doubtless, the distractions of which I have spoken have dulled your mind. The only other explanation is that you regard such basic matters as beneath you. Deeper and longer study is necessary if you are to make progress as a Neophyte Reader. Attention to details is the mark of a true Reader."
Grimm's heart sank. Did Crohn see his future as a Reader only? So much for his dreams of higher callings! Allied to this, he had felt sure that his command of the spell of Levity in all its forms was faultless, and this brought bitter disappointment.
He fought to cover his deep chagrin. "Thank you, Lord Mage, for your guidance," he said, eyes downcast. "I will try my very hardest, and I apologise deeply for my slackness."
"So, you admit to laziness," sneered Crohn. "That must stop, and stop now! Evidently, any zeal that you may have had needs to be renewed. So, let us begin once more; perhaps it would be best to revert to Basic Runes. Let us see what else you have neglected. Recite!"
"The First Family: Adzh, Karkh, Tekh, Rukh… " Grimm chanted, as he had as a first-year Student. After hour upon hour of faithful chanting, he began to make occasional mistakes, whereupon Crohn would berate him heatedly.
Thus began a life of leaden monotony for Grimm. Worse, and to his mystification, many of the boys in the Scholasticate began to taunt him as "Traitor's spawn", or worse. Some would spit at him as he passed. Some attempted physical violence upon him, and it seemed that a Magemaster only ever intervened if Grimm began to gain the upper hand, where once they had appeared at the first sign of bullying. It was always Grimm who was punished, and never his assailants.
Sly trips, slaps, pushes and so forth became routine, and his former nemesis, Shumal, and his ever-present toady, Ruvin, reverted to their former depredations, never tiring of finding new torments for Grimm, now that he no longer had the protection of Madar or Argand, and now that the Magemasters seemed no longer to care. They took care not to pick on other boys, but Magemaster Faffel had idly mentioned in their presence that the peasant boy Afelnor seemed to have been getting rather above himself, and that he might be all the better for a little lesson in humility. This last was punctuated with a meaningful look at Shumal, who had grinned in understanding. Who was he to refuse a Magemaster's request?
With the Library denied him, Grimm sought out Dalquist on one of his rare visits to the Scholasticate. Dalquist was now a confident, imposing figure of a man, wearing a finely trimmed black beard and blue silk robes. His face was bronzed and his movement confident. Evidently, the life of a Questor agreed with him.
"Questor Dalquist," he said, "I am Neophyte Afelnor. You introduced me to the Library on my second day here."
Dalquist looked a little lost for a moment, and then he slapped his brow as his face cleared.
"Of course!" he cried. "Your name's… Grimm; I remember you now! Why, you're as tall as I am now! I'm so pleased to see that you are still here. How are your studies going?"
"I'm a Neophyte studying to be a Mage Reader, Lord Mage," said Grimm, trying to keep his voice cheerful.
"I do seem to remember telling you that my name is Dalquist. I'm almost sure of it."
The Questor accompanied this with a conspiratorial wink, giving Grimm a flash of the old Dalquist he remembered so well from his childhood.
"I'm sorry, Dalquist," he said with a smile. "I need to ask you some questions, if you don't mind. I have been forbidden the Library and the company of my friends. Now, everybody else has turned against me. Could I have done something wrong without knowing it, something for which I'm being punished?"
Dalquist spoke slowly: "Have you done well in… in your Reading studies, Grimm?"
The Neophyte shrugged. "Magemaster Crohn used to be quite complimentary to me," he said with a sigh. "The only time he looked unhappy was when I levitated my feather without using the usual chant. He also looked disturbed when I suggested an improvement to one of the Minor Magics to make it more powerful. He wasn't too happy but, in the end, he let me try the spell, and it worked; he then congratulated me on finding a new variation. Now, he finds fault in everything I say or do."
Dalquist gave a neutral, noncommittal grunt. "And all these strictures and problems; did they all start at the same time?" Grimm scanned the Questor's face for any sign of comprehension in his older friend, but he saw none. He knew now, of course, that it was considered a serious breach of Guild protocol to use Mage Sight on a Guild Brother without express permission, so he refrained from invoking the skill.
"Yes, Dalquist," he said. "It started almost immediately after Magemaster Crohn was called to visit Prelate Thorn one day. That's why I'm worried that this is some sort of punishment. I once asked Magemaster Crohn if there was any reason for his sudden displeasure, but he punished me for insolence without a word of explanation."
Dalquist's brow furrowed and Grimm could tell that his friend was struggling to find the right words. "Grimm, I… I do think I comprehend your Magemaster's… ill humour towards you. I will tell you that I do not believe that you have committed any grave offence. However, I can and must say no more.
"Since these… penances are evidently your tutor's will, it would seem best if I we do not converse again for some time. I cannot tell you the reasons for this, but suffice it to say that you will understand in time. Work hard and do as you are bidden. Goodbye, Grimm Afelnor, and be of good heart."
Dalquist turned on his heel and rushed off. "Dalquist, wait!" cried Grimm in anguish, but the mage was already out of sight. He had counted on his oldest friend in the Scholasticate but, now, even Dalquist had deserted him. He had not failed to notice that the Questor had even switched into the starchy, formal Mage Speech, as if to exclude him from any kind of intimacy.
Fighting black despair, Grimm heard a mutter of "Traitor's bastard!" as a missile struck him on the shoulder from behind. He whirled to see a group of sneering younger boys, their faces contorted in hateful sneers. He advanced towards them with menace in his eyes, but they ran away.
"Just leave me alone, or you'll regret it!" Grimm yelled to an empty corridor. He felt a great weight on his shoulders as he trudged disconsolately to his monotonous afternoon session with Crohn.
Fighting to keep his voice clear and level, Grimm ran through the spell of Mage Light for the hundredth time that afternoon but, this time, he found it hard to concentrate. The light flickered, but it died rather than bursting into the luminous globe he had produced in his earlier efforts. Once, Crohn would have expressed solicitous concern for Grimm's health, but, this time, the Magemaster slapped him around the face, hard, and he raged at the Neophyte. Grimm was too stunned to speak. Crohn had never raised a hand to him before.
"Is there any point in teaching you anything, you useless ingrate?" the Magemaster screamed. "Did I spend decades mastering a noble art in order to waste my efforts on an untalented, indolent pauper? You can't get the simplest spell right! Doubtless you find these minor incantations beneath the dignity of such a high and mighty magic-user?"
Grimm began to stammer an apology, astonished at the heat of Crohn's ire, but the tirade continued heedlessly for another ten minutes, brutal and unremitting.
"Get out!" Crohn spat at last, "and do not bother to come back until you have some control over yourself! Look at you now, like a dying duck in a thunderstorm! Pull yourself together and apply yourself, or you will find yourself back in the gutter from which you came! Get out of my sight, you pathetic excuse for a Neophyte, and do not even think of returning until you have improved your attitude!"
A few short weeks before, Crohn had encouraged Grimm's least success. Now, the Magemaster jumped on his slightest error with furious zeal. Time and again, Crohn forced the Neophyte to carry out a simple chant, over and over again, until fatigue or hoarseness prompted a mistake, and then he exploded in a towering rage, which often involved physical violence from his hand, his Mage Staff, or from any other convenient nearby object.
The training sessions now became longer and longer, usually ending only after Grimm had finally made a mistake. It seemed to Grimm that Crohn was deliberately trying to force him into error, so he could load yet further toil onto his pupil's shoulders. Grimm now had almost no spare time, due to all the punishments and extra studies Crohn had imposed on him, and he began to dread the start of each new day.
Shumal and his ilk seemed to revel in finding new ways to humiliate and hurt him, and he slunk through the corridors, trying to cling to the shadows.
Months of pain and anguish passed with dreadful lethargy. Now, Grimm could feel his misery pouring out of him like a thick, black, oily smoke that oozed from his every pore and rolled across the floor in all directions. Could nobody else see this? Why couldn't they leave him alone?
Grimm desired nothing more than to be left in peace in his black cloud, but the animosity and abuse continued unabated and, if anything, increased. The young Neophyte often cried himself quietly to sleep at night and then had dreams in which he was possessed by intense, hysterical, racking jags of tears for no apparent reason. His other dreams were strange and unnerving, involving violence against gangs of faceless mannequins, or where he found himself naked in front of a cackling multitude of mocking children.