Techromancy Scrolls: Adept (7 page)

I was about to say something, I'm not sure what but Celeste beat me to it. She chuckled, “But she has already proven herself in battle. She took down as many marauders as a Knight of the Realm did in that same battle. She yet stands and Sir Bowyn is recovering from wounds suffered. She has shared in the spoils of that battle. I think that more than qualifies her. And she is no child, she has reached the age of majority just as I had two years hence.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me and I blushed.

He nodded and then looked at me and I broke eye contact with her. He asked, “Would that be more acceptable in the stead of the stockade and being spirited out of the realm? It would be a shame to lose someone with your potential.” He looked around the floor as he said the last part.

I looked back and forth between the two. My mind was reeling. Trying to process this. They wanted me to become a squire, a Knight ascendant? Me? Laney Herder? I would be beholden to an angel? Wait, squires live in the quarters of the Knight and their families live in the castle with the servants unless they had a manor. They would want for nothing. Even if I was losing my own freedoms to dictate my own life, it would be worth it for mother and Jace to be cared for.

I opened my mouth to accept but what came out instead surprised me, “My potential?”

He chuckled seeing my own shock at my question. “Yes. What I just witnessed from a newly ignited Techromancer was not normal. He grabbed something off the floor and held it behind his back. “What is the object I am holding made of? Copper or iron?”

I looked at him and Celeste looked intrigued too, she said, “Just concentrate, try to touch it with your mind.” I nodded and tried to feel it.

I was getting frustrated because I didn't know how. That frustration caused the heat to rise inside me again as my eyesight started changing. I tried to channel it like I did with my crystal. I smiled as I could taste it. I squinted in confusion. “It does not taste like copper, nor steel. It is not the blue of iron, nor the yellow of copper. It is a pale pink.”

I remembered that color from when I was scavenging the prior morning there was an infinitesimal amount of it in the conveyance but there was a lot of it in his hand. I grasped it in my mind, trying to understand it and it leapt up out of his hand and hovered above him as two other items on the floor joined it.

He was grinning like a madman and said, “Those items all contain platinum.” He bent and grasped a small item into his fist and cocked his eyebrow at me. My eyes flared and I was seeing orange from his hand and I shrugged, “That is even different, I am seeing orange.” As I said it another object jumped up and I looked at it. It was a gold coin. I smiled and blurted, “Gold!” He opened his a hand and there was a gold coin that hopped into the air and started orbiting the other one.

He was still grinning. “How many metals can you see around us?”

I looked around it was a rainbow of colors. The items that had all started orbiting themselves fell to the ground as I lost focus on them. I murmured, “There are so many.” Then I glanced up and staggered, to be held up by Celeste's firm hand. I was inundated by so many colors and tastes from above it made me dizzy. I grabbed my head and closed my eyes, there was too much screaming at me. I gasped, “There's too much up there.” What was stored above his office? That would be the back of the library by the vaults.

Celeste was saying, “Just breathe through it, block it out and pick just one thing and concentrate on it.” I looked up and met her eyes. I calmed quickly.

The Prime Techromancer looked too chipper as he hopped up to sit on his desk again. “Now young Laney. Can you feel the electricity flowing through the remaining lights?”

I looked at him and smirked. “You make fun of me now sir. Nobody can feel...” I paled, I could feel the steady stream of power being fed through the bulbs, it felt similar to the feel of my magic, only... different.

He laughed at my expression as Celeste furrowed her brow at him. He said to me with a jovial tone, “Congratulations Laney, you just became far too valuable for the Duke to ever spirit away. You are now one of the five known Adepts in all the realms of the habitable lands.” Then he added, as my mind reeled, “What are the odds of one Keep spawning two in the same century?”

Celeste was supporting me. She looked to be in shock too. “An Adept? Truly father?”

He chuckled at her this time, “Have you known a Techromancer to be sensitive to more than two or three metals, and electric power?”

She was shaking her head as she looked at me and a smile slowly grew on her face. My own mirrored hers as I couldn't help but smile at hers. Then she asked cutely, “So Laney. What do you say? Be my squire?”

I was nodding stupidly trying to process everything. She hugged me. “Grand! We will get with the Duke and should make it official in the next day or two.” I nodded again numbly, trying to fight down the rush of heat and excitement of being in her arms.

I jumped when the Prime Techromancer clapped his hands together and prompted. “Great! Now that we have averted a travesty. Celeste said that you had information you wished to share with a scholar?”

I blinked. Oh. I nodded and he said, “Grand!” and I tried to remember why I needed to speak with a scholar, my mind wasn't working until Celeste released me. I smiled and began.

Getting over my prior fright at the thought of sharing what I had learned with someone of Donovan's stature. I smiled and said quickly, “Lady Celeste and I discovered an artifact yesterday that shows they used road signs in the Before Times. It...” I paused, in all the pandemonium I had forgotten about the road sign. I frowned.

Celeste prompted, “What is it Laney?”

I shrugged and said quietly, almost embarrassed, “I never got paid for the post. I ummm... before I...”

She smiled broadly. “I'll be sure to make sure you get a fair price, it was your find.”

I took a quick breath then looked to the Techromancer, he had his attention fully on me. “It was a steel post with three aluminum signs on it. One was octagonal that said 'stop', a rectangular one had no pigments remaining but it was embossed with 'dead end', then...” I smiled hoping I was clever. “...a long rectangular one was mostly unreadable but on a green background in white letters it read 'lane'. Marking a road.”

He was nodding with an unreadable expression. “Yes, we have seen many such markers.” My shoulders fell, well of course they have, why would I think I discovered something new? He smiled softly at me. “Don't despair about it. It helps solidify scientific theories. The more empirical evidence we can gather about any hypothesis, serves to prove that hypothesis out as fact. It is how science works. You just gave yet another example, farther solidifying our observations.”

Then he tilted his head, “Your enthusiasm over discovery is commendable and you had come up with the same hypothesis as others, but now I have proved out your hypothesis for you. We have helped each other in a scientific manner.”

My hand was outlining the metal emblem in my pocket. I felt silly now. He made me feel better about my uneducated enthusiasm, but I figured they already knew the other thing I wished to share. He was watching my hand keenly, reading me. “There was more?”

I looked at him, trying to figure out if he were teasing or mocking, but he seemed genuinely interested and not condescending. I nodded slowly as I pulled the emblem out of my pocket and rubbed it with my fingers. “You probably already know this too. I thought I was clever when I found this on an old conveyance I unearthed.”

I handed it to him and said, “It says mustang and has a carving of a horse. I had assumed that the wizards of the Before had named their conveyances after horses. It made sense to me since they would have replaced the horses with the machines.”

I paused at the look on the man's face. His eyes were glittering and he seemed to be full of nervous energy suddenly. His voice was full of excitement and mischief, “I think you may be right young Laney! Would you like to prove your hypothesis out with me?”

My jaw dropped, I was stunned. Not only did he seem like he was surprised by my assumption, he wanted to help me prove it out... like a scholar? Celeste was smiling at me at my reaction. I nodded and he hopped to his feet. “Grand! Follow me girls.” He flicked the emblem into the air toward me with his thumb and I caught it.

I just stood there watching them walk toward the door. Celeste looked back and grinned and stepped back to me and looped her arm in mine and dragged me along. Her voice was cheerful, “Come along my squire, we have science to do.”

I blushed and we followed the excited man. I felt warm inside. We caught up with Donovan as we walked briskly up a sweeping curved stone staircase to the next level and I froze and pulled out of Celeste's grip when the big man stopped at the huge arched oak doors at the entrance to the great library of the Techromancy Scrolls.

I stepped back and the Prime Techromancer looked down at me in concern. “What is it child?”

I felt all the blood drain from my face. Celeste stood in front of me and locked eyes with me but spoke to her father. “When she was young, she snuck into the library. The magistrate had her flogged at the whipping post. She still bears the scars.”

He shook his head and looked as though he had just eaten something sour. Then knelt in front of me, at my eye level and held a hand out to me. “Nobody will punish you. You are my guest. Besides, are you not now a Knight ascendant?” I paused then took the man's offered hand, mine looked like a doll's in his huge hand.

He smiled at me then stood. He raised a hand and I tasted magic... blue... iron magic. The great doors swung open on their huge iron strap hinges. Then he led me in, my mouth hanging open as I took in the rows upon rows of huge bookcases that reached high into the vaulted ceiling space. Sweeping staircases, and rolling ladders. There were rows of long tables in the middle, made of a rich dark wood I had never seen before, and chairs with cushions in the violet and emerald colors of Wexbury. I had though to never see this glorious sight again.

He paused a few steps in and let me turn slowly in a circle, looking up, trying to take it all in. I glanced away to see the Prime Techromancer and his daughter were looking at me with a fascination of their own. I crossed my arms over my chest, hugging my shoulders self consciously, and looked down.

Donovan said in a faraway voice, “I often forget that reaction to the Library. I miss my own wonder of it. Maybe I should take the time to remind myself how blessed I am to be in the presence of all this knowledge. One shouldn't get so used to something or they take it for granted.”

I glanced back up and he smiled then turned back to the shelves, I couldn't stop a smile at Celeste's own smile, and I dropped my arms.

He tapped a finger to his lips like he were trying to recall something. Then he did a combination exhale and sigh of surrender and yelled, “Emily?!” His voice echoing in the huge space.

The two scholars that were busily copying pages of crumbling tomes to fresh parchment, and a younger man who had been using magic to restore what he could on a particularly rotted and damaged tome, all stood up when they saw us and scurried for the door like rats running from a cat. All bowing their heads in respect in Donovan's direction.

He huffed a moment then murmured, “Where has that woman gotten to now?”

Someone cleared their throat and we all swung around to look at the positively tiny woman standing right behind the large Techromancer. She was impeccably dressed in a tunic and long skirt that rivaled the garb of a noble. She had calfskin shoes on, that looked so soft I wanted to touch them, but there was something on the sole of the shoes. At first I thought it to be a thin black board but the way she bounced on her toes like she had too much energy, showed they flexed just like canvas.

She had long blonde hair, that even braided, hung down to the back of her knees. And she wore something on her face. Two round glass lenses that looked like the ones in my spyglass in my tool pouch. They were held in place by intricately carved, graceful strands of silver that held them to her nose and looped behind her ears.

Whatever they were, they made her look, I don't know, studious, and oddly alluring. They made her cobalt blue eyes pop on her young face. I'd guess she was fifteen or sixteen if it weren't for the wisdom of someone in their mid to late twenties reflected in her eyes. It may have been that she was so small, it gave the illusion of youth. Not many adult women were shorter than me, but she was a good half hand shorter than myself.

Then she spoke in a clear musical tone, “Why are you being so loud in my library you blustering lout? And why did you chase off the scholars before they could refile their tomes? I should have you refile them.”

He sputtered, “I didn't... they... you...”

She shook her head and rolled her eyes then looked over at me and her smile bloomed, then she waved him off as she took me and my attire in, “You've brought me a helper?” I was stunned. This tiny woman was talking to the Prime Techromancer like he were a child.

He tried to take control of the conversation before Celeste burst into the laughter I could see her fighting off valiantly. He said in a controlled tone, “Emily. Please, I have a guest.”

The woman looked up at him with an amused look on her face and prompted toward me with her eyes. He stood tall, perhaps to intimidate the woman who was barely over half his height, and said imperiously. “Emily, Matron of the Library, please meet Laney Herder. Or should I say, Squire Laney, Knight Ascendant, from the house of Celeste.”

I didn't know what to do so I curtsied low and kept my eyes down. I probably looked like a fool. She comically crouched and cocked her head up to look into my eyes. “Whatcha doin' down here Squire?” Then she put a finger on my chin and applied upward pressure as she stood, bringing my head up so we looked into each others eyes. “There, that's better.” Then she let go of my chin and thrust out a hand. “None of that Matron stuff Donovan is throwing around. Call me Emily.” Then after a dramatic pause, she added in a dangerous tone, “Or else...”

The serious look she shot me had me gulping until she suddenly burst out into a giggle and clapped her hands close to her chest at my expression. I smiled nervously then shook her hand. “Just Laney please... Emily.”

Then the Prime Techromancer cleared his throat. “Emily, I was just wondering where the tomes about the conveyances of the Before were again.”

She looked at him then pointed over at a row of little drawers in a huge oak cabinet, then she looked back at him and cocked an eyebrow. She sighed in frustration and said, “I don't even know why I indexed every item in the library if nobody is going to use it.”

He tilted his head and gave her a warm smile, “It is because we all know, you know where every single item is. Nobody has a better memory than you.”

She glowed at the compliment and said in a way that didn't sound snobbish. “That is true you sweet talker.” Then she squinted at him and poked him in the side and said, “You're all skin and bones. When was the last time you got your nose out of the scrolls and ate properly?”

She reached over to a bowl of fruit and cheeses that were on the nearest long table, and I realized all of the tables had similar bowls on them. She jammed it in his gut. “Eat!”

He looked sheepish and then took a fruit that was small and orange, like a peach, only it looked to have a tough rind on it. He said, “Yes Emily.”

I was grinning at how she handled the second most powerful man in the realm. But glurked when she thrust the bowl toward me. “You too, you look positively starved Laney.” I blinked first at her, then the bowl that had so many fruits and cheeses. The smells alone had me salivating. I looked up at Celeste and she gave me an enthusiastic thrust of her chin to the bowl.

I clenched my hands. “I couldn't. I'd feel guilty I didn't share with my brother and mother.”

She cocked an eyebrow expectantly and she blurted, “Take some for them too. You can't endeavor in intellectual pursuits in my library if you are hungry, it distracts you from assimilating knowledge properly.” I looked around at the three then timidly took a red apple, I had only ever had green ones. She tapped her toe then I took a peach and one of those strange orange fruits and slipped them into my pockets. The odd one indeed felt like it had a rind like a watermelon. She still held the bowl out, so I took a cube of cheese and put it in my mouth.

As I moaned, I thought seriously about marrying the cheese and having its children as it melted in my mouth. She grinned happily and placed the bowl back on the table. Another apple unexpectedly shot out from under her arm. She had thrown it cross-ways, and Celeste caught it deftly with one hand.

The Knight grinned cheerily at the little woman and took a big bite, while Emily smiled like a pleased chipmunk and she chirped out, “Your reflexes never cease to amaze me Celeste.”

Then Donovan cleared his throat again and Emily waved him off, “Aisle G8 fourth unit, third shelf from the top. There are ten original tomes, one restored, and two hand copied duplicates. They are low on the priority list so the others will not be restored for some time still.”

Donovan leaned way down and kissed the woman's cheek. “As always, you are amazing. Thank you.”

She grinned at him then winked at me, “The old man is a flirt.”

He actually blushed then tried to regain his wits. “Enough of this, we are performing science here.” They shared a smile and we were apparently off as Celeste was dragging me along with them.

I called back as I was pulled along, “It was nice meeting you Emily.”

She just smiled and bobbled her head cutely. She was possibly the most adorable woman I had ever met. You just had an urge to hug her and keep her safe. She was apparently scary smart too.

I looked up at Celeste, “Does she really know where every item in the library is?”

She nodded seriously. “That woman has a perfect memory. Not only does she know where everything is, but she can recite every tome and scroll she has ever read, or repeat any conversation she has ever had in her entire life, word for word. She befriends everyone and she's simply lovable. She has every man in the castle, like father, literally eating out of her hand as you saw.” I smiled at that, I understood the effect.

Donovan was ignoring what we were talking about. His hands were absently peeling the thick rind off that fruit as we walked in one long strip. The smells that hit me were pungent, like nothing I had ever smelled. It was a sweet acidic smell. He was mumbling, “E9, F1...” I looked at the rows of shelves and realized they had brass letters hanging on the end of each. They were numbered and were going up as we walked.