Chapter 02

Family Descent

Book One �" Divergence

Part I �" Novices

Chapter 02

March 1657

 

            Marya, the matriarch of the growing Imiriss clan, stood at one of the many windows set within the outside walls of her private salon. The many paned windows were flanked by long velvet drapes in rich royal blue. The windows themselves were fastened tight. She looked out upon the grounds of the academy, past its outer wall and down the mountainside to Orlon below. The expanse was filled with fields and trees just now beginning to prepare for spring with delicate pale green buds reaching out tentatively for the sun that was hidden behind a thick lowering of cloud. Yet, a chill wind still came down from the mountain slopes high above the academy grounds which were built upon a natural shelf within the mountain face. She glanced up at the sky.

            “I think eld Greuban was correct;” she said referring to the chief gardener who had long tended the academy grounds. “It may indeed snow this night.” The breath of her words misting the chill pane.

            “He has natural gift does eld Greuben.” Replied her husband, Korbin, from where he sat on the rose colored settee in front of the crackling fireplace. He lifted his eyes from the pages of the book he was reading and looked over his shoulder to Marya. He saw her standing by the window arms crossed in front of her seemingly hugging her old shoulders. “Come sit with me by the fire, beloved.” He called to her. She turned to look at him, and brushing a stray lock of golden hair from her eyes she moved across the room with a grace seldom seen among mortal women. The many folds of her russet colored gown swished softly as she moved around the settee. She settled on to the sofa beside Korbin, curling her legs beneath her.  She leaned against him as he set the book aside and plucked a soft black and silver fur blanket from a nearby carved wood chair. He spread the blanket and laid it over her. He then put his arm around her and she settled even further against his chest.

            “Tell me, then, what troubles your thoughts.” He asked. Her fingers moved across and she began to fidget with one of the silver buttons that adorned the grey brocade vest he wore. “I am just thinking of the children �" of Korrie and Iyara most of all. In but a few short weeks they will be on their own. I wonder did we prepare them well enough for what lay ahead in the world without.” He did not reply right away and she looked up into his eyes that were the same steely grey color as his vest.

            “I cannot say.” He answered at last. “It would not be possible to give them, in advance, the answers to all that they will face. We can only teach them how to find the answers themselves. In that, I believe we’ve done the best we are able, which is all any parent can do.”

            “Aye, well, you have experience at least. You’ve two grown children already with families of their own.” She said and returned to fidgeting with the silver button. She felt his chest rise and fall beneath her cheek with a light chuckle.

            “Therein lies no guarantee.” He said. “Every child is different and each has special needs. Look to our own brood. Three sets of twins and not one is like unto the other. Korrie who would become a sagacious mage and Iyara preparing to become a priestess of Ilmatar, one is bemused by the differences.” Korbin felt his wife nod against his chest.

            “And Tholin and Miranda,” she added. “Tholin is an adventurer born who will no doubt spend his days roaming the roads looking for wrongs to right while Miranda already has grand plans for marriage to a wealthy, handsome, charming lord.”

            “And Travis and Janev?” he asked. “What the most recent pair?”

            “Ah, well, there may be the counter to your point.” she said sitting up straight and then reaching for her forgotten glass of wine set upon the white and gold marbled topped table before the fire. “Travis and Janev are like two peas in a pod; willful, charming, full of guile and wile. Where their roads will lead them, it’s too soon to tell.”

 

            Marya sipped at her wine which shimmered and reflected the ruddy fire in its ruby red depths and pondered the fire for a long while. Korbin knew the thoughts that troubled her most of all but he would let her voice her concerns in her own time.

            “Will Korrie be safe and well?” She asked at last. She turned to face her husband setting the glass back down on the table while doing so. “He is so very ill, it seems. I worry so.”

            “Korrie is a remarkable young man.” Korbin answered sincerely. “In spite of his condition he has a brilliant intellect and a true gift for the art. Will he always be well? It is a question I cannot answer, although I know that there is no history of anyone succumbing to the Syndrome. He has done exceedingly well despite the illness.” He reached over and took his wife’s hand and held it tenderly and held her gaze. “I believe he will succeed in life far beyond any of our expectations.”

            “Oh I do hope so. I do so hope.” Marya answered. Korbin smiled softly and saw his expression mirrored in her gold-hued eyes.

            “Too, Shala’s plan is sound. I think he will do well in Chevranta. Among the elves and in their tranquil city, his mind will be at ease. He will learn much from Estarin.” Korbin added to assure his wife.

            “Shalhanna has nothing but wonderful things to say of Estarin.” Marya agreed knowing that the academy’s headmistress and long time friend of the family would not have suggested the apprenticeship if she had not truly believed it would benefit Korrie.

            “He did well enough by Shala.” Korbin answered, for indeed, the elven Archmage Estarin pa Laniirast had apprenticed Shalhanna herself ages past.

            “He did indeed.” Marya replied. She then stood up from the settee setting the fur throw aside and picking to the two empty glasses from the table. She went to a cupboard made from fine dark-stained oak and fronted with glass doors. She set the glasses down on the cupboards base and opened the door to retrieve the decanter of wine. It was a rich, ruby colored wine with a delicate floral palette that came from the vineyards of Vintner Island far to the south in Genyar. She refilled both glasses and replaced the decanter.

            “Are all preparations for the graduation celebration settled?” Korbin asked Marya as she returned to the settee bearing the two full glasses.

            “Yes. It will be a lovely, but simple dinner.” She answered. “I have invited Lovac Kitaar to come for the celebration.”

            “Splendid!” said Korbin, “Did you invite his harp as well?” The right corner of his mouth turned up in a mischievous grin. She slapped him playfully on the shoulder. She glanced over his shoulder outside the window, the winter-dim sun was setting and darkness was fast falling. In the light of the fire she studied him silently for many moments. His deep set grey eyes, the jet-colored hair that tumbled to his shoulders in soft wavy curls. The strong jaw, back up to his brows that arched gracefully like raven’s wings. She raised a delicate fingered hand to his cheek.

            “Dinner will be ready in an hour or so.” She declared while looking into his eyes. He took her hand with his and brought it to his lips. He kissed the fingertips gently. Then he drew her into his embrace once more.

            “In an hour or so he repeated.” As he pulled the fur throw over them she nestled into the crook of his arm, her head resting on his chest. Outside the window, flakes of snow began to softly fall.