Chapter 05

Family Descent

Book One �" Divergence

Part I �" Novices

Chapter 05

April 1657

 

            The great hall of the Silverstar Academy usually served the mundane function of a dining hall for the resident students, faculty and staff of the academy. On this particular night, as it did one night every year, it served as the banquet hall for the graduation celebration.

            Mage globes hovering close to the high vaulted ceiling cast a bright glow throughout the hall illuminating the tapestries lining the walls, the masses of fresh cut flowers, the shimmering gold and alabaster place settings, the silver ewers full of wine and fruit juice, the heaping trenchers of gourmet delights and, of course, the formally attired assemblage of celebrants.

            The hall was abuzz with conversation and laughter. At the far end of the room, on a raised dais, were two long tables adorned with brilliant white clothes. On either side of the long narrow fire pit that extended nearly the length of the room, similarly adorned tables were laid out in angled rows allowing all attendants a view of the dais.

            Seated at one of the tables was the headmistress, Shalhanna. A circlet of silver held back waves of raven hair that spilled down her back. A gown of rose red velvet trimmed in silver was low cut across her breast revealing ivory skin and a ruby pendant suspended from a silver chain.

            Beside the headmistress, to her left, was the headmaster, Korbin Imiriss. Korbin was dressed in a white silk shirt over which he wore a midnight blue vest that matched his breeches. The collar of the vest and the seam down the front were embroidered with runes in silver thread. His dark hair fell to his shoulders in soft waves that curled softly at his collar. He wore simple silver torc at his throat. The ends of the torc were fashioned like six pointed stars and met in the front. Silver bracers he wore too and these were etched with arcane symbols surrounding six pointed stars.

            To Korbin’s right sat his wife Marya. Resplendent she was in a gold silk gown that accentuated the cascade of golden hair that was bound in a braid over her shoulder. On her neck was a gold and topaz necklace. The golden yellow gemstones shone like her golden eyes in the light of the mage globes.

            Three more sat at the same table, high ranking members of the faculty they were, each respected and powerful mages in their own right. At the other table, no less fine, were the eight students who, this night, would officially end their days as students of the academy. Among them were Korrie, Iyara and Jonathan Derbin who were the only three students graduating from magecraft curriculum.

            Korrie was dressed in iron grey trews and a full tunic in a darker, storm cloud grey. His short, dark gold hair appeared in its usually state of mild disarray in spiky waves atop his head. He wore around his neck a silver torc. The ends of the torc each formed half of a six-sided star so that when they were brought together at the front they formed a single star. It was a private gift from his parents.

            Iyara sat beside her brother. She wore a simple creamy ivory gown of raw silk. Over the gown she wore a bodice of rich chocolate brown adorned with embroidered roses. A simple silver circlet, little more than a flattened wire, held back her flowing golden tresses. She wore a torc around her neck that was identical to one her twin wore �" also a gift from their parents.

            The remaining tables were filled with students of the academy as well as other faculty and staff members and, in some cases, family members of students who were either graduating or returning home from the summer months between terms.

            Amid the laughter and conversation there were remarks of delight and surprise as staff members brought platters to the table bearing rare delicacies and artfully prepared peasant dishes that reminded everyone of home �" only better.

            In a corner of the hall a small group of musicians filled the air with reels and jigs. A piper and lute player there was and a harpist and bodhrán player too. At times folk would assemble in cleared spaces and dance the jigs and reels.

 

            After the dinner had progressed for an hour or so, Shalhanna stood and moved lightly to the front of the dais. She signaled the musicians and the music ceased. A flurry of beats on the bodhrán signaled all in the hall and the conversation died down as all attention was focused on the dais; all attention that is except for the servants refilling the goblets of all the guests.

            Upon the dais, the headmistress looked out upon the gathering. In her red velvet she held the eye of every person. The ruby on her breast seemed to shimmer in the light of the mage globes and when she spoke it was barely more than a whisper but it carried throughout the room to every ear magically enhanced.

            “We are here on this wonderful eve to celebrate and honor the newest graduates of the SilverStar Academy.” She announced to the assembly. It was met by some applause and several calls of “hurrah” and some banging on tables by the younger students. A smile raised the corners of Shalhanna’s lips and accented the tilt of her smiling emerald eyes.

            “It has been my great pleasure to help guide these younglings through their education and it is with no small sadness of parting that I send them on their way into the wide world beyond these walls.” Then the headmistress reached over and picked up her own freshly filled goblet of wine and raised it up. “A toast, then,” she said to all and turned to face the table where the graduates and all the assembly stood and raised their cups likewise.

            “Let the knowledge and experience you’ve gained within these walls,” Shalhanna said to them, “support your wings, my fledglings, as you soar into a future bright and prosperous and filled with joy.” A brilliant yellow mage globe over the graduates flared to brilliant life as the others dimmed somewhat and the graduates were bathed in a luminous glow. Shalhanna put the golden chalice to her lips and drank the toast while the rest of the celebrants did likewise and then followed with applause and shouts of joy.

            Shalhanna raised her hand for attention and hall quieted once more. With the shimmer of tears in her eyes she said, “Now I give you Korbin Imiriss and his lady wife, Marya who have gifts for each of the graduates.” As Korbin and Marya rose from their seats and came to the front of the dais, Shalhanna slid gracefully back to her seat.

            Korbin stood with Marya and said in his strong liquid baritone. “My lady wife began this custom some years past and we continue this eve. As the graduates from our school make their way into the future we would give them some token to remember their days within these walls and to aid them in the future.” He turned to his wife and all eyes were captured by Marya’s radiance. Her voice, a somewhat husky alto flowed out and among the gathering. She began calling the names of the graduating students naming their field of study, their ambitions for the future and giving them a carefully chosen gift. First there was Galaia, who would enter one of the bard’s colleges for she dreamt of being a poet and Marya gave her a book of fine blank vellum pages bound in brown leather. Too, she received a set of fine gold tipped quill pens and a crystal inkwell.

            Next was Jaras who had studied accounts for he would follow his father in the family’s trading business. Jaras received an abacus made of rosewood strung with silver wire. The counters were carved from precious coral and shell in a variety of colors.

            Reynald studied the heavens for he was curious about the stars and moons other such that lived far above in the crystal spheres. To Reynald Marya gave a simple ebony and brass spyglass with finely crafted crystal lenses. He also received a copy of a well-respected and highly prized book of celestial maps.

            Sara was somewhat older than the other graduates. A mercenary she was before she came to the academy. She studied the various languages of the land in order that she could serve as a translator as well as protector. From Marya she received a gold-hilted dagger set with blue sapphires as the dagger was her weapon of choice and an elven made cloak for traveling.

            Loden’s chosen field of study was healing. The wife of the headmaster presented him with a finely crafted leather satchel that contained the tools of a healer. Also inside the satchel was a small book of herb lore.

            Next was called Jonathan. Marya gave to Jonathan an ancient map of Ilitha for Jonathan had a particular interest in ancient magics and archeology. She gave him a spell book which was empty save for the spells he had already learned at the academy. Bound in dust colored leather it had his name in copper leaf. Lastly she gave him a small wood box that had a ring inside set in velvet. The ring was silver and had a feather design etched around it.

            Finally Korrie and Iyara were called forward and they, like Jonathan received spell books inscribed with the spells they had learned. Korrie’s spell book was iron grey leather with his name in silver leaf, Iyara’s was white leather and her name was spelt out in gold. Each also received a wood box with a ring inside; Korrie’s ring was plain black iron and Iyara’s very tiny silver links, like mail, connected and welded into a ring.

            Those in the assembly using mage sight, and there were a few, saw that the three rings and three spell books all radiated faint magical auras.

When Marya had given the last gift and Iyara returned to her seat, Korbin addressed the celebrants. “Now we have in our presence a talent renowned for his skill. I ask Lovac Kitaar, bard of fame, to share with us his special gift.” Many in the hall gasped in surprise for, indeed, Lovac was famous and while many knew his name, not so many have had the delight of hearing him. Korbin gestured to a corner of the hall where a man sat on a small chair. The man stood and walked into the light.

He was middle aged with mousy brown hair streaked with silver. A Siluth he was, not associated with the mystical druidic bards, but a true entertainer and teller of tales. Galaia did but barely contain herself although she did squeeze Iyara’s arm tightly in pure delight. Lovac wore a silver circlet upon his brow and he was dressed in pale blue trousers and a silver grey silk shirt over which was a bright red vest. Tucked lovingly under his right arm was his small harp.

As Lovac stepped up to the dais, a servant set a three-legged stool near the edge. Lovac sat in the seat and placed the harp in front of him. He looked about the gathered audience who had fallen silent in anticipation. At just the right moment, when some people began to stir wondering if the bard would perform at all, he plucked a single argent string on the harp and its silver note flowed like water around the hall. The he spoke and his baritone voice, smooth as silk from years of training, echoed softly through the hall.

“Fifteen centuries ago, as the age of the telepaths that ruled the world was drawing to an end, a mysterious green-skinned mage from unknown origins arrived at the island of Ispa in Tindoura far to the east at the last stronghold of the telepaths. Many adventures did the Green Mage have in those troubled times including the rescue of dragon hatchling named Alarpatalan. And this is how it did happen.”

Lovac told the tale of the Green Mage and the daring crew of his magical flying ship. While he spoke/sung the tale, his fingers kept apace on the silver harp strings adding drama and sorrow and joy to the telling. He told that the topaz dragon Elmanandrin was an ally of the telepaths of Ispa and when her hatchling was abducted by pirates she communicated with the telepaths asking for help.

            The Green Mage who was on the island at the time with the telepaths took up the call and followed the trail to the pirate island of Taipan. There he and his companions rescued the young dragon from the pirate captain Rayn Corlan.

The tale ended, as do all the legends of the Green Mage, with the mysterious green wizard vanishing from history six months after his arrival. With him went his ship, his companions and the Lady Florin of Ispa. It is believed by many that the Green Mage and his comrades aboard the magic flying ship roam the aether, sleeping an enchanted sleep until once again the world has need and then, they would return.

When the last note was struck and its echoes faded, the hall erupted in cheers and applause. Lovac rose from his seat and bowed to the celebrants. He took up his harp and returned to his seat much to the sorrow of the assembled audience. Korbin then returned to the front of the dais. He raised his arms to the assembly and called out, “Let the festivities resume!” The brilliant white mage globes returned to their full strength and at a gesture from the headmaster, the musicians resumed their tunes.

Long into the night the celebration lasted. More food was had; more wine was drunk; more music played and more reels danced. People laughed, and sang along with the songs they knew. Eventually folk began drifting off to find their beds; some went as couples, some went with the help of friends who had less wine, others went singly.

Korrie lingered until the last had gone for he knew that, even as tired as he was, sleep would elude him as it often did. He walked the length of the long hall still aglow with the mage globes overhead. As he walked he felt, in the back of his head, a twinge of pain and prayed to several gods that it was not another attack coming on. As he passed through the great double doors, streaks of electricity arced between the globes in the great hall. Korrie had closed the heavy doors and moved down the corridor and did not hear as the enchanted glass orbs shattered amidst the sparks and fell in tinkling shards to the floor and tables below.