Page 3 of Sword & Sacrifice

Medic Chesna took one look at him, her most frequent patient, and hissed in a sharp breath. “What did he do this time?” she asked, retrieving salve and bandages from her supplies.

“Skipped class.” Valerian sat down on her cot, exposing his back to her.

“And Hornick punished you for that alone? He should know by now it only encourages that damn brat to keep acting out.”

Valerian’s lips quirked in amusement. Then his smile fell and he said in a small voice, “If someone hears you talking like that …”

“I know,” she murmured, “but you won’t tattle on me, will you?” She came around to look at him, her eyes crinkled in a mischievous, secretive amusement.

He grinned and shook his head, then crossed his heart to promise. The movement pulled on his wounds, and he clenched his teeth against a new wave of pain.

Chesna returned to her careful ministrations. The salve cooled the burning pain and numbed his back. The bandages were more annoying, constricting his movements, but he was used to such things. Once she finished, he put his shirt back on and hopped off the cot.

She watched him, eyes filled with silent pity. “You should rest.” From her tone, she already knew he wouldn’t.

“If I go back now, I can catch the end of the lesson.” Being present to take Maksim’s punishments was all that allowed Valerian to receive the same education as a future lord. It was supposed to teach Maksim empathy and prove that even if he did not personally experience the consequences, someone else would. Afterwards, Maksim always pretended to be contrite, perhaps behave for the rest of the day, but over time his ‘mistakes’ increased in severity.

Valerian wasn’t sure if Maksim was testing how far his tutors would go to punish someone else in his place, or if he wanted to drive Valerian out. Either way, he wouldn’t give his bully the satisfaction of breaking first.

He returned to the schoolroom and sat at his desk. His notes were crumpled, as if someone had rifled through them, but neither the tutor nor Maksim acknowledged his presence. Hornick was in the middle of explaining the government of Percosa and how the voting system worked. Valerian picked up his quill and began writing. Though he had missed a good portion of the lesson, he could fill in the gaps later. One of the privileges of his position was full access to Krasna Manor’s library.

A knock on the door interrupted Hornick mid-sentence. His brow furrowed and he called, “Come in.”

The door opened and Lord Endre strode into the room.

“Father!” Maksim leapt up from his seat, launching himself into his father’s arms. It was the first time Lord Endre had been home in over a month.

“How are you, my boy?” the lord asked, grinning down at his son. He patted Maksim’s back a few times, then pulled out of his grasp. “I need to speak with Valerian for a moment.”

Maksim’s face scrunched up with hatred as he glared at Valerian.

Even the tutor seemed surprised by the request. Recovering himself, he bowed and said, “Of course, my lord.”

Valerian looked mournfully at his unfinished notes. At this rate, he’d have to spend all night in the library to catch up. Suppressing a sigh, he followed the lord into the hall, hoping he wasn’t about to be informed of some horrible infraction Maksim had committed that Valerian would now need to be punished for.

Lord Endre guided Valerian to his office and gestured for him to sit down in the visitor’s chair. “I’d like to discuss an opportunity with you,” the lord explained as he took the other seat. Clasping his hands on top of the desk, he looked Valerian in the eye, like an equal, conveying the seriousness of this conversation. “How do you feel about magic?”

Valerian’s brow furrowed. “Magic?”

“Yes, magic.”

“I don’t know,” Valerian replied slowly.

Tutor Hornick never discussed magic, no matter how many times the young master begged for stories. He’d always said: “I like to focus on practical lessons, not the nonsense of charlatans.”

“An acquaintance of mine is looking for new students,” Lord Endre explained. “Magic is a long, arduous study. It takes years to learn the basics, and decades to master a discipline. It is not for the weak of mind or heart.”

Valerian stared at him, not sure why they were having this discussion. As young as he was, he understood that such an apprenticeship would come at a great expense. Although his position at Krasna Manor provided him with room and board, he didn’t receive a salary. He wasn’t even sure how he would be paid. One copper piece for every whip lash? I could afford an estate this size by the time I’m sixteen.

When it became clear Valerian wouldn’t say anything, Lorde Endre said, “I recommended you.”

“Why?”

The lord’s lips quirked in a smile. “I thought it might suit you.”

“I don’t have a way to pay for it.”

“I am prepared to sponsor you. Do you understand what that means?”