Serialization: "The Arcane Warrior’s Apprentice" by Roberta Downing: Chapter Thirteen

The Arcane Warrior’s Apprentice
Novel by Roberta Downing
Cover artwork designed by Jerry Langdon

 

Chapter Thirteen

The Great Summoner refused to see RavenDance but granted the audience with Demona. As she walked in she remembered her etiquette and it came natural to her. She kneeled before him.

“Well, my, my. You have changed in a drastic way apprentice. You gained the attention of Arcanos Demonos as a Mentor, you were given your name by your God, you bonded with your circle, you charmed your Information Imp to give you names and other information that he would not have ever revealed to you and lastly- you summoned a Bazatu and a Prince at that far beyond what your level of training should have been able to do.” He said

She was silent and kept her gaze away from his face. She waited.

“Demona, this is the first time in the history of the academy that this has happened with one as young as you. Your armor is no longer armor but your actual skin. You are two years from being able to go out with your Instructor to work toward your journeyman ship yet I have no choice but to send you. There is a war in the far north west of Whalesong. You shall go there. Learn about war and what you can do for the side you choose to serve on. While you are there, you must find the last member of your inner circle; one who is not an arcane but is more than able to protect people should you have to engage in demonic battle in public. And I want you to work with RavenDance on your magics because it is quite evident that the magic has awakened in you. Now, go and make your preparations and congratulations.”

With that she bowed her head and stood up, took her three steps backwards and left the room. RavenDance was waiting just outside the double doors. He wanted to know why she was the only one granted an audience.

“Demona, what happened” asked RavenDance.

“That is Journey man Arcane Warrior Demona if you please” she said with a huge grin on her face. “We are to go to Whalesong and join in the battle there. I must find the last member of my inner circle and I must work with you, RavenDance on my magics as the Great Summoner has said they have come upon me.”

“Well! Congratulations Journey man Arcane Warrioress Demona!” everyone said.

“There will be time for celebration later but now we must all go and make preparations. Damon and Jasper, you should know what I will need. We leave in two days so make ready. Meanwhile I have some letters I must write. I’ll be in my dorm room.”

Demona sat down at her desk and wrote a letter to her mom and dad explaining everything in great bardic flair! She wondered as she wrote the letter if there would always be some part of her that would always be a Singer. She left instructions for them not to tell her brother because she knew he and Satyr were in Whalesong on their journeyman ship and this would finally show Clef that for once in her life, she had actually surpassed him.

She had a lot to do and a short time to do it in. She went to see Jasper to have him update her last will and testament. It is one thing to have a generic one while an apprentice but journeyman ship changes things. A lot.

Demona pondered which side she would join in the war. Would she help defend Whalesong or would she help the invading side. Her brother and his best friend were helping to defend Whalesong and she could so easily aide the other side but in doing so would that really turn the tide and cost two of the people she loved to lose their lives? No, she put that notion out of her head because that would be pride and revenge and she knew neither was useful. And so it was decided.

She went to the magic instructor to be tested at what level she was currently at. He knew that prior to summer vacation, she had only the use of the most basic of magics. He tested her by having her attempt to read the different level magic books. Demona had reached her third circle of magic and thus was given her belt with the appropriate pouches, she purchased her blank spell books that she would need to write the spells down as she learned them and she bought pre written spell scrolls to use in case of emergencies.

Prior to sending the letter home to her parents, she had a miniature portrait pained of herself to include in the parcel. She hadn’t had a lot of time to be able to sit for portraits to send home or to anyone. While sitting to have that done, she thought that instead of taking the most direct route to Whalesong that she would swing down and go into Singerville for a quick visit and then travel north west to reach their destination.

Singerville seemed like a long lost dream of a place she visited once instead of the notion of home. She knew she would be welcome there at any time, that wasn’t the issue. She began feeling like she had no home – that somewhere out there was a place waiting for her to settle into, to have a life and to be what she was.

She studied her spells prior to prayers and going to sleep. This would be the last night in the gods only knew how long that she would have a bed to sleep in. Tomorrow would be tents and the earth underneath her.

In the morning they all mounted their horses and rode to the docks to take the two day trip from the Arcane Island. She loved the trip more now than she did when she took it for the first time. That artic air- it was so comfortable and soothing.

As they arrived in Ashland, she remembered the minstrel Jake who she had given all her bardic things to and written a recommendation for him to attend the bardic academy. She wondered how he was and thought he must not be doing all that well as a bard since he had not written her, which meant he either didn’t care or he couldn’t find out where she was. That now seemed like a life time ago.

They rode for weeks and were finally getting close to Singerville.

“Master RavenDance, would you mind hanging back a few hours and let us ride in alone. I’m interested if anyone will even recognize me.” She said.

“Didn’t you write a letter home?”

“I did write the letter- I just forgot to mail it off. I’ve got it in my satchel.”

“Very well. I’ll camp out here for the night and arrive there in the morning. Is that ok with you journeyman?” He joked. She nodded and off they rode.

They were stopped by the village guard. Each of them handed them their identification papers. Her identification only said Arcane Warrioress Demona, not Bell Singer.

“State your business” he demanded.

“Visiting family.” She said.

“Very well, welcome to Singerville, Arcane Warrioress Demona and your inner circle.”

With that she dismounted, and handed the reigns to her courtesan as did Jasper. Damon took the horses to the stable and was instructed to get them rooms at the inn.

Demona now moved like a master arcane warrior. She headed in to the shopping district of the village to her father’s music shop. She opened the door and walked in. He welcomed her to his shop but without using her name. She browsed around looking at drawing paper, chalk and pencils.

“Arcane Warrioress is there anything I can help you with today?” Jotar asked.

Speaking in the arcane tongue she replied “Do you not recognize me father? A hug would be nice.”

Jotar Singer had a confused look on his face. “I’m sorry arcane warrioress, my daughter is still at the arcane academy, and perhaps you have me confused.”

“No, Dadda, I am your daughter. Your only daughter. You knew me as Bell. I am now known as Demona. Your friend RavenDance will be arriving tomorrow.”

“Oh my goodness Demona! What has happened? You must have had some really intense training and combat to get you looking like that” he said.

“I have graduated to my journeyman ship and have all but one of my inner circle.”

“How did you manage that? You were not supposed to start that for another two years. You know your brother just left for his journeyman ship too.”

“Dadda, please don’t tell him that I am now in the same year as he is. I want to see the surprise on his face when he sees it for himself. Promise me!”

“I promise. You still have me wrapped around your little finger. Perhaps some would see that as a weakness however, I see it as my biggest strength! You should attempt to go see your mother. She’s at the temple for test results from her visit last week.”

Demona walked to the temple of Cwell and entered. She saw her mother sitting in the outside waiting room just before the nave of the temple.

“I’m…I’m sorry but there is no way that someone such as yourself could enter into such a holy place” said one of the priests of Cwell.

Demona had no choice but to play the part, perhaps it was her being in her grandfather’s temple or maybe it was some of that bardic blood that was still within her but she just could not help herself!

Speaking in the common tongue she said “If this was such a holy place would I then be sent back to the ninth plane of hell from whence I came? Perhaps someone has defiled your so called holy place priest.” It was difficult for her to speak in the common tongue now after the time she’d spent at the arcane academy.

The priest held up the holy symbol of Cwell, a golden ornate mandolin. “In the name of the most Holy Cwell, I command you, demon be gone!”

Demona’s mother stood up in a fright. She was literally shaking at the sight of her unbeknownst daughter.

Demona reached out and held the holy symbol and laughed with delight. The poor journeyman priest was now frightened. He couldn’t understand why his deity would not send this beast of hell back to the fiery pit as “unholy” as it was.

“Let me introduce myself priest to put your mind at rest. I am Queen Demona, a journeyman arcane warrior. I’ve come to see the woman awaiting test results.”

“May I inquire the reason you wish to see my patient?” the priest asked.

“I’m sorry I can’t discuss that with you as this is arcane business. I do hope you can forgive me and understand. I am truly sorry for any inconvenience or stress this may cause you or your patient.”

Demona was going to play this out for all it was worth. Perhaps her grandfather would be looking down upon her seeing that she still had the humor, imagination and artistic abilities. Maybe he would even smile to see just how convincing she was being- playing out this little skit.

“Of course, arcane warrioress, I shall make sure you have privacy to talk to my patient.” The priest said as he motioned for her to continue on into the waiting room and he walked away.

“Greetings Mrs. Singer. I do apologize if I upset you or caused you any fear. It was not my intent.” Demona motioned for the woman to have a seat.

“What can I do for you arcane warrioress? I haven’t done anything in which to cause any harm to the current arcane warrior’s domain.” Lily said.

“I have come to visit my family here in Singerville. It has been some time since I’ve been here.”

“Oh, do you need assistance in finding your family? Have they moved away?” Lily asked.

“No, my parents still live in the same home I was born in and I know that my father still owns the local music store.” Demona kept a straight face as those words passed her lips.

The blond elven woman’s eyes though lit up with joy but also had the look of confusion.

“My father’s name is Jotar, my brother’s name is Clef and your name is Lily. Hello momma” she smiled.

“Bell!”

“No momma, my name is now Demona as I was named by Arcanos himself. Far be it from me what I did to earn that honor.”

“Well! In that case, why don’t you and your inner circle come to dinner this evening and we can catch up” Lily said.

“Momma, I am on my journeyman ship. I’m here for a few days to visit and then I must move on to where I’ve been ordered.”

“Journeyman?” Mrs Singer paused. “But you still have a couple of years before that is supposed to happen.”

“Things happened over this past year and especially this summer that have caused the Great Summoner to change the rules. I wrote a letter before I left the island but I was so busy that I forgot to mail it. In the missive, it explains in great detail the past year.” Demona handed her mother the letter and the portrait.

“I’ve changed momma. I faced my greatest fear and lived to tell the tale. I feel strong, confident, and I’ve grown into the role of a journeyman. There wasn’t really anything else that the academy could teach me at this time. Now, Clef doesn’t know about this. I want to be there when he realizes who I am and that for once in my life I have finally outshined him. This is something that I have dreamed of long before I ever left for my apprenticeship.”

“Oh I remember my dear girl. He was always pushing you, daring you, challenging you to do more- to be more.” Her mother said.

“It was more than that momma, Clef was teaching me that life is not always kind, that it is not always fair and most of all, if you want something bad enough, you have to work hard to get it because it is not going to just be handed to you.”

Her mother nodded and realized that her little girl was growing up to be a wise woman. She had always hoped that she would grow up and be the best she could be and perhaps even be a much better bard than her grandfather, Cwell- the God of the Bards. She could not be more proud.

She kissed her hugged and kissed her mother. “We shall arrive about six and my courtesan would be more than happy to help you in the kitchen.”

“Oh wonderful, I haven’t been feeling well lately and have been a tad drained. I would welcome the help of your courtesan. Is he or she well versed in cooking yet?”

“Oh yes! Damon is a whirlwind of crazy person in the kitchen but everything he makes is wonderful and is fit for my station.”

“And what station would that be if I might ask”

“Well I suppose I shall introduce myself properly to you just this once. I am Arcane Warrioress, Bazatu Ice Queen Demona.”

“Queen.” Her mother whispered.

Her mother was somewhat surprised by Demona’s rank because after all, when she was a little girl, her only dream was to be better than Cwell- better than the God of Bards. Here she was, a queen in her own right.

“Alright mother, we shall see you at six. I must go and freshen up and rest for now.” With that Demona excused herself and headed for the Mandolin Inn.

Damon had procured her a room best befitting her station. He had anticipated her arrival by having a bath drawn and ready just as she walked into her suite.

“We have dinner plans this evening at my parent’s home. I’ve offered your services to help my mother in the kitchen. She says she’s not been feeling well and has felt drained lately. We must arrive by six so if you could be there about four to begin helping her that would be a godsend.” The warrioress said.

Demona was wondering how Tessa fared over the summer. She missed her. She didn’t have the chance to see her before leaving and she took up a fair amount of time writing home to her parents and preparing to leave the Arcane Island. It had been some time since the two of them had any time to spend together getting caught up or having a girl’s day or even to spar. She decided that after her bath she would write a letter to Tessa and get her caught up.

She knew Tessa all too well. She would not be happy that she was left behind to endure the next couple of years before taking on her journeyman ship. Tessa was the jealous type but she was in no way as noble as Demona. Nowhere near as graceful, though she had learned to be tactful in dealing with instructors and students at least when in the classroom.

Singerville was exactly as it was the morning she left it. It seems nothing really changes. People come and go but it was still the same. There were hundreds of bards from all over the globe and all of them Singers either by blood or marriage. Strange to see street buskers in the party capital of Arret yet there they were and per usual all of them were apprentices gaining experience in the craft.

Every day someone was throwing a party, a feast, a banquet and sometimes it was for a birthday, anniversary or for no reason at all other than for the students to learn how to do it. The real test was if a bard could pull one or all of those things off and have the clan enthralled then it was a safe bet that a mastery had been earned in that category.

“Momma, is everything alright? I hope that was just your yearly physical and not anything serious” Demona said.

“Oh, everything is alright or will be after I get rid of this bug.”

“Ah you are sick, I can have my priest take a look and see if there is anything he can do for you” she said.

“Demona, my darling girl, this bug is going to be with me for the rest of my life” Lily said as she placed her hand on her stomach.

“Oh my! You are with child. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Ya know that will put me smack dab in the middle” she teased. “I’m happy for you.”

“Let’s keep it between us for now- Jotar doesn’t know yet.” Her mother said.

“How much you wanna make a bet Clef already knows.” She laughed.

Serialization: "The Arcane Warrior’s Apprentice" by Roberta Downing: Chapter Twelve

The Arcane Warrior’s Apprentice

Novel by Roberta Downing

Cover artwork designed by Jerry Langdon

Chapter Twelve

Summer had arrived and all that time was allocated to be spent with her master in lessons on trailing, summoning and combat. The school year had been very difficult for her but the great thing about RavenDance was that he always pushed her past what she thought she could do. In some ways, he reminded her so much of her brother, Clef who would always challenge her.

RavenDance had the entire summer filled up with going to some cave that was crawling with lower level demons and the undead. Just great. It is a good thing that she adopted her own motto of “what doesn’t kill me will make me much better than Clef.” Bright side, she would be in a cave where hopefully it would be nice and cool.

It seemed that Bell was not the only arcane that would be caving it this summer. She was paired with an apprentice priest and courtesan, and informed that they would be part of her inner circle probably for the rest of her life.

The courtesan would be in charge of cooking, repairing armor and any other house hold type chores that would be needed. The priest would be praying, taking care of their religious needs as well as healing, field surgery and the like.

“Greetings arcane warrior apprentice. I am arcane priest Jasper” said the boy. “It is an honor to be in your inner circle.”

Another boy bowed. “Greetings arcane warrior apprentice. I am Damon, your courtesan. It is my utmost pleasure to meet you.” He seemed to blush as the words rolled out of his mouth. Bell found him to be very handsome.

“Hello to the both of you. Pleasure is all mine. I had no idea when I would be paired with some of those who were to be in my inner circle.” Bell said.

RavenDance said “Actually Bell, this is happening a bit before schedule because it has come to my attention that you have become quite bored in combat training and are taking down your opponents too easily. The combatant instructor has already been pairing you up against those who are two years above you.”

“Yeah, I wish I could say I’m sorry about that but I’m not.” She said.

Her master laughed knowing full well the force that was driving her to having to be the best in every class.

“Since you are all finally here together, I need to tell you about a dream I had”

RavenDance rudely interrupted her “Bell, we all know about the dream you had that set you upon this path. Must we all hear it again?”

“IF you would let me finish…” she looked at him very sternly. “I had a dream last night that I found very interesting. In this dream I was me but in full armor and there was a man there, he said that he was my Mentor in the dream world. In this dream, we were sparing. Stalking around each other as if it were some kind of ritual or dance, which I have to say was a bit arousing. He had me meditate for a while. When I came out of the meditation…the name Bell no longer felt like my own.”

Jasper looked at her with surprising shock. “Wow! Do you know how lucky you are? I mean really! From my studies thus far, I can tell you that only a handful of Arcanes ever gain the attention to garner the Mentor.”

RavenDance explained that the Mentor in her dream was actually Arcanos Demonos who had taken notice of her determination and skills and chose to give extra instruction.

“Ok well from now on, Bell is no more” she said. “My name is Demona.”

Her inner circle and RavenDance all nodded and repeated her name in unison.

The summer went by so fast. Demona was challenged beyond her wildest dreams. For the first time in combat she was actually badly wounded and spent a week under the care of Jasper. She was able to garner names, places and ranks of some of the demons that she wanted to summon and it must have been something bardic in her because she was actually able to gain the true name of the demon from her nightmare.

The last summoning she did was to call and ensnare that damned demon. She had to face him; she had to face that fear. RavenDance’s face was full of fear as were all in her inner circle. Demona was now summoning THE Prince of the Nine Planes of Hell.

“I call upon Antonio, First Prince of the Nine Planes of Hell to appear before me now.” She used every single ounce of will she could find within her and it felt as if she were drawing the will from Jasper, Damon and RavenDance.

Much more forcefully “Appear before me NOW!”

And just like that- there he was. The thing that said it was going to take everything she loved from her, standing in the summoning circle unable to move.

Antonio was disorientated. “How DARE you summon me! I AM the Prince!”

“Silence!” she demanded.

He realized that he had been summoned by an Arcane Warrior who was not fully into her power. He grinned as the wheels turned in his head thinking about calling forth other demons to aide him. He then realized who had summoned him.

“M’Lady Bell. Aren’t you supposed to be at the bardic academy? What is this?!”

“I am facing you Antonio. I am here to let you know that I am the one who will take everything you love and hold dear away from you. I will kill them all and make you watch as I slowly torture them and kill them and then I’ll feed you their most vile organs. But you…you I will torture until the end of my days before I kill you.”

“M’Lady, I think you misunderstood my message a few years ago. I don’t want to take them away from you. I accept all those you love and everything you hold dear. I accept them and you as my own, my love” he said.

Demona’s third crown birthmark burned. She knew he was to be her last love, the most passionate and loving of all of them.

“You are released to return to your home” she said. He left without any argument and she collapsed to the floor.

When she awoke outside of the cave she felt confident, like the black cloud that plagued her since her fifth birthday was gone and the sun was shining and she felt power. She could hear Jasper asking if she were alright.

She sat up then stood up. “I’m…I’m different now.”

“You most certainly are Demona. Look at your armor” Damon said.

She looked down and she saw that the armor looked like natural skin. It felt natural. Like nothing of Bell existed and she was finally who she was supposed to be. Her daily ware no longer fit her.

“We have to return to the academy apprentice as you and I need to seek an audience with the Great Summoner.”

Demona did not recall her armor. She mounted her horse and they all left for the academy. She felt a sense of pride and relief. She sat up strait on the horse, just like RavenDance had done. Her whole demeanor had changed. She could actually feel the cool air emanating from her. Of course Demona wasn’t the only one that grew in power- her inner circle seemed much more than they were before and the bond had truly formed between them. They were now inseparable.

Serialization: "The Arcane Warrior’s Apprentice" by Roberta Downing: Chapter Eleven

The Arcane Warrior’s Apprentice

Novel by Roberta Downing

Cover artwork designed by Jerry Langdon

Chapter Eleven

Clef and Satyr were four years into their training at Katana’s Home. The place was hidden by enchantments and unless you knew exactly where it was, there would be no way anyone would find it. Katana’s Home was like an empire unto itself and ran independently from any of the rules and laws set forth by any King or Emperor. Lady Katana herself was in fact the Empress and she alone set the way it would run.

It was a very hard life for a Katana. The combat training and testing were the most strenuous for the recruits. The recruits only had one weekend free per month in order to unwind, catch up on rest and read and send mail and have portraits or drawings made to send home.

From the time the recruits arrive, Katana’s Home holds a war every year and new recruits are expected to participate. It was not uncommon for novices to die and as a matter of fact, it didn’t matter what grade or rank one was in, life was never guaranteed. Death was something that all of them had to learn to accept.

Clef and Satyr would work on their battle plan to lay siege to the city of the dead on their weekend off and this was often the dream of every young Katana. For thousands of years every combatant from around the world had at some point in their life contemplated waging war on the unholy place.

Satyr spent time going over the letters that Bell had sent during the month. She had a tendency to write him at least twice a week. One letter was helping him with his common and the second letter was keeping him informed of her training and of course professing her love for him. She was good about sending two portraits to him each year while she only sent one to her brother a year.

The Katanas were now entering into their classes on war, even though they had all participated in many of them before. They were now learning all the intricate ins and outs, how to lead, how to identify the dead, how to use siege weapons, how to use their stealth to enter and exit with information that would help the side that they would be assigned to. They learned how to lead, how to follow and how to command.

These classes only fueled the two blood brothers in their resolve to one day lay waste to the damned city but it also raised suspicions that with the war waging in Windmere that they may be called to participate in that war as the Duke was just not willing to give up lands he unjustly stole from a Marque.

Upon mail call and Satyr opening up his mail, Clef became aware that there must be something going on between his best friend and his sister. He snatched the letter from his hand and read it. Clef was enraged and punched his blood brother. Satyr did not defend himself and took the full blow and then laughed.

“What are you laughing about? That’s my sister!” Clef said.

“You always were the slow one between us. I thought it would take you a little longer to figure it out.” Satyr replied.

“Just how long has this been going on?” Clef asked.

“The last two and a half years” Satyr replied as he laughed. “Like I said, you are the slow one.”

The two of them were brothers, not just in arms but blood brothers. It had been that way since the first day they met and now it seemed Clef almost let a rift come between them over his sister.

“I don’t know why you are angry. You are after all the one who pushed me to write to her to help me learn the common tongue instead of me losing my one weekend a month for a tutor. Now you get all pissed off because I am in love with your sister. What is it? You don’t think I’m good enough for her? Is that it?” Satyr said.

“I…I didn’t mean it that way.” Clef said.

Crossing his arms he said, “Then just how did you mean it jackass?”

Clef contemplated his actions and the reaction of his best friend. He didn’t respond because he knew Satyr was right; he was a jackass. He had been to hell and back with his blood brother and knew that his friend was loyal to a fault, lived and breathed a code of honor, was first in the division and saved his ass and life more than once. If there was anyone in this world who was worthy of his sister it was him.

“What? No snarky come back? Not going to try to assonate me while I’m sleeping or put poison in my food?” Satyr asked.

Clef laughed. Part of their training was assassination and counter assassination and one of their current classes was in herbology. The two decided to go to the gym for a work out.

Serialization: "The Arcane Warrior’s Apprentice" by Roberta Downing: Chapter Ten

The Arcane Warrior’s Apprentice

Novel by Roberta Downing

Cover artwork designed by Jerry Langdon

Chapter Ten

As winter break approached, Bell was given permission to spend that time at her mentor’s home. The past few months had been difficult for her with the classes, combat training and periodic bouts with Tessa. Bell kept wondering what she could do to help Tessa not hate so much and to become the type of student that the academy expected.

Yuletide came and passed and with it came the presents from family. It was the usual things family would send; clothes, supplies and money. Money, that was something she had not had since she gave all hers to Jake. She opened an account at the bank because she had no real need of money since all of her time is already allotted for learning. She didn’t have permission to go to the shops and she wasn’t old enough to go to the pubs.

During her winter break when RavenDance had left her alone in the cabin, Bell would go into his study and find his spell books. Every book she had thumbed through thus far were all squiggly lines that would not form words or symbols. Finally she finds one where the lines form words. She began teaching herself how to make sense out of the words. She studied the first spell and the action it required to make it work only it didn’t work. She would need to keep practicing until it did. She knew she may be too young yet for the magic to activate within her but there was no harm in trying.

It was the night before she was due to be back at the academy to resume her classes. She had taken a nice long hot bath, something she hadn’t had since they were in Draconos. It was as if her body was screaming for that hot water. She lay there submerged. The aches and pains she had from fighter’s practice, which even over winter break continued, subsided. She dried off, cleaned the tub and went to bed.

She pulled Satyr’s portrait out and looked at him. She thought he was so handsome and she was drawn to his eyes which were filled with kindness and honesty. His eyes…they were lavender…so different than anyone else she had ever come across. She kissed his lips, told him she loved him and that someday she would marry him. She put the portrait back into her bag and blew out the candle.

She found herself walking in a grave yard. It was dark and fog was rolling in. She heard a strange sound and walked toward it. She found Darklyn skipping rope.

“Ah Ding-La!” he said with excitement “you found me!”

He was dressed in his usual ghoulish jester attire. He was skipping rope and every time he landed the little skulls hanging from his jester hat rang out a death dirge.

“Um hi Darklyn” she questionably waved. She sat down on top of a grave. She crossed her legs and bent her elbows so that her head was resting on her fists.

“Why are we in a…a grave yard Darklyn?” She asked.

“We are here to talk and play games. Wanna jump rope with me?” He asked.

“Sure.”

She stood up and grabbed the rope. It was slimy. She looked down at it. It wasn’t a rope. No, it wasn’t a rope at all. She knew she should be afraid but the fear just wasn’t in her.

“Darklyn! This is NOT a rope.” She stated

“No” he cackled “Sure it is.”

“No. It isn’t. What is it?!” Bell asked.

“Oh Ding-La! Don’t be so squeamish. It’s just intestines. Go on! Jump! It’s fun!” he said.

Bell dropped the body parts and sat down. She receded deep into thought.

“Oh my poor Ding-La” he said as he sat down next to her and wrapped one skeletal arm around her. “What’s the matter?” he asked.

“I’m just tryin to figure out a way to help someone I want to be friends with” she said.

“Oh. Having friend issues are you. Well! I have a lot of friends” he said as his hand motioned insinuating that everyone buried here was his friend.

Bell told him all about Tessa; every fight, every slur. She didn’t know why but she felt comfortable telling him everything moreover, she wanted to tell him everything.

“I just…don’t know what to do to help her or even make her like me” she said.

“Ding-La, not everyone you meet is going to like you, hmm. There are going to be people in your life that you also will not like. She was taught to hate and you yourself have chosen to hate which is why you decided to forsake becoming a bard and now you are…pardon the pun here, hell bent on killing demons. Is she really deserving of your friendship?” he asked.

She held her head up high, “I want her to be.”

“Hmm. Alrighty then, I guess you are going to have to prove to her that you do like her and that you are worthy of being her friend.” He said

“Me? Be worthy of her?”

“Of course Ding! You also need to learn that just because you are a Singer that the world does not and will not revolve around you and that sometimes you do have to prove yourself to others. You would have had to do that as a bard yes?”

“Yeah.” She said.

“Alright then. It’s settled.” He stated.

Darklyn reached deep into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful and ornate hair comb. It was black onyx with gold painted design and had three diamonds on it. He handed it to Bell.

“Give this to your Tessa. It’s an ancient royal Niteri hair comb. There are not many of these left now. The wars have destroyed a lot of their artifacts. This is something that will prove you worthy of her friendship, her love and her trust. Now, it is time you wake up and get back to school.” He concluded as he snapped his bony fingers.

Bell woke up holding the hair comb in her hands. She knew she was dreaming but she had no idea how she actually had it in her hands. She got up, put the hair piece in her bags, got dressed and went out to eat breakfast. The half elven apprentice was finally starting to feel settled in the life she chose.

She returned to her dorm room and put the things away. Tessa was in the room and was staring at Bell like a hunter watches his prey. Bell could feel the change in the room; it was like waves of hate rolling into an army on a battlefield.

Bell picked up the hair comb and slowly walked over toward Tessa making sure not to make eye contact with her. She stopped three steps before Tessa’s bed and then she knelt as she held out the hair comb in both her hands. She kept her head down and she waited.

The student who had been so mean and cruel to apprentice Bell gingerly picked up the hair comb. She didn’t udder a word and Bell didn’t move. Tessa stared at the gift she had been presented with. For Bell, it felt like an eternity before Tessa spoke.

“Where did you get this” Tessa demanded.

“A friend” she replied.

“Do you know what this is girl?”

“Yes.” Bell kept her answers short.

It was quiet for a few minutes and then Tessa thanked her for the gift and declared a truce between them. She would now allow Bell to be her friend.

Bell was much relieved.

“You can get up now, Bell” she said in a friendly tone.

“We shall be friends from this moment on. Thank you for this gift. It shall not be forgotten.”

The rest of the year went by without any further incidents between them. They were now even sparing partners. Their masters were shocked that that two of them somehow managed to get over their differences and thought that was nothing more than miraculous.

The rest of the school year passed once again without any issues and summer break was just two weeks away. Bell one again received birthday presents and turned seven. She was first in her class in all of her studies and combat training. The magic that was lying dormant within her was not quite ready to emerge however the words on the pages of the book she took from RavenDance’s home were starting to make much more sense to her.

Serialization: "The Arcane Warrior’s Apprentice" by Roberta Downing: Chapter Nine

The Arcane Warrior’s Apprentice

Novel by Roberta Downing

Cover artwork designed by Jerry Langdon

 

Chapter Nine

Bell unlocked her room and stepped in. There were four beds, desks, chests, weapon racks and clothing racks in the large room. She closed the door. There was only one bed that wasn’t made so she headed over to that area. There was a set of linens folded at the end of the bed.

As she was making her bed, another female apprentice entered the room. She didn’t have her daily ware uniform on. The girl had dark skin and white hair. She was Niteri, dark elf. Bell didn’t have issue with the girl’s race. There were a few Niteri in her family.

“Greetings apprentice” Bell said, “I’m apprentice Bell. I just arrived. Have you got everything squared away” she asked.

The Niteri girl glared at her. She could not believe that a half elf would even dare speak to her. She was far from her homeland and like her roommate having to acclimatize to the new surroundings and life.

“Tessa” the dark elf said with her mouth kept tight.

“Nice to meet you Tessa!” Bell said.

“I can’t say the same. Now leave me alone half breed” Tessa barked.

Bell wasn’t used to being talk to like that by anyone. This was her first time experiencing racial tension by someone. Bell spent her five years surrounded by dwarves, elves, half elves, humans, a couple of vampires and a few niteri. Her family was comprised by just about every race known and there was no animosity. She was quite disturbed by the way in which her new roommate was speaking to her and the way she was treating her.

“I’m sorry if I offended you, Tessa. It wasn’t my intent” Bell explained.

Tessa raised her voice as she reached for her belt “I told you, you filthy half breed, to leave me alone. How dare you even speak to me! Go back to your soiled family. If you speak to me again, I will whip you like the dog you are” she said with such hatred.

“Well,” said Bell, “Nice to meet you.”

Without notice, Bell felt the bite that ripped the skin on her back. She whirled around in time to see the whip coming again and somehow she grabbed it before it struck. She tugged at the leather that was knotted and periodically speckled with tiny razors. Her hands were bleeding as she kept pulling the whip which caused Tessa to move closer to her. Finally Bell pulled hard enough for the whip to drop to the floor.

Bell grabbed Tessa by her long hair and pulled her closer. She punched her square in the nose. Blood gushed on the floor. She pulled the Niteri to the ground and sat on top of her holding her down.

“Let me give you your first lesson Tessa. Hatred has no place here. You are just like me; an apprentice. If you can’t accept we are the same then you better go back home to dominate the men because I am not a man and you have no sway over me” Bell said in the Niteri tongue.

The door burst open and RavenDance and another Arcane Warrior came into the room. RavenDance pulled his student off of the other girl while Tessa was being pulled into a corner.

“What in the nine planes of hell are you doing Bell” he asked. “You haven’t been here more than ten minutes and you are already fighting. This will not be tolerated. Come with me.” He took her arm and pulled her out of the room.

She was taken to the temple to be assessed for her injuries. As she took off her shirt to show the wound she had gotten from the whip, the priest gasped. Bell was not feeling very well and for good reason. She had been poisoned by the razors that tore her flesh. The priest handed her a vial and told her to drink it immediately. RavenDance stood in the back of the room. He saw the long lash and the blood and he knew that Bell did not instigate the fight. With that, he smiled knowing that she defended herself.

Tessa was now sitting next to Bell on another exam table. Her nose was broken and her eyes were swollen. She was still bleeding from the broken nose.

“I’m going to kill her” Tessa said matter of factly in Niteri.

Her master laughed “I rather doubt that.”

“Arcane Warrior, forgive me if I am out of line but you really need to teach your racist girl there how not to hate. She’s not in her own lands” Bell said.

“She’s a bold one RavenDance. To speak to a warrior without fear or reservation” Horace said.

RavenDance replied “And you have your hands full. In as much as I hate to admit it, my apprentice is right. You really are going to have to get that hate and racism out of her because you know as well as I that will not be tolerated here. You don’t want this getting to the Great Summoner.”

Bell chimed in speaking directly to Tessa in her native language; “If there is a next time I will hand your heart and your whip to your lowest male servant and have him whip your daughters” She knew that was one of the most horrific insults that could be said to a female Niteri.

“Enough!” exclaimed RavenDance. “I told you that Arcane is the only language spoken here apprentice. See that you follow that rule.”

Bell headed back to her dorm room with the antidote running through her system. She cleaned up the blood from the floor and got a set of new linens. She remade her bed and put her belongings away. She grabbed supply bag that had all of her books and headed out the door.

The chime rang just as she made it to her orientation class. She sat down at the desk and waited for others to come in. The desks filled up and in walked the instructor. He began telling the classmates about the history of the academy, dress code and other rules and regulations. He also told them that within the week the apprentice warriors would be taken out to find their staves that they would be using for the rest of their lives.

Cwell had given Bell a staff for her birthday. It was his staff. It was made from yew wood and had an inverted crescent made of silver that held an amethyst stone and the bottom was surrounded by silver. He told her that it was stripped of its enchantments so that she would be able to imbue it with the spells she wanted when the time came.