A Swirl of Purple

Book 1 of The Chronicles of Andrayis

By Jessica Scoullar

Pilyara Publishing

This book is entirely fictional, any resemblance to person’s living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Australian Smashwords Electronic Edition 2016

Published by Pilyara Publishing Australia at Smashwords.

Edited by Nadine Brandes

Cover Illustration by Denis Grigorjuk

Copyright 2016 Jessica Scoullar

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold

or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person,

please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did

not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your

favourite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard

work of this author.

This book is dedicated to

Christy Scoullar

and

Elise Chu

my first readers.

Hunger raced through the void. It hunted, but not at its will. Chained, leashed, it fought the spells that drove it on towards the light. It longed to ride the eddies of power surrounding it, to hunt unfettered, walk the ancient paths of blood. Such fragile creatures, yet they held with wills of iron. So once more it walked the old roads for them, hating, hungering.

Amy – Australia – September 1st

Amy O’Conner sat cross-legged on the single bed, a lock of her straight dark hair hung out of the side of her mouth, glaring at her mother. Wind whistled through the gaps in the window frame, the cold it brought battled the small fan heater in the corner and won.

Don’t chew your hair, her mum said, as she put the last of the books from the box on the bookshelf.

Boxes were scattered around the small room. A room that didn’t have space for all her books. No room for anything other than her bed and clothes and a single bookshelf. There was no room for her.

Amy took her hair out of her mouth and stuck her tongue out as her mother turned to open the next box.

Grrr, here comes the tanasaurous rex, Robbie said, one hand swooped a dinosaur figure across the bed.

Tyrannosaurus rex, Amy corrected absently, looking out the window as the storm whipped the trees across the road.

Only in the light of the street lamp could she see how heavy the rain was. A curtain falling from the stormy sky. The sound on the tin roof nearly drowned out Robbie’s narration. She adjusted the dressing gown to cover her legs and, for a moment, she felt snug and warm, listening to the rain, safe inside as the storm raged about them.

The pinging from the pot in the corner disrupted her thoughts. The saucepan caught the water before it could soak into the hideous green carpet. It was already ruined by the previous tenants, what did it matter if it got wet?

Unlike her old house on the other side of town, the new house was close enough to walk to school. No more lifts to school with Sarah. She would have to walk Robbie to kindergarten because Mum was on early shift at the hospital. Deal with endless ‘why’ questions when she should be at the playground with Sarah and Emily.

Alright, time for bed. Pick a book Robbie, Mum said.

Amy got up and went to the window, staring out at the storm. She didn’t have to look. Robbie would pick the same book he picked every night. Mum would be on his bed and for a moment the tiredness would leave her face. Robbie would sit in her arms, his curly hair going in all directions. His large brown eyes wide as if he didn’t know the story by heart.

It was tempting to join them, to curl up beside Mum, pretend they were a proper family and all was well; but it wasn’t well. She was still too angry with Mum for moving them to this horrible, worn, dank place of clashing colours that smelled of old cigarette smoke and wet dog. Too angry that she had to share a room with her baby brother.

Lightning flashed across the sky, racing between the clouds like a river of light. Amy leant forward, her nose pressed against the glass, hoping to see more. The window was icy and her breath fogged the glass, making it hard to see.

The Owl and the Pussy Cat went to sea, her mum began and Robbie joined in reading the book along with her. He was kind of cute sometimes. Amy thrust that thought aside, holding on to her anger.

The storm was wilder now. Lightning ran loose from the sky, lighting the world in bright white then fading to leave a darker darkness than before. The air grew heavy. Her hair streamed towards the window as a foul wind blew past her. It was gone so quickly she was not even sure it had ever been, save for the lingering, dank smell.

The wind seemed alive. The tree branches tossed and twisted then fell. A snap and twang as powerlines sparked an arch across the street then all went dark.

Mum look! Amy pointed to the flailing powerlines sending streams of sparks across the road.

You stay here and look after your brother, her mum said as Amy tried to follow her down the hallway.

Why did she always get left babysitting Robbie?

A foul smell wafted towards her as she turned back, making her gag.

She ran across the room and wrenched the window open, taking a deep breath as the wind struck her full in the face with stinging rain. It was better than the musty rotting smell. It smelt like something had died in a drain.

She emptied the saucepan out the window and set it back under the drip, but it did no good. The smell just got worse and worse.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

Amy, there’s a monster under my bed, Robbie said, a waver to his voice.

Amy turned. As lightning lit the room she saw Robbie gathering his doona in the middle of the bed, ensuring nothing hung down for a monster to grab.

No there isn’t, Amy said, turning back to the window as the town’s firetruck rounded the corner, spraying water up from the road, lights flashing. There’s no such thing as monsters.

Her ears popped. The room felt stifling, the cold air pressing against her, squeezing her. On the edge of hearing was a scratching noise. It came from under Robbie’s bed.

She shook her head. There was no such thing as monsters.

Do you want me to read to you? She stepped forward and then reeled back as the smell struck her anew. A solid wall of foulness.

A black shadow grew, slithering out from beneath Robbie’s bed, red eyes glowing in the centre of a shapeless mass. She couldn’t move, she couldn’t breathe. The air pressed on her from every side and each gasping breath intensified the smell.

Amy? Robbie’s whimper could barely be heard over the raging wind.

The eyes left her face and turned to Robbie.

The creature took shape. Arms and legs formed, and then grew. Bones, muscle, and sinew developed as black, hairy skin covered it. She gagged once more and backed against the window, not sure if it was from the sight of a body forming from the inside out, or the smell.

Rain blew in against her back, cold and sharp but she didn’t care; She gasped in the fresh air, trying to get her breath back before the gust vanished and the smell returned.

Amy!

The shadow man reached out with a clawed hand and grabbed Robbie. With a violent jerk, it pulled Robbie against its chest. Robbie looked at her, a pale white face reflecting the light of the sirens outside, terror in his eyes.

It was going to eat Robbie!

Amy found new strength. No! You leave him alone.

She leapt on the bed and grabbed Robbie’s leg, trying to pull him from the creature’s grip. She couldn’t move him.

The creature lashed out. Amy fell backwards tumbling across the bed, landing on the floor stunned. The saucepan went flying as her arm struck it, splashing cold, dirty water over her. She scrambled to her knees, wiped her face, and looked over her bed.

The creature was melting again. Beneath Robbie’s bed purple smoke formed and swirled, a black hole in the centre. The creature was nothing now but a dark blob with red eyes, but trapped in the middle of it was Robbie, his mouth open in a scream, but not a sound to be heard. It slunk towards the purple thing of smoke with a centre darker than the blackest black she had ever seen. It was taking Robbie into that void.

No, you come back!

Amy wriggled over her bed and fell on her hands and knees on the other side as it vanished into the hole. The purple smoke swirled and faded.

Come back! she yelled, reaching out a hand.

She felt something move through her. Her head spun. The purple smoke formed once more but this time the hole in the centre was not dark.

She could see a platform of polished black stone with snow on the edges. The monster was there, blood pooling at its feet. There were men as well and one at the back looked like he was carrying Robbie away.

The image faded and she lay there, feeling like she had just run ten laps of the oval. Robbie was gone.

Amy forced herself to her feet, swaying as the blood drained from her head. She fell down on her bed, but after a few deep breaths, made it to the window. Mum was standing on the porch talking to the fire chief.

Mum! she screamed at the top of her lungs. Mum it took Robbie!

The storm drowned her out.

She ran down the hallway, forcing her aching limbs to move. A box caught her on the shin and she fell face first onto the floor. Struggling to remain upright she half ran, half crawled down the hallway.

She wrenched open the door and ran out into the storm.

Mum!

Her feet ached from the cold; gusts of wind blew rain into her face, her eyes. Mum grabbed her.

Amy, what do you think you are doing? It is dangerous out here; you could get electrocuted. Get back inside and stay with your brother.

Amy shivered, barely able to think. It took Robbie, she gasped.

Amy what are you talking about?

A monster, it took Robbie. I tried to stop it but it was too strong.

Her mother released her and ran into the house, leaving her shivering on the doorstep as the fire chief called the police.

All the kids in Flinders knew Constable Frank. He came to the school a few times a year to do safety and ‘say no to drugs’ talks.

Everything is going to be okay Amy, Constable Frank said gently as Mum sat her down on the couch. Amy leant against her and she could feel her mum’s chest shaking. You told us as soon as it happened and we have search parties out. We are going to find him. There are more police on their way from Warrnambool.

But it took him under the bed, Amy said. Searching the neighbourhood wouldn’t help.

Constable Frank ignored this. Now you said that the man …

It was a monster.

Constable Frank gave her mum a worried look. Alright, the monster. Tell me what he looked like.

Amy told him everything she could remember and she could tell he didn’t believe most of it, but he wrote it all down and had a special voice-recording thing as well.

There were more sirens. Policemen, a detective in a grey suit, and people wearing white overalls came in to try to find fingerprints and stuff.

She just sat on the couch and watched people with cases and notebooks go back and forth while making calls and forming small groups that whispered briefly, broke, and then reformed. Everyone looked very busy but there was nothing for her to do. Constable Frank told her that half the town was out searching for Robbie.

She ran the scene over and over in her mind. They wouldn’t find anything. Robbie had gone through the purple thing to the strange men waiting there. There was no point in searching the bushes. Constable Frank just told her it was a man pretending to be a monster each time she pointed this out. A real man couldn’t melt into a puddle, or have red eyes.

After about an hour Mum came and took her out to the car. She didn’t ask where they were going as they started off down the road.

Yareph – Scara City – Second Winter, 5th Halfday.

Rain pelted the tiles and drummed the newly sprouting grass into muddy puddles. Yareph sat on the windowsill, his hands going numb from the cold wind, but not yet ready to set the shutters in place.

He should be in bed.

The Journeyman exam was tomorrow and he needed to be rested, but sleep eluded him. He turned his gaze back out into the storm. It was the first rain after months of snow. He let his mind drift, focusing only on the rain, the drumming curtain, and the pinging of the drops on the tiles.

He let his mind fill with nothing but the rain.

He was so engrossed in watching the storm that he did not note the approaching figures. Three masters, and worst of all, Master Zalef at the head. He swung his feet down into the room, intending to duck back behind the wall. His eyes met with the boy Zalef carried.

Fear struck him like a wall. He raised his feet back onto the thick windowsill and braced himself against the stone frame.

The garden he knew so well now looked strange and alien. The sandstone walls grew to tower over him. There were arms gripping him, holding him tight, too tight.

Stink, claws, and darkness. Figures screaming. A girl he had never seen before. He missed his mother. That wasn’t right. The woman in his mind wasn’t his mother. He didn’t have a mother. Yareph struggled to free his mind from the fear, the confusion, and the strangeness.

Yareph!

Someone shook him and broke his gaze. He looked up into Master Zalef’s face. That wasn’t much better.

Why aren’t you in bed?

I … I am sorry Master. Yareph gave the Apprentice Master a half bow as another master carried the terrified child past his window. I could not sleep.

It is hard to sleep halfway out the window; bed, child.

Yareph slipped off the thick stone wall and back into his room as Master Zalef closed the shutters. He dimmed the lantern and climbed into bed, his mind racing as his limbs thawed. The rain could not soothe him now. Each time he closed his eyes he saw the image of a woman, a girl, and a strange house filled with things that should not exist, could not exist.

He gave himself a mental shake. He should not be thinking such things.

He had been lucky. If Master Zalef knew what he was doing, these strange fits that had him seeing things, they would bring in the mind mages. They would see this strange illness. They would see more, his doubts, his fears. They would see everything, and that would cost him his mind. Those who did not think properly lost the privilege of thought.

He closed his eyes and forced the images away. He had to sleep. He had to pass his exam. Once he had a master, once he had a place, everything would be better. He would be safe. He would have value. They would think twice about mind wiping a journeyman.

He could be normal. These visions would stop, his master would be good, and he would be good and do good things for the realm, for the Emperor. If he said it enough times he might be able to believe it.

Amy – Australia – September 1st

Amy sat on the cream leather couch. Cinnamon candles gave a warm comforting smell as if cakes were in the oven. Katherine rushed around, picking up papers from the table and apologizing about the mess.

Amy glanced around the room with cream carpets, family photos artfully arranged, and the ordered DVD cases that sat beside the huge TV. The room was spotless.

She sipped her hot chocolate as Mum brought Katherine up to date. Tim carried things up and down the stairs. She still couldn’t work out what they were doing here.

I had best get back in case … Mum said.

But of course Janet, Katherine said, setting her hands on Amy’s shoulders. We will take good care of her.

You be good for Katherine baby, Mum said, setting her school bag down beside the couch and kissing her on the top of the head. I will look in on you tomorrow.

Mum was going to leave her here!

No, I want to stay with you. Amy put her cup down on the coffee table. Hot chocolate splashed over the side onto the polished wood.

You will be in the way Amy. The police are still in your room. You stay here and be good. I need you to do that.

Amy stood frozen. Mum didn’t want her anymore. It was her fault that Robbie was gone and now Mum didn’t want her. She fought back tears.

Katherine appeared beside her with a cloth and mopped up the spilt hot chocolate, handing the cup back to her.

Everything will be alright Amy, she said, her American accent sounding stronger than it usually did, her smile full of forced cheerfulness. The police will find him. Sarah will be pleased to have you stay.

There was nothing she could do, Mum had already gone and Sarah’s house was in the middle of nowhere, a good five minutes’ drive out of town, perched on top of the sandstone cliffs. Katherine closed the curtains on the storm and gave her a wan smile.

Amy put down the empty cup and followed Katherine up the stairs to the third story where the bedrooms were.

Sarah, get to bed, Katherine ordered as they headed for the landing.

Amy saw a flash of blond hair and pink pyjamas as Sarah ran for her room.

Usually when she stayed at Sarah’s house she shared Sarah’s queen-sized bed. This time Katherine led her to the guest room containing two single beds, made up with matching quilts.

Katherine sat on the bed and waited as Amy brushed her teeth and changed into pyjamas. She tucked Amy in then left the door ajar as she headed out, letting in the light from the hallway. Amy would never admit it, but she didn’t want to be in the dark ever again. She wondered how Katherine knew.

She could hear Katherine talking to Sarah, and Sarah saying her prayers. She couldn’t hear what was said but she heard Robbie’s name a few times. She rolled over and closed her eyes.

Prayers wouldn’t help Robbie. God wasn’t real, Mum said so. It was just wishing. Wishing wouldn’t bring Robbie back and the police wouldn’t bring Robbie back. She had to do something, but what could she do?

Yareph – Scara City – Second Winter, 6th Firstday

Yareph sat on the bed and stared at his grey cloak embroidered in yellow and black with the College mark. Last day in greys. By sunset he would either be a probationary journeyman or, more than likely, be sent to the Outer Rooms where he would join the Mage Corps as a lesser mage.

Those sent to the Outer Rooms were not permitted to continue friendships with those who were accepted into the Journeyman class. Anef and Benran were both gifted. He would lose his friends if he didn’t pass the exam today.

He set the cloak aside and pulled out the drawer under his bed. At the back a small nook held his most precious items in a battered document box, pilfered from the apprentice classrooms.

Inside was a glass pendant containing a spice mix that, according to peasant tradition, brought good luck and protection. It was all he had from his parents. All that had come with him from his time before the College bought him. All he had to show that once they had cared for him, tried to protect him, even if it was mere superstition.

He hesitated, knowing his friends would tease him mercilessly for putting his faith in peasant superstitions. He tied it around his neck anyway. Perhaps his parents would be with him today in spirit, wherever they were. One day, maybe, he would find out why they sold him for the full bond, but whatever the reason, today he would take any extra luck he could get.

He turned to the rest of the box. There, written on scraps, was his diary. Thoughts that were dangerous to have, but he wrote them down and kept them anyway. It was the only way he knew to get them outside of himself.

He turned to check if the door was closed, despite knowing it was. From beyond the thin wooden wall that separated his room from Benran’s, he could hear groans and banging as Benran got up and searched for his clothes.

He pulled out some scrap paper, offcuts from the master’s supply. A deep breath and he wrote down his experience with the boy from last night. Another perilous thought added to his diary.

The metal transfer box sat on his desk, already holding his pattern book and pens and the small gifts he received during the winter festival from year mates and Master Zalef. All his life was packed into this small box and it wasn’t even half full. He shouldn’t add the diary box, but he couldn’t bear to burn it.

Another glance at the door and he took out the vial as he always did, just to make sure it was there, then wrapped it up again and returned it to the box, covering the vial and the diary notes with patterns and scrap paper. With luck the masters would not look further.

He jumped at the knock at the door and threw the diary box in with his other belongings.

Come in.

Anef bounced through the door.

Good, at least you are dressed. Benran has spread his clothes all over the room looking for a top without a stain on it.

The war masters will not care about a stain, Yareph said smiling in spite of himself. Benran managed to look untidy in a fresh dress uniform, but it wouldn’t matter. He was brilliant and would catch a war master as a mentor.

Anef’s master was already known. Master Antrok, Master of the Tracking discipline, had been mentoring Anef since he was twelve and his natural tracking gift discovered.

His friends had nothing to fear from the coming trial.

You know the spells? A sudden look of worry crossed Anef’s face.

Yes, I know the spells.

The door burst open and Benran stumbled in, fastening his top as he did so.

What are you two waiting around for? Lord Rentock to come and invite you to breakfast himself? We will be late.

We have been ready for a quarter bell now, Anef said, scowling at Benran, It is you who is not yet dressed.

Benran fastened his belt and gave Anef his mocking smile. I am perfectly dressed, he said.

That belt is worn.

Benran shrugged. It matters not. Last day in greys. Tomorrow we will be journeymen and I will have a new belt.

Hopefully, Yareph said with a sigh, straightening his own top.

Journeymen, all of us, Benran said, fixing Yareph with a stern look then breaking into a smile again. Come on, last day as an apprentice, last day for Master Zalef to yell at us. Let’s not give him a chance.

He grabbed Yareph by the wrist and pulled him out the door.

You do know that Master Zalef is also in charge of the probationary Journeymen, so he will still have a full moons’ pass in which to yell at you.

Benran ignored him and pulled him down the corridor to the dining hall.

Yareph could barely eat, his friends pressed food on him as the dishes passed. Lord Rentock rose and announced to the College that they would soon welcome new journeymen. His stomach jumped and the food threatened to come back up.

It got worse as they walked to the classroom.

Yareph, you have gone white.

He is fine, Benran said, throwing an arm around him.

I’m going to be sick, Yareph muttered.

If you …

Yareph never heard what Benran thought he should do. He ran to the garden and heaved up his breakfast.

Yareph!

Anef ran to his side as he spat the taste of bile out of his mouth. A vile smell rose from his feet and he backed away, leaning against the wall and struggling to stop his head spinning.

What’s all this then? An amused voice. Out of the corner of his eye he saw black and gold. A master, the last thing he wanted to see. He kept his eyes to the ground. The senior apprentice class I guess?

Yes Master, Benran said.

A hand appeared under his chin and forced him to look up into the gaze of a smiling gates master. He did not know the man. A damp cloth appeared in the man’s hand. Yareph took it and wiped his face.

He stood holding the soiled cloth, unsure of what to do with it. The man took it from him, made it vanish, and then held out a cup.

Watered wine, the master said. I don’t need a scolding from Master Zalef for getting you drunk before your exam.

Yareph took the cup with shaking hands, welcoming anything to get the taste out of his mouth.

A gesture from the Master and the soil turned over, hiding his disgrace. The sweet smell of damp soil rose up from the garden bed. No one would see the wrongness hidden just below the surface, not unless they knew – just like everything else in the College.

Does Master Zalef still tell you off even though you are a master? Benran asked, his eyes wide.

The master laughed. I suspect Master Zalef would even scold Lord Rentock, save he does no wrong. No matter how old you get Apprentice Benran, Master Zalef will always see you as a little boy in need of correction.

Even through his shame and dizziness it was all Yareph could do not to laugh at the dismay on Benran’s face.

How do you know my name? Benran asked.

The Master laughed again. You cannot cause as much trouble as you do and not be discussed in the masters’ rooms. You have kept us well entertained these last few years. Hurry off, you cannot be late today.

Anef grabbed Yareph’s arm and pulled him down the path and past the garden where the first spring flowers were starting to bloom.

Do you think Master Raneph knows how many times I have been in trouble? Benran asked looking uncharacteristically concerned.

Yes, Yareph said, his stomach still complaining. Benran stopped dead and stared at him. If the gates masters know, the War Master will.

Of course he knows, he will have had your file from Master Zalef if you are to be considered for his discipline, Anef said.

It won’t matter. They will assess you based on your talent, not the number of times you have snuck out, Yareph swallowed hard as they reached the door. He took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Here we go.

Amy – Australia – September 2nd

Amy woke as light spread across her pillow. It took her a moment to remember where she was. Then it all flooded back. Robbie had been kidnapped by a monster and Mum had dumped her at Sarah’s house to keep her out of the way.

There was a murmur beside her and she turned to see Mum asleep in the bed opposite. She slipped out of bed and crept across the room. Her mum had dark circles under her eyes, her hair spread out across the pillow; still up in the ponytail she wore to work. Amy carefully pulled up the doona and climbed in beside her, snuggling down into the crook of her arm. Despite her care, Mum woke up.

Amy, her voice was barely more than a croak. She didn’t say anything else, but held Amy tightly.

It couldn’t have been more than ten minutes before Amy heard someone moving in the room. She opened her eyes. Katherine was standing, looking down at them, smiling.

Time to get up Amy, you will be late for school, Katherine said.

Mum and Katherine hustled her out of bed and into the bathroom to shower. By the time she emerged, dressed in the hated yellow and brown uniform, Mum had already left.

Sarah was in the lounge room and gave her a bright smile, which faded when she didn’t return it. Katherine set a plate of pancakes on the coffee table for them, sat behind Sarah, and started to plait her hair.

Amy poked at her pancakes and glanced at the silent TV. Sarah wasn’t allowed to watch TV in the morning.

Do you need some help with your hair Amy? Katherine asked.

Amy shook her head and carried her empty plate into the kitchen as Sarah ran to get her bag.

Tim sat at the kitchen table, laptop open and research papers around him. He gave Amy a quick nod before turning back to his work.

Katherine followed and was now packing two suspiciously healthy looking lunches for her and Sarah, not the hint of a chocolate bar to be seen.

Tim, Katherine called but there was no response. Tim! She was slightly louder this time.

Tim actually jumped and gave her a startled look.

It is eight thirty.

Tim nodded, his curly hair looking dishevelled. He took off his glasses and rummaged around in the papers beside him for the keys and hurried them off to school.

Mrs Henderson nodded to Tim as Amy and Sarah took their place at the back of the line.

Sarah turned to her, questions in her eyes but she never got a chance to ask them. Mrs Henderson took her aside before Sarah could say anything.

Your mum called me this morning and told me what happened.

Amy’s eyes filled with tears unexpectedly and she wiped them away before anyone could see. She didn’t want to cry in front of Mrs Henderson, and certainly didn’t want the boys in the class to see her cry.

Mrs Henderson gave her a sympathetic look and, guiding her by the shoulders, took her up the front to a desk that usually sat empty. It was where troublemakers had to sit when Mrs Henderson caught them out. Paul, a regular visitor to this desk was already there.

She took the seat beside Paul. Paul didn’t look up. He was staring at the desk, not paying attention to anything. Mrs Henderson put a glass of water in front of each of them. That was only allowed when someone was sick.

Amy glanced at Sarah who today was sitting beside Emily, in Amy’s usual seat. Their heads were together and they were whispering. Amy felt momentarily miffed. It wasn’t often she had news this big.

Mrs Henderson handed out the maths sheets and Amy sighed, she hated maths. But when Mrs Henderson came around to her and Paul she brought out the coveted colouring sheets instead.

It might make you feel better to keep yourself busy Paul, she said as she put the sheets and coloured pencils in front of them.

Then she remembered. The news vans had been at the school all last week. Paul’s little brother had gone missing last week. Just like Robbie.

Yareph – Scara City – Second Winter, 6th Firstday

The sun was shining, streaming in through arched windows as Yareph and his friends entered the apprentice classroom for the last time. The dust motes spun and danced in the beams. The desks were packed away. They would not be brought out again until after the Spring Festival when the next class of apprentices moved up.

The sixteen boys of the class were waiting. The boys whispered encouragements and rumours about who the panel would be.

Over on one side were the boxes that contained their belongings, one for each boy. Yareph added his to the pile. Those who failed the exam today would go straight to the Outer Rooms. There were no second chances.

Master Zalef came over as soon as he saw him.

I hear you are not well Yareph. The Apprentice Master took his head in his hand and Yareph felt the spells flash over him.

I am alright Master, he said, ashamed that his voice shook.

Hmm. Zalef gestured and handed him a plate of bread and fruit. Yareph looked up at him. You cannot do the exam hungry, eat something. I will move you down the list.

Thank you Master, Yareph said, taking the plate. He had not expected Master Zalef to notice, let alone care.

Benran, you are first, go through.

Anef sat beside him as Benran headed into the exam room.

Amy – Australia – September 2nd

She would have to talk to Paul. That wasn’t going to be easy. Paul was one of the sporty kids and thought he was better than everyone else. Just because he could throw a ball through a hoop, that wasn’t so special.

But she never got the chance. Mrs Henderson didn’t let them back into the classroom when they returned from morning recess. Instead she led them to the hall for a special assembly.

Constable Frank was there with a detective from Warrnambool. They talked about the recent abductions and how important it was to tell Mum and Dad, or a teacher, if they saw anything strange.

She glanced over at Paul but he wasn’t paying attention to her or to what the police were saying, he just sat and stared at his hands. He looked so sad she could almost feel sorry for him, even if he was an idiot. He must be missing his brother as much as she was.

There were police and news vans at the gates of the school as they headed back to the classroom.

Amy waited until someone asked a question and turned to Paul.

Paul. There was no response. Paul.

What? His sullen tone nearly made her give up, but she remembered how sad he had looked at the assembly. Besides, he might be able to give her something more to go on.

My brother got kidnapped by the monster too.

There was a long silence and Amy wondered if Paul had heard her. She was about to repeat it when he answered.

Mum said it was a man dressed as a monster.

Was not. Men don’t melt under the bed, Amy said and Paul turned to face her, then nodded.

It ate Dave, he said then turned back to his colouring. Amy was surprised to see tears splash onto the page.

It didn’t eat him, she whispered. I saw men; they took Robbie from the monster. He didn’t get eaten. Paul looked up, wiping the tears away. I’m going to go get him back. You can come as well, since it took your brother too.

There was another long silence and she started to get angry. It wasn’t as if she had to let him come.

Do you know how to fight a monster? he asked, looking her up and down.

I don’t have to fight a monster. It is the bad men we need to get him back from.

Do you even know how to get there? Paul asked, giving her a very sceptical look.

Amy wasn’t going to admit she wasn’t sure at this point. Easy, the purple thing is under the bed. We have to go under the bed and want it to come. Then we go through and get Robbie back.

Any bed?

Well it came at my house last, but the police are still there. We will have to be really careful when we sneak in.

They are done at my house. It came up from under Dave’s bed. It should work there.

Then you need to invite me to your house for dinner.

Mum won’t let anyone come over. Anyway it has to be at midnight.

Midnight?

Monsters come out at midnight, everyone knows that.

It wasn’t midnight when the monster came last night.

It has to be midnight. My parents don’t go to bed until late so you will have to sneak in late anyway.

Mrs Henderson looked over at them and they both pretended to be busy with their colouring.

Paul bumped her and handed her a note under the desk.

My address. See you tonight, at midnight.

At midnight.

Yareph – Scara City – Second Winter, 6th Firstday

Yareph regretted the meal when Master Zalef called him into the exam room. His stomach was threatening rebellion. He stood in the circle and bowed to the panel.

Apprentice Yareph, begin.

Yareph took a deep breath and started his spells.

War was the first discipline. For each discipline there were three exam spells a student could choose. For war, he chose the easiest. He switched his gaze to mage sight and teased strands of magic out of the air, arranging them in the required pattern. Another touch of magic set the pattern in place.

He closed his eyes and let his power flow into the pattern. If he put the power through in the wrong order or at the wrong strength it would either fail to activate, or break. He didn’t dare to open them again until he felt the pattern activate.

The small wooden ball on the floor in front of him rose and moved through the air in the required sequence. He set it down when done, careful to ensure it made no sound on impact. He looked up at the panel. Zalef nodded to him.

He could hear murmurs as the masters discussed each spell, but nothing of what was said. As he went through a basic shield and blocked a hold spell, he could sense the panel’s dissatisfaction with his efforts.

There was a heat behind his eyes and he blinked back tears as he used the handle of a broken cup as the focus to find the rest of it hidden in the room. He must not cry.

They were going to send him to the Outer Rooms.

Anef and Benran were gifted. There was no question of them failing the exam. If he were assigned to the Outer Rooms, he would be alone.

He completed the weather spell, a fire spell to light the hearth.

The healing spell just used teaching patterns. He was not expected to safely spell on a patient at this level. For this one he stretched himself and used the second level spell. This spell would close and knit a deep wound. He risked a glance at Zalef. There was a slight smile on his face now.

For the device spell he returned to the easy option and set a basic light spell into a small disk of crystal that would activate at a touch. For the gates, he chose the reference spell for guiding a gate spell into a set area. He glanced up. The frown was back on Zalef’s face.

He risked a slight smile as he reached illusions. This he could do. He set the third pattern and he heard some of the panel gasp as an illusion of a flower of the sun appeared before them. He held it a mark, before dropping the spell.

Zalef was smiling broadly now.

He hesitated before the last spell. Minds was the most difficult and most dangerous of all the disciplines. It was also the discipline in which Lord Rentock held his mastery. Again he went for the third spell, a calming spell.

As with healing, it was considered too dangerous for the apprentices to attempt a full spell. He set the teaching pattern before him, setting it in place but not activating it. He held it long enough for the masters to check it over for any flaws then dropped the spell. The exam done, he bowed low.

Zalef was frowning again when he looked up.

Are there any other spells you wish to show us Apprentice Yareph?

Yareph hesitated, he did have a spell prepared, but it didn’t always work. A failed spell would look worse than none. His legs were shaking and his stomach still in knots.

No my lord.

Very well, you are dismissed.

Yareph bowed again, then fled.

Amy – Australia – September 2nd

Emily had piano lessons over lunch, so Amy managed to get Sarah off on her own.

"You can’t be serious. Mum won’t let you stay over at a boy’s