Another day, another post.
This chapter was originally supposed to be two separate ones, but since I'd already written the next one and they were pretty similar in theme I'm just gonna post 'em both. They are set up chapters, chores that need to get done in order for the rest of the story to work. But enjoy them anyway.
Princess Rivalee (Part 7)
The next few weeks consisted of the most strenuous exercises in both body and mind.
The Court Magician did indeed come back to give her lessons, but not her normal ones. He explained that according to The Code of all magic users, the one who discovered the magic talent was responsible for training it. He began to teach her the basics of magic.
Riva was already familiar with the theory but like anything else, actually putting it into practice was another story. Finding the energy within her and keeping a hold of it took great concentration, using was even more difficult.
Glen was also giving her lessons, every night for a few hours they would work on survival skills, self-defence and conditioning (Riva’s least favorite part).
“Come on, Riva, you’ve gotta build your muscles! How are you going to draw a bow if you can’t even string it? What if you fell from the balcony? Could you pull yourself back up?” He would push her always doing whatever exercise with her until they finished.
“Now, stand up.”
“Why?” Riva groaned after several rounds of push-ups.
“I’m gonna teach you how to fight!” Glen cackled with glee. He was enjoying this way too much.
When she had finally learned how to climb a rope up to her balcony, they started doing things on the grounds. He taught her how to move silently, which was very difficult due to the snow on the ground. He showed her how to make a shelter with a waxed skin and they would run. He wanted her to get used to running on uneven ground and with little light.
Riva had never learned to run! The action was completely foreign to her. Everything was foreign to her. Often she would fall or mess up horribly, Glen would tease her a little, quickly correct her and they would move on. He never raised his voice.
Once he grinned at her, “You’re trying, that’s more than I can say for some nobles. I can’t fault someone who was never taught.”
That’s right, he grew up begging. Riva mused. He knows what it’s like to feel utterly ignorant.
While those nights were hard and long, she would always remind herself that she was with Glen. She could bear any treatment if it was just a little more time with him before he left.
“I finished, thank you for letting me borrow it.” Riva informed the Court Magician, carefully handing him his book back.
“Ah! What did you think of it?”
Riva cocked her head to one side, considering. “His writing style was verbose and at times difficult to understand, but he had a firm understanding of magic. Sir, is there such a thing as the ‘universal magic’? We’ve used several of Kadric’s techniques but I’m afraid I still don’t know much about magic in other parts of the world.”
The Court Magician chuckled, “Verbose. I would think so- I was very young when I wrote this. And we are getting to other forms of magic, but first you must have a very strong foundation in the fundamentals.”
Riva’s eyes widened. “You wrote this book? You are Kadric?”
He nodded solemnly. “Yes, and I prefer Kadric to ‘sir,’ if you please. Now, back to our lesson. While you understand the concept of the flow of energy and where it comes from” he fluttered his hands indicating the air around them, “what you don’t understand is that magic is the connection of souls-” He pointed to himself and then to the walls. “I touched the stones and asked them to protect you, engraving my will into theirs. You cannot force a conscious, living thing to do your will. Horrible things have happened to both the caster and the victim, which we will discuss at a later time. You will also find that magic is more successful if you work with objects that are already equipped with the abilities that you need.” The rest of his lesson was a discussion of the elements and how one could influence them in the most efficient way.
“Magic is eighty percent planning, envisioning it in your mind, twenty percent concentration and will, and two percent execution.”
Riva raised a brow.
Kadric grinned, “I’m trying to make a point. I well envisioned and planned spell will fall into place rather than fighting the very fabric of nature. If you understand the fabric of nature you can use it to your advantage. Great wizards use very little power, while those you see performing in the streets use too much and tire quickly.”
Riva soon discovered that magic was actually a study of the physics of the earth and about the interaction of both living and inanimate.
“No Riva, hands up in front of your face! Don’t let anyone get a free hit. Feet well braced, one foreword.Good. Now punch my face! HARDER!” Glen was grinning bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Riva laughed at the his excitement and hit with all her might at the hand that was guarding his head. She looked up at Glen and laughed harder. He looked half drunk and was wobbling just slightly on his feet. We’re both so tired, we can barely see straight!
Steadily Riva improved. Her aching bones and throbbing muscled finally adjusted to the abuse and dulled. At first exerting so much extra energy was bewildering, but she discovered it actually helped her focus. Her appetite grew and she notices that her shoulders weren’t fitting in her dresses anymore.
During the day she was absorb as much as she could with the Court Magician.
“You know, believe it or not, most wizards and magicians see magic as a checklist or a recipe. You mix this, put a little of that and Tada! You have your result. I’m teaching you to look at magic as a whole. You’ll find that my way of seeing it will be very different than those you will meet in the future. They will stick to a certain field of magic and specialize in it. I suggest you keep an open mind to all ways of magic, every style and every technique. There is always something new to learn.”
“What have you seen other magicians do?”
“Oh, I’ve seen animal transformation, seers of the past and future, herbalists, summoners, fire eaters, even some simple parlor tricks have traces of magic.” He shrugged. “I plan to write another book, this time incorporating all that I’ve seen and learned since my first version.”
Riva raised her brows but kept her eyes closed, trying to focus her on her inner energy. “That’s quite a feat, when can I read it?”
Kadric laughed, “What? I already have a critic ready and waiting?”
She smiled slightly, “‘I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.’” She quoted firmly. She had memorized the quote soon after she’d fallen into a pit of self-loathing.
“Who said that?”
“Charles Schwab, he was a very successful merchant.”
Kadric grunted. “He sounds like a hard man. Do you agree with him?”
Riva opened her eyes and considered before answering. “Yes... I do. He words it very specifically. Approval means that you are satisfied with the work and do not require anything more. If you were to suggest that something could be improved or fixed, wouldn’t that be a form of criticism? even if it was done in a loving and caring way? A mother can still correct her child while loving him.”
Kadric was quiet for a moment. “Don’t you mean a ‘father’?”
Riva clamped her mouth shut and swallowed. She didn’t think Kadric would direct the conversation in this direction. “He’s not my father.”
“But he’s the closest thing you’ve ever had.” He paused. “Don’t you think you should make peace with him before he leaves?”
Riva was getting agitated and it was reflecting on her hold. She took a deep breath and released the energy before she lost control completely.
Kadric was sitting on one of the cushioned seats, head in hand, elbow on braced on the arm of the chair. He sighed loudly, “Well, at least I know you are careful. Most students let it out all at once.” He stood wearily and laid a hand on her shoulder in passing. “The King is not a bad man, he’s just bitter and angry. Surely you can understand that.”
“Just because I understand him doesn’t mean I have to like him. Or trust him.” Riva muttered, keeping her eyes trained on the floor. “It’s not like it’s my fault...” She looked up at Kadric. “Is it because I look like her? Is it because every time he sees my face it reminds him of her?”
He shook his head solemnly, “No, it can’t be. I think if you looked like her, even just a little bit, he could forgive you, but you don’t look anything like her.”
Riva was silent for only a moment, “I’m going to go practice with fire.” She stood and headed toward the balcony.
“Don’t get carried away. Fire’ll eat anything-” Kadric gave her a meaningful look. “and everything.”
He means. “Don’t die.” “Got it.” She said aloud and he left.
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