Training For War: The Bond Once Severed Book 2 (Updating)

A Prologue

"Why must you go?" Alistair looked at his master again but did not pause in his packing. He knew his master would not change his mind, yet Alistair felt he should understand why. "Such a primitive, volatile place."

"My little niece needs me." Master Seren frowned as he chose between two books, then shrugged and put them both in his small satchel. "She has struggled alone in that land for so long, and her powers are blooming."

"What does that matter to us? The barrier will protect us." Alistair did pause this time, still confused by his master's need to help a distant relative in a foreign land.

"Will it?" Master Seren's pale face creased with the hint of an ironic smile. It was a look that told Alistair that he had missed something.

"Will it not?" Alistair queried contritely.

"Who built the barrier, Alistair?"

"Queen Numi and her counsel," Alistair recited his ancient history dutifully.

"And who maintains the barrier?" Master Seren asked as he flexed his back and looked around his room. His voice held the patience he always seemed to have when Alistair was missing something obvious. Alistair wondered why the master thought he was worthy of his tutelage. Many others were of quicker wit than Alistair, yet the master had chosen him.

"The royal family, or a barrier Master if none are born to the family."

"And when was the last barrier Master born?" The older master sat in his chair, and his blue eyes pierced Alistair, willing him to understand.

"50 years ago, Prince Rayaud was born with barrier magic." Alistair sat hard on a chair. Prince Rayaud. Alistair looked at his armband, black with mourning. Alistair was related to the Royal family, just as his master was. It was a distant relationship, but in the Castle, any relation must mourn the death of a principal royal. The barrier master had died while pushing more strength into the weakening barrier. He had not been the strongest of masters born to his family, and none of his offspring had held his powers. Alistair understood and looked at his master. "Will she come back with you?"

"I doubt it, though Master Paulo has promised to allow his barrier master to visit again. It was part of the agreement when we accepted Minho to the Academy." Master Seren smiled at the thought of the newest Academy member, and Alistair smiled in return.

Minho was not to be his master's apprentice, but all were taught by Master Seren when they first arrived. He was the Master Wiseman, the one with the knowledge of generations, the strongest Wiseman in the Academy's history. Minho had accepted Alistair immediately. He didn't seem to notice the younger boy's limp or slow responses. His gentle smile and compassionate dark eyes had made Alistair like him immediately.

Classes had ended a few weeks back, and all those who were not yet apprenticed had returned to their homes. Alistair had missed Minho, though they had only known each other a few months. Minho was the one reason Alistair's dread was less about this trip his master made. Minho and those who had raised him would be there to protect his master. If they had created such a kind son, the parents could not be bad.

"Will the council allow him to touch the barrier?"  Alistair thought of the late Prince's objection to the foreign master's offer of help. It had been his undoing.  His pride had forced him to pour too much of himself into the barrier. He had strengthened it but at the ultimate cost. Now, they were without a barrier master and would have to rely on the charity of outsiders to maintain it.

"The King and Queen have placed their weight behind it. The council will agree. We cannot risk the barrier collapsing while awaiting another barrier master to be born of royal blood." For a moment, Master Seren looked older than his 40 years. The weight of all his knowledge pulled his features into a scowl. The docile smile he always kept on his lips disappeared. This was the Master Seren that Alistar only saw when they were alone, and even then, rarely. The Wiseman could know the future by examining the past. Rogenna had been safe and peaceful for all of living memory, but the Master Wiseman could see farther back than any who currently lived. He could see the civil wars, the departure of the pilgrims, the building of the barrier. Master Serene knew the signs of civil unrest that no others recognized. Alistar could see some of this now; his powers were awakening. Master Seren had shown him how to access them without losing himself in the memories as he had in his youth.